Palma de Mallorca: 5-Hour Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Swim

The best part of this Palma catamaran cruise is simple: you spend a long, easygoing stretch of the day switching between clear Mediterranean water and open-sea sailing. The boat stops near Portals Vells or Cala Vella, then moves to a second cove for more swimming while the crew prepares lunch.

I like the generous time in the water and the fact that the $69 price includes a barbecue, salads, cake, soft drinks, water, coffee, juice, wine, and sangria with the meal. The crew also keeps things lively with music and dancing. The tradeoff is the boat’s size. It can feel busy, and the second swimming stop may be less scenic than the first.

Key points to know before booking

• Two swimming stops: The usual plan includes Portals Vells or Cala Vella, plus another nearby cove, though wind and sea conditions can alter the route.
• A proper five-hour outing: You get a morning departure at 10 AM or an afternoon sailing at 3:30 PM.
• Barbecue served aboard: Expect chicken breast, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and cake, with drinks included during the trip.
• Snorkeling costs a cash deposit: Masks and equipment are available for a refundable €10 deposit.
• A social, music-filled boat: This suits people who enjoy a cheerful group setting more than a quiet private sail.
• Strong value at $69: The length, meal, swimming time, and included drinks make this one of the more complete low-cost boat outings from Palma.

Leaving Palma beside yachts and cruise ships

The meeting point is at the Port of Palma, at the dock in front of the Auditorium de Palma on Passeig Marítim. Look for the Magic Catamarans boat on the harbor side of the pier, and arrive 30 minutes early.

That early arrival matters. Parking is very limited, so I would not build a tight driving plan around this cruise. If you are staying in Palma, arrange your route to the harbor before departure day and allow time to find the dock. The boarding area can get crowded, and one useful improvement would be clearer instructions about where to queue.

Once aboard, the opening sail gives you a nice change of pace from Palma’s streets. You pass harbor traffic, cruise ships, and polished yachts before heading along the south coast. This is not a sightseeing cruise packed with historical commentary. You get English and Spanish support, but the focus is the sea, music, swimming, and lunch. If you want constant information about coves and landmarks, you may find the narration light.

The catamaran itself is spacious enough for a full boat, and several families and solo passengers have found the atmosphere easy to join. You can move around during the cruise and change sides to catch different views. Still, this is a shared excursion, not a small private charter. If you prefer silence, personal service, and an empty deck, choose a smaller sailing instead.

Choosing between the 10 AM and 3:30 PM departures

The morning departure starts at 10 AM and gives you the bright, classic Mediterranean version of the trip. You will have the main swimming time during the middle of the day, when the sun is strongest. Bring sunscreen and something to cover your head, since you will spend several hours exposed to the sun.

The 3:30 PM departure has a different mood. It gives you an afternoon on the water and may offer sunset colors on the way back to Palma. Several details make this option especially appealing: the sea can look softer in late light, the return sail may pass close to Palma Cathedral, and the boat can feel more like an evening social outing once music and drinks get going.

The sunset is not guaranteed as a formal feature, and weather affects the route. Still, if you like the idea of combining a swim day with golden-hour views, I would favor the afternoon sailing. Families with younger children may prefer the morning, since it leaves the evening free and offers daylight throughout the outing.

The first cove is usually the star of the trip

Depending on wind conditions, the boat heads toward Portals Vells or Cala Vella. Both are associated with attractive south-coast water and nearby beaches, but the exact stop is not fixed. The captain chooses the route according to the sea.

At the first anchorage, you can jump from the boat into the water, swim near the catamaran, or use the snorkeling gear. The best reports describe clear water close to the coast, with small fish visible around the shallow areas. You might also see jellyfish, so pay attention in the water and follow the crew’s instructions.

The stop is valuable because it gives you more than a quick photo pause. Some outings allow roughly 30 minutes at the first stop, while the longer swimming period may come later. The exact timing can shift, but the overall plan is built around real water time rather than a brief dip.

You do not need to be an experienced swimmer to enjoy the stop, but you should be comfortable entering the sea from a boat. Life vests are provided for adults and children. Snorkeling equipment is available for a refundable €10 cash deposit, and you can also bring your own mask if you have one.

The scenery is strongest when the boat anchors close to a cove and beach. That is when the water looks clearest and you can swim toward shallower areas. After rain or rougher weather, visibility may be less impressive. Keep expectations flexible: this is a natural anchorage, not a guaranteed aquarium.

Barbecue lunch with a view of the sea

The crew prepares the barbecue aboard the catamaran while you swim. That timing works well because the meal feels like part of the outing rather than a separate stop at a restaurant.

The buffet typically includes chicken breast, skewers, sausages, fresh salads, bread, and cake. Some descriptions also mention tuna and fresh fruit, so the exact selection can vary. The food is hearty and filling, but it is still a casual boat barbecue. If you expect a polished restaurant meal, adjust that expectation. I see the meal as useful fuel after swimming, with the setting doing much of the work.

Water, soft drinks, coffee, and juice are available throughout the excursion. Wine from Mallorca and sangria are included with the meal. Alcohol outside mealtime is available to buy at the onboard bar, but only card payments are accepted, and American Express is not accepted.

This is one of the strongest parts of the value calculation. A five-hour boat trip with a substantial meal and drinks for $69 is a fair deal, especially if you plan to spend a full day on the water anyway. You are not paying separately for a beach restaurant, a snorkel rental, and several rounds of soft drinks.

Vegetarian food is not automatically described as part of the standard buffet, so contact Magic Catamarans before booking if you need that option. Do not wait until boarding day.

The second stop can be beautiful, or simply refreshing

After lunch and the first swim, the boat heads to another cove nearby. This second stop gives you another chance to get in the water, and many people appreciate the extra time more than another scenic speech. If you are happiest swimming, this itinerary gives you plenty to do.

The quality of the second stop is less consistent. When the boat anchors near another clear cove, it can feel like a bonus. At other times, the captain may need to stop in deeper water or farther from shore because of wind and sea conditions. The water may not be as blue or clear, and there may be fewer fish to see.

That difference is important when you compare this cruise with a small-cove sailing. The first stop is more likely to deliver the postcard moment. The second is often best viewed as additional sea time, not a second identical highlight.

The crew chooses safer anchorages when the sea is rough, which is a sensible priority. The route can change with the weather, and the advertised coves are not a promise that you will visit both on every departure. If a fixed route matters most to you, this may not be the right excursion.

Music, dancing, and the social side of Magic Catamarans

Music is part of the experience from start to finish. Expect Spanish songs, a cheerful playlist, and a crew that encourages a relaxed party atmosphere. Some sailings include dancing, and the mood can be especially lively on the afternoon return.

Captain Perez and his crew have received praise for being friendly, organized, and willing to keep the day moving. The crew also handles practical jobs, such as setting up lunch and helping passengers feel comfortable on a busy boat. Small touches, including extra sangria on one special occasion, have added to the good mood.

The social setup works for couples, families, groups of friends, and solo passengers. If you are traveling alone, the music and shared seating make it easier to meet people without forcing you into a formal group activity. At the same time, you should not book this expecting solitude. A full catamaran means conversation, movement, and background music.

The sound level is subjective. Some people want louder music and more energy. Others prefer to hear the sea. You can move away from the main social area, but you will still be part of a group outing.

What the $69 price really gets you

At $69 per person, the cruise offers a lot for a half-day activity:

• Five hours aboard a catamaran
• Two planned swimming stops, subject to weather
• Barbecue buffet with salads and dessert
• Water, soft drinks, coffee, and juice throughout
• Mallorcan wine and sangria with the meal
• Life vests
• Snorkeling equipment with a refundable deposit

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and eat onboard. You are getting an outing that combines transport along the coast, a water activity, a meal, and entertainment. You would pay separately for several of those pieces on your own.

The value is weaker if you dislike crowds, do not swim, or mainly want a quiet cruise with expert commentary. In that case, much of what you are paying for is the lively deck atmosphere and swimming access.

There is also no hotel pickup listed. You need to reach the Palma harbor yourself, and parking is scarce. Factor that into the budget and schedule.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend Magic Catamarans to you if you want an easy day at sea without planning every detail yourself. It is especially well suited to:

• Families with children who want swimming, food, and life vests available
• Couples choosing the afternoon sailing for possible sunset views
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting people in a relaxed group setting
• Groups of friends looking for music, drinks, and a full half-day activity
• Anyone who wants strong value rather than a private or luxury charter

You should think twice if you want a quiet boat, a fixed route, detailed local commentary, or guaranteed snorkeling conditions. The sea decides much of the itinerary, and the second stop may be less scenic than the first.

The boat is suitable for a wide age range. Children as young as six have enjoyed the swimming and cruise, while older adults can take part at their own pace. The key question is not age. It is whether you are happy moving around a shared boat and entering the sea from an anchorage.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive 30 minutes before departure, especially if you need to locate the dock. Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a cash deposit for snorkeling equipment if you plan to use it.

Bring a little flexibility. The route may change because of wind, the sea may be rough, and the water may not have the same clarity at both stops. If you are sensitive to motion, choose a seat with a clear view of the horizon and ask the crew where the ride is likely to feel steadier.

If you have separate reservations but want to sit together, contact the provider before the day of the cruise. The same applies to vegetarian meals. Onboard purchases require a card, with American Express excluded.

The afternoon sailing can provide a fine view of Palma Cathedral on the return, but do not treat that as a formal sightseeing stop. The cruise is built around the sea, not a guided tour of Palma’s monuments.

Should you book the Palma catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a sociable, good-value swim day with a filling barbecue and five hours on Mallorca’s south coast. The first cove, warm water, onboard meal, and sunset possibility make this a well-rounded choice for couples, families, groups, and solo visitors.

Skip it if you want a private sail, a quiet deck, or a guaranteed visit to a specific cove. For everyone else, $69 buys a practical mix of scenery, swimming, food, drinks, and music. I would choose the 3:30 PM departure for sunset potential, or the 10 AM sailing if swimming in strong daylight is your main goal.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

It leaves from the Port of Palma, at the boat dock in front of the Auditorium de Palma on Passeig Marítim. Look for the Magic Catamarans boat on the harbor side of the pier.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Parking is very limited near the port, so allow extra time if you are driving.

What time does the cruise depart?

You can choose a morning departure at 10 AM or an afternoon departure at 3:30 PM. Each cruise lasts five hours.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The barbecue buffet, water, soft drinks, coffee, and juice are included. Mallorcan wine and sangria are included with the meal. Alcohol outside mealtime can be purchased onboard by card, except American Express.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkeling equipment are available for a refundable €10 cash deposit. Life vests are provided for adults and children.

Will the boat always visit Portals Vells and Cala Vella?

No. The route depends on wind and weather conditions. The usual plan includes one stop at Portals Vells or Cala Vella and a second nearby cove, but the itinerary can change.