Mallorca Catamaran Tour in the Bay of Pollensa

Northern Mallorca is at its best from the water. This 4.5-hour catamaran trip carries you from Port de Pollença past quiet coves, S’Illot, Formentor Beach, and an old pirate-watchtower site, with time to swim and snorkel along the way. It is an easy way to see a broad sweep of Pollensa Bay without arranging several separate stops.

I especially like the included lunch and drinks, which turn this from a simple boat ride into a half-day outing. I also like the use of the catamaran’s front nets, benches, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards, giving you several ways to enjoy the ride. The main point to consider is crowding: the boat can feel comfortable on some departures but packed on others, with the front nets claimed early.

What makes this Pollensa Bay catamaran trip worth considering

• A full half-day on the water: You get about four and a half hours of sailing, swimming, sightseeing, and lunch rather than a short harbor cruise.
• Formentor Beach by boat: The stop gives you time to walk onto one of Mallorca’s most beautiful beaches, swim, or buy a drink nearby.
• Lunch is included: Expect pasta salad, chicken, salami, cheese, Mallorcan bread, fruit, and drinks.
• Clear-water swim stops: Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the water around the coves can be excellent for spotting small fish.
• Pickup may be available: Coach pickup is offered from Alcudia and Can Picafort, while the catamaran itself leaves from Port de Pollença.
• A lively crew: Captain Antonio is singled out by name in the feedback, and the crew is often praised for being friendly, helpful, and good-humored.

Setting out from Port de Pollença

The Robinson Catamaran leaves from Port de Pollença, at Stay Restaurant on Moll Nou. If you are staying in Alcudia or Can Picafort, coach pickup is available, which removes the need to arrange your own transport to the harbor. If you are staying elsewhere, check the meeting details carefully because the boat departure point is not in central Palma.

The boat offers benches and front nets. The nets are the prime real estate for lying back close to the water, but they tend to fill quickly. If that spot matters to you, arrive with enough time to get oriented before departure. The boat has a maximum capacity of 78 people, though the feel on board can change a lot depending on the number booked and how everyone spreads out.

This is not a private sailing trip. It is a social excursion with a broad mix of ages, couples, families, and groups. Some departures feel spacious, while others can make seating harder to find. That difference is the largest variable in the experience.

Once underway, you get broad views across Pollensa Bay, with the Tramuntana foothills and northern coast opening up around you. The catamaran format helps here. You can move between the shaded seating, the nets, and the open deck instead of being fixed in one forward-facing seat.

Sailing past Ses Caletes and S’Illot

The first part of the route is about the coast rather than a formal shore visit. The boat sails by Ses Caletes, a small cove with clear water and a more secluded feel than the main resort beaches. You may not get a long stop here, but seeing these coves from the water shows you why a boat trip adds something that a land-based beach day cannot.

The route also passes S’Illot, a small beach below La Victoria near the Ermita de la Victoria. Its setting is appealing: clear water, a tucked-away shore, and the wooded slopes rising behind it. The old chapel and the coastal position add visual interest as the boat moves past.

I would treat these places as scenic sailing points rather than guaranteed long visits. The exact route and timing can change with wind, weather, safety needs, and the day’s schedule. If you want to spend serious time on a particular beach, you are better off visiting it independently.

Formentor Beach, the main shore stop

Formentor is the star of the route. The beach is backed by pine trees and framed by clear water, giving it the classic northern Mallorca look that makes it so popular. Approaching by sea is part of the pleasure. You see the beach as a full coastal scene rather than arriving directly at a crowded road or parking area.

You usually have time to leave the boat and explore the shore. You can swim, sit on the sand, take photographs, or buy something at one of the beach restaurants and shops. Bring a towel, since the beach visit is a proper part of the day rather than a quick photo stop.

The tradeoff is time. The Formentor stop is long enough to enjoy, but some people will wish it lasted longer. If Formentor is your top priority, pay attention to the schedule and make the most of the hour or so available. This is not a full beach day.

Above the beach is an old watchtower site, built centuries ago to look for pirates. The tower itself is in ruins, but its position explains the choice of location. From up there, look toward the northern point of Mallorca and across the bay. The catamaran may pass below or offer views of this coastal landmark, but the boat trip does not promise a dedicated hike to the tower.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

Swimming is one of the strongest reasons to book this outing. The boat drops anchor in clear water, allowing you to get in directly from the catamaran. The stops are designed for a refreshing swim and some snorkeling, not for a long guided marine tour.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied. In good conditions, the water can be clear enough to see small, colorful fish around the boat. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stop, but you should be comfortable getting in and out of the sea from a boat.

Stand-up paddleboards are also listed among the onboard equipment. Availability may vary in practice, so do not make the booking solely for guaranteed paddleboard time. Some departures offer the chance to use them, while others may have limited access or skip them because of timing, wind, or crowding.

The same applies to the exact number and length of swim stops. Weather, wind, and safety come first. Calm water can make the swimming feel relaxed and easy, while rougher conditions can mean a bumpier ride and shorter water time.

Lunch on board, with a practical menu

Lunch is served on the catamaran after anchoring. The usual spread includes pasta salad, chicken, salami, cheese, Mallorcan bread, fruit, and drinks. It is a substantial cold meal rather than a restaurant lunch, and portions are intended to feed you during the return sailing.

I see this as good value for a boat excursion. You do not need to leave the water to find lunch, and the meal arrives at a sensible point in the day. Several details make it family-friendly: there is plenty of food, drinks are included with the meal, and the selection can work for people who prefer simple food.

Vegetarian needs deserve a quick check before booking, since the stated menu centers on chicken and cured meats. One report describes a vegetarian in the family being well catered for, but the formal menu does not spell out every dietary option. Contact the operator before departure if you have an allergy or strict dietary requirement.

The food is not the reason to choose this trip. It is basic, useful, and generally considered tasty, but expectations should stay modest. Think picnic lunch at sea, not a polished dining experience.

You can buy additional coffee, soft drinks, and cocktails on the boat. Drinks outside the included lunch service cost extra, although the prices are described as reasonable. Bringing snacks and water for the beach stop can also be sensible.

The crew and the mood on board

The crew is one of the most consistent strengths of this experience. They are often described as friendly, accommodating, and good-humored. Captain Antonio receives specific praise, and the team helps with the practical parts of the day, from finding the meeting point to organizing swimming and lunch.

The mood is usually cheerful rather than formal. On one sailing, a crew member played Spanish guitar during the return trip, adding a memorable local touch. That kind of entertainment is not guaranteed, but it gives you an idea of the relaxed tone.

Bathrooms are available on board and have been noted as clean. That matters on a four-and-a-half-hour trip, especially for families. Still, the boat is shared space, so expect noise, movement, and limited personal room when the departure is full.

The crew cannot control every part of the day. Wind may make the outward sailing rough, and a crowded boat can change how easy it is to find a seat or reach the nets. Good service helps, but it does not turn a busy boat into a private charter.

How much value do you get for $82.24?

At about $82.24 per person, the price is reasonable if you want several activities bundled into one half-day. You are paying for the catamaran, roughly four and a half hours on the water, swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, possible paddleboard use, lunch, drinks with lunch, and access to Formentor from the sea.

The value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise need to arrange transport to Formentor, pay for food, and find a separate boat or swimming excursion. Families and couples can spend a full morning or afternoon seeing several coastal areas without constantly checking maps or driving narrow roads.

The price feels less attractive if you mainly want a quiet sailing trip or a guaranteed place on the front nets. It also may not suit you if you dislike group outings. Capacity is capped at 78, but that is still a sizable number of people on one catamaran.

I would judge the price by the whole package, not the food alone. The scenery, boat time, beach access, and swimming are the real purchase. Lunch simply makes the day easier.

Timing, transport, and small practical tips

The activity begins and ends at Port de Pollença. Coach pickup is available from Alcudia and Can Picafort, but confirm your pickup arrangements when booking. The trip can run longer than the stated four and a half hours if boarding is delayed or the boat waits for a group, so avoid scheduling an important evening plan immediately afterward.

The itinerary can change because of wind, weather, time, and safety. This is especially important in Mallorca, where a calm bay and a choppy open-water crossing can occur on the same day. If swimming is your main goal, choose a day with a favorable forecast when possible.

Bring:

• A towel and swimwear
• Sun protection
• A camera or waterproof phone pouch
• Light snacks for the Formentor stop
• Extra money for drinks bought outside lunch
• A layer for the return sailing if the wind picks up

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. Most people can participate, but the boat format means you should consider your comfort with steps, movement, and entering the sea from the vessel.

The booking is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed. If bad 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 boat trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple way to see northern Mallorca by sea and like having several activities in one booking. Families, couples, teenagers, and first-time visitors can all find something here, from the beach stop to the swim and the relaxed deck time.

It is particularly useful if you are staying around Alcudia, Can Picafort, or Port de Pollença. The pickup option makes the day easier, and the route covers coastal sights that are not as simple to reach by road.

You may want another option if you need solitude, guaranteed paddleboarding, or a very long stop at Formentor. You should also think twice if crowded boats bother you. The experience has a good record for friendly service and value, but the space issue is real on some departures.

Should you book the Robinson Catamaran?

Book it if you want an active, social half-day with clear-water swimming, a worthwhile Formentor stop, lunch, and a helpful crew. The best parts are the coastal views, the chance to swim from the boat, and the convenience of seeing several northern Mallorca sights in one outing.

Skip it if your ideal day means a nearly empty deck, a long beach stay, or carefully controlled sailing conditions. If you do book, arrive early enough to get settled, bring a towel, keep your evening free, and treat the paddleboards as a bonus rather than a promise.

For the price, this is a solid choice for seeing Pollensa Bay from the water, provided you accept that group size and weather can shape the day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Stay Restaurant, Moll Nou, Port de Pollença, Mallorca.

Where does the tour finish?

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

Is pickup available from Alcudia and Can Picafort?

Yes. Coach pickup is available from Alcudia and Can Picafort before the catamaran departs from Port de Pollença.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes, although timing can change because of weather, wind, boarding, or safety needs.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Drinks are included with lunch. Coffee, soft drinks, and cocktails bought at other times cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided on board.

Are stand-up paddleboards available?

Stand-up paddleboards are listed as provided on board. Their use can depend on conditions, timing, and availability during your departure.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of people needed to run the tour is not reached.