It is located on the southeast coast of Majorca and is part of Calvià, which as well as being one of the largest municipalities in Majorca (145 km2) also has the longest coastline (50 km). Palma is 26 kilometres away and can be reached in less than 15 minutes thanks to the Poniente motorway, which also provides quick access to the airport. The Santa Ponça exit from the motorway is marked by the large Santa Ponça windmill, which dates from 1818 and was refurbished in 1971.

Seen from the sea, Santa Ponça is between the Ses Penyes Rotges cove and Cala Blanca beach. The small group of islands know as the Illes Malgrats flanks the entrance to the wide Santa Ponça bay, which takes in the Club Náutico, the Caló de’n Pellicer cove, the large beach which gives the town its name and Castellot beach, named after the defence tower built nearby in the 14th century.

Further inland the villages of Calvià and Es Capdellà, nestling in the shadow of Mount Galatzó (1026 metres), offer the visitor a glimpse of the peaceful Majorcan countryside.