Palma Bay Boat Tour with BBQ and Snorkelling Day or Sunset Mallorca

Can Pastilla Port

Can Pastilla sits at the western end of Platja de Palma, a few minutes from Palma airport and about 15 minutes by car from the city centre. Its small marina is the starting point for this Palma Bay boat tour, which makes it a convenient choice if you are staying anywhere along the long beach strip between Can Pastilla and S'Arenal.

The promenade here is lively with cafés and ice-cream shops, and the views from the jetty stretch across the whole bay to the cathedral of Palma on the far shore. Parking near the port can be tight in summer, so plan to arrive early: boarding closes 20 minutes before departure. If you are wondering how to get to Can Pastilla without a car, city buses from Palma and taxis stop close to the seafront.

The Bay of Palma Coastline

The Bay of Palma is a wide, sheltered bay on the south-west coast of Mallorca, framed by the capital on one side and the cliffs of Llucmajor on the other. From the water you see the long sweep of Platja de Palma, the hotels of S'Arenal and, looking back, the Gothic outline of Palma Cathedral rising above the old city walls.

As the boat heads east the scenery changes from beach resorts to low limestone cliffs topped by pines and villas. It is the most relaxed way to understand the geography of the island's capital region in a single afternoon, and the gentle sea inside the bay makes it a good choice for first-time boat travellers. The best time to visit the Bay of Palma by boat is from late spring to early autumn, when the water is warm and calm.

Bay of Palma Marine Reserve

The eastern side of the bay is protected by the Bay of Palma marine reserve, created in 1982 as the first marine reserve of the Balearic Islands. It covers the waters off the Llucmajor coast towards Cap Enderrocat, where fishing is restricted and the seabed of Posidonia seagrass and rocky reefs is left to recover.

The result is noticeably clear water and plenty of small fish around the rocks, which is why the swim stop is placed here. The cliffs along this stretch are dotted with little coves and natural ledges, and the boat chooses a calm spot depending on the wind of the day. For anyone asking whether a snorkelling boat trip in Palma is worth it, this protected stretch is the reason: the water quality is very different from the busy city beaches.

Swim and Snorkelling Stop at Cala Vella

Weather permitting, the boat anchors in a hidden cove such as Cala Vella for a swim and snorkelling stop. You can climb down the ladder into the water, float above the seagrass with a mask, or stay on deck and sunbathe. The snorkelling equipment is handed out on board against a small refundable deposit.

The stop is long enough for a proper swim and a second dip for those who want it. Bring your own towel, as towels are not provided. Children who swim confidently love this part of the trip, while younger ones can watch the fish from the boarding ladder with an adult. The exact cove may change if the sea is choppy, because the crew always picks the most sheltered spot.

BBQ on Board and the Sunset Option

Back on board, the crew fires up the grill and serves a BBQ hamburger with starters of tomato and mozzarella skewer, spring roll and potato salad, followed by watermelon and pineapple. One drink per person is included, and extra snacks and drinks can be bought on board. Music plays on deck while the boat cruises back along the coast.

If you prefer the evening, the sunset option leaves Can Pastilla at 18:00 and serves the same BBQ as dinner while the sun drops behind the Tramuntana mountains on the far side of the bay. On Fridays both the lunch and sunset tours also depart from Palma itself, cruising west past Cala Major and Illetas towards Palmanova. All options are shown in the booking panel.