Boat tours 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 will not be complete without enjoying the most beautiful and unique view of Menorca. Seeing the island from a boat in the middle of the sea is a marvel, and while you're at it you can stroll around and discover its coves and swim among the fish. Do you want to know how to go on a boat trip around Menorca? Read on!

Southern favourite

Menorca Southern Beaches Boat Tour

The best excursion to spend a whole day sailing in the south of Menorca

You will travel along the south coast of the island and the incredible beaches of Macarelleta, Son Saura, Es Talaier and Turqueta, with lunch included and making several stops for swimming and snorkelling.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

From £36 at Hellotickets

The boat trip around Menorca takes about seven hours and will take you to discover the most famous coves. You will depart from Ciudadela at around 10am 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.

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

Why I like this option: As I said, it seems to me to be the best value for money option. It is the longest tour, it includes food and drinks and you will stop to swim and snorkel in the best spots along the coast.

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

Northern favourite

Menorca Northern Beaches Boat Tour

The best option to spend a whole day sailing a boat in the north of Menorca.

Visit the north of the island and its incredible beaches: Cala Pregonda, Fornells or Playa de Cavalleria. Enjoy snacks while you make several stops for swimming and snorkelling.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

From £36 at Hellotickets

This 3 and a half hour tour around the coves in the north 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 for a boat tour or if, on the contrary, you want a complete experience sailing around the whole island.

By catamaran

Menorca Catamaran Cruise

Relax on board a catamaran, the most stable and comfortable boat in Menorca.

Let yourself be carried away by the beauty of the colours of the sunset reflected in the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean and sign up for this excursion in small groups.

Duration: 5 hours

From £39 at Hellotickets

It's hard not to feel attracted by the luxury of joining a catamaran tour around Menorca. The boat is very stable, most of the time it uses the momentum of the wind to sail under sail and there is plenty of space for sunbathing on board in total comfort.

On board a catamaran there is usually room for 10 to 12 people at the most, so privacy is guaranteed. 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 to go swimming 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.

A boat trip in Menorca can cost between 30 and 150 € per person per day. It all depends on the type of boat, the duration 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 will find options for all tastes (and all budgets!). In general, the first thing you will have to choose between is whether to go on a private boat trip or join an organised tour with other travellers.

Another variable will be the length of the trip. Obviously, a private boat is going to be more expensive and you can rent it with or without a skipper. For example, a private boat trip costs around €600 but can carry up to 12 passengers, so the price per person is €50.

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 snorkelling equipment, paddle surfing and food and drinks). The same option but only half day costs 66 €.

It is best to book 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 time and 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 the boat trips are quite tight (Menorca tries to avoid overcrowded tourism) so as soon as you book your flight or ferry to get there, make sure you get a place on the boat trip of your choice.

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 that you can then return to on your own, but also because if the weather is bad -which is quite unlikely in summer-, you will have more opportunities to postpone the excursion so you don't have to miss it.

Practically all the companies that organise boat trips in Minorca are adapted to welcome the little ones: they will be able to swim, have fun on board and eat on the boat with the whole family. 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. Check before you book.

If they need it , waistcoats can be provided or you can bring them with you. In some cases, as for example on 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. The rental is usually paid by the hour.

For example, at Nautal you can book online 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 are usually quite small) before renting it and plan a little bit which coves you want 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.

In Minorca 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 are 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 there is a large accumulation of marine life. Take the opportunity to dive in with your goggles (snorkelling equipment is included on almost every boat trip) and marvel at the colourful fish - no one can tell you're not swimming in the Caribbean!

Northern coves

On the other hand, there are the unspoilt beaches of the north: here you won't find any beach bars or crowds of tourists. Most beaches are completely 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 7pm 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 your favourite time of day is sunset, 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 which 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. There are sunbeds, umbrellas, etc. on this beach itself, so it is not particularly charming when you are 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, 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 tour of 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, the little bars and terraces and the cobbled streets.

Mahon will be a must on your trip to Minorca. 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 is 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 allows you to 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 inMenorca 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 is quite unlikely. For a start, the waters around the island are very calm and there are rarely any waves, even if it is 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: Kayak Activities in Menorca.