Sailboat Hire in Mallorca

Sailboat hire in Mallorca, the Balearic’s main island, abundant in culture and nature

Mediterranean history, rich culture, and unspoilt nature

Mallorca has long been a popular destination for short term, sunny cruises with friends and family. Discover a place with a rich, unique culture, while relaxing on sandy beaches and exploring hidden coves.

A dream destination for foodies

In Mallorca, you will find a rich selection of well-serviced marinas, complete with gourmet restaurants that will meet all of your culinary needs. Whether you want to sample the local cuisine or munch on something a little more familiar, Mallorca has something for everyone.

Experience the Balearic Islands like never before with a sailboat hire in Mallorca

Mallorca truly is the best destination for hiring a sailboat, with most of its most beautiful areas easily accessible from the water. As the largest of the Balearics, it offers the opportunity to enjoy a swinging nightlife, while still having plenty to see during the day. From enchanting coastlines to enchanting villages and a unique history, you won’t run out of things to see here. Enjoy the unspoilt natural beauty from your sailboat hire in Mallorca as you traverse the coastline, which stretches on for more than 300 nautical miles. Choose which things you want to see and discover an impressive array of beaches and coves when you fancy venturing onto land.

How to arrive at Palma when you hire a sailboat in Mallorca?

There are a couple of reasons why hiring a sailboat in Mallorca is so popular. Of course, the breath-taking landscapes can take some of the credit, but another key factor is the excellent accessibility. Palma airport is easily reachable from many different airports all over the world, which means that people visit throughout the year. The Bay of Palma is an especially popular place for a sailboat hire in Mallorca, due to its proximity to the capital!

Where can I start my sailboat hire in Mallorca?

The most popular starting point for a sailboat hire in Mallorca is Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands. Mallorca’s most populous city is home to Son Sant Juan Airport, which is located not far from the port. While visiting Palma de Mallorca, you can take the opportunity ti see many different things of cultural and historical significance, as well as shopping for souvenirs and sampling local dishes in a number of different cafés, bars, and restaurants.

Highlights to see in Palma de Mallorca

Although there are many different things you might want to see in Palma de Mallorca, some of the highlights include:

• Cathedral Le Seu
• Almudaina Palace
• Es Baluard Art Museum

Other possible starting points

While most of the best ports from which to hire a sailboat in Mallorca are located in the capital, that doesn’t mean there are no other options. You can also start your sailing trip in Porto Colom to the south or Pollensa to the north, depending on what you prefer. You will find various different fully serviced marinas throughout this idyllic island that would be perfect for your boating holiday.

Our top 10 most popular bases for a sailboat hire in Mallorca

• Palma de Mallorca
• Real Club Nautico
• La Lonja
• Callanova
• El Arenal
• Can Pastilla
• Andratx
• Porto Colom
• Pollensa
• Alcudia

Did you know?

Even though Mallorca and the rest of the Balearic Islands are a part of Spain, they are also autonomous regions, with a separate government that has designated some stretches of coastline as protected areas. This means that activities such as diving and fishing are only allowed there if you have a permit.

In the Isla de Cabrera nature reserve you will also need a permit in order to anchor. It is recommended to request a permit for this area well in advance, as only a certain number of sailboats are allowed to visit this area at one time. If you can manage to obtain a permit, it is absolutely a must-see!

When is the best time for a sailboat hire in Mallorca?

The climate on Mallorca’s coast is subtropical, with summer temperatures of between 24 and 30°C inland. The humidity can be a little unpleasant, at around 70%, but this is easily counteracted by a quick dip in the refreshing sea water. You can expect around 300 days of sunshine here, with precipitation being most likely to occur in the autumn months, where there are periods of short but heavy rainfall.

What sailing conditions can you expect when you hire a sailboat in Mallorca?

Water depth and tidal patterns on the coast of Mallorca

Unlike other, less exposed areas in the Mediterranean, you can find particularly high swells around the Balearics. Between March and June, you can find a particularly high and steep swell, as a result of the northerly Tramontana wind, but even when there is no wind, you should be prepared for groundswells.

Climate features: pay attention to the changing winds throughout the sailing season

You should make sure you are aware of the changing winds throughout the year when setting off on a sailboat hire in Mallorca. Between March and June, you can expect to encounter either the northerly Tramontana wind or the north-easterly Mistral wind. However, in July and August, you can also expect the emergence of winds blowing from the east and southeast. The Mistral and Tramontana will become more prevalent again from September until October, whereas there is almost no wind in the winter months.

Wind conditions in Mallorca

Due to the particularly changeable wind conditions, you can expect the best wind conditions for your sailboat hire in Mallorca from June until September. The prevailing summer wind blows from the east-southeast at a strength of between 3 and 6 Beaufort and usually becomes much weaker towards the evening.

The different winds you will encounter in the Balearics

The winds you should prepare to encounter in the Balearics include:

• Tramontana – a northerly wind
• Mistral – a north-easterly wind
• Sea wind – an east-south-easterly wind

What can you see during a sailboat hire in Mallorca?

La Seu, the Gothic Cathedral of Palma

The foundation stone of this church was laid in around 1230, but the building was not actually completed until the 16-17th century. Famous architect, Antoni Gaudí, was the mastermind behind the cathedral’s current design.

The Palace, Palau de Almudaina

A former Arab fortress situated right next to the cathedral, you can immerse yourself in nature with a leisurely stroll through the beautiful gardens.

Es Trenc

This is, by far, the most beautiful and best-known of all of Mallorca’s beaches, with kilometres of sloping, fine sand beaches. Anchor at Ses Covetes to enjoy a day of swimming in the warm sea waters.

Es Baluard, the Museum of Modern Art in Palma

Located near the harbour, this magnificent museum incorporates the walls of the 16th century fortress of San Pere with a more modern style, creating a truly unique effect. From the café and restaurant located in the battlements, you will be treated to a sensational panoramic view over the port of Palma.

The Castle, Castillo de Belver

Surrounded by wooded hills at a height of around 112 metres above the capital is a striking, round building. You can find it on the north-western edge of the city and can walk there from the harbour in about 20-30 minutes, depending on your fitness. The Museu D’Historia de la Ciutat has been located on the ground floor of the castle since 1999 and is well worth a visit if you want to find out a little more about Palma.

Mercat de l’Olivar

This is Palma’s largest indoor market, found on Placa Olivar, near Placa Espana. You should also be sure to visit the Santa Catalina Market during your sailboat hire in Mallorca. Located in the former fishermen’s quarter, this market is especially famous for its tapas and serving wine straight from the barrel, just like they would have done in the old days.

Cuevas del Drac (the Dragon Caves), Porto Christo

The Cuevas del Drac are stalactite caves around 2 km away from the harbour. You should allocate about an hour to explore this area, which covers over 1200 metres. During this trip. You can look forward to a classical concert, as well as a boat trip across Lake Martel.

Port de Sóller

Although you can sail into the Puerto de Sóller, you might also want to take the historic train from Palma through the middle of the Serra de Tramuntana to Soller, followed by the tram to the port if you want to experience something a little different. The Puerto de Sóller has a beautiful promenade and a wide selection of cafés and restaurants, all serving a range of delicious local dishes.

What things do you need to know before a sailboat hire in Mallorca?

Before hiring a sailboat in Mallorca, you should be aware of the following things:

• In order to operate a sailboat in the Balearic Islands, you need the International Certificate of Competence for Inland and Coastal Waters or the Sport-coastal Ship-licence.
• You can reach Palma directly from airports all over the UK in just a few hours at a reasonable price. If you have any questions regarding the best flight to reach your sailboat hire in Mallorca, our customer service team would be happy to help you by either phone or email.
• From the airport, you can reach the port in Palma with just a 20 minute taxi journey. In contrast, it takes around 45 minutes to get to Pollensa and around 60 minutes to reach Porto Colom.
• A valid passport will be needed to enter Mallorca.

Top Tip

Make sure all your documents are in order before setting off, so that your sailboat hire in Mallorca can be plain sailing from start to finish.

Plan your sailboat hire in Mallorca with us to profit from the outstanding Scansail service

If you want to speak with one of our consultants for customised advice before your sailboat hire in Mallorca, our customer service team would love to help out. Contact them from 09:00 to 17:00 on +49 40 388422. We look forward to helping you plan your dream sailing holiday!