Palma: Catamaran Cruise with Swimming and Snorkelling

Sea time is Palma time. This catamaran cruise gives you a few easygoing hours on Palma Bay, with smooth sailing toward Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella, two protected coastal areas known for clear water and dramatic views. I like the friendly crew and relaxed atmosphere, and I like that the trip includes a proper swim stop rather than just a ride past the coast. The main catch is that popular departures can feel crowded, and finding the meeting kiosk at Playa del Arenal is not as simple as it should be.

You can choose a shorter two-hour outing or a longer cruise of up to four hours, with an optional BBQ, pasta salad, local bread, and one drink. The boat has music, room to sunbathe, a bar, toilets, life vests, and places to enter the water. It is a good fit if you want easy Mediterranean fun without arranging a full day at the beach, but less suitable if you want a quiet, small-group sailing trip.

Key points at a glance

• Two scenic swimming areas: The cruise heads along Palma Bay toward Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella, with time to swim in clear Mediterranean water.
• A large, comfortable catamaran: The boat has enough space for sitting, sunbathing, music, a bar, and several ways to get into the sea.
• Optional BBQ meal: Select the BBQ package for cooked food, pasta salad, local bread, and one water, beer, or sangria.
• Snorkeling equipment included: Masks, snorkels, and life vests are available, though you may want to confirm with the crew when you board.
• Social rather than silent: Music plays during the cruise, and the return trip can become lively, especially in the afternoon.
• Meet at Playa del Arenal: Look for the local partner’s sign near the beach kiosk, and allow extra time because the directions can be hard to follow.

What this Palma boat trip is really like

This is not a private sailing excursion or a serious snorkeling expedition. Think of it as a social catamaran outing with a scenic cruise, swimming, music, and an optional meal.

You leave from the Arenal Nautical Club and travel along Palma Bay toward the coast east of S’Arenal. The catamaran gives you a comfortable place to sit or stretch out while the Spanish breeze does most of the work. The sailing itself is smooth, and the crew keeps the mood easy rather than turning the whole trip into a loud party.

The cruise normally includes at least one substantial swimming period, and some departures make two stops. The exact schedule depends on the option and timing, so check the selected departure carefully. The longer four-hour version gives you more breathing room, while the two-hour cruise is a neat choice when you want to fit a boat outing between other Palma plans.

The water stops are the heart of the experience. You can swim from the rear of the catamaran, use steps to enter the sea, or jump from the lower and higher ledges. Life vests are available, which helps less-confident swimmers enjoy the stop without feeling pressured.

Sailing from Arenal toward Cap Enderrocat

The meeting point is at Playa del Arenal, near the beach kiosk. Look for a sign showing the local partner’s name as you go down toward the sand. This sounds straightforward, but the directions have caused confusion, so I would not leave arrival until the last minute.

Once on board, you can find a place to sit, check the bar, and locate the swimming equipment. The catamaran is large, with space spread across the deck and nets at the front. Some departures carry around 80 people, and the best positions can go quickly. Arriving early is useful if you want a spot on the forward nets for sunbathing.

The size has two sides. You get more room than on a small boat, and the ride feels stable and safe. At the same time, popular sailings can feel full, especially when several people claim the best deck spaces. If personal space matters greatly to you, choose a less busy departure if one is available, or accept that this is a shared boat day.

As the boat leaves the harbor, you get open views across Palma Bay and along the coast. This is a pleasant part of the ride even if you never touch the water. The music stays in the background on some departures and becomes more social on the return journey.

Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella: the reason to bring your swimsuit

The route heads toward Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella, protected environmental areas with clear water and rocky coastal scenery. The exact anchorage can vary, but the stop is chosen for swimming rather than for walking ashore. You should not expect a beach visit or time to explore on land.

At anchor, you have roughly 90 minutes on some versions of the trip, although individual swimming periods can be shorter or split between two locations. This is enough time for a proper swim, a little snorkeling, and some time on deck. Several people found the water stop to be the best part of the outing, especially when small fish gathered near the boat.

The clear water makes this more than a token photo stop. You can watch fish around the catamaran, float beside the boat, or simply cool off before returning to the deck. The crew provides snorkeling equipment and life vests, but one past departure did not make the snorkeling gear easy to find. I would ask the crew directly as soon as you board rather than waiting until the boat is anchored.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have a comfortable set. One practical point also deserves attention: a recent complaint raised concerns about how the shared masks and snorkels were sanitized. That does not cancel the value of the swim, but people who are careful about shared equipment may prefer to bring personal gear.

The swimming spots are not designed for a calm beach day. You enter from the catamaran, with steps and jumping points rather than a sandy shoreline. That makes the stop fun for confident swimmers and less appealing if you want gentle, shallow water or an easy walk in from the beach.

Swimming, jumping, and time on deck

There are several ways into the sea. You can walk down the steps, use a low ledge, or jump from one of the higher points at the stern. The crew provides life jackets, and the boat has a shower for rinsing off after swimming.

I like that you are not forced into one kind of activity. You can swim with fish, try a little snorkeling, jump from the boat, or stay dry and sunbathe. The forward nets are especially appealing for lying down, though they are likely to be claimed early on a busy departure.

The length of the swimming stop is one area where expectations matter. Some people found the first stop long enough for a 45-minute swim, while others wanted more time in the water or wished for more sailing between stops. On some trips, the second stop is noticeably shorter than the first.

If you are booking mainly for snorkeling, check the duration before paying. If you are booking for a broad mix of sailing, scenery, music, food, and a swim, the timing feels more balanced. The two-hour option can pass quickly, which is a compliment for the atmosphere but a warning for serious swimmers.

The BBQ option: useful fuel, not the main event

The BBQ package adds cooked food, pasta salad, local bread, and one drink. You can choose water, beer, or sangria with the meal. The food has generally been described as tasty and filling, though it is aimed more at meat eaters than at vegetarians or vegans.

The pasta salad is the safer part of the meal if your diet is limited. Vegetarian and vegan choices may be basic, so ask what is available before selecting the BBQ option if food choice is important to you. One vegetarian and vegan group found the pasta salad useful but had fewer choices than meat eaters.

I would choose the BBQ if you want the convenience of eating on board and do not want to arrange lunch around the cruise. It is also a sensible value on the longer four-hour departure. I would not book this boat solely for gourmet food. The attraction is being on the water, and the meal is a practical extra.

The included drink is tied to the BBQ option. Additional drinks from the bar cost extra, and one past experience noted an €8 charge for a beer or sangria outside the included serving. If you are watching costs, check exactly what your package includes before ordering at the bar.

Music, bar service, and the mood on board

Music plays throughout much of the cruise, with selections broad enough to suit a mixed group. The atmosphere is usually cheerful and social without necessarily becoming a full party boat. On the return to Arenal, people may dance, especially on afternoon or sunset departures.

That mood is a strength if you are traveling with friends, planning a hen party, or want more energy than a silent sightseeing cruise. It can also be a drawback if your idea of luxury means quiet water, soft conversation, and very few people around you.

The bar is handy when you want a drink without leaving the deck. Cocktails have received positive comments, but bar prices are separate unless your selected package includes a drink. Smoking at the rear has bothered some people, so choose your seating with that in mind if cigarette smoke is a concern.

The crew is one of the most reliable parts of the experience. They are described as friendly, helpful, professional, and attentive, with a strong focus on safety. Do not expect a formal guide explaining every headland or a detailed commentary about the protected areas. This is a relaxed cruise with music, not a coastal history tour.

Is $47 good value?

At about $47 per person, the standard price is fair for a shared catamaran trip that combines sailing, a swimming stop, snorkeling equipment, life vests, and several hours on the water. The value improves if you use the swimming time fully and choose the BBQ package when you would otherwise pay for lunch and a drink elsewhere.

The price feels less attractive if you want a small boat, personal service, extensive snorkeling, or a quiet route with lots of commentary. You are paying for the full outing and the boat setting, not just transportation to a cove.

The larger catamaran also explains the price. It can carry a sizeable group, provide toilets and a bar, and offer more stable movement than a small speedboat. The tradeoff is that prime seating can be competitive and the deck may feel busy on popular dates.

I would call it solid value for a first Palma boat day, especially for friends, couples who enjoy a social atmosphere, and families with older children who can swim safely from the boat. The shorter option makes sense if you want to keep the cost and time down. The four-hour choice is better if you want the outing to feel like the main event of your day.

Who should book this cruise?

I would book this if you want:

• A simple way to get into the Mediterranean without planning your own beach day
• A stable, spacious boat with steps, jumping points, life vests, and a shower
• Clear water, fish, coastal views, and time to swim
• Music and a friendly social atmosphere
• The option of a BBQ and one included drink
• A group activity for friends, birthdays, or a hen party

I would think twice if you want:

• A private or small-group sailing experience
• Guaranteed long snorkeling sessions
• A quiet boat with no music
• A sandy beach stop
• Strong vegetarian or vegan meal choices
• Wheelchair access, since the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. A phone holder with a strap is useful if you want photos near the boat, but keep your phone secure around the water. The best pictures are usually taken while the catamaran is stopped, when you are not trying to hold a camera steady on a moving deck.

Final decision: book it for the water, not the meal

This is a fun, practical Palma excursion with a clear purpose: get on a catamaran, enjoy the coast, swim in clear water, and return with a little music and sun on your shoulders. The crew, smooth sailing, swimming areas, and generous boat facilities receive the strongest praise.

Book it if you want a lively shared experience and the chance to jump straight from the deck into the Mediterranean. Choose the longer option if you want time to settle in, eat, swim, and enjoy the ride. Skip it if you are looking for a quiet private sail, a serious snorkeling trip, or a proper beach visit.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise meet?

The meeting point is at Playa del Arenal. Look for the local partner’s sign near the kiosk as you walk down toward the beach.

How long is the cruise?

The available duration is between two and four hours. Starting times and exact options depend on availability.

What places does the cruise visit?

The route goes through Palma Bay toward Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella, which are protected coastal areas.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The cruise includes a stop for swimming, and some departures include two swimming stops.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included. Ask the crew where to collect the equipment when you board.

Is the BBQ included in the price?

The BBQ is included only when you select the option labeled with BBQ. That package includes cooked food, pasta salad, local bread, and one drink.

What drink comes with the BBQ?

You receive one water, beer, or sangria with the BBQ option.

Can I bring alcohol or drugs?

No. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed as personal items for the activity. Drinks are available according to the selected package and onboard service.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Playa del Arenal.

Is the experience suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.