Ses Illetes

No Sunbeds or Parasols

Formentera, May 14, 2026

If nothing changes, the beaches of Formentera are set to undergo a major transformation for this summer season and the coming years after the Balearic Government decided to apply new criteria regulating the installation of temporary beach services along the island’s coastline. The measure will directly affect the presence of sunbeds and parasols across much of the shoreline.

One of the areas most affected will be ses Illetes beach, where the installation of sunbeds and parasols will not be allowed in any of its lots during the 2026–2029 period. The decision will also impact other beaches on the island such as Cavall d’en Borràs, Llevant, es Pujols, es Copinar and Migjorn, where the number of authorised services will be significantly reduced.

The Balearic Government justifies these cuts due to new requirements involving greater distances from the shoreline, restrictions on occupied spaces and stricter environmental conditions aimed at protecting the natural surroundings.

The Consell de Formentera has already expressed its disagreement with the resolution, arguing that the criteria applied are too restrictive for the island’s reality. The island institution will file an appeal in an attempt to reverse part of the limitations imposed by the Directorate General for Coastal Affairs.

36% Reduction

The Directorate General for Coastal Affairs of the Balearic Government has denied authorisation to install sunbeds and parasols in 16 lots across Formentera, while two additional lots will only be allowed to operate with a significant reduction in the number of available units.
Overall, 681 sunbeds and 339 parasols will no longer be installed compared to previous seasons. On the other hand, 1,169 sunbeds and 589 parasols will still be authorised across 20 different lots. The final result will represent a reduction of more than 36% of the usual beach service offering that has existed on the island until now.

Affected business owners are still awaiting several procedures related to the State Coastal Authority fee, meaning many still do not know the exact date on which they will be able to begin operations.

Ses Illetes Without Sunbeds or Parasols

Ses Illetes beach will bear much of the impact of the new regulation, as it will no longer be authorised to install sunbeds and parasols in any of its lots. The measure will affect one of Formentera’s main tourist attractions and one of the best-known beaches in the Balearic Islands.
The resolution will also affect es Cavall d’en Borràs, where only the lot located opposite Beso Beach will remain authorised. In addition, other coastal areas such as Llevant, es Pujols, es Copinar and Migjorn will also face major restrictions on the installation of temporary beach services.

Alongside sunbeds and parasols, the Directorate General for Coastal Affairs will also prohibit other auxiliary elements, such as the storage chests commonly used for equipment storage.

The OCAMAT Regulations

The Consell de Formentera has explained that much of the reduction stems from the strict application of the OCAMAT regulations, the regional order responsible for regulating the distribution of temporary beach installations across the Balearic Islands.
Among the main changes is the obligation to maintain a minimum distance of 10 metres from the shoreline, compared to the 6 metres previously required. In addition, the regulations introduce new limits on the length of occupied sections, impose open spaces between lots and add stricter environmental conditions.

Verónica Castelló, the island’s Councillor for the Environment and Vice-President of the Consell, linked this tightening of regulations to the new classification of Formentera’s beaches as “highly crowded” areas.

The Consell de Formentera Will Appeal the Resolution

The Consell de Formentera insists that it will continue working to defend the island’s interests and seek a balance between tourism activity and environmental conservation. However, the institution makes it clear that it does not agree with the criteria applied by the Directorate General for Coastal Affairs.
For this reason, the Consell will file an appeal within the established one-month deadline in order to review the resolution and attempt to recover part of the services affected by the cuts.