Cala Portals Vells45 min from Palma
A sheltered trio of sandy coves just west of Palma with sea-caves carved into the cliffs — clear, shallow and an easy first-day swim anchorage.
The complete island
Yacht Charters in Mallorca
Turquoise calas below pine cliffs on the east coast, the wild Tramuntana to the north, and Palma's cathedral lighting up the bay at night. Mallorca has more good anchorages than a week can hold.
Mallorca is where Mediterranean chartering grew up — Palma is one of the great yachting capitals, an easy flight from anywhere in Europe, with a cathedral-crowned bay and a marina scene to match. But sail an hour out and the island turns wild: the south-east coast is a string of calas, narrow turquoise inlets bitten into low cliffs, each with a sand beach at its head and a fish restaurant on the rocks.
A week barely covers it. North of Palma the Serra de Tramuntana drops sheer into the sea — Sa Calobra, Sóller's hidden port, monasteries on the ridge above. South lies Cabrera, a whole archipelago turned national park where you anchor by permit in water so clear the boat throws a shadow on the seabed. Between them, the calas of the east: Cala d'Or, Portocolom, Mondragó. The sailing is friendly, the tables are extraordinary.
What to look for in the right vessel
Filters we pre-applied to the mallorca shortlist below.
The east-coast calas
Cala d'Or, Mondragó, Portocolom — narrow turquoise inlets with sand beaches and rock-side restaurants, most beautiful from the water.
Sail into Palma
One of the Mediterranean's great yachting cities — provision under the Gothic cathedral, then leave the bay at sunset.
Cabrera national park
An uninhabited archipelago south of Mallorca, anchoring by permit in glass-clear protected water. The crew arrange it.
The Tramuntana coast
Sheer cliffs, Sa Calobra, the hidden Port de Sóller — the dramatic north coast is a day of pure scenery.
Shortlisted vessels
See full vessel directory →Finding the right vessels…
When to go
Mallorca charter season at a glance. Air and sea temperatures are typical daytime values.
| Month | Air | Sea | Crowd | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 23°C | 19°C | Quiet | The Tramuntana still green, calas empty, Palma at its most walkable. Cooler water but the calmest sailing of the year. |
| June | 27°C | 22°C | Moderate | Warm, long days, the coves clear and uncrowded before the peak. The all-round best month. |
| July | 30°C | 25°C | Peak | High summer — turquoise calas, busy anchorages off the south coast, Palma's marina scene at full swing. |
| August | 31°C | 26°C | Peak | Hottest and busiest. Anchor early in the popular calas; book Palma and Port d'Andratx berths far ahead. |
| September | 28°C | 25°C | Moderate | Warm sea, softening crowds, the light going gold over the mountains. Many regulars' favourite month. |
| October | 24°C | 23°C | Quiet | Warm-enough water early on, quiet coves, easy prices. Some breezy days to plan around. |
MayQuiet
Air 23°C · Sea 19°C
The Tramuntana still green, calas empty, Palma at its most walkable. Cooler water but the calmest sailing of the year.
JuneModerate
Air 27°C · Sea 22°C
Warm, long days, the coves clear and uncrowded before the peak. The all-round best month.
JulyPeak
Air 30°C · Sea 25°C
High summer — turquoise calas, busy anchorages off the south coast, Palma's marina scene at full swing.
AugustPeak
Air 31°C · Sea 26°C
Hottest and busiest. Anchor early in the popular calas; book Palma and Port d'Andratx berths far ahead.
SeptemberModerate
Air 28°C · Sea 25°C
Warm sea, softening crowds, the light going gold over the mountains. Many regulars' favourite month.
OctoberQuiet
Air 24°C · Sea 23°C
Warm-enough water early on, quiet coves, easy prices. Some breezy days to plan around.
Getting there
PMI · Palma de Mallorca Airport
8–12 km to the Palma marinas
From marina
15–25 min
Transfer
€20–35 to Palma
Taxi cost
Palma is one of Europe's best-connected airports in season — direct flights from across the UK, Germany, France and the whole of Spain. Charters board at Palma's marinas (Moll Vell, Portitxol) or Port d'Andratx to the west; Ibiza (IBZ) is the alternative gateway for a two-island loop.
Practical info
What you should know
- Cabrera National Park
- Cabrera is a protected national park: anchoring is prohibited and you must pre-book one of the limited mooring buoys, with a daily cap on visiting boats. Your captain arranges the permit — plan it in advance in peak season.
- Posidonia anchoring rules
- As across the Balearics, the protected posidonia seagrass meadows are no-anchor zones — crews use the authorised sand areas and buoy fields (booked via the official Balearic apps). Your captain handles it.
- APA & berths
- Crewed charters run on an APA of about 25–35% of the base for fuel, food, drinks and berths. Palma and Port d'Andratx marina nights are a real peak-season cost; many days are spent at anchor in the calas.
- Winds
- Summer is generally settled, but the Tramuntana (NW) and the afternoon sea breeze shape the plan — the exposed north-west coast (Sa Calobra) needs calm weather, while the south coast offers shelter in most conditions.
- Tipping
- Discretionary, for good service: 5–15% of the charter fee is the Mediterranean norm, in cash (EUR) to the skipper or captain at the end of the week.
Anchorages within reach
Where most week-long itineraries from this port actually go. Sail times are approximate, in fair conditions.
Es Trenc2–3 hrs (south coast)
Mallorca's longest natural white-sand beach, backed by dunes and salt pans — anchor off the turquoise shallows for the island's most Caribbean-like water.
Cabrera archipelago3–4 hrs from Palma
A protected national park island south of Mallorca — pristine, permit-and-buoy only, with a famous Blue Cave and a castle above the harbour. The wildest anchorage in the Balearics.
Sa Calobra & Torrent de PareisNW Tramuntana coast
A dramatic gorge mouth beneath the Serra de Tramuntana's cliffs — anchor off and swim into the canyon. Best in settled weather; the coast is spectacular and exposed.
Port de SóllerNW coast
The Tramuntana's one big natural harbour — a horseshoe bay with a vintage tram to Sóller town, oranges in the valley behind and mountains all around.
Cala Figuera / Formentornorth coast
Cap de Formentor's cliffs and the sheltered Pollença bays at the island's northern tip — pine-clad, turquoise and quieter than the south.
Onshore
What to do the day before boarding and after disembarking, plus a short list of restaurants worth the walk.
Day before charter
Palma is a genuine city break — the vast Gothic cathedral above the water, the old town's patios and the Santa Catalina food scene. Board from a Palma marina, or base in pretty Port d'Andratx to the west for a quieter start.
Day after disembarking
Flights leave Palma through the day, so a last swim or a coffee on the Paseo Marítimo is easy. With a spare day, the mountain villages of Deià and Valldemossa, or the Sóller valley by vintage train, show the Tramuntana side of the island.
Where to eat ashore
- Restaurante Es Racó des Teix (Deià)Michelin Mallorcan
In the mountain village of Deià — refined island cooking with a terrace over the Tramuntana. The special-occasion lunch ashore.
- Ponderosa Beach (Playa de Muro)Beach club
A relaxed sandy-toes lunch on the north coast — grilled fish, rice dishes and a boat-friendly anchorage off the bay.
- Randemar (Port de Sóller)Mediterranean
A seafront villa terrace on the Sóller horseshoe — pizza, fish and cocktails with the tram rattling past.
- Ola del Mar / Portitxol (Palma)Seafood
Around the Portitxol fishing harbour in Palma — the city's best casual seafood, a short tender or walk from the marinas.
Or consider another port
Same coast, different starting line — the brief case for each alternative.
Ibiza & Formentera →
The liveliest Balearic water — Formentera's Caribbean sandbanks, Es Vedrà and the famous day-charter scene, an easy island-hop away.
Menorca →
The quietest Balearic — turquoise calas, a biosphere reserve and a fraction of the crowds. The antidote island.
Costa Brava →
Cross to the mainland for pine-clad coves, the Medes Islands' marine reserve and Catalan seaside towns.
Frequently asked questions
For mallorca.
Where do Mallorca charters start?
Palma is the main base — a huge marina scene 20 minutes from Palma airport (PMI), which connects across Europe several times an hour in season. Some charters start from Alcúdia or Portocolom on the other coasts.
When is the best season?
May, June, September and October are ideal — warm sea, open calas and space to anchor. July and August are hot, glamorous and busy: the popular calas fill by mid-morning, so a boat that can move early is the way to enjoy them.
Can we combine Mallorca with the other islands?
Yes — Mallorca to Menorca is a comfortable passage, and Ibiza/Formentera are a longer but common hop south-west. A 10-day charter can link two or all of the Balearics; ask for a multi-island itinerary when you inquire.
Is it good for families?
Very — the east-coast calas are sheltered and shallow-edged with sand beaches, distances are short, and there's always a restaurant near the anchorage. Crewed catamarans are the family favourite for deck space and stability.
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