Alcudia: Caves & Coastline Boat Trip w/ Snorkelling

Clear water, dramatic caves, easy sea time. This 3.5-hour speedboat trip from Puerto de Alcúdia gives you a lively look at Mallorca’s coast, with cave visits, open-water swimming, and snorkelling in coves near Artà. I especially like the two proper swim stops and the chance to see parts of the shoreline that are difficult to reach from land. The crew also earns consistent praise for being friendly, helpful, and good fun.

The main drawback is comfort. Several pickup stops around Alcudia Bay can slow the start, and the boat may feel cramped between rows. You also need to reach the port yourself, bring your own food and drinks, and accept that rough seas can force a different route.

Key points at a glance

• Two swim sessions: You get time to swim from the boat in clear sea water, not just a quick photo stop.
• Caves viewed from the water: The boat enters or approaches impressive marine caves when sea conditions allow.
• 3.5 hours on the coast: The route runs from Puerto de Alcúdia toward Mallorca’s east coast and the municipal district of Artà.
• Snorkel gear included: Masks are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.
• Several pickup points: Convenient for some parts of Alcudia Bay, but the extra stops can make the opening part feel less direct.
• Good value at $57: The price covers the boat trip and snorkel equipment, though drinks and transport to the port cost extra.

Why this Alcudia boat trip works so well

The appeal is simple: you spend a half day on the water rather than inside a tour vehicle. From Puerto de Alcúdia, the speedboat follows the Mallorcan coast, passing coves, rocky shoreline, and marine caves. You get changing views throughout the trip, with the sea itself providing the main activity.

I like the balance between sightseeing and free time. The boat is not just a coastal ride where you remain seated for three and a half hours. You stop for swimming, use the supplied masks to look below the surface, and get the chance to enjoy the sea at a slower pace.

The boat also reaches places that are awkward or impossible to visit on foot. A cave entrance viewed from a road or beach is one thing. Seeing a boat steer inside a marine cave gives you a more direct sense of the coast’s shape and scale.

The experience received an overall rating of 4.2 from 469 reviews, which suggests a strong but not flawless record. The most consistent praise goes to the crew, the clear water, the swimming time, and the scenery. The repeated complaints concern crowding, pickup stops, and occasional weather changes.

Starting at Passeig Marítim in Puerto de Alcúdia

The meeting point is the boat kiosk for Alcudia Sea Trips, operated by Transportes Marítimos BRISA, at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia. You are responsible for reaching the port yourself, so allow enough time to find the kiosk and get organized before departure.

The schedule can require a little care. One booking had an arrival time that was shown earlier than needed, with the operator advising the group that arriving 30 minutes later was fine. I would still follow the confirmed meeting instructions rather than rely on this happening every day.

Departures are available from various points around Alcudia Bay. That helps if you are staying away from Puerto de Alcúdia, but it also means the boat may stop to collect people from other piers or beach points. If you board at the main port, you may have an advantage because you get on first and can choose a seat before later pickups.

This is worth considering if you care about where you sit. The boat can feel tight, particularly between the rows, so early boarding may make the ride more comfortable. The pickup pattern is a minor inconvenience, not a deal breaker, but it does reduce the amount of time spent moving along the open coast.

The speedboat ride along Alcudia Bay

Once the boat leaves the pickup points, the trip becomes more rewarding. You travel along the coast with views across Alcudia Bay and toward Mallorca’s eastern side. The speedboat gives the outing more energy than a slow sightseeing vessel, while the open setting keeps the focus on the water and shore.

I would not book this as a quiet luxury cruise. It is a shared boat excursion with a practical layout, and the ride can feel busy when every seat is occupied. Still, the friendly crew helps set a relaxed tone. Past departures have included multilingual staff, clear safety support, and an easygoing atmosphere.

The route heads toward the municipal district of Artà. That does not mean you spend time ashore in Artà. The point is the coastline, its coves, and its marine caves, seen from the sea.

The views are the sort of thing that improves when you stop trying to photograph every second. Bring a camera, but also look up from it. The best part of the trip is the changing view as the boat rounds the coast and reaches more sheltered swimming spots.

Marine caves and the weather question

The caves are one of the trip’s main reasons to book. The boat can approach or enter impressive marine caves, giving you a close view of the rock formations from the water. In favorable conditions, this is a memorable part of the outing, especially when the boat’s steering allows it to move into a large cave opening.

Sea conditions matter. Several departures had to follow an alternative route because the water was too choppy for the planned cave section. That can be disappointing if the caves are your top priority, but it does not necessarily ruin the trip. The replacement route still offered coastal views, cave sightings, and two swimming stops.

I would think of the cave route as weather dependent rather than guaranteed in precisely the same form every day. The crew’s priority is safety, and that is the right call on open water. If your plans are flexible, booking for a day with calm conditions gives you the best chance of seeing the intended cave route.

There is also a small environmental concern to keep in mind. One account questioned the effect of bringing the boat into a cave where bats were present. The cave entry may be impressive, but you may prefer the operator to keep a respectful distance from wildlife.

Swimming in the clear coves

The swimming stops are the strongest part of the experience. The boat pauses at coves or beaches with transparent water, allowing you to climb into the sea directly from the boat. Reports describe two main swimming sessions, with enough time at each stop to make the break feel worthwhile.

You can swim, cool off, and use the snorkel mask to look for marine life below the surface. The trip does not promise a specialist wildlife tour, so keep your expectations sensible. You are getting a chance to observe the sea in a clear location, not a guided marine biology lesson.

The water and swimming time receive the most enthusiastic praise. People who simply enjoy being at sea tend to get the most from this outing. The stops also give children a clear highlight, though families should check life-jacket availability early. One recent departure had a wait for additional child life jackets, so parents should raise the issue with the crew before the first swim.

Bring swimwear beneath your clothes, sunscreen, and a camera that can handle the conditions. You should also pack weather-appropriate clothing because a breezy boat ride can feel cooler after swimming. Food and drinks are not included, although drinks may be available for purchase on board.

Snorkelling without bringing your own mask

Snorkel equipment is included, which makes the $57 price easier to justify. You can try looking below the surface without buying or packing a separate mask. This is especially useful if you are already carrying beach clothing and do not want more equipment for a single excursion.

The quality of the snorkelling depends on the cove, visibility, weather, and how many people are in the water at once. The clear conditions can make the activity very enjoyable, but this is still a group boat trip rather than a private snorkelling charter.

I would treat the snorkelling as a valuable extra rather than the sole purpose of the booking. If you want long, quiet time underwater, this may feel too limited. If you want a swim with the chance to spot marine life between coastal views and cave visits, it fits well.

Crew, music, and the overall mood

The crew is a major strength. They are repeatedly described as friendly, helpful, energetic, and attentive to comfort and safety. That matters on a shared boat, where a good crew can turn a tight seating arrangement into a relaxed few hours.

The tone is informal rather than formal. One return journey included a humorous singalong, which some people will find charming and others may find a little much. I see it as part of the easygoing atmosphere. This is not a silent nature cruise, and the trip has a social holiday feel.

The crew also handles route changes when the sea is choppy. That flexibility is useful, since Mallorca’s coastal conditions can affect where the boat can safely go. You may not get every planned cave view, but you should still expect an effort to provide swimming and coastline scenery.

Is $57 a fair price?

At $57 per person, the value is good if you want several activities in one outing. The price includes the scenic boat ride, cave viewing, swimming stops, and snorkel equipment. You also get three and a half hours on the coast, which is a substantial block of a holiday day.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride and snorkel rental. Two swim stops make the excursion feel more complete than a short coastal cruise. The cave section adds another distinct element.

The price is less attractive if you dislike shared boats, want a private experience, or prefer long time at one beach. Food, drinks, and transport to the port are extra. The occasional pickup stop also means not every minute is spent sightseeing.

Compared with cheaper options, the pickup arrangement may be a factor rather than a flaw. Boarding at Puerto de Alcúdia can mean getting on first, and the route still offers a full 3.5 hours. For a family, the fact that children can swim from the boat may make the cost worthwhile, though you should confirm life-jacket needs as soon as you board.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and friends who want an active half day without committing to a full-day cruise. You should enjoy swimming, be comfortable on a shared speedboat, and have enough mobility to board and move around the boat.

It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The combination of boat boarding, narrow seating, and swimming access makes that restriction important rather than a minor footnote.

You should also be comfortable with a change of plan. Rough water may send the boat along an alternative route, and the exact cave experience can vary. The trip still has value on a changed route, but you should not book it if one specific cave is the only reason you are going.

For the best experience, bring swimwear, sunscreen, a camera, and a light layer. Bring drinking water or money for drinks, and do not forget that getting to the port is your responsibility.

Final verdict: book it for sea time and swimming

I would book this Alcudia boat trip if I wanted a lively, good-value morning or afternoon on the water. The clear swimming spots, two swim sessions, snorkel equipment, and cave views give you plenty to do for $57.

I would skip it if you need lots of personal space, dislike boat transfers between several piers, or want guaranteed access to a particular cave. For everyone else, it is a practical way to see the coast from a new angle, cool off in clear water, and let a friendly crew handle the route.

FAQ

How long does the Alcudia boat trip last?

The trip lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

Where does the boat trip meet?

Meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips boat kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos BRISA at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included in the price.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although drinks may be available to purchase on board.

How many swimming stops are there?

The trip includes swimming stops, and departures described in the supplied information had two swimming sessions.

Can the cave route change?

Yes. Choppy sea conditions can require an alternative route. The replacement route may still include coastline views, caves, and swimming stops.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a camera, and weather-appropriate clothing. You should also arrange your own transport to the port.