Cala Xarraca is a small beach at the end of a deep bay on Ibiza's north coast, 5 km from the village of Sant Joan de Labritja. It is known for clear water, a swimmable islet and the natural clay on its rocks.
Cala Xarraca is the kind of beach you reach down a narrow road through the pines and find almost unchanged: a short strip of sand at the back of a deep bay, old fishermen's slipways where people spread their towels on the smooth ramps, a rocky islet a few strokes from the shore and one restaurant. It is quiet by Ibiza standards, and most of its visitors come for the water.
Where Cala Xarraca is and how to get there
Cala Xarraca belongs to Sant Joan de Labritja, in the north of Ibiza. The Balearic tourism board places it 5 km from the village of Sant Joan, at the end of the bay between Punta de Llevant and Punta Sa Torre.
- By car from Ibiza Town: take the road towards Sant Joan and Portinatx. The turn-off to Cala Xarraca is at kilometre 17 and is signposted. From there a narrow road leads down to the bay.
- By car from Sant Joan: head towards Portinatx and follow the same signposted turn. It is about 5 km in total.
- By bus: no line of the Ibiza public bus network goes down to Cala Xarraca. The nearest lines are T4 and T6, which serve Sant Joan and Portinatx, and T7, which links Sant Joan with Sant Miquel and San Antonio. Both villages are too far to walk comfortably in summer heat. Plan on a car, a scooter or a taxi.
Parking at Cala Xarraca
There is a small free car park beside the beach. Out of season and on quiet days it is easy. In high season it fills, and if you arrive late you will park higher up the road and walk down. In July and August aim to arrive before 10:00. A scooter solves the problem on busy days.
What to do at Cala Xarraca
- Snorkel: the water is very clear, and the rocky islet in front of the beach is easy to swim to. Its edges and the rocks along the sides of the bay are where the fish are.
- Clay: in the secluded left-hand corner of the beach, the rocks of the cliff hold a natural clay. People pour a little water on the rock, spread the mud on their skin and let it dry in the sun. That corner is also used for naturism, so be discreet with cameras.
- Jump with care: the Balearic tourism board mentions small cliffs of 3 or 4 metres that people jump from. Check the depth first and never jump alone.
- Sunbathe on the slipways: the traditional fishermen's jetties and slipways at the edges of the bay have smooth ramps where many visitors lay their towels instead of on the sand.
- Lunch: Restaurante Cala Xarraca sits right on the beach and serves fish, paella and rice dishes. It is the only one on the sand, so book for lunch in high season.
Best time to go
The bay opens to the north, and local beach guides list the north wind as the one that affects it, so it is at its calmest on days without it. On days of strong tramontana, the north wind, the sea comes straight into the bay and the snorkelling suffers. For light and calm, go in the morning. June and September give warm water and an easier car park than August. Because it is a morning beach with an easy restaurant lunch, it pairs well with an afternoon at Benirrà s, about 20 to 25 minutes by road via Sant Joan.
See Cala Xarraca from the sea
Much of the coast around Xarraca is cliffs, caves and small inlets that you only see from the water. Our catalogue includes a kayak and snorkel trip in Xarraca Bay, with stops to explore the caves and snorkel along the rocks. For boat trips from the other side of the island, see the boat tours from San Antonio.
Tips before you go
- Bring water shoes. The entries at the edges and around the islet are rocky.
- Carry water. The restaurant is the only place to buy food or drinks on the sand.
- Check the wind forecast. North wind means rougher water in this bay.
- Posidonia seagrass is protected in the Balearics by Decree 25/2018. Do not stand on it when you swim to the islet.
Planning a day in the north? Read our guides to Benirràs and Cala Salada, or compare the best beaches in Ibiza.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Cala Xarraca?
Cala Xarraca is 5 km from Sant Joan de Labritja, on the north coast. From Ibiza Town take the road towards Sant Joan and Portinatx and turn off at kilometre 17, where Cala Xarraca is signposted. The last stretch is a narrow road down to the bay.
Is there a bus to Cala Xarraca?
No bus line of the Ibiza public network goes down to Cala Xarraca. The nearest lines serve Sant Joan and Portinatx, so to reach the beach itself you need a car, a scooter or a taxi.
Is there parking at Cala Xarraca?
Yes. Cala Xarraca has a small free car park next to the beach. In high season it fills, and later arrivals park higher up the road and walk down, so in July and August arrive before 10:00.
Where is the mud at Cala Xarraca?
The clay at Cala Xarraca is on the rocks of the cliffs in the secluded left-hand corner of the beach. Visitors wet the rock to get the mud and spread it on their skin. That corner is also used for naturism.
Is Cala Xarraca good for snorkelling?
Yes. Cala Xarraca has very clear water and a rocky islet in front of the beach that is easy to swim to. The rocks around the islet and along the sides of the bay hold the most marine life.
Is there a restaurant at Cala Xarraca?
Yes. Restaurante Cala Xarraca sits right on the beach and serves fish and paella. It is the only restaurant on the sand, so in July and August it is worth booking a table for lunch.