Cruises and Boat Rides in Menorca

Menorca is one of the jewels of the Mediterranean Sea: its beautiful beaches will bring you peace and touring its towns and villages will give you a certain joy that can only be found on vacations.

But this vacation will not be complete without enjoying the most beautiful and unique view of Menorca. Seeing the island of Menorca from a boat in the middle of the sea is a marvel, and while you're at it, take a walk around it and discover its coves and swim among the fish. Do you want to know how to take a boat trip in Menorca? Keep reading!

If you book a boat trip in Menorca you have to know that it lasts about seven hours and will take you to discover the most famous coves. You will depart at around 9:30 am from Ciudadela and head for the southern beaches. With the most complete option of this excursion you will pass by Cala Macarelleta, Son Saura, Es Talaier and Cala'n Turqueta, among others.

With both, you will have enough time to make several stops in the middle of the sea and some of the coves, where you can swim among fish and see the seabed. It also includes lunch, a typical dish of paella, and drinks so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your vacation.

Why I like this option: As I said, it seems to me without a doubt the best value for money option. It is the longest tour, it includes food and drinks and you will stop to swim and snorkel with your own equipment in the best spots of the coast.

Recommended if... you have enough time and you feel like spending a whole day at sea without breaking your travel budget.

This excursion of about 3 hours and a half by the northern coves of Menorca will take you to discover famous beaches such as Cala Pregonda, Playa de Cavalleria or Fornells. The northern coves are very particular, the sand is reddish, the sea is much wilder and the cliffs are dark. So it is a completely different experience from the south.

Although it is a shorter walk, you will have enough time to make stops in the middle of the sea and in some of the coves. You will have the opportunity to take a swim and snorkel if you feel like getting into the underwater world. It also includes snacks throughout the activity so you can fully enjoy the curious coasts of the north of Menorca.

Why I like this option: It is a shorter tour and a completely different landscape that is worth contrasting. In addition, it includes snacks that you can enjoy at the stops, while you swim in the sea or snorkel.

Recommended if... you have little time to do a boat tour or if, on the contrary, you want a complete experience along the whole island.

It is difficult not to be attracted by the luxury of joining a catamaran trip in Menorca. The boat is very stable, most of the time it uses the momentum of the wind to sail and has plenty of space for sunbathing on board in total comfort.

Aboard a catamaran usually fit at most between 10 and 12 people, so privacy is assured. Get your camera ready because you will be the envy of all your friends!

Why I like this option: During two hours of travel you can enjoy a quiet sunset aboard the catamaran. But you will also have time to take a swim or snorkel as the excursion includes the equipment.

Recommended if... you feel like a relaxing plan in Menorca on board of one of the most comfortable boats available. In addition, the excursion will be in a small group and includes, of course, snacks and drinks. Please note that this excursion is usually available in summer.

You can book a boat trip in Menorca from 41 € per person per day. It all depends on the type of boat, the duration of the excursion or how many people are on board. Some excursions include food, drinks and equipment for kayaking or snorkeling and these extras will increase the price of the excursion.

Fortunately, the offer of boat trips on the island of Menorca is quite varied: you will find options for all tastes (and all budgets!). In general, the first thing you will have to choose is between taking a private boat trip or joining an organized tour. Another variable will be the duration of the tour.

The price will also depend on the size of the boat. For example, spending the day on a catamaran in a small group (with only 10 people) can cost around 110 € per person (including snorkeling equipment, paddle surfing and food and drinks included). The same option, but only half day costs 66 €.

The most advisable is to book your boat trip in Menorca online and in advance, especially if you plan to travel in high season (from mid-June to mid-September). Choose the number of passengers on board, the schedule and the departure point and book your excursion. You will have to pay at the time of booking to secure your place.

You should keep in mind that places for boat trips are quite tight (Menorca tries to avoid overcrowded tourism) so as soon as you book your flight or ferry to get there, get a place on the boat trip you want.

Another tip when booking your boat trip is to try to do it during the first days of your trip. First, because it will help you to find your way around and discover different coves to which you can later return on your own with more calm, but also because if the weather is bad -which is quite unlikely in summer-, you will have more opportunities to postpone the excursion and not be left without it.

Practically all the companies that organize boat trips in Menorca are adapted to welcome the little ones: they will be able to swim and have a fun time on board. On the larger boats there is space to store their baby carriages and the calm waters of Menorca make it practically impossible for them to suffer seasickness. In addition, there are usually reduced rates for children and teenagers and babies travel for free.

If they need it, a vest can be provided or you can bring them some muffs. In some cases, as for example in the half-day boat trip, the boat has slides that make the dip even more fun.

All boats have bathrooms, which also facilitates the day on board with the little ones. In all of them there are shaded areas, where they can rest without having to be under the sun all day. For one day, you will not have to walk under the heat to the most inaccessible coves, so they will surely appreciate it. Don't forget your cap and sunscreen... and enjoy with the whole family!

If instead of joining a tour or booking a private excursion with crew you prefer to rent a boat that you drive yourself, it is also possible. They are usually small boats with engines of fairly low power so that you can drive them without risk.

You will find them from about 200 € and as the size of the boat increases, the price will go up. The rental is usually paid by the hour and on the day of the excursion, the person in charge will give you the indications you need to know how to drive it.

Make sure you know how many passengers can fit on the boat (they are usually quite small) before renting it and plan a little bit which coves you would like to visit, as it will be more practical to rent the boat in one port or another to access more quickly to the area you are interested in.

Driving a boat without a license in Menorca is possible and, in fact, accessible, thanks to the local regulations that allow renting small boats, as long as they have a maximum power of 15 horsepower (approximately 11 kW) and do not exceed five meters in length. That said, it is important that you keep the following tips in mind:

• Documentation: It is essential that you carry a valid identity document at the time of renting the boat.
• Initial training: In many occasions, the rental includes a brief orientation session on how to drive the boat, including basic navigation rules and safety tips.
• Weather forecast: It is essential that you avoid days when the sea is rough or windy. To do this, be sure to check the weather forecast.
• Accessible sailing areas: There are specific areas where it is easier to navigate such as Cala Macarella, Cala Turqueta and Cala Galdana.
• Safety: It is essential to wear life jackets and keep a safe distance from other boats and, of course, swimmers.

You know, you can explore the coves freely and on your own.

In Menorca there are mainly two areas that capture the interest of all visitors: the coves of the south and the coves of the north. The southern coves are usually better known for their fine white sands and crystal clear waters. The northern beaches tend to be more rugged, but you will find practically no one, which makes the navigation very special.

The southern coves

The best known are Macarella (and its little sister Macarelleta), Turqueta, Son Saura...etc. But the truth is that it is impossible to choose just one, so it is advisable to hire an excursion to the southern coves, so you can visit them all and depending on the wind of the day or the influx of visitors, the skipper will choose the best place for you to stop for snorkeling.

Some of these beaches are flanked by caves and rocks where a great marine life accumulates. Take the opportunity to dive in with your goggles (almost all boat trips include snorkeling equipment) and marvel at the colorful fish - no one will be able to tell you're not swimming in the Caribbean!

Northern coves

On the other hand, there are the virgin beaches of the north: if you book a boat tour to the coves of the north of Menorca you have to know that you will not find beach bars or so many tourists. Most beaches are totally inaccessible on foot, so visiting them by boat is a great idea. Cala Tortuga, Cala Pilar, Cala Pregonda or Fornells are spectacular.

Here the sand is not as fine, but the water is just as clean, transparent and turquoise as in the southern coves, but you will be practically alone. Sounds good, doesn't it?

During your trip you will see the sunset from incredible places of the island: its lighthouses, capes and hidden corners make every sunset magical. But if you are looking for something really unique, you can watch the sunset from the middle of the sea, having taken a dip taking advantage of the last rays of daylight and enjoying a snack on board.

Around 7 pm in the evening in summer some boats enter the waters of Menorca for the enjoyment of those looking for a unique experience. On the way back, you will sail back to the harbor late at night, which completes the day with a bit of adventure.

Anyway, if your favorite time of the day is sunset, here is a guide on where to enjoy the last light of the day in Menorca: Best sunset spots in Menorca.

Boat trips departing from Fornells usually sail along the northern beaches. The bay of Fornells is particularly beautiful and little frequented by visitors to the island, so parking there to embark on the excursion will be quite easy.

For example, if you opt for a sailing excursion it will take you to the rhythm of the wind to discover the northern beaches. You will stop to swim and snorkel along the way and although the itinerary may vary depending on the wind direction, the skipper will make sure you get the most out of the sailing.

In Fornells you can also book a kayak excursion that will add a bit of adventure to your visit to the north of the island. Otherwise, the best option will be a boat tour of the northern beaches of the island.

Cala Galdana is one of the most popular beaches in the south of Menorca. Two of the largest hotels of the island are located here and many of the boat excursions to the south depart from Cala Galdana. In this same beach you will find sunbeds, umbrellas, etc. and for that reason it does not have a special charm when sailing along it, but it will be very useful to have it as a reference point if you are staying there or in its surroundings to embark on an excursion.

Macarella, Macarelleta or Turqueta are quite close, so paradise is just a few meters away. For example, if you can hire a boat excursion to the southern coves there is a special stop in the afternoon to pick up and drop off passengers.

Of course, if you decide to embark or disembark here and you have to travel by car, be patient to park and expect it to take a while, you don't want to be late for your date with the boat!

Ciudadela is probably one of the most beautiful places on the island and perfectly combines the beach vacation you are dreaming of with the charm of a beautiful town full of atmosphere at all hours of the day. Because it is one of the most popular points of interest among tourists, there are many options to join a boat trip from Ciudadela.

In fact, the most popular boat trip on the island, this boat tour of the southern coves departs from Passeig del Mol in Ciudadela and returns to the same starting point. On the way back from the boat trip, take the opportunity to stroll through the little craft stalls in the port area, its little bars and terraces and its cobbled streets.

Mahon will be an obligatory stop on your trip to Menorca. When you seem to have lost your way, you will find a street with an exit to the sea and spectacular views and its port is surely one of the most beautiful in Spain. So you don't need more reasons to take advantage of your visit to take a boat trip from Mahon.

The great advantage of taking a boat trip from Mahon is that its central location will allow you to decide whether you prefer to visit the coves in the north or the south, as both are at a similar distance from the city. And if you want to complete the experience, you can hire a guided tour of Mahon and visit the city with a local guide who will take you from the most emblematic spots to the most secret corners.

Sailing in Menorca has a romantic touch hardly comparable to other boats. Letting yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the wind and the direction of the waves gives a touch of authenticity to the excursion that other boats do not achieve.

In addition, the small size of the sailboat (always compared to other boats) means that the groups are always smaller, so you can better connect with nature and the landscape: at the end of the day you will have the feeling of having spent a relaxing day enjoying the Mediterranean.

However, you should keep in mind that, for better or worse, the speed of the sailboat is not excessive, so if you are looking for an all-terrain excursion in which to see, the more the better, this is not for you. Anyway, don't worry because the skipper will make sure you make the most of the route according to the weather conditions.

It is quite unlikely. For starters, the waters around the island are very calm and there are rarely waves, even if it is windy. Even so, if you have a tendency to get a bit dizzy when sailing, I recommend that you avoid sailboats (when sailing they tend to get carried away more by the rhythm of the waves) and look for an excursion that is done in a large boat. Catamarans, llauts and large ferry boats are very stable and you won't notice anything at all.

Besides taking a boat trip in Menorca, there are many more things to do on the island to enjoy an unforgettable trip. If you want to read what else you can't miss on your vacation, keep reading here: What to do in Menorca.

And if after the boat ride you were left wanting more maritime adventure, don't worry Menorca has tons more to do. Why not take a kayak race? Read how here: Kayaking in Menorca.