Visit the 8 most beautiful beaches in the South of Menorca Marenostrum

The best part of this outing is simple: a boat gets you to hard-to-reach southern coves that can take a long walk to reach overland. In about three and a half hours, you pass Cala Turqueta, Cala Escorxada, Macarella, Macarelleta, Trebalúger, Son Saura, Cala Galdana, Mitjana, Mitjaneta, and Cala Fustam.

I like the small maximum of 12 people, which gives you room to sit, swim, and ask the captain questions. I also like that snorkeling and paddle-surf equipment are available, with snacks and drinks included. The main catch is that you normally stop to swim at only two coves, and several beaches are viewed from the water rather than visited on foot.

Quick take: what matters most

• Two main swimming stops: Cala Turqueta and Cala Escorxada are usually chosen, depending on weather and how busy the coves are.
• Access to isolated beaches: Cala Escorxada and Trebalúger are awkward to reach on foot, making the boat particularly useful.
• Small boat, maximum 12 people: You avoid the feel of a large excursion vessel and have more space around the bow and seating areas.
• Water gear included: You can use the paddle-surf board and, according to the experience details, snorkeling equipment.
• Friendly multilingual captains: Juan Antonio, Juan, Noe, and Christian are named by past participants, with English support available.
• Good value at $84.69: The price covers the boat trip, swimming time, equipment, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks.

Why a boat is the smart way to see Menorca’s south coast

Menorca’s southern shore is a string of small coves separated by pine-covered headlands. On a map, they look close together. On foot, the story is different. Cala Escorxada can require roughly an hour and a half of walking from Cala Mitjana, and Trebalúger is also difficult to reach overland.

That is where this tour earns its keep. You board at Cala Galdana and let the boat connect the coves in a single outing. You get the broad view of the coast, the chance to swim in clear water, and access to places that would take serious planning to visit by land.

I would not treat this as a beach-hopping tour in the usual sense. You do not normally climb ashore at every cove. Instead, the captain cruises past many of them, explains what makes each one special, and chooses swimming stops according to sea conditions, beach traffic, and the day’s schedule.

That distinction matters. If your goal is to put a towel on Macarella or spend half a day on Son Saura, you still need a land visit. If your goal is to see a long stretch of the south coast without walking between coves, this is a much better fit.

Starting at Cala Galdana

The meeting point is the bus stop at Cala Galdana Playa, Passatge Riu 2, in La Serpentona. Cala Galdana is both the starting and ending point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from another part of the island.

The cove itself is one of Menorca’s most developed beach areas, with services nearby. That makes it a practical base for this trip. The setting still has the cliffs and clear water that define the south coast, but you are not beginning in a remote spot with no facilities.

The boat holds no more than 12 people. That is a useful limit, not just a line in the description. On a small vessel, you have a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit, spreading out on the padded front area, and getting the captain’s attention when you want to ask about a cove or swimming conditions.

The outing lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes. It is long enough to see a good stretch of coast without taking over your whole day. I would plan it as a half-day activity, leaving time before or after for a proper beach visit, lunch, or a walk around Cala Galdana.

Cala Turqueta: the usual first swim

Cala en Turqueta is one of Menorca’s best-known coves, and its name gives you a clue about the water. The bay has pale sand, pine trees, and the clear blue-green water that makes this part of the island so popular.

This is usually one of the bathing stops, though the captain may change the plan based on occupation and weather. You get around 25 minutes here, enough for a brisk swim and perhaps some snorkeling rather than a long, lazy beach session.

The water is the main attraction. From the boat, you see the cove as a compact sweep of sand framed by greenery. In the water, you can use the snorkeling equipment if available on your departure and look around the shallows.

The limitation is timing. Twenty-five minutes passes quickly once you account for getting ready and climbing back aboard. Think of this as a refreshing swim, not a full visit to Cala Turqueta.

Cala Escorxada: the stop that justifies the boat

Cala Escorxada is one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. The cove sits at the end of a sea inlet and is difficult to reach by land. Walking from Cala Mitjana takes about an hour and a half, so arriving by boat saves both effort and time.

This is usually the second bathing stop, again subject to conditions. The stop lasts about 25 minutes and includes an aperitif. The paddle-surf board is also brought into play here, giving you another way to enjoy the water beyond swimming.

The cove has a curved shape, white sand, and a small torrent that reaches the sea. Its setting feels more remote than Cala Galdana or Son Saura because there are fewer easy routes in from the land.

A practical note: the boat may need to adjust its position near the cove because of reefs close to the natural mouth. The captain makes the call on where it is safe to anchor or stop. This is one reason the weather and sea state can change the plan.

Macarelleta and Macarella: postcard views from the water

Macarelleta is the tiny neighbor of Cala Macarella, with fine white sand and strikingly clear water. It is the kind of cove that appears repeatedly in Menorca holiday photos, and it looks especially attractive from offshore.

Macarella is larger and is also known for its pale beach, clear water, and pine-covered surroundings. It is a popular place in summer, so a boat view can give you a calmer impression than the beach itself may offer during the busiest hours.

The itinerary gives Macarella around 15 minutes, while Macarelleta is listed as a pass-by stop. In practical terms, you should expect to see both coves from the boat rather than go ashore.

That is not a flaw, but it is an important expectation to set. The angle from the sea is lovely, yet a quick view cannot replace time on the sand. If you want photographs without a long walk, this is useful. If you want to swim specifically at Macarelleta, confirm the day’s plan with the captain because the swimming stops can change.

Trebalúger and Son Saura: two very different beaches

Cala Trebalúger is another isolated southern cove. White sand, clear water, and a small river flowing into the sea give it a distinct character. It is hard to reach by other means, so the boat offers a clear practical advantage here.

You generally pass by for about 15 minutes. That gives you time to take in the shape of the beach and the surrounding pines, but not enough time for a full exploration.

Platges de Son Saura is broader and easier to reach than Trebalúger. The beach is divided into two sections and has more room than the small inlets. It is still considered one of the south’s natural beaches, though it can be busy in summer.

The contrast between these stops helps explain the appeal of the route. You see both tiny, sheltered coves and a more open stretch of sand. From the boat, you also avoid spending your entire day walking from one beach to the next.

One past outing reportedly made Son Saura the first swim stop, then went to Cala Turqueta for the second. That shows why you should think of the route as weather dependent, not fixed minute by minute.

Cala Galdana, Mitjana, and Mitjaneta

Cala Galdana is a wide, well-known cove with plenty of services. It is more developed than the smaller beaches, but the cliffs and clear water keep it attractive. Since the tour begins here, you get an immediate sense of the difference between an easy-access resort cove and the more isolated beaches farther along the coast.

Cala Mitjana sits next to Cala Galdana, with Cala Mitjaneta beside it. Together they form one of the most attractive sections of this coast. The coves have white sand and clear water, with pine woods close to the shore.

The boat usually allows about 15 minutes for this part of the route. You may see the coves from offshore and learn about access points and nearby features, but do not assume you will land.

The area also supports a range of wildlife, including peregrine falcons, bats, frogs, toads, and shrews. You may not see any of these animals during a short boat passage, but the information adds a little context to the quiet strip of coast.

Mitjaneta is smaller and offers sheltered anchoring over a white sandy bottom. It is a good example of why the boat route works: the cove is compact, attractive, and best appreciated from the water when the sea is calm.

Cala Fustam and the quieter coves

Cala Fustam is a small quarter-circle inlet with high sides covered by pine trees. The beach has fine white sand and calm, clear water when the wind cooperates.

The stop is listed at about 15 minutes. The cove is less crowded than some of the larger southern beaches, which can make the view from the boat feel more peaceful.

Conditions matter here. Winds from the south can create strong waves because the cove is open in that direction. The captain may alter the route or skip an anchoring point if the sea is rough. That is sensible seamanship, even if it means you do not see every cove named in the route.

Another small coastal corner on the route has a west-facing beach and a narrow eastern arm without sand, separated by a rocky point. It has a pine forest, a rear dune area, and a sandy seabed, but reefs near its natural mouth make anchoring unsuitable. The details are a reminder that these coves are not interchangeable swimming pools. Wind, reefs, and swell shape the day.

What is included on the boat

The advertised package includes appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks. Past outings also included snacks, beer, and, for one birthday group, champagne, but you should treat those extras as dependent on the particular departure rather than guaranteed.

Paddle-surf equipment is available, and snorkeling gear has also been provided on departures described by participants. This adds real value to the $84.69 price because you do not need to arrange separate equipment for the swim stops.

The boat itself has padded areas at the front, and the small passenger limit means you are not packed into a large group. The experience is still a boat ride, so it can rock in rougher water. If you are sensitive to motion, sitting where the movement is least noticeable and choosing a morning departure when possible may help, although the supplied information does not guarantee calmer conditions at a particular time.

The captain can shape the experience

The human side of this outing is one of its strongest features. Juan and Juan Antonio are praised for being warm, funny, accommodating, and able to explain the coves in several languages. Noe and Christian are also named as captains who made the trip friendly and easy to follow.

Do not assume the same captain will operate every departure. The useful point is that English is offered, and multilingual hosting is part of the experience. One captain was noted as speaking five languages, while another explained the route in English, Spanish, and French for a mixed group.

That matters on a small boat. You are not just watching the shore pass by. The captain explains where beaches are, how difficult they are to reach, and why the route may change. If you have a question about a cove, ask it. This is one of the benefits of avoiding a large vessel with a recorded commentary.

Is $84.69 good value?

At $84.69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning at the beach. You could reach some southern beaches by road or on foot for less, especially if you plan to stay in one place.

The value improves if you want to see many coves in one outing, avoid long walks, use water equipment, and have snacks and drinks included. Cala Escorxada and Trebalúger are the clearest examples. Reaching them independently takes more time and effort.

You are also paying for the small group. A maximum of 12 people is a meaningful advantage over a crowded sightseeing boat, particularly when swimming and using the paddle-surf board.

The price is less convincing if you expect to spend time ashore at all eight or nine coastal stops. You will usually swim in two coves and view the others from the water. For a beach day, choose a land-based plan. For a compact coastal tour with swimming, the cost is fair.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, solo visitors, and friends who want a relaxed way to see the south coast. It suits people who enjoy swimming but do not need hours on one beach. It is also a good choice if walking to remote coves is not appealing.

It works well for a mixed group because the boat offers several ways to spend the time. You can swim, snorkel, try paddle-surfing, listen to the captain, or simply sit and watch the coast.

I would be more cautious if you need a rigid schedule. The route changes with weather, waves, and beach crowding. You should also skip it if your main aim is to set up on Macarella or Cala Turqueta for the day.

The tour is suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed. Children and adults pay the same price. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, while poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book Marenostrum?

Book it if you want the best coastal overview in a short half-day, especially if remote coves are high on your list and you like the idea of two swim stops with equipment and refreshments.

Do not book it expecting a full beach day or a landing at every cove. The strongest plan is to use the boat for the hard-to-reach places, then return another day to the beach you most want to enjoy on foot.

At $84.69, the small group, multilingual captain, isolated coves, snorkeling, paddle-surfing, and included refreshments make this a solid choice for many Menorca itineraries. The only real trade-off is that you see more beaches than you have time to visit.

FAQ

How long does the Marenostrum boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at the bus stop at Cala Galdana Playa, Passatge Riu 2, 07750 La Serpentona, Menorca. It returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Which beaches are used for swimming?

Cala Turqueta is usually one bathing stop, and Cala Escorxada is usually the second. Weather, sea conditions, and how busy the coves are can change the plan.

Are snacks, drinks, and water equipment included?

Appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Paddle-surf equipment is available, and snorkeling equipment has also been provided on the boat.

Do children and adults pay different prices?

No. The supplied tour information states that there is no difference in price between children and adults.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.