Palma de Mallorca: 5-Hour Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Swim

Mallorca looks best from the water. This five-hour catamaran cruise pairs two swimming stops with a barbecue lunch, open-sea views, and a cheerful onboard soundtrack as you sail from Palma toward Portals Vells or Cala Vella. I like the generous time in the water and the easy all-in-one setup, with food, soft drinks, water, and mealtime wine and sangria included. The main consideration is size: this is a popular boat, not a quiet private sail, and the route or number of swimming stops can change with wind and sea conditions.

I also like the value. At $69 per person, you get a long boat outing, a filling meal, and several hours of swimming without arranging separate transport or paying for a restaurant afterward. The afternoon departure can be especially appealing, since you may return to Palma with sunset light and a view toward the cathedral. Just expect the second cove to be less spectacular than the first on some departures, and bring cash for the refundable snorkeling deposit.

Key points to know before booking

• Two coves, weather permitting: The usual plan includes Portals Vells or Cala Vella plus a nearby second cove, but the captain may adjust the route.
• Five hours on a spacious catamaran: The boat can be full, yet the open layout gives you room to move and change sides for different views.
• Barbecue lunch served onboard: Expect chicken breast, skewers, sausages, fresh salads, and cake, with water, soft drinks, coffee, and juice available during the outing.
• Snorkeling requires a €10 cash deposit: Masks are available, and the deposit is refundable when the equipment is returned.
• Afternoon sailing may include sunset views: The 3:30 PM departure often creates a scenic return to Palma, while the 10 AM departure gives you a classic daytime outing.
• Meet by the Auditorium de Palma: Find the Magic Catamarans boat on the harbor side of the pier and arrive 30 minutes early.

Leaving Palma harbor beside yachts and cruise ships

The meeting point is at the Port of Palma, at the boat dock in front of the Auditorium de Palma on Passeig Marítim. Look for the Magic Catamarans boat on the harbor side, rather than waiting near the road or auditorium entrance.

I would arrive the full 30 minutes early. The boarding area can involve several lines, and one passenger specifically found the early organization unclear while standing in the hot sun. Getting there ahead of time gives you a better chance to ask where to wait and settle aboard without a rushed start.

Parking is very limited around the port. If you are driving, use the suggested parking location from the operator and allow extra time to walk to the dock. If you are staying in Palma, the port setting is convenient, but you still need to identify the correct pier before departure.

Once underway, the first part of the cruise gives you a broad view of Palma’s waterfront. You pass cruise ships and large yachts as the catamaran leaves the harbor, then follow the south coast toward the swimming coves. This is less a narrated sightseeing tour than a relaxed day at sea, so do not expect a steady stream of historical facts about Mallorca.

That lack of commentary is the main weak point for curious sightseers. The live guidance is in English and Spanish, but the focus is on running the boat, serving food, and keeping the atmosphere lively. I would choose this trip for water time and scenery, not for detailed information about coastal villages or landmarks.

Portals Vells or Cala Vella: the main swimming stop

The exact destination depends on wind conditions. The boat may head to Portals Vells or Cala Vella, both on the south coast, and the choice matters because the water and shelter can vary from day to day.

At the main stop, the catamaran anchors near an idyllic beach or coastal cove. You can use the ladder to enter the sea, swim around the boat, or make your way toward shallower water near the coast when conditions allow. Several people found the first stop particularly beautiful, with clear water and small fish visible through a mask.

This is the part of the cruise I would value most. You are not simply looking at Mallorca from a deck. You get a substantial break to cool off, float, snorkel, and enjoy the view from sea level. The exact timing can vary, but one reported schedule allowed about 30 minutes at the first stop and roughly 90 minutes at the second, while other departures used the stops differently.

The boat provides snorkeling masks for a refundable €10 cash deposit. Bring the deposit in euros if you want to use the equipment, and return the gear afterward to receive the money back. You can also bring your own mask, which avoids the deposit and may give you a better fit.

The water is not guaranteed to look identical every day. A recent storm or heavy rain can reduce visibility, and the wind may push the captain toward a safer but less dramatic anchorage. One passenger still saw fish after rain, but found the water less clear than expected.

Life vests are available for both adults and children. The activity has worked well for families with children aged six and seven, as well as solo passengers and mixed-age groups. Still, the heart of the outing is swimming from the boat, so you should be comfortable entering open water with the boat’s safety instructions.

The second cove and the limits of a weather-led route

The plan calls for two stops, one at Portals Vells or Cala Vella and another nearby. In practice, the second stop may feel different from the first. It might be a pleasant place for another swim, but some departures have anchored in deeper water where the sea looked less blue and there was less marine life to see.

That is not necessarily a failure. The captain chooses the route around wind and sea conditions, and a safe anchorage matters more than a postcard view. If your first stop is exceptional, though, the second can seem ordinary by comparison.

There is also some variation in how many stops take place. One passenger reported only one swimming stop despite expecting two. The route may change due to weather, so treat the two-stop plan as the intended schedule rather than an absolute promise.

I would keep your expectations flexible. You are booking five hours of sailing, swimming, food, and music, not a guaranteed visit to two exact beaches. If the sea is calm and the conditions line up, you may get two lovely coves. If not, the boat may spend more time at one safer location.

Barbecue lunch with wine, sangria, and simple salads

During the main stop, the crew prepares a buffet barbecue onboard. The listed meal includes chicken breast, skewers, sausages, fresh salads, and cake for dessert. The meal is straightforward rather than gourmet, but it fits the setting and gives you something substantial after swimming.

The strongest food comments focus on quantity, freshness, and the pleasure of eating on deck. I like that lunch is built into the cruise instead of forcing you to leave the water and find food at a beach restaurant. You can swim while the crew cooks, then return aboard when the buffet is ready.

Water and soft drinks are included throughout the excursion. Coffee and juice are also available, while Mallorcan wines and sangria are served with the meal. Fresh fruit was also available on some departures, adding a welcome lighter choice after the grilled food and cake.

Alcohol outside mealtime costs extra and can be purchased at the bar by card. American Express is not accepted onboard, so carry another card if you plan to buy drinks. The included beverages make the $69 price easier to justify, especially for an afternoon that replaces both a paid activity and a restaurant meal.

Vegetarian food is not described as a standard buffet choice. If you need a vegetarian option, contact Magic Catamarans directly before sailing. Do not assume a special meal can be arranged at the dock.

Music, dancing, and the social side of the boat

The crew sets a lively tone with music, often including Spanish songs. On some afternoon trips, passengers danced on deck, and the music helped turn the return journey into a small party rather than a quiet transfer back to Palma.

The atmosphere depends on the group and the crew, but the staff consistently receive praise for being friendly, organized, energetic, and helpful. Captain Perez is named in one especially positive account, while another describes the captain cooking at the barbecue and the crew keeping service orderly.

This is useful to know if you are traveling alone. The social setting makes it easy to chat with people, and a solo passenger found the trip comfortable and made new friends. Couples, families, and groups of friends also fit naturally into the format.

The tradeoff is volume and privacy. The catamaran can be fully booked. Its layout keeps it from feeling impossibly tight, and you can change positions during the cruise, but you should not expect the silence or personal service of a small charter.

Music volume also varies. One person wished it were louder, while others liked the Spanish soundtrack and relaxed mood. If you want a calm reading session, the music and social energy may be more than you had in mind. If you want a cheerful day with dancing, it is likely a good match.

Morning or afternoon: choosing the right departure

The morning departure is at 10 AM, and the afternoon departure is at 3:30 PM. Both last five hours, so your choice should depend on the kind of day you want in Palma.

Choose the morning if you want to swim during the brightest part of the day and keep your evening free. It works well if you have dinner plans, an early night, or another activity later.

Choose the afternoon if you like warm evening light and a more festive finish. Several afternoon departures returned toward Palma around sunset, with especially appealing views from the water. Some passengers also enjoyed seeing the cathedral area from the boat on the way back.

The afternoon trip is sold as a sunset dinner experience in some bookings, although the meal itself is the same barbecue-style buffet described for the cruise. Sunset depends on the season and weather, so consider it a strong possibility rather than a guarantee.

How much value do you get for $69?

At $69, this is a strong-value option if you plan to use the swimming time and eat the included meal. You are paying for five hours aboard a catamaran, two planned anchorages, snorkeling equipment access, life vests, a buffet, and drinks during the whole trip.

The value is less convincing if you mainly want a short scenic cruise. You will spend a large part of the day at sea, and the best reason to book is the combination of swimming and lunch rather than sightseeing alone.

I would also compare it with the cost of arranging your own beach day. A taxi or rental car to a cove, beach food, drinks, and a separate boat outing can quickly exceed $69, while this cruise bundles everything into one booking. The compromise is that you give up control over the exact beach, schedule, and group size.

The high level of satisfaction makes the price look even better, especially because the same strengths appear repeatedly: kind crew, plentiful food, good swimming spots, and a fun atmosphere. The fair reading is that this is excellent value for a shared excursion, not luxury yachting.

Who will enjoy Magic Catamarans most?

I would recommend this cruise to:

• Families wanting swimming, food, and a simple five-hour plan
• Couples looking for sea views and a possible sunset return
• Solo visitors who like a friendly, social setting
• Groups of friends who want music, drinks, and room to move around
• Anyone who values water time more than detailed sightseeing commentary

I would be more cautious if you want a private, quiet boat or a highly structured cultural tour. I would also think twice if you dislike open-water swimming, shared spaces, or changing plans caused by wind.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and the €10 cash deposit if you want the snorkeling equipment. A waterproof phone pouch may be useful for photographs, but that is personal gear rather than something supplied by the operator.

If you have several separate reservations and want to sit together on the same boat, contact the provider in advance. Do not leave that request until boarding.

Should you book this Palma catamaran cruise?

I would book it if you want a relaxed, social day built around swimming, a simple barbecue, and Mallorca’s coast viewed from the sea. The crew, food quantity, music, and overall price are the strongest reasons to go.

I would choose the afternoon sailing for sunset possibilities and the morning trip for a more practical daytime schedule. Just remember that the route can change, the second stop may be less scenic, and a full catamaran will never feel like a private charter.

For $69, Magic Catamarans gives you a lot of Mallorca in five hours: sea air, clear coves when conditions cooperate, a meal without extra planning, and a cheerful ride back toward Palma. If that sounds better than spending the day on one beach, it is an easy recommendation.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

It leaves from the Port of Palma, at the boat dock in front of the Auditorium de Palma on Passeig Marítim. Look for the Magic Catamarans boat on the harbor side of the pier.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. Parking near the port is very limited, so allow extra time if you are driving.

What departure times are available?

The listed options are a morning departure at 10 AM and an afternoon departure at 3:30 PM. Each cruise lasts five hours.

Which coves does the cruise visit?

The boat travels to Portals Vells or Cala Vella, depending on wind conditions, and plans a second stop at another nearby cove. The route can change because of weather.

Are two swimming stops guaranteed?

Two stops are planned, but sea and weather conditions can alter the schedule. Some departures may use one main swimming stop instead.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Masks are available with a €10 refundable cash deposit. Life vests for adults and children are also provided.

What food is served?

The buffet includes barbecue meats such as chicken breast, skewers, and sausages, along with fresh salads and cake for dessert. Contact the provider in advance if you need a vegetarian option.

Which drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, coffee, and juice are available throughout the excursion. Mallorcan wine and sangria are included with the meal. Other alcoholic drinks can be purchased onboard by card, except with American Express.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.