S ESPALMADOR SOUTHERN IBIZA

From Punta de ses Portes, the southern tip of Ibiza, a chain of islets and rocks points the way to Trucadors, the northernmost tip of Formentera. Only one of these islets is big enough to be habitable, or even worth visiting S'Espalmador, the islet closest to Formentera.

Trucadors is a curious finger of land, little more than sand dunes dotted with patches of grass and spiky shrubs, and narrowing beaches. It is an excellent place for sunbathing and swimming and, if the sea is calm and can be guaranteed to remain so, for visiting S'Espalmador. The island lies just 200m or so from Trucadors' sandy end and the sea can be waded. Most visitors, however, choose the less precarious option of a boat ride. The privately owned island, which is uninhabited, has some excellent beaches.

The bay of Port de S'Espalmador, on the southwestern coast, is a particular favorite with the Spanish royal family. From it, a track leads to the northern tip for a view of the nearby islet of Pores, passing the recently restored watchtower known as Sa Guardiola the money box. Strong swimmers might be tempted to believe that on a good day they could cross the straits ahead to the mainland. However, they should recall the name of this stretch of water Es Freus, the difficult passage.