Sail Mallorca from Palma: 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
The Idea in One Look
Mallorca is tailor-made for a short sailing holiday: short hops, clear anchorages and easy marina nights when you want them. Start and finish in Palma’s central marinas, use morning calms for swims, and ride the afternoon embat seabreeze between coves.
🗺️ 3-Day “Southwest Sampler” (Easy, Coves & Short Legs)
Soft sand, piney coves and minimal mileage. Great for first-timers or family crews.
Day 1 – Palma → Illetas → Portals Vells
- Distance: ~10–14 nm total (with cove detours)
- Swim/anchor: Illetas (sand, ladders) → Portals Vells (caves, sandy patches)
- Overnight: Anchor Portals Vells (fair-weather) or berth Portals Nous/Port Adriano
- Vibe: Easy reaches, swim-heavy day
Day 2 – Portals Vells → Santa Ponça → Camp de Mar
- Distance: ~12–16 nm
- Swim/anchor: Santa Ponça (broad bay), Cala Fornells/Camp de Mar (rock/sand mix)
- Overnight: Port d’Andratx (sheltered, dinner ashore) or Santa Ponça (moorings)
Day 3 – Camp de Mar/Andratx → Cala Comtessa → Palma
- Distance: ~16–20 nm
- Swim/anchor: Cala Comtessa for a last turquoise stop
- Return: Palma by late afternoon for Old Town tapas
| Day | Leg | nm (approx.) | Anchor/Marina idea | Why it works |
| 1 | Palma → Illetas/Portals Vells | 10–14 | Sand patches, Portals Nous | Short hop + caves |
| 2 | Portals Vells → Santa Ponça/Camp de Mar | 12–16 | Santa Ponça moorings, Andratx | Big bay + sheltered night |
| 3 | Andratx → Palma (via Comtessa) | 16–20 | Comtessa swim stop | Final blue-water dip |
Pack tip: Rash vests, microfibre towels, short fins for rocky shelves, and plenty of water.
🏝️ 5-Day “Southwest to Cabrera” (Iconic Reserves & Clear Water)
Adds the national park of Cabrera (permit/mooring booking needed) for reef-like clarity.
Day 1 – Palma → Portals Vells (or Sant Elm)
- ~12–22 nm depending on stop; cave swim + calm first night
Day 2 – Sant Elm/Andratx → Cabrera (longer leg)
- ~38–45 nm via south coast run
- Book Cabrera buoy in advance; arrive mid-afternoon for a snorkel
Day 3 – Cabrera Lay Day
- Morning hike to the castle, Blue Cave dinghy explore (settled seas), lazy swims
Day 4 – Cabrera → Cala Pi → Cala Blava
- ~22–28 nm with a stop at Cala Pi (sand tongue, photo stop)
- Overnight: Cala Blava (fair-weather) or marina berth back closer to Palma if wind builds
Day 5 – Eastern Bay Swim → Palma
- ~10–14 nm, final snorkel at Cala Gamba or along the Portixol side; return by mid-pm
Permits & Notes
- Cabrera moorings: limited; choose buoy size to match LOA and arrive on time.
- No anchoring on posidonia; respect park rules.
🌊 7-Day “Full-Circle West & East” (Variety + Photogenic Formentor)
Clockwise lap that adds the north’s drama (split into realistic legs with marina options).
Day 1 – Palma → Port d’Andratx
- ~25–30 nm with a lunch stop at Camp de Mar or Cala Fornells
- Overnight: Port d’Andratx (lively dining, great shelter)
Day 2 – Andratx → Port de Sóller
- ~25–30 nm along Tramuntana cliffs (start early for lulls)
- Swim: Sa Foradada (settled weather)
- Overnight: Port de Sóller (tram rides, sunset views)
Day 3 – Sóller → Sa Calobra/Cala Tuent → Port de Pollença
- ~30–35 nm with epic cliff lines
- Swim: Cala Tuent/Sa Calobra (watch swell)
- Overnight: Port de Pollença
Day 4 – Formentor Day
- Short scenic sails to Cala Murta/Cala Figuera (Formentor); lighthouse photos from the water
- Overnight: Pollença again (provision top-up)
Day 5 – Pollença → Alcúdia Bay → Colònia de Sant Pere
- ~18–25 nm bay-hopping; sand-bottom swims, glassy mornings
- Overnight: Colònia de Sant Pere (quiet)
Day 6 – Colònia → Cala d’Or/Mondragó
- ~22–30 nm along the scalloped southeast
- Swim: Cala Sa Nau/Mondragó (clear water, rocky shelves)
- Overnight: Cala d’Or (marina night)
Day 7 – Cala d’Or → Cabrera photo stop → Palma
- ~35–45 nm; time Cabrera pass-by only if conditions/permits allow a quick lunch buoy; otherwise track direct west with a final swim at Cala Pi
- Dock Palma for city evening
Reality check: The north and Tramuntana legs are more exposed—carry extra water, review forecasts carefully, keep bailout ports in mind.
🧭 Prevailing Winds & When to Go
- Summer (Jun–Sep): Morning calms, embat seabreeze building after late morning. Plan swims early, sailing legs after lunch.
- Shoulder (Apr–May, Oct): Varied winds, often best mix of breeze + mooring availability.
- Winter: Clear days and sharp light; marina nights make sense between fronts.
⚓ Anchorages & Berths
| Area | Swim/Anchor | Marina Night |
| Southwest | Illetas, Portals Vells, Camp de Mar | Portals Nous, Port Adriano, Andratx |
| Northwest | Sa Foradada (settled), Cala Tuent | Port de Sóller |
| North | Formentor coves, Pollença bay sand patches | Port de Pollença, Alcúdia |
| Southeast | Sa Nau, Mondragó, Cala Mitjana | Cala d’Or |
| South | Cala Pi, Cala Blava | Palma marinas |
💶 Budgeting Cheat-Sheet (Wekly)
| Boat | Apr–May / Oct | Jun / Sep | Jul–Aug | Notes |
| 38–42’ Monohull (bareboat) | €1,700–€2,800 | €2,200–€3,200 | €3,200–€4,600 | Add deposit, cleaning, outboard |
| 40–45’ Monohull (skippered) | €3,400–€4,800 | €4,200–€5,800 | €5,500–€7,500 | Skipper €200–€250/day |
| 38–42’ Catamaran (skippered) | €4,800–€7,200 | €6,000–€8,500 | €8,000–€12,000 | Fuel higher; great for groups |
Fuel, provisions, moorings and park fees are extra. Weekdays and shoulders save money.
🧳 Packing & Prep
- Essentials: soft bags, reef-safe sunscreen, hats, rash vests, microfibre towels, non-marking shoes or bare feet
- Water gear: short fins, masks, tow float for kids, dry bag
- Nav: offline charts/apps, paper harbour notes for the north, headtorch
- Admin: licences (for bareboat), credit card for deposits, ID, insurance details
🛟 Safety & Good Etiquette
- Anchor on sand, not on posidonia.
- Give wide berth to swim-buoy lines.
- Lifejackets for kids; quick safety talk before casting off.
- Check swell before Tramuntana coves; have bailouts.
- Stow glass and loose items before tacks/gybes.
❓ FAQ
Is a one-week loop too ambitious?
Cabrera—must we book?
Yes, moorings are limited and permits are required. Book in advance; no anchoring on seagrass.
Monohull or catamaran?
Cats win for deck space and stability (families, groups). Monohulls feel sportier and are cheaper to charter.
Do we need a skipper?
For bareboat you’ll need the right licence and recent experience. A local skipper makes routing and anchoring easier, especially in the north.
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