Colin Green Photography: Coastline

Friday, 5 November 2021

Ibiza's Hidden Gems: A Coastal Return from San Miguel to Portinatx (July 2014)

Sometimes, the magic of a journey lies not just in the destination, but in the path taken. Back in July 2014, while soaking up the sun in the beautiful Portinatx, Ibiza, I embarked on a memorable boat trip that offered a unique perspective of the island's northern coastline. Having already shared the captivating sights encountered on the outbound leg from Portinatx to San Miguel Bay, it's time to unveil the equally stunning views captured on the return journey – an hour-long coastal cruise that truly showcased Ibiza's rugged beauty.

On July 12th, 2014, with my trusty Polaroid is2132 bridge camera in hand, I settled in for what I knew would be a feast for the eyes. The Mediterranean sun glinted off the turquoise waters as our boat gracefully skirted the northern edge of the island, revealing a tapestry of hidden coves, dramatic cliffs, and untouched natural wonders.

The return trip from San Miguel to Portinatx wasn't merely a reverse of the outbound journey; it offered a fresh perspective, with the changing light and the slight shift in our vantage point bringing new details to life. We cruised past secluded beaches, some accessible only by boat, inviting me to imagine their pristine sands and crystal-clear waters. The coastline itself was a masterpiece of nature's artistry – ancient rock formations sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, creating intriguing shapes and textures.

I vividly recall the vibrant hues of the water, transitioning from deep sapphire in the depths to an almost luminous emerald closer to the shore. The cliffs, clad in a mosaic of greens and browns from the hardy Mediterranean vegetation, plunged dramatically into the sea, creating a sense of both grandeur and tranquillity. It was a stark reminder of Ibiza's diverse landscape, proving that there's so much more to this island than just its famous nightlife.

This hour-long return journey was a photographer's dream. Each turn of the boat presented a new postcard-perfect scene. There was a particular joy in capturing the raw, untamed beauty of this less-explored coastline, far from the bustling resorts. The gentle rocking of the boat, the salty air on my skin, and the panoramic views all combined to create an unforgettable experience.

While the exact names of every cove or rock formation may now elude me, the feeling of awe and serenity from that coastal cruise remains. It's these unexpected moments of natural beauty that often become the most cherished memories of a trip. So, if you ever find yourself in Portinatx, I highly recommend taking to the water and discovering the stunning, rugged charm of Ibiza's northern shores. You might just find your own hidden gems along the way.

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Entrance to San Miguel Bay

San Miguel

Portinatx Pirate Tower

Punta Moscarter Lighthouse

Portinatx

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Wednesday, 2 November 2016

Portinatx, Ibiza's Hidden Gem

Ibiza is known for its vibrant nightlife, but the island also has a quieter side, with many hidden coves and beaches perfect for relaxation. Portinatx is one such gem, a small resort on the island's north coast that offers a laid-back atmosphere and stunning scenery.

What to do in Portinatx

Relax on the beach. Portinatx has two main beaches, S'Arenal and Xarraca, both of which are small and sheltered. The sand is soft, and the water is crystal clear, making them perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
Go for a hike. There are several hiking trails in the area, including one that leads to the top of a cliff with panoramic views of the coast and another that follows the coast to the lighthouse at Far del Moscarter.
Explore the underwater world. There are several dive sites around Portinatx, which is home to a variety of marine life.

Where to stay in Portinatx

There are a few hotels and apartments in Portinatx, but most of the accommodation is in the form of villas and holiday homes. This makes Portinatx a great option for families and groups of friends who want their own space.

How to get to Portinatx

The nearest airport to Portinatx is Ibiza Airport, which is about 30 minutes away by car. There are also regular buses from Ibiza Town to Portinatx and a regular boat service from the beach to a number of interesting locations on the island.

These pictures were taken in July 2014 using a Polaroid iS2132 digital camera. The pictures shown are of the town of Portinatx; the pictures I took of the pirate tower and lighthouse will feature in separate posts.

A photographic landscape of a calm bay in Portinatx, Ibiza, at sunset. Gentle, clear blue and peach-colored waves lapping at a dark, textured beach in the foreground. Several white sailboats are moored in the distance, silhouetted against a vibrant sky with large peach and blue-pink painted clouds. Two dark, tree-covered land masses frame the bay, with small lights visible on the right. The entire scene is mirrored in the shimmering water, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

A cobbled path with a low stone wall curves down towards a sandy beach cove in Portinatx, Ibiza. People walk along the path and relax on the crowded beach, which has clear turquoise water, colourful parasols, and white buildings on the hillside.

An elevated view of the sandy Cala Portinatx beach on Ibiza, dotted with rows of umbrellas and sunbeds. Swimmers and people relaxing enjoy the turquoise water, framed by green pine trees and the white buildings of the surrounding resort. A sailboat is anchored in the bay under a blue sky.

A wide-angle landscape photograph looking across a rocky bay to the village of Portinatx, Ibiza, under a bright, partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, there are large, textured rock formations. Across the deep blue water of the bay, multiple white-hulled yachts are anchored. In the middle distance, the white buildings of Portinatx village cluster at the base of a large, green, pine-covered mountain range that fills the background.

A panoramic view overlooking the beach of Portinatx in Ibiza, captured from a rocky hillside. The turquoise water of the bay is filled with people swimming and wading, with colorful umbrellas dotted across the sandy beach. Adjacent to the beach is a white, multi-story hotel and a restaurant with arched windows. Lush green pine trees line the background hills under a bright blue sky.

A panoramic view overlooking the turquoise-blue water of Cala Portinatx cove in Ibiza, surrounded by lush green pine-covered hills and rocky cliffs. Several yachts and sailboats are anchored in the calm, sunlit bay under a clear blue sky.

A view looking across a rocky, low-scrub headland towards a deep blue cove filled with small boats, with white villas on the hillside and a lighthouse in the distance under a blue sky, identified as Portinatx, Ibiza.

A scenic high-angle view of a serene cove in Portinatx, Ibiza, with numerous small white and blue motorboats and rowboats anchored in the clear, turquoise and emerald green water, framed by green Mediterranean pine trees and rocky, scrub-covered headlands under a clear blue sky. A dirt path is visible on the foreground slope, and a traditional white stucco building is partially seen on the right.

A scenic, wide-angle landscape photograph of Portinatx bay in Ibiza. The view is taken from a rocky, red-ochre and tan headland in the foreground, with dark, irregular rocks meeting the clear blue water. Across the calm bay, several sailboats and small motorboats are anchored. On the far-right headland, a small town with whitewashed buildings and restaurants is visible nestled among pine trees. The distant background shows more of the hilly coastline under a wide blue sky with streaky cirrus clouds. A small group of people are sunbathing and swimming on the far-right shore near the buildings, and a few individuals are swimming closer in the bay. In the foreground on the left, a solitary bird (a cormorant or similar) sits on the rocks. The lighting is sunny and warm, suggesting late afternoon.

A wide-angle landscape photograph captured at Portinatx, Ibiza, showing a peaceful bay at sunset. The sky is filled with hues of pink, orange, and light blue, with soft clouds reflecting over the calm sea. Multiple sailboats are anchored and silhouetted in the water, their tall masts casting long shadows on the surface. Dark, rocky landforms frame the scene in the background and foreground, enhancing the coastal landscape.

A wide landscape photograph captures a calm Portinatx Bay in Ibiza, Spain. In the foreground, a rugged, rocky cliff with sparse green vegetation meets a stone-paved walkway. The turquoise blue Mediterranean Sea is filled with several sailing boats anchored in the water and small buoys. The distant coastline is covered in lush green pine trees with buildings, including a white hotel complex, nestled into the hillside under a clear blue sky.

A wide-angle landscape photograph of the beach at Portinatx, Ibiza, on a clear summer day. The view shows a concrete promenade on the left, leading to a golden sand beach in a natural cove surrounded by rocky cliffs and green trees. People are relaxing on sun loungers under beige umbrellas, with several small boats anchored in the calm turquoise water of the bay.

A panoramic view overlooking the picturesque cove of Portinatx, Ibiza. The turquoise bay is dotted with anchored sailboats and yachts. On the sandy beach below, people are sunbathing under colorful umbrellas and swimming in the clear, shallow water. The surrounding cliffs are covered in lush green pine trees, with white-washed buildings nestled on the far hillside. A stone staircase is in the foreground, leading down to the shore.

A sunny, scenic view of three yachts anchored in the crystal-clear waters of a coastal bay in Portinatx, Ibiza, surrounded by rocky headlands and pine trees.

A long-distance daytime photograph captures the view looking across a natural cove, where several small boats are moored, towards a distant coastline. In the foreground, dense green and brown brush and small trees dominate the right side and bottom. Beyond the cove, on a higher cliff on the opposite shore, the distinctive striped white and black Punta de sa Galera lighthouse stands tall against a pale sky. The distant cliffs are arid and brushy. The image has a slightly painterly, stylized quality.

An elevated viewpoint overlooking the tranquil Cala Portinatx bay on the northern coast of Ibiza, Spain, on a sunny day. Multiple sailboats and motorboats are anchored in the clear turquoise and deep blue waters of the inlet, which features vibrant patches of sandy and rocky seabeds. The bay is enclosed by green, pine-forested headlands and hillsides, framed by lush Mediterranean shrubs and pine branches in the immediate foreground. The small whitewashed buildings of Portinatx village can be seen across the water on the distant shoreline under a pale blue, hazy sky. The scene is peaceful and scenic.

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Friday, 5 November 2021

Ibiza's Hidden Gems: A Coastal Return from San Miguel to Portinatx (July 2014)

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

Portinatx, Ibiza's Hidden Gem