Here’s your brief guide to sailing around the Balearic Islands, one of the best ways to get around this Spanish archipelago!
The sun-drenched Balearic Islands, located off the east coast of Spain, are a fabulous place to take a holiday. This stunning archipelago has become known as a party destination, with Ibiza being a prime hotspot.
The Balearics comprises four islands:
- Formentera
- Ibiza
- Mallorca
- Menorca
However, there is plenty more than parties on these beautiful islands. Discover hidden coves, pretty white beaches as well lip-smacking cuisine alongside the ocean.
And as we said, one of the best ways to really get around this archipelago is by sailing. Get ready to drop your anchor at different points to really appreciate the beauty of the Balearics.
ACTIVITIES IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS
If you simply want to sunbathe, the Balearics enjoy balmy temperatures that hover around 25 C from May – September. However, you can also:
- Explore the impressive Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range
- Wander the picturesque old town of Port Mahon
- Discover hidden coves in Menorca
- Get a taste of the hippy lifestyle in Formentera
Each island offers its own vibe, with plenty to see and do while you are there. If you look into yacht charter Ibiza, you can plan a sailing itinerary to take it all in.
THE BEST TIME TO SAIL
The ocean around the Balearic Islands is pretty calm, with slight winds that kick up from time to time. Large waves are uncommon, which makes it a great place for novice sailors to skipper a yacht.
The high season comes to the four islands around late June and runs until late August. If you’d prefer to avoid the crowds, sailing conditions are favorable from late April to late September.
SAILING AROUND THE BALEARICS
There is so much available for tourists to enjoy, that you could even plan a month-long itinerary. However, most people spend ten days – two weeks on a yacht charter in the Balearics.
Why not begin with a yacht charter and get to know the islands one by one? Click here, so you can get more detailed information on how.
IBIZA
In Ibiza, you have a number of ports to choose from. Even though it can get busy in the high season, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
You can begin your journey on the east side of the island in the picturesque town of Ibiza. Here you have several ports, but we’ll focus on just two:
- Marina Ibiza
- Marina Botafoch
Marina Ibiza is situated in the heart of Ibiza town, so your location is second-to-none. There are 425 berths so you have plenty of opportunities to book one in advance.
This marina is famous for its eco-initiatives and for preserving the environment. There’s also a concierge service for everything from laundry to yacht cleaning and massages.
If you have a floating palace then Marina Botafoch is the place for it. It is also situated just across the road from the stunning Talamanca beach if you need some time on the sand.
Marina Botafoch has 428 moorings and you may find yourself moored beside celebrities or international entrepreneurs. Enjoy a spot of designer shopping or choose one of the many high-class restaurants near the harbor.
There are two other ports worth visiting on the island of Ibiza:
- Puerto de Sant Antoni de Portmany
- Marina Santa Eulalia
Puerto de Sant Antonio is the place where you’ll find the top-name DJs and famous party scene. Boat parties take place regularly, but you’ll also find open-air concerts on the Passeig de ses Fonts.
Move on to the more relaxed Marina Santa Eulalia, situated 14 kilometers from Ibiza town to explore the North Island. Perhaps visit some local churches or delve into the history at the air raid shelter?
FORMENTERA
Just a few miles south of the buzzing Ibiza lies the smallest of the Balearic Islands, Formentera. The chilled-out vibe helped Joni Mitchell write her album, “Blue”, while she stayed here.
The only way to get onto the island is by boat, so you dock at La Savina. People visit Formentera for:
- Spectacular untouched beaches
- The best shipwreck scuba-diving in Europe
- Snorkeling the UNESCO-protected seagrasses offshore
MALLORCA
By far the largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is a beautiful place to holiday for a few days. Those on a yacht have a number of ports to choose from, so you can travel around, stopping in each.
- Marina Port de Mallorca
- Alcudiamar
- Marina Palma de Cuarentena
- Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx
Situated in the heart of the island, Marina Port de Mallorca is a friendly, modern port with 200 berths. You can even see La Seu, the Gothic cathedral, from the water as you approach the land.
Alcudiamar is a great port from which to visit the sights on the North of Mallorca. It is a well-equipped port that offers electric vehicle rental, so you can shoot off to explore for a few hours.
The oldest port on the island is Marina Palma Cuarentena, although it has been updated to modern standards. Here, boats used to quarantine for 40 days before entering the city, so it is steeped in history.
Sail into Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx to drink cocktails and watch a breath-taking sunset. The scenery around this port is truly awe-inspiring. Look out for the observation towers that date back to the 16th century.
An affordable half-day Mallorca catamaran tour with a meal included is one of the best ways to experience this Balearic island. Sail across the Bay of Palma on an exclusive boat trip, go swimming at the stunning Cala Vella and enjoy a gourmet buffet on board.
You can also explore the scenic north coast of Mallorca by catamaran on a cruise from Port d’Alcudia. Pass picturesque bays and stop at secluded coves, where you can enjoy activities, such as snorkeling and kayaking, and enjoy a delicious lunch with drinks.
Or perhaps a 5-hour Mallorca sailing trip is all you need. Drop anchor in Portals Vells or Cala Vella to swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters while a delicious barbecue meal is prepared on board. What’s not to love?
And once you are done with sailing around the island, why not explore it inland? Check this article with the best RV routes in Mallorca.
MENORCA
Sail the 50 miles from Alcudia to Port Mahon overnight, so you’ll wake up in the capital of Menorca. This picturesque island is only around 10 miles wide, and the maximum distance between two points is 30 miles.
Menorca boasts a host of things to keep visitors entertained, including:
- A necropolis in a sophisticated cave system
- 220 kilometers of coastline
- An Augustin monk sanctuary dating back to the 17th century.
Given the diversity of these islands, the Balearic Islands are perfect for a sailing holiday. Set off with a yacht charter from Ibiza and mix days of sunbathing on board with exploring on land.
