Sea Caves Near Porto Cristo: A Local's Guide

The Show Caves: Drach and Hams

Porto Cristo is best known internationally for two developed show caves: the Cuevas del Drach (Caves of Drach), home to one of the largest underground lakes in the world and a well-known boat concert, and the Cuevas dels Hams (Caves of Hams), a smaller but striking system known for its delicate, web-like rock formations.

Both are easy to combine with a stroll around Porto Cristo itself — a working fishing town with a marina, promenade, and a good selection of seafood restaurants. For many visitors, this is where a Porto Cristo day trip starts: a relaxed morning underground, followed by lunch by the water.

The Hidden Sea Caves of the Llevant Coast

Just south of Porto Cristo, the coastline changes character. Beyond the town, a series of coves — Cala Romàntica, Cala Anguila, and further on, Cala Varques — sit beneath pine forest and undeveloped limestone cliffs. It's in this stretch that the area's sea caves are found, including Cova des Coloms, the best-known of the group.

Unlike the show caves in town, these are entirely natural and unlit — explored by swimming or wading in from the water, usually with a guide. Our guide to the best sea caves in Mallorca covers each of these in more detail.

Combining Town Exploration with Wild Adventure

One of the more satisfying ways to spend a day based in Porto Cristo is to pair the two halves of this coastline. A common itinerary looks something like this:

• Morning: Visit the Cuevas del Drach or Cuevas dels Hams, then walk along the Porto Cristo promenade and have lunch near the marina.
• Afternoon: Take a guided boat trip from the marina down the Llevant coast to explore a sea cave such as Cova des Coloms.

The contrast is part of the appeal — a polished, accessible cultural visit in the morning, and an active, natural adventure in the afternoon. See our full comparison of sea caving vs the Drach Caves if you're weighing up how to split your time.

How to Access the Wild Caves

The sea caves south of Porto Cristo can be reached on foot via Cala Varques, but as covered in our Cova des Coloms guide, this involves a long walk over exposed terrain and an open-water swim with gear. The more straightforward option — particularly if you're already in Porto Cristo — is a guided boat trip departing directly from the marina.

Frequently Asked Questions