Southern Mallorca and Cabrera
Spain · a week from Palma · about 103 nautical miles
Transcript
Southern Mallorca and Cabrera, Spain. Turquoise calas, an island national park and easy sailing from Palma.
Most charter companies in southern Mallorca are in Palma, spread along the main harbour front below the cathedral and only a short taxi ride from the airport. This week starts and ends in Palma.
The season runs from April to October. May, June and September are the sweet spot: warm water, steady sea breezes and space in the calas. July and August are hot and crowded, and the Cabrera buoys and harbour berths must be booked well ahead. April and October are quieter, with more chance of unsettled weather, but the sea in October is still warm.
Summers are hot and settled, with a sea breeze most afternoons. The south coast is sheltered from northerlies, but easterly and southerly winds send swell into the open calas. The Embat blows from the south-west. The afternoon sea breeze in the Bay of Palma, usually force 3 to 4. It fades away at sunset. The Llevant blows from the east. Brings swell into the east-facing coves between Cala Mondragó and Portocolom. When it is forecast, spend the night in a harbour rather than a cove. The Tramuntana blows from the north. A cool north wind off the mountains, most common in spring and autumn. On this south coast it blows offshore: flat water, but strong gusts.
Four ways to spend the night. Marinas: Stern-to on lazy lines. Visitor berths are limited and expensive in summer, so book ahead. Town quays: Portocolom and Colònia de Sant Jordi are public harbours run by the Balearic ports authority. Book a berth in advance in summer. Buoys: The park buoys in Cabrera must be booked online in advance. Some bays, such as Portocolom, also have buoy fields. At anchor: Anchor on sand only. Seagrass is protected across the Balearics, and patrol boats check anchored yachts in summer.
Filling up. Water and shore power are available in the marinas and on most town quays, but not on buoys or at anchor. Fuel is available in Palma, Portocolom and Colònia de Sant Jordi. Keep the tanks topped up whenever you pass a fuel station.
Now a sample week. It starts and ends in Palma: six short sailing days and about 103 nautical miles, taking in Cala Pi, Cabrera, Porto Petro, Portocolom and Colònia de Sant Jordi.
Saturday. Saturday is check-in day. Boats are usually ready from late afternoon: do the boat briefing, stow the shopping and spend the first night in the marina. Palma's old town and cathedral are a short walk along the seafront.
Sunday. Palma to Cala Pi, about 15 miles. South-east across the Bay of Palma on the sea breeze, past the cliffs of Cap Blanc, to a narrow cove with a small beach at its head. While you're there: swim off the beach at the head of the cove, walk up to the old watchtower on the cliff and have dinner aboard under the stars. At anchor in Cala Pi in settled weather. It is open to the south, so if a southerly is forecast use the marina at S'Estanyol a few miles east.
Monday. Cala Pi to Cabrera, about 15 miles. Out to the Cabrera archipelago, a national park of rocky islands with clear water and almost no buildings. You need a park permit and a booked buoy before you arrive. While you're there: climb to the castle above the harbour, visit the small museum in the old wine cellar and snorkel in the clearest water of the week. On a booked park buoy in Cabrera's harbour. Anchoring is not allowed.
Tuesday. Cabrera to Porto Petro, about 17 miles. North-east past the southern tip of Mallorca to the calas of the east coast, with a long swim stop before the short hop to Porto Petro. Lunch and a swim in Cala Mondragó, a natural park with two sandy beaches. While you're there: walk the coastal path through the Mondragó natural park, swim from the boat in turquoise water and have dinner on the waterfront in Porto Petro. On a yacht club buoy or berth in Porto Petro's sheltered inlet. Book ahead in summer.
Wednesday. Porto Petro to Portocolom, about 9 miles. A short, easy day north along the cala coast, with plenty of time to swim. Swim stop in Cala Sa Nau, a narrow cove with a small beach. While you're there: swim and snorkel in Cala Sa Nau, wander past the colourful boathouses of the fishing harbour and walk out to the lighthouse at the harbour entrance. Berth or buoy in Portocolom's big natural harbour, one of the most sheltered on the island. Reserve your spot before you arrive.
Thursday. Portocolom to Colònia de Sant Jordi, about 22 miles. Back south down the east coast and round the southern tip of Mallorca to the fishing harbour of Colònia de Sant Jordi. Afternoon swim off Es Trenc, a long natural beach with shallow turquoise water. While you're there: swim off the long beach at Es Trenc, look across to Cabrera from the harbour wall and eat fresh fish on the harbour front. Berth in the harbour at Colònia de Sant Jordi, or anchor on sand off Es Trenc in settled weather.
Friday. Colònia de Sant Jordi to Palma, about 25 miles. The longest day of the week, so start early. West past Cap Blanc and north across the Bay of Palma, often with the sea breeze behind you in the afternoon. While you're there: have breakfast under way after an early start, refuel in Palma before the Friday queue builds and spend a last evening in Palma's old town. Back in Palma by Friday evening for the check-in inspection.
Be back in Palma by Friday evening, refuelled, for the check-in inspection. Saturday morning is check-out, usually by nine. No sailing licence? Add a skipper and simply enjoy the week.
Southern Mallorca is relaxed, sunny cruising from one of the busiest charter hubs in the Mediterranean. A short sail from Palma takes you to Cabrera, an island national park with almost no buildings, then on to the turquoise calas of the south-east coast and the long beach of Es Trenc. Distances are short, apart from the last day back to Palma.
Where the charter boats are
Most charter companies in southern Mallorca are in Palma, spread along the main harbour front below the cathedral and only a short taxi ride from the airport. This week starts and ends in Palma.
Main bases: Palma. Marinas: Real Club Náutico de Palma · Club de Mar, Palma · Pier 46, Palma · Puerto Portals
When to go
- The season runs from April to October.
- May, June and September are the sweet spot: warm water, steady sea breezes and space in the calas.
- July and August are hot and crowded, and the Cabrera buoys and harbour berths must be booked well ahead.
- April and October are quieter, with more chance of unsettled weather, but the sea in October is still warm.
Weather
Summers are hot and settled, with a sea breeze most afternoons. The south coast is sheltered from northerlies, but easterly and southerly winds send swell into the open calas.
Embat
from the south-west
The afternoon sea breeze in the Bay of Palma, usually force 3 to 4. It fades away at sunset.
Llevant
from the east
Brings swell into the east-facing coves between Cala Mondragó and Portocolom. When it is forecast, spend the night in a harbour rather than a cove.
Tramuntana
from the north
A cool north wind off the mountains, most common in spring and autumn. On this south coast it blows offshore: flat water, but strong gusts.
Forecasts
- AEMET, the Spanish weather service: coastal and offshore forecasts for the Balearics online.
- Salvamento Marítimo weather broadcasts on VHF, announced on channel 16.
- Your charter company's check-in briefing, and the forecasts posted in marina offices.
Sea temperature: Around 19 °C in May, 25 to 27 °C in August, 24 °C in late September.
Where you moor
marina
Stern-to on lazy lines. Visitor berths are limited and expensive in summer, so book ahead.
town quay
Portocolom and Colònia de Sant Jordi are public harbours run by the Balearic ports authority. Book a berth in advance in summer.
buoy
The park buoys in Cabrera must be booked online in advance. Some bays, such as Portocolom, also have buoy fields.
anchor
Anchor on sand only. Seagrass is protected across the Balearics, and patrol boats check anchored yachts in summer.
Filling up: water, power and fuel
| Port | Type | Water | Power | Fuel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palma | Marina | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Charter base: start and finish. Several fuel stations in the harbour; expect queues on Friday afternoon. |
| Cala Pi | Anchorage | – | – | – | Narrow cove open to the south, with room for only a few boats: arrive early. No facilities. S'Estanyol marina is the nearby alternative. |
| Cabrera | Buoys | – | – | – | National park harbour. Park permit and a booked buoy needed; no anchoring, no fuel and no water. |
| Porto Petro | Buoys | – | – | – | Yacht club with a few visitor berths and a summer buoy field. No fuel: the nearest is in Cala d'Or next door or in Portocolom. |
| Portocolom | Marina | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Large, very sheltered natural harbour. Fuel dock near the entrance; berths and buoys must be booked. |
| Colònia de Sant Jordi | Marina | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Small public harbour with a fuel station. Book a berth ahead in summer. |
A sample week
Saturday: Saturday is check-in day. Boats are usually ready from late afternoon: do the boat briefing, stow the shopping and spend the first night in the marina. Palma's old town and cathedral are a short walk along the seafront.
Sunday · about 15 nm
Palma → Cala Pi
South-east across the Bay of Palma on the sea breeze, past the cliffs of Cap Blanc, to a narrow cove with a small beach at its head.
- Swim off the beach at the head of the cove
- Walk up to the old watchtower on the cliff
- Have dinner aboard under the stars
Overnight: At anchor in Cala Pi in settled weather. It is open to the south, so if a southerly is forecast use the marina at S'Estanyol a few miles east.
Monday · about 15 nm
Cala Pi → Cabrera
Out to the Cabrera archipelago, a national park of rocky islands with clear water and almost no buildings. You need a park permit and a booked buoy before you arrive.
- Climb to the castle above the harbour
- Visit the small museum in the old wine cellar
- Snorkel in the clearest water of the week
Overnight: On a booked park buoy in Cabrera's harbour. Anchoring is not allowed.
Tuesday · about 17 nm
Cabrera → Porto Petro
North-east past the southern tip of Mallorca to the calas of the east coast, with a long swim stop before the short hop to Porto Petro.
On the way: Lunch and a swim in Cala Mondragó, a natural park with two sandy beaches.
- Walk the coastal path through the Mondragó natural park
- Swim from the boat in turquoise water
- Have dinner on the waterfront in Porto Petro
Overnight: On a yacht club buoy or berth in Porto Petro's sheltered inlet. Book ahead in summer.
Wednesday · about 9 nm
Porto Petro → Portocolom
A short, easy day north along the cala coast, with plenty of time to swim.
On the way: Swim stop in Cala Sa Nau, a narrow cove with a small beach.
- Swim and snorkel in Cala Sa Nau
- Wander past the colourful boathouses of the fishing harbour
- Walk out to the lighthouse at the harbour entrance
Overnight: Berth or buoy in Portocolom's big natural harbour, one of the most sheltered on the island. Reserve your spot before you arrive.
Thursday · about 22 nm
Portocolom → Colònia de Sant Jordi
Back south down the east coast and round the southern tip of Mallorca to the fishing harbour of Colònia de Sant Jordi.
On the way: Afternoon swim off Es Trenc, a long natural beach with shallow turquoise water.
- Swim off the long beach at Es Trenc
- Look across to Cabrera from the harbour wall
- Eat fresh fish on the harbour front
Overnight: Berth in the harbour at Colònia de Sant Jordi, or anchor on sand off Es Trenc in settled weather.
Friday · about 25 nm
Colònia de Sant Jordi → Palma
The longest day of the week, so start early. West past Cap Blanc and north across the Bay of Palma, often with the sea breeze behind you in the afternoon.
- Have breakfast under way after an early start
- Refuel in Palma before the Friday queue builds
- Spend a last evening in Palma's old town
Overnight: Back in Palma by Friday evening for the check-in inspection.
Friday evening and Saturday: Be back in Palma by Friday evening, refuelled, for the check-in inspection. Saturday morning is check-out, usually by nine.
Navigation and mooring
- Cabrera is a national park. You need a navigation permit and a booked mooring buoy, both from the Balearic government's online booking system, and stays are limited in July and August. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.
- Seagrass is protected across the Balearics: anchor on sand only. In summer, environmental patrol boats check anchored yachts and can move you on.
- The calas of the east coast are small and open to the east and south. In a swell from that direction, spend the night in Porto Petro or Portocolom instead.
- Palma bay is busy with ferries, cruise ships and fast motorboats. Keep clear of the commercial harbour entrance and the marked swimming zones off the beaches.
- The last day back to Palma is about 25 miles round Cap Blanc. Leave early, and refuel in Palma on arrival or in Colònia de Sant Jordi the day before.
Provisioning
- Big supermarkets in Palma before departure, some delivering to the boat. The Santa Catalina and Olivar markets are good for fresh produce.
- There is almost nothing to buy on Cabrera, so stock up before you go.
- Small supermarkets and bakeries in Porto Petro, Portocolom and Colònia de Sant Jordi.
Rules and fees
- Cabrera national park: book the navigation permit and the mooring buoy online in advance through the Balearic government's booking system. Without both you may be turned away. Check the current rules, stay limits and fees.
- Posidonia seagrass is protected by law in the Balearics. Anchoring on it can bring heavy fines, so use sand patches or buoy fields.
- Skippers need a recognised licence and a VHF radio certificate. The charter company handles the boat's paperwork, and the crew list is done at check-in.
A planning guide, not a navigational publication. Maps are simplified and distances approximate. Always use official charts, the current pilot book, local notices and the latest forecast, and follow your charter company's briefing.