Cap Farrutx Mallorca: Cliffs and Sea Caves from the Boat
Cap Farrutx is the eastern tip of the Llevant Natural Park, where the Serra de Llevant drops into the sea in cliffs over 200 metres high. No road, no viewpoint, no beach with facilities. Just sea caves, remarkably clear water and the final destination of our Coves and Caves boat trip.
Cap Farrutx is the eastern tip of the Llevant Natural Park, where the Serra de Llevant drops into the sea in cliffs over 200 metres high. There is no road to the point, no viewpoint with parking, no beach with facilities. What it has are sea caves, remarkably clear water and a coastline that only the most experienced hikers reach on foot and that boat trips explore from the Port of Alcúdia.
Our Coves and Caves boat trip reaches this area. For most visitors it is the easiest way to discover this stretch of coast, since reaching the tip of the cape by land means several hours of mountain hiking.
Where it is
Cap Farrutx is the eastern tip of the Llevant Peninsula, in the municipality of Artà.
Coordinates: 39°46'35" N, 3°23'40" E
| Port of Alcúdia | ~35 km by road / ~30 min by boat |
| Artà (town centre) | ~15 km along forest tracks |
| Colònia de Sant Pere | ~14 km by road |
Quick facts
| Official name | Cap Farrutx (Cap de Ferrutx) |
| Municipality | Artà |
| Type | Cape |
| Maximum height | 564 m (Talaia Freda) |
| Approximate length | ~8 km of coastline from the park boundary to the tip |
| Land access | Free along the Llevant Natural Park trails from s'Alqueria Vella |
| Sea access | Free; anchoring over sand only |
| Environmental protection | Llevant Natural Park (2001, extended 2023); Natura 2000 Network |
| Best-known feature | Sea caves (Sa Cova Gran, Blue Cave) |
| Best way to visit | From the sea (our Coves and Caves boat trip) or hiking from s'Alqueria Vella |
Is it worth visiting?
For anyone taking our Coves and Caves boat trip, Cap Farrutx is the final destination of the route: the cliffs and the caves are the main attraction of that trip.
It is also worthwhile if you enjoy mountain hiking and have a high level of fitness. The long route to the tip of the cape (a circular route of almost 20 km) is demanding but crosses summits with panoramic views over the whole bay.
It is less suitable if you want easy access to the coast by car. There is no road to the point. The cape's coves are unspoilt and have no facilities.
Geography and character of the place
The cliffs of Cap Farrutx are Jurassic limestone that the sea has been eroding for millions of years. The result is walls over 200 metres high in some stretches, with sea caves at the base and small pebble coves that can only be reached from the water.
The Talaia Freda (564 m) and the Bec de Ferrutx (519 m) are the two peaks that dominate the horizon from the Bay of Alcúdia. On clear days they can be made out from Can Picafort or from the boat as it leaves the port.
Nature and wildlife
Cap Farrutx has a notable concentration of birds of prey.
Common: Eleonora's falcon (nesting on the cliffs), shag cormorant, Mallorcan wild goat on the slopes.
Occasional: cinereous vulture, booted eagle, sea turtles offshore in summer, dolphins in open water.
Underwater: well-preserved posidonia, salema, saddled seabream, striped seabream. The posidonia areas have visibility of 15-20 metres in good conditions.
Sea caves
The caves are the standout feature of the Cap Farrutx coastline. The main ones:
Sa Cova Gran: the largest and most accessible by boat, with a high ceiling and access under way.
Sa Cova d'Aubarca: a smaller cave in the Cala Aubarca area.
Blue Cave: known for the blue light effect produced inside under the right lighting conditions. It is the usual final stop of boat trips in the Es Caló area.
All three are on the stretch of coast between Cala Aubarca and Es Caló, and are only accessible from the sea.
Restrictions and permits
Cap Farrutx lies within the Llevant Natural Park.
By land: free access along signposted trails. Some tracks may close without notice due to fire risk or wildlife protection; check at the s'Alqueria Vella Interpretation Centre before setting out.
By sea: free anchoring over sand. Anchoring over posidonia is prohibited. No camping, no fires, no collecting flora or fauna.
How to get there and explore it
By land
The entry point is the s'Alqueria Vella Interpretation Centre (Artà).
Opening hours: 9:00-16:00 (Nov-Mar) / 9:00-18:00 (Apr-Oct). Phone: 606 09 68 30.
| Talaia Freda + S'Arenalet des Verger (circular) | 19.8 km | ~6h 20min | High |
| Talaia Freda short variant (circular) | 7.2 km | ~2h 30min | Moderate-high |
| S'Arenalet d'Aubarca from s'Alqueria | ~6 km one way | ~1h 30min | Moderate |
To reach the tip of the cape you need to take the long route.
By sea
Our Coves and Caves Boat Trip sets sail from the Port of Alcúdia and follows the coast of the Llevant Natural Park to Cap Farrutx. As the boat leaves the busier areas behind, the landscape changes completely and the coast becomes wilder and wilder. The voyage from Alcúdia takes about an hour from the last pick-up at the boarding jetties.
Along the way, and whenever sea conditions allow, there is a swimming stop at one of the best-known coves in the area, such as Cala Clara, Es Caló or S'Arenalet d'Aubarca. The trip also explores several sea caves and corners unreachable by land, revealing from the water one of the best-preserved stretches of coastline in northeastern Mallorca.
Our Private Boat Trips allow you to explore the area at a more leisurely pace.
What it looks like from the sea
Cap Farrutx is especially impressive when seen from the sea. Its profile is far more vertical and imposing than that of Cap Pinar, and the sense of isolation grows as the boat approaches the cliffs. The cliffs, which exceed 200 metres in height in some stretches, are visible from several kilometres away when sailing east from the Bay of Alcúdia.
As you draw closer, the coves hidden between the cliffs appear and numerous sea caves come into view. The Blue Cave can only be fully appreciated from the water, when the boat approaches or partially enters, revealing the play of light reflections inside.
From the boat you grasp the true scale of the cliffs, the relationship between the caves and the coastline, and the location of S'Arenalet des Verger, sheltered by the mountainous relief surrounding it. It is a very different perspective from the one the park's trails offer, and it helps explain why this remains one of the wildest and best-preserved corners of Mallorca's northeastern coast.
When to go
Hiking: spring and autumn. The heat on the mountain routes in summer is punishing. Some tracks close during periods of fire risk.
Boat trip: April to October. June and September usually have the best sea conditions.
Practical tips
For hiking in the park: mountain footwear, plenty of water, a downloaded map (coverage is patchy inland), and a stop at the s'Alqueria Vella Interpretation Centre.
For the boat trip: bring footwear for going ashore at Es Caló if you want to explore on foot. The terrain is rocky.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get there by land or only from the sea?
By land, yes, but it requires several hours of hiking from s'Alqueria Vella. The boat is the most accessible option for most people.
What can you see from the boat?
The cliffs over 200 metres high dropping straight into the sea, the sea caves accessible only from the water (Sa Cova Gran, Blue Cave), unspoilt coves with no road access and the Natural Park coastline without a single building. It is a stretch of coast that cannot be seen any other way.
Is it better to visit on foot or by boat trip?
They are different perspectives. The boat shows the coast and the caves. On foot you see the interior of the park and reach summits with panoramic views. Both make sense depending on what you are after.
Are there access restrictions?
Within the park: camping, fires and leaving the signposted trails are prohibited. By sea: anchoring over sand only.
Can you go hiking?
Yes. Stop first at the s'Alqueria Vella Interpretation Centre to pick up maps and check the state of the trails.
Which of our boat trips offers the best views?
Our Coves and Caves Boat Trip. It is the only one that reaches Cap Farrutx and follows the park's coastline: it skirts the cliffs, enters the sea caves and stops for a swim at one of the coves in the area. Our private boat trips also cover this area with more flexible timing and more time at each spot.
How much time do I need?
For the boat trip, half a day. For the long hiking route (Talaia Freda circular), a full day with an early start.
Is there interesting wildlife?
Yes. Eleonora's falcon and shag cormorants are common. On the slopes, the Mallorcan wild goat. Dolphins appear occasionally in open water.
Artà is a municipality in northeastern Mallorca with an inland old town and an unspoilt coastline. It is not a beach town but a gateway to the Llevant Natural Park and the wildest coves of the east coast.
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