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The Balearic Islands make up only 1% of Spain, but what an 1% that is! This is not just a top summer destination, but a mix of colours, landscapes and traditions. This dreamy archipelago will captivate all boating enthusiasts. It offers a different experience on every new island. There is something there for everyone, from vibrant Ibiza and trendy Mallorca to vintage Formentera and the breathtaking beauty of Menorca. What other reason do you need to hire a boat in the Balearic Islands? If an Iberian adventure is your thing, here is a Click&Boat selection of 5 Balearic mooring spots.
The dreamlike Balearic mooring spot: Cala Fornells – Mallorca
Finding a shelter to spend the night is not easy. Cala Fornells, a creek on the island of Majorca, is a must if you are around. It’s just three miles from the port of Andratx. Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands, is only 10 miles away. Cala Fornells is calm and peaceful, perfect to spend the night and visit the nearby coves. Rock formations all around make Cala Fornells an ideal observatory of the open sea.
The late Prince of Asturias Juan de Bourbon used to visit Cala Fornells with his royal ketch. And for German speakers, visit nearby Peguera (in Calvia). It’s known as “Little Germany” due to its popularity with German tourists. Warum nicht?
Location : Southwest of Mallorca.
Access: Explore this magical place with your own boat or hire one from Barcelona, Andratx, Port Mahon, Palma De Mallorca, Fornells, Ciutadella de Menorca.
Distance : 2.5 miles from Port d’Andratx, 10 miles from Palma de Majorque, 112 miles from Barcelona.
A Balearic mooring spot of outmost serenity : Espalmador – S’Espalmador
Espalmador rhymes with conquistador. Nevertheless, this island is an oasis of serenity. It’s just 5 nautical miles from the northern tip of Formentera. If you’re feeling brave, you can swim to the other side at low tide. Espalmador is a tiny piece of land of just 200 h2, but the soft white sand beaches are nonetheless spacious.
The main anchorage of the island is El Espalmador port, located in a natural bay that protects boats from north and east winds. There are four other coves where you can dock: Cala Torretas, Cala Morros (or Calo Moro), Cala Bochs (or Cala Roja) and Trocados Beach, also known as Trocadors. The latter offers you turquoise water and a clear view of the island.
Location : the island of S’Espalmador, on the south of Ibiza and just north of Formentera.
Access : visit with your own boat or hire one in Ibiza, Palma de Majorque, Xàbia, Formentera.
Distance : 5 miles from the centre of Formentera, 8 miles from Ibiza, 59 miles from Xabia.
The extraordinary mooring spot: Punta de la Avanzada – Mallorca
With a destination as popular as the Balearic Islands, chasing what is unusual, unexplored and original can take time. You want to go off the chart? We have the perfect Balearic mooring spot for you. Try Punta de la Avanzada on the island of Majorca. It is a rocky promontory towered by the Faro de la Avanzada, a lighthouse 18 meters high and only accessible by boat. Exact location 39 ° 53 ’56 “N, 3 ° 06′ 45” E… Good luck!
If you have the chance, take time to visit the bay of Pollença and approach Alcudia, beautiful and relatively ignored by guides of the Balearic Islands and Mallorca. There are also caves not far from Punta de la Avanzada, another anchor spot nearby. Many visitors use kayaks to explore the surroundings and escape the crowd.
Location : north of the island of Mallorca
Access : Visit with your own boat or hire one in Pollença, Alcudia, Palma de Mallorca, Port Mahon, Ibiza, Minorca (Ciutadella de Menorca).
Distance : 1.4 miles from the port of Pollença, 29 miles from Palma de Mallorca, 34 miles from Ciutadella de Menorca.
The natural Balearic mooring spot: Isla Dragonera – Sa Dragonera
You will find here unexplored islands waiting for you to discover. And for hiking lovers, there is the option of an ascent to the summit of Pic Popi (360 meters). You can dock your boat at Sa Dragonera, a tiny Balearic island stretching along 2 miles and just 500 meters wide, that’s almost attached to Mallorca (5 miles from Andratx). A small, but incredibly beautiful spot. The island has been used as a filming location for Murder Under the Sun, a film based on Agatha Christie’s “Hercule Poirot’s Holiday”
Tourism is a regulated business at Sa Dragonera, a designated national park. The volcanic landscape of the island is different from the rest of the Balearic archipelago. You can hike along one of the four marked trails. Are you travelling enthusiasts, always on the lookout for something different? You are in the right place!
Location : island of La Dragonera, on the West of Mallorca.
Access : sail with your own boat or hire one from Palma de Mallorca (Mallorca), Ibiza, Andratx, Santa Ponsa.
Distance : 4.6 miles from Andratx, 10 miles from Santa Ponsa, 23 miles from Palma de Mallorca.
The standard anchor spot : Playa de Ses Salines – Ibiza
Beautiful, long stretches of sand in a place where la siesta is the rule of the day. In the vicinity of Ses Salines, on the island of Ibiza, is a typical Balearic mooring spot. Entertainment is not to be taken lightly here, with a range of options from water sports and competitions to games. Try exploring the area with a jet ski or book an organised trip.
And don’t forget to visit Ses Salines Natural Park, linking Ibiza with Formentera. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected area for birds, particularly flamingos. A surveillance boat will tell you where to anchor if all buoys are occupied.
Location : south of the island of Ibiza.
Access : Sail with your own boat or hire one in Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Port Mahon (Minorca), Alicante.
Distance : 73 miles from Palma de Mallorca, 94 miles from Alicante, 145 miles from Port Mahon.
And…
- Check our essential Balearic Islands guide
