Cala Tarida is the long, easy family beach of Ibiza's west coast, in the municipality of Sant Josep. It sits about 12 km from San Antonio and 19 km from Ibiza Town, with a summer bus from both.
Cala Tarida is the beach to pick when you want a full day on the sand without planning around rocks, steps or a tiny car park. It is a 260 metre bay of fine sand, about 40 metres deep, between Cala Corral and Cala MolÃ, with a resort built around it and everything you need within a few steps.
Where Cala Tarida is and how to get there
Cala Tarida belongs to Sant Josep de sa Talaia, on the west coast. It is about 19 km from Ibiza Town and around 12 km from San Antonio.
- By car from San Antonio: roughly 15 to 20 minutes, heading south through Port des Torrent and following the signs.
- By car from Ibiza Town: take the road to Sant Josep, then the signposted turn to Cala Tarida. The Sant Josep council places the junction at kilometre 13 of that road.
- Bus A1 from San Antonio: runs daily from 1 May to 30 September with eight departures from San Antonio, the first at 8:30 and the last at 19:45. The ride takes about 40 minutes.
- Bus P9 from Ibiza Town: runs via Sant Josep from May to October, with three departures a day. In May, June, September and October it does not run on Sundays, and in July and August there is a fourth trip on weekdays. Allow about an hour.
Outside the season the buses thin out a lot. From November to March the A1 only runs on weekdays, three times a day, so check the timetable of the island bus network before you plan a winter visit.
Parking at Cala Tarida
There is a car park beside the beach, which is more than most west coast coves can say. The Sant Josep council itself calls Cala Tarida very popular in summer, so in July and August expect a full car park and full side streets by the middle of the day. If you are driving in peak season, arrive early or come late in the afternoon. The bus is the calmer option if you are staying in San Antonio.
What to do at Cala Tarida
The slope into the water is very gentle and the bottom is mostly sand, which is why the beach works so well for families. The Sant Josep council lists toilets, an access ramp, parking, equipment rental and a lifeguard service in high season. There are no public showers.
- Snorkel: the sand is fairly bare, so swim to the rocky edges and the small islets, where the seabed breaks up and the fish gather. The council includes Cala Tarida in its own snorkel routes.
- Water sports: you can rent paddle boards and kayaks, and the Balearic tourism board lists windsurfing and a beginner diving school near the beach.
- Short walks: at the ends of the bay are Es Pujolets and Es Calonet, two small inlets with traditional fishermen's boat huts on the rocks. They are the quiet corners of an otherwise busy beach.
- Food and drink: the bay has several chiringuitos and restaurants at sand level. Above the beach, on the cliff, is Cotton Beach Club, a restaurant and beach club with views over the bay.
Best time to go
June and September give you warm water with fewer people and an easier car park. In July and August the morning is calmer than the afternoon, and the light is at its best in the last hour before sunset, because Cala Tarida faces the open sea to the west. The Sant Josep council ranks its sunset among the best on the island. If you want a quieter swim, walk to Es Calonet at the edge of the bay.
See Cala Tarida from the sea
From the water you understand why this coast is so popular. Between San Antonio and Cala Tarida there is a run of coves, cliffs and islets that you cannot reach on foot, and most boat tours from San Antonio follow that stretch south towards Cala d'Hort and Es Vedra. If you want time in the water, look at the snorkel and water trips, which stop in coves along the west coast for a swim.
Tips before you go
- Bring water shoes if you plan to snorkel along the rocky edges.
- Take cash and a card. Beach bars and loungers are paid, the sand is free.
- Check the last bus back. In summer the last A1 leaves Cala Tarida at 19:00, so a sunset swim means a taxi or a car.
- If the main beach is full, walk to Es Pujolets or Es Calonet at the ends of the bay before you give up and drive on.
Still choosing a beach? Read our guides to Cala Bassa, Cala Comte and the best beaches in Ibiza.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Cala Tarida from San Antonio?
Cala Tarida is about 12 km from San Antonio, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car. From 1 May to 30 September the A1 bus runs daily from San Antonio with eight departures, and the ride takes about 40 minutes.
Is there a bus from Ibiza Town to Cala Tarida?
Yes. Line P9 links Ibiza Town, Sant Josep and Cala Tarida from May to October, with three departures a day from Monday to Saturday and four on weekdays in July and August. The trip takes about an hour.
Is there parking at Cala Tarida?
Yes. Cala Tarida has a car park next to the beach, according to the Sant Josep council and the Balearic tourism board. In July and August it is one of the busiest beaches in the west, so arrive early or take the A1 or P9 bus.
Is Cala Tarida good for children?
Yes. Cala Tarida has a very gentle slope, a sandy bottom, toilets, an access ramp and a lifeguard service in high season, which makes it one of the easier family beaches on Ibiza's west coast.
Can you snorkel at Cala Tarida?
Yes. The seabed at Cala Tarida is mainly sand with rocky patches at the sides, and the Sant Josep council lists it among its snorkel routes. The rocks and small islets at the edges hold the most fish.
Is Cala Tarida good for sunset?
Yes. Cala Tarida faces the open sea on Ibiza's west coast and the Sant Josep council ranks its sunset among the best on the island. The clifftop beach club above the bay is a popular spot to watch it.