The Balearic Islands consist of the four main islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, and are visited by millions of tourists every year. Very few of them, however, come to go windsurfing there. One thing is certain: anyone focusing 100 per cent on windsurfing will not find wind conditions on any of the Balearic Islands during the summer months that are comparable to those in the Canary Islands. But because the islands – in addition to being easily accessible, having a mild climate and charming scenery – have so much to offer, the Balearic Islands can be a worthwhile destination for anyone looking for a ‘summer holiday with water sports on offer’.
Local Jono Dunnett, who – when he’s not off surfing halfway around the world – calls Menorca home and also explores the surrounding islands, reveals which spots in the Balearic Islands are best for getting out on the water whilst on holiday. The picture is somewhat mixed: whilst good windsurfing conditions are relatively rare in Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and, to some extent, Formentera boast a lively scene and a surprising number of spots. Each of the four islands offers its own windsurfing scene with a very special atmosphere.
During the spring and summer months, there is usually a light to moderate breeze: the Levante from the east or the thermal Embat – in some places, these can pick up to a level suitable for windsurfing, though this ultimately creates conditions that are more relaxed than extreme. Things are different during the winter months: when the Balearic Islands come under the influence of a low-pressure system, strong winds with a westerly or northerly component are the order of the day – and that’s when the Balearic Islands’ wave spots really come to life.
Mallorca: A vibrant scene, plenty of windsurfing spots
By far the largest island, with dozens of flight connections to Northern Europe. Given the island’s size, you can rely more on summer thermals. The Bay of Palma is famous for the Embat – a 15-knot sea breeze that picks up around March or April and lasts well into the summer. Mallorca also has a thriving local windsurfing community, which focuses more on recreational surfing than on competitions. Important: Rental centres are often only open in summer.
Palma – C’an Pastilla
This is a well-known beach in the Bay of Palma, right next to the airport. The atmosphere is rather urban; behind the sandy beach there are numerous hotels, bars and restaurants. Surfing here is best in south-westerly to westerly winds, though easterly to south-easterly winds also work. The Pipeline surf shop is located on site; it sells equipment and can repair boards, sails and wings (mallorcapipeline.com). The El Niño Surf Centre is the place to go even if you don’t have your own kit; it offers lessons and equipment hire, including freeride gear. paddlesurfmallorca.com
Bay of Pollença — Es Barcarès
In the north-east of the island lies the large bay of Pollença, which is particularly worth a visit in spring and early summer, as this is when thermal winds pick up, regularly providing good conditions for foiling and freeriding. Large sails are recommended at this time, however, as the wind generally doesn’t exceed 15 knots. The Belline Surf Shop in Pollença is a good place to start. A flat-water spot, ideal for freeriding, with a bit of thermal wind in early summer, but still offering conditions for large sails. mallorcakiteboarding.com
Bay of Alcudia
The neighbouring Bay of Alcudia also has plenty to offer. During the summer months, you can hire freeride and wingfoil equipment in the northern part of the bay, for example at the Windfriends surf centres (windfriends.com) and Watersports Mallorca (watersportsmallorca.com). Sticking to the surf centres is also an advantage because the bay gets quite busy in summer and there are designated corridors for water sports enthusiasts. The bay is well worth a visit when there are typical thermal conditions with a Levante from the east or an Embat from the south. At such times, the wind is often strong enough for foiling and larger freeride gear. In the off-season, the bay even offers proper wave spots. When the wind blows from the north to north-east, a proper point break gets going at S’Estanyol/Cobardes, which allows for good wave riding with the wind coming from the right.
Sa Rapita
Another very popular spot is the long, dune-lined Sa Rapita beach near Palma. This spot works best with westerly or south-westerly winds, which come in from the right as sideshore to side-onshore. Easterly to south-easterly winds are also recommended, as the wind then blows from the left. Depending on the wind strength, you’ll find bump-and-jump conditions here, or even waves. When the westerly wind is coming from the right, the proximity to the marina offers some protection from larger waves. At the south-eastern end of the beach is the Ses Covetes launch site. There’s more swell there and, with a north-westerly wind, a cleaner breeze. Those who are confident in their skills can go all out a little further west, at S’Estanyol de Migjorn. Waves from the west break cleanly as they roll round the headland. A south-westerly wind is ideal, but take-off and landing are over rocks, so this is definitely a spot for wave experts.
Ibiza: More partying than time spent in the water
To put it briefly: Ibiza isn’t the ideal spot for windsurfing enthusiasts in the Balearic Islands! The longer beaches and the best conditions for funboard windsurfing can be found in the south of the island. That said, the club and regatta scene is well established, particularly in Sant Antoni, where the Club Naùtic has a fleet of windsurfing boards (and organises an annual event attracting international participants), as well as in Santa Eulalia, which also has a raceboard fleet. There are local water sports centres, but no equipment hire facilities beyond the beginner or longboard level. Overall, Ibiza has less wind than Mallorca or Menorca.
Anyone who’s still willing to take a chance and bring their own windsurfing or foiling kit can try their luck on the southern side of Sant Antoni Bay, at Punta Pinet. Strong north-westerly winds drive in waves that break against a rocky headland. When the wind is blowing from the left, jumps and wave riding are possible. A small sandy cove directly downwind is available for launching and landing. During the summer holidays, you can try your luck at Es Cavallet, situated in the south of the island. A long, sandy, east-facing beach offers a lovely atmosphere. Thermal north-easterly to easterly winds (Levante) blow onshore; depending on the wind strength, conditions remain flat or feature small swell. But as mentioned earlier – you’ll need your own kit.
Menorca: Often underestimated
Menorca is the north-easternmost island of the Balearic Islands and offers a similar range of windsurfing opportunities to Mallorca. You can find good conditions here in both the summer and winter months. As on Mallorca, thermal winds often blow from spring through to summer, although they are less reliable than on Mallorca. Good spots for catching these are:
Son Xoriguer
Situated in the west of the island, San Xoriguer is a great place to go for anyone arriving without their own kit or wishing to take a course. During the summer months, the south-easterly thermals kick in regularly, blowing at six to twelve knots. This makes the spot particularly suitable for beginners and, to some extent, for foiling. All southerly wind directions are suitable here, from south-east to south-west. There is a long-established surf school which also offers windsurfing and wing kitesurfing equipment for hire (surfsailmenorca.com).
Fornells Bay & Port Addaia
On the north coast of Menorca, Fornells Bay cuts deep into the land, providing great conditions for all ability levels. The Tramontana from the north, a frequent visitor during the winter months, hits the spot sideshore from the left. The Tramontana can get fierce, yet conditions here remain ideal for bump and jump, posing no major obstacle for those looking to progress. Furthermore, the conditions at the Ses Salines spot are also well suited to experienced racers, foilers and freestyle enthusiasts. Ses Salines also performs well in southerly or south-westerly winds, when the wind picks up speed as it passes through the bay after sweeping across the island. An active raceboard class is based here at Club Naùtic Fornells. During the summer season, an easterly thermal often picks up to 15 knots; sailing schools and hire centres (e.g. windfornells.com) are available. Alternatively, when there is a strong northerly wind, the locals often head to Port Addaia, which lies a few minutes to the east. Waves are largely blocked here. Watch out for the shallows!
Cala Tirant/Codolar
Whilst Ses Salines remains sheltered from strong northerly Tramontana winds, the situation is quite different in Cala Tirant: here, the northerly wind pushes a swell towards the coast. You set off from the south-eastern shore of the bay. In moderate winds, even wave novices can take their first tentative steps in the waves breaking in the middle of the bay. In stormy conditions, there can be epic days with mast-high waves, though the waves can sometimes get a bit rough. The spot is surfable from north-north-west to north-north-east. The wind and waves come from a similar direction – frontside rides are therefore difficult, but jumps are possible. At the south-western end of the bay, at the Codolar spot, the wave turns further round, which improves the angle for riding. However, the entry point here is over rocks, so this spot is best suited to experts. Anyone wishing to get out on the water here should speak to the friendly locals beforehand to find out about the spot’s specific features.
Son Bou
On the south coast of Menorca lies Son Bou, a long sandy beach that offers two distinct experiences: the summer thermals from the south to south-southeast regularly pick up here, providing relaxed freeride or foil conditions against a beautiful backdrop of dunes. The water remains relatively calm, with just a few rocks in the clear water that you should keep an eye on. During the winter months, wave enthusiasts also make regular pilgrimages to Son Bou. West to west-north-westerly winds blow almost sideshore from the right, bringing solid swell. Access via the sand is easy, though the wave over the offshore sandbank packs a fair bit of power.
Punta Prima
At the south-eastern tip of the island, water sports enthusiasts are treated to a picture-postcard setting, with surfing taking place in turquoise waters off a white sandy beach. The offshore island, complete with its lighthouse, adds the finishing touch to the atmosphere. You can get out on the water here mainly when there’s a strong north-easterly wind, which occurs predominantly in winter and can provide excellent down-the-line conditions. You enter the water from the beach, but it’s still tricky due to the wind shelter near the shore. Further out, the waves break cleanly over a reef – a feature much appreciated by the numerous surfers. South-westerly winds are also surfable here; when they blow, Punta Prima becomes a ‘bump and jump’ spot with the wind coming from the right.
Formentera: The heart of the raceboard scene
Formentera can be reached by ferry from nearby Ibiza. In summer, there’s usually a light thermal breeze here, which means the raceboard and iQFOil scenes are thriving. Here, too, you can hire equipment and book courses at surf schools. In the north, Formentera is flat and boasts long sandy beaches, making the island perfect for windsurfing. Here, too, you’ll need to bring your own windsurfing kit or hire wingfoil equipment from one of the surf centres. The best places to go are:
S’Estany des Peix
The almost completely enclosed bay next to the ferry terminal is absolutely safe and sheltered from waves. What’s more, the spot offers a wide wind window; both westerly and easterly winds are good for surfing. The ‘Club de Surf Formentera’ is based here, and the local racers use it as a training base, although they mainly surf in the open water beyond the lagoon.
Illetas
At the northern tip of Formentera, a narrow headland stretches for several kilometres from north to south – a picture-postcard setting that ensures the area gets very busy in summer, with numerous yachts moored along the beaches. Nevertheless, you can go windsurfing on both sides of the headland – with either onshore or offshore conditions. Wind from the east or south-west is ideal. However, if you happen to visit on a windy day, you can only hire wingfoil equipment locally, for example at Whitesand Surf Formentera (whitesandsurf.es).
Platja de Migjorn/Ca Mari
The beach, which is several kilometres long and faces south, offers a variety of entry points; thanks to its gentle curve, you’ll always find a good wind angle when there are south-westerly, westerly or north-westerly winds. In winter, westerly winds even push surf waves towards the coast. As a general rule, the waves get bigger further east towards Platja s’Arenal, whilst further west at Ca Mari, surfing is significantly more sheltered. In summer, south-easterly thermals also dominate in this part of the Balearic Islands; however, they are rarely strong enough for gliding, so raceboards are frequently spotted here too.