The Calvià Town Council will prohibit access to the main viewpoints in the municipality during the total solar eclipse on August 12 to avoid mass gatherings and direct the public to Santa Ponça beach, designated as the official observation point.
The Calvià Town Council has decided to close access to the most emblematic viewpoints in the municipality during the total solar eclipse on August 12. This measure is part of a special security operation aimed at preventing overcrowding in areas with limited evacuation capacity and directing visitors to Santa Ponça beach, designated as the official observation zone.
The locations affected by the restriction are El Toro, the Illes Malgrats, and the Puig de sa Morisca, popular spots for panoramic views but which, according to the Council, do not meet the necessary conditions to ensure a swift response in case of emergency due to the expected large influx of people.
The Balearic Government has designated Santa Ponça beach as the Official Observation Zone (ZOO) in Calvià, one of 26 spaces across the archipelago set up to safely observe the astronomical phenomenon. The municipal operation will be concentrated there, with access controls and capacity limits regulating the entry of people. Once the maximum capacity is reached, entry will be closed, so the Town Council warns that entry cannot be guaranteed for all attendees.
The operation will be activated 24 hours before the eclipse and will involve the participation of the Local Police, Civil Protection, and other emergency services, in coordination with the Civil Guard and the Government. In Santa Ponça, the lifeguard service will be reinforced, remaining operational at least until 10:00 PM, and two Civil Protection boats will be deployed for maritime surveillance.
In parallel, the Council will implement traffic regulation measures to prevent congestion and facilitate the mobility of emergency services. Constant monitoring of the situation is expected throughout the day, with the possibility of additional restrictions or access closures if circumstances require.
The Town Council calls on citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, especially towards the coast and viewpoints, and recommends observing the eclipse from wherever each person is, whether at home, accommodation, or nearby spaces. For those who need to travel, public transport is advised to reduce congestion.
The eclipse will begin at 19:38 and reach its totality phase between 20:30 and 20:34, when the day will darken for approximately a minute and a half. Although the complete phenomenon will last for nearly an hour and a half, this brief interval of total darkness will attract the most attention, which is why authorities have opted for a centralised observation model to minimise risks.
The local entity recommends using the Horizo app for updated information on the event and access conditions. Residents of Calvià and tourists staying in the municipality should plan their travel in advance if they wish to witness the eclipse from Santa Ponça, keeping in mind that capacity is limited and access to the viewpoints will be prohibited.
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