Cala Trebalúger by boat

Cala Trebalúger is one of those beaches you can't drive to. Either you walk more than an hour along the Camí de Cavalls, or you arrive by sea. We leave from Es Canutells aboard the Capeador 43, a 9-metre Menorcan llaüt (the island's traditional wooden boat) for a maximum of 7 people, and drop you right off at anchor. No hike, no crowds, with the skipper at the helm.

How we get there under way

Trebalúger sits on the south coast of Menorca, in the municipality of Es Migjorn Gran, just east of Cala Mitjana and a couple of kilometres from Cala Galdana. From our base at Es Canutells it's a south-coast run, the one we usually do: we follow the cliffs round, passing cove after cove until we reach the mouth of Trebalúger.

I'll tell you straight, which is how we work: the route depends on the sea and the wind. There are easterly days and days with a swell when the way into the southern coves isn't right, and then we change the plan. That's why Trebalúger sits better within a half-day or full-day trip, where there's room to adapt and, if the sea allows, to string it together with neighbouring coves.

The good thing about arriving by water is what you save yourself. The approach on foot is some 40-50 minutes of rock from Cala Mitjana, on top of the walk down from the Galdana car park beforehand. By sea you go straight in, we anchor off the sand and you drop into the water from the stern platform.

What you'll find at Cala Trebalúger

It's an unspoilt cove, undeveloped, within a protected natural area. There's no bar, no beach kiosk, no showers, no lifeguard, no bins. Nothing. That's exactly its charm: a tongue of fine white sand framed by low limestone cliffs, with a pine wood that comes almost down to the shore and leaves a little natural shade on one side.

The sand is the typical Menorcan Migjorn kind: pale, fine, with small dunes at the back. The beach runs to around 140-175 metres depending on the source you look at, with an average width of about 40. At the back the torrent of Trebalúger flows out, a freshwater stream you can follow up a way through the vegetation; Menorcans worked vegetable plots in that ravine generations ago.

With no facilities, the rule is simple: bring water, something to eat and sun cream. On board you have the cooler with ice and bottled water, so you won't go thirsty. And whatever goes into the cove comes back with you to the boat. Protected cove, no bins, you carry out your own rubbish.

Snorkelling and swimming

The water at Trebalúger is one of the truly clear ones, turquoise over a sandy bottom. For swimming, getting in from the boat is easy: you go off the stern platform and you're out of your depth long before you run out of room.

For snorkelling, the interest is on the sides. The middle is sand, but the limestone rock walls on both flanks create structure where the life gathers. We carry the full snorkelling kit for everyone on board, plus a paddle board, so you can head out to the rocks with mask and snorkel and come back at your ease. I'm not going to give you depths in metres or promises of shoals of fish; what's there is clean water and rocky corners that are worth a while with your face in the water.

Which trip to choose for Cala Trebalúger

Trebalúger isn't one of the coves you fit into a short trip. To do it properly I'd recommend two options from our boat trips:

• Half day (morning or afternoon, about 4 hours): enough to reach the southern stretch, anchor at Trebalúger if the sea is kind and swim at leisure. In low season it starts from 570 € for the whole boat, not per person.
• Full day (10:00-18:00): the complete option, to string Trebalúger together with coves like Mitjana or, if the day allows, push further west. From 790 € for the entire boat.

All prices are per boat for the group, not per head. Split between 7, it works out well. You have the detail by season on boat hire prices in Menorca. The skipper is qualified and knows this coastline, and the route is built around the group and the state of the sea on the day.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to Cala Trebalúger?

No. It has no road access. You can only reach it on foot along the Camí de Cavalls (40-50 minutes from Cala Mitjana over rocky ground) or by sea. That's why going by boat is the easiest way to get to know it.

Does the trip always reach Trebalúger?

We don't promise it. The route depends on the sea and the wind on the day. If conditions in the south aren't right, we adapt the route or switch coasts so the trip is worthwhile all the same.

Are there facilities at the cove?

None: no bar, no showers, no toilets, no lifeguard, no bins. On board you do have a toilet, a bow shower for the salt, a cooler with ice and bottled water.

Is it good for snorkelling?

Yes. The water is very clear and the rock walls on the sides concentrate the life. We carry a full set of snorkelling kit for the whole group.

How many people fit on the boat?

The Capeador 43 takes up to 7 passengers plus the skipper. It's a private trip: the boat is just for your group.