SES ILLETES

Aerial view of Ses Illetes beach

Ses Illetes (or Playa de Ses Illetes) is a magnificent beach located on the Es Trucadors peninsula, in the northern part of the island of Formentera, specifically close to the port of La Savina and the tourist resort of Es Pujols.

The name Platja de Ses Illetes means “beach of the small islands” in Catalan and in fact nearby we find Illa des Ponent, Illa de Tramuntana, Escull des Pou, Illa Rodona, Escull d’en Paia, Racò des Palo and the most famous Espalmador.

A short distance from Ses Illetes beach, exactly on the opposite side of the sandbar, we find Llevant beach. These two beaches are so close that they are often called “the twins”.
Choosing which one to go to will be a decision dictated by the wind: when the wind blows from the west, the sea will be calm at Levante beach, while when it comes from the east, Ses Illetes will welcome you with flat, crystalline waters.

Ses Illetes is undoubtedly one of the most famous beaches in Formentera and during the high season it is often crowded: to enjoy it fully, we recommend arriving early in the morning to find a place without problems.
Access is limited and there is a toll to enter as you will be inside a protected area called the Ses Salines Natural Park.

A particularity to admire is the phenomenon of the pink beach: tiny fragments of coral dust give some stretches of fine white sand a pink hue.

The secret of Posidonia Oceanica

In this authentic paradise, the sea seems like a natural swimming pool: you will find very shallow sandy bottoms where you can walk for meters. The almost total absence of umbrella and sunbed rental facilities means that this long stretch of beach (almost 1 km) retains a very wild appearance.

The secret of the crystal-clear waters lies in Posidonia Oceanica: an aquatic plant, widespread throughout the Mediterranean Sea, which has great ecological importance and is considered a protected ecosystem by the European Union. This organism, very similar to land plants and which only develops in shallow and clear waters, has a double function: it produces a large quantity of oxygen and slows down the wave motion of the water, helping to prevent beach erosion. Posidonia is therefore not an alga! Its presence is an indicator of the excellent state of the waters.

How to get to Ses Illetes

The magnificent beach of Ses Illetes

There are several ways to get to Ses Illetes: by car for a fee of €4 to €6, by scooter for a fee of €2 to €4 (depending on the season), while access by bicycle or on foot is completely free.

Ses Illetes can also be reached by public bus (lines L3 and L7), which stops about 500 meters from the beach. Finally, another way is to call a convenient taxi.

The preservation of the territory and the incentive to a more conscious use of polluting means are the two objectives that the bodies that protect this nature reserve are proposing. For a couple of years, strict rules have prohibited the use of quad bikes.

From the port of Formentera to Ses Illetes

How to get from the port of Formentera to Ses Illetes? This is a question that many people on holiday in Ibiza ask themselves when they decide to spend a day on this beautiful beach. First of all, we recommend buying discounted Ibiza – Formentera ferry tickets online.
Once you arrive at the port of Formentera, you can choose to rent a scooter and follow the signs to Ses Illetes (you will arrive in just 5 minutes) or take the L3 bus. The bus stop is right in front of the ferry ticket office, so very convenient!

If you have rented an apartment in Es Pujols, reaching Ses Illetes is very easy: you just have to follow the only road that leads to the port of La Savina and at a certain point on the right, you will see the signs indicating the beach. In less than 10 minutes by car or moped you will arrive at your destination.

Another important news is that access to the beach is limited. Entrances and exits are constantly monitored by staff at the crossing point. Going to Playa de Ses Illetes early in the morning means, first of all, not having to queue in the scorching sun and, in the early hours of the morning, you will feel like you are on an almost private beach.
Alright, now that you are happily lying in the sun, take off your clothes! Nudism, here as on many other beaches in Formentera, is practiced without problems.

What to do in Ses Illetes

The sand tongue Es Trucadors

For those who don’t like to sunbathe, there is the possibility of practicing various sports. You can choose between: windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, stand up paddle or snorkeling. Practicing these sports will allow you to experience the sea from a more intimate point of view and enjoy scenery not visible from the hot beach. Alternatively, there is also the possibility of renting a canoe or catamaran to reach the nearby Espalmador.

Where to eat at Ses Illetes? There are not many restaurants on Ses Illetes beach apart from the renowned and quite expensive Juan y Andrea, Es Ministre and Es Molí de Sal. The latter is also one of the chicest places on the island, perfect for a drink while waiting for the sunset or as a location for a wedding on the island.
To spend your day at Playa de Ses Illetes you can also opt for a packed lunch.

In conclusion, we highly recommend visiting Ses Illetes, as it has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe by Trip Advisor users.