Alcudia: Formentor Beach, Lighthouse Cruise, and Small Group

The best part of this four-hour speedboat trip is the access. From Alcudia, you reach coves, cliffs, caves, and swimming spots that are awkward or impossible to visit by road. The boat carries no more than 12 people, so the outing feels personal rather than like a floating bus.

I like the small group, which makes it easier to ask questions, move around, and get help climbing back aboard. I also like the mix of fast open-water riding and quiet swim stops, with guides such as Andy and Cesar adding plenty of humor and local explanation.

The main caution is simple: this is a lively speedboat ride, not a slow sightseeing cruise. The boat can bounce over the waves, and you need enough mobility to board, swim, and climb back in. If you get seasick, take sensible precautions before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• A maximum of 12 people keeps the boat friendly and avoids the crowded feel of a large excursion vessel.
• Several swim stops are built into the route, including Cap Pinar and secluded coves near Formentor.
• Formentor Lighthouse is viewed from the water, alongside the cliffs of Cap de Formentor.
• Snorkeling equipment is available, and the sea conditions can make the coves especially rewarding.
• The ride can be fast and bumpy, so this suits active visitors more than anyone wanting a gentle harbor cruise.
• Hotel pickup is optional from Can Picafort, Playa de Muro, and Puerto Pollensa, with pickup usually 30 to 45 minutes before departure.

A small boat from Alcudia, not a standard sightseeing cruise

This trip begins at the supplier office, Sea Alcudia Explorer, in the port area. You are asked to arrive 15 minutes before departure, then board a small speedboat for a route along Mallorca’s north coast.

That detail matters. The boat is more like a large rigid inflatable or zodiac-style craft than a traditional decked cruise ship. You sit close to the water, feel the motion, and get a much better view of the cliffs and coves than you would from a high-sided ferry.

The reward is excitement. The captain can make the ride lively when conditions allow, and the open boat gives you an immediate sense of the sea. The tradeoff is comfort. Wind, spray, and wave movement are part of the experience, so bring a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and protection from the sun.

The group limit of 12 is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. A small boat can pause in tighter areas, and the guide can speak to people directly. Captains including Andy and Cesar have been praised for keeping the mood relaxed, explaining the coastline, and helping people back aboard after a swim.

First stop: Es Coll Baix and the Alcanada lighthouse

After leaving Port d’Alcudia, the boat heads toward Es Coll Baix, one of the striking beaches on this side of Mallorca. The approach from the sea gives you a different view from a land visit, with the surrounding rock and open water framing the beach.

The route also passes the lighthouse on the island of Alcanada. This is a small but worthwhile detail early in the ride. Rather than rushing straight to Formentor, the trip gives you several coastal sights along the way.

Es Coll Baix is used as a swimming stop when conditions permit. You can get into the water from the boat and cool off before continuing. If you prefer to stay dry, the stop still gives you time to take in the scenery, but swimming is a central part of the day, not an optional extra in spirit.

You should expect a practical setup rather than a beach club. You enter the water from the boat, and you may need to climb a ladder or use the boat’s access point to get out. The captain can assist, but you should be comfortable with that movement.

Cap Pinar, clear water, and snorkeling

The boat then continues toward the coves of Cap Pinar. This is where the trip shifts from sightseeing to active time on the water.

The coves are described as untouched and are valued for their clear water. Snorkeling gear is available, so you can look below the surface rather than simply take a quick swim. Several departures have included more than one snorkeling stop, which gives you another chance if the first cove is busy or the water feels cool.

Do not expect a formal snorkeling lesson or a long guided session with a set underwater route. This is free time in a scenic cove. You choose whether to swim, snorkel, float, or remain aboard.

The water access is one of the best values in the outing. Many boat tours give you a view of the coast and little else. Here, you get repeated chances to enter the sea, and the small group makes the stops feel less rushed.

Bring a towel and dry clothing. A spare swimsuit is useful if you plan to stay comfortable for the rest of the afternoon. The boat can be wet, and the ride after a swim may feel breezy.

Es Caló and the Bay of Pollença

From Cap Pinar, the route moves into the Bay of Pollença and toward Es Caló. This is a small, secluded beach with a more private feel than Mallorca’s famous public stretches.

The area is also associated with La Fortaleza, one of Mallorca’s most expensive mansions. You see it as part of the coastal scenery, along with the quiet beach and surrounding cliffs. This gives the route a little variety: natural coves are paired with a glimpse of the island’s high-end residential side.

Es Caló is not presented as a long shore visit. The appeal is seeing the beach from the water and, depending on the day’s plan and sea conditions, stopping nearby for a swim. You should not book this expecting a full beach afternoon with shops, loungers, or facilities.

That is part of the charm. The coastline feels less developed from the boat, and you can reach places that are not designed for large numbers of people. At the same time, the lack of facilities means you should bring anything you need with you.

Formentor Beach and time to swim

The route continues toward Formentor Beach, one of the best-known beaches in northern Mallorca. Reaching it by boat avoids the need to spend the day on the road, and the water gives you a broad view of the shore.

Formentor is a useful midpoint in the trip because it adds a more recognizable beach to the quieter coves. You may have time to swim, explore, or simply enjoy the stop. Some departures have also allowed time for lunch here, though you should confirm the exact plan when booking because the schedule can shift with conditions.

The beach stop breaks up the faster parts of the ride. If you have spent the morning bouncing over waves, this is a chance to slow down. You can also use the time to dry off before the boat heads toward the cliffs and lighthouse.

Keep your expectations practical. The tour lasts four hours, and the route covers a lot of coastline. This is not an unhurried beach day. You get a taste of several places rather than a long stay at one.

Cala Murta and the wild side of Formentor

Near Formentor, the boat heads toward Cala Murta, a smaller cove that feels more sheltered and secluded than the main beach. This is the kind of place that shows why a small boat works well here.

The cove is suited to another swim or a quiet pause. Some outings also include views of caves along this part of the coast. From the water, the rock formations are easier to appreciate because you see their full height and shape rather than only the section beside a road or footpath.

The stop can be especially good for people who prefer quiet water to an open beach. You will not have a full range of services, and conditions can change, but the setting is one of the more memorable parts of the route.

The captain’s role matters here. Guides such as Cesar have been praised for adjusting the pace and making the trip interactive while still visiting the planned sights. That flexibility is useful on a coastal trip, where wind and waves can affect the best place to stop.

Cap de Formentor cliffs and the lighthouse

The final major section takes you along the cliffs of Cap de Formentor in the Serra de Tramuntana. This area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site connected with the Tramuntana mountain range, and the view from sea level gives you a strong sense of its scale.

The cliffs are the dramatic payoff of the trip. You see the rock rising sharply from the water, with the boat close enough to make the coastline feel immediate. The ride can be windy and lively here, so hold on and protect loose items.

The boat then reaches the area around Cap de Formentor Lighthouse. You admire the lighthouse from the water rather than visiting it by land. That distinction is important. This tour does not include a land stop at the lighthouse or transport up to it.

Still, the sea approach gives you a memorable angle. You see the lighthouse set against the cliffs and open water, with far fewer road concerns than a land visit. If your main goal is an interior visit or a road trip to the lighthouse viewpoint, choose a different excursion. If you want to combine the lighthouse with swimming and coves, this route makes more sense.

What the four hours feel like

The schedule packs a lot into a half day: Es Coll Baix, Alcanada, Cap Pinar, Es Caló, Formentor Beach, Cala Murta, Cap de Formentor, and the lighthouse area. You spend much of the time moving, with short stops for swimming, snorkeling, views, and caves.

That makes the tour feel active. You are not sitting in one place while a guide points at the shore. The boat ride itself is a major part of the experience.

Some people will love the motion. The speed, wind, and occasional bounce can feel like a small roller coaster on the water. Others may find it tiring or uncomfortable, especially if they are prone to seasickness.

I would take seasickness medicine if you already know you need it, and I would not wait until the boat is moving. Accupressure wristbands and similar precautions have also been used by some passengers. They are not a guarantee, but planning ahead is wiser than hoping for calm seas.

Guides, drinks, and the small-group atmosphere

The guides help shape the day. Andy has been singled out for a funny, easygoing manner and for handling music requests. Cesar has been praised for explaining the beaches, caves, and coastline while keeping the group involved. The exact captain depends on the departure.

The best guiding here is informal. You get information while moving between stops, then the guide helps organize swimming and snorkeling. Do not expect a long lecture about Mallorcan history. Expect short explanations, local context, jokes, and practical help.

Water is included. Beer has also been available on some departures, sometimes in generous quantities, but the formal inclusions specify access to water rather than a guaranteed drinks package. If a drink is important to you, confirm what will be supplied on your sailing.

Music may be played aboard, and the mood can be social. With only 12 people, you will probably interact with the rest of the group more than you would on a large boat. That can be a plus if you enjoy meeting people, though a private charter would suit anyone wanting complete quiet.

Is $85 a fair price?

At $85 per person, the value depends on how you use the four hours. You are paying for boat transport, a small group, a guide, several coastal stops, swimming access, and snorkeling opportunities. You also see a wide section of northern Mallorca without arranging separate beach transfers.

That is a solid deal for an active half-day, especially if you would otherwise book a boat trip and a separate snorkeling outing. The small group is important here. A cheaper large boat may offer similar scenery, but it is unlikely to give you the same access or personal attention.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the basic price. An optional pickup is available from Can Picafort, Playa de Muro, and Puerto Pollensa, with collection 30 to 45 minutes before the tour depending on your hotel. If you are staying elsewhere, plan your own way to the Sea Alcudia Explorer office.

The tour also offers reserve now and pay later booking, plus free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms are useful if your Mallorca plans are still moving around.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this for an active couple, a small group of friends, or a family with older children who want swimming and scenery in the same outing. It is also a good choice if you want to see Formentor from the sea instead of spending a full day on roads.

You should be comfortable with:

• A fast, open speedboat
• Wind and possible spray
• Several water entries
• Climbing back aboard after swimming
• A four-hour schedule with many stops

I would think twice if you suffer badly from seasickness, dislike fast boat rides, or need easy step-free access. The captain can help, but the format still requires movement and some physical effort.

My verdict: book it for active coastal sightseeing

Book this tour if you want Mallorca’s north coast in a compact, energetic package. The best reasons are the 12-person limit, repeated swim and snorkel stops, and the chance to see Cap de Formentor and its lighthouse from the water.

Skip it if your idea of a cruise means a quiet deck, a steady ride, and a long stop at one beach. This is a speedboat adventure with scenery between the stops and plenty of water time. For the right person, $85 buys a lively and varied morning or afternoon, not just a view from a boat.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet at the Sea Alcudia Explorer supplier office in the Port of Alcudia. Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in the Port of Alcudia.

How long is the boat trip?

The experience lasts four hours. Available starting times vary, so check the schedule when booking.

How many people are on the boat?

The boat carries a maximum of 12 people, creating a small-group experience.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional pickup is available from hotels in Can Picafort, Playa de Muro, and Puerto Pollensa. Pickup takes place 30 to 45 minutes before the tour, depending on your location.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling is part of the experience, and snorkeling gear has been provided for use during the stops. Water access is included.

Is hotel transportation included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included unless you select the pickup option.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later booking is also available.