What we measure (and what we don’t)
We measure the sea’s shelter from the wind: how much each cove is protected from today’s forecast wind, communicated in three bands — calm sea, some chop and rough sea. It is an orientative editorial estimate to help you pick a cove with serene water.
We do not measure bathing safety. This forecast does not account for currents, the seabed or other hazards, and does not replace beach flags or lifeguards’ judgement. It is a guide to finding calm, not an official warning.
How we calculate it, step by step
- Today’s wind. We take AEMET’s wind forecast for each cove’s municipality: where it blows from and how strong.
- The cove’s orientation. Each cove opens to the sea in a specific direction. We keep that data curated by hand for every one.
- The cross-check. If the wind blows straight into the cove, the sea stirs and shelter drops; if the cove has its back to the wind, the water calms. From that calculation we assign the day’s band.
We use bands rather than an exact percentage on purpose: the wind forecast has a margin and can shift in the afternoon. Bands are more honest.
The forecast for the coming days
Beyond today’s report, you can drag the timeline to see how each cove’s sea evolves over the coming days, split into morning and afternoon. The general wind and the coves’ states change with you as you move the bar.
Sources and updates
The wind comes from AEMET (official data, updated daily and always dated). The map outline is from OpenStreetMap. When we can’t update on a given day, we keep the latest available report and flag it: we never show a false “today”.
Honest limits
- It does not measure currents, the seabed or bathing hazards.
- It does not detect jellyfish or claim there are any.
- It is not a safety notice and does not replace flags and lifeguards.
- Many coves are unguarded: take extra care.
Frequently asked questions
What does “calm sea” mean in this forecast?
That the cove is sheltered from today’s forecast wind, so the water tends to be calmer. It measures SHELTER from the wind, not bathing safety: it does not account for currents, the seabed or other hazards.
Why do the north and south change with the wind?
In Menorca the wind rules. When the northerly Tramuntana blows, the south coast is sheltered and calm; when the southerly Migjorn picks up, look to the north. Each cove opens to the sea in a different direction, so the same wind leaves some calm and others choppy.
Does it tell me whether it’s safe to swim?
No. It is an orientative editorial estimate of the sea state from the wind, not an official safety notice. It does not replace beach flags or lifeguards’ judgement. Many coves are unguarded: take extra care and never swim alone.
Where does the data come from?
From AEMET (Spain’s national weather agency) wind forecast for each municipality, updated daily and always dated. The map outline comes from OpenStreetMap. Each cove’s orientation is our own editorial data, curated by hand.
Why bands (calm / some chop / rough sea) instead of a percentage?
Because an exact percentage would be false precision: the forecast wind has a margin and can shift. Communicating in bands is more honest and more useful when deciding which cove to head to.
How often is it updated?
Every morning, automatically, with AEMET’s latest forecast. You can also drag the timeline to see the forecast for the coming days, split into morning and afternoon.
What about jellyfish?
We don’t publish it yet. We have a “wind push” model under study, and we’ll only switch it on once its validation and source permissions are settled. For real sightings, check MedusApp.