Fecal contamination on Balearic beaches doubles in one year

PalmFecal contamination on the beaches of the Balearic Islands has doubled during 2025 compared to the previous year, in a context of a progressive and generalized decrease inquality of bathing watersThis is reflected in the Balearic Sea Report 2026, which is being launched this year with a new chapter. BeachesThis chapter analyzes the state and evolution of these spaces in the Canary Islands based on three key areas: the sanitary quality of bathing water, usage and density of people, and the pressure exerted by anchored vessels. The chapter reveals that the islands' beaches not only suffer a progressive decline in water quality but also endure increasing pressure from both bathers and boats. For the experts of the collaborative research project, it is essential to extend the monitoring of users and vessels to all the islands, as it is currently only carried out in Menorca, with the aim of improving the management of these spaces and guaranteeing both the conservation of marine ecosystems and a safe and satisfactory experience for users. The conclusions indicate that, although the overall values for quality and usage remain within normal parameters, the trend is toward worsening water quality and increased human and nautical pressure.

Bathing water quality in the Balearic Islands

According to the report, since 2010 the percentage of waters with an excellent rating has decreased, while the percentage with good quality has increased. Furthermore, urban beaches consistently show worse results in terms of water quality. In 2025, 70% of the islands' beaches received an excellent rating. Formentera and Menorca are the islands with the best bathing water quality, with 100% and 80% of their beaches, respectively, receiving excellent ratings. Ibiza has the highest percentage of beaches below excellent, with 32% rated good and 5% rated sufficient. All the beaches with insufficient quality were located in Mallorca, specifically in Albercuix (Pollença) and Cala Egos (Santanyí).

On the other hand, the number of incidents due to microbiological contamination doubled in 2025 compared to 2024, rising from 46 to 92. Of these, 20 resulted in a bathing ban and 72 in a recommendation against bathing.

The municipalities most affected by these fecal contamination episodes were Sóller, Santanyí, Calvià, and Ciutadella.

Between 2020 and 2025, 396 incidents were recorded: 313 recommendations against bathing, 82 bans, and one instance in which the water was declared safe for swimming again. A total of 11 municipalities—including Santanyí, Calvià, Palma, Ciutadella, and Alcúdia—experienced incidents every year of the analyzed period. The report notes that coliform sampling is only carried out during the summer, coinciding with the peak tourist season, which leaves water quality outside the official monitoring system for the rest of the year. More pressure on Menorca's beaches

The coastline is the Balearic Islands' main tourist resource and, during the summer, sees a high influx of beachgoers. However, Menorca is the only island with systematic data on human and nautical pressure. Between 2018 and 2024, the number of beachgoers in Menorca increased by 10%, and the percentage of beaches with over 1,000 daily users rose from 14% to 17%. In 2023 and 2024, urban beaches attracted more users than undeveloped beaches and also had less space for bathers. In 2024, 17% of beaches had very high densities, with less than 5 square meters per user, an area considered insufficient.

Regarding carrying capacity, since 2018 the optimal limit of 100% has almost always been exceeded. In 2024, 36% of beaches exceeded this threshold, especially undeveloped beaches with amenities. Some reach extreme figures, such as Macarelleta (575%), Cala Turqueta (424%), and Cala Mitjana (371%).

Increase in anchored vessels

The report also notes a sustained increase in boats anchored off Menorca's beaches. Over the past five years, the number of boats per day during the summer season has grown by 48%. Between 2018 and 2023, the average number of boats per day on undeveloped beaches with services increased by 68%, reaching an average of 26.4 boats per day in 2024. The highest number recorded was 142 boats on a single beach on the 20th. The Balearic Islands government warns that this increase, likely driven by the tourist offering of recreational boat rentals, carries environmental risks, such as habitat destruction by anchors, water pollution, and increased underwater noise.

For researchers, having detailed information on anchored vessels is key to assessing nautical pressure, studying its impacts on marine ecosystems, and establishing measures that guarantee both the safety of users and the conservation of natural areas.