Sailing to Cales Coves, Menorca: A stop you can’t miss!
Tucked away on Menorca’s south coast, Cales Coves is the kind of place that makes you whisper “whoa” out loud as you sail in. Towering cliffs, deep blue water, and more mysterious sea caves than you can count — it’s like a set from Pirates of the Caribbean, but with better cheese and less drama.
If you're sailing Menorca or just visiting by land, here’s everything you need to know about what to do in Cales Coves, plus a peek into its ancient (and kinda eerie) past.
What Exactly Is Cales Coves?
Cales Coves is actually two coves joined by a narrow channel: Cala d’en Carabó and Cala de Sant Domingo. Combined, they create a unique, sheltered bay surrounded by steep cliffs and dotted with prehistoric burial caves—yep, literal Bronze Age tombs carved into the rock.
Wild? Absolutely. Peaceful? Surprisingly, yes.
It’s one of the most atmospheric places to anchor in Menorca — equal parts natural beauty and ancient mystery.
What to Do in Cales Coves
You won’t find restaurants or beach clubs here — and that’s the whole point. Cales Coves is raw, off-grid, and totally unplugged. Here's how to spend your time:
1. Swim Through the Sea Caves
There are dozens of caves carved into the cliffs, some accessible only by swimming. Bring a mask and fins for the full Indiana Jones-meets-sea-nymph experience.
2. Cliff Hike to the Necropolis
Climb up the walking paths to explore the prehistoric burial caves, used from the Bronze Age to Roman times. Some are over 3,000 years old. (Pro tip: Wear decent shoes — the path is rocky, and you’ll want to avoid ancient-ankle-twisting.)
3. Watch the Sunset from the Water
The light bouncing off the cliffs at golden hour? Unreal. Drop the paddleboard or float off the stern with a glass of something cold. Instant main character moment.
4. Disconnect Entirely
No signal. No shops. No noise (except seabirds and fish splashes). It’s the perfect place to do absolutely nothing, and love every minute of it. However for those fellow digital nomad sailors, Starlink does still work and the bay offers a great stop to work from.
A Quick (and Slightly Spooky) History of Cales Coves
Let’s talk about those caves. There are over 90 man-made caves carved into the cliffs here — part of a Talayotic necropolis dating back to 1400 BCE. That’s Bronze Age old. They were used as burial chambers for thousands of years, and later as hideouts, homes, and even hippie squats in the '70s (because of course they were). Some of the tombs have carved lintels, steps, and even “windows” — it’s not just a pile of holes. It’s like an ancient cliffside village for the dearly departed.
Local legend says the area is haunted, and honestly, it wouldn’t surprise us. Between the silent cliffs, echoing caves, and moody sea mist in the morning, it’s got a ghostly, magical feel — the kind that sticks with you.
Final Thoughts: Is Cales Coves Worth Visiting?
If you’re into:
Hidden anchorages
Raw nature
Swimming into caves
Light ghost stories
Total digital detox
Then yes — Cales Coves is 100% worth the stop. It’s not polished. It’s not fancy. But it’s unforgettable, and sailing into it feels like discovering a secret place no one told you about. (Except... we just told you. Oops.)
Have you anchored at Cales Coves? Got a ghost story, cave photo, or tomb selfie to share? Drop it in the comments or DM us — we live for this stuff.
And don’t forget to check out our other Menorca sailing guides here, where we’re documenting every salty stop along the way.