Boat trips in Mallorca: which one to pick, region by region

There are six basic formats. A scheduled boat or ferry takes you from A to B on a simple ticket, like the crossing from Port de Pollença to Formentor beach. Glass-bottom catamarans run short loops of one to two hours and work well with children. Half-day cruises include a meal and a swim stop. Small-group speedboats reach coves that are hard to get to on foot. A private sailing boat or llaüt is chartered for your group with a skipper. Sunset trips combine a swim, a drink and the sunset.

If it is your first time and you are travelling with kids, a glass-bottom catamaran or a scheduled boat is the easiest choice. If you want quiet coves and do not mind a bit of chop, look at the small-group speedboats. If you are a group of six or eight, a private sailing boat can work out reasonable per head, because the price is usually per boat, not per person.

Port de Sóller is the starting point for the most scenic boat trips on the island. The classic route heads east under the mountain cliffs to Sa Calobra and the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis, passing Cala Tuent. Heading west, Barcos Azules runs a shared trip to Sa Foradada with a swim. If you would rather set your own pace, Octopus Mallorca offers a private boat with skipper for up to eight people, east or west route.

For a full day under sail, the Bonnie Lass is a classic 1949 boat with swim, paddleboard and snorkel stops; a review cited in our listing mentions about 120 euros per person for a shared full day. Further south, from Sant Elm, Sa Calma Boats crosses to Sa Dragonera in about 15 minutes. It is an uninhabited island that is also good for walking.

This coast is very exposed to northerly wind. When the tramontana blows, trips are cancelled or rerouted. Have a plan B and do not leave the trip to your last day.

In the north, the most practical option is the Lanchas La Gaviota boat from Port de Pollença to Formentor beach: about 30 minutes each way, with a day return ticket and the return time of your choice. Our listing shows 18 euros per adult. It is a beach day without the parking battle, not a guided tour.

With children, the Robinson Boat Trips pirate boat leaves Port de Pollença for about five hours with snorkelling, paddleboarding and paella on board. From Port d'Alcúdia, the Las Gaviotas glass-bottom catamaran follows the north coast towards Alcanada lighthouse; some reviews say the windows are small, so keep expectations realistic. If dolphins are the goal, North Coast Adventure runs speedboat trips from Can Picafort with groups of up to 12. They are wild animals, so sightings are not guaranteed.

The east coast is glass-bottom catamaran country. From Porto Cristo, Mallorca Sea Paradise runs a 1.5-hour loop past the Cova dels Pirates, Cala Romántica, the Cova dels Coloms and Cales Varques; the 2-hour version adds a swim and snorkel stop. Our listing shows 28 euros per adult for the short trip. From Cala Millor pier, Moonfish runs two to three hours along the coast; one listing shows 29 euros.

For something quieter, Caribia Sailing takes a sailing boat from Portocolom to an east-coast cove chosen according to the wind, with snorkel gear on board and a maximum of ten guests. In Cala Ratjada, Coral Boat offers a sunset cruise; our listing has no duration or price, so check both when booking. Porto Cristo pairs well with the Caves of Drach on the same day.

The south-east has the most photographed coves on the island, and seeing them from the water spares you the packed car parks. From Cala Figuera, Ocean Charter passes the Es Pontàs arch and stops to swim at Cala Llombards, Caló des Moro and Cala Màrmols, an undeveloped beach that is hard to reach on foot. Redstar Tours does something similar by speedboat with a maximum of 11 guests: about 110 minutes with a swim at Caló des Moro, or nearly three hours on the version that reaches Cala Màrmols.

Boats to Cabrera National Park leave from Colònia de Sant Jordi. Excursions a Cabrera has an express trip of about 3 hours and a classic one of about 6; Marcabrera uses 12-seat boats with a swim at the Cova Blava. According to our listing, Marcabrera does not run in July and August. We have a dedicated Cabrera guide with the full details.

Palma Bay has the widest choice. Magic Catamarans leaves the harbour near the Auditorium for five hours with a buffet and a swim, an easy option for families. At sunset, Oasis Catamarán heads to the south of the bay with cava, canapés and snorkelling; our listing says it is adults only (18+) and starts at 78 euros. From El Arenal, Life & Sea runs a sunset catamaran with a barbecue; one listing shows 38 euros.

If you prefer a smaller boat, DayCharter sails from Can Pastilla with up to 12 passengers, snorkelling and two drinks each. The Fenicia is a 1977 llaüt chartered privately from Club de Mar. To the west, Cruise Cormoran leaves Santa Ponça for the coves and caves of Calvià with two swim stops, or out to Sa Dragonera in about three hours. In Port d'Andratx, Pura Vida Sailing offers a private yacht with a local skipper towards Cala Llamp and Cala en Tió.

Most trips in our listings run from April or May to October. June and September are the best months: warm water, calmer seas and fewer people than in August. In July and August, book ahead, especially for Sa Calobra, Formentor and the Palma catamarans.

Wind matters more than the calendar. The north coast and the Tramuntana suffer with northerly wind, while the south and east are often sheltered on the same day. If your trip is cancelled for weather, operators usually offer another date or a refund, but each has its own terms, so check them on the listing before paying. Mornings tend to be calmer than afternoons.

As a guide, our listings show 18 euros for the Formentor boat, 28 to 29 euros for the east-coast glass-bottom catamarans, 38 for the El Arenal barbecue catamaran, 60 for the Life & Sea Cabrera trip and 78 for the Palma sunset catamaran. Sailing boats and private charters are priced per boat and quoted on request. Many of these figures come from a single source, so always check the current price on the listing.

Wear your swimsuit, and bring a towel, water-resistant sun cream, a cap, water and a layer for the trip back, as it gets cooler on the water. If you get seasick, sit at the back and look at the horizon. Check what the ticket includes: food, drinks, snorkel gear or park fees. Be at the pier 15 minutes early, as some boats close boarding before departure time.