Cala Matzoc – Remote Sandy Cove Sheltered Beneath an 18th-Century Watchtower
Location & Beach Profile
Location: 10.5 kilometres from Artà.
Type of Beach: Natural pebbles, gravel, fine sand, and posidonia
Length: 80 metres
Average Width: 100 metres
Occupancy: Low
Typical Visitors: Locals
Access: Pedestrians & vehicles
Facilities: None
Scenic Setting & Historical Landmark
Cala Matzoc sits beneath the historic Torre des Matzoc, an 18th-century round defence tower perched on the Faralló d'Aubarca, once guarding the coastline from pirate attacks. This secluded cove is the least visited of the nearby group that includes Cala Torta, Cala Mitjana, and Cala Estreta, offering a peaceful setting for those seeking natural isolation.
The beach features a small, fine-grained sandy area interspersed with pebbles, gravel, and posidonia deposits. At the rear, scrubland, bushes, and coastal pine trees create a natural, unspoilt backdrop. Steep rocky cliffs partially shelter the cove from winds, but exposure to winds from the northwest, north, northeast, and east still makes swimming hazardous.
Boating & Anchoring
Anchoring is possible but extremely challenging. The seabed consists of sand at around 4 metres depth, located about 200 metres from shore, but navigating safely requires significant caution due to wind exposure and underwater obstacles. A dangerous sandbank lies 384 metres east-southeast of Torre d’Aubarca, with shallow points reaching only 2.4 metres deep. For this reason, boating is not generally advised under adverse weather conditions. The nearest port facilities are at Club Nàutic Cala Ratjada, approximately 5.4 nautical miles away.
Access & Popularity
Access by vehicle is difficult, with a rough track best suited for four-wheel-drive vehicles. Most visitors opt to reach Cala Matzoc on foot via a spectacular coastal hiking trail, followed by a 20-minute walk. Due to its remote location and challenging access, Cala Matzoc remains very quiet and lightly visited, attracting mainly locals and adventurous visitors in search of solitude and untouched coastal scenery.