Palma: Catamaran Cruise with Swimming and Snorkelling

The best part of this Palma cruise is simple: you get out on the Mediterranean quickly, then spend real time in clear water near Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella. The catamaran has room to sunbathe, swim, and move around, so it feels more like a proper boat outing than a short harbor ride.

I like the easygoing crew and the choice between a shorter two-hour trip and a longer sailing. I also like that snorkeling gear and life vests are supplied, while the optional BBQ, pasta salad, bread, and one drink make the longer trip good value. The main drawback is crowding on busy departures, plus confusing directions to the meeting kiosk.

Key points at a glance

• Two attractive swim areas: The boat heads east from Arenal toward protected coastal areas with clear water and fish.
• A real swim stop: You can spend up to about 90 minutes at anchor on some departures, with shorter or additional stops possible.
• Good facilities for a boat day: There are swim ladders, jumping points, a shower, toilets, a bar, life vests, and snorkeling equipment.
• Music shapes the mood: The trip is calm on the way out and often livelier on the return, but it is not designed as a full party cruise.
• Optional food adds value: The BBQ option includes grilled food, pasta salad, local bread, and one water, beer, or sangria.
• Arrive early: Space is generally first come, first served, and finding the correct ticket kiosk at Playa del Arenal can take time.

Sailing east from Playa del Arenal

Your starting point is Playa del Arenal, at the Arenal Nautical Club area. Look for the local partner’s sign as you walk down toward the beach and kiosk. This sounds easy, but the directions can be vague, so I would allow extra time rather than arriving at the last minute.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You make your own way to the beach, then wait near the marked meeting point before boarding. The boat is large enough for a substantial group, with one reported departure carrying about 80 people, but the amount of personal space depends heavily on the day and where you sit.

The catamaran ride itself is smooth and relaxed. As Palma Bay opens around you, you get broad views of the coast, the water, and the rocky headland near Cap Enderrocat. The front nets are the prized area for lying down and sunbathing, so arriving early helps if you want one of those spots.

You can also sit elsewhere on the boat and still enjoy the view. On full departures, though, people may hold their space, and the front nets can feel tight. If you care more about a quiet seat than a place to stretch out, boarding early is still useful.

Music plays during the trip. The selection is broad rather than aggressively club-focused, and the atmosphere often becomes more social on the ride back. This makes the cruise suitable for friends, couples, and groups celebrating together, but it may not suit you if you want a silent sailing with commentary about every landmark.

Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella by catamaran

The route heads toward Cap Enderrocat and Cala Vella, coastal areas valued for their clear water and protected setting. You are not simply riding around the bay. The point is to reach a quieter-looking stretch of coast, drop anchor, and get into the sea.

The exact order and length of stops can vary. Some departures include two swim stops, with the first lasting much longer than the second. Other descriptions focus on one main stop of about 90 minutes. You should think of the cruise as a boat ride with substantial swimming time, not as a fixed sightseeing schedule with identical stops every day.

The scenery is the main reward here. Rocky shorelines, open water, and small coves provide the sort of views that are hard to get from land. The boat itself also gives you good photo angles, especially when you are away from the crowded beach areas.

For the best pictures, take them while the boat is stopped or before everyone gets into the water. Once the swim begins, most people leave the deck, and the catamaran becomes a less orderly place for photos. A waterproof phone holder with a strap is a smart choice if you want pictures from the sea.

Swimming, snorkeling, and jumping from the stern

The swimming stop is the heart of the experience. You can enter using stairs, or choose one of the small ledges and higher points at the stern for a jump. The crew also provides life vests, which makes the activity more approachable if you are not a confident swimmer.

The water is often clear enough to see small fish. Some departures have attracted fish close to the boat, making a basic snorkel more interesting than you might expect. This is not a specialist snorkeling trip with a marine guide, marked reefs, or a long underwater route. It is casual sea swimming with the chance to look around beneath the surface.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but I would ask the crew for a mask and snorkel early in the stop. Several accounts describe the gear being available, while one found it was not actively handed out. Another raised concerns about how well the masks and snorkels were sanitized. If hygiene matters to you, bringing your own equipment is reasonable.

You also get a shower after swimming, which is a small but welcome detail. Saltwater, sunscreen, and a windy boat ride can leave you sticky, so being able to rinse off improves the trip.

Water temperatures can vary sharply by season. In May and early summer, the sea may feel cold even on a sunny day. By midsummer, the warm water is easier to enjoy for a long swim. Bring a towel and a dry change of comfortable clothing if you dislike sitting in wet swimwear on the return journey.

What the BBQ option really adds

The BBQ is an optional booking choice, not part of every ticket. If you select it, you receive freshly cooked grilled food, pasta salad, local bread, and one drink: water, beer, or sangria.

The meal is useful rather than fancy. It gives you something filling during a longer boat outing, and the pasta salad helps round out the plate. The food has been described as good and substantial, though some people found it ordinary. That is a fair way to judge it. You are paying for a day on the water, not a restaurant meal.

The menu leans toward meat eaters. If you are vegetarian or vegan, the information supplied here does not promise a separate menu, so you should not book the BBQ expecting a full plant-based selection. Pasta salad may be the safest part of the meal, but it is worth checking before you commit.

The included drink is another small value point. Without the BBQ option, drinks from the onboard bar cost extra. One account noted that beer or sangria could cost 8 euros when not included. If you plan to drink, compare the price of the BBQ package with buying food and drinks separately.

There is also a bar on board, with cocktails and other drinks available. That helps keep the outing easy, but bar prices can add up. Bring water only if the operator allows it, and remember that alcohol and drugs are not permitted as items to bring onto the activity.

Two hours or four hours?

The advertised duration ranges from two to four hours, with starting times depending on availability. The shorter trip suits you if you want a taste of sailing, a swim, and a simple half-day plan. It also works well when you have other commitments in Palma.

The longer option gives the boat day more room to breathe. You have more time for the route, the swim stops, lunch if selected, and a relaxed ride back. Some people find two hours pass quickly because the boat ride and swim are packed together. If swimming is your main reason for booking, choose the longer option when available.

On the other hand, a four-hour cruise can feel long if you do not enjoy sun, music, or group boat trips. The boat may be busy, and not every minute is active. You may spend part of the time sitting, waiting for food, listening to music, or watching the coast pass.

A useful detail is that the swim periods are not always evenly divided. The first stop can be long, sometimes around an hour, while a second stop may be closer to 20 or 30 minutes. If you prefer more sailing and shorter water stops, the timing may not match your ideal day.

Space, music, and the size of the group

This is a social catamaran, not a private sailing charter. The boat is spacious for its capacity, but full departures can still feel crowded. The front nets are especially popular, and people do not always want to share a prime patch of space.

The good news is that the catamaran has several ways to enjoy the day. You can sit on the deck, lie in the sun, use the swimming platforms, or move toward the back when the boat is underway. Toilets have been kept clean on busy trips, and the bar makes it easy to buy a drink without leaving the boat.

The sound system is part of the experience. Music may be mellow during the outward ride and more upbeat later, with some departures ending in dancing. I would not choose this cruise if your ideal is a quiet sail with a naturalist explaining the coast. I would choose it if you want scenery, swimming, and a friendly group atmosphere without committing to a full nightclub at sea.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the outing. They help with boarding, swimming equipment, food, and general safety. The route feels well organized, and the boat keeps to its schedule, which matters if you have a cruise departure or another fixed booking later in the day.

Is $47 a fair price?

At $47 per person, this is a reasonable price for a shared catamaran outing in Mallorca, particularly if you choose the BBQ package. The fare covers the boat, the swim stop, life vests, snorkeling equipment, and the crew. With the food option, you also receive the BBQ meal and one drink.

The value depends on how you use the time. If you spend most of the cruise swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the boat, the price feels fair. If you mainly want a short scenic ride and do not care about the water stop, a simpler harbor cruise could cost less.

The biggest value is convenience. You do not need to arrange a separate boat, find a swimming cove, rent snorkeling equipment, or search for lunch during the outing. You reach the water directly from Arenal and have the crew, facilities, and meal option in one package.

The main limits are group size and food choice. A busy sailing can reduce personal space, and the BBQ is basic. Still, for a few hours of sea time, clear water, music, and swimming near the east side of Palma Bay, $47 is a solid midrange price.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to friends, couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone wanting an easy water day near Palma. The life vests, ladders, shower, and crew support make it approachable, while the jumping points and clear water give the stop some excitement.

It also works well for a hen party or a relaxed group celebration. The music, bar, open deck, and shared swimming stop create a social mood without requiring you to plan every detail.

I would be more cautious if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also think twice if you dislike crowds, loud music, or sitting in the sun for several hours.

For snorkeling specialists, this may feel too casual. You get equipment and fish-filled water, but there is no promise of a guided underwater tour or a particular reef. Bring your own mask if fit and cleanliness matter to you.

Practical tips before you go

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes, and pack a towel and sunscreen. The sun reflects strongly off the water, and you will spend plenty of time exposed even if you do not swim.

Arrive early enough to find the kiosk and improve your choice of seating. The meeting point is near the beach at Playa del Arenal, but the signs and directions may not be immediately obvious.

Take photos before the swim stop and keep your phone secured with a waterproof strap. If you want the front net, go early. If you prefer shade or less movement, select your place carefully before the boat fills.

If you select the BBQ, check the food option against your dietary needs. The supplied meal is geared toward meat eaters, and the available information does not promise vegetarian or vegan replacements.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The host or greeter may speak English, German, Spanish, French, or Italian.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want clear Mediterranean water, a smooth catamaran ride, music, and a generous swim stop without paying for a private charter. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, attractive coves, easy access to swimming, and solid value when the BBQ and drink are included.

Skip it if you want a quiet, uncrowded sail, a serious snorkeling trip, or a carefully tailored meal. For most people looking for a relaxed half-day at sea from Arenal, though, this is an enjoyable and practical choice. Arrive early, bring sun protection, and treat the BBQ as convenient fuel rather than the main event.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise meet?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The available options range from two to four hours. Starting times and exact durations depend on availability.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The cruise includes a swimming stop, snorkeling equipment, and life vests. The length and number of swim stops can vary by departure.

Is the BBQ included in the ticket?

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

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point at Playa del Arenal.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. A waterproof phone holder with a strap is also useful if you want to take pictures while swimming.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.