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 holiday.

But this holiday won't 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, you can take a stroll around it and discover its coves and swim among the fish. Do you want to know how to go on a boat trip in Menorca? Read on!

If you book a boat trip in Menorca you should know that it lasts about seven hours and will take you to discover the most famous coves. You will leave at around 9:30 in the morning 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 options, 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 the fish and see the underwater depths. It also includes lunch, a typical paella dish, and drinks so that you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your holiday.

Why I like this option: As I said, I think it's without a doubt the best value for money option. It's the longest tour, it includes food and drinks and you'll stop to swim and snorkel with your own equipment at the best spots along the coast.

Recommended if... you have enough time and you want to spend a whole day at sea without breaking your travel budget.

This 3 and a half hour excursion to 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'll have the opportunity to swim and snorkel if you fancy a dip in the underwater world. It also includes snacks throughout the activity so that you can fully enjoy the curious coasts of the north of Menorca.

Why I like this option: It's a shorter route and a completely different landscape that is worth contrasting. It also 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 sailing around 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.

A catamaran usually holds between 10 and 12 people at the most, so privacy is assured. Get your camera ready because you'll be the envy of all your friends!

Why I like this option: During the two-hour trip you can enjoy a peaceful sunset on board the catamaran. But you'll also have time for a swim or snorkelling as the excursion includes the equipment.

Recommended if... you fancy a relaxing plan in Menorca on board 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 length of the excursion and how many people are on board. Some excursions include food, drinks and equipment for kayaking or snorkelling and these extras will add to the price of the excursion.

Fortunately, the choice of boat trips on the island of Menorca is quite varied: you'll find options to suit all tastes (and all budgets!). In general, the first thing you will have to choose between is whether to take a private boat trip or join an organised tour. Another variable will be the length of the trip.

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

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

You should bear in mind that places on 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 book it during the first few days of your trip. Firstly, because it will help you to find your way around and discover different coves which you can then return to on your own at your own pace, 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 miss out on it.

Practically all the companies that organise 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 pushchairs and the calm waters of Menorca make it practically impossible for them to suffer from seasickness. In addition, there are often reduced fares for children and teenagers and babies travel free of charge.

If they need it, they can be provided with waistcoats or you can bring them some sleeves. In some cases, such as the half-day boat trip, the boat has slides that make the dip even more fun.

All the boats have toilets, which also makes the day on board easier for the little ones. There are shaded areas on all of them, where they can rest without having to be in the sun all day. For one day, you won't have to walk in the heat to the most inaccessible coves, so they're sure to appreciate it. Don't forget your hat 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, this is also possible. These are usually small boats with fairly low-powered engines so that you can drive them without risk.

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

Make sure you know how many passengers can fit on the boat (they tend to be quite small) before you hire it and plan a bit about which coves you want to visit, as it will be more practical to hire the boat in one port or another to get to the area you are interested in more quickly.

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

• Documentation: It is essential that you carry a valid identity document at the time of renting the boat.
• Initial training: In many cases, 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. Be sure to check the weather forecast.
• Accessible sailing areas: There are specific areas where it is easier to sail, such as Cala Macarella, Cala Turqueta and Cala Galdana.
• Safety: It is essential to wear life jackets and to keep a safe distance from other boats and, of course, bathers.

You can explore the coves freely and on your own.

In Menorca there are two main areas that attract the interest of all visitors: the coves in the south and the coves in the north. The southern coves tend to be better known for their fine white sands and crystal clear waters. The northern beaches tend to be more rugged, but you'll find almost no one around, which makes the sailing very special.

The coves in the south

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 a good idea to book an excursion to the southern coves, so you can visit them all and depending on the wind of the day or the number of visitors, the skipper will choose the best place for you to stop and snorkel.

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

Northern coves

On the other hand, there are the unspoilt beaches of the north: if you book a boat tour of the northern coves of Menorca you should know that you won't find any beach bars or crowds of 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 coves in the south, but you will be practically alone. Sounds good, doesn't it?

During your trip you will see the sunset from incredible places on 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 in the last rays of daylight and enjoying an aperitif on board.

At around 7 p.m. in the evening in summer some boats go out into the waters of Menorca for the enjoyment of those looking for a unique experience. On your return, you'll sail back to the harbour well into the evening, which completes the day with a bit of adventure.

However, if sunset is your favourite time of day, here's a guide on where to enjoy the last light of 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 not very 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'll 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 kayaking excursion that will add a bit of adventure to your visit to the north of the island. Otherwise, the best option is a boat tour of the beaches in the north of the island.

Cala Galdana is one of the busiest beaches in the south of Menorca. It is home to two of the largest hotels on the island and many of the boat trips to the south depart from Cala Galdana. You will find sunbeds, umbrellas, etc. on this beach itself and therefore it is not particularly charming when sailing along it, but it will be very useful to have it as a reference point if you are staying there or in the surrounding area to embark on an excursion.

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

However, if you decide to embark or disembark here and you have to travel by car, be patient when it comes to parking 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 holiday 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 for joining a boat trip from Ciudadela.

In fact, the most popular boat trip on the island, this boat trip to the southern coves starts from the 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 around the little craft stalls in the port area, its little bars and terraces and its cobbled streets.

Mahón will be a must on your trip to Menorca. When you seem to have lost your way, you will find a street that leads out to the sea with spectacular views, and its port is probably one of the most beautiful in Spain. So there's no more reason to make the most of your visit by taking a boat trip from Mahón.

The great advantage of taking a boat trip from Mahón is that its central location means you can decide whether you prefer to visit the coves in the north or the south, as both are a similar distance from the city. And if you want to complete the experience, you can book a guided tour of Mahón 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 that is hard to compare with 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 connect better 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 bear 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 you can see the more the better, this is not for you. However, don't worry because the skipper will make sure you get the most out of the trip depending on the weather conditions.

It's quite unlikely. For a start, the waters around the island are very calm and there are rarely any waves, even if it's windy. Even so, if you tend to get a bit dizzy when you get on a boat 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 takes place on a large boat. Catamarans, llauts and large ferry boats are very stable and you won't notice anything at all.

Apart from 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 holiday, keep reading here: What to do in Menorca.

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