Mallorca Catamaran Tour in the Bay of Pollensa

Northern Mallorca’s best views arrive from the water. This four-and-a-half-hour cruise takes you from Port de Pollença past quiet coves, S’Illot, Formentor Beach, and the old pirate-watchtower ruins. The main pleasures are clear-water swim stops and a generous lunch served aboard the Robinson Catamaran.

I like the easy mix of scenery and activity: you can stretch out on the front nets, grab snorkeling gear, or simply watch the coast slide by. I also like the friendly crew, with Captain Antonio singled out for warm service. The main caution is capacity. The boat can feel comfortable with a moderate load, but some departures have felt crowded, and paddleboards may not always be offered.

Key points at a glance

• Four and a half hours on Pollensa Bay: Enough time for sailing, swimming, lunch, and a beach stop without making a full day of it.
• Formentor is the star stop: You get time on one of Mallorca’s prettiest beaches, backed by pine forest and clear water.
• Lunch is included: Expect pasta salad, chicken, salami, cheese, Mallorcan bread, fruit, and drinks.
• Swimming comes first: Bring a towel and plan to use the provided snorkeling gear. Stand-up paddleboards are advertised, but availability has not been consistent.
• The Robinson Catamaran has open-air choices: Sit on benches or claim space on the forward nets, depending on crowding.
• Capacity matters: The maximum is 78 people, so ask about the expected load if having room to spread out is important to you.

Setting sail from Port de Pollença

The excursion begins at Stay Restaurant on Moll Nou in Port de Pollença. If you are staying in Alcudia or Can Picafort, coach pickup is available to bring you to the port. The activity finishes back at the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple if you are relying on the organized transport.

Port de Pollença is a good departure point. The bay opens wide from here, and the catamaran can make a broad circuit rather than hugging one short stretch of shore. Once aboard the Robinson Catamaran, you can choose a bench or the nets at the front. The nets are the most fun place to ride when there is room, but they tend to fill quickly.

The boat carries up to 78 people. That is not a small private sailing trip, and you should set your expectations accordingly. Some departures have felt relaxed, even with more than 60 people aboard. Others have been described as too full, with limited space on the nets and difficulty finding somewhere comfortable to sit.

I would arrive ready to board rather than assuming you can claim the best spot later. If you care about the front nets, go early and move aboard when invited. If you prefer shade or a steady seat, a bench may suit you better.

The first hours across Pollensa Bay

The opening cruise is about the view rather than a narrated sightseeing program. You will see the northern coast from a fresh angle, with hills, beaches, coves, and open Mediterranean water around you. Bring a camera, but protect it from spray during rougher stretches.

The water can change quickly. One account describes an early ride with plenty of splashing before the catamaran reached the calmer waters near Formentor. On a smooth day, the crossing should feel easy. On a windy day, the boat may pitch and spray, so anyone prone to seasickness should sit in a stable area and keep the conditions in mind.

The route can change because of wind, weather, timing, and safety. That is important here. Boat tours cannot promise the same swim stop or exact order every time, and the published route includes several places you may pass rather than visit ashore.

Passing Ses Caletes and S’Illot

Ses Caletes is a small cove with notably clear water. The catamaran sails by this pretty inlet, giving you a quick look at one of the bay’s less accessible coastal spots. It is a scenic moment, but do not assume you will walk ashore there. The stated stop is a passage of about 45 minutes, and the route can shift with conditions.

The boat also passes S’Illot, a small beach below the La Victoria area of Alcudia. The setting includes the hilltop Ermita de la Victoria and a secluded strip of coast known for clear water and sunsets. From the boat, the appeal is the combination of rocky shore, small beach, and hilltop chapel.

This is a good example of what the cruise does well. You can see places that are awkward to reach by land without spending the day driving from one beach to another. The tradeoff is that passing a cove is not the same as exploring it. If your priority is walking ashore at several remote beaches, this is not the right format.

Formentor Beach gives the day its main pause

Formentor is the emotional center of the trip. The beach is backed by pine trees and framed by clear water, making it one of the most attractive coastal stops in northern Mallorca. After sailing into the area, you get time to go ashore, swim, relax on the sand, or buy something at a beach restaurant.

The stop is useful because it breaks up the boat time. You are not confined to the catamaran for the full four and a half hours, and you can choose your pace for a while. Swim if the water looks inviting, stroll along the beach, or find a place to sit and take in the bay.

Allow for a simple beach visit, not a private retreat. Formentor is a popular place, and the beach restaurants and shops give it a developed feel compared with the smaller coves passed earlier. Bring a towel, and consider carrying a small snack or drink if you do not want to buy one ashore.

Several people have wished for more time at Formentor. That makes sense. It is the kind of place where one hour can pass quickly, especially if you want to swim, take photographs, and walk the beach. The schedule has to balance this stop with lunch, swimming, and the return sail, so you will not have unlimited time.

Above the beach are the remains of a centuries-old watchtower built to watch for pirates. From that height, guards could see toward Mallorca’s northern tip and across the bay. You will not necessarily visit the ruins during the cruise, but knowing their purpose adds a useful layer to the view from the water.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the paddleboard question

The best active part of the trip comes when the catamaran drops anchor in clear water. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the stops are meant for swimming and looking beneath the surface. The water can be especially rewarding around the quieter parts of the bay, where small fish may gather near the boat.

Bring your own mask if you want a precise fit, but the included equipment makes it easy to join in without packing a full kit. You will also want a towel, sun protection, and a dry bag or secure place for a phone.

Stand-up paddleboards are listed as part of the facilities, and some people have used them. However, they have not appeared on every departure, or they have not always been offered clearly. Treat the SUP as a possible extra rather than the main reason to book. Snorkeling and swimming are the safer expectations.

The swim periods may feel short to strong swimmers. One account describes stops of around 20 minutes, while the overall schedule includes a longer hour around Formentor and another stop near the return journey. If you want to spend most of your day in the water, a dedicated snorkeling trip would give you more time. Here, swimming is one part of a wider coastal outing.

Lunch aboard the Robinson Catamaran

Lunch is served on board after the Formentor portion of the cruise. The meal includes pasta salad, chicken, salami, cheese, Mallorcan bread, fruit, and drinks. It is a practical boat lunch rather than a restaurant meal, but the portions are generally intended to be generous enough for a half-day on the water.

The combination works well for a mixed group. There is a reasonable range of cold food, a chicken option, bread, cheese, fruit, and drinks. A vegetarian choice has been accommodated, but you should not assume a broad special-diet menu without checking before booking.

The most useful detail is that drinks are included with lunch, while additional coffee, soft drinks, cocktails, and other purchases outside the meal may cost extra. Prices for those extras have been described as reasonable, but bring this distinction in mind so you know what is included.

Food quality is one of the tour’s more mixed points. I would describe it as filling and respectable, not a culinary highlight. Some people find it tasty and plentiful, while others consider it basic. The value comes from having lunch handled during a scenic boat day, not from expecting a long restaurant-style meal.

Crew, comfort, and the real value

The crew receives some of the warmest praise attached to this experience. You can expect a friendly, easygoing team, and Captain Antonio has been noted by name for his pleasant service. One crew member has even played Spanish guitar on the return, adding a cheerful local touch when the boat is heading back toward port.

The boat also has clean bathrooms, which matters more than it sounds on a four-and-a-half-hour outing. Benches are comfortable enough for the cruise, and the forward nets offer a more memorable ride when they are available.

The atmosphere depends heavily on capacity. With a manageable number aboard, the boat feels social but not cramped. When it is full, the nets and prime seating can disappear quickly, and the experience becomes less relaxed. The maximum of 78 people is worth noting when comparing this with smaller sailing trips.

At $82.24 per person, the price is fair if you plan to use several parts of the experience: coastal sightseeing, a beach stop, swimming, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks. It is less compelling if you mainly want a quiet boat ride or a long, uninterrupted swim. A private charter would offer more space and control, but it would cost much more. A basic sightseeing cruise might cost less, but would not provide the same combination of food and water activities.

The tour is usually booked about 15 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last moment during a busy Mallorca holiday. It is also non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed to run the experience is not reached.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits families, couples, and groups of friends who want several Mallorca highlights in one half-day. Teenagers have plenty to do, from swimming and snorkeling to using the nets and possibly trying a paddleboard. The beach stop keeps the day from feeling like one long stretch at sea.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in Alcudia or Can Picafort and want organized transport to the port. You can see Formentor and the Pollensa coast without arranging a separate boat rental or driving the full route yourself.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, are very sensitive to rough seas, or want long periods of quiet. Check the weather, avoid packing a tight evening plan, and be ready for the trip to run longer than the nominal schedule if boarding or conditions slow things down.

Should you book the Pollensa Bay catamaran?

Book it if you want a sociable, activity-filled half-day with Formentor Beach as the main prize. The lunch, snorkeling gear, clear-water stops, and friendly crew make the $82.24 price reasonable for many visitors.

Skip it if a crowded boat would ruin your day, or if your main goal is a private and peaceful sail. Ask about expected capacity and SUP availability before paying, arrive early for the forward nets, and bring a towel. With those expectations in place, this is a practical way to see northern Mallorca from the water.

FAQ

Where does the Mallorca catamaran tour begin?

The meeting point is Stay Restaurant, Moll Nou, s/n, 07470 Port de Pollença, Mallorca.

Where does the activity finish?

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Port de Pollença.

Is transport available from Alcudia or Can Picafort?

Yes. Coach pickup is provided from Alcudia and Can Picafort to Puerto Pollensa, where the catamaran departs.

How long does the tour last?

The catamaran experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes pasta salad, chicken, salami, cheese, Mallorcan bread, fruit, and drinks.

Are drinks included?

Drinks are included with lunch. Coffee, soft drinks, cocktails, and other drinks purchased outside the meal may cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided on board.

Are stand-up paddleboards provided?

Stand-up paddleboards are listed as available, but their use has not been consistent on every departure. Treat them as subject to availability.

Can I visit Formentor Beach?

Yes. The tour includes time at Formentor Beach, where you can swim, relax, visit a restaurant, or look around the beach area.

Can the route change?

Yes. The route may change because of wind, time, weather, or safety conditions.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal cancellation or amendment requests. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you are offered another date or a full refund.