Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

Cap de Formentor is Mallorca’s great coastal showpiece, and this four-hour cruise gives you the easiest way to see it from sea level. You pass Coll Baix and Cap des Pinar, then stop for about an hour at Formentor beach, where you can swim in clear water. I like the relaxed pace and the chance to see several bays without arranging transport on winding roads.

I also like the simple value: at $34, the boat trip is a fair way to reach the Formentor area if you mainly want views and a swim. The catch is that this is a boat sightseeing trip, not a shore tour. The lighthouse may appear only briefly from a distance, and the boat can feel crowded, especially on the upper deck.

Key points to know before booking

• Formentor beach gets about one hour: This is the main stop, with time for swimming and a break beside the bay.
• The lighthouse is viewed from the boat: You do not get a long visit at Cap de Formentor or a walk to the lighthouse.
• The route includes several coastal sights: Expect views of Aucanada, Coll Baix beach, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Bay, and the northern Mallorca coast.
• The full trip lasts four hours: Most of that time is spent cruising, with roughly 40 minutes near Coll Baix, 25 minutes of sightseeing, and return sailing.
• Upper-deck seats can fill early: If an open-air seat matters to you, arrive with enough time to board comfortably.
• Bring your own supplies: Food and drinks are not included, so pack sunscreen, a camera, and comfortable clothes.

What this Alcudia to Formentor cruise is really like

This trip is best understood as a scenic boat ride with a swimming stop. You leave from the Alcudia waterfront and spend much of the outing looking outward at cliffs, bays, and open sea. The boat does not take you ashore at every place on the route.

That distinction matters. If you want to walk around Cap de Formentor, visit the lighthouse up close, or explore Formentor beach for half a day, this is not the right format. If you want an easy view of Mallorca’s northern coast without driving, it makes good sense.

The departure point is the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa, on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia. You arrange your own way to the port, since transfers are not included. Once aboard, the route follows the coast toward the Formentor area.

I would bring a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. The boat ride puts you in full sun for much of the day, and the swimming stop makes practical clothes more useful than anything formal. Food and drinks are not supplied, so plan ahead before boarding.

Leaving Port Alcudia and passing Aucanada

The first part of the ride takes you away from Port Alcudia and along the coast. Aucanada is one of the early points of interest, giving you a first look at the rocky shoreline and sheltered water around the bay.

This opening stretch is a chance to settle into the rhythm of the trip. You are not rushing between stops. Instead, you sit back and watch Mallorca change from port scenery to quieter coves and exposed headlands.

For me, this is one of the strongest parts of the outing. A road trip can show you viewpoints, but a boat gives you a clean view back toward the coast. You also avoid the effort of driving and parking in the Formentor area.

The tradeoff is time. A four-hour cruise sounds short, but much of it is spent getting to and from the main stop. One dissatisfied account described the journey as too long for the amount of beach time available. That is a fair criticism if you want constant activity.

Coll Baix and the northern coast

The schedule allows about 40 minutes of cruising around Platja del Coll Baix. Coll Baix is known here as a coastal sight viewed from the boat, not as a long beach visit.

This section gives the trip some variety. You see a more secluded stretch of Mallorca before continuing toward Formentor, with the boat providing a broad view of the cliffs and water. You can take photos, watch the shoreline, or simply enjoy the open-air ride.

You should not expect a guided walk or a chance to land at Coll Baix. The appeal is the view from the water. That works well for you if your goal is to see the coast with little physical effort, but less well if you want to set foot on each beach.

After Coll Baix, the route includes about 25 minutes of general sightseeing around the Balearic Islands. The supplied schedule is not specific about every sight during this part, so I would treat it as scenic cruising rather than a tightly narrated tour.

The one-hour stop at Formentor beach

Formentor beach is the practical heart of the trip. You get about one hour here, with time to pause and swim in the clear water of Formentor Bay.

This is not a rushed five-minute photo stop. An hour gives you a useful break from the boat and enough time for a swim, provided you are ready to get into the water promptly. The stop also breaks up the long cruising sections.

I like this balance. You see the coast from the boat, then get a direct taste of the bay instead of spending all four hours seated. If swimming is important to you, bring what you need before the stop and keep your camera protected while you are in the water.

The limits are just as important. One hour is not enough for a leisurely beach day, and the price does not include food or drinks. You should not plan on a full beach meal or a long walk around the area as part of this excursion.

The beach stop has been one of the better parts of the experience for many people, and the overall rating of 4.1 from 569 bookings supports the idea that the outing works well for a good number of passengers. At the same time, the score is not near-perfect, and the main reasons are easy to understand: crowding, a long time aboard, and a short view of the lighthouse.

Seeing Cap de Formentor from the sea

After the Formentor break, the boat continues for about 20 minutes before the Cap de Formentor sightseeing segment. The scheduled viewing time is only about 10 minutes.

That short timing tells you exactly how to set your expectations. You see the famous headland and lighthouse from the water, but you do not get a proper lighthouse visit. One account described seeing Cap de Formentor from a distance for only about 60 seconds, which is a useful warning for anyone booking mainly for that landmark.

I would treat the lighthouse as a bonus view, not the central purpose of the tour. The wider attraction is the coast itself: cliffs, bays, bright water, and the changing angle of Mallorca’s northern tip as the boat moves past it.

If the lighthouse is your top priority, you need an experience that gets you close on land. This boat trip is better for you if you are happy to photograph it from offshore and spend more time enjoying the sea.

The long return to Alcudia

The return sailing is scheduled for about 45 minutes. After the stop at Formentor and the short Cap de Formentor sighting, you settle back in for the ride toward Port Alcudia.

This return leg can feel peaceful after swimming, but it is also where the four-hour duration becomes most noticeable. There is no additional major stop listed on the way back, so you should be comfortable with quiet cruising and repeated coastal views.

I would choose a seat with the whole trip in mind, not only the outward journey. Open-air positions are useful for photographs and fresh air, but the upper deck can fill quickly. One account reported that it was already full at boarding in Alcudia, leaving some passengers on the middle deck despite good weather.

That does not make the middle deck a bad choice, but it changes the experience. If your heart is set on the best outdoor view, get to the meeting point early enough to avoid having your preferred area taken.

Crowding, comfort, and the $34 price

At $34 per person, this is a reasonable price for a four-hour scenic cruise and a swim stop. You are paying for the boat route, not a meal, private space, or a full visit to each landmark.

The value is strongest when you compare it with the cost and effort of arranging your own coastal outing. You can see several named bays, reach the Formentor area by water, and swim without planning a separate route. For a family or couple that wants a simple half-day activity, the price is easy to understand.

The value is weaker if you dislike sitting on a busy boat or expect a full sightseeing program. A four-hour trip with only one hour at the beach means roughly three hours are spent cruising. That is worthwhile for you only if the ride itself is part of the appeal.

Capacity also matters. The boat may be full enough that the upper deck is unavailable when you board. This is the main comfort issue to consider, especially on a sunny day when everyone wants an outside seat.

There was also a reported occasion when a boat fault stopped the scheduled excursion and passengers were informed only on arrival. That appears to be an operational problem rather than the normal plan, but it is worth keeping in mind when you have a tight schedule. The flexible booking terms help: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a low-effort way to see Mallorca’s northern coast. It suits people who enjoy being on the water, like taking photos, and want a real swim stop without committing to a full beach day.

It also works well for anyone who does not want to drive the Formentor roads. You sit aboard while the coast comes to you, and the route includes Aucanada, Coll Baix, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Bay, and Cap de Formentor.

Families may appreciate the simple format, provided everyone is comfortable with several hours on a boat. Swimmers will get the most from the one-hour break at Formentor beach. Photo-minded passengers should enjoy the changing views, but they need to accept that the lighthouse sighting may be brief.

I would be cautious about booking it if you need a quiet, spacious boat or if you want to spend most of the day ashore. I would also choose another plan if seeing the Formentor lighthouse up close is your main goal.

Small practical details that make a difference

Arrive at the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia with enough time to find the boat and board. The meeting point is at the Transportes Marítimos Brisa kiosk, and transport to the port is not part of the price.

Wear comfortable clothes and use sunscreen before departure. You may find that the sun feels strong during the outward and return sections, even if you spend part of the trip inside or on a middle deck.

Bring a camera, but protect it during the swim stop. Pack food or drinks if you need them, since neither is included. The provided information does not specify catering, onboard guide names, or a detailed language service, so I would not book this expecting a formal multilingual tour narration.

The tour lasts four hours, and starting times depend on availability. Check the chosen date carefully before paying. The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Mallorca plans are still moving around.

Should you book the Formentor boat trip?

Book it if you want a moderately priced coastal cruise with a proper one-hour swimming stop. The best parts are the easy views of Mallorca’s northern bays, the relaxing time on the water, and the chance to reach Formentor without arranging a land route.

Skip it if you want a detailed visit to the lighthouse, several beach landings, or a long, uncrowded beach stay. Also think twice if three hours aboard sounds excessive for one hour on shore.

My advice is simple: choose this for the boat ride and Formentor swim, not for a close-up lighthouse visit. Arrive early for a better chance at an upper-deck seat, bring your own refreshments, and keep your schedule flexible in case of an operational change.

FAQ

How long is the Alcudia to Formentor boat trip?

The trip lasts four hours in total, including the cruise from Port Alcudia, the Formentor beach stop, Cap de Formentor sightseeing, and the return journey.

Where does the boat leave from?

You meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Marítimos Brisa kiosk on Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $34 per person.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The trip includes a break of about one hour at Formentor beach, where you can swim in the clear water.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own if needed.

Do I visit the Formentor lighthouse?

You see Cap de Formentor and its famous lighthouse from the boat. The experience does not include a long visit or shore access at the lighthouse.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. You should also plan for your own food and drinks because they are not included.