Sa Ràpita; beautiful beach of fine white sand with all services
Services and features
Length 1000 m / Width 30 m
Virgin environment
Access by car
Bus stop
Access for the handicapped
Sunbed / umbrella rental
Paid parking
Life guard
Ideal for snorkelling
Restaurante
Paddle-surf
Hiking routes
Average occupancy
Family friendly
Showers
Beach bar
Ideal for anchoring
WCThe weather in Sa Ràpita
Description
Sa Ràpita is a large beach just over 1 km long and between 15 and 30 m wide located in the municipality of Campos, in the south of Mallorca. Its name comes from the word rábida, which in turn comes from the Arabic ribāṭ (defence tower). This beach is part of an even larger sandy area that begins in s’Estanyol, to the west, and extends to Es Trenc, to the east. The beach of Sa Rápita has particularly fine and soft sand compared to that of the neighbouring beaches.
It is an ideal beach for families as the slope is very gentle and the water barely covers the first few metres
It has accesses for people with mobility problems. Like the other beaches of this small bay on the coast of Campos, at a certain distance from the shore the seabed descends abruptly, so caution must be taken.
At the far left end of the beach, where some old casemates stand, next to Ses Covetes beach, you can practise nudism.
The beach is large enough to avoid crowds
El principal problema, en los meses de temporada alta, es encontrar aparcamiento pero, como veremos, tenemos la opción del transporte público.
Historically there had been no settlement in this area
From its name, it can be assumed that there was a fortification in the Muslim period, but the current tower of Son Durí, which is located within the enclosure of the yacht club, dates back to the end of the 16th century. There is no documented fishing activity; the locals were dedicated to agriculture. It was common to collect the remains of seaweed and posidonia that the sea left on the sand and use them as fertiliser for the fields.
At the beginning of the 20th century, some families in Campos began to build summer houses and dry docks for their boats
In the second half of the 20th century, nearby housing developments were built and the tourist exploitation of Sa Ràpita began, although the natural environment was preserved. The beach and its dune system form part of the Es Trenc-Salobrar de Campos maritime-terrestrial natural park.
Since 1970 it has had a marina, making it a great destination to visit by boat.
How to get to Sa Ràpita
The journey to Sa Ràpita is easy, along fairly modern and renovated roads, which are well signposted.
How to get to Sa Ràpita beach by car
- If you are in Palma, take the Ma-19 motorway towards Llucmajor. Take exit 26 towards s’Estanyol, and from there follow the signs to Sa Ràpita. Parking on the street is charged by blue zone.
- If you are in the far north of the island, in Alcudia or Pollensa, the most practical way is to follow the Ma-13 to Inca and Palma, and then continue along the Ma-19.
- But if you want to travel through the heart of Mallorca on the way to Sa Ràpita, you can head for Inca and from there pass through Sineu, Montuiri, Porreres and Campos, and then follow the signs to the beach.
- Further east, from Can Picafort, Capdepera, Artà… it is best to head towards Manacor, take the Ma-15 to Vilafranca and then follow exit 38 towards Porreres. Then you will only have to continue to Campos and Sa Ràpita.
- If you are staying in the tourist resorts in the southeast (Cala d’Or, Portocolom…) follow the Ma-19 towards Santanyí and from there just head towards Campos and then Sa Ràpita.
How to get to Sa Ràpita beach by public transport
Sa Ràpita is connected to Campos by line 518. The Yacht Club stop is just a few metres from the beach.
To go to Campos we have these lines:
- From Palma and Manacor: line 501
- From Palma airport: line A51
- From Cala d’Or: line 515
- From Santanyí and Colonia de Sant Jordi: line 517
How to get to Sa Ràpita beach by boat
The coast of Campos is protected from the winds from the east to the northwest, but when they blow from the south or west it is totally exposed. In the anchoring area the seabed is sandy with a depth of between 4 and 5 metres. Care must be taken not to drop anchor on posidonia plains. The Civil Guard checks that anchoring has been done in permitted areas.
In the event of bad weather, or if you are looking for more peace and quiet or comfort, you can moor at Sa Ràpita Yacht Club.
Services
Despite the fact that the natural environment has been preserved in very good condition, we can enjoy facilities such as sunshades and sun loungers for hire, showers and toilets, and we will also have lifeguards on hand to watch over us.
There are designated areas for water sports such as windsurfing, kayaking and paddle surfing. There is also a modern wooden beach bar, which is dismantled in the low season, where you can cool off or have something to eat without leaving the beach.
Activities
The beach of Sa Ràpita offers a good number of activities for all types of visitors. The most obvious is to enjoy its clean and crystalline waters, and then sunbathe on its fine white sand.
Snorkelling enthusiasts are in luck, as the clear, transparent waters of Sa Rápita allow you to enjoy the variety of the beach’s sandy seabed
It is also a good place for diving trips, with several good dive sites in the vicinity, suitable for different levels.
The surroundings of Sa Rápita also offer good opportunities for those who love inland activities
There are hiking routes for all tastes:
- Route 1: quiet walk between Sa Ràpita and the neighbouring beach of Ses Covetes. 3.5 km
- Route 2: towards the west, we can reach the houses of Vallgornera from Sa Ràpita, just over 8 km of moderate difficulty
- Route 3: another beach walk, this time to Es Trenc, 8 km
- Route 4: an excursion to Colonia de Sant Jordi via Ses Covetes and Es Trenc, 16 km
- Route 5: for those who are very fit, we can undertake a long excursion to the Ses Salinas lighthouse, about 20 km
Without the need for a long walk, we should not miss the Son Durí tower, next to the yacht club. Although in disuse since the 19th century, it was restored in the 20th century and is in good condition. However, both the yacht club itself and a modern housing development have changed the setting in which the tower once stood, formerly on the seafront.
Cycling enthusiasts have in Sa Rápita a good starting or stopping point for their routes in the south of Mallorca
These are just a few examples of routes of varying distances and difficulties:
- Route 1: roundtrip from Sa Ràpita to Cap Blanc, 38 km
- Route 2: from Sa Ràpita to Cala Pi, return, 44 km
- Route 3: circular route between Sa Ràpita and Llucmajor, 46 km
For lunch or refreshment, in addition to the beach bar there are several good restaurants in Sa Ràpita, where you can enjoy mainly Mediterranean cuisine. There is also a supermarket where you can buy anything you might need for your stay or day at the beach.
Lodging
The offer of accommodation in Sa Ràpita is quite limited. Apart from a small hostel there are rustic houses and villas for holiday rental
The nearest hotel is the four-star Can Canals, a wonderful rural hotel. A little further away is the five-star Fontsanta, home to Mallorca’s only hot springs, already used by the Romans for their salute per l’acqua treatments.
A little further on, about 20 minutes away by car, is Colonia de Sant Jordi. There you will find everything from one and two-star hostels to comfortable three and four-star hotels, as well as tourist flats, holiday rentals, etc.
