Everything you need to know to experience the total eclipse in Mallorca

PalmaMallorca will experience an exceptional day this Wednesday, August 12, due to the total solar eclipse, an astronomical phenomenon that has not been seen in the Islands since 1905 and will not be repeated until well into the 22nd century. The forecast of a large influx to the main observation points has forced administrations to prepare a special plan that will affect mobility, access to natural spaces, and the operation of some roads, especially in the Serra de Tramuntana.

The Government, the Consell de Mallorca, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), Emergencies 112, the Civil Guard, and the involved town councils will coordinate an operation that will combine traffic restrictions, access controls, forest surveillance, and reinforcement of emergency services. The objective is to ensure that the phenomenon can be observed safely and to avoid collapses in the points where more public concentration is expected.

The eclipse

According to data provided by the Government, the Moon will begin to cover the Sun at 7:38 PM. The most spectacular moment will arrive between 8:30 PM and 8:34 PM, when the totality phase will occur. In Mallorca, this sudden darkness will last approximately one and a half minutes, the longest time of all the Islands, before the sun reappears and the sunset continues.

Precisely because the phenomenon will coincide with the last minutes of daylight, it is recommended to choose a spot with a completely open view to the west, as any natural obstacle or building may prevent seeing the most spectacular phase of the eclipse.

The alternative to avoid crowds

To reduce the pressure on the best-known viewpoints and the collapse of protected natural sites, the Government has enabled 26 official observation areas spread across the four islands, 9 of which are in Mallorca. These spaces have been selected because they offer good visibility of the horizon, have adequate access, and allow for better distribution of visitors. When they reach maximum capacity, access may be closed.

The aim is to prevent thousands of people from gathering in the same places in the Serra de Tramuntana, where parking capacity is limited and any incident could hinder access for emergency services.

It should be remembered that months ago, the IAAM foundation published a map detailing potentially problematic spots during the eclipse. The vast majority of these spots are located in the Serra de Tramuntana, although there are also some on the plain of Mallorca and other places on the island. These are the spots that are recommended to avoid and that, theoretically, will be most saturated.

Traffic restrictions in the Serra de Tramuntana

The Tramuntana mountain range will be the most affected area by the special mobility device. The Government will activate traffic restrictions in general between 3 PM and 9 PM, although this schedule may be brought forward if circumstances require it. Controls will affect about twenty roads accessing natural spaces, viewpoints, lighthouses, beaches, and sanctuaries with a high forecast of attendance, with the aim of guaranteeing safety and allowing the passage of emergency services.

During the restrictions, access to the affected areas will be subject to the conditions established by the device, while emergency vehicles and public transport will have guaranteed passage.

Consult the complete guide here to affected roads, control schedules, and access exceptionsPlaya de Palma will have a specific device from early morning. Measures will include access controls, parking restrictions, and the closure of several exits from the Ma-19. Public transport will also be reinforced and a safe corridor will be maintained for emergency services.

In Menorca, restrictions will affect access to the Tramuntana path, Cavalleria lighthouse, El Toro, and Punta Nati lighthouse, the parking of which will be closed from 8 a.m.

In Ibiza, controls will focus on access to Cala d'Hort, Cala Comte, Cala Molí, and Cala Bassa, while in Formentera access to the Cap de Barbaria road and Cala Saona, one of the points where the highest concentration of visitors is expected, will be regulated.

Limited parking and prohibition of parking on verges

One of the main objectives of the operation is to prevent vehicles from parking on the shoulders of roads and blocking forest paths and emergency access routes. For this reason, controls will be reinforced in the parking lots of natural spaces and access will not be allowed once they have reached maximum capacity. Vehicles parked in unauthorized areas will be fined and removed if they hinder traffic or the passage of emergency services.

In recent weeks, administrations have insisted that it is preferable to arrive "on time" at the chosen location rather than trying to get close when only a few minutes remain until totality. They also recommend avoiding unnecessary travel and observing the eclipse from home whenever there is an open horizon to the West.

Public transport

Public transport will be one of the main alternatives to private vehicles during the day. During the restrictions, buses will be able to continue accessing certain areas affected by traffic controls. The Palma City Council has already announced the reinforcement of the line that goes from the center to Playa de Palma to facilitate travel to observation points.

In addition to the use of public transport, both institutions and emergency services have recalled that it is advisable to avoid unnecessary travel during the central hours of the operation.

Approved glasses, essential

Experts insist that the eclipse can only be observed with approved glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 standard. Looking directly at the Sun without this protection, even if it is partially hidden, can cause irreversible retinal damage. Conventional sunglasses, X-rays, darkened glass, or any other homemade system are also not useful, as they do not filter solar radiation safely.

Only during the brief moments when the Sun is completely hidden by the Moon will it be safe to remove the glasses, but only from places where totality is fully visible. As soon as the first ray of Sun reappears, they must be put back on immediately.

In case of wanting to photograph or observe the eclipse with cameras, binoculars or telescopes, they must also have specific solar filters placed in front of the optics, as approved glasses do not replace the protection required by these devices.

The day will leave an unusual image: restricted roads, regulated access and natural spaces subjected to special controls to make the observation of a unique phenomenon compatible with the preservation of the territory. The challenge for the administrations will be to prevent interest in the eclipse from translating into new pressure on spaces that, in full August, already support a high influx of visitors.