Cova des Bufador de Son Berenguer

Cova des Bufador de Son Berenguer is a natural cave in the municipality of Santa Maria del Camí, on the island of Mallorca, tucked inside the Son Berenguer estate in the Coanegra valley. Its entrance opens on the left side of the Forn de Calç hillside and faces east, and the cave counts among the three most notable natural cavities in the valley.

Why is it called a "bufador"?

The Catalan word "bufador" means something like "blower," and the name comes directly from what people noticed at ground level long before anyone entered the cave: a distinctly strong current of air escaping from the spot. That kind of airflow is typical of caves with a large internal volume, where pressure and temperature differences push a noticeable draft out through a narrow opening. For generations, locals were aware of this "blowhole" effect even though the chamber behind it stayed unexplored.

When was the cave actually discovered?

The interior was formally explored for the first time on 6 April 1953, by a team of Catalan cavers from the Grupo de Exploraciones Subterráneas (GES), part of the Societat de Ciències Naturals in Barcelona. After squeezing through a narrow access passage, the group emerged into a large chamber filled with numerous limestone formations that had remained intact — a striking find, given that the telltale draft at the surface had been known about for so long.

What does the inside of the cave look like?

Most of the cave runs on a nearly horizontal plane, which made the initial exploration of the main chamber relatively straightforward. Toward the final third of the cave, though, the terrain drops away noticeably, with a pronounced slope replacing the flat going. That combination — a spacious, level chamber followed by a steeper final stretch, all lined with well-preserved calcite formations — is what makes the site interesting to speleologists and karst researchers alike.

Why does it matter for visitors to Santa Maria del Camí?

The Coanegra valley, where Son Berenguer sits, is known for a handful of natural caves, and this one ranks among the three considered most significant in the area. For anyone curious about Mallorca's geology or the history of its cave exploration, it's a useful reference point: it shows how, even in the middle of the 20th century, sizeable underground spaces were still being found on the island, despite surface clues — like the persistent draft at the "bufador" — having been noticed for a very long time. The cave lies within a private estate, which is worth keeping in mind when considering the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name "Cova des Bufador" mean? It refers to the strong current of air felt at the cave's entrance, a phenomenon known locally long before the interior was explored.

When was the cave discovered? It was first explored on 6 April 1953 by a team of Catalan cavers from the Grupo de Exploraciones Subterráneas.

What is the layout of the cave like? Most of it runs nearly horizontal, with a distinct slope appearing in the final third of the cave.

Where exactly is the cave located? Inside the Son Berenguer estate, in the Coanegra valley, in the municipality of Santa Maria del Camí on Mallorca, on the left side of the Forn de Calç hillside.