Punta Prima, Alcaufar and Cala Rafalet

La Mola Fortress – Walk along the Isabel II Canal and Cala Taulera Cala Alcaufar – View of the imposing tower and the fishing village Isla el Aire – Punta Prima Beach, lighthouse and beautiful sandy bottoms

This is a short trip departing from Mahón. It is not possible to depart from the port of Addaya because it is too far away, and for eight-hour days it is impractical, unless you sail almost the entire time.

In Mahón, we have time to visit some of the port’s corners and explore the city, the naval base, and then leave to admire Cala’s Fons and the ruins of the old Sant Felipe Castle.

Once outside the harbor entrance, we can visit Cala Sant Esteban, right at the beginning of our route, and from there head south to the caves near Cala Rafalet beach and the S’Algar urbanization.

We will soon reach Cala de Alcaufar, which in my personal case I could say was my summer home in childhood and where my family has always had a residence. We will visit the majestic tower located above a large cave, and if sea conditions and the limited space available allow, take our first swim.

Continuing south, we will reach Isla del Aire and the channel that separates it from the urbanization of Punta Prima. It is a spectacular place due to the color of its waters and the best place to spend the day sunbathing.

If the weather permits, you can try sailing a bit further to Biniancolla and Binibeca beaches. Going further is possible but will increase fuel consumption.

Departure from Mahon

  • Data: south coast
  • Distance: 6 miles
  • Navigation: 30 mins by motor

Leaving the port on the southern slope, next to the mouth we find the ruins of the old castle of San Felipe, built by the English in the 18th century. It was a fortress in the style of those built at the time. Once finished, the French landed on the island and conquered it easily as the flank was unprotected, with access from Cala Sant Esteve, where “Fort Marbrough” was later built. It is still standing and a visit is recommended.
Years later, the English recovered the castle and the island, but it didn’t last long; the French reconquered it with the help of the Spanish in a bloody battle with a siege lasting months and a tough final battle full of legends.
After so much suffering to recover the castle, they decided to destroy it so as not to have to conquer it again, an absurd solution that served to build the leper hospital with its stones and forced Queen Isabella years later to build the fortress of La Mola, in which she invested so much money and time that she was even forced to come to the island to check how the money was spent.

The Golden Farm, today known as Sant Antoni, sailors will surely have noticed that on either side of the port there are two beautiful red-painted houses, with a very similar design and a fairly evident English colonial style, as it is no coincidence and also has its history.
Legend has it that during the British rule, the famous Lord Nelson resided on the island, his place of residence was the mansion “Golden Farm”, in the northern part of the port, according to legend Admiral Nelson coincided on the island with his lover Lady Hamilton, it seems that she resided in the house of the second admiral of the navy Admiral Collingwood, it is located on the cliff with road access at the exit of Mahón in the direction of Es Castell, mansion now known as “Hostal el Almirante”, in memory of Lord Nelson’s second in command and according to legend he visited it crossing the port in a small boat avoiding being discovered, we do not know if it is true but it is possible.

In the heart of the marine reserve of the south coast that encompasses the entire coast from S’Algar to Biniparraitx including the Isla del Aire, we reach the channel between this island and the coast, a magnificent place with sandy bottoms and crystal-clear waters, from this channel we can easily reach the beach of Punta Prima or the island where thousands of black lizards reside, the number of which is so great that it literally prevents us from seeing the ground.
They say that this protected species with its characteristic color is only found on this island. According to popular belief, if we take one of them to the coast on the other side of the channel, it loses its characteristic color, turning a dark green, and dies. Therefore, we recommend not taking any of them with you, and keeping an eye on your bags, pockets, and other items just in case.