Cala Binigaus (Menorca): how to get there and what to see

You reach Cala Binigaus on foot. There is no road down to the sand, no car park at the water's edge, no beach bar to greet you. It sits on the south coast, in the municipality of Es Migjorn Gran, just west of Sant Tomàs beach, and that is precisely why it keeps the unspoilt feel that many Migjorn coves lost decades ago. If you want one of the big, open stretches of sand in the south without the bustle of a resort, this is one that earns the walk.

Where it is and what it's like

Binigaus belongs to Es Migjorn Gran, the only inland municipality on Menorca with a stretch of coast. The cove is tucked between Sant Tomàs (to the east) and the wilder run of coastline that carries on west, where Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam appear. It is part of that undeveloped strip of the south, with pale fine sand, low limestone cliffs and pine woods that come almost down to the shore.

It is a long beach and wide by southern standards, which spreads people out and means it rarely feels crowded outside the August peak. Behind the sand opens the Barranc de Binigaus, one of the best-known ravines on the island: a green, damp valley with Mediterranean vegetation, through which, heading inland, you reach the Cova des Coloms, the huge cave they call "the Cathedral".

Being an unspoilt beach, don't expect services. There is no bar, no showers, no toilets, no lifeguard and no bins. Whatever you bring in, you carry out. That lack of infrastructure is exactly what keeps it as it is.

How to get to Cala Binigaus

On foot from Sant Tomàs

The usual way in is to walk from Sant Tomàs beach, which does have a car park and road access. From there you head out along the western end of the beach and follow a coastal path of about 15 to 20 minutes until you reach the sand at Binigaus. It is an easy walk, mostly flat, manageable for almost anyone with decent footwear and some water on them. There is no continuous shade along the way, so in high summer it's best done first thing or in mid-afternoon.

Along the Camí de Cavalls

Binigaus is threaded onto the Camí de Cavalls, the historic path that rings the whole of Menorca. Along it you can link the cove with neighbouring stretches of the south coast, though heading west the terrain gets more demanding and the distances to coves like Escorxada or Fustam are measured in hours, not minutes. For a day visit, arriving from Sant Tomàs is the simple option; the Camí de Cavalls is for those who want to make a hike of it.

By sea

As with almost all the unspoilt southern coves with no road access, Binigaus is also best appreciated from the water: the view of the sand, the ravine opening up behind it and the line of cliffs is the kind you only see properly when sailing parallel to the coast. The south of Menorca is a string of coves one after another, and travelling it by sea is a different way of understanding it. If you fancy getting to know this coastline from a skippered Menorcan llaüt, you can see how our boat excursion routes work; the exact route of each outing depends on the state of the sea and the wind that day, so we set it up according to conditions.

What you'll find

The scenery is the Migjorn at its purest: white fine sand, water that shifts from turquoise to deep blue depending on the seabed and the light, and a mostly sandy bottom that turns very clear on calm days. For swimming it is an open, pleasant beach; bear in mind that, facing south, it is somewhat exposed when a southerly swell or wind comes in, and there can then be waves and a caution flag.

For snorkelling, the most interesting spots are the ends of the cove and the areas where the sand gives way to rock: that's where a little more life gathers than in the sandy centre. It is not a reef, but the clean water and the rocky corners are good for a decent while with mask and snorkel.

Behind the beach, the Barranc de Binigaus invites a short walk inland if you fancy swapping the sea for the green for a while. It is a protected setting and a fine example of a Menorcan ravine, with its vegetation and its cool air. Anyone wanting to go further can reach the Cova des Coloms cave, a point of interest on land that has its own Cova des Coloms excursion.

Best time to go and tips

• When to go. May to October is the swimming season. June and September tend to give good water and far fewer people than July and August. In August, the big southern beaches fill up by midday: if you go in high summer, get there early or late in the afternoon.
• Shade. There are pine woods at the back, but shade is limited and not guaranteed on the strip of sand. Bring a parasol if you want one, and a hat and sun cream without fail.
• Water and food. There are no services. Carry up enough water and something to eat; in summer you really will be glad of it.
• Litter. No bins: everything that comes in goes back out. It is a protected natural area and it shows in how clean it stays when people respect it.
• Footwear. The path from Sant Tomàs can be done in any trainers; thin flip-flops are not ideal for the dirt-track section.

Neighbouring coves and more information

Binigaus fits in well with the rest of the south. If you like the profile of an unspoilt, isolated beach, to the west you have Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam, even more remote and reachable only on foot via the Camí de Cavalls or by sea. To place it on the map of the whole area, see the hub of coves on the south of Menorca, and if you want the overview of the island, the guide to the coves of Menorca.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Cala Binigaus? The simplest way is to walk from Sant Tomàs beach, which has a car park. A coastal path from the western end of Sant Tomàs reaches Binigaus in about 15-20 minutes. There is no car access to the sand itself.

Can you park next to Cala Binigaus? Not right at the cove. You park at Sant Tomàs and walk from there. Binigaus is an unspoilt beach with no road access to the sand.

Does the cove have any services? No. There is no bar, no showers, no toilets, no lifeguard and no bins. It's worth bringing water, something to eat, shade and sun cream, and taking all your litter back with you.

Is it good for snorkelling? The seabed is mostly sandy and the water is usually very clear. For snorkelling, the most interesting spots are the ends of the cove and the rocky areas, where a little more life gathers.

When is the best time to visit Cala Binigaus? May to October for swimming. June and September offer good water with fewer people; in July and August it's best to go first thing or late in the afternoon to dodge the midday crowds.