Cala D’Or is one of the most family-friendly resorts on Majorca, with safe swimming, calm seas and a host of attractions that are perfectly suited to the younger members of the family. But the wonderful thing about this lovely little Balearic gem is that it’s just as appealing for adults, too.
While a family holiday is all about spending time together, there’s no harm in sneaking away for a little downtime – after all, it should be the parents’ holiday as well! One of the most exciting activities in Cala D’Or for adults is to head below the waves and take advantage of the excellent diving opportunities just off the coast. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or are just dipping your toes in for the first time, diving around Cala D’Or will give you plenty of stories to take back to the kids.
Diving in Cala D’Or: Fast Facts
The resort has a reputation as an excellent dive site, with plenty to explore and opportunities for divers of all abilities. The clear, calm waters provide the perfect conditions and habitat for a wealth of marine species, and with wrecks, caves and reefs in abundance, you’ll never be bored.
Best time for diving: If you’re serious about making the most of the diving here, the best time is between May and October, when visibility is up to about 10 miles (as there is less rainfall) and the currents are fairly weak.
Average temperatures: In the months mentioned above, the average water temperatures are around 18 to 25°C and the air temperature is between 22 and 29°C.
What you could see: Even close to the shore, the seas around the resort are abundant with marine species like anemone, cuttlefish, octopi, sea stars, wrasse and damsel fish, just to name a few.
Top Dive Sites
Depending on your diving skills and what you want to see, there are multiple sites worth visiting within a short distance of the resort. It’s also important to travel with a reputable dive company, as they’ll make decisions on the day based on the weather conditions.
El Toro
The marine reserve of El Toro Island offers a choice of multiple sites with the chance to dive at varying depths on the reef. Both beginners and experienced divers looking to challenge themselves will find numerous sites to suit their wishes, and the island’s protected status allows it to support a huge range of species. The eerie underwater volcanic landscape is home to massive groupers and barracudas, as well as to tiny darting nudibranchs, crabs, octopi and moray eels.
Isla del Sec
One for the advanced divers, Isla del Sec provides a choice of three exciting dives of a reef wall, a brooding wreck of an old fishing vessel that was deliberately sunk for the pleasure of divers, and a deep-water wreck that sits at the bottom of the ocean. While the majority of divers come here for the wrecks, the marine life is also spectacular, and you’ll see a vast variety of species swimming in and out of the skeletons of the sunken vessels.
The Column Wreck
But fear not, the wrecks aren’t just for the experts. Column Wreck, off the east coast of the island, is not only accessible, but is also a wonderful adventure to explore. The vessel is the wreck of a thirteenth-century Roman merchant ship, which lies on a sandy bottom at a depth of only 10m. It sunk whilst transporting marble columns across the ocean, and as you swim in and out of the wreck, you can clearly see the still-surviving iron cannons of the ship. This is a great one to whet your appetite for wreck diving, so next year you can opt for Isla del Sec!
Cala Sa Nau
Once again, keep in mind that you don’t have to be an expert to make the most of Cala D’Or’s diving sites. Cala Sa Nau gives you the chance to go diving in a cave – and what a cave it is! This huge flooded stalactite cave is an absolute thrill, and a fantastic place to boost your confidence because the opening is so wide and accessible. You’ll share the space with a host of marine creatures, and you’ll also be able to examine the myriad corals within the cave.
How to Get to Cala D’Or
With direct routes and a flight time of just over two hours, getting to Cala D’Or is a cinch. Numerous budget airlines including easyJet and Thomas Cook fly into Palma Airport (PMI) and, from there, it’s just an hour by road to Cala D’Or.
Your best bet is to prebook a convenient transfer with Shuttle Direct before you leave home. A driver will be waiting at the airport and then you’ll be dropped at the door of your accommodation, ready to begin your holiday in style!
Where to Stay
Barceló Ponent Playa: So close to the beach that you can almost touch it, the wonderful Barceló Ponent Playa is set in a sensational position overlooking the ocean. With bright spacious rooms (many with sea views) and superb onsite facilities, the family may never want to leave. Along with an outdoor pool, mini golf and tennis, the resort offers multiple dining options and an entertainment programme.
Hotel Cala Dor: Set in a delightful cove just two minutes’ walk from the beach, the cool, spacious rooms at Hotel Cala Dor offer wonderful views over the ocean or tranquil gardens. As well as having the beach right on your doorstep, the hotel has a lovely pool, gym, sauna, hot tub and multiple onsite dining facilities.
Ona Village Cala d’Or: In a lovely garden setting that’s only a five-minute walk from the beach, Ona Village Cala d’Or provides comfortable family accommodation in spacious self-contained units. Along with a lovely outdoor pool area, the facilities include a hot tub, sauna and a relaxing sun terrace.
About Shuttle Direct
Why not start your holiday off right, with a convenient ride from the airport to the door of your hotel? Shuttle Direct is one of the most trusted names in the airport transfers business throughout Europe and North Africa, and we know just what it takes to make our customers happy. With an easy-to-use booking system and a choice of shared or private transfers, we make organising your holiday transport easy. Let us do all of the hard work while you just sit back and enjoy your holiday.
