Catamaran sailing in Mallorca through the Bay of Palma with BBQ

The best part of this Mallorca boat trip is the stop at Cala Vella, where the catamaran anchors in clear water for swimming, paddleboarding, and a BBQ cooked on board. You get a proper half-day at sea without filling the boat to its full capacity.

I like the generous space and the smaller limit of 36 people. I also like that the food, paddle equipment, and return sail are built into the experience, so you can focus on the bay instead of arranging several separate activities.

The main caution is simple: this is one main cove stop, not a full tour of Mallorca’s coast. If you expect to visit several beaches or spend most of the time under sail, the route may feel limited for the price.

Key points to know before booking

• Cala Vella is the main event: The boat sails from Palma to this nature reserve for swimming, relaxing, and paddle activities.
• The boat holds 57 but accepts only 36: That gives you more room than a fully loaded catamaran.
• A BBQ is prepared on board: The meal comes during the stop in the cove, not at a separate restaurant.
• You get about four and a half hours on the water: The outing includes the trip out, time at anchor, and the sail back through the Bay of Palma.
• Paddle equipment is included: You can use the paddle gear during the Cala Vella stop without paying an extra rental fee.
• Weather can change the plan: The route may be altered, or the trip may be canceled with a choice of another date or a full refund.

Why this catamaran trip works well for a half-day in Palma

Mallorca offers many ways to get on the water, but this excursion keeps the plan pleasantly simple. You meet at the Port of Palma, board the Oasis Catamaran, sail across the bay, stop at Cala Vella, eat lunch, and return to the same meeting point.

That matters if you have only a few days on Mallorca. You do not need to organize a car trip to a distant beach, find a place to rent paddle equipment, and then locate lunch. The experience combines all three in one four-and-a-half-hour outing.

I also like the decision to leave some seats empty. The catamaran has capacity for 57 people, but the operator limits the group to 36. That is not a private cruise, but it should give you more room to move around, sit in the sun, or find a quieter spot than you would on a fully occupied boat.

The mood is likely to be social rather than silent. This is a shared sailing trip with a BBQ and water activities, so it suits you if you enjoy meeting people and spending time outdoors. It is less suitable if you want a private charter or a very quiet sailing lesson.

Leaving Palma and crossing the Bay

The trip begins at the Port of Palma, at the supplied meeting point in Palma, identified as HJ9V+29 Palma. The activity ends back there, which keeps the transport plan easy. You do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end of the afternoon.

The first part is the sail across the Bay of Palma toward Cala Vella. The exact route can change with weather conditions, so you should think of the sailing portion as flexible rather than a fixed coastal sightseeing circuit.

That flexibility is practical. Conditions at sea matter more than a printed route, and the captain may alter the course for safety or comfort. It also means you should not book this expecting a guaranteed series of named coves or a precise view from every part of the coast.

The crossing gives you time to settle into the catamaran. You can enjoy the open water, take in the views around the bay, and make use of the boat’s space before the main stop. The experience is not built around commentary about Palma, so you should choose it for the sea, swimming, food, and easy pace rather than for a guided history tour.

Cala Vella brings the strongest part of the itinerary

Cala Vella is described as a nature reserve with idyllic coves and crystal-clear water. This is where the trip shifts from sailing to leisure. The catamaran anchors so you can swim, relax, and use the paddle equipment carried on board.

I see this as the strongest reason to book. The water stop gives the outing a real purpose beyond sitting on a boat. You can cool off, spend time in the sea, or simply enjoy the cove from the deck if you prefer not to swim.

The paddle equipment is included in the price. That is useful because you can try a different activity without arranging a separate rental or carrying equipment from Palma. The details do not specify how many boards are available or how long each person can use them, so you should expect shared use rather than unlimited private access.

The cove itself is the main visual reward. Clear water and sheltered coves make for a more memorable stop than an ordinary open-water anchorage. Still, conditions and crowd levels can affect the experience, and the route may be changed when weather makes the planned stop unsuitable.

One important point: this is a single main destination. The excursion does not promise a chain of beaches or several swimming stops. If you prefer one attractive cove with time to enjoy it, that is a strength. If you want constant movement and new scenery, you may find the plan too narrow.

What to expect from the BBQ on board

The BBQ is prepared directly on the catamaran during the stop at Cala Vella. That arrangement makes lunch part of the outing instead of an interruption. You can eat with the water nearby and continue enjoying the boat without returning to shore.

The food receives some of the warmest praise in the available feedback. One person described the BBQ as beyond expectations, while another highlighted the excellent lunch on the catamaran. That suggests the meal is more than a token snack, though the supplied information does not give a menu or list of dietary options.

Because no menu is provided, I would check with Oasis Catamaran before booking if you have allergies, follow a vegetarian diet, or need a particular type of meal. Do not assume that a BBQ automatically covers every dietary need.

The meal also affects the value of the price. At $91.71 per person, you are paying for a package that includes the sailing time, the cove stop, BBQ, and paddle equipment. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, lunch, and water equipment, the combined price can make sense.

If your main goal is simply a short swim, the price may feel high. The trip makes better financial sense when you plan to use the full experience: enjoy the sailing, eat the meal, swim, and try the paddle equipment.

A smaller group helps, but this is not a private cruise

The maximum of 36 people is one of the most useful details here. The catamaran is designed to carry 57, so the reduced number leaves more spare capacity. You should have a better chance of finding a comfortable place on board and moving around without squeezing past a full crowd.

Still, 36 people can feel busy around a popular swim area or when everyone wants to use the paddle equipment. The trip is best understood as a small-group shared cruise, not an intimate sailing charter.

The available feedback gives a favorable picture of the crew. The staff are described as friendly, organized, helpful, and professional, and the general mood on board is described as good. That combination matters on a boat trip because clear instructions and calm service make boarding, lunch, swimming, and the return sail easier.

No individual crew names are provided, so I cannot tell you to look for a particular captain or guide. The operator is Oasis Catamaran. The strongest consistent point about the service is the crew’s attitude and organization, not a named guide or formal tour commentary.

How the 4.5-hour timing feels

Four and a half hours is a useful middle ground. It is long enough to make the ride to Cala Vella worthwhile and leave time for the water stop, but it does not consume an entire day in Mallorca.

I would plan this as a half-day activity rather than something to squeeze between several fixed appointments. The route depends on sea and weather conditions, and you will want enough breathing room before and after the cruise.

The time is divided between the outbound sail, the Cala Vella stop, and the return through the Bay of Palma. The exact amount of time at anchor is not stated, so you should not count on a guaranteed number of minutes for swimming or paddleboarding.

That uncertainty is normal for an outing affected by wind and sea conditions. The captain may need to adjust the route, and the pace may feel different from one departure to another. If you need a strict schedule, leave extra space around the tour.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this catamaran trip to you if you want several easy pleasures in one booking: a sail from Palma, a clear-water swim, an on-board BBQ, and included paddle equipment.

It suits couples, groups of friends, and families who are comfortable sharing a boat. Most people can participate, according to the supplied activity information, but the details do not specify age limits, child policies, or special accessibility arrangements.

It is also a good choice if you want a relaxed day on the Mediterranean rather than a strenuous excursion. The main activities are sailing, swimming, eating, relaxing, and optional paddling.

I would be more cautious if you have already taken many boat trips and expect a more varied route. One available rating gave only two stars, with the criticism that the boat sailed to one destination that felt average and did not justify the price. That is a fair warning: the appeal depends heavily on how much you value the cove stop and the complete package.

Who may want a different Mallorca boat trip

You may want another option if your priority is visiting several coves. This experience focuses on Cala Vella, with the route returning through the Bay of Palma. It is not presented as a multi-stop coastal tour.

You may also prefer a different trip if you want a private boat, a sailing lesson, or a strong guided narration about Mallorca. The available information emphasizes the boat, food, swimming, and crew service, not instruction or formal sightseeing commentary.

Finally, think about weather. The experience requires good conditions, and the route can be altered. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects your money, but it cannot guarantee that the outing will run on your preferred day.

Price, booking lead time, and cancellation

The listed price is $91.71 per person. The average booking time is 27 days ahead, which tells me that you should not leave this until the last moment during a popular Mallorca visit.

For the money, the value is strongest when you use everything included: the four-and-a-half-hour cruise, Cala Vella stop, BBQ, and paddle equipment. The reduced group size also adds value, although the boat still carries a shared group of up to 36 people.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local time.

The experience can also be canceled if the minimum number of people is not reached. In that case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Confirmation is provided at booking, and a mobile ticket is available.

My verdict on the Oasis Catamaran experience

I would book this if I wanted an uncomplicated half-day at sea from Palma, especially if a swim in clear water and an on-board lunch mattered more to me than covering a large stretch of coast.

The strongest reasons are the limited group of 36, the friendly and organized crew, the BBQ, and the included paddle equipment. The main weakness is the narrow itinerary. You sail to one principal destination, and the quality of the outing depends on whether Cala Vella feels worth the price on the day.

Choose it for a social, food-and-swimming catamaran trip. Skip it if you want several coves, a private boat, or a full-day coastal adventure.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip begin?

It begins at the Port of Palma. The supplied meeting point is identified as HJ9V+29 Palma, Palma, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity finishes back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four and a half hours.

What is the main destination?

The catamaran sails from the Bay of Palma to Cala Vella, a nature reserve with coves and clear water.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The catamaran stops at Cala Vella so you can swim and relax in the water.

Is paddle equipment included?

Yes. Paddle equipment is carried on board and included in the price.

Is food included?

Yes. A BBQ is prepared directly on board during the stop at Cala Vella.

How many people can join the tour?

The catamaran can hold 57 people, but the activity accepts a maximum of 36 participants.

Can the route change?

Yes. The route may be altered depending on weather conditions.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You are offered another date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. A different date, a different experience, or a full refund may also be offered if the minimum number of participants is not reached.