Private yacht charter in Mallorca
Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands and the most varied from the water. The Serra de Tramuntana falls into the sea along the north-west coast, the bays of Pollença and Alcúdia open to the north-east, and the south-east is cut into narrow calas of pine and pale sand. A Mallorca yacht charter usually begins in Palma, the yachting centre of the Balearics.
From a yacht these coasts become one route, with a swim below the cliffs in the morning and a quiet bay for the night once the day boats have gone.
Mallorca from the water
The bay of Palma and the south-west. The cathedral stands above the old town and the marinas of Palma. West of the city lie Puerto Portals, Port Adriano and the long inlet of Port d'Andratx. Off Sant Elm, the island of Sa Dragonera is a natural park.
The Tramuntana coast. The UNESCO-listed mountains leave few anchorages on the north-west coast, and Port de Sóller is the sheltered harbour among them. About six miles east, Sa Calobra and the gorge of the Torrent de Pareis are a stop for settled weather, as the cove is open to the north.
Formentor, Pollença and Alcúdia. The Formentor peninsula runs out to Cap de Formentor in the far north, with small coves beneath its cliffs. Below it open the wide bays of Pollença and Alcúdia, the natural departure point for Menorca, a short crossing to Ciutadella.
The south-east calas. Cala Mondragó lies within a natural park, with pines and two beaches. It is open to the east, but easterlies are rare. Cala Llombards, with its old fishermen's boathouses, follows to the south-west, and the long beach of Es Trenc lies further along the coast.
Cabrera. South of Mallorca, the Cabrera archipelago is a maritime and terrestrial national park. Navigating and mooring there require an authorisation requested in advance. Yachts lie on park buoys rather than at anchor, with limits on size and on the number of nights in high summer.
A week from Palma
A clockwise week runs west from Palma to Port d'Andratx and Sa Dragonera, up the Tramuntana coast to Port de Sóller and Sa Calobra, round Formentor into the bay of Pollença, then down the east coast to Cala Mondragó, with Cabrera on the last day. On a motor yacht most legs are a morning's passage. When a north wind sets in, the week stays on the south and east coasts, in the lee of the island.
When to go
The season runs from May to September. June and September bring warm water and more room in the anchorages; July and August are the busiest months. A summer sea breeze rises in the late morning and can blow fresh in the afternoon. The north-north-westerly, the tramontana or mistral, can blow for several days and is felt most on the north-west coast, so the route is set against the forecast.
The Palma International Boat Show opens the season in spring, The Superyacht Cup Palma follows in June, and the Copa del Rey MAPFRE regatta fills the bay around the turn of July and August.
Anchoring rules
Anchoring over Posidonia seagrass is prohibited in the Balearics, and patrol boats check anchorages through the season. Yachts anchor on sand, or take a buoy where a regulated field is laid.
Marinas and arrival
Palma de Mallorca airport lies 8 kilometres east of the city, around a quarter of an hour from the marinas, with a general aviation terminal for private jets. Club de Mar takes superyachts; the Real Club Náutico de Palma, Puerto Portals and Port Adriano complete the choice. Port de Sóller, Port de Pollença and Alcúdia serve smaller yachts.
Yachts and what a week costs
The fleet based in Palma covers motor yachts, sailing yachts and catamarans up to superyacht size. As a Mediterranean guide, a 20 to 30 metre motor yacht runs from around EUR 30,000 to EUR 80,000 a week before running costs, and a 30 to 45 metre yacht from around EUR 80,000 to EUR 250,000. Above 50 metres, yachts are quoted individually; sailing yachts usually sit below motor yachts of the same length. The Advance Provisioning Allowance, typically 25 to 35 percent of the base rate, covers fuel, food and port fees. VAT applies at a rate that depends on the cruising area, the all-in cost lands at roughly 130 to 150 percent of the base rate, and gratuity is customarily 5 to 15 percent. See what a charter costs.
How a Mallorca charter is arranged
We shortlist the yachts that suit your group, set the route around the wind and request the Cabrera authorisation in advance. Mallorca pairs naturally with Menorca and Ibiza; our Ibiza and Balearics charter guide covers the wider routes across the Balearic Islands.
Tell us your dates, the size of your group and what you have in mind, and we will come back with a shortlist. Start the conversation.
