Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

The main appeal here is simple: you get a long, easy boat ride along Mallorca’s rugged north coast without arranging a car or tackling the road to Cap de Formentor. Formentor Beach provides the real payoff, with a one-hour stop for swimming in clear water.

I like the changing coastal views and the chance to see bays such as Aucanada and Coll Baix from the sea. I also like the low price, $34 per person, which makes this a reasonable way to spend half a day if you mainly want sun, sea, and scenery.

The catch is the balance between riding and stopping. You spend about three hours on the boat and only around one hour at the beach, while the famous lighthouse may appear from a distance for roughly a minute. On busy departures, the upper deck can fill before you board.

Key points to know before you book

• Four hours from Port Alcudia: The trip leaves from the Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Marítimos Brisa kiosk on Passeig Marítim.
• Formentor Beach is the main stop: You get about one hour for a swim and a break beside the bay.
• The lighthouse is a brief sight: Cap de Formentor is viewed from the boat, not explored on foot.
• The route includes Coll Baix: The boat spends about 40 minutes cruising past this striking coastal area.
• Bring your own refreshments: Food and drinks are not included, and transport to the port is not provided.
• Reserve with flexibility: Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

What this Alcudia boat trip is really designed to do

This is a sightseeing cruise, not a full coastal tour with several shore visits. The boat takes you from Port Alcudia toward the Formentor area, lets you enjoy the coast at an unhurried pace, and gives you a single substantial stop at Formentor Beach.

That distinction matters. If you picture walking around the lighthouse, visiting several coves, or spending most of the day on the sand, this trip will feel limited. If you want to sit back, watch Mallorca pass by, and swim without planning a complicated outing, the format makes good sense.

The price is one of the strongest points. At $34, you are paying for four hours on the water and access to a scenic route that would otherwise require transport, road planning, and a separate beach stop. The value is best when you treat the boat itself as part of the experience, not just as a shuttle to Formentor.

The boat can become crowded. On a sunny day, the upper deck may fill at the start, leaving you on the middle deck even when the weather is ideal. I would arrive early if an open-air seat matters to you, though the exact boarding procedure and departure time should be checked when you reserve.

Leaving Port Alcudia and reaching the north coast

You meet at the boat kiosk of Alcudia Sea Trips, operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa, at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears. You must make your own way to the port, since transfers are not included.

Once underway, the first part of the outing gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the cruise. You are not rushing from one attraction to another. Instead, the coast opens gradually, with the sea, rocky headlands, and small bays providing the main entertainment.

I like this kind of trip for a day when you want fewer decisions. You do not need to navigate the route, search for parking, or organize a beach transfer. You simply find a seat, keep your camera ready, and watch the shoreline change.

The practical question is seating. This is a shared boat excursion, and capacity can affect your comfort. If you want the best chance of a top-deck place, arrive with time to spare. If you are happy with a lower or middle deck, the crowded boarding reports matter less.

The 40-minute cruise past Platja del Coll Baix

The first named part of the route is Platja del Coll Baix, reached during a cruise of about 40 minutes. Coll Baix is known here as a coastal view rather than a beach visit, so you should not expect to get off and explore it.

Seeing a shore from the water gives you a different sense of its shape. Cliffs, coves, and beaches are easier to appreciate as part of the wider coast when you are looking back from a boat. This is one of the more worthwhile parts for anyone who enjoys taking photographs or simply watching Mallorca’s northern edge unfold.

The boat also passes the area around Aucanada and Cap des Pinar. These names mark the changing character of the route, from the waters near Alcudia toward the more dramatic Formentor area.

Keep your expectations in check. The cruise does not promise a stop at every bay, and the schedule allows sightseeing rather than detailed visits. You are seeing several coastal places in one continuous ride, which is convenient but less personal than reaching a beach on foot.

The 25-minute sightseeing stretch across the Balearic waters

After the Coll Baix section, the boat continues for about 25 minutes of general sightseeing in the Balearic Islands. This is part of the journey where the sea becomes the focus.

You may find this stretch relaxing, especially if you enjoy open water and do not need constant commentary or activity. The supplied details do not identify a guide by name or promise a particular language, so I would book this for the scenery rather than for a guided lecture.

Bring a camera, but also bring sun protection. Sunscreen and comfortable clothes are specifically recommended, and the combination of open water, bright sun, and a moving boat can make a half-day feel longer than expected. A hat may also be useful, though it is not listed among the required items.

Food and drinks are not included. Pack what you need if permitted by the boat operator, or plan to eat before or after the trip. Do not assume that the $34 price covers refreshments.

The one-hour stop at Formentor Beach

Formentor Beach is the central stop, with about one hour set aside for a break. This is where you can leave the long ride behind for a while and swim in the clear water of Formentor Bay.

The stop works best if you arrive ready. Wear comfortable clothing that makes it easy to swim, keep your camera protected, and have sunscreen available. One hour is enough for a refreshing swim and a little time by the water, but it is not a full beach day.

That limited time is worth noting. You will not have several hours to settle into a lounger, wander far, or explore the surrounding area. The schedule is built around a quick swim and a chance to enjoy the bay before returning to the boat.

Still, this pause gives the cruise a useful change of pace. Four hours entirely on a boat would feel repetitive for many people. The beach stop breaks up the ride and gives you the most active part of the outing.

For families and couples, this is likely the most memorable section. You get a clear, simple goal: enjoy the water, take a few photographs, and be back when the boat is ready to leave. Just keep an eye on time, since the stop is shared and the boat will not wait for a leisurely return.

Cap de Formentor and the famous lighthouse

After the beach stop, the boat spends about 20 minutes continuing toward Cap de Formentor. The official sightseeing time at the cape is around 10 minutes, followed by a 45-minute return cruise.

This is the point where expectations matter most. The lighthouse is a headline sight, but the boat does not provide a long visit at the cape. You view it from offshore, and on at least one recent departure it was visible for only about 60 seconds from a distance.

I would not book this excursion mainly to photograph the lighthouse up close. The experience gives you a glimpse of Cap de Formentor as part of the coastal route, not an on-land visit. If seeing the lighthouse clearly and spending time nearby is your top goal, you need a different arrangement that reaches the cape by road.

From the boat, though, the brief view can still be worthwhile. The cape is one of Mallorca’s best-known coastal sights, and approaching it from the sea lets you appreciate its position at the end of the northern coast. Just think of it as a scenic pass-by, not a destination stop.

The 45-minute ride back to Alcudia

The return journey takes about 45 minutes. By this stage, you will have had the main beach break and the cape sighting, so the ride back is mainly a chance to rest and enjoy any views you missed on the way out.

This final stretch can feel peaceful after the swim. It can also feel long if you hoped for more time ashore. One negative experience recorded for the excursion described three hours on a crowded boat with only 45 minutes to an hour at the beach. That is a fair warning for anyone who prefers active sightseeing to sitting on the water.

The boat’s comfort and crowding therefore shape the value more than the route map does. On a pleasant day, the ride is the attraction. On a packed departure, the same timetable may feel less generous.

Who will get the most from the $34 price

I think this is a good fit for you if you want:

• A simple half-day outing from Alcudia
• Coastal views without arranging a car
• A relaxed boat ride rather than a strenuous activity
• A swim at Formentor Beach
• A budget-friendly way to see several northern bays
• A flexible booking with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

It is less suitable if you want long beach time, quiet space, or a close visit to the lighthouse. The trip is also a weaker choice if you dislike sitting for long periods or feel uncomfortable in a crowded boat.

At $34, the cost is fair for four hours of coastal transport and sightseeing. It is not a bargain if you judge every minute by time spent on land, because only about one hour is reserved for the beach and roughly 10 minutes for Cap de Formentor sightseeing.

I would compare it with the price of reaching Formentor independently before booking. If you already have a car or another way to reach the beach, you may prefer controlling your own schedule. If you are staying in Alcudia and want the simplest plan, the boat removes much of that work.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Arrive early at the Brisa kiosk, especially if you care about sitting on the upper deck. The top level can fill quickly at Alcudia, and a busy boat may leave you with only a middle-deck seat.

Wear comfortable clothes and bring sunscreen and a camera. The trip is exposed to the sun, and the views are the main reason to keep your phone or camera ready.

Plan around the lack of included food and drinks. Eat before departure or make suitable arrangements for the outing. The supplied information does not list refreshments as part of the price.

Check the starting time when you book, since departure times depend on availability. Keep the cancellation terms in mind too: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your schedule is still moving.

Finally, allow for operational changes. One scheduled excursion was reported as canceled because of a boat breakdown, with no advance notice before passengers arrived. That appears to be an exception, but it is a reminder to keep your plans for the day flexible and check for updates before leaving for the port.

Should you book this Formentor cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, affordable boat day with attractive coastal views and a proper swim stop. The route past Aucanada, Coll Baix, Cap des Pinar, and Formentor gives you a broad look at Mallorca’s north coast, while the $34 price keeps the outing accessible.

Do not book it expecting a full visit to Cap de Formentor or a long afternoon at the beach. The lighthouse is seen briefly from the water, and the boat may be crowded, especially on bright-weather departures.

My advice is to choose this trip for the cruise itself. Arrive early, bring sun protection, accept that the lighthouse is a short sight, and treat the hour at Formentor Beach as the highlight. With those expectations, this is a sensible half-day addition to an Alcudia stay.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

Meet at the boat kiosk of Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Marítimos Brisa, on Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

How long does the excursion last?

The complete boat trip lasts four hours.

Is swimming included?

The schedule includes about a one-hour break at Formentor Beach, where you can swim in the clear water.

Can I visit the Formentor lighthouse on foot?

No. The lighthouse and Cap de Formentor are viewed during a short sightseeing section from the boat.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the activity price.

Is transport to the port provided?

No. You must arrange your own transfer to the meeting point in Port Alcudia.