Bahía de Pollensa
Pollensa - Spain
Spot Type
Chop
Water
Crystal Clear
Beach
Sand
Rider Lever
beginner
Spot characteristics
Spot Type
Chop
Rider Skill
beginner
Crowd
Occasional Bystanders
Beach Type
Sand
Water Quality
Crystal Clear
Tide Influence
Tide independent
Description of Bahía de Pollensa (Spain)
Bahía de Pollensa sits tucked into the northern coast of Mallorca with a setup that just works—especially if you’re newer to the sport or want glassy conditions all session long. The flat-water nature of the spot is what first draws in most kiters, and I can tell you from experience, it’s one of the few northern Mediterranean bays where you can consistently score shallow, smooth water and steady thermals during summer. These thermic sea breezes, caused by temperature differences between land and sea, are surprisingly reliable here from about midday through late afternoon, especially June through August. Expect the breeze to kick in gently after lunch and build into the low teens (knots), sometimes touching 15 knots on stronger days. What helps most is the geography—the Serra de Tramontana mountain range behind the bay funnels the wind through, giving it a bit more punch and holding it steady.
Getting going is easy because the water nearshore remains waist-deep for a good 50 meters out, which is huge if you're practicing waterstarts or coaching someone through their first upwind run. Lessons often group here near the standing area and move away quickly to keep the launch spot uncluttered. Speaking of which—the beach isn’t big. Dry launch space is limited and if a few riders are setting up at once, things get tight in a hurry. Efficiency is crucial. Set up quick, check your lines, launch with help if possible, and move out onto the water promptly. This keeps things safe and respectful for all users, especially in July and August when traffic picks up. But once you're off the beach and upwind a bit, you've got room to play.
Flat water fans and learners will love it, but don't write it off if you’re intermediate or advanced. Throw your freestyle tricks in glass—landings are much easier in water like this. Or slap on a hydrofoil and enjoy long edges up and down the bay in almost no chop. Waves? Forget it. You’ll get micro-ripples on the stronger days but no swell to speak of. In fact, the bay being enclosed by capes Formentor and La Victoria blocks almost all outside wave activity. Plus, the crystal-clear water lets you see your fins as you carve. Just watch the depth if you’re practicing anything that could spike your board into the bottom.
The place really comes alive in peak season, tying in perfectly with long daylight hours and a chill island vibe. Ride the afternoon breeze, and once the sun starts dipping, head into Pollensa town—a super local spot with tapas, a couple of art galleries, and cold beers on an outdoor patio. If you're staying more days, make sure to drive out to Cap Formentor early morning before the tourist buses—those cliffside views are worth the effort. Between reliable summer wind, warm water, and a stunning island backdrop, Pollensa keeps delivering for mellow sessions, skill progression, and post-ride downtime.
Spot best suited for
Spot profile
Family spot
Located in an area that offers amenities for all the family and can provide good alternatives for everyone when the kiters are in the water.
Local spot
Maybe not be worth a real journey to reach this spot, but great if you live close by and it is a windy day. In the end, being out on the water feels great anywhere
Equipment
In peak summer—July and August—a 2mm shorty or even just boardshorts will do, since the water's warm and the sun’s out in full force. For May, June, or late September, throw on a long wetsuit—3/2mm or thicker if you chill easily. No booties are needed due to the soft sandy bottom and lack of obstacles.
Wind Conditions
Main wind directions
% of Windy days per month
Wind Speed Range
From 5 to 16 Knots
Suggested sizes
10 - 11 mt
12 - 13 mt
14 mt and above
Forecast on Windy.com
Dangers
Launching and landing at Bahía de Pollensa is what you need to watch out for. The beach is narrow, and when it gets busy, kites, lines, and sunbathers can all start to mix. It's manageable if everyone is quick and respectful, but I've seen tangled lines and grazing crashes when people doddle on the beach too long or try to solo-launch mid-afternoon in peak season. My tip? Arrive early, get your gear ready before the wind truly builds, and launch promptly. Use a buddy to help—there’s no shame in the assist, especially on tight sand. The wind is onshore most of the time, so beginners drifting downwind can easily end up back on the beach or worse, into the tree line that grows close along parts of the shoreline. This means beginner sessions need close supervision until upwind technique gets dialed.
On weekdays or early mornings, the spot's way more relaxed, but weekends sometimes get crowded with schools and locals. No submerged rocks, currents, or obstacles in the water itself, so once you’re riding, it’s smooth—just always keep an eye on other kiters during transitions, because space isn’t infinite nearshore. No local bans or kite licenses are enforced, but coast guard presence occasionally rolls by, mainly ensuring boats steer clear of the shallow edges. If you’re coming in with students or newer kiters, consider teaching more to one side of the bay where there’s less foot traffic.
And don’t forget: pack out all your trash, especially single-use plastics. Local kiters have been working to keep the beach clean and accessible for years, and it shows.
Location
Closest City
Pollensa
How to get There
Fly into Palma airport (PMI), then drive about 40 minutes north to Port de Pollensa.
Access
The spot is publicly accessible with no private restrictions or fees. Access is straightforward from the nearby town and port of Pollensa.
What to do besides kitesurfing
Away from the kiting scene, there’s actually quite a lot going on around Pollensa, especially if you like to travel with family or just want non-riding days to still feel like you’re vacationing. The town itself feels lived in—not hyper-touristic—so you get a genuine taste of island life. Plenty of small, family-run restaurants offer classic Mallorcan eats like sobrasada, grilled seafood, and fresh ensaïmadas. Prices are reasonable, and most places are happy to accommodate sandy feet and sun-worn kiters coming in for a post-session snack. Try the little sandwich café right off the harbor path—the owner’s used to kites in bags and wetsuits hanging off chairs out front.
As for views, Cap Formentor is a must. Drive carefully—the road’s winding—but sunrise or sunset up there is wild. Think vertical cliffs 200m straight to sea, sea birds cutting through thermals, and long sightlines out into the Mediterranean. Just be ready with water and sunblock—it gets hot up there quickly after mid-morning. For the non-kiters in your crew, there’s a handful of art galleries in town worth walking through, many showcasing local work instead of tourist-targeted prints. Sunday market days bring extra life to the squares, where leather goods, produce, and hand-crafted home stuff are sold—lots more interesting than plastic souvenir shops.
If you travel with kids or non-sailors, the shallow waters of the bay make casual swimming easy, and the beach has enough space for sandcastles and umbrellas, even if the kite launch zone is a bit cramped. Local hikes into the Serra de Tramontana offer cooler air and pine-shaded trails—ideal for early morning leg stretchers before the wind picks up. You can even rent a bike and tour nearby inland villages through olive groves and almond orchards. Pollensa’s got that mix: ride when it blows, explore when it doesn’t. It’s not wild nightlife or party-central, but it’s laidback, friendly, and kiter-welcoming.
Most kiters here respect the space, and it shows—there’s a real community feel, not just fly-in riders chasing their next session. If you're looking for warm weather, long thermic sessions, and enough non-kitestuff to keep the crew entertained, this spot checks the boxes with ease.