Alcanada Islet Mallorca: How to Get There, What to See and the Lighthouse
150 metres from Alcanada beach lies a 4-hectare islet covered in pines and crowned by the Aucanada Lighthouse, in service since 1861. The water around it is among the clearest in the Bay of Alcúdia, thanks to the posidonia meadows.
About 150 metres from Alcanada beach, in the heart of the Bay of Alcúdia, a small pine-covered islet rises from the water, crowned by the Aucanada Lighthouse, in service since 1861. Although it lies very close to the shore, from the sea it offers a very different perspective and has become one of the most recognisable images of northern Mallorca.
You can admire it from the beach, swim or kayak over when the sea is calm, or see it up close on several of our routes. Before visiting, it is worth knowing which areas are protected and how to avoid damaging the posidonia meadows that surround the islet.
Where it is
The islet lies in the Bay of Alcúdia, opposite Alcanada beach, in the municipality of Alcúdia.
Coordinates: 39°50'07" N, 3°10'15" E
| Port d'Alcúdia | ~3.5 km by road · ~0.8 nautical miles |
| Port de Pollença | ~16 km by road · ~4.3 nautical miles |
Quick facts
| Official name | Illa d'Alcanada (Aucanada Islet) |
| Protection status | ANEI + SCI (Site of Community Importance), Natura 2000 network (ES5310005 Badies de Pollença i Alcúdia) |
| Municipality | Alcúdia |
| Area | ~4 hectares |
| Land access | No footbridge. By swimming, kayak or boat |
| Sea access | Free; anchoring over sand only, never over posidonia |
| Facilities available | None on the islet |
| Best way to visit | Kayak from Alcanada beach or our boat trip |
Is it worth visiting?
It is easy to reach this uninhabited islet from Alcanada beach and walk around it to see the lighthouse up close. The crossing is short, and the islet offers something found almost nowhere else in the bay: genuine quiet and the feeling of being somewhere with no facilities at all.
If you only want to see and photograph it, Alcanada beach already gives you a good view. From our boat the perspective changes: the white silhouette of the lighthouse against the pines and the blue of the bay is one of the most recognisable images of northern Mallorca.
It is not suitable if you expect to go inside the lighthouse. The interior is closed to the public, and the islet has no infrastructure.
Why it is protected
The islet and its waters have two levels of protection: ANEI (Natural Area of Special Interest) under Mallorca's territorial planning, and SCI (Site of Community Importance) of the Natura 2000 Network, part of the ES5310005 "Badies de Pollença i Alcúdia" site.
The reasons are concrete.
The Posidonia oceanica meadows around the islet are among the densest and healthiest in the Bay of Alcúdia. Posidonia produces oxygen, filters the water, keeps visibility high and serves as a nursery for dozens of marine species. It regenerates very slowly: a badly placed anchor can destroy square metres that would take years to recover. Hence the ban on anchoring over it.
The Aucanada Lighthouse (1861) is an active installation managed by the Port Authority, which restricts interior access.
The islet itself, at just 4 hectares and with no infrastructure, cannot accommodate mass tourism without being damaged.
What is there and what you can see
The Aucanada Lighthouse has been in service since 1861. A white cylindrical tower 15 metres tall, automated since the 1990s with solar panels. It cannot be visited inside, but you can walk around it along the rocky shore.
Around the lighthouse there are pines, mastic trees and wild olives. Underwater, the posidonia meadows give visibility of 15-20 metres on fine days. The most common species are salema, saddled seabream and striped seabream. Seabirds use the islet as a perch.
How to get there
From land (swimming or by kayak)
From Alcanada beach, the crossing is about 150 metres. The channel between the beach and the islet is used by boats; take a marker buoy to stay visible. Landing on the islet is over rocks, with no jetty. Bring water shoes because the bottom can be slippery.
By kayak or paddleboard, the crossing is safer and more comfortable than swimming, especially with children.
To drive to Alcanada beach: take the Ma-3460 from Port d'Alcúdia to the end. Free parking along the road; in summer it fills up before 10:00.
From the sea (private boat)
Anchor over sand, never over posidonia. Average depth 5-8 metres. There is no jetty or mooring on the islet.
Organised visits inside the lighthouse require permission from the Port Authority. No regular visits are organised.
Drones: use restricted under AESA regulations. Check before flying.
Boat trips
The Glass Bottom Boat passes in front of the islet and the lighthouse on its route around the bay. So do the Boat Trip to Formentor and some Catamaran Trips Around Mallorca routes. From the boat you see the lighthouse at sea level, with the full perspective of the islet.
What it looks like from the sea
From the sea, the lighthouse gradually emerges among the pines until it completely dominates the islet's profile. As you draw closer it becomes easier to appreciate the contrast between the rock, the posidonia and the transparent waters of the bay, and to understand the strategic position it has historically held in marking the entrance to the Port of Alcúdia.
The best light for photographing it is early in the morning, when the sun lights up the south face. At sunset, the warm tones on the stone also give good results.
When to go
Spring and autumn usually offer the most pleasant conditions for visiting the islet: fewer crowds, easier parking and, often, a calmer sea.
In summer the crossing is possible, but it is worth setting out early to park and get there before the channel fills with boat traffic.
Do not cross with northerly or easterly winds: the channel can get choppy. In calm seas the surrounding water has excellent visibility for snorkelling.
Practical tips
Water shoes for landing and for the rocky seabed. A safety buoy if you swim across. Do not anchor over posidonia. Take everything back with you, as the islet has no bins. There is no meaningful shade on Alcanada beach or the islet; sunscreen, a hat and water are essential in summer.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to the Alcanada islet?
By swimming, kayak or boat from Alcanada beach (~150 m). Only when the sea is calm. Our boat trips also pass in front of it.
Can you go inside the lighthouse?
No. The interior is closed and automated. You can only walk around the outside of the dwelling.
Is it safe to swim to the island?
On calm days and with a good level of fitness, yes. Take a marker buoy. Do not go alone. With small children it is better to cross by kayak.
Can you anchor nearby?
Over sandy bottoms, yes. Over posidonia, no. There are no mooring buoys.
Which of our boat trips pass the lighthouse?
The Glass Bottom Boat is the trip that best lets you admire the islet from different perspectives during the voyage. The Boat Trip to Formentor also passes close by before setting course for Cap Pinar and the Bay of Pollença. Some catamaran departures include it on their route as well.
When is the best time to visit?
In spring or autumn. Early in the morning or at sunset the light is better and the parking is less crowded.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes, along the road next to Alcanada beach. Free but very limited in summer.
Can you use a drone?
Not without authorisation from AESA. The proximity to the Bay of Alcúdia and the residential area restricts flying.
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