The tiny island of El Pantaleu (or Es Pantaleu in Catalan) lies off the westernmost coast of Mallorca, Spain, itself a relatively small island only 50-60 kilometers across. Both are part of the Balearic Islands archipelago in the Balearic Sea, off the east coast of Spain. Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera are the four main islands of the chain and are known as tourist destinations, popular with those looking for a warm Mediterranean climate and attractive coastline.
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| Pantaleu Spain |
Pantaleu is, more precisely, an island, just a rock about 2.5 hectares in size. Its highest point is 24 meters. Little is growing and no one lives here. Mallorca is only 304 meters away, making it an energetic yet doable swim from the beach in the village of Sant Elm. Technically, no one is allowed to set foot on Pantaleu because it is designated as a nature reserve, along with the much larger Dragonera Island a few kilometers further west.
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| Pantaleu Spain |
Pantaleu is most useful as a windbreak for boats, as you can see in this aerial photo. Centuries ago, sailors understood the value of Pantaleu as an anchorage. In 1229, the young James I the Conqueror, King of Aragon, and his fleet sheltered from a storm behind Pantaleu before he invaded the Balearic Islands. Most of the battles here have been settled these days, although you may have to parry a camper for a spot in the sand or a table at happy hour.