On Formentera’s west coast, Cala Saona is the only large sandy inlet breaking the line of cliffs. The contrast is striking: red ochre rocks enclosing water of an almost unreal turquoise!
It is one of the island’s best sunset spots and one of its easiest coves to enjoy, with parking, a chiringuito and limpid water for everyone.
Cala Saona is on the west coast, a few kilometres south of La Savina. The bay is well sheltered, the water very calm and transparent, the sand fine and soft. Framed by reddish cliffs, it has a unique palette of colours that comes fully alive at dusk, when the rock glows.
You can do plenty of water sports and luxury water toys, and you cannot miss the many yachts that drop anchor during the day (including plenty of celebrities).
About Cala Saona
What sets Cala Saona apart is its marriage of colours: the orange-red of the cliffs, the green of the pines, the turquoise of the bay. The cove is wide enough to feel comfortable, and its due-west orientation makes it a natural viewpoint for the sunset. Many visitors stay at the end of the day just for that.
As the bay is sheltered, the water stays calm even when the wind picks up elsewhere, making it a reassuring beach for family swimming. There are also a few old fishermen’s huts that recall the place’s past.
To compare with other Formentera must-sees, see Estany des Peix on the lagoon side, or the big southern beaches along the Migjorn coast.
Access and parking at Cala Saona
Good news compared with Ses Illetes: Cala Saona is one of the easiest beaches to reach in Formentera. You come by car or two-wheeler and the car park is large, a change from the overcrowded coves of the north. From the car park, wooden walkways built to protect the dunes lead to the beach.
If you are coming from Ibiza for the day, the ferry drops you in La Savina, a handful of kilometres from the cove. To sort out times and companies before you go, see our complete guide to the Ibiza-Formentera ferry. Once there, rent a scooter to get to the beach.
Eating and sleeping at Cala Saona
The cove has several restaurants and beach bars, including Chiringuito Saona, the best known, perfect for a drink with your feet in the sand. On the hotel terraces, the in-house restaurant serves refined Mediterranean food with a breathtaking view of the bay. Prices climb fast in Formentera, but the location is unforgettable.
A special feature of Cala Saona: it is home to one of the island’s oldest hotels, opened in the 1950s and still running, with direct beach access and a spa. Sleeping here means enjoying the cove at sunrise and sunset, once the day visitors have left.
For other places to stay on the island, see our Formentera hotel guide.
Activities and good practice
Cala Saona’s calm, clear water is good for snorkelling along the rocky edges, paddleboarding and kayaking. But the real star activity is the sunset: arrive in the late afternoon, settle facing west and watch the rock turn red. Few spots in Formentera offer such a show so easily.
To extend the day with other experiences, our guide to activities in Formentera has the best ideas, from cycling round the island to boat trips. Cala Saona also combines very well with a loop of the west coast and the nearby Cap de Barbaria lighthouse.
Two places to stay share the immediate surroundings of the cove.
- Hotel Cala Saona & Spa (9.0/10): the only hotel right on the cove, with a pool and spa.
- Apartamentos Punta Rasa (9.6/10): apartments with kitchens six hundred metres away, for a more independent stay.
For bus timetables and island services, the official Formentera tourism website keeps the information up to date.
