South Coast Full-Day Boat Trip with Paella Lunch Ciutadella Menorca

Ciutadella and Its Historic Port

Ciutadella, on the western tip of Menorca, was the island's capital until the 18th century, and it still has the feel of an aristocratic old town: the Gothic cathedral, palaces around Plaça des Born and arcaded streets known as Ses Voltes. Its port is a narrow natural inlet that cuts deep into the town, lined with fishing boats, restaurants and the steps leading up to the old quarter.

Your Ciutadella boat tour leaves from this harbour at around 09:30. With the default option our driver collects you from your hotel or a nearby stop, so you do not need to worry about parking or bus times, and brings you back after the trip. If you have time on another day, the old town of Ciutadella is well worth an evening stroll, when the stone squares glow at sunset.

Cruising Menorca's South Coast

Menorca has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993, and its southern shore is one of the best-preserved coastlines in the Mediterranean: low limestone cliffs, ravines that run down to the sea and small white-sand coves backed by pine woods, many of them protected natural areas with no roads or buildings. The water is famous for its clarity, shifting from pale turquoise over sand to deep blue over rock and seagrass.

Seeing Menorca's beaches by boat is the easiest way to reach several of them in one day, since most can only be reached on foot along the Camí de Cavalls coastal path. Your guide points out the coves, caves and old watchtowers as you go. The best time to visit Menorca for a boat trip is from June to September, when the sea is warmest; May and early October are quieter and still pleasant.

Cala en Turqueta

Cala en Turqueta is a small, sheltered cove of fine white sand framed by pine trees and low cliffs, and its name comes from the turquoise colour of the water. It lies in a protected natural area south of Ciutadella and is often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the Balearic Islands. In summer, visitors who come by land have to park well inside the countryside and walk the last stretch.

From the boat you have about 2 hours here, the longest stop of the day. You can swim from the boat or go ashore to the beach, float in the calm, clear water, or simply relax on deck and enjoy the view. Snorkelling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask if you want to look at the fish around the rocks.

Cala Macarella and Macarelleta

After lunch the boat heads east to Cala Macarella and its little sister Cala Macarelleta, two neighbouring coves divided by a rocky headland. Macarella is the larger, with a wide crescent of sand and a pine-covered ravine behind it, while Macarelleta is a tiny cove beneath a high cliff, reached by a steep path. Together they are probably the most photographed beaches on the island.

On this trip you enjoy Macarella and Macarelleta from the sea, cruising slowly past the entrance for photos rather than stopping to swim. It is a great way to see them without the long walk and the summer crowds on the sand, and the view of the two coves side by side is something you only really appreciate from the water.

Son Saura

Son Saura is a pair of long sandy beaches, sometimes called Bellavista and Banyul, set in a wide bay on the south-west coast between Cala en Bosc and Cala en Turqueta. Shallow, very clear water, low dunes and pine woods make it a favourite with families, and the gently sloping sea floor is ideal for children and less confident swimmers.

The boat anchors here for about an hour and a half, enough time for a long swim, a walk along the sand or a rest in the shade of the pines. The water here is often a little calmer than in the narrow coves, and the afternoon light over the bay is lovely before the cruise back to Ciutadella port.

Paella Lunch on Board

Lunch is served on board around the middle of the day: a paella cooked with fish and seafood, the classic rice dish of Spain's Mediterranean coast, flavoured with saffron and a rich seafood stock. The rice is cooked in a wide, shallow pan so that every grain absorbs the stock, and the seafood is laid on top just before serving. It comes with one soft drink, and additional drinks can be bought on board.

Eating on deck between swims, anchored in a quiet cove, is one of the highlights for many guests. If you have food allergies or dietary needs, tell us when you book and we will pass the information on so the crew can advise you on the day.