From Palma: Luxury Catamaran Group Tour with Tapas & Drinks

The best part of this Palma catamaran trip is the small group. With space for about 10 to 12 people, you can stretch out on the front, back, or upper deck instead of being packed onto a party boat. I especially like the quiet bay stop for swimming and the chance to use a SUP board or snorkel without paying extra.

I also like the friendly crew, who have earned praise for being attentive and flexible. Hosts and skippers such as Linda, Mila, Tilla, Monica, Carla, Brian, and Angel have helped set a warm tone on board. The main consideration is food timing: tapas may be served during the swimming stop, so you might need to choose between eating and making the most of your time in the water.

Key points before you book

• Small boat feel: The catamaran carries about 10 to 12 people, giving you more room than a large party cruise.
• Swimming gear included: You can use snorkels, floats, and SUP boards at the bay during the daytime trip.
• Tapas and a welcome drink: Freshly made tapas and water are included, while extra wine, beer, cocktails, cava, champagne, and soft drinks cost more.
• Four hours on the water: The usual cruise includes time sailing from Palma, a swimming stop, and the return to La Lonja Marina.
• Weather can change the plan: The crew may adjust the route in wind or rain, and some passengers have experienced seasickness.
• Sunset trips are shorter: The evening option lasts two hours and does not include SUP boards, floats, snorkeling, or paddle boarding.

A relaxed catamaran, not a floating nightclub

Palma has plenty of boat outings, but this one aims for a calmer afternoon. The catamaran leaves from La Lonja Marina, close to the old center, then moves away from the harbor and the noise of central Palma.

The limited group size matters. You can usually find a place in the sun, under a shade sail, at the back, or on the upper deck. That makes the four-hour length feel comfortable, especially if you want to alternate between swimming, eating, and simply watching the coast pass.

Music plays through the boat’s sound system, but the mood is not built around a loud party. You might meet other couples, families, friends, or a small celebration group. A bachelorette party has used the cruise successfully, and several groups of friends have enjoyed the boat as an easy half-day outing.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. It is described as clean, well kept, beautiful, and in some cases brand new. You are not booking a basic transfer with a short swim attached. You are paying for a comfortable place to spend several hours on the sea.

Leaving La Lonja Marina in Palma

You meet the skipper and host at the marina gate 15 minutes before departure. The meeting point is La Lonja Marina Charter, at Muelle de la Lonja in Palma. Give yourself extra time to find the correct gate, especially if you are arriving from the old town or a cruise ship.

The marina is near two listed parking choices: Parc de la Mar and Parking Antonio Maura. Parking is not included, so driving adds both cost and planning. If you are already staying in central Palma, walking or using local transport may be simpler, but the tour information does not provide a transfer service.

Once on board, expect a safety briefing before departure. The crew then takes you out along the Mallorca coast. This first part is not only transportation to the swimming spot. It gives you a different view of Palma, the harbor, and the shoreline, with time to settle into the boat and get used to the movement of the sea.

The crew speaks English and Spanish. That is useful for safety instructions and for ordering extra drinks, though the experience is not described as a formal sightseeing tour with a long commentary at every point.

The four-hour route and swimming stop

The standard daytime trip lasts four hours. Exact sailing times can vary with the conditions and the chosen bay, but the usual pattern is roughly an hour heading out, time anchored in a calm bay, and about an hour returning to port.

The stop is the heart of the outing. The crew anchors in a bay with clear blue-green water where you can swim from the boat. Some trips have used one main swimming area, while others have included two stops. You should not assume that every departure follows the same route, since wind, sea conditions, and the day’s plan can affect the schedule.

The water time is flexible. You can swim from the catamaran, look for fish with the supplied snorkel equipment, paddle a SUP board, or use a float. If you would rather stay dry, the boat has sun and shaded seating. That choice is important because not everyone wants four hours of swimming, and not everyone can comfortably stay in the sun all afternoon.

The equipment is included in the daytime price, which improves the value. You do not need to rent a paddle board or bring snorkeling gear from Palma. Still, the amount of equipment available and how long you use it can depend on the group size and the time spent at anchor.

One practical point: bring a towel. The official packing advice also includes swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, and some protection for your head and shoulders. The boat can feel windy and chilly once it is moving, even on a warm day, so a light jacket or hoodie is a smart addition.

Tapas, drinks, and what lunch really means

The tour includes a welcome drink, freshly made tapas to share, and water. A glass of cava or sparkling wine has been used as the welcome drink on some trips, but you should not expect a choice of included drinks. One family group specifically would have preferred an alternative to sparkling wine.

The tapas have received strong praise for flavor and quality. Expect small shared plates rather than a full restaurant lunch. One useful warning is that the food may be served while the catamaran is anchored, during the same period when you want to swim and use the water equipment.

That timing is the main food-related drawback. If you want every possible minute in the water, eat promptly and then get back to the swim stop. If you are hungry after sailing out, the tapas provide a welcome break. You can also ask the host when the food will come so you can plan your swim.

Extra drinks are available to buy. The choices listed include wine, beer, soft drinks, cocktails, long drinks, cava, and champagne. These purchases can add to the total price, so the advertised $117 per person is best understood as the cost of the cruise, welcome drink, tapas, water, and equipment, not an all-inclusive bar package.

For a special occasion, you can contact the operator with requests. The details do not guarantee a particular decoration, menu, or bottle, so ask in advance before assuming something can be arranged.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. The skipper handles the route and safety, while the host or hostess helps with drinks, food, equipment, and general comfort.

Names such as Linda, Mila, Tilla, Monica, Carla, Brian, Angel, Gaston, and Federico appear among the crew praised for friendly service. The important point is not any one individual, since staffing can change. It is the consistent pattern of a host who checks on people, explains what is happening, and helps make the boat feel informal rather than stiff.

The crew has also handled small problems well. On one trip, a passenger became seasick and received help from the assistant. On another, a technical delay was softened with extra drinks and a flexible attitude. Bad weather has also led the crew to change the route and work harder to keep the mood pleasant.

That said, seasickness remains possible. A catamaran can feel more stable than a smaller motorboat, but the sea is still the sea. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you feel most comfortable, watch the horizon, and bring any medication you normally use. The official information does not promise a particular seating area or medical service.

Is $117 a fair price?

At $117 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Bay of Palma. You can find basic boat rides for less, particularly if all you want is a short cruise with no food or equipment.

The price makes more sense if you value space and a smaller group. Your fee covers four hours, a skipper and host, fuel, insurance, taxes, a welcome drink, tapas, water, coastal sightseeing, and use of the daytime water equipment. Hiring a SUP board, snorkeling gear, and a comfortable private boat separately could cost more and would require extra planning.

The small capacity is the key value point. A larger boat may offer a lower price, but you can expect more people competing for seating, shade, swimming space, and gear. Here, the boat often feels close to a private charter, particularly when the group is around 10 people.

The value is weaker if you do not plan to swim, dislike shared food, or intend to buy several cocktails and bottles. Extra drinks are not included, and the tapas are light rather than a large meal. I would eat a proper meal before or after if you need substantial food.

Daytime versus the two-hour evening option

The four-hour daytime trip is the better choice if swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding are your main goals. It includes the listed fun equipment and gives you time to enjoy the bay instead of rushing through a short stop.

The evening option lasts two hours and begins at 7:00 PM. It is more suitable for a short sail, music, coastal views, and a drink as the day cools. The listed information specifically says that SUP boards, floats, snorkeling, and paddle boarding are not available at sunset.

Do not book the evening departure expecting the full daytime program in a shorter package. If the water is your priority, choose the day trip. If you mainly want a pleasant sail after a day in Palma, the two-hour option may fit better.

Who will enjoy this Palma boat trip?

I would recommend this outing to couples, friends, families, and small celebration groups who want time on the water without a crowded party setting. The mix of swimming, food, music, and shaded seating works for people with different energy levels.

It also suits a family group because everyone can choose an activity. Strong swimmers can use the SUP boards and snorkels, while others can stay on deck. The tour has been enjoyed by people of different ages, though the operator does not provide detailed accessibility information.

This is a good choice for anyone staying in Palma who wants a half-day break from city streets. You do not need to travel far from the center to reach the marina, and the sea view changes the feel of the day quickly.

I would be more cautious if you need a tightly scheduled sightseeing route, a full meal, guaranteed two swimming bays, or a large selection of included drinks. The plan is relaxed and can change with conditions. That flexibility is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not expect a fixed list of coves.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Arrive at the marina gate 15 minutes early. The meeting point can take a little time to identify, and arriving late could be stressful when the crew is preparing to leave.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• A hat or other sun protection
• A light jacket or hoodie
• Passport details after booking, as requested under boat regulations

Smoking is not allowed on board. Bring a card or another payment method for extra drinks, but the supplied information does not specify which payment types are accepted.

Ask about the welcome drink if you do not want sparkling wine. Also ask the host about the food schedule if you want to spend the full swimming stop in the water.

The tour includes visitor insurance, all listed fees, taxes, and the fuel surcharge. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times because the daytime and evening products have different lengths and equipment.

Should you book this catamaran tour?

I would book it if you want a comfortable small-group day on the Bay of Palma, with swimming gear, a welcome drink, light tapas, and enough deck space to relax. The crew’s attentive service and the catamaran’s roomy layout are the strongest reasons to choose it over a cheaper, more crowded cruise.

I would skip it if you want a full lunch, a guaranteed multi-stop route, or an all-inclusive bar. The food is tapas, not a large meal, and extra drinks cost more.

For most people, the daytime departure offers the best value. Pack a towel, bring a light layer for the wind, and treat the route as a flexible coastal outing rather than a rigid sightseeing program. That is when this trip makes the most sense.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour leave from?

The meeting point is La Lonja Marina Charter at Muelle de la Lonja in Palma. Meet the skipper and host at the marina gate 15 minutes before departure.

How long is the daytime tour?

The standard daytime tour lasts four hours. The listed evening option starts at 7:00 PM and lasts two hours.

How many people are on the boat?

The experience is marketed as a small-group outing, with a maximum generally described as 10 to 12 people. The booking information also states that groups are limited to 10 participants, so check the exact capacity for your departure.

Are snorkeling gear and paddle boards included?

Yes. The daytime trip includes snorkels, floats, SUP boards, and paddle boarding equipment. These items are not available on the sunset option.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a welcome drink, freshly made tapas to share, and water. Wine, beer, soft drinks, cocktails, long drinks, cava, and champagne are available to purchase separately.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and protection for your head and shoulders. A jacket or hoodie is also recommended because it can become windy and cool on board.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve your place and pay later.