Malpas (Alcúdia)

Surfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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)
Great for
Beginners
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
14–27 °C
Water Temperature
10–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Mar–Oct: 3/2mm or shortyNov, Feb: 4/3mm or 5/4mmJun, Jul, Aug: rash guards or shorties
Crowds by Season

Weekdays are empty; few surfers on weekends, with sudden crowding when a rare good swell hits.

Storm/Rain Season

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.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsLeash

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.

Restrictions
  • Seasonal swimming zones may restrict surfing areas in peak summer months.
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Showers
Toilets
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.