The Sea's Second Summer: Swimming in September
There's a moment, once September arrives, when the sea seems to be keeping a secret. The days grow shorter, the afternoons bring that particular golden light of the Mediterranean at the end of the season, and yet the water is still there, warm, waiting. Anyone who takes the plunge in Port d'Andratx during these weeks discovers something many July and August visitors never get to feel: the sea's true second summer.
Why the water is warmer now than in June
It might sound counterintuitive, but the sea in September is, in many years, warmer than in the middle of June. The explanation lies in the water's thermal inertia: the Mediterranean spends the whole summer storing up heat, layer by layer, and releases it very slowly. According to data gathered by mallorca.com, the water off the island's coast can reach around 24-25°C this month, a temperature most swimmers find pleasantly warm; in fact, anyone who swam in July or August will barely notice a difference getting in now. Meanwhile, the air starts to lose summer's heaviness, nights turn noticeably milder, and the beaches empty out, since the school term has already begun in most of our visitors' home countries.
St Michael's little summer: a second summer with a name of its own
In Spain, this phenomenon even has its own name: the veranillo de San Miguel (St Michael's little summer), sometimes called the "quince-tree summer", which tends to appear towards the end of the month around this saint's feast day, 29 September. For a few days, sun and warmth return as if summer hadn't quite left, tempting swimmers back into their swimsuits and beach towels. It's much the same kind of late-season warm spell British visitors might recognise as an Indian summer. It doesn't happen with the same strength every year — meteorologists put it down to the position of a high-pressure system over Europe — but when it does arrive, it confirms what we already suspected in south-west Mallorca: September can hand you a second chance at summer, this time without the rush.
Coves a short walk from the harbour
One of the advantages of staying in Port d'Andratx is that the sea begins almost at your front door. A few minutes' walk from the harbour brings you to Cala Llamp, Cala Moragues and Cala d'Egos, three coves with crystal-clear water surrounded by pine trees and discreet villas, perfect for a quick swim before or after a stroll along the seafront. In September, without August's anchored boats and family lilos, the quiet is almost as noticeable as the warm water underfoot. If you prefer coves that are a little more tucked away, with more of a walk to reach them, our post on the hidden coves of south-west Mallorca has several suggestions worth exploring at your own pace.
Camp de Mar, for those who prefer sand
If your idea of a relaxed swim doesn't involve rocks or steps, Camp de Mar remains a safe bet. Its golden sand and shallow water make it one of the most comfortable beaches in the Andratx area, and in September, with most sunloungers free and the beach bar running at a gentler pace, it's a calm you'd struggle to find in August.
A swim that tastes like the end of the season
Swimming in September has something of a farewell ritual about it: it's the last stretch of the year when the Mediterranean can be enjoyed without hurry, without crowds, and with a light only this time of year knows how to give. After a swim like that, our rooms are ready for you to carry on unwinding, and our team will be glad to recommend, through our services, the best time of day for each cove. Get in touch if you'd like help planning your own second summer.
