Mallorca Catamaran Cruise with Scenic Views and BBQ Lunch

The best Mallorca days happen on the water. This five-hour catamaran trip from Port d’Alcúdia combines quiet coves, swimming, kayaks, paddle boards, coastal views, and a freshly cooked barbecue meal. I especially like the chance to reach Coll Baix, a cove that is awkward to access by land, and the generous 90-minute stop for swimming and lunch. The main caution is that this is a large, social boat rather than a small, silent sailing trip, and the route can change with weather, wind, timing, or safety needs.

I also like that the crew provides water equipment at no extra charge, including kayaks, paddle boards, and floating aids. The barbecue is simple but filling, with grilled chicken, pork, sausages, pasta salad, bread, fruit, and drinks included during the meal. If you expect the boat to sail under raised canvas all day, though, you may be disappointed: some departures rely mainly on the motor, and music and crowds can make the mood livelier than the promotional photos suggest.

Key points to know before booking

• Coll Baix by boat: Reach a secluded cove that is difficult to access by road or on foot.
• Three or more swimming opportunities: Stops may include Coll Baix, Cala d’Engossalba or Cala Murta, and Aucanada.
• Water gear included: Kayaks, paddle boards, snorkel equipment, and floats are available, though equipment may need to be shared.
• Barbecue served onboard: Expect grilled meats, pasta salad, bread, fruit, and two drinks with the meal.
• Large catamaran setting: Capacity can reach 110 people, so space and comfort vary by departure.
• Route flexibility: Formentor views may be included, but a stop at Formentor Beach or Cap de Formentor is not guaranteed.

Setting out from Port d’Alcúdia

The meeting point is at Passeig Marítim, 18, in Port d’Alcúdia. This is a marina departure, not a hotel transfer, so you need to arrange your own way there. The port is near public transportation, but allow time to identify the correct boat and boarding area. Several excursions operate around the marina, and clear directions are not always obvious.

This point matters greatly if you arrive on a cruise ship in Palma. Port d’Alcúdia is on the opposite side of Mallorca, and the drive can take about an hour in good conditions. The catamaran cannot wait for late arrivals, so do not treat this as a convenient shore excursion from a Palma cruise port unless you have carefully arranged transport and left a large time cushion.

The boat is the Anacaona Catamaran, a broad vessel designed for a sizeable group. On a quieter departure, you may have plenty of room to move between the seating, benches, and forward nets. On a full sailing, expect a more communal feel, with competition for the best sunbathing spots and water equipment.

The first few minutes are spent getting settled and looking back toward Port d’Alcúdia. The bay gives you an easy introduction to the day, with open sea, mountains, and shoreline views rather than a rushed transfer straight to lunch.

Coll Baix, a hard-to-reach first stop

The first proper stop is Platja des Coll Baix, a small cove known for its clear water and secluded position. Reaching it by land is difficult, which makes arriving by catamaran particularly worthwhile. You drop anchor for roughly 20 minutes, giving you time for a quick swim, a little sun, and photographs from the water.

This is not a long beach visit. If your priority is swimming, move quickly once the crew gives the signal. The stop is best understood as a short taste of the coast, not a full afternoon at the beach. You remain with the boat, and the cove can feel busy when several boats arrive at the same time.

The water is the main attraction. On a calm, warm day, this first stop sets the tone nicely. On a breezier day, boarding ladders and moving water may make getting in and out less relaxed. The crew is generally praised for helping people use the boarding points, but you still need ordinary confidence in the water.

The long Cala d’Engossalba stop

The heart of the day comes at a second cove in the Bay of Pollença. The schedule identifies this area as Cala Murta, with Cala d’Engossalba also used in the description. That difference is worth noting because the exact anchorage can change. The crew adjusts the route according to conditions rather than promising one fixed patch of sea.

You get about 90 minutes here, which gives the stop a much better rhythm than the quick first swim. While the crew prepares lunch, you can swim, snorkel, use a kayak or paddle board, float beside the boat, or stretch out on the catamaran’s nets and benches. If you want a turn on the equipment, go early. On a full sailing, there may not be enough kayaks or boards for everyone to use one continuously.

The water activities are one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. You do not need to arrange a separate kayak rental, and the boat carries useful gear for people who want more than a quick dip. Snorkel equipment is included in the advertised offering, though one person reported being charged €8 for snorkeling gear, so it is sensible to confirm the current arrangement before boarding.

The long stop also lets you choose your own pace. You can be active for 20 minutes and then relax in the sun, or simply stay on board and watch the crew cook. This flexibility suits families and mixed groups, since not everyone needs to swim or paddle to enjoy the trip.

A practical barbecue lunch on the catamaran

The barbecue is cooked onboard and served during the long anchorage. The usual meal includes chicken, pork, sausages, pasta salad made with Mallorcan tomatoes and vegetables, bread, and seasonal fruit. It is straightforward holiday food, not a gourmet meal, but the hot grilled meat and fresh fruit work well after time in the water.

Two drinks are included with the meal. The choices listed are orange drink, water, or sangria. Extra drinks can be bought from the bar throughout the day, and you may also bring your own food and drinks. One drink price recorded on board was about €5 for a 400-milliliter beer, though prices can change.

Vegetarians should plan ahead. The pasta salad and bread may be your main choices, and the meal does not appear to include a dedicated vegetarian main course. If you do not eat meat, bring suitable food or contact the operator before booking rather than assuming a separate barbecue option will be available.

Lunch is also the point when the atmosphere becomes most social. On some departures, the music is lively and the boat feels like a relaxed party cruise. On others, the mood is quieter and more suited to sunbathing. The boat is not consistently a silent sailing vessel, so choose it for swimming, food, and views rather than complete peace.

Aucanada and the final swim

If time allows, the boat makes a shorter stop near Aucanada’s lighthouse. The stop is usually around 20 minutes and is useful for one final swim or a few photographs. The lighthouse gives this section a clear visual marker, and the nearby coast offers a change from the enclosed coves earlier in the day.

Because this stop depends on timing and conditions, it should not be the only reason you book. If lunch takes longer, the sea becomes rough, or the boat leaves late, the crew may shorten or skip it. That flexibility is normal for a water excursion, but it is worth keeping expectations realistic.

The return through the bay gives you more time to enjoy Port d’Alcúdia from the water. You may also see views toward Formentor Beach during the cruise, depending on the route. The boat does not promise a full stop at Formentor Beach or Cap de Formentor, and several people have been disappointed after expecting one.

Read the route carefully before you pay. Seeing Formentor from a distance is different from sailing there, anchoring nearby, and walking onto the beach. If Cap de Formentor is your main goal, a dedicated land or boat excursion would be a better match.

How much value do you get for $86.51?

At $86.51 per person, the price sits above a basic short harbor cruise but includes five hours on the water, lunch, two meal-time drinks, and use of water equipment. You are paying for a full half-day rather than a simple scenic boat ride.

The value is strongest if you will swim, kayak, paddle board, and eat onboard. A separate meal, beach transfer, and water-sports rental could quickly add up, and the boat takes you to coves that are not easy to reach by car. For a family or group that wants several activities in one booking, the price can make sense.

The value is weaker if you want a small, refined sailing trip or a guaranteed Formentor visit. The vessel can carry up to 110 people, and a full departure may feel crowded. You may wait for a kayak, share space at the nets, or find the music louder than expected.

Think of this as an active coastal outing with lunch, not a private charter. The food is pleasant and plentiful, but the scenery and swimming are the real reasons to spend the money.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would recommend the trip to you if you want an easy way to see Mallorca’s northern coast without renting a car or hiking to remote coves. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and celebration groups, especially when people in the same party want different levels of activity.

It is also a good choice for anyone who likes a flexible day. You can swim, paddle, snorkel, sunbathe, eat, take photographs, or simply sit on deck. The crew has been praised for being friendly and helpful, and that matters when a large boat is loading, unloading, and moving people in and out of the sea.

You may want another option if you dislike crowds, loud music, or motor-powered cruising. Some departures do not raise the sails, despite the catamaran presentation. The boat may be called a sailing cruise, but the practical experience can feel more like a motorized coastal excursion with occasional sailing conditions.

People with limited mobility should ask the operator for current details before booking. The general information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a full accessibility description for boarding, ladders, or water activities.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

Bring suncream, a camera, and clothing you do not mind getting wet. You may also bring your own food and drinks, although the onboard bar provides additional options. The sun can feel strong even when a breeze makes the deck comfortable, so regular reapplication matters.

The route is weather-dependent. Wind, sea conditions, available time, and safety can alter the coves or remove a planned stop. A change is not automatically a poor day, since the crew may be selecting a safer anchorage, but you should not book this expecting every named location to be visited exactly as printed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside that period are not refunded, and changes are not accepted within 24 hours. If bad weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed to operate is not reached.

Should you book the Mallorca catamaran cruise?

Book it if your ideal Mallorca day includes clear-water swimming, a casual barbecue, and several hours of coastal scenery. The best parts are the hard-to-reach cove at Coll Baix, the long second stop, friendly crew service, and the included kayaks, paddle boards, and floats.

Skip it if you want a small boat, guaranteed sailing under canvas, or a firm visit to Formentor. Also think twice if you are staying near a Palma cruise port and have not arranged dependable transport to Alcúdia.

For most people based in Alcúdia or nearby, this is a good-value half-day on the Mediterranean. Just book it for the swimming and relaxed coastal fun, not for a quiet private sail or a guaranteed Formentor landing.

FAQ

How long is the Mallorca catamaran cruise?

The trip lasts approximately five hours and returns to the original meeting point at Port d’Alcúdia.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The meeting point is Passeig Marítim, 18, 07400 Alcúdia, Illes Balears, Spain.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The meal includes barbecue items, pasta salad, bread, and fresh fruit.

What drinks are included?

Two drinks are included during the meal. The listed choices are orange drink, water, or sangria. Extra drinks can be purchased at the onboard bar.

Can I use kayaks or paddle boards?

Yes. Kayaks and paddle boards are carried by the catamaran and are available without an extra charge. Equipment may need to be shared when the boat is full.

Does the cruise stop at Formentor Beach or Cap de Formentor?

A view of Formentor Beach may be possible from the catamaran, but a stop at Formentor Beach or Cap de Formentor is not guaranteed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.