Marine Reserve Caves Speedboat Tour with Snorkelling Mallorca

Crossing the Bay of Palma

The trip starts on Palma's seafront promenade, near the fishermen's wharf below the Gothic cathedral, and the first part of the route is a fast crossing of the Bay of Palma. Looking back, you see the whole city skyline: the cathedral rising above the old walls, the marinas full of masts and the hills behind. Ahead, the bay opens towards the long beaches of Can Pastilla and s'Arenal and the cliffs of the south coast.

The speedboat makes the crossing quick and fun, with spray on the bends and plenty of space to take photos. Many travellers looking for a boat trip from Palma want a short outing that still reaches wild coastline, and this route does exactly that in three hours, leaving the rest of the day free for the old town or the beach.

The Green Cave (Cueva Verde)

The first stop is the Green Cave, a sea cave in the cliffs of the marine reserve whose name comes from the colour of the water at its mouth, which glows emerald when the sun hits the rocks and the sandy bottom. The boat anchors outside; you view the cave from the water and do not enter it, which protects this fragile spot.

You have around 30 to 40 minutes to dive in, swim along the rock face with a snorkel and mask, or try paddle surfing on the calm water. Snorkellers often see shoals of small fish, sea bream and colourful wrasse around the boulders. If you prefer to stay dry, the deck is a perfect spot to enjoy the sun and the view of the cliffs.

Cliffs and caves of the marine reserve

Between the two stops, the boat follows the coast of the Bay of Palma marine reserve, the first marine reserve in the Balearic Islands, created in 1982. Limestone cliffs drop straight into deep blue water, sculpted by the sea into caves, arches and overhangs, and pine trees cling to the tops. Because fishing and anchoring are controlled, the seabed here is among the healthiest around Palma.

You pass the cliff-top neighbourhoods of Cala Blava and Bellavista and the headland of Cap Rocat, crowned by an old 19th-century military fortress built to defend the entrance to the bay. The skipper slows down at the most scenic points so you can take photos of the caves and the clear water at their base. The route may vary with the weather and the sea.

Cala Vella swim and snorkel stop

The second stop is Cala Vella, a small cove framed by rocks and pine trees where the water is especially clear and calm. The boat anchors again for about 30 to 40 minutes, and this is often the favourite moment of the trip: a long swim, more snorkelling over sand and seagrass, or another go on the paddle surf board.

After the swim, the boat returns across the bay to the same pier in Palma. Is a speedboat tour in Palma worth it? If you want caves, cliffs and two swims in just three hours, without a long day on the water, it is one of the most efficient ways to see Mallorca's southern coast from the sea.