Mallorca's best-known beaches have car parks. The ones people photograph often do not: they sit under cliffs, behind headlands or inside caves, and the only way in is from the water. Four stretches of coast, four ways to reach them — and the price unit changes with each one.
- Bay of Palma — the caves of Portals Vells and the El Toro islet
- The north — sea caves and the cliffs of Cap de Formentor
- The north-east — calas out of Cala Ratjada with no road to them
- Under the surface — caves, reefs and Posidonia meadows off Pollença
Below: which boat reaches which stretch, what the seat or the boat costs, and what the operator confirms before you go.
Bay of Palma: Portals Vells and the El Toro islet
The south-west coast holds the two landmarks every Palma boat day is built around: the caves of Portals Vells and the islet of El Toro. Two very different boats go there — your own rental, or a seat on the big catamaran.
With your own boat from Palma
On Charter hires out motorboats and yachts from the Palma marina at €320 per boat for a full 8-hour day, up to 10 guests, licence-free or with a skipper. The day runs to Portals Vells, El Toro and the calas of the south-west, anchoring to swim and snorkel where you choose.
By catamaran, with a seat instead of a helm
Magic Catamarans sails the same bay for €55 per person over five hours, stopping to swim and snorkel in clear coves. Snorkel gear, a meal on board and sangria are included; the deck carries sun nets and a freshwater shower, and no sailing skills are needed.
The north: sea caves and Cap de Formentor
North of Alcúdia the coast turns vertical. Cliffs drop straight into the water, sea caves open at the foot of them, and the road stops long before Cap de Formentor does. Two ways in: on the surface at speed, or underneath it.
Jet ski from Alcúdia
The 90-minute guided run from Port d'Alcúdia costs €85 per jet ski for up to two riders, licence-free. It follows the cliffs and sea caves as far as Cap de Formentor and pauses to swim in clear water — the fastest way to see the wild north from sea level.
Underneath, off Pollença
Scuba Mallorca, a PADI 5-star centre in Port de Pollença, runs try-dives from €75 per person over three hours in groups of up to eight. The north coast's clear water holds caves, healthy reefs and UNESCO-protected Posidonia meadows, with grouper, barracuda and octopus common sights.
The north-east: calas with no road to them
This is the stretch where the boat is not a luxury but the only door. Out of Cala Ratjada a small speedboat reaches coves that the coast road never touches, and the sheltered Bay of Pollença next door does the same job for anyone who would rather sail than be driven.
Speedboat from Cala Ratjada
The La Cala boat trip costs €49 per person for three hours, in a shared group of up to twelve. A local skipper and guide run in to calas only boats can access, with stops to swim and snorkel; snorkel gear and water are aboard, food, drinks and transfers are not.
Under sail in the Bay of Pollença
Sail&Surf Pollença teaches on the beach at Port de Pollença for €59 per person per two-hour session, up to four people. Steady, gentle winds in the sheltered bay suit a first tack, with the Formentor peninsula as the backdrop; experienced sailors can rent and go out alone.
How do you reach the calas without your own boat?
Three of the four ways above need no boat of your own: a seat on the catamaran at €55 per person, a seat on the speedboat at €49 per person, or a guided jet ski at €85 per craft for two riders. Only the Palma rental puts the helm in your hands, at €320 per boat for the day.
Important
routes are the operator's call on the day. The speedboat and the catamaran both pick their coves by wind and sea state, and the jet-ski tour is guided end to end — the exact cala is confirmed on the day, not booked in advance.
