Watching boats in the ports of Mallorca

Majorca's harbours are rightly an island sightseeing destination in their own right. Here you can spend hours and days looking at boats, go shopping or simply soak up the flair of these places in a café. Small fishing ports and large marinas with modern yachts as well as sports boats are close together on Mallorca. On the one hand, this shows how popular the island is for people with a connection to the water, and at the same time how traditional life still is in the small fishing villages. In the past, a large part of life took place at the harbour. And that is still the case in many places today. Often in the evening, when the boats and fishermen have returned, people come together at the harbour, talk about the day and eat freshly caught fish.

Mooring in Mallorca

Majorca's ports and marinas are important and popular mooring destinations in the Mediterranean. The attractiveness is reflected, among other things, in the mooring fees, which vary greatly according to location and season, boat size and services (between 50 and 150 euros per day). The most affordable places are in the municipally managed harbours. There are also private marinas and the Club Náuticos. You should definitely heed the advice to book your berth in advance! You can make reservations for municipal marinas and Club Náuticos online at www.portsib.es. You can also contact the administration of the municipal harbours by telephone: +34 902 024-444.

If you want to rent or even buy a berth in Mallorca long-term, what you need above all is money and patience. Once you have a berth, you won't give it back in a hurry. And depending on the size of the boat, the market on Mallorca is practically empty. A berth for a super yacht on Mallorca is particularly expensive. The island is one of the most expensive destinations in the world. If you stay overnight in Palma with a 25-metre yacht, expect to pay 300 euros upwards; in harbours on the south-west coast, at least 700 euros per night are called for. 

We present 12 of the most important and beautiful ports on Mallorca:

1. Palma Harbour - Der The largest harbour on the island is Puerto de Palma de Mallorca, with around 2000 berths. The harbour area stretches along the west side of the bay for 3 kilometres along the Paseo Maritimo in the island's capital Palma. In addition to small fishing boats, imposing motor yachts, large sailing ships and catamarans, there are also well-known cruise ships to be seen here. Hardly a day goes by without one of the floating giants being greeted in the harbour basin. On the website of Palma's port authority, you can always follow the hustle and bustle and find out which steamship will be arriving next. Around 1.6 million passengers reach the island every year via the port in Palma.

Parts of the harbour complex below the old town and at Porto Pi date back to Moorish rule (until 1229). One area is no longer visible today: La Cala. This arm of the harbour once extended from Paseo del Borne to the Palace of Justice and the Gran Hotel. Since then, construction work has taken place without interruption, giving rise to the modern port of Palma. Thus, in the middle of the 20th century, the Western Harbour was built and inaugurated. The modern marina with 200 berths for ships up to 50 metres in length was added in 2001.

Located: Avinguda Gabriel Roca, s/n, Frente al Hotel Meliá Victoria, 07014 Palma, Balearic Islands / Phone: +34 /971 68 10 55 / Website: www.portdemallorca.com

sunbonoo tip: Catamaran-Tour from Palma!

2. Port Portixol - Besides the large harbour on the Paseo Maritimo, Palma also has a small, tranquil marina in Portixol, which has developed into an absolute trendy district in recent years. The atmosphere around the harbour basin is cool and relaxed. In summer, it can also get chaotic here when locals, hipsters, holidaymakers and stressed-out motorists bustle along the waterfront. The harbour, where fishing and sports boats are moored, has just under 278 berths. The boat length may not exceed 8 metres. The draught is 2.5 metres. Water and electricity are available at the jetties.

Located: Paseo de Barceló i Mir, 2 07006 - Es Portixol, Mallorca / Phone: +34 971 24 24 24

3. El Arenal - The Club Nàutic S'Arenal offers a 24-hour service. The marina has 645 moorings, for boats between 6 and 20 metres long, 400 of which are privately owned and 245 are rented. There is drinking water and electricity at the jetties. The small port is located in the tourist area of S'Arenal and has excellent connections to both the airport and the island's capital. Nautical services such as repairs, painting, winterising and motor mechanics are also offered here. The port of Arenal is not only an anchorage for visitors to the island, but also the starting point for numerous water sports activities. Regattas are held here, there is a sailing school, kitesurfing and paddle surfing offers and boat excursions..

Located: Carrer Roses, 0, 07600 S'Arenal, Illes Balears / Phone: +34 971 44 01 42 / Website: cnamoorings.com

sunbonoo tip: Catamaran-Tour from Arenal!

4. Port Cala d'Or - The most popular port in the southeast is also considered one of the safest on Mallorca with an almost fjord-like location. 563 berths are spread over the 30,000 square metre area. The water depth of the harbour entrance is 2.7 metres. Slipway and boat crane (up to 65 tonnes) are available for maintenance work. The old fishing harbour is still somewhat reminiscent of the history of the place, which was artificially created. With all the white-painted, small villas in the surrounding area, you could almost think you were on Ibiza. The resort offers a variety of beaches worth seeing and a visit to the harbour is definitely worthwhile. There are very good restaurants, such as the Botavara, where even the Spanish king has been a guest, and nice little shops that invite you to go shopping. 

Located: Puerto Deportivo Marina de Cala d'Or 07660 Cala d'Or (Santanyí) Mallorca / Phone: (+34) 971 657 070 oder 971 657 068 / Website: www.marinacalador.es

sunbonoo tip: yacht charter from Cala d'Or!

5. Port Colonia Sant Jordi - The harbour of the holiday resort Colonia Sant Jordi with 320 berths for boats with a maximum length of 9 metres and a draught of up to 2 metres is tranquil. A small charming harbour with a beautiful promenade, lined with restaurants and small shops. The harbour, which otherwise has all the services, is not designed for yachts. Fishing boats and excursion boats to the island of Cabrera (about 10 nautical miles away) still moor in the port of Colonia Sant Jordi.

Located: C/ Moll pescadors s/n 07638 Ses Salines / Phone: +34 971 65 62 24

sunbonoo tip: Cabrera boat trip from Colonia Sant Jordi!

6. Puerto Portals - Perhaps the most luxurious harbour on the island is in the posh town of Puerto Portals, where you can marvel at the mega yachts of the jet set. Surrounded by exclusive boutiques and chic restaurants, it's not just about water sports here, but above all about seeing and being seen. You may even see a VIP or two here in summer - Brad Pitt, Paris Hilton or Bill Gates - just about everyone of distinction has been spotted here. Accordingly, berths are in high demand at this spot - anyone who wants to go there has to plan well in advance. In the premium marina Puerto Portals there are about 650 berths with electricity and water as well as all nautical services available.

Originally built in 1932, the harbour was completely redesigned by the harbour company of a German business family. After 5 years of construction, the modern harbour was opened in 1986 and has been one of Mallorca's celebrity hotspots ever since. Some of the most exclusive boutiques and restaurants on the island have settled around the harbour. The harbour also hosts classic sporting events such as yacht races, a weekly "Sunset Market" in summer and a tranquil Christmas market in winter.

Located: Port authority 07181 Portals Nous-Calvià / Phone: +34 971 171 100 / Website: www.puertoportals.com

7. Port Andratx - Probably the most beautiful and exclusive address on the island is Puerto de Andratx. Against the backdrop of the Tramuntana mountains, sailing and motor yachts of great calibre sway in the water in the northern part of the bay of the same name. The promenade with its small boutiques and restaurants is nestled between hills. Until the beginning of the 20th century, Port Andratx was purely a fishing port, but today the yachts are moored next to the cutters. Around 220 berths for yachts up to 15 metres are available, as well as jetties with water and electricity supply, petrol station, slipway. In addition to the Puerto de Andratx marina, which is managed by the Balearic government, there is also the larger "Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx" with up to 470 berths (up to 35 metres long and 4 metres deep). The port of Andratx is the most easterly on the island and is protected from the southerly winds by the outer dock.

Located: 07157 Port d'Andratx, Balearic Islands, Phone: +34 629 47 42 93

sunbonoo tip: Boat Charter in Port Andratx!

8. Port de Sóller - A visit to Port de Sóller, the only natural harbour between Andratx and Pollenca - and with 910 berths one of the largest on the island - is a must during your stay in Mallorca. Especially those who circumnavigate Mallorca on a sailing ship or who have made a somewhat longer journey will be pleased to reach the sea bay, which is completely protected by rocks. Sóller's harbour was the gateway to the world for people for a long time. Far before the railway, the roads and the car tunnel that opened up the village at the other end of the island, nothing ran without shipping. Oranges and other agricultural products were shipped to France and other parts of Spain via the port.

Even in the port of Sóller, fishing, excursion shipping and marinas coexist today. There is a wide range of bars, restaurants and entertainment for tourists, and in addition to the beautiful harbour, Port de Soller is still famous for its ancient Francisco-style tramway that connects the town and the harbour. Formerly used to transport the ubiquitous oranges, it is now a real highlight for any holidaymaker.

Located: 07108 Sóller, Balearic Islands / Phone: +34 67 03 76 71 / Website: www.marinatramontana-portdesoller.es

sunbonoo tip: Boat excursion from Port de Sóller to Sa Calobra!

9. Port Cala Figuera - When it comes to the most romantic and unspoilt port on the island, all Mallorca connoisseurs agree: Cala Figuera in the south of Mallorca. You won't find any motorboats, sailing boats, yachts or the like here, but that's what makes this place so charming. The rocky bay deep in the centre of the village offers space for 111 small fishing boats, colourful boat garages and old barges. There are only a limited number of places for guests (pleasure boats should be no more than 12 metres long and have a draught of no more than 3 metres). The perfect postcard motif and pure Mediterranean lifestyle. Settle down in one of the small restaurants with a cafe con leche and enjoy!!

Located: Carrer Moll, 07659 Santanyí, Illes Balears / Phone: +34 971 645 242

10. Port de Pollenca -  Nautical activities and water sports are very important in Port de Pollenca. This can also be seen in the relatively large harbour with a total of around 980 berths, distributed between the 2 marinas "Puerto de Pollensa" and "Real Club Nautic Port de Pollensa". All nautical services are available here for skippers and their boats. Motor yachts and sailors up to 25 metres can moor. A showpiece of the harbour is the travellodge lift with a lifting capacity of 50 tons.

Tourism was the reason for the enormous development of the harbour. Originally, this part of the island was dominated by agriculture and some fishing, but with the tourists came the boats. Today, the harbour is the hub of the town and tourism is the backbone of the local economy, accounting for a good 70 percent. The first jetty in Pollenca was built in 1829, yet until 1900 fewer than 100 people lived on the coastal strip..

The harbour was expanded eventually and turned into a holiday resort for more affluent guests. Even during the Spanish Civil War, Pollenca remained a thriving place - because military seaplanes could land in the harbour. Over the last 50 years, the town has been steadily expanded and new investments have made it a first-class attraction. In addition to strolling along the promenade, the harbour also invites you to try your hand at water sports - there is a wide range of boat rentals and sailing schools here, as well as numerous connections to Formentor. Leisure boaters should note that there is no shelter from the Llevante winds in the bay, which only allows a shallow draft. 

Located: C/ Moll pescadors s/n 07470 Pollença / Phone: +34 971 866 867 

sunbonoo tip: Dolphin watching aboard catamaran from Port de Pollensa!

11. Port Adriano - With Port Adriano in the southwest of the island near Santa Ponsa, Mallorca offers a very modern and sophisticated harbour. Here, too, chic yachts and classy shops vie for the favour of visitors. The Mediterranean flair is not neglected, apart from the Sansibar, which should be more familiar to most visitors from their North Sea holiday on Sylt. Numerous events are offered in summer and winter, from a concert series with international stars to an artificial ice rink in winter or a regular street food market. Nautical services in Port Ariano include a shipyard and winter storage. More than 488 berths are available for yachts between 6 and 80 metres, and in exceptional cases yachts of more than 100 metres can also anchor here. n. 

Located: El Toro, s/n 07180 Calvià Baleares / Phone: (+34) 971 232 494 / Website: www.portadriano.com

12. Port Alcúdia - Behind Palma, the second most important port on Mallorca. Even the Romans knew about the strategic importance of the northern harbour, which lies around 1.5 kilometres from the old town. Where there used to be a few fishermen's cottages, the tourist marina "Alcudiamar" has sprung up surrounded by restaurants, leisure facilities and shops. Fishing, recreational boating, goods traffic, shipbuilding, ferry passenger traffic and cruise tourism coexist here. There are regular ferries from Alcúdia to Menorca, Barcelona and some ports on the Spanish mainland. Around 250,000 passengers embark and disembark in Alcúdia every year. More than two thirds travel from Mallorca to Ciutadella on Menorca.

The harbour is divided into two areas: the commercial harbour for passenger and freight traffic and the marina with fishing pier for smaller boats (around 800 berths). Surrounding it is a modern promenade with shops, hotels, restaurants and leisure facilities. Above all, the coal trade and goods traffic ensured the expansion of the port in Alcúdia. A new dock was completed in 1954. In the 1990s, the Ribera breakwater was extended.

Located: Passeig Marítim, 07400 Alcúdia, Illes Balears / Phone: +34 971 54 60 00 / 04 / Website: www.alcudiamar.es

sunbonoo tip: For a day trip take the Ferry from Alcudia to Menorca!