Llevant, or Levante, is the long beach of white sand on the eastern side of the Ses Salines natural park, back to back with Ses Illetes, in the north of Formentera. Its name means “east”, the direction it faces. It stretches for around two kilometres, and at its northern end the narrow sandbar of Es Pas des Trucadors separates it from Ses Illetes.
What it’s like
The seabed drops away quickly and the currents can be strong, so swim with care. It is usually quieter than Ses Illetes, and naturism is common and accepted here, among visitors and locals alike.
Lifeguards are on duty every day from 1 May to 31 October, from 11am to 6pm, with their post near Kiosko Manolito at the southern end; they also patrol the shore on foot. Because the beach is so long, staff trained to respond to emergencies also work in the sunbed areas and near the Tanga restaurant. There are sunbeds and parasols for hire (first come, first served), two restaurants with bar service and public toilets, but no kiosk.
Getting there
There are two car parks. The main one is shared with Ses Illetes, through the same park barrier: if it is busy, make sure the controllers do not send you to the Ses Illetes side. The smaller southern car park is reached from the road between Es Pujols and La Savina, at the turning signposted “Platja de Llevant”, along a 600-metre dirt track beside the lagoon. It is narrow in places, so drive slowly, and it fills early in summer. Cars and motorbikes enter the natural park through a control barrier and pay a daily fee that changes through the season; when the car park is full, a sign goes up and cars queue until spaces free up. Electric vehicles enter and park for free, and so do walkers and cyclists.
Buses L3 and L7 serve the area: check the bus timetables. From Es Pujols you can also walk along the coast via Ses Canyes, a long but beautiful route.
Safety
Check the flag before you swim: green means safe, yellow means caution and red means no swimming. Stay close to the staffed areas, call 112 in an emergency, and never try to walk across to Espalmador.
Good to know
Llevant and Ses Illetes complement each other: with a west wind, Llevant is the better choice; with an east wind, go to Ses Illetes.
