Best Mallorca Boat Tour To See Every Part of the Island
Looking for the best boat tour in Mallorca? I can confidently tell you to look no further. I recently spent an entire week in Mallorca and the boat tour I took was the absolute highlight of my entire trip.
Mallorca is (obviously) an island surrounded by some of the most gorgeous water I’ve ever had the pleasure of diving into, and if you don’t spend at least one morning cruising through the Mediterranean Sea, you’re doing something wrong.
Plus, a boat trip means you get to visit beaches and secluded coves that would be inaccessible otherwise, swim in spots that aren’t swarming with hundreds of other tourists, and snorkel with dozens of fish that swim right up to the boat.
I will say that there is a way to choose the right Mallorca boat tour (and yes, it can be affordable!). I don’t know about you, but being packed in with dozens of tourists all trying to jump in the water at the same time doesn’t exactly sing “peaceful vacation” to me.
But a small group boat tour with plenty of time for swimming in pristine blue water with beer or water whenever you want it? Now that sounds like heaven.
The best Mallorca boat tour depends almost entirely on where you’re staying. Whether you’re leaving from Palma, Alcúdia, Cala d’Or on the east side, or Sóller on the west side, I’ve got you covered.
If you’re planning the rest of your trip too, I’ve got a full one week in Mallorca itinerary that pairs perfectly with any of these boat days.
Best Mallorca boat tour for every part of the island
In case you’re a visual person like I am, here’s a quick highlight reel of our incredible boat tour in Mallorca:
Mallorca is a big island, so where your boat tour leaves from is obviously just as important as which one you pick. Here’s the quick version broken down by departure point, then I’ll get into the full detail on each one below.
|
Location |
Why it’s awesome |
Tour |
|---|---|---|
|
Cala d’Or / eastern coast |
The one I took! Nine calas in one trip, two swim stops, water so clear you don’t even need the snorkel gear | |
|
Palma de Mallorca |
Electric catamaran, water slide, floating mantas, and a welcome drink before you’ve even left the marina | |
|
Port de Sóller / western coast |
Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent, dramatic cliffs, & beaches you can’t reach easily by car | |
|
Alcúdia |
Small group, stand up paddleboards, lunch and snorkeling included, calm bay waters up north | |
|
Private tour |
The whole boat to yourself, snorkel gear, paddleboard, and a submersible camera thrown in | |
|
Rent your own |
No license required! Set your own schedule, be your own captain, and just enjoy |
If you’re renting a car for the rest of your trip too, my guide to driving in Mallorca as a tourist covers what you need to know before getting behind the wheel, since a lot of these boat departure points are easiest to reach with your own car.
Why a Mallorca boat tour is worth it
I’d like to say the color of the water was indescribable, but this is a travel blog so I’m going to do my damndest. It’s this deep turquoise near the coves, then it fades into a cobalt blue further out, and it’s impossibly teal basically everywhere else.
Photos really don’t do it justice, and I say that as someone who takes approximately 1000 vacation photos.
A boat trip also solves a very specific Mallorca problem. A lot of the best beaches on this island simply aren’t reachable by car, or the parking is such a nightmare that you’ll burn half your day looking for a spot.
Coves like Cala Marmols and Sa Calobra are basically made for a boat tour, and it means you get to see a ton of different beaches in one day rather than jus thaving to pick one.
It’s also more affordable than people assume.
Shared group tours run anywhere from $40 to $90 per person depending on length and what’s included, which is a pretty small price for a full morning on the Mediterranean with drinks and snorkeling gear handled for you.
It’s important to book your tour in advance if you’re visiting in peak summer, especially if it’s a small group tour, since the best boat tours in Mallorca sell out fast between June and August.
Shoulder season (my favorite time to travel – think May or late September) gets you the same clear water with way fewer boats crowding each cove.
Mallorca Quick Guide
Before we dive in, here’s a quick guide to planning the perfect Mallorca vacation:
Where to Stay in Mallorca
- Palma: Hotel Cappuccino — gorgeous and central, felt like a European dream
- Port de Sóller: Hotel Marina — walk straight to the beach with marina views from the room
- Cala d’Or: Hotel Cala d’Or — directly on the beach, book a sea view room!
What to Do in Mallorca
- Visit the Palma Cathedral — book skip the line tickets ahead here
- Take the Sa Calobra boat tour from Port de Sóller
- Book the southeast coast boat tour for the best beaches in one day
Best Beaches in Mallorca
My personal map of Mallorca hotspots
Here are 50+ of the best historical sites, restaurants, bars, and beaches in Mallorca, including a custom DIY walking tour in Palma.
Yours for free, thank you for being a part of the Inside the Upgrade community!
Best boat tour from Cala d’Or and eastern Mallorca
This is the exact Mallorca boat tour I took and I seriously cannot recommend it enough. We cruised through nine different calas and viewpoints and stopped at two swimming spots where we were surrounded by fish.
They had snorkeling equipment, but the water was also so insanely clear that you could see the fish easily without it.
Nothing felt rushed, but it also wasn’t too long. And I love a small group tour that makes me feel like, you know, a human instead of a sheep.
👉 Es Pontas, Caló des Moro & Cala Marmols cruise
This one departs from the fishing port of Cala Figuera, which is a cute little fisherman’s town with colorful houses on the water.
From there, you’ll pass the Es Pontas rock arch, a natural stone formation that’s about 20 meters tall, before making your way to Caló des Moro, a beach with beautiful reddish rocks.
The final stop is Cala Marmols, an awesomely wild, undeveloped cove that most people can only reach by a long hike or by boat.
It’s about two and a half hours total, and there’s time built in at both swim stops so nobody’s rushing you out of the water.
Best boat tour from Palma de Mallorca
A boat tour that comes with sea toys? Yes please. If you’re staying in or near Palma, this is the easiest option since you don’t have to trek out to another part of the island first.
👉 Palma deluxe catamaran with snacks, drinks, SUP & snorkeling
This one runs on a fully electric catamaran, so the ride out is quiet, no engine roar drowning out conversation. You get a welcome drink as soon as you board, then once you’re anchored at the swim spot, the fun stuff comes out. Paddleboards, floating mantas, and a water slide off the top deck, all included.
Snorkel gear is provided too, and on the way back the boat slows down in front of Palma Cathedral so you can get a really unique view from the water. It runs about four hours, which is enough time to actually relax instead of feeling like you’re ticking activities off a list.
Best boat tour from Port de Sóller and western Mallorca
This is what I did wrong on my trip. When we were in Sóller (which I loved) we skipped a tour out to Sa Calobra and I really regret it. The beach is supposed to be incredible to swim at and incredibly difficult to reach by car. A boat is the smarter way in and we totally missed it. If you’re on the west side, you should do it.
👉 Sóller speedboat tour to Sa Calobra
This speedboat leaves from Port de Sóller and covers the Tramuntana coastline, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site for good reason. Along the way you’ll pass through the Torrent de na Mora and stop for a swim at Sa Costera, a quiet little bay with an old hydroelectric plant tucked into it.
From there it’s on to Cala Tuent and finally Sa Calobra, where you’ll swim right in front of the Torrent de Pareis gorge. Snorkel masks are provided for everyone on board, and the whole thing runs about two hours, short enough to pair with a full day exploring Sóller itself afterward.
Best boat tour from Alcúdia
Alcúdia sits on the calmer northern bay of the island and a lot of tourists base here (though I recommend doing a west/east split for your first trip to Mallorca). An Alcúdia Mallorca boat tour tends to feel more relaxed than the speedboat options further west.
👉 Alcúdia small-group boat excursion with lunch, snorkeling & SUP
This half day boat trip also leaves in the morning, which is the right call in Alcúdia since the bay is calmest and clearest earlier in the day. It’s a small group setup with lunch and snorkeling gear included, plus a paddleboard for anyone who wants to explore the bay before getting back on the boat.
The awesome crew is a highlight, along with a well-picked swim stop away from the crowds. It’s a solid, no-drama option if you want a full morning on the water without anything too intense.
Best private Mallorca boat tour
A private boat tour in Mallorca is the definition of affordable luxury. It’s not cheap, but at around $500, it’s much more affordable than I thought it would be for a private cruise around the island. If you’re with a group or celebrating something special, I’d opt for a private boat tour experience in a heartbeat.
👉 Palma private boat tour with snorkel and paddle
You board at Club de Mar, right by the Maritime Station in Palma, on a boat that’s exclusively yours for the trip. It heads out to the turquoise coves around Cala Blava, Illetas, and Cala Viñas, spots that get crowded fast on a shared tour but feel completely calm when it’s just your group.
Snorkel gear, paddleboards, and drinks are all included, and they even hand you a submersible camera so you’re not stuck trying to photograph fish on your phone. Options run from two to four hours depending on how long you want out there, which makes it easy to fit around whatever else is on your Mallorca itinerary that day.
Drive your own boat in Mallorca
Oh captain, my captain. Feel comfortable driving a boat? A pretty popular option in Mallorca is to rent your own. You don’t need a license and the sea is very calm, so it’s surprisingly approachable even if you’ve never done this before.
We saw a few of these at our swimming spots and I was pretty envious of the couples just lying out, reading, and enjoying the sun on their own schedule.
👉 El Arenal private Mallorca boat rental (no license needed)
You’ll get a quick briefing on the controls and the anchor before you head out from El Arenal, then it’s entirely up to you where you go from there. Most people head toward the Cala Blava Marine Reserve to swim, check out a few pirate caves, or find a quiet spot for some cliff jumping.
Boats come with a sunshade, a solarium to lay out on, life jackets for kids and adults, and snorkel gear. Rentals run from two to six hours for a group of up to eight, and fuel is the only real add-on cost. If you want the freedom of a Mallorca catamaran cruise without a set itinerary or a guide talking the whole time, this is it.
What to pack for your Mallorca boat tour
Most of these boats have zero shade once you’re out on the open water, so packing right actually matters here more than it does for a normal beach day.
- A towel you don’t mind getting a little sandy or salty. Don’t forget this one! Most tours don’t provide them.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, and reapply it constantly. The Mediterranean sun on open water is brutal, and salt water washes sunscreen off faster than you’d think.
- A hat that ties on or fits snugly, since a normal sun hat will end up in the sea the second the boat picks up speed.
- A reusable water bottle. Some boats have water on board, but I personally like having enough to drink and to swish out the salt water from my mouth after swimming.
- Snacks or sandwiches, especially on the longer half-day tours where lunch isn’t always included.
- Sunglasses with a strap so they survive the swim stops instead of sinking to the bottom of a cala.
- A waterproof phone pouch so you can take a million photos of the cute fish.
- Your swimsuit on under your clothes before you even board, since most boats don’t have a changing area.
Mallorca boat tour FAQ
It depends on where you’re staying, but the Cala d’Or route to Es Pontas, Caló des Moro, and Cala Marmols is the one I did myself and it’s hard to beat for seeing lots of beaches in one day. If you’re short on time and staying in Palma, the deluxe catamaran option covers a lot of the same magic without the drive out to the southeast coast.
Circling the entire island isn’t really how these tours work. Most boat tours run two to four hours and focus on one stretch of coastline, like the southeast calas or the northern Tramuntana coast, rather than the whole perimeter in one trip.
If you want flexibility over a set itinerary, yes! I kind of wish we’d done that, to be honest. Renting your own boat means you decide where to stop and for how long, and you don’t need a license to do it. If you’d rather someone else handle navigation and know exactly where the good swim spots are, a guided group tour makes more sense.
A no-license boat rental for a group of up to eight starts around $150 to $200 for a couple of hours. A private, captained boat tour is closer to $500 for a few hours with snorkeling and drinks included. Full yacht charters are closer to $1,500 and up and are usually priced by the day.
Final thoughts on booking a Mallorca boat tour
If you take one thing away from this, don’t skip the boat! Whichever Mallorca boat tour you end up booking, from the calas of Cala d’Or to a no-license rental where you’re the captain, you’ll see a version of this island that you simply can’t get to from the road.
If you’re still mapping out the rest of your visit, my one week in Mallorca itinerary covers where to base yourself and how to split your time, and my guide to driving in Mallorca will save you some headaches getting to and from these marinas. Go book something. Your future self on that boat will thank you.
Cheers to your next adventure 🌊⛵
