North Mallorca has a way of slowing you down. This 5-hour catamaran sails the Bays of Alcúdia and Pollença, with time at secluded coves like Coll Baix and Cala Engosalba, plus snorkeling in clear water. I love the close-to-the-coast sailing and the way the route gives you picture-perfect shoreline views without feeling rushed.

The other big win is the onboard BBQ meal with drinks (BBQ, pasta salad, bread, fresh fruit, plus two drinks). One thing to consider, though, is that the itinerary can change based on wind and safety, and the social vibe can feel more party-like than calm-and-quiet.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Port d’Alcúdia departure, then a straight run along Mallorca’s north coast for nonstop sea views
• Coll Baix Beach stop timed for a quick swim and photos, not a long beach day
• Cala Engosalba anchor time (about 90 minutes) where you can relax in open water time
• Snorkeling in crystal-clear water, with equipment available for an extra fee
• BBQ plus two drinks included, making this feel like a full meal cruise not just sightseeing
• Smallish sailing ship for the area (up to 140 people), with places to chill on nets or inside

Sailing Out of Port d’Alcúdia, The Coast Comes First

Getting to this cruise is simple. You meet at Passeig Marítim, 18, in Port d’Alcúdia, and you should have a mobile ticket ready on your phone. From the moment you push off, the north coast does what it always does in Mallorca, it looks dramatic and close, like the water and cliffs are part of the same view.

The first sailing stretch runs toward Coll Baix Beach, passing by the largest bay in Mallorca. This matters because you are not spending the trip “waiting for the trip.” You’re already in motion, and you get those classic postcard angles while you’re still fresh, before you’ve had time to get bored. If you like sun time with a view, this section is the warm-up your day needs.

Here’s how it typically feels onboard: you’ll see people settling in, grabbing a spot, and taking photos immediately. Bring sunscreen early. In open water sun can hit harder than you expect, even when you think you’re fine.

Coll Baix Beach Stop: Quick Swim Time and Strong Beach-Mood

Your first major stop is Platja Des Coll Baix near Port d’Alcúdia. The stop is about 20 minutes, which is short, but it’s also a smart choice for this kind of itinerary. Coll Baix is the kind of place where you can get the point fast: cool off, take a few photos, and get back on the water.

This beach is recognized as one of the top 25 beaches in Europe, so the payoff is real even if you only have a brief window. Still, I’d go in with the right expectation. If you want a long lazy beach session with towels, shade hunting, and a lot of wandering, this stop won’t be that. It’s more like a taste.

Practical tip: keep your gear easy to grab. If you want snorkeling, decide before you get off. You do not want to lose your swim minutes rummaging around.

Past Cap des Pinar to the Bay of Pollença

After Coll Baix, the route shifts you toward Port de Pollença. You’ll sail past Cap des Pinar to enter the Bay of Pollença, described as the smallest bay in Mallorca. That detail matters because the water gets that enclosed, sheltered feeling compared to the larger open-bay sections.

Timing here is about 1 hour, and it’s built for scenic sailing more than active logistics. Expect a lot of “look out there” moments from the boat. The cruise also points you toward the Formentor Peninsula area, where you can admire views that include the iconic lighthouse from the water during the sailing portions.

This is a good time to do the boring but necessary things: snack, refill your water if you want, and enjoy the breeze while you still can. Also, this is when many people decide how they’ll spend the next stop. If you’re planning to swim a lot at Cala Engosalba, now is when you pace yourself.

Cala Engosalba Anchor Time: The Cruise’s Main Swim Window

The longest stop is at Cala Engosalba (listed around 90 minutes). This is where the trip turns from “sightseeing cruise” to “time in the water.” You anchor, and you finally have that slow, floaty feeling where you can stop thinking about the schedule.

The cove is described as secluded, and you can feel what that means once the boat drops anchor. The area is quiet enough for conversation and easy enough to watch the shoreline, but still open water friendly for swimming. If you’re someone who enjoys the moment you find your calm spot and just hang there, this stop is made for you.

Snorkeling is part of the experience, and the water quality is described as crystal clear. You’ll have to plan for equipment: snorkel gear costs 10€ extra on board. If you don’t want to buy the rental or you’re bringing your own, you can still swim and relax, but if snorkeling is your goal, make sure you’re ready to handle the add-on cost.

One more detail that affects your comfort: there’s sun and there’s shade. The boat has a shaded interior, and you can also relax on the nets on deck. People tend to rotate between positions as the sun shifts. That’s normal, and it’s also why it’s worth arriving ready with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel or something you can dry off with.

Cap Formentor Lighthouse Views on the Water

Between the big beach stop and the final sailing segments, you get another visual highlight: views toward the Cap Formentor area and its iconic lighthouse from the catamaran. This is one of the reasons I like this kind of itinerary. You get to see the famous landmark without dealing with parking, long walks, or the crowd pressure that comes with land-based sightseeing.

The cruise timing gives you that view during sailing rather than as a hard destination stop. That’s a benefit if you want photos but hate the “stand in one place” part of sightseeing. You can watch, take shots, and then go back to relaxing.

Keep your camera ready, but don’t clamp onto the railing the entire time. Boats move, and the best photos come from moments when you find steady light and a comfortable angle.

Sailing Back Around Alcúdia, Nets and Shade Time

On the return, you sail from Port de Pollença back toward Port Alcúdia. If wind conditions are favorable, the crew raises the sails and you get that gliding feeling around the bay. This part can be extra fun because it adds motion and a little drama to the water, not just a steady motor ride.

There’s also a practical onboard rhythm here. You can relax on the nets, chill in the shaded interior, or head to the bar area. Drinks from the bar are described as inexpensive, and the catamaran also includes drinks during the meal. So if you’re thirsty, you’re not stuck waiting for meal time.

One note from the vibe angle: the trip includes an alcohol element (more on that below), and the bar atmosphere can make this feel more social than quiet. If you’re hoping for a serene silent-sailing day, consider choosing a calmer excursion style, but if you like chatting, laughing, and enjoying the sea with other people, this cruise fits that mood.

Aucanada Beach Final Stop, Then Back to the Port

The last stop is near Aucanada Lighthouse, with about 30 minutes of time in the water around 14:00, just before returning to port. The focus here is simple: a final swim and quick exploration.

This stop is shorter than Cala Engosalba, so use it as a finishing chapter. If you’ve already snorkeled and swum earlier, treat this as a bonus chance to cool off again. If you skipped snorkel time earlier, this is still a chance to get one last look at the water, as long as you manage your time.

Then you head back to the meeting point in Alcúdia, and the 5-hour arc closes nicely. It’s the kind of trip that makes a half-day feel like you actually used it.

Food, Drinks, and Real Value for an $86.21 Cruise

At $86.21 per person, the value here is not just “you get on a boat.” You also get a full onboard meal with drinks. The included food is BBQ, pasta salad, bread, and fresh fruit. Included drinks are two drinks during the meal, listed as orange, water, and sangria.

That’s the key tradeoff to think about: you’re paying for convenience plus time on the water plus food. If you were to do similar sailing yourself, you’d likely pay for transport, boat rental or tickets, and food, and the schedule would be all on you. Here, the day is packaged.

Now, the drinks side. You’ll have sangria included for the meal, and the bar is available too. There are age rules: alcohol is served only to travelers 18 years old and above, and minors below 21 receive non-alcoholic drinks. If you’re traveling with a mixed-age group, that clarity matters.

About the vibe and one real drawback: one review described it as more of a pseudo booze cruise with site seeing, and while that may not be every day, it does line up with the fact that drinks are part of the meal plan. The staff are accommodating and the boat is nice, but the trip can lean social. I’d call it a friendly, group-leaning cruise, not a silent meditation boat.

Still, even with that consideration, I think the meal inclusion makes a difference. You’re not trying to figure out what to eat at the wrong time or pay extra at the port. You get fed on the water.

The Boat and Crew Experience That Makes It Work

Two things that consistently matter on catamaran days: comfort and handling. In the feedback available, the boat is described as nice, and the crew is accommodating. That combination is not small.

When crew members are responsive, you feel it in the flow: where you can settle, how smoothly stops happen, and how quickly you can get what you need. It also affects the “stress level” for practical folks, like families or people who don’t love uncertainty in transport.

The captain and crew are listed as professional and local, and the boat holds a maximum of 140 travelers. That cap helps keep the experience from turning into chaos. It’s still a group setting, but it’s not a huge floating stadium.

Also, expect changes for weather and safety. The itinerary may shift depending on wind, time, and conditions. That is normal for sailing, and it’s worth remembering so you don’t feel disappointed if the exact order or stop timing changes.

Who Should Book This, and Who Might Want a Different Option

I’d book this if you want a 5-hour north-coast sampler that includes actual time in the water. You get multiple stops, including two swim-friendly beach/cove moments and a longer anchor stop at Cala Engosalba. You also get a meal that saves you time and money.

It suits:

• Couples who want views plus a practical meal schedule
• Families who want a structured half-day with food included
• People who like snorkeling but don’t want to plan a separate rental trip
• Anyone who enjoys a social atmosphere with drinks during the meal

I’d hesitate if you want:

• Quiet, no-nonsense nature time with zero party energy
• A long beach day where you can hang for hours on shore
• A trip with guaranteed itinerary details regardless of wind, since sailing conditions can change plans

Should You Book the Catamaran Trip in Alcúdia?

If you want a half-day that feels like you really did something, this one is easy to recommend. The best part is the balance: coastal sailing + real swim stops + BBQ meal + two included drinks. For the price, it’s strong value because you’re not just paying for transportation, you’re buying food and time on the water built into the schedule.

My decision rule is simple. If you’re okay with a more social cruise vibe and you’re flexible about minor itinerary changes due to wind, book it. If you need quiet and total control over timing, you’ll likely be happier with a different style of sailing tour.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran trip?

The cruise lasts about 5 hours.

What is included with the price?

The price includes the 5-hour catamaran trip, BBQ lunch or dinner (BBQ, pasta salad, bread, fresh fruit), and two drinks during the meal (orange, water, sangria).

Are snorkeling opportunities included?

You’ll have time for snorkeling, but snorkel equipment is not included. Snorkel gear can be rented on board for 10€ extra.

Where do I meet the tour in Alcúdia?

You meet at Passeig Marítim, 18, 07400 Alcúdia, Illes Balears, Spain.

Is alcohol included, and is it restricted by age?

Two drinks during the meal are included, and sangria is listed among them. Alcohol is only served to travelers 18 years and above, and minor travelers below 21 are served non-alcoholic drinks.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.