Boat watching in Mallorca's harbours

Mallorca's harbours are quite rightly a must-see when sightseeing on the island. You can spend hours and days here looking at boats, going shopping or simply soaking up the flair of these places in a café. Small fishing harbours and large marinas with modern yachts and sports boats are close together on Mallorca. On the one hand, this shows how popular the island is with people with a connection to the water and, at the same time, how traditional life in the small fishing villages still is. A large part of life used to take place at the harbour. And this is still the case in many places today. People often gather at the harbour in the evening, when the boats and fishermen have returned, to talk about the day and eat freshly caught fish.

A mooring in Mallorca

Mallorca's harbours and marinas are important and popular destinations in the Mediterranean. Their attractiveness is reflected, among other things, in the mooring fees, which vary greatly depending on location and season, boat size and services (between 50 and 150 euros per day). The cheapest moorings are in the municipally managed harbours. There are also private marinas and the Club Náuticos, and you should definitely heed the advice to book your berth in advance! You can make reservations for municipal harbours and Club Náuticos on the internet portal www.portsib.es. You can also contact the administration of the municipal harbours by telephone on: 902 024-444.

If you want to rent or even buy a mooring in Mallorca on a long-term basis, you need money and patience above all else. Once you have a berth, you won't be giving it up any time soon. 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 with a 25-metre yacht in Palma, you can expect to pay upwards of 300 euros, while harbours on the southwest coast charge at least 700 euros per night.

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

Thousands of boats moor in Palma's marina every year.

1st Palma Harbour - The largest harbour on the island is the Puerto de Palma de Mallorca, with around 2000 berths. The harbour area stretches for 3 kilometres along the Paseo Maritimo on the west side of the bay in the island's capital, Palma. In addition to small fishing boats, impressive 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 these floating giants being greeted in the harbour basin. On the website of the Palma harbour authority, you can follow the hustle and bustle at all times and find out which ship will be arriving next. Around 1.6 million passengers arrive on the island every year via the harbour 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 stretched from the Paseo del Borne to the Palace of Justice and the Gran Hotel. Since then, construction work has continued uninterrupted, resulting in the modern harbour of Palma. The western harbour was built and inaugurated in the middle of the 20th century. The modern marina with 200 berths for ships up to 50 metres in length was added in 2001.

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

sunbonoo tip: Catamaran tour from Palma!

2nd Port Portixol - In addition to 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 cavort along the waterfront. The harbour, which is home to fishing boats and pleasure craft, 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.

Location: 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 marina. The marina has 645 moorings for boats between 6 and 20 metres in length, 400 of which are privately owned and 245 are rented out. Drinking water and electricity are available at the jetties. The small harbour is located in the tourist area of S'Arenal and is well connected to both the airport and the island's capital. Nautical services such as repairs, painting, winterisation and engine mechanics are also offered here. The harbour 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, paddle surfing and boat trips.

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

sunbonoo tip: Catamaran tour from Arenal!

4th Port Cala d'Or - The most popular harbour 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. A slipway and boat crane (up to 65 tonnes) are available for maintenance work. The old fishing harbour is a reminder of the town's history, which was created artificially, and with all the white-brushed, 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 the Spanish king has also been a guest, and nice little shops that invite you to go shopping. Anchored in the harbour of Cala d'Or

Location: Puerto Deportivo Marina de Cala d'Or 07660 Cala d'Or (Santanyí) Mallorca / Telephone: (+34) 971 657 070 or 971 657 068 / Internet: www.marinacalador.es

sunbonoo tip: Sailing trip from Cala d'Or!

Modern and chic: the harbour of Cala d'Or.

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

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

sunbonoo tip: Cabrera excursion from Colonia Sant Jordi!

6th Puerto Portals - Perhaps the most luxurious harbour on the island is located 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 might even spot a VIP or two here in summer - Brad Pitt, Paris Hilton or Bill Gates - pretty much everyone of distinction has been spotted here. Berths in this little corner of the world are correspondingly sought-after - if you want to go there, you have to plan well in advance. The premium Puerto Portals marina offers around 650 berths with electricity and water as well as all nautical services.

The original harbour facility dates back to 1932 and was completely redesigned by the harbour company of a German entrepreneurial 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 are located around the harbour. The harbour is also the venue for classic sporting events such as yacht races, a weekly sunset market in summer and a tranquil Christmas market in winter.

Location: Harbour office 07181 Portals Nous-Calvià / Tel. : +34 971 171 100 / Internet: www.puertoportals.com

7th Port Andratx - Perhaps the most beautiful and exclusive address on the island is Puerto de Andratx. Against the backdrop of the Tramuntana mountains, the northern part of the bay of the same name is home to sailing and motor yachts of the highest calibre. 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 harbour, but today the yachts are moored alongside the cutters. There are around 220 berths for yachts up to 15 metres, as well as jetties with water and electricity supplies, a petrol station and a 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 harbour of Andratx is the most easterly on the island and is protected from the southerly winds by the outer dock.

Location: 07157 Port d'Andratx, Balearic Islands, telephone: +34 629 47 42 93

sunbonoo tip: Boat charter from Port Andratx!

Until the beginning of the 20th century, Port Andratx was purely a fishing harbour.

8th Port de Sóller - A must during your stay on Mallorca is a visit to Port de Sóller, the only natural harbour between Andratx and Pollenca - and with 910 berths one of the largest on the whole island. Those who are travelling around Mallorca on a sailing boat or have a longer journey behind them will be delighted to reach the bay, which is completely sheltered by rocks. Sóller's harbour was the gateway to the world for people for a long time. Long before the railway, roads and the car tunnel that opened up the village at the other end of the island, nothing worked without shipping traffic. Oranges and other agricultural produce were shipped to France and other parts of Spain via the harbour.

Today, fishing, excursion boats and marinas coexist in the harbour of Sóller. There is a wide range of bars, restaurants and entertainment for tourists and, in addition to the beautiful harbour, Port de Soller is also known for its ancient Francisco-style tram that connects the town and the harbour. Formerly used to transport the ubiquitous oranges, today it is a real highlight for every holidaymaker.

Location: 07108 Sóller, Balearic Islands / Telephone: +34 67 03 76 71 / Internet: www.marinatramontana-portdesoller.es

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

9th Port Cala Figuera - When it comes to the most romantic and unspoilt harbour on the island, all Mallorca connoisseurs agree: Cala Figuera in the south of Mallorca. You won't find motorboats, sailing boats, yachts and the like here, but that's what makes this place so charming. The rocky bay, which extends deep into 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. Sit down in one of the small restaurants with a cafe con leche and enjoy!

Location: Carrer Moll, 07659 Santanyí, Illes Balears / Tel. +34 971 645 242

The small harbour of Cala Figuera belongs to the fishermen.

10th Port de Pollenca - Shipping 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, spread over 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 sailing boats up to 25 metres can moor here. A showpiece of the harbour is the 50-tonne Trave Lift.

The enormous development of the harbour only came about with tourism. Originally, this part of the island was characterised 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 harbour in Pollenca was built in 1829, but fewer than 100 people lived on the coastline until 1900.

The harbour was eventually expanded and turned into a holiday resort for wealthier guests. Even during the Spanish Civil War, Pollenca remained a thriving town - because military seaplanes could land in the harbour. Over the last 50 years, the town has been constantly expanded and new investments have turned it into a first-class centre of 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 hire and sailing schools as well as numerous connections to Formentor. Recreational boaters should note that there is no protection from the Llevante winds in the bay, which only allows a shallow draught.

Location: C/ Moll pescadors s/n 07470 Pollença / Telephone: +34 971 866 867

sunbonoo tip: From Puerto Pollensa for dolphin watching on a catamaran!

11th Port Adriano - Mallorca offers a very modern and elegant harbour with Port Adriano in the southwest of the island near Santa Ponsa. Here, too, chic yachts and upmarket shops vie for visitors' favour. There is no shortage of Mediterranean flair, apart from the Sansibar, which most visitors will be more familiar with from their North Sea holiday on Sylt. Numerous events are organised in summer and winter, from a concert series with international stars to an artificial ice rink in winter and a regular street food market. Nautical services in Port Ariano include a shipyard and a winter storage centre. There are more than 488 berths available for yachts between 6 and 80 metres, and in exceptional cases yachts of more than 100 metres can also drop anchor here.

Location: El Toro, s/n 07180 Calvià Baleares / Telephone: (+34) 971 232 494 / Internet: www.portadriano.com

12th Port Alcúdia - The second most important harbour in Mallorca after Palma. Even the Romans were aware of the strategic importance of the northern harbour, which is located around 1.5 kilometres from the old town. Where there used to be a few fishermen's cottages, the tourist marina "Alcudiamar" has been built surrounded by restaurants, leisure facilities and shops. Fishing, pleasure boating, freight transport, shipbuilding, ferry passenger transport and cruise tourism coexist here. Ferries run regularly from Alcúdia to Menorca, Barcelona and several 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 pleasure craft harbour with a fishing pier for smaller vessels (around 800 berths). The harbour is surrounded by a modern promenade with shops, hotels, restaurants and leisure facilities. Coal trading and goods traffic were the main reasons for the expansion of the harbour in Alcúdia. A new dock was completed in 1954. The Ribera pier was extended in the 1990s.

Location: Passeig Marítim, 07400 Alcúdia, Illes Balears / Telephone: +34 971 54 60 00 / 04 / Internet: www.alcudiamar.es

sunbonoo tip: For a day trip by ferry from Alcudia to Menorca!