Malpas (Alcúdia)
- Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Malpas (Alcúdia) is a small, sandy beach break in northern Mallorca that’s primarily known as a beginner-friendly surf spot. It’s a right-and-left wave setup, but the overall experience is shaped by the spot’s small bay and the way the wave breaks—so rides are usually short. Surf at Malpas is highly dependent on Northeast Mediterranean swells. Reports indicate it starts working at under 1m and can hold up to around 2m+, but when the swell is strong enough the wave can close out after reaching roughly that height range. Winter months are commonly cited as the best time of year for surf, with sources also describing seasonal patterns where the right swell/wind alignment is what ultimately determines whether you get usable surf. Wind and swell coordination matters. The spot’s best setup is described around Northeast swells together with north-to-northeast wind conditions. Some reports add that South/Southwest winds can provide cleaner conditions (offshore effect) even though the required swell generation remains tied to the Northeast setup. Safety-wise, expect the usual Mediterranean beach hazards for this specific launch area: rocks and jellyfish are explicitly reported. Access is straightforward by descending a stone staircase, but because the bay is small it can feel crowded quickly when a handful of surfers are out. Rescue/lifeguard coverage is described as limited/none at times, and emergencies should be handled via 112.
- Beginner-focused small beach break
- Best when Northeast swells align with the right wind setup
- Short rides (often under 50m)
- Beginner-friendly beach break with short, learnable waves.
- Works when Northeast swells and the right wind setup come together.
- Easy access via a stone staircase and parking nearby.
- Water described as clear/crystal-clear on the beach.
- Only a few good days per year; surf is described as inconsistent.
- Waves are short due to the small bay.
- Hazards reported include rocks and jellyfish.
- Crowding can happen quickly because the bay is tiny.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNW, E, NE
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Sources describe wind-driven conditions as thermal; surf quality depends on the right wind direction and swell.
- Reliability
- inconsistent
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy bottom.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — General descriptions vary from small/ordinary to medium on workable days.
- Launch
- Small — Stone stairs down to the beach; instant access (< 5 min).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Entry is via sandy beach and stone stairs.
Through the year
Weekdays are empty; few surfers on weekends, with sudden crowding when a rare good swell hits.
October and November often see increased rainfall and storms (autumn storm risk); winter can also include occasional storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Malpas is a small, fairly exposed beach break where surf depends strongly on Northeast Mediterranean swells. It offers both left and right waves, but rides are usually short due to the small bay and the way the wave breaks.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, N, NNE, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, All tides — Some sources prefer low tide; others report it can work at all tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- North and Northeast winds are mentioned as optimal for producing the needed swell/wave setup; offshore wind effect is described for South and Southwest winds as cleaner conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold up to roughly 2m before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as good and a regional classic when the swell/wind align.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Sources describe the waves as ordinary/soft; elsewhere described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short; some reports note normal rides can run 50–150m on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides are reported as less than 50m; on good days normal ride length is reported between 50 and 150m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Malpas (Alcúdia) in the full forecast view.
Malpas (Alcúdia) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- NNW338°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2510 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.2 m4s period
- Temperature
- 15–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Malpas (Alcúdia) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.1–1.2 m with a period of about 4s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- jellyfish
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level sources describe rescue availability as limited or none.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, call 112.
Rules of the spot
General surfing etiquette applies; respect the local line-up during rare good swell days.
- Seasonal swimming zones may restrict surfing areas in peak summer months.
- Watch out for rocks—this is a small bay and the shoreline/edges can be hazardous.
- Access is easy via a stone staircase down to the beach.
- The bay is very small; when there are 5–6 surfers it can feel crowded quickly.
- Check the forecast for strong North/Northeast winds in the Balearic Sea, as they help generate the swell needed.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Alcudia, Mallorca
- Nearest Town
- Alcúdia
- Nearest Airport
- Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) ~60 km
- Parking
- Instant access (< 5 min) with parking nearby; limited street parking in surrounding residential areas is also reported.
- Public Transport
- Hourly TIB bus service from Palma to Alcúdia/Port d’Alcúdia on weekdays (including Saturday); car recommended for equipment transport
- Access
- Drive from Puerto Pollensa (north Mallorca) toward Alcúdia/Manresa and Malpas; follow signed roads, then descend via a stone staircase to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, Catalan
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Villas and boutique hotels in the Malpas and Alcúdia area.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants and cafes available within walking distance in Malpas and the nearby marina.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Malpas (Alcúdia)?
The best overall months at Malpas (Alcúdia) are January, February, March, December. The best wind months are January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Malpas (Alcúdia)?
Malpas (Alcúdia) works with N, NNW, E, NE winds.
What skill level is Malpas (Alcúdia) suitable for?
Malpas (Alcúdia) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.