Catamaran Sailing in Palma Mallorca includes Aperitif and BBQ

Palma’s waterfront quickly gives way to open Mediterranean views on this five-and-a-half-hour catamaran outing. The boat was built in 2023 and can carry 84 people, but the operator limits this trip to 55. That difference matters: you get more room to sit, move around, and find either shade or sun than on a fully packed excursion boat.

I like two things right away: the food is prepared on board, and paddleboards are included rather than treated as an extra-cost add-on. The main caution is that this is still a social boat trip, not a quiet private charter. Music can be loud, drinks cost extra, and the route or swimming time can change with weather and sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• La Cueva Verda stop: Start with an aperitif in a scenic coastal setting before the main meal.
• Cala Vella swimming stop: Spend time by clear water, with a BBQ served directly from the catamaran.
• Modern boat with 55-person limit: The vessel holds 84, but the lower operating limit gives you more usable space.
• Paddleboarding included: Stand-up paddleboards are available during the stop at no added charge.
• Bar open throughout: Cocktails, mixed drinks, and soft drinks are available, but beverages are not included in the $109.31 price.
• Weather controls the route: Poor conditions can alter the course, shorten water time, or lead to a rescheduled trip or refund.

Sailing out of Port of Palma

The excursion begins at Oasis Catamaran, Av. de Gabriel Roca, 16, in Palma. It also ends there, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. The mobile ticket makes the arrival process simple, though you should still allow enough time to reach the port and locate the boat.

The first stretch is about settling into the boat and watching Palma recede behind you. A catamaran gives you several ways to spend the ride. You can sit in the sun, look for a place under cover, talk with your group, or simply watch the Bay of Palma open up around you.

The boat is the heart of this experience. It is a brand-new-in-2023 catamaran with room for 84 people, but the normal limit is 55. That is not the same as having a private boat, yet it is a meaningful improvement over a vessel loaded to its legal capacity. Several seating areas are available, including spots in the sun and under cover.

Shoes are removed when boarding. I see the practical reason: it helps keep the deck cleaner and makes the boat feel more like a shared sailing space than a ferry. Wear something comfortable for going barefoot, and remember that seating is not assigned. If you care about shade, a quieter corner, or a good place to watch the coastline, arriving with time to spare is sensible.

La Cueva Verda and the opening aperitif

The first stop is La Cueva Verda, where the trip shifts from simple sightseeing to a more relaxed food-and-water outing. The aperitif gives you something to eat early in the cruise, rather than making you wait until the main stop at Cala Vella.

The exact route can change with wind and sea conditions, so treat the place names as the intended plan rather than an absolute promise. The operator states that weather may alter the route. That is normal for a boat activity, but it is worth keeping in mind if you have chosen this trip for one particular cove.

The aperitif is one of the better touches here because it breaks up the sailing time. You can have a snack, enjoy the coastal setting, and get comfortable before the main meal. The food service is not just a token bite either. The overall meal setup includes an aperitif, BBQ, and dessert, giving the outing more substance than a basic harbor cruise.

There is no guided sightseeing commentary described for the trip. You should book this for the sea, food, music, and time on the boat, not for a detailed lesson about Mallorca’s coves or natural areas. If you want a captain-led history tour, this may feel light on information.

Cala Vella, swimming, and the onboard BBQ

The main stop is Cala Vella, a nature reserve area known for small coves and clear water. This is where the schedule becomes most active. You can swim from the boat, relax on deck, and use the stand-up paddleboards included in the fare.

Cala Vella is the strongest reason to choose this outing over a simple harbor sail. The boat takes you to a place where the water itself becomes the activity. You are not merely looking at the Mediterranean from a seat. You have a chance to get in, paddle, or stay dry and enjoy the view from the deck.

The BBQ is prepared directly on board and served during this stop. That arrangement keeps the day moving. You do not waste time going ashore, finding a restaurant, or returning to the boat before departure. Food is also available in generous portions according to the supplied experience details, with some people able to take seconds.

The meal service is a major part of the value. At $109.31 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride, but the price includes more than transport across the bay. You receive the aperitif, a freshly prepared BBQ, dessert, paddleboard use, and roughly five and a half hours on the water. For someone who would otherwise pay separately for lunch, a boat rental, and water equipment, that package can make sense.

Still, set reasonable expectations. A BBQ prepared on a moving catamaran is a casual outdoor meal, not a restaurant tasting menu. The appeal lies in eating on the water and combining lunch with swimming and sailing. If food quality is your only priority, this is the wrong reason to book. If you want a full half-day with a meal built into the activity, the calculation looks much better.

How much water time should you expect?

The stated plan includes stops at La Cueva Verda and Cala Vella, but the amount of time at each location can change. Weather, wind, sea conditions, and operational decisions all affect the route. One low-rated experience reported fewer stops than expected and no swimming, while many other accounts describe plenty of time for swimming and paddleboarding.

That contrast gives you useful advice: do not reserve this trip with a rigid expectation of a set number of swimming sessions. The operator specifically says the route may be altered because of weather. If the sea is rough or conditions are poor, the experience may become more about sailing, food, and views than getting into the water.

When conditions cooperate, the water portion sounds like the highlight. You can jump from the boat, swim around the stop, or use the paddleboards. If you prefer not to swim, the boat still offers seating and food, but you should understand that the cove stop is central to the day.

Bring sun protection. The deck includes open areas, and you may spend several hours outside. A swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a cover-up are sensible choices. These are practical suggestions rather than listed inclusions, so plan to bring your own personal items.

Music, drinks, and the atmosphere onboard

The mood is relaxed and social, with music playing during the sailing and meal service. Many people will enjoy the soundtrack, especially on a sunny afternoon with the coast around them. If you prefer conversation or a quiet ride, choose your seat carefully. One experience found the music loud enough to make normal conversation difficult, particularly near the speakers.

The onboard bar remains open throughout the excursion. You can buy cocktails, mixed drinks, alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic drinks. None of these are included in the advertised price, so budget beyond the $109.31 ticket if you plan to order several drinks.

That separation between included food and paid drinks is easy to overlook. The aperitif, BBQ, dessert, and paddleboards are included. The bar is available, but you pay for what you order. For some people, this keeps the base price reasonable. For others, the final cost can rise quickly, especially on a five-and-a-half-hour trip.

The atmosphere should suit couples, families, and small groups looking for a shared outing. It is less suitable if you want a silent sail, a private deck, or a carefully narrated tour. The boat has room to spread out, but it is still a group activity with music, communal meal service, and other people sharing the same swimming stop.

Is 55 people really comfortable?

The boat’s capacity is 84, while the excursion limit is 55. That ratio is one of the more important details in the entire offer. It does not promise empty decks, but it gives the crew more room to keep seating comfortable and avoids operating at full capacity.

The available information points to seating in both covered and sunny areas. Some people particularly liked having more usable space than other catamarans leaving the port at the same time. That makes a difference during the long sailing sections and after the meal, when everyone may want to sit down.

There is still a possible crowding issue. One unhappy account felt that more than 50 people made the boat too busy. Since the maximum is 55, you should not think of this as an intimate cruise. The limit is a practical compromise: more personal space than a full-capacity boat, but not the privacy of a small sailing yacht.

For the best chance of choosing your preferred area, arrive promptly and pay attention to where the speakers are located. If you want shade, claim that kind of seating early. If you want a view and more sun, the open deck may suit you better.

What the $109.31 price really buys

The fare is best judged as a full half-day package rather than a transport ticket. You are paying for approximately five hours and thirty minutes, a modern catamaran, two food services, dessert, access to paddleboards, and time at Cala Vella. That is a solid bundle for someone who wants several activities in one booking.

The strongest value comes from the combination. A basic sailing trip might offer views but no proper meal. A restaurant stop might provide food but no access to clear coastal water. Here, the BBQ, swimming, paddleboarding, and sailing are combined into one plan.

The price becomes less attractive if you do not drink, do not swim, and mainly want a short scenic cruise. In that case, much of what you are paying for is not useful to you. The trip also loses value if bad weather prevents the water activities, although the operator offers a different date or full refund if the excursion is canceled because of poor weather.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The tour also requires a minimum number of bookings, so the operator can offer another date, another experience, or a full refund if that minimum is not met.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would choose this for someone who wants a relaxed Mallorca day on the water without arranging several separate activities. Couples can settle into the boat, eat well, and use the swimming stop at their own pace. Families have the advantage of a long, structured outing with food and paddleboards included.

It also suits friends who want music, drinks, and an easy social setting. The open deck, bar, and water stop create a holiday mood without requiring advanced sailing skills. Most people can participate, according to the activity information.

You should think twice if your priority is peace and quiet. Music may be loud, the boat can feel busy, and there is no promise of detailed commentary about each place. You should also be flexible about the route. The sea, not your schedule, has the final say.

This is not presented as an accessible private charter or a specialist sailing course. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not give detailed mobility information. If you have specific access needs, contact Oasis Catamaran before booking rather than assuming the vessel will suit you.

My practical verdict

I like this outing because it makes good use of a Mallorca day. You sail from Palma, stop for an aperitif, reach a clear-water cove, eat a BBQ, and have the option to swim or paddleboard. The modern boat and 55-person limit add comfort, while the food keeps the trip from feeling like five hours of simply sitting at sea.

The weaknesses are just as clear. Drinks cost extra, the music may be too loud for some people, and the group is still large enough that this is not a personal sailing experience. Most important, weather can change the route and reduce the swimming time.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran if you want a social, food-focused half-day on the Mediterranean and value having the BBQ, dessert, and paddleboards included. It is especially well suited to couples, families, and groups who want swimming and music alongside the views.

Skip it if you want a quiet private boat, a detailed coastal tour, or a guaranteed sequence of several swimming stops. For everyone else, $109.31 is a fair price for the combination of sailing, food, water activities, and a modern boat, provided you arrive with flexible expectations about the route.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin and end?

It begins at Oasis Catamaran, Av. de Gabriel Roca, 16, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the catamaran excursion last?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

What food is included?

An aperitif is included at the first stop, followed by a BBQ at the second stop. Dessert is also included as part of the onboard meal service.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. The onboard bar sells cocktails, mixed drinks, alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic drinks, but beverages are not included.

Is paddleboarding included?

Yes. Stand-up paddleboards are available onboard and included in the price.

Can the route change or the trip be canceled?

Yes. The route may change because of weather. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The operator can also offer another date, another experience, or a full refund if the minimum number of bookings is not reached.