Pou des Lleó, also called Cala Mestella, is a small rocky cove on Ibiza’s north-east coast, lined with stone boat huts. No fine sand or sunbeds here: you come for the clear water, the rocks and the peace.
The cove is in the municipality of Santa Eulària des Riu, away from the main roads, in an area that has stayed unspoilt. It is about 50 metres long and 10 metres wide, so it fills up fast. Do not confuse it with Cala Mastella, its neighbour a little over a kilometre to the north: they are two separate coves with two different atmospheres.
About Pou des Lleó
What gives the place its identity are the “escars”: traditional boat shelters, dug or built at the water’s edge, where fishermen kept their boats safe from the swell. Several still stand along the cove, in wood and stone, either maintained or weathered. It is a piece of rural, seafaring Ibiza from before tourism that has survived almost intact.
The setting stays rocky and wild: no heavy development, a narrow cove framed by rock and low vegetation. It is the kind of place that appeals to explorers and couples looking for a quiet spot rather than a lively beach. If you want services, bars and atmosphere, head instead to Es Canar, a few minutes’ drive south.
Access and parking
You get there on a narrow road that winds between fields and dry-stone walls for the last few kilometres. Passing another car sometimes means pulling over, so drive slowly. GPS is the most reliable way to find the turn-off: the coordinates 39.0349, 1.6084 take you straight to the edge of the cove.
Parking is at the edge of the cove, in a small, unsurfaced area. In high season, it is best to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon: when it is full, it is full, and reversing back up a narrow road is no fun. If you find the cove packed, Cala Boix is the logical fallback in the same area.
Swimming, snorkelling and good practice
You get into the water over a rocky bottom: water shoes or sandals really make the day, especially with children. On the other hand, this rocky seabed is exactly what makes snorkelling interesting here, with relief, crevices and usually very clear water. A mask and snorkel are basic equipment for this kind of cove, not an optional extra.
The cove is exposed: with an easterly wind, the swell comes in and swimming becomes much less comfortable, even risky near the rocks. Check the marine forecast before you go. There are no services, so bring water, shade and food, and take your rubbish home: the site owes its value precisely to its lack of development. To round off the day with a boat trip or a guided dive, see the options in our guide to activities in Ibiza.
