Turquoise waters and red soil on the west coast of Formentera
Cala Saona is known as the jewel of the west coast of Formentera, being the only sandy beach to be found among the cliffs that prevail throughout the southwestern part of the island.
Unlike the open beaches of the rest of the island, it is a small cove flanked by cliffs.
There are several ways to get there. One is to follow the paths that lead southwards, through the most rural part of the island among pines and dry stone walls; undoubtedly, the best option for a bicycle ride if you start from the port of La Savina.
The other option is by road from Sant Francesc in the direction of Cap de Barbaria, where you will find a signposted turn-off halfway along the road to the west. At the end of the tarmacked road there is large car park with easy access to the beach.
The first thing you see when you get to Cala Saona is the hotel, but this does not detract from the beautiful scenery to be enjoyed on the way down to the wide sandy beach. This whole area of coastline is made up of cliffs but Cala Saona is an exception, nestled in a small bay between Punta Rasa to the south and Caló d’en Trull to the north. The beach is quite wide but barely 140 metres long, although this does not prevent it from being one of Formentera’s most popular beaches.
What is most striking about this beach is its sandy seabed and turquoise waters, like many beaches on Formentera, but here you can also enjoy one of the best sunsets on the island, watching the sun sink behind the horizon. Moreover, being a sheltered spot, in the past it was used to build many boathouses to shelter the traditional llauts, giving this particular site a special charm.
And the main attraction is not only the scenery, there is also a wide variety of activities on offer, such as paddle surfing, kayaking or snorkelling. Indeed, one of the best rowing boat trips you can make from here is to the cliffs of Punta Rasa, where there are some wonderful underwater caves well worth a visit.
Therefore, if you are looking for a remote place where you can enjoy the best of the west of Formentera, you should not fail to visit Cala Saona, especially when the sun is setting and tinting the coast with spectacular colours.