One of Majorca’s most popular and iconic beaches is said to have been ruined by influencers and Instagrammers. Once a hidden gem on the southeast coast of the Balearic Island, Caló des Moro has become a major victim of its own success, spoiled by overcrowding provoked at least in part by social media.
Now, the destruction of the picturesque cover is becoming even more apparent. The disappearance of sand at Caló des Moro is becoming a major issue, carried away on the shoes, towels and bags of visitors. According to the Foundation of Friends of Caló des Moro-s’Almonia, up to 70 kilograms of sand can disappear daily from a beach that is already suffering from erosion. Up to six tonnes of sand can disappear over the main summer season, removed by up to 4,000 beachgoers per day.
According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, images of the tiny cove from 2011 and 2023 clearly show that the beach is receding and the sea is encroaching on the coast.
Some measures have already been taken to mitigate the crisis, including installing brushes at the beach exit to remove sand from their feet. However, this has still not been deemed enough. Locals have also complained that the beach, accessed by a steep and narrow rocky trail, has been used as a dumping ground by tourists too lazy to make the return journey with their possessions.
Caló des Moro lies about four miles from the town of Santanyí and can only accommodate about 100 people at a time. Unlike Es Trenc – a 25-minute drive away, with over a mile of white sand, safe swimming, facilities and abundant parking – Caló des Moro is rocky and only 65-foot wide, requiring a long trek to reach it.
Caló des Moro has become a victim of its own success. In 2024, in a bid to divert tourists away from island hotspots such as the busy Cala de Deià in northwest Majorca, several island tourism entities encouraged social media influencers to visit lesser-known spots. However, this has made the cove known as Majorca’s “best kept secret,” luring thousands to its shores each day.
As of June 2025, 1,300 videos of the cove had been uploaded to TikTok, receiving approximately 10 million views globally. Instagram also had 30 associated hashtags.
This sparked outrage among locals, prompting the citizen movement, Mallorca Platja Tour, to stage a protest attended by more than 300 people. Tpurists were pressured to leave the area, while demonstrators unfurled a banner which read: “#OcupemLesNostresPlatges” (“Let’s Occupy Our Beaches”) and occupied the entire stretch.