Palma de Mallorca: 5-Hour Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Swim

The best part of this Mallorca catamaran cruise is simple: you spend a full half-day moving between beautiful coves, swimming from the boat, and eating lunch at sea. The south coast gives you clear water, rocky shorelines, beach views, and a fine look back toward Palma as the boat returns.

I like the generous time in the water, especially at the first stop near Cala Vella or Portals Vells. I also like the practical value: for $69, your boat ride, barbecue, wine, sangria, soft drinks, coffee, juice, and water are covered. The main consideration is size. This is a popular, fully booked catamaran at times, not a quiet private sailing trip, and the exact route depends on the wind.

Quick facts about the Palma catamaran cruise

• Two swim stops near Cala Vella or Portals Vells: Expect one beautiful cove and a second nearby anchorage, though weather and sea conditions can change the plan.
• Barbecue cooked on board: Chicken breast, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and cake make this more than a boat ride with a snack.
• Afternoon sailing can end with sunset views: The 3:30 PM departure may give you warm evening light on the return to Palma.
• Snorkeling gear is available: Bring €10 in cash for the refundable equipment deposit, or bring your own mask.
• A lively shared-boat atmosphere: Music, dancing, sangria, and an upbeat crew suit social groups, families, and solo visitors who like meeting people.
• Easy harbor departure: Find the Magic Catamarans boat at the pier opposite the Auditorium de Palma and arrive 30 minutes early.

Leaving Palma harbor beside the Auditorium

Your day begins at the Port of Palma, at the dock on the harbor side of the Auditorium de Palma along Passeig Marítim. Look for the boat marked Magic Catamarans. The meeting point is straightforward, but allow time to find it, especially if you are unfamiliar with Palma’s long waterfront.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Parking near the dock is very limited, so a car can be more trouble than it is worth. If you are staying in Palma, plan your route to the harbor in advance rather than arriving at the last minute.

As the catamaran leaves, you get a pleasant opening view of Palma from the water. Cruise ships and large yachts fill parts of the harbor, and the city gradually opens behind you. On the afternoon sailing, the return can bring the best light, with some departures passing close to Palma Cathedral for photographs.

The boat is spacious and smooth, but it carries a sizeable group. That is useful if you want room to move around, change sides, or find a place in the sun. It also means you should not expect the calm, personal feel of a small charter.

Sailing south toward Mallorca’s coves

The cruise heads along Mallorca’s south coast toward Cala Vella or Portals Vells. The captain chooses the route according to wind and sea conditions, so the advertised cove is not guaranteed on every departure.

That flexibility is sensible. A fixed route sounds attractive on paper, but a good captain will choose a safer anchorage when the sea is rough. The stops are close enough to one another that the change should not ruin the day, though the scenery and water quality can vary from one cove to the next.

The first stop is usually the highlight. The boat anchors near the coastline, allowing you to swim toward shallower water and see small fish close to the rocks. The water can be clear and wonderfully warm in summer, and it may still be comfortable for swimming in October.

You are not simply looking at the sea from a deck chair. The crew gives you time to get into the water, swim around the catamaran, and use a mask to look for marine life. Life vests are available for adults and children, which makes the activity easier for families with younger children.

Snorkeling equipment requires a €10 cash deposit. The deposit is refundable, so bring the cash even if you plan to use the boat’s masks. You can also bring your own equipment, which may save time at the start of the swim stop.

Cala Vella or Portals Vells for swimming

Cala Vella and Portals Vells are the two named destinations for the main stop. The appeal is the setting: turquoise water, an idyllic beach nearby, and a view of Mallorca’s coast from offshore rather than from a crowded beach towel.

At the best anchorage, you can swim in clear water with fish visible below. The exact conditions depend on recent weather. Heavy rain can make the water less clear for a time, and wind can push the catamaran toward a more sheltered location.

The first swim may be shorter, sometimes around 30 minutes, while the longer stop can last about an hour and a half. The timing is not presented as a strict promise, so treat the two stops as a general plan rather than a minute-by-minute schedule.

The crew prepares the barbecue while you are in the water. That makes good use of the stop, but remember that the smell of grilled meat will be hard to ignore when you are ready to climb back aboard.

The second stop can be a pleasant extra swim, but it may not match the first. Some departures anchor in deeper water away from the coast, where the sea is refreshing but less blue and there are fewer fish to see. If your priority is snorkeling, make the most of the first cove.

One practical point matters here: the schedule is weather dependent. Most descriptions call for two swim stops, yet conditions can occasionally reduce the number. You should book this for the overall mix of sailing, swimming, lunch, and scenery, not solely for a guaranteed snorkeling itinerary.

Barbecue lunch with Mallorca wine and sangria

Once you are back on board, the crew serves a buffet meal. The listed selection includes chicken breast, skewers, sausages, fresh salads, bread, and cake for dessert. Some departures also feature tuna, fruit, or extra items, but the core meal is a casual barbecue rather than a restaurant-style lunch.

I would set expectations at solid and filling. The generous portions are a real plus after swimming, and the food gives the $69 fare much of its value. Some people may find the meal basic, especially if they have particular tastes. A vegetarian option is possible, but you need to contact the activity provider directly before the cruise.

Wine from Mallorca and sangria are included with the meal. Water, soft drinks, coffee, juice, and mineral water are available throughout the excursion. Alcoholic drinks outside mealtime can be bought at the onboard bar, but only card payments are accepted, and American Express is not accepted.

The drink arrangement is useful because you do not need to carry a full supply for five hours. Still, bring the required snorkeling deposit in cash. That is the one payment detail most likely to catch you out.

Music, dancing, and the feel on board

This is not a silent nature cruise. Spanish music plays during the trip, and the crew keeps the mood cheerful. Some people dance after lunch, while others find a quieter spot and watch the coast slip by.

The atmosphere has been described as especially welcoming for solo visitors. You can swim, sit in the sun, and chat with people from different countries without needing to organize your own company. Families also fit in well. The age range can stretch from young children to people over 65, and life vests are supplied for both adults and children.

Captain Perez is named in one account as a friendly and hardworking captain, including time spent helping with the barbecue. The wider crew is repeatedly praised for being organized, attentive, and good at keeping the day moving. That matters on a shared boat, where boarding, meal service, equipment, and swim times could easily become messy.

The one weak point is the boarding process. When many people arrive together, the lines may be unclear, and you might wait in the hot sun without knowing where to stand. Arriving early helps, but clearer instructions at the dock would improve the start.

Choosing the 10 AM or 3:30 PM departure

The morning departure leaves at 10 AM. This is the better choice if you want a classic daytime outing, strong sun, and plenty of time to swim before the day gets late.

The afternoon departure leaves at 3:30 PM and lasts five hours, putting you back in Palma around evening. It can offer softer light and a sunset on the return. Several people especially enjoyed watching the sun go down from the catamaran, and the afternoon schedule works well for anyone who wants a relaxed morning in Palma.

The late sailing is also a good match for photographs. You may pass near Palma Cathedral near the end, with the city lit by warm evening light. Exact sunset conditions depend on the season and weather, so think of this as a possibility rather than a fixed feature.

Both times give you the same general mix of sailing, swimming, food, and drinks. Choose based on your energy, dining plans, and interest in sunset views.

Is $69 good value?

At $69 per person, this cruise is priced well for a five-hour outing that includes a cooked meal and drinks. A basic boat trip may cost less, but you would still need to pay for lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, and perhaps equipment. Here, those costs are largely bundled together.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and eat on board. You get a substantial amount of time at sea, two planned stops in favorable conditions, use of snorkeling equipment for a refundable deposit, and a crew that handles the cooking and service.

It is less appealing if you want a private experience, quiet sailing, or expert coastal commentary. The crew speaks English and Spanish, but the focus is on running a fun boat day rather than delivering a detailed talk about Mallorca’s geography or local history. If you want facts about every cove, this may feel light on information.

For a couple, family, or group of friends, the price covers enough to make planning easy. For a solo visitor, it is also a simple way to spend half a day without arranging transport to a distant beach.

Who should book this catamaran day?

You should consider it if you want several Mallorca experiences in one outing:

• Swimming in clear Mediterranean water without arranging a beach transfer
• A social boat atmosphere with music and dancing
• A barbecue meal after time in the sea
• A family-friendly outing with life vests available
• An afternoon sail with possible sunset views
• A convenient departure from central Palma

Families with children aged six and seven have enjoyed the spacious boat, swimming, food, and calm organization. Solo visitors can also fit in easily, especially if you like a friendly group atmosphere.

It is not the best choice if you dislike crowds, loud music, or shared facilities. Snorkeling conditions can also disappoint at the second stop, and weather can change the route. People who want a small boat and complete control over the itinerary should look for a private charter instead.

What to bring for five hours on the water

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and clothing that can handle sea spray. Bring €10 in cash if you want to use the snorkeling equipment, since the deposit is refundable but must be paid in cash.

You may bring your own mask if you prefer a better fit. A light cover-up can be useful after swimming, especially on the ride back when the wind picks up.

Arrive with your booking details ready and give yourself time at the dock. Parking is scarce, so consider another way to reach the Port of Palma if that works for you. On board, cards are accepted for extra drinks, except American Express.

Should you book the Magic Catamarans cruise?

Book it if you want a lively and good-value half-day on Mallorca’s south coast, with swimming, a barbecue, drinks, music, and a chance of a beautiful sunset. The first cove is often the strongest part, and the combination of food and included drinks makes the $69 fare easy to justify.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a shared catamaran, the second stop may be less scenic, the route depends on the wind, and the meal is a straightforward barbecue. If those limits suit you, Magic Catamarans offers an easy way to enjoy the sea without spending a full day arranging beaches, food, and transport yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Palma catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours.

Where does the catamaran depart from?

It leaves from the Port of Palma, at the boat dock in front of the Auditorium de Palma on Passeig Marítim. The boat is labeled Magic Catamarans and is on the harbor side of the pier.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at the departure point 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.

What departure times are available?

You can choose a morning departure at 10 AM or an afternoon departure at 3:30 PM. Check availability for the exact date.

Where does the catamaran stop?

The route includes a stop at Cala Vella or Portals Vells and another nearby cove. The route can change because of weather and wind conditions.

Are two swimming stops guaranteed?

The planned itinerary includes two swim stops, but weather and sea conditions can change the route and schedule.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkeling equipment are available with a €10 refundable deposit paid in cash. Life vests are also provided for adults and children.

What food is included?

The buffet includes barbecue meats such as chicken breast, skewers, and sausages, along with fresh salads and cake for dessert. Contact the provider in advance if you need a vegetarian option.

Which drinks are included?

Water, mineral water, soft drinks, coffee, and juice are included throughout the excursion. Mallorca wine and sangria are included with the meal. Extra alcoholic drinks outside mealtime can be purchased on board by card.

Can I cancel or pay later?

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