Sailing Mallorca is the Mediterranean in miniature: dramatic cliffs and pine-backed coves on one coast, long sandy beaches on another, and the wild Cabrera archipelago just a short hop offshore. The island is compact, well-served by Palma's marinas and blessed with reliable summer sun – which makes it one of the easiest and most rewarding places in Spain to spend a week under sail, with or without experience.
Here's a classic Mallorca sailing route, the most beautiful bays to drop anchor in, and the best time to go.
A classic sailing route around Mallorca
Most trips start and finish in Palma, with its grand cathedral and buzzing waterfront. From there a relaxed week might run:
- Palma → the southwest coast – anchor off Portals Vells or El Toro, clear water within an hour of the marina.
- Cabrera archipelago – a protected national park of untouched islets and turtle-clear water; an overnight buoy here is a highlight (permit required, arranged for you).
- Es Trenc & the south – Caribbean-white sand and shallow turquoise shallows.
- Porto Cristo & the east coast – pretty calas cut into the cliffs, ideal for swim stops.
- Northeast to Pollença & Formentor – the dramatic mountain scenery of the Tramuntana meeting the sea.
The most beautiful bays in Mallorca
Mallorca's coast is stitched with calas – small coves that are perfect anchorages. Favourites include the fjord-like Cala Pi, the twin coves of Caló des Moro and Cala s'Almunia, pine-fringed Cala Varques, and the sweeping bay of Formentor beneath its lighthouse. Because distances are short, you can visit two or three in a single unhurried day.
Ready to explore Mallorca's coves by boat? Discover our Spain & Balearics sailing trips.
The Cabrera archipelago
The jewel of any Mallorca trip is the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park, an uninhabited cluster of islands off the south coast. Strictly protected, it offers some of the clearest water in the Balearics, a natural harbour, sea caves and abundant marine life. Numbers are limited and a permit is needed – on a guided trip that's all taken care of, so you simply enjoy one of the Mediterranean's last truly wild anchorages.
Best time to sail Mallorca
The season runs from May to October. June and September are ideal: warm water, long sunny days, gentle winds and fewer crowds than peak summer. July and August are hottest and busiest, wonderful for swimming and nightlife but book early. Mallorca's afternoon sea breeze is generally friendly, and the west coast offers shelter when the northerly Tramuntana blows.
With or without a skipper
No licence or experience is needed to join a shared trip – a professional skipper handles navigation, the Cabrera permit and mooring while you enjoy the island. Prefer to learn? Turn your week into a skipper training holiday and sail Mallorca hands-on.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Mallorca sailing trips start?
Usually from Palma, the island's capital, which has large marinas and an international airport just minutes away.
Can you sail to Cabrera from Mallorca?
Yes – it's a short sail from the south coast. Cabrera is a national park with limited access, so a permit is required; on a guided trip this is arranged for you.
When is the best time to sail Mallorca?
June and September offer warm water, sunshine and calmer, less crowded anchorages than midsummer.
Conclusion
Compact, sunny and stunningly varied, Mallorca packs cliffs, calas and a wild national park into one easy week under sail – no experience required. Ready to cast off? Explore our Spain & Balearics sailing trips.
