Deep-water soloing in Majorca

What is deep-water soloing?
Deep-water soloing is a form of climbing without a rope or any type of belay. It is practised on cliffs overlooking the sea. In Majorca, it's the Mediterranean that cushions the fall. The walls are usually between 10 and 20 metres high at the most, to avoid injuries.   

You don't need to be an expert climber to do deep-water soloing, but you do need to master basic climbing techniques and be in good physical shape. It's also a good idea to be familiar with the area and inspect where you are going to climb and, above all, where you could fall, to avoid climbing above a rock just below the surface.

Majorca, the paradise of deep-water soloing
When talking about deep-water soloing in Majorca, we can't fail to mention Miquel Riera, the creator of this type of climbing. He started practising it spontaneously on the island's cliffs and ended up making it trendy all over the world. Climbers came from all over and Miquel, who was known for his great generosity, hosted them in his house, no matter what their level or where they came from. Word of mouth did the rest: in the early 2000s, deep-water soloing in Majorca was already being discussed in specialist magazines, documentaries and international reports.

The five best deep-water soloing areas in Majorca
There are hundreds of cliffs suitable for deep-water soloing in Majorca. Some are true classics not to be missed, both for the quality of the walls and for the beauty of the landscape and transparency of the waters surrounding the island. Here are the essential spots for deep-water soloing in Majorca:

Porto Pi. This is considered the birthplace of deep-water soloing, with cliffs ideal for beginners located mainly on the western dock of Palma. Here, you can whet your appetite and rid yourself of your fear of falling into the sea.

The cross at Santa Ponça. This cliff is located in the municipality that bears its name, just 30 minutes from Palma de Mallorca, and was "opened" by the Pou brothers and Felipe Eizaguirre. In the words of this climber from Bilbao, the cliff is "not very high (10 metres), very deep, good leverage, very easy and quick to get to the routes and a beautiful place..."

Cova del Diable cave. This is a limestone cliff some 20 metres high (the highest allowed for deep-water soloing), located in Porto Cristo. It's spectacular for pro climbers with no fear of heights.

Cala Ferrera cove. The cliffs at Cala Ferrera are another excellent option for deep-water soloing in Majorca. At a height of about 16 metres, it can be reached over land or by entering a passageway that will take you to a cave overlooking the sea, from where you can swim to the start of the walls.

Es Pontàs. This is an extremely difficult route first achieved by Chris Sharma, one of the best climbers in the world, and the ultimate challenge for lovers of deep-water soloing. Give it a try!