The main attraction at Santa Ponsa is the warm, clear Mediterranean water and the wide, white-sand beaches, with plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas to rent. There are four principal beaches for visitors; all are considered safe.
The main one, or Santa Ponsa beach, is crowded with sun seekers in season and boasts a pedestrian promenade providing access to bars, cafes and restaurants. Many families go to Little Beach, where there is a gentle, kid-friendly slope to the sea and children can play at an adjacent playground. Both singles and families also love the smaller, pine-sheltered Calo d'en Pellicer, located closer to the marine club, and the more exclusive Castellot beach.
The coast is by turns pretty, craggy and majestic with plenty of small inlets, where you can spend barbecue on an isolated beach. Visitors can charter boats or rent jet skis, pedal boats, catamarans or kayaks from several local purveyors to explore the area.
It is possible to go for a peaceful boat ride along the coast, or combine a ride with swimming in the warm Mediterranean waters, fishing, water-skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving. British-owned MAD Divers, for instance, runs scuba diving excursions and PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) courses from Santa Ponsa and the nearby towns of Palma Nova and Magaluf. Not far from Santa Ponsa are Aqualand Magaluf, an enormous water park with thrilling slides and rides, and Marineland at Portals Nous, with performing dolphins, sea lions and parrots.
Back on land, there are plenty of activities to keep the sports-minded happy. There are three gorgeous, full-size golf courses, built between 1977 and 1999: Santa Ponsa I, II and III. Both Santa Ponsa I and II have hosted PGA European Tour events. However, visitors may only use Santa Ponsa I; the remaining two are exclusively for share and debenture holders. Mallorca Golf Connection, part of the Tui Thomson network, can organize discounts on greens fees and transportation to and from the courses.
You can also play tennis on one of the area's clay courts and even hire an expert coach for novice or more experienced players. Or you may want to rent a bicycle or moped, or just put on your sturdiest walking shoes, to ride or hike through steep mountain paths or less-challenging coastal trails. One of the most picturesque ways to see the countryside is on horseback; local stables will rent you a horse or give you or your children riding lessons.
Santa Ponsa hosts two well-known fiestas every year. The Rocio, a five-day Andalusian religious festival, occurs the first weekend of every June. Tourists and locals from other areas of Majorca crowd into the resort for side shows, music and stalls selling food and drinks.
At the beginning of September, Santa Ponsa mounts what is considered Majorca's best festival: the two-week Fiesta of Rein en Jaume, commemorating King James I's arrival in 1229, when he overthrew of 300 years of Muslim rule on Majorca. The spot where he and his men landed is marked by a stone cross. After James's conquest, Majorca was for a time in Aragon; later, Spain annexed it. This festival ends with a mock battle between Christians and Moors, and a world-class rock concert and fireworks display.
While Santa Ponsa doesn't have the wild nightlife of nearby party towns like Magaluf, there is still plenty to do once the sun goes down. You can sample local fare, such as Spanish paella, at a local eatery, or taste Indian, Chinese or Italian cuisine. Among the most popular tourist restaurants are Meson del Rey, Jardin de Jade and No.8 Bar & Grill.
After dinner, tourists love the karaoke bars, theme pubs, live music clubs and discos for a lively night of dance and drink. In a nod to the visiting population, the bars and pubs have taken on a Celtic air, evident in names like Dicey Reilly's, Caledonian, Glasgow Bar, Lucky Leprechaun, Paddy's Bar, and many, many more.
