Palma de Mallorca: 5-Hour Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Swim

The best part of this Palma catamaran cruise is simple: you spend the day moving between beautiful swimming coves, not sitting on a beach with half the island. The boat leaves Palma, follows the south coast, and anchors twice for swimming and snorkeling before serving a barbecue meal on board.

I like the generous five-hour format and the fact that drinks and lunch are built into the price. I also like the friendly, upbeat crew, Spanish music, and the chance to swim right from the boat in water that can be wonderfully clear. The main consideration is size. This is a popular catamaran, not a quiet private sail, and the second swimming stop may be less impressive than the first.

Key points to know before booking

• Two swimming stops: The boat usually anchors at Portals Vells or Cala Vella, then moves to another nearby cove.
• Five hours on the water: Choose the 10 AM departure or the 3:30 PM departure, depending on availability.
• Barbecue served aboard: Expect chicken breast, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and cake, with wine and sangria during the meal.
• Snorkeling costs a refundable deposit: Masks and equipment are available for a €10 cash deposit.
• Good value at $69: Lunch, water, soft drinks, coffee, juice, and meal-time wine and sangria are included.
• Weather decides the route: The captain may change the coves if wind or sea conditions require it.

Leaving Palma for Mallorca’s south coast

Meet at the Magic Catamarans dock in front of the Auditorium de Palma on Passeig Marítim, on the harbor side. You should arrive 30 minutes early. Parking is very limited, so a car adds stress to an otherwise easy outing.

The departure gives you a pleasant look at Palma from the water. You pass the port, cruise ships, and large yachts before the city thins out and the south coast takes over. The sailing itself is part of the experience, though you should know that it can take roughly an hour to reach the first swimming area.

That timing matters. This is not a quick shuttle to a cove. You are buying a full day at sea, with a good stretch of open-water cruising between the swim stops. I like that slower pace, especially if you want a break from Mallorca’s roads, shops, and crowded resort beaches.

The catamaran is spacious enough that you can move around during the trip. On a full departure, you will still notice the number of people on board, particularly when everyone is choosing a place to sit or heading to the water. The boat does not feel like a private yacht, but it generally offers enough room to shift positions and find sun or shade.

Music helps set the tone. Expect Spanish songs and a cheerful holiday atmosphere, with some dancing on board. This suits a group, family, birthday, or solo visitor who enjoys meeting people. If you want a silent sail with only the sound of the sea, bring realistic expectations.

Choosing between the 10 AM and 3:30 PM departures

The morning sailing gives you the brightest part of the day for swimming and sun. It is the safer choice if your priority is time in the water and a straightforward day trip.

The 3:30 PM departure has a different feel. You still get the swimming stops and meal, but the return to Palma can bring softer light and sunset views. Several people specifically enjoyed watching the sunset from the boat, and the approach back toward Palma can include attractive views of the cathedral.

I would choose the morning for active swimming and the afternoon for atmosphere. The afternoon schedule is especially appealing for couples and anyone hoping for photographs in warm evening light. Sunset timing will vary with the season, and the route may change with the weather, so do not treat it as a guaranteed sunset cruise.

The five-hour length is well judged. It gives you enough time to sail, swim twice, eat, and relax without turning the day into a rushed checklist. You should still use sunscreen and bring a towel, swimwear, and a small amount of cash for the snorkeling deposit.

Portals Vells, Cala Vella, and the first swim

The exact route depends on wind conditions. The boat may head to Portals Vells or Cala Vella, then stop at another nearby cove. These are the moments that make the cruise worthwhile.

The first anchorage is usually the highlight. In good conditions, you can expect clear blue-green water near the coast, fish visible beneath the surface, and enough time to swim away from the boat toward shallow water. You enter directly from the catamaran, so this feels more like a proper sea outing than a visit to a serviced beach.

Masks are available on board, but you need to leave a €10 cash deposit. The deposit is refundable when the equipment is returned. You may also bring your own snorkeling gear, which avoids the cash arrangement.

The water conditions can change after rain or with rougher seas. One account describes less clear water after heavy rain, while another notes that the crew selected a safer place when the sea was choppy. That is a useful reminder that Mallorca’s famous clear water is not guaranteed every day.

The crew’s role is important here. They are not simply driving the boat and pointing at the water. The staff helps keep the swimming section organized, provides life vests for adults and children, and adjusts the route when needed. Still, you are responsible for judging your own swimming ability. A life vest is available, and children should be watched closely around the boat and ladders.

The second stop is useful, but less predictable

After the first swim and meal service, the catamaran moves to another cove or anchorage. This gives you another chance to get in the water and breaks up the return sailing.

The second stop can be a pleasant extra swim, but it may not match the first. Some departures stop in deeper water, where the color is less striking and there are fewer fish to see. That does not make it pointless. You can still cool off, float, and enjoy open-sea swimming. Just do not expect two identical postcard coves.

This is one of the tour’s honest trade-offs. The route is shaped by wind and sea conditions, not by a fixed promise that every stop will look the same. On a good day, both stops may be excellent. On another, the first cove may carry most of the visual appeal while the second provides more time in the water.

If swimming is your main reason for booking, the flexible route is a benefit. The captain can choose a more sheltered area rather than force the planned itinerary in rough conditions. If you want a precise visit to one named beach, a private boat charter would offer more control, but it would cost much more than $69.

What the barbecue lunch includes

The crew prepares lunch on board while the boat is anchored. The buffet includes chicken breast, skewers, sausages, fresh salads, bread, and cake for dessert. Water, soft drinks, coffee, and juice are available throughout the excursion. Mallorcan wine and sangria are included with the meal.

I would describe the food as a solid boat barbecue rather than a restaurant meal. It is filling, familiar, and practical after swimming. The portions are generally generous enough, and there can be extra food available. Fresh fruit has also been offered on some departures, though it is not listed as a guaranteed part of the menu.

The food works because of the setting. You are eating outside, with the water around you and the boat still rocking gently at anchor. The music and easygoing service make lunch feel social rather than formal.

Vegetarian food is not automatically detailed in the standard menu, so contact the provider before booking if you need that option. Do not assume a special meal can be arranged at the last minute.

Alcohol outside the meal is not included. You can buy drinks at the bar, but only card payments are accepted, and American Express is not accepted. Bring cash only for the snorkeling deposit, and bring a different card for extra drinks.

The atmosphere: family-friendly, social, and sometimes lively

This cruise works for a broad age range. Families with young children have found the spacious boat, life vests, calm swimming time, and simple food a good combination. The crew keeps the mood lively without making the outing depend entirely on partying.

You can also book alone. The music and shared seating make it easier to meet people, and the five-hour format gives you time to settle into the day. Solo visitors may find the afternoon departure particularly friendly, though the atmosphere is social rather than quiet.

Couples should choose their timing with care. The afternoon sailing offers a more romantic return if the light cooperates, while the morning trip feels more focused on swimming and sun. A birthday or small celebration also fits well, since the boat has music, food, and enough time for a relaxed group outing.

The trade-off is crowding. The boat can fill up, and the opening moments at the dock may feel disorganized, especially in strong sun while people work out where to queue. Arriving early helps. Once on board, the catamaran generally feels more comfortable than the initial boarding scene suggests.

The crew receives especially strong praise for its warmth and energy. Captain Perez is named positively for his friendly service and communication on one departure, while other accounts describe staff members helping people feel at ease and encouraging dancing. Service will naturally vary by crew and sailing, but hospitality is a major part of the experience.

Is $69 good value for five hours?

At $69 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to use the inclusions. You receive five hours on a catamaran, two swimming opportunities, snorkeling equipment available with a refundable deposit, a barbecue buffet, soft drinks, water, coffee, juice, wine, and sangria with the meal.

Comparable costs can rise quickly if you arrange separate transport to a cove, buy lunch and drinks, and rent a boat or water equipment. Here, the price also covers the crew, fuel, and the practical work of finding sheltered places to anchor.

The value is weaker for someone who dislikes group activities, does not swim, or wants a quiet luxury cruise. Much of the appeal comes from the social atmosphere, music, and shared meal. You are paying for a lively day at sea, not a private sail with personalized service.

I also would not choose it only for snorkeling. The masks are a useful extra, but conditions, visibility, and the location of the second stop can vary. Choose this for the whole mix: coast views, swimming, food, music, and a relaxed day away from Palma.

Practical details that make the day easier

Arrive at the dock 30 minutes before departure and look for the boat marked Magic Catamarans in front of the Auditorium de Palma. The meeting point is on the harbor side of Passeig Marítim.

Parking spaces nearby are limited. If you are staying in Palma, walking, using a taxi, or arranging another local transfer may be less troublesome than driving and searching for a space.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a €10 cash deposit if you want to use the snorkeling equipment. Life vests are provided for adults and children.

The onboard bar accepts cards only, except American Express. Alcoholic drinks outside the meal cost extra. If you have more than one reservation and want to sit together, contact the provider before the day of sailing.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve without paying immediately under the pay-later option.

Who should book this Palma catamaran cruise?

I would book this if you want an easy five-hour day on the water without arranging several separate activities. It suits families, couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and anyone who values swimming time more than formal sightseeing.

It is especially good for first-time visitors who want to see Palma from the sea and reach coves that are harder to visit without a boat. The meal and included drinks make the $69 price easier to justify.

I would skip it if you want an intimate boat, a silent sailing, or a guaranteed visit to one exact cove. I would also choose another plan if you dislike swimming from a boat or find group music distracting.

For most people, the best choice is the 3:30 PM departure if you want a cheerful afternoon, barbecue, and a chance of sunset on the way back. Choose 10 AM if clear daylight, warm swimming water, and a full active day matter most.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

It leaves from the Port of Palma, at the dock in front of the Auditorium de Palma on Passeig Marítim. Look for the Magic Catamarans boat on the harbor side.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours. Departure options are generally 10 AM and 3:30 PM, subject to availability.

Where does the boat stop for swimming?

The boat usually stops at Portals Vells or Cala Vella, then makes a second stop at another nearby cove. The route can change with wind and weather conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet includes barbecue meats such as chicken breast, skewers, and sausages, along with salads and cake. Water, soft drinks, coffee, and juice are included throughout the trip.

Are wine and sangria included?

Mallorcan wine and sangria are included with the meal. Alcoholic drinks outside mealtime are available to buy at the bar.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkeling equipment are available with a €10 refundable cash deposit. Life vests for adults and children are also provided.

Can I request vegetarian food?

Yes, but you should contact the activity provider directly before the cruise if you need a vegetarian option.