Cala Salada Beach Review

As seems to happen often in Ibiza the beaches come in pairs and here we have another great two for one set; the larger Cala Salada and its tiny but beautiful neighbour Saladeta, two coves separated by a rugged stretch of rock. Side by side but ever so different these two beaches are both stunning and are surrounded by water so blue you won't believe it’s real. Backed by rugged hills covered in pine trees and dust, with unspoilt views out over unpopulated coastline these beaches feel a million miles away from any civilisation, when in reality they are only a 30-minute drive from the bustle of San Antonio town.

The larger of the two Cala Salada is a beautiful beach but tends to get over looked in favour of the unnaturally beautiful Saladeta sitting next door but Salada is not without charm and it has all the ease of access and facilities that Saladeta is lacking and tends to be a lot quieter than it pretty neighbour.

Primarily pebbly Salada has a contingent of sun loungers available for rent but if you don’t want to pay for the rental or lie on the stones you can head to the left of the beach where flat rocks make for good smooth sunbathing territory. The water here is not quite as stunning as at Saladeta but has a shallower gradient better for little swimmers and also has excellent hunting ground for snorkelers who can explore the rocky shelves either side of the beach.

Although both beaches have their own lifeguards in season Cala Salada is the one with the rest of the amenities; toilets, wooden walkway onto the beach and reasonably priced Cala Salada Restaurant. There’s also some parking right by the beach which is reserved for disabled access, all other parking is located at the top of the hill with stone steps leading down to the beach.

Cala Salada is the one if you need accessibility and facilities, but for looks it has to be the jewel of a cove, Cala Saladeta right next door.

Stunning beyond words Saladeta is the place to be and the people know it. Unlike Salada it's a beach of soft deep white sand that is a pleasure to lie on even if your towel is touching all the other peoples’ towels around you. This tiny beach fills up to capacity in peak summer but it doesn’t matter because in front of the beach you have the most incredible patch of ocean. The sea here is an amazing sapphire blue, crystal clear, teeming with friendly fish and just all kinds of inviting. What does it matter if the sand is crowded if you’re going to spend all day in the open water anyway? Entry to the sea here is a little steeper than next door with little waves at the shore line but once in the water it’s protected on both sides, as calm as you like and of a colour you only find on Photoshop.

Accessing Saladeta is tricky because you must navigate the rocks that lie between the two beaches, there are two options; a scramble and climb across the rocks at sea level which may end in wet feet and skinned knees, or a more sedate hike up the hill and along the path at the top descending steeply at the end. This second route is the easier option although neither is recommended for buggies, wheelchairs or anyone requiring much assistance. Once there though it’s a great beach for kids to run wild on because there’s nowhere for them to get into trouble and no road anywhere nearby.

There are no toilets or structures of any kind on this completely undeveloped beach but you will find enterprising vendors catering for your every need with pop up Mojito bars and sandwiches. There are no shops near these beaches at all so, stock up in San Antonio, bring cash for the beach vendors or visit the restaurant Cala Salada for refreshments.

Busy and beautiful these beaches are going to be busier than ever since the number 34 bus, new this year now runs extremely regularly from San An. This will add considerably to the volume of visitors and may put the little ferry, that was orignially the only form of public transport, out of action. Let's hope not though because although a €13 return ticket is a little expensive when compared to the bus at a quarter of the price, arriving at this beach by water to see it appear out of the rugged coastline in all its glory and to cruise through the sapphire waters is a spectacular sight and worth paying for.

But, however you visit Cala Saladeta, just make sure that you do, this is one of Ibiza’s best beaches and it is not to be missed.