Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

The north coast puts on a fine show. This four-hour cruise from Port Alcudia takes you past Mallorca’s dramatic bays and rocky headlands before stopping at Formentor Beach for about an hour. You get a relaxed view of places that are difficult to reach by land, including Coll Baix, Cap des Pinar, and the famous Formentor lighthouse.

I like the simple coastal sightseeing and the chance to swim in clear water without arranging your own boat. I also like the reasonable price, about $34 per person, especially if you want scenery rather than a full meal, guided tour, or packed schedule. The main drawback is time: about three hours are spent aboard, and the boat can fill quickly, so the best seats may be gone before you arrive.

I would treat this as a scenic boat ride with one beach stop, not as a full tour of Formentor. You see the lighthouse from the water, but you do not get time to walk around the cape or visit other inland sights.

Key points before you book

• Four hours from Port Alcudia: The route includes coastal sightseeing, a beach break, and the return cruise.
• Formentor Beach gets about one hour: This is the main chance to swim and relax on shore.
• The lighthouse is a brief sighting: The schedule allows roughly 10 minutes for Cap de Formentor sightseeing.
• Upper-deck space can go fast: An October booking report found the upper deck already full at boarding.
• Bring your own supplies: Food and drinks are not included, so pack sunscreen, a camera, and comfortable clothes.
• A low-cost way to see the coast: At about $34, the trip is priced for scenery and transport, not extensive guiding or onboard extras.

What this Alcudia boat trip really offers

The boat leaves from the Alcudia waterfront and follows Mallorca’s northern coast toward Formentor. The appeal is the view from the sea. You can sit back while the coastline changes from the broad bay near Alcudia to more rugged coves and headlands.

This is a good choice if you enjoy being on the water but do not need constant commentary or organized activities. The experience is mostly about looking outward, taking photos, and enjoying the breeze. You will not be moving from one attraction to another on foot.

The full trip lasts four hours. That sounds generous, but the beach stop accounts for only about one hour. The remaining time is spent cruising, with short sightseeing periods near the cape. If your priority is a long swim and an easy boat ride, the timing works well. If you want to explore Formentor itself, it may feel limited.

The boat is operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa. You meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips boat kiosk on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia. There is no transfer from your hotel, so you need to make your own way to the port.

Leaving Port Alcudia and passing Aucanada

The first part of the trip carries you away from Port Alcudia and along the bay. Aucanada is one of the early coastal points mentioned on the route, followed by views toward Cap des Pinar.

This section works best as a gentle start. You can settle into your seat, take in the open water, and watch the built-up port area give way to quieter coastal scenery. I would have your camera ready early, since the changing shoreline is part of the pleasure of the trip.

Do not expect a stop at every bay. The boat passes several attractive places rather than letting you step ashore at each one. That is useful for covering more coast in four hours, but it also means you should choose this cruise for broad views, not detailed exploration.

Forty minutes near Coll Baix

The itinerary allows about 40 minutes of boat cruising around Platja del Coll Baix. This is one of the more appealing parts of the route because the beach is known for its striking coastal setting and difficult land access.

From the boat, you can enjoy the shape of the cove and the surrounding cliffs without needing to walk there. The view is the point. You may want to stay outside for this section, although sun exposure can build quickly on the water.

Coll Baix is not presented as a shore stop, so plan to see it from the boat. If you were hoping to spend time on this beach itself, this excursion will not provide that. The cruise gives you a quick coastal look while keeping the route moving toward Formentor.

Twenty-five minutes of northern Mallorca scenery

The next sightseeing stretch lasts about 25 minutes. The route continues past bays and rocky shoreline, with the boat offering a different angle on Mallorca than you get from roads or viewpoints.

I like this part for its lack of fuss. You are not being hurried through a long list of attractions. Instead, you have time to watch the water, spot the curves of the coast, and take pictures as the boat passes.

Still, the experience depends heavily on weather and your seat. On a bright day, the water and cliffs should photograph well. On a rough or hazy day, the long ride may feel less rewarding. The schedule does not promise a detailed commentary or a set of indoor activities to fill slower moments.

Formentor Beach: the main one-hour break

Formentor Beach is the practical center of the trip. The boat pauses here for about one hour, giving you time to swim in the clear water and enjoy the bay.

This stop received the strongest practical praise in the available booking comments. One October report described the beach swimming break as especially pleasant, while other comments called the overall trip beautiful and well organized. That matches the structure of the outing: the beach gives you a clear reward after the long outward cruise.

Bring your swimsuit under your clothes if you want to enter the water without wasting time. You should also carry sunscreen and comfortable clothes. Food and drinks are not included, so do not assume the price covers refreshments.

An hour is enough for a swim and a short rest, but it is not a full beach day. You will need to keep an eye on the return-to-boat time. If you prefer to sit quietly rather than swim, the bay still gives you a pleasant break from the boat.

The beach stop also explains why the trip suits some people better than others. Families and couples who want a straightforward swim can get good value from it. Someone hoping to spend half a day on Formentor Beach will probably find the stop too short.

A quick look at Cap de Formentor lighthouse

After the beach break, the boat allows around 20 minutes for the next ferry section and about 10 minutes of sightseeing at Cap de Formentor. This is where expectations matter most.

The lighthouse is famous, but this cruise views it from the sea. You should not expect to go ashore, walk around the lighthouse, or spend an hour photographing it from land. One October booking comment said the lighthouse was visible from a distance for only about 60 seconds, which caused disappointment.

That brief sighting is not necessarily a flaw in a boat route, but it is a warning about the product. The cape is the destination in name, while Formentor Beach and the coastal ride provide most of the actual experience. If seeing the lighthouse up close is your main goal, choose a land-based excursion instead.

For a sea-level view, the approach can still be worthwhile. The headland has a strong visual presence, and the boat gives you a broad view of its cliffs and surrounding water. Just keep your camera ready and do not wait for a long stop.

The forty-five-minute return to Alcudia

The return ferry takes about 45 minutes. At this stage, you will have already seen the main points, so the ride becomes a chance to rest and review your photos.

This is also when the four-hour duration can feel long. One critical comment described the trip as roughly three hours on a crowded boat for only 45 minutes to one hour at the beach. That is a fair concern if you prefer active sightseeing or dislike sitting in one place.

I would use the return time as a decision test. If you enjoy boat travel itself, the cruise remains pleasant. If you see the boat only as transport to Formentor, the value drops because the stop is relatively short.

Seating, crowding, and the best way to board

The boat can become busy, particularly in good weather. An October report said the upper deck was already full when boarding began in Alcudia, leaving the passenger with a middle-deck seat despite the sunshine.

This is one of the most useful practical details. Arriving with enough time to find the kiosk and board without rushing may improve your choice of seat. The supplied information does not promise reserved seating, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed place on the top deck.

The upper deck may offer the clearest views and best chance of a breeze, but it also gives you more direct sun. The middle deck may be more comfortable if you need shade. Bring sunscreen regardless, since the reflection from the sea can be strong.

Crowding also affects photography. If the boat is full, you may have less room to move around and fewer clear views. A camera is still worth packing, but you should be ready to take pictures from your own position.

Is $34 good value?

At around $34 per person, the trip is fairly priced for a four-hour coastal cruise with a stop at Formentor Beach. You are paying for the boat ride, access to the route, and the swimming break. You are not paying for meals, drinks, hotel transport, or an extensive guided program.

The price works best for you if reaching the northern coast by boat is part of the fun. It can also be useful if you want to see Coll Baix, Cap des Pinar, and Formentor without arranging separate transport.

The value is weaker if you want maximum time on land. A full day of independent sightseeing around Formentor would offer more freedom, although it would involve different transport and planning. This cruise is easier, but less flexible.

A rating of 4.1 from 569 bookings suggests a generally positive experience with some clear limitations. The happiest comments praised the pleasant ride, attractive places, good organization, and overall recommendation. The lower scores focused on crowding, the long time aboard, the short lighthouse view, and one reported cancellation caused by a boat breakdown.

That breakdown report is worth noting, but it should not be treated as a normal part of every departure. The key lesson is practical: check your messages before leaving for the port, especially if your schedule is tight.

Who should choose this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• An easy way to see Mallorca’s northern coast from the water
• A reasonably priced half-day outing from Alcudia
• A pleasant swimming stop at Formentor Beach
• Coastal photos without arranging your own boat
• A relaxed schedule with limited walking

I would think twice if you want:

• A long visit to Formentor Beach
• A close, extended visit to the lighthouse
• Several shore stops
• A quiet boat with plenty of open seating
• A fully guided sightseeing program

The cruise is also a good fit for anyone who finds a day on the water more relaxing than a day of driving. You can let the route unfold without worrying about road turns or parking. Just remember that relaxation is the product, not fast-paced sightseeing.

Practical advice for a better day

Meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa at Passeig Marítim, Puerto Alcudia. Since hotel transfers are not included, allow time to reach the port on your own.

Bring a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. Add swimwear and personal water if you want to make the most of the beach break, since food and drinks are not included.

I would arrive early enough to board calmly and look for a suitable seat. If you want an upper-deck position, the available space may disappear quickly on a sunny day. At the same time, choose shade if you are sensitive to direct sun.

The company allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are still moving. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before committing your day.

Should you book the Alcudia to Formentor boat trip?

Book it if you want a scenic boat outing with a real swim stop and you are comfortable spending most of four hours aboard. At $34, it offers a simple, affordable way to see Mallorca’s northern coast from a different angle.

Skip it if the lighthouse is your main reason for going, or if you want several hours on land. Formentor Beach is the highlight, while Cap de Formentor is a short sighting rather than a full visit.

My advice is to set your expectations correctly: this is a pleasant coastal cruise, not a detailed Formentor tour. If that sounds like your kind of day, it is a sensible choice from Alcudia.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The trip starts at the Alcudia Sea Trips boat kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa, on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts four hours in total.

What places can I see from the boat?

The route includes views of Aucanada, Coll Baix Beach, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Beach, and Cap de Formentor.

How long is the stop at Formentor Beach?

The beach break lasts about one hour.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. The Formentor Beach stop is intended to give you time to swim in the clear water.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to the meeting point at Port Alcudia.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Swimwear is also useful if you plan to swim at Formentor Beach.