Cala Tarida is one of the largest sandy beaches on the west coast of Ibiza, in the municipality of Sant Josep. Nearly a kilometre of fine, pale sand curves around a sheltered bay, with small rocky coves at its northern end and hotels on the hill behind.
What it’s like
Its size is its great advantage: even in August it rarely feels packed. The southern side is shallow for a long way out, which suits children, while the northern side is deeper and rockier, with odd-shaped rocks to swim out to. Keep an eye on children around the underwater rocks, and on the waves on windy days.
There is everything you need for a long day: sunbeds and parasols, restaurants and beach bars, a supermarket, public toilets and adapted access, including an amphibious wheelchair with the help of the lifeguards.
Lifeguards watch over the beach in season: from 1 July to 30 September, from 11am to 7pm, and from mid-May to the end of June and in the first half of October, for shorter hours around the middle of the day.
Getting there
Cala Tarida is about 15 minutes’ drive from Sant Josep and 20 from San Antonio. Parking is free, in car parks and on the street at both ends of the beach, though spaces are hard to find at weekends in high season.
In summer, the A1 and U1 buses run from San Antonio, the U1 by way of Port des Torrent, and the A14 links Cala Tarida with Cala Bassa and Cala Comte. Small boats from San Antonio also call here in season.
Good to know
The little coves at the northern end, reached over the rocks, are the place to find a quieter corner on a busy day.
