Catamaran Sailing in Palma Mallorca includes Aperitif and BBQ

The best part of this Palma cruise is the combination of open-water sailing and a proper meal onboard. You leave the port, pass along the Bay of Palma, stop at scenic coves, and eat a freshly prepared BBQ rather than settling for a few packaged snacks. I especially like the new 2023 catamaran and its limit of 55 people, well below its capacity of 84.

I also like that paddleboards are included and that the route gives you time to swim instead of rushing from one photo stop to the next. The main caution is that the boat can still feel busy, music may be loud in some seating areas, and the route or swimming time can change with the weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Two food services: Enjoy an aperitif at La Cueva Verda, followed by a freshly prepared BBQ near Cala Vella.
• A newer, roomier boat: The catamaran was launched in 2023 and carries a maximum of 55 people, although it can hold 84.
• Water time is part of the plan: Swimming and stand-up paddleboarding are included when conditions allow.
• Drinks cost extra: The onboard bar sells cocktails, mixed drinks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• A long half-day outing: Allow about 5 hours and 30 minutes, including sailing from and back to Palma.
• Weather can change the route: Poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund.

A new catamaran with room to spread out

This is not a short harbor trip. The full outing lasts about 5 hours and 30 minutes, giving you a proper half-day on the Mediterranean. You begin at Oasis Catamaran on Av. de Gabriel Roca, 16, at Palma’s port, then return to the same point at the end.

The boat is brand new in 2023, which matters more than it may sound. A catamaran gives you several seating zones, a broad deck, and a steadier ride than many smaller single-hull boats. The vessel can hold 84 people, but the advertised maximum is 55. That leaves more breathing room for sitting in the sun, finding shade, moving around, and getting to the water without feeling packed shoulder to shoulder.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. A maximum of 55 is not an intimate private sailing. One person found the boat too crowded, especially compared with the promise of a less congested outing. The experience will feel most comfortable if you enjoy a social boat with room to move, rather than expecting a quiet yacht charter.

Shoes are requested off when boarding. That is a practical rule on a boat, keeping the deck cleaner and reducing the chance of wet footprints and grit underfoot. Wear something comfortable, and do not count on having your usual street shoes available while you move around the vessel.

Leaving Palma through the Bay

The first stretch takes you away from the port and across the Bay of Palma. This is a pleasant way to see the island from a different angle. Instead of spending the entire day on a beach, you get changing views as the city recedes and the coast opens up.

The sailing itself is part of the point. You can settle into a seat, watch the water, and let the crew handle the route while you get into holiday mode. The boat has both covered and sunny seating, so you can choose between shade and a warmer spot on deck.

Music is part of the atmosphere. Most of the feedback about the mood is positive, with good tunes helping the outing feel festive. But one family found the music too loud in the seats below the speakers, making conversation difficult. If you want to talk with the people in your group, avoid sitting directly under the loudest sound system when you board.

This is also a good reason not to treat the cruise as a sightseeing lecture. The route is scenic, but there is no promise of detailed commentary about each cove or landmark. One unhappy experience centered on the lack of information about the places visited. If you want a history lesson or a guide explaining every headland, choose a dedicated sightseeing tour instead.

La Cueva Verda and the aperitif stop

The first food stop is described as La Cueva Verda, where you receive an aperitif. This gives the outing a gentler start than going straight from the port to a full meal. You can settle into the rhythm of the boat, enjoy a light bite, and take in the setting before the main stop.

The name suggests a cave or cove setting, but the exact appearance and access can vary with sea conditions and the final route. You should think of it as a scenic pause with food, not as a guaranteed cave exploration. The operator states that the route may change according to the weather.

This stop works well for couples and families who want a relaxed pace. You are not simply sailing nonstop for several hours. The itinerary breaks the day into manageable sections: departure, an aperitif, more time on the water, a swimming and BBQ stop, then the return across the bay.

Food quality is one of the strongest points of the outing. The aperitif is often described alongside tapas-style food, and the meal service is presented as generous enough that there may be food available for seconds. Exact dishes are not specified, so you should not book expecting a particular menu item. What you can count on is an aperitif as part of the experience and a BBQ later in the route.

Cala Vella, swimming, and the onboard BBQ

The main stop is Cala Vella, a nature reserve known for clear water and sheltered coves. This is where the catamaran pauses for swimming, relaxing, and paddleboarding. It is the part of the trip most likely to determine whether the cruise feels worth the price.

The water stop is not just a quick photo break. The stated plan gives you time to swim and use the stand-up paddleboards included in the fare. You can jump from the boat into the water, float near the catamaran, or take a board out for a different view of the cove.

Conditions matter. The operator can alter the route depending on weather, and the water may not always be suitable for swimming or paddleboarding. One disappointed participant said the boat stopped fewer times than expected and that swimming was not possible. This is the key risk to understand: the cruise includes access to water activities, but neither a fixed number of stops nor guaranteed swimming conditions.

While you enjoy the cove, the crew prepares the BBQ directly onboard. That makes the meal feel like part of the sailing experience rather than an unrelated lunch break at a restaurant. The food is repeatedly praised for being plentiful and enjoyable, with one particularly strong response noting two substantial meal services and dessert.

The meal is likely to suit you if you want a hearty, casual lunch after swimming. It is less suitable if you need a carefully specified menu or have strict dietary requirements, since no detailed food list or dietary information is provided. Contact the operator before booking if allergies or special diets matter to you.

The return sail and onboard bar

After the Cala Vella stop, the boat sails back through the Bay of Palma. The return gives you another chance to sit in the sun, find a shaded place, or simply watch the coast from the water. On a five-and-a-half-hour outing, this slower stretch helps the day feel like a full cruise rather than a transfer between two stops.

The bar remains open throughout the excursion. You can buy cocktails, mixed drinks, and other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Drinks are not included in the $109.31 price, so budget for them separately if you want more than the included food and paddleboarding.

That pricing makes reasonable sense for a long boat outing with two food services, a newer catamaran, crew, and water equipment. You are paying for the time on the water as much as for the lunch. It offers better value if you plan to swim, paddleboard, and spend most of the day enjoying the boat.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a brief scenic sail or a quiet meal. You could spend much of the five-and-a-half hours sitting onboard, and extra drinks will raise the total. Also, the boat is shared, so you are buying a polished group experience rather than privacy.

What the 55-person limit really means

The advertised limit is important. The boat can carry 84 people, but the excursion caps the group at 55. This should make movement and seating easier than on a fully loaded vessel, and several strong experiences praised the room available both in the sun and under cover.

At the same time, 55 people can still create a lively, busy deck. If several catamarans leave around the same time, the overall harbor may feel crowded even if your own boat has more space. One person was pleased that this catamaran seemed less crowded than others departing together, while another still felt there were too many people onboard.

I would book this for people who enjoy a social atmosphere, music, food, and easy access to the sea. I would not choose it for anyone seeking silence, personal service, or the feeling of having a private boat.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, professional, polite, and attentive. That matters on a full-day-style boat outing. Efficient service, help around the water activities, and a good mood can make the difference between a smooth day and a frustrating one.

Who will enjoy this Palma cruise most

This is a strong fit for couples looking for an easy day on the water. You can share a meal, swim from the boat, take a paddleboard out, and watch the coast without having to organize transport between several coves.

It also works well for families, provided everyone is comfortable with a group boat and music. The included food and simple water activities mean you do not need to plan much once onboard. Parents should still consider that swimming depends on the weather and that the boat may be lively rather than quiet.

It suits groups of friends who want a relaxed party atmosphere without booking a private charter. The bar, music, open deck, and swimming stop create a social setting, while the BBQ removes the need to arrange lunch elsewhere.

You may want another type of excursion if you care most about detailed commentary, a fixed route, three or more guaranteed stops, or a peaceful sailing experience. The route can change, the number of stops is not presented as fixed, and the music may be loud in some places.

Practical details before you go

The meeting point is Oasis Catamaran, Av. de Gabriel Roca, 16, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain. The activity ends back at that same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from the coast.

Your booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and a mobile ticket is available. The activity is described as suitable for most people, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility or swimming-equipment guidance.

Bring sun protection. You will spend several hours outdoors, and the boat includes both sunny and covered seating, but the covered areas may fill first. Comfortable clothing is sensible, especially since shoes are removed onboard.

The fare includes the aperitif, BBQ, and stand-up paddleboarding. It does not include drinks. The bar sells alcoholic and non-alcoholic options throughout the trip, so decide in advance how much you want to spend beyond the advertised price.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number needed to run the activity is not met.

Should you book it?

I would book this catamaran if you want a full half-day of scenery, swimming, paddleboarding, music, and food without arranging each part yourself. The newer boat, 55-person limit, generous BBQ, and consistently well-regarded crew make the $109.31 price fair for an active day on the water.

Go in expecting a shared excursion, not a private yacht. Accept that the route and swimming stop depend on weather, keep extra money for drinks, and choose your seat with the music level in mind. If that sounds like your kind of Mallorca day, this is a well-rounded choice from Palma.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

It starts at Oasis Catamaran, Av. de Gabriel Roca, 16, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise ends back at the same meeting point in Palma.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

What food is included?

The fare includes an aperitif at the first stop and a BBQ at the second stop.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are not included, but the onboard bar sells cocktails, mixed drinks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the excursion.

Is paddleboarding included?

Yes. Stand-up paddleboarding is included in the price.

How many people can join the cruise?

The catamaran has a capacity of 84 people, but the excursion operates with a maximum of 55 people onboard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The route may be changed because of weather. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.