Cala Tarida is the west coast beach that asks least of you. The sand is fine and white, the water is shallow and clear a long way out, and the hotels, flats and restaurants are built into the slope behind it, so everything is within a few minutes of the towel.
That is also the trade-off. This is a developed bay rather than a wild one, and if you are looking for a cove with nothing on it, this is not the beach. If you are looking for somewhere a family can spend a whole day without anyone having to walk back up a cliff for water, it is close to the best on the island.
What it is like
Facing south-west, in the municipality of San Jose, the beach curves between two low rocky points with a couple of small islets offshore. The sand is soft and the bottom stays sandy as you go out, which makes it comfortable underfoot in a way that many of the prettier coves are not.
The water is calm in most conditions because of the shape of the bay, and there is enough space that it rarely feels packed even in August.
What is there
Sunbeds and parasols along most of the sand, showers, toilets, and lifeguards in the main season. Several restaurants sit directly on and above the beach, including Cotton Beach Club on the rise at one end, which is the smarter lunch on this stretch of coast.
There is parking behind the beach and along the approach roads, and it fills through the morning in summer rather than all at once.
When to come
Because it faces west, the afternoon light is the good light here, and the sun stays on the sand late. That makes it a better afternoon beach than a morning one, and it is one of the places people stay on for the sunset rather than driving somewhere else for it.
In July and August the middle of the day is busy. Either come before eleven or come after four.
Quick answers
Is Cala Tarida good for families? Yes, it is one of the easiest on the island: shallow water, soft sand, facilities and parking close by.
Is it sandy? Yes, fine white sand, and the seabed stays sandy as you wade out.
Is it busy? In August, yes, but it is large enough to absorb it.
Is there parking? Yes, behind the beach and on the roads around it.
Are there restaurants? Several, on the sand and above it.
Can you see the sunset from there? Yes. It faces south-west and the sun goes down over the water.
Nearby
Cala Comte and Cala Bassa are both within fifteen minutes north, and both are prettier and less built up if you want that instead. Cala Vadella and Cala Molí are a similar distance south, and the whole run of them is covered in our guide to the beach clubs.
Which bay suits which kind of day is set out in our guide to the best beaches in Ibiza.