Cala Jondal Beach

Cala Jondal is the south coast cove that put Ibiza glamour on the map. It is a sheltered bay ringed by low cliffs and greenery, with clear protected water that draws a flotilla of yachts through the summer and a smart crowd that comes as much for the scene as the swim. The setting is genuinely lovely, but the headline most people miss until they arrive is that the shore is smooth pebbles and shingle rather than sand.

The cove is defined by its two beach clubs. Blue Marlin is the chic, polished operation that takes up a stretch of the cove with white day beds, chillout music that builds through the day, waiter service and a water taxi for guests arriving by sea, and it is as much a destination as the beach itself. At the other end, Tropicana is the long established, more laid back option, an island institution known for its seafood, its setting and a friendlier, lower key feel.

Knowing what you are walking into makes the day. The pebbles mean water shoes are close to essential for a comfortable entry, the seabed deepens off the shingle bank fairly quickly, and prices at the smart end run high, particularly for a Blue Marlin day bed in peak season. The cove comes alive from midday and the yacht traffic builds with it, so a morning swim before the scene arrives is the quiet reward for early risers.

Who it suits: travellers who want glamour, clear sheltered water and a polished beach club day, and who are happy to trade sand for pebbles.

Who should skip it: families wanting soft sand and shallow paddling, or anyone on a tight budget, will find easier days at Cala Bassa or Talamanca.