Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

Formentor is Mallorca’s great coastal showpiece, and this four-hour cruise from Port Alcudia gives you a relaxed way to see its cliffs, coves, and famous lighthouse without driving the winding road. The highlight is Formentor Beach, where you get about an hour for a swim in clear water.

I like the variety of coastal views, from Aucanada and Coll Baix to Cap des Pinar, and I like that the trip leaves the driving to the boat crew. The main catch is simple: this is mostly a sightseeing ride, not a full visit to Cap de Formentor. The lighthouse may appear only briefly from offshore, and the boat can feel crowded, especially on the upper deck.

Key points to know before you book

• Formentor Beach gets the longest stop: Plan on about one hour to swim and relax in the bay.
• The lighthouse is viewed from the water: The Cap de Formentor stop is listed as roughly 10 minutes, and the lighthouse may be visible only from a distance.
• The cruise covers several famous coves: You pass Aucanada, Coll Baix Beach, Cap des Pinar, and other parts of Mallorca’s north coast.
• The boat can fill quickly: On busy departures, the upper deck may be full when you board at Alcudia.
• Bring your own supplies: Food and drinks are not included, but sunscreen, a camera, and comfortable clothing are recommended.
• The price is moderate for a half-day outing: At $34 per person, the value depends on how much you enjoy time on the water.

What the Alcudia to Formentor cruise is really like

This excursion is best understood as a scenic boat ride with a swimming break, not as a shore excursion with several places to explore. You spend most of the four hours seated or standing aboard the vessel, watching Mallorca’s northern coast pass by.

That distinction matters. If you want to walk around Cap de Formentor, visit the lighthouse, or spend a full afternoon on Formentor Beach, this trip will feel too limited. If you want an easy view of the coast and a chance to swim without arranging a car, it offers a pleasant half-day outing.

Transportes Maritimos Brisa operates the trip from its boat kiosk at Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia. You meet at Alcudia Sea Trips, also identified as TM Brisa. The published price is $34 per person, and the cruise lasts four hours.

I like the basic idea. Mallorca’s north coast is much easier to appreciate from the sea, where you can see the shape of the coves and the cliffs together. From the road, you get one viewpoint at a time. From the boat, the scenery keeps changing.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. The cruise does not include food, drinks, or transport to the port. You need to make your own way to the meeting point and bring anything you want to eat or drink.

Leaving Port Alcudia and passing Aucanada

The outing begins at Port Alcudia, a convenient starting point for a trip along Mallorca’s north coast. Once the boat leaves the harbor, the first part is about settling in, finding a seat, and watching the built-up shoreline give way to quieter coves.

Aucanada is one of the first named coastal sights. From the water, you get a broad view of the shore rather than a land visit. This is a good time to take photographs because you are still getting used to the boat and the changing angles.

The boat has different seating areas, and your choice can affect the day. The upper deck offers the clearest open-air views, but it may fill before everyone has found a place. One practical tip is to arrive ready to board and go upstairs promptly if outdoor seating matters to you.

A lower or middle deck gives you shelter and a seat, but your view may be less open. On a bright day, that trade-off can be noticeable. The sun, wind, and spray are part of the experience, so comfortable clothing is more useful than dressing for a formal boat trip.

Coll Baix and the first major coastal views

The cruise spends about 40 minutes around Platja del Coll Baix. This is one of the more rewarding parts of the route because the beach is backed by rugged coastal scenery and is best appreciated from the water.

You do not get a long shore visit here. Instead, the boat gives you time to look toward the beach, cliffs, and sea. I like this portion for people who want photographs and a calm introduction to Mallorca’s wilder northern coast.

The next sightseeing section lasts about 25 minutes and continues through the Balearic Islands’ coastal waters. The route includes views toward Cap des Pinar and other bays. You can sit back while the scenery passes, but do not expect a narrated walking tour or a series of detailed landings. The supplied information does not identify a guide by name or promise a specific commentary style.

This part also reveals the main limitation of the excursion. The scenery is the attraction, but you experience it from a moving boat. If you prefer to stop, wander, and examine a place closely, the pace may feel too quick.

The one-hour pause at Formentor Beach

Formentor Beach is the practical centerpiece of the trip. The boat makes a break of about one hour, giving you time to swim in the clear water of Formentor Bay and enjoy the setting at a slower pace.

That hour makes the cruise more than a simple pass-by of the coast. You can get into the water, cool off, and enjoy the bay rather than spending every minute watching from a seat. Bring swimwear under your clothes if that makes changing easier, although the supplied details do not specify changing facilities.

The swimming stop is also where the value of the $34 price becomes clearest. A boat ride alone may feel short for some people, but a four-hour outing with a substantial stop at one of Mallorca’s best-known beaches gives the day a more useful shape.

At the same time, one hour is not a full beach day. You are not setting up for several hours of sunbathing, and you do not have unlimited time to explore the beach area. Think of this as a refreshing break in the middle of a cruise.

You should also bring sunscreen and a camera. Food and drinks are not included, so check what you can bring aboard or eat before departure. The available information does not provide a menu or onboard refreshment details, so do not count on a meal being part of the fare.

A brief look toward Cap de Formentor

After the beach stop, the boat continues toward Cap de Formentor. The published timing allows about 20 minutes for the ferry ride before roughly 10 minutes of sightseeing at the cape.

Cap de Formentor is famous for its dramatic position at the northern tip of Mallorca and for its lighthouse. But this is a viewing stop from the boat, not a visit to the lighthouse. You should not expect to walk up to the building, tour it, or spend a long time beside it.

The short timing is important. A recent booking experience described the cape as visible from a distance for only about a minute. That does not make the view worthless, but it does mean you need to be ready with your camera and realistic about what you will see.

I would treat the lighthouse as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. The broader coastal setting, the sea, and the approach to the cape are more reliable parts of the experience. If the lighthouse itself is your priority, you need an outing that reaches it by road or includes a proper shore stop.

After this brief sightseeing period, the boat spends about 45 minutes returning to Alcudia. That return leg completes the four-hour schedule and gives you another chance to sit quietly, take photographs, or simply rest after swimming.

How crowded can the boat feel?

Crowding is the biggest practical concern. On busy departures, the upper deck may already be full when you board at Alcudia. If the weather is excellent, many people will want the same open-air seats.

This does not ruin the outing, but it changes how comfortable it feels. A full boat means less freedom to move around, fewer choices of seat, and a greater chance that your preferred viewing position is gone. If you are particular about sitting outside, arrive at the meeting point with enough time to board early.

The information provided does not give a maximum group size, boat dimensions, or a guarantee of upper-deck seating. I would therefore avoid booking this trip if you need a quiet, uncrowded cruise or guaranteed space on an outdoor deck.

The middle deck may be the practical fallback. You still see the coast, and you may appreciate the shade during a sunny crossing. Just remember that the best photographs can be harder to get from a crowded or enclosed position.

Is $34 a fair price?

At $34 per person, this is reasonably priced for a four-hour coastal outing, especially if you value the swimming stop. You are paying for the boat ride, the route past several northern coves, and access to a scheduled stop at Formentor Beach.

The fare looks less attractive if you mainly want to see the lighthouse. The lighthouse portion is short, and the boat does not take you ashore at Cap de Formentor. In that case, much of your time and money goes toward the cruise itself.

I see the price as good value for three types of visitors:

• You want to spend half a day on the water without organizing a private boat.
• You enjoy views more than detailed touring or long walks.
• You want a swim at Formentor Beach built into the schedule.

The price is less convincing if you dislike long boat rides, need plenty of personal space, or want a land-based visit to the cape. You also need to budget for anything you eat or drink because those costs are separate.

What to bring for a more comfortable ride

Pack lightly, but bring the basics. A camera is useful for the changing views of the coves, beach, and cape. Sunscreen is essential for an open-air boat ride, particularly during the longer crossing sections.

Comfortable clothes are recommended. The trip involves several hours aboard the boat, a possible swim, and time in the sun. Wear something that works for sitting, walking to the meeting point, and getting into the water.

I would also bring swimwear, a towel, and water, although the supplied details only specifically list a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. Food and drinks are not included, so plan ahead rather than assuming refreshments will be provided.

The meeting point is the boat kiosk of Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Maritimos BRISA, at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears. Transfers to the port are not included, so you are responsible for reaching the dock.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This cruise suits couples, families, and solo visitors who want an easy way to see Mallorca’s northern coast. It is especially useful if you are staying around Alcudia and want a half-day activity that combines sightseeing with swimming.

You will probably enjoy it if you are happy to let the scenery come to you. There is no need to handle mountain roads or arrange several separate stops. You can sit down, watch the bays, and let the boat cover the distance.

It is also a good fit for swimmers. The hour at Formentor Beach gives the schedule a clear purpose and breaks up the longer ride.

You may want another option if you need extensive commentary, a small boat, or long time ashore. The listed experience does not promise a named guide, a detailed narration, or a land visit to the lighthouse. It is a straightforward boat excursion, and that simplicity is both its strength and its limit.

The cancellation terms are helpful if your plans may change. 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 departure times for your date, since the start time is not fixed in the supplied details.

Should you book the Formentor boat trip?

Book it if you want coastal scenery, a relaxed boat ride, and a proper swimming break for a moderate price. The route gives you a pleasant look at Aucanada, Coll Baix, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Beach, and Cap de Formentor without requiring a car.

Do not book it expecting a lighthouse tour or a full day at the beach. The cape may be visible only briefly, and the boat can be crowded, with the upper deck filling early.

My practical verdict is simple: choose this as a scenic half-day cruise with swimming, not as the definitive way to visit Formentor. Arrive early for the best chance of an outdoor seat, bring your own sun protection and refreshments, and keep your expectations focused on the sea views. For the right kind of day, $34 is a fair price for an easy outing along Mallorca’s spectacular north coast.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

Meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Maritimos BRISA boat kiosk on Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts four hours. The schedule includes coastal sightseeing, a one-hour break at Formentor Beach, a short sightseeing stop at Cap de Formentor, and the return to Alcudia.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops at Formentor Bay for about one hour, giving you time to swim in the clear water.

Can I visit the Formentor lighthouse?

No land visit is included. The lighthouse and Cap de Formentor are viewed from the boat during a sightseeing stop of about 10 minutes.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price, so you should plan accordingly.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to book without paying immediately.