Kayaking in Mallorca: guided tours to sea caves, coves and Dragonera

If it is your first time, look for a short guided route with frequent stops, such as Cala en Tió from Sant Elm or the coast at Cala Sant Vicenç. If you want something more active, there are kayak and coasteering combos with rock jumps, or the trip to Cala Varques with a helmet and torch for the caves. To end the day, the sunset tour with a picnic is the most relaxed.

With children, check the minimum age: several tours accept them from 6, but the Cala Blava trip requires 16. A double kayak is more stable and lets an adult paddle for both. And if you simply want to see the seabed without effort, the clear-hulled kayak in Cala Figuera can be rented by the hour.

Keida, based in Sant Elm, runs three guided routes along the south-west coast. The shortest takes about three hours to Cala en Tió, past cliffs and sea caves, from 59 euros. The sunset trip lasts about three and a half hours, with a swim or snorkel and a picnic in a cove as the sun goes down, from 69 euros. Both include kayak, life jacket, dry bag, water shoes and snorkelling gear, and no experience is needed.

The third crosses by kayak to the protected island of Sa Dragonera, continues on foot through the nature park and leaves time for a swim; according to Musement it meets at 10:00 in Plaça de na Caragola in Sant Elm, with guides speaking German, Spanish and English. Its euro price is not in our listings. All routes may change if it is windy.

From Port de Sóller, Tramuntana Tours sets off at 10:00 towards Cala Tuent, passes the islet of s'Illeta, stops for a swim and a snack and enters the Vell Marí cave. It takes three and a half to four hours, with a support boat, for 75 euros per person with a minimum of six. The season runs from mid-April to mid-October; no experience is needed, but you must swim well.

In Cala Sant Vicenç (Pollença), Món Aventura leaves Cala Molins for the Blue Cave and corners you can only see from the sea, in about two and a half hours with snorkelling and optional jumps. Its coasteering version lasts three and a half hours and is for confident open-water swimmers. In the Alcúdia area, The Challenge offers three hours exploring sea caves with transfer, picnic and photos, from 67 euros and from age 6, with guides speaking German, English, French and Spanish.

The most complete route in the east leaves Cala Romàntica (Manacor) for Cala Falcó and the Cala Varques reserve, with its natural arch and several sea caves. The Challenge provides kayak, life jacket, helmet and torch, plus a wetsuit in the cooler months; entering the caves, snorkelling and the cliff jump are optional and depend on the sea. It takes about three hours, from 65 euros and from age 6, with a stretch on foot and a 4x4 ride back.

Roig offers a shorter alternative on the Llevant coast: two hours by kayak or paddleboard with stops at Es Bufador, a hidden cave and Cala Morlanda for snorkelling. It costs from 49 euros and, according to the listing, the same for children, from age 6.

In Cala Figuera (Santanyí), Click Mallorca offers kayaking along the coast at 45 euros per person for four hours, according to its website, to paddle to Cala Llombards, Cala Santanyí and the Es Pontàs arch, stopping to swim. In the same harbour, Ocean Charter rents clear-hulled kayaks for seeing fish and rocks without diving: 20 euros an hour for a single and 30 euros for a double. These are the cheapest options in this guide.

Closer to Palma, near Cala Blava (Llucmajor), Click Mallorca runs a three-hour trip at 9:00 with an instructor and support boat, sea caves, snorkelling and a snack, for 66 euros. It is more demanding: no under-16s or pregnant women, you must be able to swim, and transport to the starting point is not included.

If you would rather stand, paddleboarding also reaches quiet coves. Wind Pirates sets off across Alcúdia Bay to the Alcanada lighthouse in two and a half hours, with a stop on its beach; from 50 euros, from age 12, with board, life jacket, locker, dry bag and photos included.

In Cala Ratjada, SUP Center leaves Cala Agulla (or Cala Gat when it is windy) for an hour and a half of guided paddling with a snorkelling stop, in groups of up to seven; children under 12 can ride on an adult's or the guide's board. There is also a sunset session that returns in the last light. Its euro prices are not in our listings.

Wind rules kayaking. When the tramontana blows, the north coast and the Tramuntana become difficult and guides change the route or cancel, which is why several operators warn that the starting point or route may vary. The usual season in our listings runs from April or May to October.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring a cap, sun cream, water and something to eat if the tour does not include it. Keep your phone and keys in the dry bag. In the caves, wear a helmet if one is provided and do not go in if the guide says there is a swell. If you cannot swim, sea kayaking is not for you: choose a boat trip instead.