Mallorca by yacht
The largest, easiest-to-reach Balearic island: sandy coves and Cabrera's national park to the south and east, the steep Tramuntana coast to the north-west. June to September is the season, quieter in May and October. It suits families most.
The biggest of Spain's Balearic Islands is also the easiest to reach. You land at Palma, whose airport is 8 km from the city. From there the island splits in two: sandy coves and a national park to the south and east, and steep mountain coast to the north-west.
Why go, and whom it suits
Families
The south and east coasts are made for children: short hops, sandy coves, shallow water and towns with ice cream. Palma's direct flights make it simple for a family arriving from several cities.
Couples
The north-west coast is the quieter, grander side: the Tramuntana mountains, Sóller's port and the gorge at Sa Calobra. Cabrera's anchorages are emptier still.
Friends
Palma has the restaurants and the nights. Puerto Portals and Andratx carry on the evening along the coast. Ibiza is a day's crossing away if the group wants both.
What's there
Palma
The cathedral above the harbour, the old town's lanes and the marinas.
The south-east coves
Cala Mondragó, Cala Figuera, Cala d'Or and Portocolom: small inlets, some with a village, some with only pines.
Es Trenc and Colònia de Sant Jordi
A long sandy beach with shallow water, and the jumping-off point for Cabrera.
Cabrera
A small archipelago and national park off the south coast. Sailing and mooring there need an authorisation, and its buoys are for yachts up to 35 m; a larger yacht needs a special authorisation, granted only exceptionally.
The south-west
Puerto de Andratx, Sant Elm and the island of Dragonera.
The Tramuntana coast
Sóller's port, Sa Calobra and the Torrent de Pareis gorge, and Cala Sant Vicenç. Exposed in a northerly wind.
Pollença and Formentor
Two broad northern bays and the cape's cliffs.
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When to go
June to September, with July and August the busiest. In May and October the coves are quieter and Palma's marinas less full. When a northerly wind blows, the north-west coast faces it, and the south side is the shelter.
What it costs
The fee is each yacht's own weekly rate, shown "from" on her page. VAT is added; Spain's general rate is 21%, and the charter contract states the VAT charged. The APA is paid on top for fuel, food, drinks and berths; budget up to 40% of the charter fee for it, and whatever is not spent is returned to you. Palma's marina berths are expensive in August, and nights at anchor in the coves keep the APA lower. For the whole picture, see what a crewed charter costs, line by line.
The weekly rate on each yacht’s page. "From" is her lowest season.
An advance for fuel, food, drinks and berths, spent on your instructions and settled at the end.
Set by the country the charter starts in, added to the fee.
A sample week
Palma, the south-east and Cabrera, and back. A round week for a family or a first charter, with short legs and a beach most days.
- Day 1: Palma. Board in the afternoon. The cathedral and the old town, then dinner in the harbour or on board.
- Day 2: Es Trenc. Along the south coast to anchor off the long beach. Shallow water for children, and paddleboards off the stern.
- Day 3: Cabrera. A morning crossing into the national park, with its authorisation (and, for a yacht over 35 m, the special one). Snorkelling and the walk up to the castle.
- Day 4: Cala Mondragó and Cala Figuera. Two of the south-east coves, one with pines, one with a fishing village.
- Day 5: Portocolom. A wide natural harbour and an easy town for dinner ashore.
- Day 6: Back west to Cala Pi or the Bay of Palma. A swim on the way back, and a last night at anchor.
- Day 7: Palma. Disembark in the morning.
If the weather is settled and the group prefers mountains to beaches, the same week can go the other way: Andratx, Dragonera, Sóller and Sa Calobra. The yacht, the weather and the group decide the real route.
The yachts
The yachts we show in Spain are mostly larger motor yachts, many of them over 40 metres. If you want a smaller yacht here, say so, and we look further. The yachts on this site are a selection, not the limit of what we arrange: ask about any yacht, of any size.
Practical questions
Rene GaspersicYour broker
Which airport do we fly to?
Palma (PMI). Most charters start in Palma itself, a short drive from the airport.
Can we visit Cabrera?
Yes, with an authorisation for the national park, applied for online, which the captain or we arrange. At most 50 boats a day may moor, on buoys for yachts up to 35 m; a larger yacht needs a special authorisation, granted only exceptionally.
Is anchoring restricted around Mallorca?
On Posidonia seagrass, yes. Anchoring on Posidonia is prohibited across the Balearics, so the captain anchors on sand or uses the official mooring buoys where a bay has them.
Which side of the island is calmer?
Usually the south and east. The north-west coast is spectacular but exposed in a northerly wind.
Can we combine Mallorca with Menorca or Ibiza?
Menorca is a few hours from Mallorca's north-east, and Ibiza a longer crossing from the south-west. Either can be part of a week, often one way.
Is Mallorca good for young children?
Yes. The sandy south-east coves and Es Trenc have shallow water, and the legs between them are short.
Can we eat ashore every night?
Most evenings, if you like. Palma, Andratx, Portocolom and Sóller all have good restaurants, and the crew can book them.
Is VAT included in the "from" price?
No. VAT and the APA are added to the fee; each yacht's quote shows both.
Talk to a broker
Tell us roughly when, how many of you there are, and what the week is for: a family summer, a honeymoon, a birthday with friends. Dates and budget can stay loose. We come back with a short list of yachts that fit, say plainly what each one is like, and stay your contact from the first email to the last day on board.
Rene Gaspersic
charter broker
Email info@soretoyachting.com · Phone +44 7342 933198 · WhatsApp +44 7342 933198
Plan
Mallorca.
Two short steps. Dates and budget can stay loose. We reply personally, by email, phone or WhatsApp.