Cala Tirant: Beach, Dunes and Geological History

Cala Tirant brings together a beach and coastal landscape with geological outcrops. If you are considering the area as a destination for a hotel stay, you can choose between spending time by the water, learning about geological history and walking a section of the Camí de Cavalls.

Beach and Bay

At the entrance to Tirant Bay, Cala Tirant opens up between the headlands of Punta Llarga and Punta Negra. The beach lies in a bay and has dark sand and shallow water. Two swimming areas are separated by a small rise, which you cross by a staircase. When finding your way around the water, two features are therefore relevant: the bay’s position between the headlands and the division of the beach into two swimming areas.

Coastal Landscape and Geology

In the Cala Tirant–Binidonairet area, the dune system extends about 2 km inland. The area also includes a wetland and forms part of the Reserva Marina del Nord de Menorca. The dunes indicate how far the landscape extends inland, while the wetland is a further landscape feature and the Reserva Marina identifies the marine protection status. Landform, wetland and protection status are thus distinct features of the coastal landscape.

Geological Outcrops

On the west side of Cala Tirant are geological outcrops containing rocks considered the oldest in the Balearic Islands. Graptolite fossils in the rocks date their deposition to about 400 million years ago; geologically, this places it in the Late Silurian to Early Devonian. The two classifications use different frames of reference: the first compares the age of the rocks within the Balearic Islands, while the second places their deposition in Earth’s history. The graptolite fossils connect the site to this chronological classification.

Walking Route and Activities

The Camí de Cavalls includes a route section called “Cala Tirant - Binimel·là”. The geological site is a separate place to visit: from the turnoff to the Camí de Cavalls, you can reach it after walking about 900 m in the direction of Cavalleria. Surfing lessons are usually held on Cala Tirant beach in Platges de Fornells. This offers three distinct options: a walking route, the geological site and an activity on the water.

Getting There by Bus

The regular passenger transport service IB-08 connects Fornells with Maó and Fornells with Es Mercadal, serving Cala Tirant (Platges de Fornells) among other places. Unlike the Camí de Cavalls, IB-08 is a passenger transport service, not a walking route. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting out, as services and times may change.

Discover more destinations: Son Parc, Na Macaret, Fornells, Port D'addaia

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