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Secret coves, beaches and harbours in Minorca.
In the previous section, I spoke about the coastline near Fornells.
It's the part that most interests me as I'm based there and I'm
not going into as much detail with the all the varied and beautiful
coast of Minorca. A few general characteristics:
An imaginary line divides Minorca into two halves, North and South.
Even the earth is different on either side of the line; darker,
red sandstone with areas of slate to the North and pale limestone
to the South. The coastlines are also different. Rugged and wind
beaten in the North, with Fornells as a haven, except in northerly
gales. Generally lower with beaches and long stretches of sand in
the South.
Although the entire South coast is a succession of coves and beaches,
there are more towards the ends of the island. Most of the early
dwellers on Minorca were to be found at the South Easterly point
where the caves were most abundant. Today this area is much influenced
by the populous capital, Mahon. Es Castell and Sant Lluis, once
part of Mahon are now independent towns. The coast here offers a
variety of interesting places.
Es Castell, inside the approaches to the port of Mahon, has its
own small picturesque harbour, Cala Fons. Further south we find
Alcaufar, an old fishing harbour sheltered in a long narrow cove.
The characteristic Minorcan architecture seems to have served as
an example for the more recent buildings which blend respectfully
into the environment. At the most South Easterly point of Minorca,
facing the Illa de l'Aire is Punta Prima, its beach and holiday
village making one of the more conventional and busy holiday spots
on the island.
Continuing on the South coast, heading west, the coves surrounding
the small fishing village of Torret, whose 17th Century watch tower
reminds us of the one at Fornells: stretch from Cala Binibeca -with
a pleasant yacht club - to Cala Binissafúller.
After Cap d'en Font and the coves of Biniparratx and Binidali begin
the Peñas de Alaior, the less densely populated high cliffs
that reach Cala En Porter, a picture book cove with its beach well
protected by the towering cliffs and just a short distance from
the prehistoric settlement at the lovely Calas Coves.
In one of the cliffs protecting Cala En Porter is the Cova d'en
Xoroi, overhanging the sea. It was a prehistoric dwelling, home
to a mythical pirate and is now a discotheque and vantage point
with a most spectacular view.
The next stretch of coast has excellent, long, sandy beaches followed
by a series of coves which are not all easily accessible from inland.
Son Bou beach, South of Alaior, is the longest on the island. A
little further west are the beautiful beaches of Sant Tomás
and Binigaus, to the South of the tiny farming village of Es Migjorn
Gran. To get to Cala Escorxada, Cala Fustam or Cala Trebalúger
-beaches and cliffs surrounded by pinewoods- you have to cross private
farmlands, not always possible, or go by boat. This is a peaceful
area far from the busy beaches, even in the height of summer.
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Cala Galdana is one of the most attractive
tourist centres of the South Coast with a good road running to Ferreries.
Nearby are the magnificent coves of Macarella and Turqueta, the former
with prehistoric caves.
Both are surrounded by pines and well sheltered by cliffs. Both these
bays have been defended against any kind of building whatsoever by
public opinion and are now legally protected areas.
After the Punta des Governador and the spacious Arenal de Son Saura
we enter the area of Ciutadella, at the south-western end of Minorca.
This is a more densely populated area, but has areas, like Son Saura,
of great natural beauty, and pretty beaches like Son Xoriguer. Rounding
the Cape D'Artrutx we arrive at the Western shore of Minorca. Cala
Blanca and Santandria are now tourist centres, although a good many
people from Ciutadella still summer here as in the past.
To the North of Ciutadella, after crossing land dedicated to livestock
breeding, we reach Punta Nati and lighthouse, the most North Easterly
corner of Minorca. The coastline leading to Punta Nati is formed
by high cliffs, as in most of the North, there being several caves,
Cova des Tabac is a well known one, and promontories like the Cap
de Banyos, pleasant coves, Cales Piques, and Cap de Bajoli cove,
all on Minorca's Western coast.
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After Punta Nati we again find ourselves
on the North Coast which we left at Cala Pregonda on our circuit of
Minorca. Before reaching Pregonda there are still several interesting
coves Cala Morell, with its prehistoric cave dwellings and modern
holiday accommodation, being one of the most popular tourist centres
in the North. Further East, Algaiarens, rather difficult to reach
by car, has two beautiful, surprisingly large, beaches. Nestling among
the Minorcan Pines, with wetlands inland, the sheltered bay offers
perfect examples of the Mediterranean beach.
After Cap Gros, to the East we find the Sa Falconera area. Rugged
cliffs, inhospitable terrain only broken by three small coves, del
Pilar, Moragues and d'en Calderer- which brings us to Cala Barril
and the Islas Bledas islets. We're now back in the Cala Pregonda
area and can see Cap de Cavallería a few miles distant sheltering
Fornells Bay.
Protected Marine Area
The protected area of the North Coast of Menorca includes the coastal
and inland waters between Cape Gros, the Porros Islet and the Morter
Point on the Mola headland. There are three levels of protection:
Area A which is fully protected, Area B where professional fishing
only is authorised, and Area C, designed to reduce the human impact
on the area. Sport fishing is also restricted.
Since the protected area was created, marine life has increased
significantly.
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