Palma: Catamaran Cruise with Swimming and Snorkelling

The sea is the main attraction. This catamaran cruise gives you a pleasant few hours on Palma Bay, with smooth sailing toward Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella, two protected coastal areas east of S’Arenal. I like the spacious boat, friendly crew, and the chance to jump straight into clear Mediterranean water. I also like that the trip stays simple: sail, swim, sunbathe, eat if you choose the BBQ option, and enjoy music on the way back.

The main drawback is that the boat can feel busy, especially in high summer. You also need to find the correct kiosk at Playa del Arenal, and the meeting directions are not as clear as they should be. This is a shared catamaran outing, not a quiet private sailing trip, so book it for easygoing fun rather than solitude.

Key points before you book

• Two swimming stops are common: The first stop is usually the longer one, while the second may be shorter.
• Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella provide the scenery: Expect clear water, rocky coast, coves, and good photo opportunities from the boat.
• The catamaran has a social mood: Music plays onboard, and the ride back can become lively without being a full party cruise.
• The BBQ is optional: The meal includes pasta salad, local bread, and a drink, with meat-centered food that may not suit every diet.
• The boat can hold a large group: One sailing had about 80 people, although the open layout gives you room to move around.
• Bring your own phone strap: A waterproof holder with a secure strap is useful when you are swimming near the boat.

Leaving Playa del Arenal for Palma Bay

The cruise starts at Playa del Arenal, near the Arenal Nautical Club. Look for the local partner’s sign as you walk down toward the beach and kiosk. Allow extra time to find it, since several people have found the meeting instructions vague and the ticket booth easy to miss.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you make your own way to the beach. Once aboard, you can settle on the deck, find a spot on the front nets, or sit farther back near the bar and music. Arriving early is sensible if you want a particular position, especially a place on the nets for sunbathing.

The catamaran is modern and stable, which makes the ride comfortable for people who do not want a small, fast boat. It also gives you several ways to enter the water later: stairs, lower ledges, and higher platforms for jumping. Life vests are available, and the crew keeps the atmosphere relaxed and friendly.

The boat is not always lightly loaded. One afternoon sailing carried around 80 people, and another high-season departure felt crowded around the best sitting areas. Still, the broad design gives you more room than a small excursion boat, and several people found the toilets clean considering the number of people onboard.

Sailing past Cap Enderrocat

The first part is about the view and the feeling of being offshore. From Palma Bay, the catamaran heads along the coast toward Cap Enderrocat, where rocky headlands and small coves make a good backdrop for photos.

The sailing itself is smooth rather than dramatic. You feel the warm air, watch the coast shift slowly, and get a break from the busy streets and beach clubs of S’Arenal. This is a good choice if you want time on the water without a demanding activity schedule.

You may find the outward trip fairly quiet, with music in the background and people choosing their own pace. Some departures use a DJ or a carefully mixed playlist, and the music covers a wide range of tastes. The mood often becomes more animated on the return, with people dancing or chatting at the back of the boat.

Do not expect a narrated coastal tour. There is no strong emphasis on history or detailed commentary about the protected areas. If you want facts about Mallorca’s geology or wildlife, you may need to ask the crew directly. The value here is the setting, the open water, and the time to relax.

Cala Vella and the clear-water swim

The main reward comes when the boat anchors near one of the coves around Cala Vella. The water is often clear enough to see fish below you, and the rocky coastline gives the swim a more natural feel than a simple stop near a city beach.

You can enter by the steps, use one of the lower platforms, or jump from a higher ledge. Several people particularly enjoyed jumping from the stern, then using the shower afterward. Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are available, although you may need to ask where the masks and snorkels are being handed out.

The swimming time is advertised as about 90 minutes at a beautiful anchorage, but the exact rhythm can vary. Some departures have two stops, with the first lasting roughly 45 minutes to an hour and the second lasting around 20 to 30 minutes. Other schedules may offer a longer first stop and a brief second one.

That matters if swimming is your main reason for booking. Strong swimmers may want more time in the water, while people who prefer sailing may feel the first stop lasts longer than necessary. You are not going ashore at a beach during these stops. You swim from the catamaran, which is worth knowing if you were hoping to walk around a cove.

Snorkeling is a pleasant extra rather than a serious underwater excursion. Fish may gather around the boat, and the clear water makes short swims enjoyable. This is not a specialist snorkeling trip with a guide or a long route through several reefs. You get equipment, a safe place to enter the sea, and time to look around at your own pace.

One practical point deserves attention: a recent comment raised concerns about mask and snorkel sanitizing. The activity says equipment is provided, but you may prefer to bring your own mask and snorkel if hygiene is important to you. At minimum, ask the crew about the cleaning process before using shared gear.

The optional BBQ, pasta salad, and drink

If you select the BBQ option, food is cooked onboard and served with pasta salad and local bread. You also receive one drink, chosen from water, beer, or sangria. That package makes the longer sailing option feel more worthwhile, especially if you would otherwise buy food and a drink separately.

The meal is best viewed as useful boat food, not a restaurant experience. Several people found it tasty and substantial, while others described it as ordinary. Meat eaters generally have the easiest time, but the meal is less flexible for vegetarians and vegans. The pasta salad can help, though you should not book this as a special-diet food tour.

Drink service can work a little differently from what you might expect. On one sailing, the included beer or sangria was available with the meal, while additional drinks cost extra. A bar is available onboard, and cocktails can be purchased, but the price of extra drinks is not included in the basic package.

If you do not select the BBQ, the boat still provides the cruise, swimming stop, life vests, and snorkeling equipment. Check the exact option you choose, since the food and included drink apply only to the BBQ package.

Music, space, and the mood onboard

The atmosphere is one of this cruise’s strongest points. The music helps fill the quiet sailing stretches, but the outing is not described as a nonstop party boat. You can sunbathe, sit with a drink, swim, or join the social mood as the return trip picks up.

The boat has enough open space to move around, though the best spots are first come, first served. The forward nets are popular for lying down and catching the sun. If you prefer shade or a less exposed position, arrive early and look around before settling.

This cruise suits groups of friends, couples, families with confident swimmers, and people celebrating something such as a hen party. It also works well as a simple half-day break from sightseeing. A mother and daughter enjoyed the calm, safe feeling, while several groups appreciated the easy mix of swimming and music.

The mood may not suit everyone. People sometimes smoke toward the back, and the smell can be unpleasant if you are sitting nearby. If you dislike loud music, crowded decks, or a social bar setting, choose a quieter sailing experience instead.

How much value do you get for $47?

At about $47 per person, the cruise is good value if you want several parts in one outing: boat time, scenic coastal views, a swimming stop, snorkeling equipment, and optional food. You are paying for a shared experience rather than a private charter, but the modern catamaran and the amount of time on the water help justify the price.

The price becomes stronger when the BBQ option includes a meal and one drink. It is less attractive if you mainly want a short swim and dislike group activities. In that case, you may feel that too much of the outing is spent waiting for the boat to reposition or for food to be prepared.

Duration varies from two to four hours, depending on the departure and package selected. The shorter trips can feel surprisingly quick because the sailing, swimming, and return journey use the time efficiently. If you want a fuller afternoon with food and more time offshore, look for the longer option.

The cruise is also useful for people with a tight schedule because the company generally keeps to its stated timetable. That can matter if you have a flight, hotel booking, or cruise ship departure later in the day. Still, leave a sensible buffer around the activity and do not plan an important connection immediately afterward.

What to pack for a comfortable trip

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. The sun can feel strong on the open deck, and you will want dry clothing for the ride back after swimming.

A waterproof phone pouch with a strap is a smart addition. You can take photos from the boat, but holding a phone in the water is risky, and the best pictures often come while the catamaran is anchored.

You are not allowed to bring alcohol or drugs. Extra drinks can be bought at the onboard bar, but the included water, beer, or sangria only comes with the BBQ option.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. For everyone else, the crew provides life vests and several ways to enter the sea, although the swimming platforms and boat layout may not work well for anyone with limited mobility.

The host or greeter may speak English, German, Spanish, French, or Italian. That gives you a good chance of getting practical help before departure and during the swim stop.

Who should book this Palma cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want an easy, social day on the Mediterranean without arranging transport to a remote beach. It is especially good for friends, couples, families with older children, and anyone who enjoys swimming but does not need a guided sports program.

You should also book it if the idea of jumping from a catamaran, listening to music, and sunbathing between swims sounds better than a formal sightseeing tour. The crew is consistently described as friendly, helpful, and attentive, and the boat feels safe.

I would hesitate if you want silence, a small group, detailed commentary, or a carefully designed snorkeling route. The boat can be crowded, the second swim may be brief, and the BBQ is basic. People looking for a private cove experience should consider a smaller boat instead.

Should you book the Palma catamaran cruise?

Yes, if you want good-value time on the water with clear swimming spots, a stable boat, friendly service, and a relaxed social mood. The strongest parts are the smooth sailing, scenic coves near Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella, and the freedom to swim or sunbathe without a complicated schedule.

Choose the BBQ package if you want lunch and a drink included, but do not expect gourmet food or much vegetarian variety. Arrive early, confirm the meeting kiosk, ask for snorkeling gear, and claim your preferred place onboard before the deck fills.

At $47, this is a sensible Palma activity for a half-day break. Just remember what you are buying: a lively shared cruise with swimming, not a private sailing trip or expert snorkeling expedition.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is at Playa del Arenal near the Arenal Nautical Club. Look for the local partner’s sign and kiosk as you walk down toward the beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Playa del Arenal.

How long does the cruise last?

The available options last between two and four hours. Starting times and exact durations depend on availability and the option selected.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. The cruise includes a stop for swimming, and departures commonly include two swim stops. The length of each stop can vary.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included. If you cannot see where the equipment is being distributed, ask the crew before the boat anchors.

Is the BBQ included in the price?

The BBQ is included only when you select the With BBQ option. That package includes a BBQ, pasta salad, local bread, and one drink.

What drink comes with the BBQ option?

You receive one water, beer, or sangria with the BBQ option. Additional drinks from the onboard bar are not part of that included serving.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. A waterproof phone holder with a strap can also help you take photos safely.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.