Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Cala Vella with Gourmet Buffet Mallorca

Palma's seafront and the marina departure

The cruise starts inside the marina on Palma's Paseo Marítimo, the palm-lined avenue that curves along the harbour past rows of yachts and the old fishing boats. The name Golondrinas, swallows, recalls the small passenger boats that have carried visitors around the bay since the early 20th century. Make sure you walk into the marina itself rather than waiting in front of the Auditorium.

As the catamaran slips out of the harbour you get the classic picture of Palma: the cathedral above the old walls, the windmills of Es Jonquet and the green hill crowned by Bellver Castle. It is a calm start, with time to settle on deck, meet the crew and choose a spot in the sun or the shade before the open water of the bay.

The Bay of Palma under sail

The Bay of Palma stretches about 20 kilometres from Cap de Cala Figuera in the west to Cap Enderrocat in the east, sheltered by the island's southern hills. Its water is usually calm in the morning, and its colours shift from deep blue offshore to turquoise over the sandy shallows near the beaches of Can Pastilla and Arenal.

When the wind allows, the crew raises the sails and switches off the engines, so you feel the catamaran moving only with the breeze and the sea. A Mallorca catamaran tour like this one is one of the best ways to see the island's capital and coastline in a single morning, and the wide decks and front nets make every moment a viewpoint.

Cala Vella and the Bay of Palma Marine Reserve

Cala Vella is a small, rocky cove on the eastern shore of the bay, near Cala Blava, inside the Bay of Palma Marine Reserve created in 1982. The reserve protects meadows of posidonia seagrass that keep the water exceptionally clear and shelter bream, wrasse, octopus and small groupers. Limestone cliffs topped with pines frame the cove, and the sea below is a bright turquoise on sunny days.

This is your swimming stop: dive from the boat, float in the calm water or snorkel along the rocks to watch the fish. Snorkel sets can be bought on board if you did not bring your own. If wind or waves make Cala Vella unsuitable, the captain chooses another sheltered spot in the bay, so the Cala Vella boat trip always includes a safe swim.

Palma Cathedral (La Seu) from the sea

Palma Cathedral, known locally as La Seu, is the great Gothic landmark of Mallorca. It was begun in the 13th century on the site of the city's main mosque and completed around 1600, and its central rose window is one of the largest in Gothic architecture. Its flying buttresses and tall pinnacles rise directly above the old sea walls and the Parc de la Mar lake.

Seen from the water, the cathedral looks almost like a ship moored at the city's edge, which is why the return leg of this cruise is a favourite moment for photographs. If you want to visit it later, the cathedral is a short walk from the marina, and our team can suggest the best hours to avoid the busiest times.

Bellver Castle above the bay

Bellver Castle stands on a pine-covered hill about 112 metres above the bay, west of the city centre. Built in the early 14th century, it is one of the few circular Gothic castles in Europe, with a round courtyard, a moat and a tall keep joined to the main building by a stone bridge. Its name means beautiful view, and from its terraces you see the whole bay.

From the catamaran you see the castle in the opposite direction, rising above the trees as you sail back towards the harbour. The crew shares local recommendations for the rest of your stay, including how to reach Bellver and the old town, so the cruise ends with a plan for the afternoon.