Port d’Alcudia: North Coast Catamaran Cruise with Meal

Crystal-clear water is the main event. This five-hour catamaran cruise from Puerto de Alcúdia combines open-sea views, quiet swimming spots, a barbecue meal, and time with kayaks and paddleboards. I like the easy holiday rhythm: sail for a while, stop to swim, eat while the crew cooks, then get back in the water.

I also like the friendly crew and the broad catamaran, which gives you room to sit, move around, and find a sunny or shaded spot. The main drawback is that the kayaks and paddleboards are shared, so not everyone can use them whenever they wish. At $80 per person, the trip is not cheap, but the five-hour length, meal, crew, equipment, and two included drinks make it a solid value for a full day on the water.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three beautiful swim stops: The cruise usually pauses at two or three sheltered coastal locations, with clear water and time to swim.
• Barbecue served on board: Morning trips include lunch, while sunset departures include a barbecue dinner.
• Water equipment included: Kayaks and standup paddleboards are available, though numbers are limited and sharing is necessary.
• A roomy catamaran: The boat can carry a sizeable group, but its open layout helps prevent the trip from feeling too cramped.
• Bring your own snorkel gear: Masks are available to buy, but bringing goggles or a snorkel set gives you the best chance to see fish.
• Good for families and mixed-age groups: Ladders, life vests, swimming stops, and gentle water activities make this workable for many ages.

Leaving Puerto de Alcúdia for the North Coast

You meet the greeter at the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk for Transportes Marítimos Brisa on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcúdia. The activity lasts about five hours, with morning and sunset options available depending on the date.

The first part is a coastal sail. You get wide views of the sea and northern Mallorca, with the catamaran moving at a relaxed pace rather than rushing from one photo stop to the next. Some departures have a little chop at the start. That can mean spray over the front nets, so sit farther back if you want a dry ride.

The catamaran has several places to sit and sunbathe. One useful detail is the access to the water. Multiple ladders lead from the boat into the sea, which is helpful if you would rather climb down than jump from the side. Life vests are available for people who are not confident swimmers.

Music plays during the trip, usually at a level that supports the holiday mood without drowning out every conversation. You can expect a social boat atmosphere, not a silent sailing lesson. If you want a peaceful day with no music and very few people, this is not the right type of cruise.

Swimming Near Formentor and Alcanada

The exact route can vary, but the cruise spends much of its time around attractive parts of Mallorca’s northern coast. One reported itinerary included around two hours near Formentor Beach and another hour near Alcanada Beach, with other stops depending on conditions.

Formentor is a strong part of the trip. The water can be clear enough to see fish, and the setting gives you the kind of bright blue sea and rugged coast that people hope to find in Mallorca. You have time to swim rather than simply stop for ten rushed minutes and climb back aboard.

Alcanada offers another change of setting. The point of the stops is not just sightseeing from the deck. You can swim, use a paddleboard, take a kayak, or relax on the catamaran while the crew prepares the meal.

Some departures make three swimming stops, while others appear to use two longer pauses. That difference matters. If you care most about the water activities, a day with fewer but longer stops may suit you better than a route with several short pauses.

The boat carries kayaks and paddleboards, but the supply is limited. One account counted three kayaks and two paddleboards. You may need to wait your turn, especially on a busy summer sailing. The equipment is a welcome extra, but you should not book this expecting every person to have a private board or kayak.

Snorkeling in Clear Mallorcan Water

The water is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. At the swimming stops, you can swim from the boat and look for fish close to the catamaran and around the coves.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Masks are not included, and the operator says they are available for sale because of health restrictions. Several people specifically recommended bringing goggles or a personal snorkeling set.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stops. The crew can provide a life vest, and the ladders make getting in and out easier. Still, the boat’s water activities are best for people who are comfortable entering open water with other swimmers nearby.

The phrase snorkeling stop can mean different things on different boat tours. Here, it means swimming from the anchored catamaran in a scenic coastal spot. It does not mean a guided underwater tour or a lesson. You are free to explore at your own pace.

Barbecue Lunch While the Boat Is Anchored

On a morning sailing, the crew prepares a barbecue lunch while you swim. The usual meal has included chicken, pork, sausage, pasta, bread, and sometimes fruit such as watermelon. The food is served on board, so you can eat with sea views instead of returning to the port for lunch.

Many people find the meal generous, with extra portions available if you are still hungry. The barbecue is a practical part of the price because you do not need to arrange a separate lunch during a five-hour outing.

Food quality can be more uneven than the scenery. Some people describe the meal as fresh and very good, while others find it basic. One vegetarian passenger found the options limited, and another person who avoided pork would have preferred more choice. If you have dietary restrictions, report them to the main office before boarding. Do not wait until lunch and hope the crew can fix everything at the last minute.

One useful example involved a passenger who needed gluten-free food. A crew member prepared rice and gluten-free bread, which made that passenger feel included. That is encouraging, but it still makes sense to confirm your needs in advance.

The included drinks are limited to two during lunch or dinner. These may include soft drinks or sangria, depending on the service. The boat has a bar with more drinks, cocktails, and other choices for an extra charge. Bring money or another accepted payment method if you expect to buy more.

Sunset Sailing and the Evening Option

The sunset version follows the same general idea but replaces the midday meal with a barbecue dinner. You still get the sea views, swimming and water activities, and time at coastal stops, although the exact schedule depends on the departure.

A sunset trip can be a good choice if you dislike spending the hottest part of the day in direct sun. It also gives the cruise a different mood as the light changes over the north coast. On the other hand, a morning trip gives you the clearest block of daylight for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Check the available starting times before booking. The activity is listed as five hours, but one reported morning departure ran from about 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Small timing differences can affect your dinner plans, taxi booking, or connection with another activity.

How Crowded Does the Catamaran Feel?

This is a shared boat trip, not a private charter. The catamaran can hold many people, but its width and open deck help spread people out. Several family groups found there was enough space to sit and move around without feeling tightly packed.

Your experience will depend on the date, weather, and how early you board. Arrive in good time if choosing a preferred place to sit matters to you. The boat has good sunbathing areas, but the most popular spots may go quickly.

The busiest moments are likely to be around the kayaks, paddleboards, ladders, and food service. That is normal for a group cruise. If you want uninterrupted access to equipment, a private boat would be a better fit, but it would also cost much more.

The crew is a major part of the atmosphere. They handle boarding, food, drinks, equipment, and safety while keeping the mood light. Their friendliness receives some of the strongest praise. That makes a difference on a five-hour trip, because a disorganized crew can turn a pleasant boat ride into a long afternoon.

Is the $80 Price Good Value?

At $80 per person, this cruise sits in the middle to upper range for a group boat outing, but you are paying for more than transport along the coast.

The price includes:

• Five hours on the catamaran
• Crew service
• Lunch or dinner
• Two drinks with the meal
• Use of kayaks
• Use of standup paddleboards
• Several swimming stops

If you paid separately for a boat ride, a meal, and water equipment, the package could easily approach the same total. The value is strongest if you plan to swim, eat on board, and stay for the full five hours.

The value is weaker if you do not swim, do not eat barbecue food, and mainly want a short scenic sail. You would spend much of the trip waiting while others use the water equipment. Likewise, anyone wanting a quiet, small-group sailing experience may find the shared catamaran too social.

For families, the price can work well because one booking covers transport, lunch, entertainment, and swimming time. Teenagers especially have enough to do, and several families found the day became one of the best parts of their Mallorca holiday.

What to Bring for a Better Day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make a boat day easier:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Your own snorkel mask and goggles
• A light cover-up for the ride back
• Extra money for drinks

Sunscreen matters even when the wind feels cool. The boat gives you long periods in open sun, and the white deck reflects light from the water.

A camera is useful, but keep it secure. You may get spray near the front nets, especially when the sea is choppy. Weather-appropriate clothing also matters on sunset departures, when the ride back may feel cooler than the afternoon.

If you have a dietary restriction, contact the main office before boarding. The crew has shown care with gluten-free requests, but advance notice gives them a fair chance to prepare something suitable.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this catamaran trip to couples, families, groups of friends, and older children who want a full day by the sea without planning every detail. It is especially good for you if swimming in clear water matters more than visiting a long list of coastal sights.

It also suits mixed groups. A confident swimmer can use the kayak or paddleboard, while someone else can remain on deck, eat, take photos, or use the ladder for a gentle swim.

Children should be comfortable around open water and follow the crew’s instructions. The activity is not a supervised children’s program, and the water equipment is shared.

I would be more cautious if you have strict dietary needs, dislike group activities, or expect a private and quiet sail. I would also check the weather forecast, since choppy conditions can make the outward ride wet and less comfortable.

Booking Details and Accessibility

The meeting point is the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk of Transportes Marítimos Brisa at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia. The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the boarding arrangements in advance so the operator can explain the practical setup for your departure.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check the available start time before confirming, since morning and sunset trips do not offer the same light or meal timing.

Should You Book the Alcudia Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want five relaxed hours of swimming, food, music, and northern Mallorca scenery in one package. The friendly crew, roomy catamaran, clear water, and long stops are the best reasons to go.

Bring your own snorkeling gear, arrive early for a good seat, and keep your expectations realistic about the shared kayaks and paddleboards. If you need a special meal, report it before boarding. For an active family day or a simple way to enjoy the coast without arranging several separate activities, $80 is fair value.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

It departs from the boat kiosk of Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Marítimos BRISA, on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts about five hours. Check the available date and starting time when booking, since morning and sunset departures may have different schedules.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Morning departures include a barbecue lunch. Sunset departures include a barbecue dinner.

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Yes. Canoes and standup paddleboards are included, but they are shared among everyone on board and may not be available to use immediately.

Are drinks included?

Two drinks are included with lunch or dinner. Additional drinks, cocktails, and other bar purchases cost extra.

Can I bring my own snorkeling equipment?

Yes. You should bring your own mask, snorkel, or goggles if you want to explore the water. Snorkeling masks are not included, though they may be available to buy.