The Caló des Moro cove in southeastern Mallorca is facing a potentially drastic change in visitor management. The German Oehm family, whose private property provides the only access to this popular stretch of coastline, has submitted a formal application to the Spanish authorities for the construction of protective fences and regulated access control.
The surrounding area has been family-owned for over two decades. Given the up to 5.000 visitors daily who crowd onto the mere 600 square meter strip of sand during peak season, the owners see the safety and integrity of their property as being seriously threatened.
The situation at Caló des Moro is considered one of the most extreme cases of overtourism in the Balearic Islands. According to reports from local media outlets such as the Mallorca Zeitung and the coastal authority, nearly one million people visit the bay each season. Because the beach is legally public, but access is via private land in the municipality of Santanyí, a legal dispute has arisen. The owners report significant problems with litter, property damage, and trespassing on their properties. Critics argue that previous attempts by the municipality to manage the influx of visitors by building a large parking lot have exacerbated the situation rather than effectively channeling the flow of tourists.
The legal crux of the case lies in the division of jurisdiction between the municipality of Santanyí, the island council in Palma, and the central government in Madrid. While local politicians point to the coastal authority in Madrid, the family's lawyers are demanding recognition of their right to the protection of private property. The plan is not a general ban on beach access, but rather a controlled management of the crowds to stop the uncontrolled proliferation of informal paths and the associated erosion of the landscape. Experts expect that the outcome of this case could have a ripple effect on other private coastal properties in Spain that are also under pressure from mass tourism.
A notarized report has now been prepared, documenting the damage to the property in detail. The family emphasizes that the current situation is no longer tenable without government support. The responsible law firm is currently examining the legal options for enforcing a fence that clearly defines the public access route and blocks off the rest of the property. Since Caló des Moro is considered one of the most photographed spots in Mallorca on social media, the pressure from day-trippers remains high, making a timely decision by the authorities urgent.