Dragonera island: getting there by boat from Sant Elm or Port d'Andratx, by kayak or with a guide

The island is about four kilometres long and separated from Mallorca by a narrow channel. Boats dock at Cala Lladó, the island's small harbour, and from there paths lead to the lighthouse at each end and to the old Na Popi lighthouse at the highest point. There are no shops or restaurants: bring water, food and sun protection, as there is hardly any shade.

If you do not fancy walking, you can enjoy it from the water too: some boats skirt its cliffs and anchor in a cove for a swim, and kayak routes cross the channel. For divers, the area is one of the usual destinations in the south-west. Every trip depends on the sea: with wind or swell, departures are cancelled or rerouted.

From Sant Elm pier, Sa Calma Boats crosses to the island in about 15 minutes; the package we list takes around three hours in total and, according to our listing, runs from March to October. It is the most direct option if you have a car and want to spend the morning walking on the island: you land, climb to a viewpoint or lighthouse and come back.

We could not verify a price in euros for this particular trip, so check the fare on the operator's website. Trips depend on the weather: if the sea is rough there may be no boat. Parking in Sant Elm is limited in summer, so going early helps.

If you are staying in Port d'Andratx, Sa Calma Boats' trip from there is the most complete: it stops in Sant Elm, continues to Sa Dragonera and gives you about two and a half hours to explore the paths and viewpoints. On the way back there is another stop of an hour and a half in Sant Elm to stroll or have lunch (a set menu at a local restaurant is optional), returning at around 15:45. Park entry and the port fee are included, and it costs from 39 euros per person according to the operator's website. It suits all ages; wear comfortable shoes.

The same company runs a three-and-a-half-hour evening trip from Port d'Andratx, from 49 euros: handmade pizzas picked up in Sant Elm, about 40 minutes of swimming and snorkelling in a cove and the return at sunset. On this one you do not land on the island. From Santa Ponça, Cruise Cormoran follows the coast to Dragonera in about three hours, with caves and a swim stop of about 30 minutes; food is not included and the skipper chooses the route according to the sea.

Keida enjoy Mallorca, based in Sant Elm, combines a short kayak crossing to Dragonera with a walk in the natural park (the listings mention the path to the lighthouse and a visit to a small museum) and time to swim or snorkel. The meeting point is Plaça de na Caragola in Sant Elm at 10:00 and it lasts three to three and a half hours according to the listing; kayak, life jacket, guide and insurance are included. We have only seen the price in dollars.

If you would rather stay on the Mallorcan side, the same operator runs a three-hour guided route from Sant Elm to Cala en Tió, past Punta de na Galinda and sea caves, with swimming and snorkelling in crystal-clear water, from 59 euros. No experience is needed for either; the route may change with the wind.

Wander Jürgen Mallorca includes Dragonera among its guided hikes in German: small groups, a gentle pace and paths to the lighthouses and viewpoints, sometimes combined with the boat crossing. Dates, meeting point and price are arranged with the guide.

From the mainland there are two routes with the island as the star. Zig Zag Mallorca runs a four-to-four-and-a-half-hour circuit from Sant Elm along a coastal path and stretches of woodland to the old monastery of La Trapa, for groups of up to 10 with guides speaking English, German and Spanish, from 69 euros; the picnic at La Trapa is extra. Keida offers a sunset walk from Port d'Andratx over Cap Vermell to a spot overlooking the s'Arracó valley and Dragonera, with a picnic and wine at sunset; it is adults only and not suitable for reduced mobility.

Diving Dragonera, on the seafront in Port d'Andratx, offers a try-dive of about four hours for complete beginners, from 99 euros according to a third-party listing. The listings mention dives with the centre's boat towards the Sa Dragonera area as well as snorkelling trips, and the centre serves customers in German, English and Spanish. The season in our listing runs from April to October.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking on the island: in July and August the heat is intense and there is no shade. For swimming and kayaking, the water is warmest from June to September. Book early in your stay, as in strong wind or swell the boats and kayaks may not go out.

In your backpack: plenty of water, something to eat, a cap, sun cream, closed shoes for the stony paths and a swimsuit. Respect the park rules: stay on the paths, do not feed the lizards and take all your rubbish back with you.