About Mallorca

Mallorca offers everything you could ask for in a charter destination - clear seas, excellent weather, world class ports, beautiful anchorages, unspoiled natural parks, excellent Spanish cuisine (tapas and paella!) and the friendly, relaxed Spanish culture. Mallorca is synonymous with world-renowned beaches and coves, but is also a perfect destination to enjoy countryside, culture, water sports, and many other leisure pursuits.

Majorca/Mallorca is the largest of the Spanish islands, measuring 80 km across with over 550 km of coastline, and is part of the Balearic Islands Archipelago off the Mediterranean cost of Spain. Along with its “sister islands”, Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca, Majorca is an extremely popular destination for yachting enthusiasts of all types.

There are many reasons to visit the island, either as the base for your charter or as one of the main stops while cruising the Balearic Islands and Spanish Mediterranean coast.

Sports and Activities. Mallorca's clean, crystal clear waters are ideal for bathing and for water sports such as scuba diving, water skiing, windsurfing, fishing, sailing and surfing. These are not the only sports on offer here, however: golf is widely available. There are many well-designed courses, set harmoniously in their natural surroundings, suitable for all levels.

Nature. Despite its place as one of the top holiday destinations in Europe, the natural attractions of the island have been well preserved. Almost 40 percent of Mallorca is protected countryside, and the landscape is marked by contrast: caverns, pinewoods, green hills, abrupt mountains. Of the many preserved nature areas, special mention should be made of the Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains in the north, with peaks reaching more than 1,400 meters above sea level. Beyond Andratx is the Sa Dragonera Nature Reserve. To the northeast is the Albufera Nature Reserve, one of five that exist in the Balearic Isles. Another highly recommended outing is to the Cabrera National Park, a group of islands and islets less than an hour by boat from Majorca.

Majorca has two mountainous regions each about 70 km in length. These occupy the north-western (Serra de Tramuntana or Tramuntana range) and eastern thirds of the island. The northeast coast comprises two sweeping bays: the Badia de Pollença and the larger Badia d'Alcúdia. The combination of mountains and bays make for great scenery while you sail around Mallorca and neighboring islands.

Palma

The capital of Majorca is Palma, named after the Roman city of Palmaria. You can almost literally uncover the different layers of Mallorcan history here - the Roman city still exists, a meter or two under the ground. The best place to view Palma is looking up from the waterfront, with the cathedral and Almudaina Palace soaring proudly above the defensive walls of the old city.

There is so much to do in Palma that we've dedicated an entire page to it - a Guide to Palma. Away from the myriad hotels and bars lining the long bay, there is great architecture, cultural areas and history to be explored.

Around Mallorca

Out of town From Palma, a journey around the island of Mallorca offers a myriad of different landscapes. The peaks of Sierra of Tramuntana reach 1400 meters. Close to these mountains you will find some of Majorca's most picturesque towns and villages, such as Deia, Pollensa and Valldemossa, whose unique atmosphere has captivated artists for centuries. This steep mountain range dives into the Mediterranean sea, creating unforgettable spots like the coves of Deià and Sa Calobra and the Port of Sóller.

To the northeast are the bays of Alcúdia and Pollença and the Formentor peninsula, which are important tourist areas where the pine groves reach all the way to the beach. In Alcúdia, the old walls are still preserved, as well as the ancient Roman city of Pollentia and the amphitheatre.

Valldemossa. The monumental compounds of Valldemossa rise between Sierra de Tramuntana and the Mediterranean, a few kilometers away from the Majorcan Costa Nord. The city's careful layout is filled with steep streets, stone facades and important religious buildings, among luxuriant vegetation. The mountains of this area dive into the ocean, to form beaches and coves where it is possible to anchor any vessel. The port of Valldemossa preserves the fishing-town character of yore. Fresh fish and inland produce are wisely combined into succulent recipes that will delight visitors.

Sóller is an attractive town on Mallorca's northwest Coast. Situated some 3 Km. inland, from its port, 'Port de Sóller', the town lies in a large, fertile, bowl-shaped valley. Sóller shares its valley with the village of Fornalutx and the hamlet of Biniaraix, with combined population of around 13,000. The valley is famous for its orange groves and terraces of ancient olive trees.

The village of Deià is just down the coast. It is one of the most charming and beautiful towns of the Mediterranean and attracts its share of stars and glitterati. The city center, with its ancient Majorcan houses, sits on the side of a small hill that overlooks the Mediterranean. It has remained intact through the passage of time, being traditionally the home to many painters and artists.

The Cathedral soaring above Palma

The rocky coast near Soller

The church in Valdemossa

An outcropping near Deia

A quiet pine lined anchorage in the north of Mallorca

A cheese and meat shop in Palma selling the local Sobrasada sausage

Puerto Portals is one of the most prestigious yacht marinas in Europe, well known for its exclusive bars and restaurants, unparalleled choice of designer shops and luxurious holiday apartments surrounding the port. Puerto Portals is located 9 km by motorway from the center of Palma and just 16 km from the airport. The marina has a total capacity of 670 moorings with sizes ranging up to 80 meters.

Puerto Portals hosts many yachting events, such as the classical Omega Regatta, the Off-Shore Class 1 World Championship, the Barcelona-Seville Motor Yachting 92 Regatta, and the Open UAP of the European Union with the best single and multi-hulls of the world.

Yachting in Mallorca

The island of Mallorca sports a lively yachting industry and many well-equipped harbors along the entire coast. Though most of the island's chandlery, haulout, and repair & refit facilities are based in Palma de Mallorca, modern and professional services are available at harbors everywhere on the island.

Mallorca has 41 marinas, 30 clubs nautics and moorings for 10,000 yachts! Local yachts can be chartered via Boatbookings.com - most marinas also have facilities for water-skiing and windsurfing.

Below is further information about chartering in the Mallorca. But if you already are sold on Mallorca and just want to see our boats, here are some quick links to start your search:

  Mallorca Motor Boats: Bareboat | Crewed
  Mallorca Monohull Sailboats: Bareboat | Crewed
  Mallorca Catamarans: Bareboat | Crewed

You might also want to try scuba diving - the clear waters around Mallorca are the perfect place for water based activities, especially in and around the small, shallow coves of the south and east coasts.

Sailing Regattas each year include the King's Cup in August, the Princess Sofia trophy at Easter, and the Rei en Jaume regatta in July when a flotilla of yachts will recreate the 185-km journey made by Jaume the Conqueror when he landed at Santa Ponsa in 1229. Also in Palma is the Cup “Trofeo Almirante Conde de Barcelona” for vintage and classic yachts, which takes place in August.

Mallorca Sailing and Yachting Areas

The Southwest coast of Mallorca (where Palma is located) is the most varied yachting area on the island. Palma is in the center of the huge stretch of bay that curves from Es Arenal across to Cala Figuera. From Cala Figuera to Punta de la Mala, the beautiful shoreline is broken by the magnificent anchorage of Puerto de Andratx and a host of small coves. You will find dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and great scenery and pass the Spanish Royal Summer Palace along the way.

One very popular destination is the island of La Cabrera, a National Park (we'll help you get a permit to visit here) a nice day's sail or cruise from Palma.

The Northwest Coast, known as the Tramuntana Coast, offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the Mediterranean. It stretches from Isla Dragonera to Cape Formentor - with the sheltered Puerto de Soller and exquisite scenery in area such as Valldemossa, Deia and Sa Calobra.

The Northeast of the island opens out into two sweeping bays - Pollença and Alcúdia - offering quiet and sheltered anchorages.Both are lined with long stretches of beach and small, well-preserved fishing villages. The harbors are good-sized, safe and easily accessible.

The Southeast of the island is formed by a sharply indented coastline where the many coves, inlets and calas are close together, forming a excellent shelter from wind and sea. The ports of Porto Colom and Porto Cristo offer excellent services.

Getting There

Mallorca, being a major tourist destination, is extremely well serviced from nearly every major city in Europe, both full service and low cost airlines. And, because of its proximity to the major cities such as London, chartering a private jet is a common practice. There are commuter flights all day long to Mallorca from Barcelona it is quite easy to reach.

The airport in Mallorca is modern, large and efficient. You'll generally have no problem getting to the island. Once there, the Palma port is a quick and easy cab ride from the airport. Transfers can be arranged, but are generally not necessary, taxis are generally quite inexpensive on Mallorca and there's no need to bargain with the taxi driver as the fees are regulated.

Climate and Weather

Mallorca is blessed with a warm pleasant climate, making it an excellent charter destination most months of the year. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and autumn/winter rains. Most of the island receives between 45 cm and 65 cm of rain over the year, most of which falls between September and November. Most of the rain that falls is concentrated within a few days of precipitation, with some very heavy rains in autumn and lighter rains over the rest of the year.

Excluding the high mountain areas, the average annual temperature is between 16ºC and 18ºC, with a maximum summer average of 29-31ºC and a minimum average winter night-time temperature of 5-9ºC. Mallorca´s sea breeze is known as the Embat; a typical daily onshore wind resulting from the sun heating the land more than the water.

Average temperatures in Mallorca:

Mallorcan/Balearic Cuisine

Balearic cuisine is closely tied to general Mediterranean cuisine, featuring fish and fresh vegetables of the region. Olives and almonds are typical features of the Mallorcan diet - the island has more than 4 million almond and olive trees! Products with their own Designation of Origin (the seal of quality and origin given in Spain to exceptional products from specific regions) are "sobrasada" (a kind of spicy pork spread), cheese from Mahón and wines from Binissalem-Mallorca, add to the flavor of the local dishes. "Tumbet" (a vegetable stew with potatoes, fried peppers and aubergine, covered with tomato sauce), rice-dishes with fish and "pa amb oli" (a piece of bread rubbed with oil and tomato) are almost omnipresent. Game meat, fish, seafood and fruit are part of the diverse gastronomy of the islands.

For dessert, nothing better than an "ensaimada" with some of the fine dessert wines distilled here, like "palo", gin and "hierbas".

Our Charter Yachts

Mallorca is truly is one of the world's best charter destinations. Boatbookings.com knows the region and boats, and can find you the ideal charter yacht, be it Super or Mega Yacht, crewed, sail, motor or catamaran. Click here to see our Mallorca Charter Yachts or simply contact us and we'll recommend the best boat for you.

Other Mediterranean Destinations:
the French Riviera | The Italian Riviera  | The Aeolian Islands  | Croatia | Turkey |

Map courtesy of Google Maps. Images courtesy of Mariona on the Boatbooking.com Staff