Sailing Mallorca: the best bays for anchoring

If you want to take a break while sailing on Mallorca, there are numerous beautiful bays to anchor in that are well worth a visit. Some are also very suitable for overnight stays, while others are just for swimming or a trip ashore. When anchoring, it is important not to anchor within the yellow buoys (which mark the bathing area for beach visitors) or in areas with poseidon grass. Here are what we consider to be the 7 best bays for anchoring:

1. Na Foradada

The small rocky island of Na Foradada is a popular photo motif, as you can see the 14 metre hole in the rock up close, especially when sailing on Mallorca. This place near Deià is one of the best bays for anchoring, as you can anchor to the right and left of the rock as well as in the bay behind it, which is a little sheltered. The bay is also a very good starting point for hikes, for example to the Son Marroig manor house, which is located on the hill above Na Foradada and offers a sensational view. This anchorage makes sailing on Mallorca a varied experience.

2nd Cala Varques

The bay of Cala Varques is known for its crystal-clear water and easily accessible caves. The sandy bottom makes anchoring easy, which is why we consider it one of the best bays for anchoring while sailing on Mallorca. However, you should pay attention to the buoys that mark off the anchoring area (in some places the Poseidon grass grows, which is a protected species and anchoring is not permitted). There are two sandy beaches to choose from, the western beach is used by nudists. This bay is protected by the cliffs that line it and offers an ideal starting point for short hikes or extended snorkelling tours if you don't feel like sailing in Mallorca for a while.

3rd Cala Molto

The bay of Cala Molto consists of a long, shallow sandy beach with a neighbouring pine forest and is mainly frequented by nudists. As the anchor holds well to the bottom, we can include Cala Molto in our list of the best bays for anchoring in Mallorca with a clear conscience. Cala Molto also deserves to be on the list because of the beautiful colour of the sea and the clean water, which is a real pleasure to swim in. This bay is also a great place to spend the night when sailing in Mallorca, as the beach empties out by 6 pm at the latest and a paradisiacal calm spreads.

4th Portocolom

If you want to spend a quiet night on board a sailing boat, you should anchor in Portocolom. Portocolom is the best bay for anchoring and spending the night because the ground in the harbour basin offers even inexperienced sailors ideal anchorage and the bay is also very well protected. The sailing boat can moor here conveniently and safely and you can easily go ashore to do your shopping or explore the beautiful town of Portocolom. The bay is not ideal for swimming while sailing in Mallorca, as the water is not as clean as in other bays due to the shipping traffic.

5 Portals Vells

The three-finger bay of Portals Vells is one of the best bays for anchoring while sailing in Mallorca - for five good reasons: The anchor holds very well in several places in the bay (for example, right in front of the cave), and the bay is also sheltered. There is an easily accessible cave with a fascinating history to explore. Snorkelling in Portals Vells is excellent, the water is clean and the underwater world is diverse. There is also a restaurant. In short: Portals Vells bay offers everything you could wish for when sailing on Mallorca.

6 Es Trenc

You should take a look at the Caribbean beach Es Trenc from the seaward side when sailing in Mallorca. Anchoring is difficult in southerly winds, but otherwise the sandy bottom is very suitable for anchoring (which is why we have included it in our list of the best bays for anchoring). The kilometre-long beach with turquoise-blue water is a paradise for swimming, and there is also a beach bar.

7th Bahia de Palma in front of the cathedral

The elongated Bahia de Palma offers a place that we would like to include in our list of the best bays for anchoring due to its exceptional nature. Anchoring is possible in front of La Seu Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca, as the anchor holds securely and the bay is reasonably sheltered - you can even spend the night (free of charge!). It's not lonely and quiet here, but you can be in Palma in just a few minutes, and how often do you anchor in the centre of a big city?