© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
Llenaire Beach, North Mallorca
Mallorca’s honey pot for kiteboarding & windsurfers
Easily accessible and popular with tourists and locals alike, this long stretch of coast line from Puerto Pollensa to Alcudia makes for a beautiful drive or cycle. Hugging the beachside all the way around the crescent shaped bay, the road presents fantastic views towards Cap Formentor, Cap Pinar and all the way out to sea.
At around 2300m long, it is one of the largest beaches in the area and celebrated for its exceptional natural beauty. The beach is abundant in spectacular local wildlife and home to a large variety of birds. Several well-placed tourist information boards kindly educate visitors on the local sea grass, wetlands, and sand dune formations in this specific area.
If you’re after picturesque and breath-taking scenery, Llenaire Beach certainly won’t disappoint, but it’s perhaps not considered as ‘family-friendly’, given that there are no lifeguards, toilets, or other facilities available. It’s a great spot for water sports, particularly kite boarding and wind surfing, and a joy to spectate. For those after a more traditional holiday beach day with loungers upon golden sand, stay at the northern end of the bay towards Puerto Pollenca’s Main beach.
There aren’t a huge number of watering holes or places to eat along the pebbly beach, the area is more residential and quieter, especially after the sun has set. Given its popularity for water sports, there are more rental shops than beach bars along the seafront, but for those wanting to go for a drink, Port de Pollenca or Port d’Alcudia are both within walking distance or a short taxi ride.
Setting & Location
The vast size of this beach usually means there’s a spot to suit everyone. Whilst bathers generally head to the north, the middle section is often found almost deserted and a great spot for fishing or dog walks. You can walk the entire length of the bay from Puerto Pollenca around to Alcudia in just over an hour. This truly pleasant walk will take you past S’Alberfereta – an area of protected wetlands which borders the beach.
Water Safety & Clarity
The Balearic Islands are home to large mounds of Poseidon Grass (an abundant strain of sea grass commonly found in North Mallorca). The grass creates an ‘unsightly’ deep black hue in the water, and greyish white ‘berms’ of grass clusters when washed up on the shore. Although some might consider it to be a bit of an eyesore, it’s an essential component of Mallorca’s ecosystem; whilst reducing the speed of erosion on the coastline and seabed, it helps to clean and re-oxygenate the water. Attracting plentiful sea life, it is considered an all-round bonus to the local environment… but less than ideal to lay your towel on!
Beach Quality
Most people head to Llenaire for the excellent conditions it provides for a variety of watersports. A very thin strip of pebble beach runs adjacent to the roadside. The bay’s end closest to Alcudia offers the widest beach area and is slightly sandy – but far from golden in colour, the sand here presents a greyish hue. The beach nearest to Puerto Pollenca runs along a stretch of grassland dotted with shady trees, perfect for picnicking and is also dog friendly.
Watersports Nearby
This breezy stretch of beach (especially on the Alcudia corner…) is a Mecca for enthusiastic wind surfers and kite boarders. On a windy day here, hundreds of kites and their neon flashes will fill the sky. The demand for access to kite or wind surfing gear has led to a plentiful supply of several rental shops, as well as numerous schools for refresher lessons and beginners.
Directions
If driving, take the MA-13 all the way north to Alcudia, then turn west onto the MA-2220 or ‘Ctra. Port Pollenca’ which takes you directly along the beachside seafront. Free car parking is usually easily found in the neighbouring residential streets or along the beachfront.
