Aerial view of the island Pantaleu near Sant Elm, Mallorca, Spain

© Dimitri Weber/Amazing Aerial Agenc

Little Island, Big Sea. Pantaleu

There isn’t much to the tiny island of El Pantaleu (or Es Pantaleu in Catalan), cast off the westernmost shore of Mallorca, itself a relatively small island only 45-65 kilometres across. Pantaleu and Mallorca are part of the archipelago of Balearic Islands in the Balearic Sea, off the east coast of Spain. Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera are the chain’s four major islands and are famous as tourist destinations popular among those seeking the warm Mediterranean climate and inviting shoreline.

Pantaleu is more precisely an islet, a mere rock of about two hectares in size. Its highest point is 25 metres. Not much grows on El Pantaleu, and no one lives on it. Mallorca is only about 300 metres away, making it a vigorous but doable swim for the many who have tried from the beach at the village of Sant Elm. Technically, no one is allowed to step foot onto Pantaleu, because it is designated a nature reserve along with the much larger Dragonera Island a few miles farther to the west.

Pantaleu is most useful as a wind break for boats, as you can see from this aerial photo. The notch between the islet and the main island is a popular anchorage for the many pleasure boats that cruise these waters. Even centuries ago, sailors understood the value of Pantaleu as an anchorage. In 1229, young James I the Conqueror, King of Aragon, and his fleet sought refuge from a storm behind Pantaleu before he embarked on his campaign to invade the Balearic Islands and start making good on his nickname. These days, most of the turf battles around here have been settled, although you might have to parry a vacationer for a spot on the sand or a table at happy hour.