Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

The main draw here is simple: you get a four-hour view of Mallorca’s north coast without driving the winding road to Cap de Formentor. From Port Alcudia, the boat passes Aucanada, Coll Baix, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Beach, and the famous lighthouse area.

I like the one-hour swimming stop at Formentor Bay and the chance to see several coves in one outing. At $34 per person, it is also a fair way to get coastal scenery without paying for a private boat. The catch is that this is mostly a boat ride, not a land tour. The lighthouse may appear only briefly from offshore, and the boat can fill up quickly.

Key points at a glance

• Formentor Beach swimming stop: You get about one hour for a swim in clear water.
• North coast views: The route passes Aucanada, Coll Baix, Cap des Pinar, and the Formentor area.
• Brief lighthouse sighting: Cap de Formentor is viewed from the boat, not visited on foot.
• Four hours on board: Most of the experience is cruising, with limited time off the boat.
• Bring your own supplies: Food, drinks, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and a camera are not provided.
• Upper-deck seats go early: The boat may be full by departure, so arriving with time to spare matters.

A relaxed route from Port Alcudia to Formentor

This excursion begins at the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa. The meeting point is on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia, at the port. You arrange your own way there, since transport to the harbor is not included.

Once aboard, the boat heads out from Alcudia Bay toward the north coast. The point is not to reach a single attraction as quickly as possible. Instead, you spend the morning or afternoon watching Mallorca’s rocky shoreline, small bays, and open sea pass by.

I like this format for a first look at the coast. You can see several places that would take more planning by road, and you do not need to deal with parking or the road to Formentor. But you should choose this trip for scenery and swimming, not for a detailed visit to Cap de Formentor.

The boat ride is shared and can become crowded. One German booking noted that the upper deck was already full when the boat left Alcudia, leaving a choice of the middle deck despite good weather. If an open-air seat matters to you, arrive early and do not assume every part of the boat will remain available.

Coll Baix and the first coastal views

The first named stop is Platja del Coll Baix, reached after roughly 40 minutes of cruising. The beach is known for its striking coastal setting, and from the boat you get a useful view of the shore without having to make the difficult approach by land.

This part of the route is best treated as sightseeing from the water. You are not given a separate beach visit here, so keep your camera ready and enjoy the changing view from your seat.

The route also takes in Aucanada and Cap des Pinar. These places help show the variety of the Alcudia area, from the calmer bay near the port to more rugged sections of coast. The boat gives you a broad view, but it does not stop at every cove.

After the Coll Baix section, about 25 minutes are set aside for sightseeing around the Balearic Islands coast. In practical terms, this is another stretch of cruising. You can sit back, watch the water, and take photographs, but do not expect a guided walking visit or a long stop at a viewpoint.

Formentor Beach gives you the tour’s best break

The strongest part of the outing is the stop at Formentor Beach. You get about one hour of free time in the bay, which gives the trip a clear purpose beyond sitting on a boat.

This is your chance to swim in the clear water, cool off, and enjoy the setting at a slower pace. The break is long enough for a proper swim rather than a rushed dip. It is also the only substantial period when you are not simply passing scenery from the deck.

Bring what you need for this stop. Food and drinks are not included, and the supplied information does not indicate that refreshments are sold on board. Sunscreen, a camera, and comfortable clothing are specifically recommended. If you plan to swim, wear or pack suitable swimwear and keep your belongings secure, though the tour details do not specify storage facilities.

The beach stop is also where this trip makes the most sense for families and casual sightseers. You get a change of pace after the first part of the cruise, and the water provides a more active break. Still, it is worth remembering that Formentor Beach can be a popular place. This is not a private cove experience.

Cap de Formentor is a quick sighting, not a full visit

After the beach stop, the boat continues for about 20 minutes before reaching the Cap de Formentor sightseeing section. The listed viewing time is about 10 minutes.

That timing is important. You see the famous headland and lighthouse area from the boat, but you do not go ashore, walk to the lighthouse, or spend time at the nearby road viewpoints. One German passenger found the lighthouse visible from a distance for only about 60 seconds, which is a useful warning for anyone booking mainly to photograph the landmark.

I would not choose this trip if standing beside the Formentor lighthouse is your main goal. A boat view can be attractive, especially from the water, but it is a quick visual moment rather than a full Cap de Formentor visit.

The benefit is that you see the headland from an angle that road access cannot provide. The drawback is that weather, boat position, other passengers, and the length of the viewing pass all affect how clearly you see it. Keep your camera ready before the boat reaches the cape.

The return cruise takes nearly an hour

The journey back to Port Alcudia is listed at about 45 minutes. By this point, you have already had the major beach break and the lighthouse sighting, so the return leg is mainly a chance to rest and look back at the coast.

The full activity lasts four hours. That sounds short on a holiday schedule, but it is still a sizable block of time on board. One French booking described the ride as too long compared with the 45 to 60 minutes spent at the beach, with little else visited on land.

That criticism is fair if you prefer active sightseeing. You spend much more time moving between places than exploring them. On the other hand, the length works well for you if the goal is a calm coastal cruise with a swim rather than a packed day of stops.

Think of the trip as a scenic transfer by sea with a beach break, not as a complete tour of Mallorca’s northern attractions.

What $34 buys you

At $34 per person, the price is reasonable for a four-hour shared boat trip in the Formentor area. You are paying for the route, the coastal views, and the swimming stop. You are not paying for meals, drinks, hotel pickup, or a private boat.

The value is strongest when you would otherwise need to arrange a separate trip to Formentor Beach and find another way to see the coast from the water. It can also save you the effort of driving from Alcudia toward the cape.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a close look at the lighthouse. The boat only pauses briefly at Cap de Formentor, and there is no land visit. It is also less appealing if you dislike long periods of sitting in one place.

The activity has a rating of 4.1 from 569 bookings, which fits the mixed nature of the experience: the coastal setting and organized format work well for many people, while crowding, long cruising time, and occasional operational problems can affect the day.

Crowding, timing, and the practical details

The boat can be full, particularly in good weather. Since upper-deck space may go quickly, arrive at the Brisa kiosk with enough time to check in and board. The exact starting time varies, so check availability for your date before making other plans.

There is no individual guide name provided for this experience, and the description focuses on sightseeing rather than guided commentary. If you want detailed facts about every cove, ask the crew what commentary is available before departure. Do not book this expecting a land guide to lead you through the beaches.

A boat trip also depends on reliable equipment and operating conditions. One booking reported arriving to find the boat out of service, with no advance notice and a replacement coastal trip offered two hours later. This appears to have been an isolated but serious disruption, so keep your schedule flexible and check for updates if the operator provides them.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mallorca plans are still changing. These policies do not remove the need to check the exact departure time and meeting instructions.

Who will enjoy this Formentor cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple coastal outing from Alcudia and like the idea of combining views with a swim. It suits couples, families, and anyone who wants four hours on the water without organizing a private charter.

It is also a good fit if you have already seen Mallorca’s roads and want a different view of the north coast. The boat lets you see Coll Baix, Aucanada, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Beach, and Cap de Formentor in one continuous route.

I would be more cautious if you are focused on landmarks, photography, or active exploration. The lighthouse view is short, the boat may be crowded, and the time on shore is limited to the Formentor Beach break.

You should also think about your comfort in open water and direct sun. Sunscreen is essential, and comfortable clothes will make the long cruise easier. Bring your own water and snacks because food and drinks are not included.

Should you book the Alcudia boat trip?

Book it if you want a good-value sea view of Mallorca’s north coast, a one-hour swim at Formentor Beach, and an easy half-day outing from Port Alcudia. The cruise is pleasant, the route covers several attractive bays, and the price is modest for four hours.

Skip it if you want to tour the lighthouse, walk along the cape, or spend most of the day on land. In that case, you need a different Formentor plan.

My practical advice is to arrive early for a better chance at an upper-deck seat, bring your own drinks and sunscreen, and set realistic expectations about Cap de Formentor. The beach stop is the main event. The lighthouse is a brief bonus.

FAQ

How long is the Alcudia boat trip to Formentor?

The activity lasts four hours, including the cruise from Port Alcudia, the Formentor Beach stop, the Cap de Formentor viewing, and the return journey.

Where does the boat trip start?

You meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips boat kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa, at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops at Formentor Beach for about one hour, giving you time to swim in the clear water.

Can I visit the Formentor lighthouse on foot?

No. The lighthouse and Cap de Formentor are viewed from the boat. The sightseeing section at the cape lasts about 10 minutes.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own supplies.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. You should also bring anything you need for the swimming stop, since food and drinks are not provided.