Reviewed · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
Mallorca: Sail on a traditional boat to explore hidden beaches
Sun, silence, and secret coves in Mallorca. This private day charter on the BON MATI II is interesting because it is a Mallorca-built boat, run by an area expert, with you choosing the pace. I especially like the captain’s care and the fact that Leo speaks Spanish, English, and French, so you can actually talk through what you want to see. One possible drawback: the trip runs 4 to 8 hours, so check the exact starting time you pick and make sure it fits your day.
On board, the setup is built for comfort at sea. You get a big sun deck and solarium, plus a bathroom and shower, and even a fridge to keep drinks cool. I also like that water time is planned, with paddleboarding and a snorkel mask included, while snacks and limited drinks cover the basics.
If you are strict about schedule and want a fast, stop-and-go tour, this may feel a bit laid-back. The itinerary includes one longer swim-focused secret stop and then a shorter visit at Cala Illetas, so the day is more about enjoying fewer places in depth than ticking off lots of shore stops.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You Will Feel Immediately
- A Private Mallorca Day on BON MATI II, Built Locally
- Price and Value: What $680 Per Group Really Buys
- Choosing Between Cala Nova and Puerto Calanova
- The Secret Stop: Four Hours of Swimming and Sailing
- Cala Illetas: A Short Beach Hit With Maximum Scenery Time
- Food Tasting on Board: Snacks Included, Paella Optional
- Captain Leo and the Multilingual Advantage
- What This Charter Is Best For
- Should You Book BON MATI II for a Mallorca Boat Day?
- FAQ
- How long is the Mallorca boat charter?
- How many people can go on the boat?
- What is included in the price?
- Where does the tour start?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
- Does the captain speak languages besides Spanish?
Key Highlights You Will Feel Immediately
- BON MATI II is built in Mallorca, so the boat experience feels local, not imported
- Captain Leo keeps things smooth and speaks English, French, and Spanish
- A long secret stop gives you about 4 hours for swimming and sailing
- Water gear is included: paddleboarding and a snorkel mask
- Real comfort on board, including shower, bathroom, towels, and a fridge
- Food tasting is part of the day, with included snacks plus optional paella or Mallorcan cheese and charcuterie
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A Private Mallorca Day on BON MATI II, Built Locally
This charter is built for people who want to get off the packed-beach track without turning the day into a full travel project. You are renting a private boat and sailing a llaut-style boat, the BON MATI II, with a captain who knows the area well. The boat is described as built in Mallorca, which matters because the whole experience feels made for local sea conditions and local routes, not a one-size-fits-all tourist run.
On board, comfort is not an afterthought. There is a large solarium for sunbathing, a shower and bathroom for practicality after water time, and towels included. Music is part of the ride, and the boat also has a fridge, so you are not hunting for warm drinks while everyone is sunburning their best life.
You also get the water toys you actually use. Paddleboarding is included, and you have a snorkel mask included for checking out what is close to the surface. Even if you are not the bravest swimmer, having gear ready lowers the effort. You can do small bursts of water time, then go back to the sun deck, bathroom, and shower, all without changing plans.
Finally, the “private” part is more than a marketing word. With a captain and your own group, the day tends to feel adjustable to your energy level. It is also calmer when you do not have to coordinate with strangers. That is a big deal on a day that is mostly about water and views.
Price and Value: What $680 Per Group Really Buys
The price is $680 per group up to 9 people. That is the kind of cost that can feel steep on paper, until you do the math and compare it to what you get. If you fill the boat close to capacity, the cost per person drops a lot. If you travel as a smaller group, you are paying more per head, but you are still buying privacy, included fuel, and a captain.
This price is also unusually “inclusive” for a boat day. You get the captain, gas, final cleaning, limited drinks, snacks, paddleboarding gear, snorkel mask, fridge support, music, sun deck access, shower, and towels. In plain terms, you are not paying extra just to have the basics on board.
The one area to plan for is food beyond what is included. There are food options you can order, like paella prepared on board, or Mallorcan cheese and charcuterie platters. The key value here is that food becomes part of the sea day instead of a separate meal mission. If you like the idea of eating locally where you are, you will get more out of the charter.
For timing, you are looking at 4 to 8 hours, based on the starting time available. That range is worth your attention when you plan around dinner. If you only have one evening free, aim for the timing that leaves you enough buffer for getting back, showering, and eating on land.
Choosing Between Cala Nova and Puerto Calanova
Your starting point depends on the option you book. You can start from Cala Nova or from Puerto Calanova. Both are valid choices, and the best one is the one that is easiest for you to reach without stress.
This matters more than it sounds. On a boat charter, your day quality is tied to how smooth the start feels. If your meeting point is a hassle, that effort steals energy from the sea part. So I recommend you pick the departure option that fits your travel reality, like where you are staying and how you are getting around.
Because the exact meeting point can vary, treat your meeting plan like you would treat a timed museum ticket. Confirm the exact place tied to your booking, then build in a little padding. Boat days go fast once you are on the water.
The Secret Stop: Four Hours of Swimming and Sailing
The biggest block of time is the secret stop, with 4 hours for swimming and sailing. That is your main chance to shape the day with your own rhythm. This is not just a “brief photo stop,” it is a full chunk of water time, so you can do multiple swim breaks, hop onto paddleboard, take a turn with the snorkel mask, then reset on the sun deck.
Why this is such a good setup: long water time lets you stop thinking about the clock. You can spend time where you actually want it, rather than squeezing in quick dips at three different coves. Also, when you have hours rather than minutes, you are more likely to find your comfort zone. Some people want to paddle, some want to float and watch the sea. A longer stop makes both styles work.
There is one consideration. A longer stop also means you should be ready for a day that is not centered on constant shore wandering. If what you love most is stepping onto land, browsing beach bars, and walking around, this charter will feel different. The focus is the water, the boat ride, and the calm of being out there.
Practical value though: with a shower and bathroom on board, you can rinse after swimming. That makes the day easier to enjoy without worrying about what you will do afterward.
Boats, caves, and mountain roads — Mallorca rewards a rental car or a good captain.
Cala Illetas: A Short Beach Hit With Maximum Scenery Time
After the secret stop, you move on to Cala Illetas for about 1 hour, with sailing and swimming time. This portion is shorter, so it is less about doing a long beach walk and more about enjoying a specific stretch of coast with the boat setting you up.
I like this structure because it gives you contrast. You get a long, flexible swim block first, then a second moment later in the day where the sea and shoreline still look great, but you are not locked into hours of the same routine. It is like getting an encore, not replacing the main show.
A possible drawback is timing. With only around an hour, you cannot treat Cala Illetas like a full stop where you will explore everything on foot. So if your ideal day includes deep beach time on land, you will want to manage expectations and lean into what the charter is built for: water time from the boat.
Food Tasting on Board: Snacks Included, Paella Optional
Food is handled in two layers. First, you have included snacks and limited drinks, with music and a laid-back setting that makes it easy to eat when you feel ready. Second, there are extra tasting options you can order, including paella prepared on board, or Mallorcan cheese and charcuterie platters.
This is one of those “small detail, big effect” parts of the day. Boat charters can otherwise turn into a forget-to-eat situation. With snacks included and a place to sit comfortably, you are less likely to burn through energy and then feel cranky later. If you order paella or a cheese plate, you get a more complete Mallorca feel, since those flavors sit right in the middle of what people come here to taste.
My practical tip: if you want paella, plan your appetite for the sea time. Once you are in the water, hungry can sneak up on you. Also, if you have dietary needs, ask early in your day conversation since ordering options are part of the experience.
Captain Leo and the Multilingual Advantage
A private boat day lives or dies on the captain. Here, your captain is described as an expert in the area, and Leo speaks Spanish, English, and French. In real life, that means you are not stuck with awkward hand gestures when you have questions. You can ask what you are seeing, what the timing is for swimming spots, or how to make the most of the included gear.
The best part is how the multilingual support affects comfort. When you can communicate clearly, you relax faster. And when you relax faster, you enjoy the boat more. That matters on a day that is mostly about views, water, and simple pleasures.
You also get passenger insurance for peace of mind. You will still want to follow basic boat safety like listening to directions and keeping an eye on the water routine, but having insurance listed is a real comfort check for most people planning a boat day.
What This Charter Is Best For
This is a strong fit if you want a private Mallorca boat charter without the stress of coordinating with strangers. It works well for groups up to 9, especially if you want one shared plan for a day that includes swimming, paddleboarding, and a calm sailing schedule.
I also think it suits people who value comfort. The bathroom and shower on board are practical, and towels are included, so you can keep the day moving after you rinse off. If you are the kind of traveler who hates hauling beach towels and changing bags from one place to another, this is a relief.
If your ideal day is nonstop sightseeing from the shore, this might not match your style. The itinerary is focused on time on the water, with one longer secret stop and a shorter Cala Illetas segment. Consider this if you prefer to linger and enjoy fewer places rather than chase multiple shore stops.
Should You Book BON MATI II for a Mallorca Boat Day?
I would book this charter if you want a private, comfortable boat day in southern Mallorca with real water time and an experienced captain who communicates in multiple languages. The combination of the 4-hour secret stop, included paddleboarding and snorkel mask, plus onboard comfort like shower, bathroom, and towels makes it feel built for actual relaxation, not just posing for pictures.
Skip it only if you need a heavily land-based itinerary, or if your budget only works when per-person costs stay very low and you cannot fill up close to the group maximum. Also, because the trip time depends on availability, make sure you choose a start that matches your schedule.
If you want a straightforward way to do “best beaches from the sea” with less crowd energy and more comfort, this one makes a lot of sense.
FAQ
How long is the Mallorca boat charter?
The duration is listed as 4 to 8 hours, depending on the starting time available.
How many people can go on the boat?
It is a private group charter for up to 9 people.
What is included in the price?
Included items are private boat rental, captain, gas, final cleaning, limited drinks, snacks, paddleboarding, snorkel mask, fridge, music, sun deck, shower, towels, and a bathroom.
Where does the tour start?
You can start from either Cala Nova or Puerto Calanova. The meeting point may vary depending on the option you book.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Does the captain speak languages besides Spanish?
Yes. The captain is listed as speaking English, French, and Spanish.
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