Cala en Gossalba with crystal-clear waters and rocky cliffs on the Formentor peninsula

Cala en Gossalba, Mallorca. Practical guide and tips for visiting

Cala en Gossalba is one of those coves that does not appear in travel brochures. It is hidden on the Formentor peninsula, between cliffs, pine trees and mountain slopes that drop straight down to the sea, and it can only be reached by walking for around 30 minutes along a steep path or by boat. There is no sand, no beach bar, no lifeguard. What it does have is silence, very clear water and very few people, even in summer. If you prefer to avoid the walk, our boat trip to Formentor sails along this coast from the Port of Alcúdia and lets you see the cove from the water without the effort of the trail.

Where is Cala en Gossalba?

Cala en Gossalba is on the Formentor peninsula, within the municipality of Pollença. It is flanked by Puig de les Butzes (162 m) and Morro del Pont, and its closest neighbouring cove is Cala Murta, slightly further west.

How to get there

By car and on foot

The most common route starts at a small viewpoint on the MA-2210 road, the road that runs from Port de Pollença to the Formentor lighthouse. The viewpoint is at kilometre 14.9, after a tunnel. There is only space for four or five cars, so in high season you need to arrive early.

Traffic restrictions (2026)

From 15 May to 18 October, the MA-2210 is regulated from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Only authorised vehicles, residents, taxis and bicycles are allowed to circulate. Bus 334 connects Alcúdia, Port de Pollença, Mirador des Colomer, Cala Murta and the lighthouse.

The path begins on the other side of the road. It is marked with “fitas”, small piles of stacked stones that mark the way, and descends through a pine forest following a dry torrent. The descent is medium-high difficulty: around 30 minutes with loose rocks and a steep slope in the final section. Not suitable for pushchairs or people with reduced mobility.

For us, arriving by boat is the most comfortable option and the one that gives you a completely different perspective of the cove. The narrow entrance between cliffs, seen from the sea, is hard to imagine from land. The depth is around 8-10 metres. There is posidonia close to the shore. Remember to always anchor on sand to avoid damaging it. From the Port of Alcúdia, our boat trip to Formentor sails along this coast. To choose the stops and timings, private boat tours allow you to include Cala en Gossalba as a stop for anchoring and swimming.

Catamaran anchored in Cala en Gossalba during a boat trip along the north coast of Mallorca

What is the cove like?

Cala en Gossalba has a “U” shape and divides into two small coves when it reaches land. There is no sand: the ground is made up of rounded stones and gravel. The pine trees reach almost down to the shore and provide some shade at certain times of the day.

The water is very clear. Its south-east and south-west orientation protects it well from the north wind. With an easterly wind, there may be some swell. The depth exceeds 10 metres in the centre and the seabed is mainly rocky with algae, which makes it very interesting for snorkelling, although this should be taken into account when entering the water. Without water shoes, getting in is uncomfortable.

To the west is Cala Murta; to the east, Racó de Santa Clara. Cliffs and pine forest with no visible buildings.

What to do in the cove

For us, snorkelling is the main reason to come to Cala en Gossalba. Visibility can reach 15-20 metres and the rocky seabed has plenty of marine life, with large posidonia meadows and a variety of fish. In the Morro del Pont area, moray eels can be seen. It is important to wear water shoes because entering without them is uncomfortable.

For anyone with a diving qualification, the rocky walls and depth make it possible to go scuba diving. There are no facilities, so you need to bring your own equipment.

If you arrive by boat, we recommend taking SUP boards or kayaks down to the water. The shape of the cove and the small openings in the cliff make exploring it from the water different from seeing it from land.

On the path down, it is common to come across wild goats. The views towards Cap de Formentor are also worth the time.

Available facilities

None. No beach bar, no sunbeds, no showers, no toilets, no lifeguard and no mobile phone coverage in some sections. If you are going to spend several hours there, it is best to arrive fully prepared: drinking water and food, sun protection and a cap, hiking shoes for the trail and water shoes for the sea, a bag to take your rubbish away and a portable parasol if you want shade. There is no supply point on the way or in the cove.

Parking at the viewpoint is free, but there is space for very few cars.

View of Cala en Gossalba from a boat, with turquoise waters and pine trees above the cliffs

When to go

If you can choose, September is the best month: the water is warm, there are fewer visitors and access by car to the Formentor road is easier. Spring also works very well. In summer, the walk is harder because of the heat and the parking area fills up earlier.

During the day, setting off around 9-10 am is best to secure parking and arrive calmly. Late afternoon also works well: the sun is no longer directly overhead and the boats anchored at midday start to leave.

Before going out by boat or planning to snorkel, check the wind. South-east to south-west winds create swell; with a north wind, the cove is well protected.

Practical tips

Do not go in flip-flops. The final section of the trail has loose rocks and a slope, and flip-flops are not suitable.

The parking area has space for four or five cars at most. In our experience, if you arrive at 10 am in high season, it may already be full. The alternative is bus 334, which stops at the start of the Cala Murta path. From there to Cala en Gossalba it is about 10 minutes on foot.

If you arrive by boat, anchor on sand. The posidonia close to the shore is easily damaged by anchors, and it is what keeps the water clean.

For children, it can work from around 8-10 years old if they are used to walking on uneven terrain, but always with supervision. Not suitable for small children or people with vertigo or reduced mobility.

Your phone may lose coverage in some sections. Download maps before setting off.

Cala en Gossalba beach surrounded by rocks and Mediterranean vegetation in northern Mallorca

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Cala en Gossalba?

Only on foot or by sea. On foot: take the MA-2210 road to a small free car park, then follow a 2.5 km trail with a steep slope. The path is difficult and is not adapted for people with reduced mobility. By boat, you avoid the whole walk.
Yes. The climb is demanding, but the reward is an unspoilt cove with very clear water and very few people. For us, it is one of the best coves in northern Mallorca for anyone looking for quality snorkelling and silence.
There is a small free parking area 1.5 km from the cove, with space for around 4-5 cars. It fills up very quickly in high season. You need to arrive early.
Yes, one of the best in northern Mallorca. Visibility can reach 15-20 metres and the seabed with posidonia and rocks is interesting. Bring a mask and snorkel, and water shoes for getting in.
By boat is more comfortable and avoids the demanding walk. The cove has an anchoring area and is a popular spot among boaters. On foot, the trail and the surroundings have their own value. It depends on what you are looking for.
No. Thanks to the difficult access and limited parking, the cove is usually not very crowded, even in August. There may be the odd boat anchored, but the shore keeps a peaceful atmosphere.
Only for children over 8-10 years old who are used to walking on uneven terrain. Not suitable for pushchairs, small children or people with vertigo.
There is no guaranteed natural shade on the beach. The pine trees provide some shade along the edges depending on the time of day, but it is best to bring a portable parasol.
From 15 May to 18 October, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, the road is restricted. You can access it outside those hours or by using bus 334.
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The Alcudia Sea Trips Blog
Ideas, guides and hidden gems to explore Mallorca’s northern coast.
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