Palma: Catamaran Cruise with Swimming and Snorkelling

Palma Bay looks best from the water, especially when your catamaran reaches the clear coves near Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella. You can stretch out in the sun, jump from the boat, or swim among small fish while the coastline slips past.

I like the spacious catamaran and the friendly, capable crew. I also like the choice of a quiet swim or a livelier ride back with music, dancing, and a drink. The main catch is that the boat can feel crowded, and finding the meeting kiosk at Playa del Arenal is not as simple as it should be.

Key points to know before you book

• Two to four hours on the water: Choose the shorter outing for an easy holiday activity, or the longer option if you want more time to sail and swim.
• Swimming happens from the boat: You stop in open water rather than visiting a beach, with ladders, platforms, and higher jump points for getting in.
• Snorkelling equipment is provided: Masks and snorkels are available, although one past participant found the cleaning process disappointing.
• The BBQ is an optional add-on: Select it for cooked food, pasta salad, local bread, and one water, beer, or sangria.
• Music shapes the mood: The atmosphere is relaxed during the ride out and can become more social and party-like on the return.
• Arrive early for better space: The front nets are popular for lying down and sunbathing, and seating is generally first come, first served.

Setting out from Playa del Arenal

The trip begins at Playa del Arenal, near the Arenal Nautical Club. The waiting area is marked with the local partner’s name, but the directions can be vague. You need to walk down toward the beach and look for the kiosk, so allow extra time instead of arriving at the last minute.

This is not a private yacht outing. The catamaran can hold a large group, with one past sailing carrying about 80 people, but the boat is described as spacious enough for most people to find somewhere to sit or stand. On busy departures, the sunbathing nets fill quickly and some people settle in early.

I would arrive ahead of the stated meeting time if you care about where you sit. The forward nets are the best place to lie flat and watch the coastline, while the rear area is closer to the bar, swim access, and the louder music on the way back.

The crew works in English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian. No individual guide names are supplied, but the staff are presented as friendly and attentive, with life jackets and other equipment easy to reach.

The ride across Palma Bay

Once clear of the shoreline, the boat heads across Palma Bay toward Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella. This is the part to enjoy at an unhurried pace. The catamaran moves smoothly, the breeze takes the edge off the summer heat, and you get broad views of the coast rather than the close-up feel of a beach day.

The boat itself is one of the stronger parts of the experience. You have room to move around, take photographs, sunbathe, or sit in the shade if you find a suitable spot. There is also a bar on board, though drinks bought separately can cost extra. The BBQ package includes one drink, either water, beer, or sangria.

Music plays throughout much of the trip. It is not described as a full-time party boat, but the selection aims at a mixed crowd. The return leg can become more energetic, with dancing and a more social mood. If you want total peace and quiet, this may not be your ideal boat outing. If you like a little music with your sea view, it works well.

The trip is scenic rather than educational. You will see the coastline, headlands, coves, and sea caves around the protected areas, but there is no promise of a detailed commentary about the geology or local history. One guest specifically wished for more explanation or someone to animate the trip. I would book this for the sailing and swimming, not for guided sightseeing.

Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella swim stops

The main event is the stop in the sea. The catamaran anchors at a clear-water location near the coastal coves, giving you time to swim, sunbathe, and snorkel. Depending on the chosen schedule, you may have one longer stop or two separate swimming opportunities.

The water is often clear enough to see fish, and some outings have included small fish gathering near the boat. You can enter by stairs, use lower platforms, or jump from higher points at the stern. A shower is available after swimming, which is a welcome detail when you want to rinse off salt water before lunch or the ride home.

Keep your expectations realistic. You are not being taken ashore to explore a beach. The stops are from the catamaran in open water, and some people found the swimming time shorter than they wanted, particularly on the shorter cruise. One past schedule provided roughly 20 to 30 minutes at a swimming stop, while other outings included a longer period of around an hour or more.

The four-hour option makes more sense if swimming is your priority. The two-hour version suits you if you want a quick taste of sailing with one main swim. The exact rhythm can vary, so check the departure choice carefully before paying.

Snorkelling equipment is included, along with life vests. The water and fish make a simple look below the surface worthwhile, but this is not a specialist snorkelling expedition with a guide identifying marine life. Bring your own mask if you prefer a known fit or have concerns about shared equipment. One participant raised concerns about sanitising the provided mask and snorkel, so that is a fair point to consider.

Food, drinks, and the optional BBQ

The BBQ is available only when you select the appropriate package. It comes with cooked food, pasta salad, local bread, and one drink of water, beer, or sangria. The meal is useful rather than fancy, and that is the right way to judge it.

Several outings served grilled meat with salad or pasta salad. Meat eaters generally had the broadest choice. Vegetarian and vegan options were less satisfying, with one report describing plain pasta as the main fallback. If you do not eat meat, check what the provider can offer before booking the BBQ option.

Food quality has been described in mixed but mostly positive terms. Some people found the lunch tasty and substantial, while others considered it merely adequate. I would not choose this cruise because of the meal. I would choose it for the time at sea, then regard the BBQ as a convenient bonus that saves you from arranging lunch elsewhere.

The included drink is limited to one serving with the BBQ package. Additional drinks may cost extra, and the bar is available on board. If you are trying to keep spending under control, bring sunscreen and a towel, and budget separately for anything beyond the included drink.

How crowded is the catamaran?

The answer depends on the departure. Some people found plenty of room, while others felt the boat was overcrowded. A large catamaran can carry many people without feeling cramped in every area, but the popular front nets are limited and fill quickly.

The first-come, first-served arrangement matters here. Arrive early if you want a prime sunbathing place, especially if you are travelling with friends and hope to sit together. If you arrive later, you may need to share space or choose a less central area.

The positive side of a fuller boat is the easy social atmosphere. Groups, couples, families, and hen parties can all fit the setting, and the music helps people relax. The downside is less personal space, especially when everyone heads to the swim platforms at once.

The boat has toilets, reported to be clean for the size of the group. It also has several ways to enter the sea, life vests, snorkelling gear, and a post-swim shower. Those practical features make a difference on a crowded sailing.

What the $47 price really buys you

At about $47 per person, this is a reasonable Palma activity if you want several holiday staples in one booking: a boat ride, coastal views, time to swim, snorkelling gear, and a relaxed social setting. The BBQ option changes the calculation, since food and one drink are included only when selected.

You are paying for access to the catamaran and the setting, not a luxury private charter. The word luxury in the description should not lead you to expect a quiet yacht with personal service. You get a modern, comfortable boat with shared facilities and a larger group.

For me, the strongest value comes from the combination of the smooth sailing and the swim stop. A simple beach day may cost less, but it will not give you the same views from the water or the chance to jump from the back of a catamaran. A private boat would cost far more.

The shorter outing is good value if you have only a spare morning or afternoon. The longer trip is the better choice for confident swimmers, sun lovers, and anyone who wants the day to feel like a proper sea excursion rather than a quick boat ride.

Who will enjoy this Palma cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy activity with little planning once you reach the meeting point. It suits couples, groups of friends, families with swimmers, and anyone celebrating a special occasion who wants music without committing to a nightclub.

It is also a good choice if you like variety. You can sit quietly during the outward ride, take photographs around Cap Enderrocat, swim or snorkel, eat if you selected the meal, and enjoy livelier music on the return.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the open-water stops. You can jump from the platforms or spend a good stretch of time moving around the boat and looking below the surface. If you do not swim, you can sunbathe and watch others from the deck, but swimming is the main reason to book.

I would be more cautious if you need a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also think twice if you dislike crowds, music, or open-water swimming. This is not a beach transfer and not a quiet sightseeing cruise.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. A phone holder with a strap is a sensible idea if you want photos in the water, but keep your device secure. The best boat photographs usually come during the sailing or while the catamaran is stopped, when you are not trying to capture the view from a moving deck.

Arrival, cancellation, and timing tips

The duration is listed as two to four hours, with starting times depending on availability. Check the exact option before booking, because the amount of time at sea affects how much swimming and sailing you get.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You make your own way to Playa del Arenal and find the marked waiting area near the beach. Since directions have caused confusion, use the local partner’s sign and give yourself time to ask around if needed.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep plans flexible. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed as personal items, even though the BBQ package can include a beer or sangria served on board.

Should you book the Palma catamaran cruise?

Yes, if you want a good-value half-day or short outing with clear-water swimming, smooth sailing, and a friendly social mood. The best reasons to book are the spacious catamaran, the attractive coves near Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella, the choice of two or more swim opportunities, and the chance to use snorkelling equipment without arranging it yourself.

Choose the longer option if swimming matters most, and arrive early for better space. Select the BBQ only if the menu works for your diet, and bring your own snorkelling gear if shared equipment worries you.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a detailed coastal tour, or a quiet, uncrowded deck. For everyone else, the combination of sea views, warm air, music, and an easy swim stop makes this one of the more enjoyable ways to spend a few hours around Palma.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The available trips last between two and four hours. Starting times and exact duration depend on availability and the option you choose.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Are swimming and snorkelling included?

Yes. The cruise includes a swimming stop, and snorkelling equipment and life vests are provided.

Do you swim from the beach or the boat?

The swimming stops take place from the catamaran in open water. You can use stairs, lower platforms, or designated higher points to enter the sea.

Is the BBQ included in the basic price?

The BBQ is included only if you select the With BBQ option. That package also includes pasta salad, local bread, and one drink of water, beer, or sangria.

Can I buy other drinks on board?

Yes. There is a bar on the catamaran. Drinks beyond the included option may cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. A waterproof phone holder with a strap can also help if you want to take photos near the water.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.