From Colònia de San Jordi : Catamaran Cruise to Es Trenc

The best Mallorca days happen offshore. This five-hour catamaran cruise from Colònia de Sant Jordi pairs coastal views with two long swim stops, a grilled lunch, music, and time to stretch out on deck. I like the easy mix of sightseeing and swimming, and I like that the barbecue is cooked on board rather than served as a forgettable packed lunch. The main caution is crowding: the boat can feel busy in high season, especially when everyone wants the same patch of shade.

You sail past Cap Salines, Es Caragol, and Es Trenc, with stops in the clear water near Cala Marmols or the Es Caragol and Es Trenc area. At $69 per person, the price is strong for a half-day at sea, though you should plan carefully for the meeting point and remember that snorkeling-mask hire requires a €10 cash deposit.

Five things to know before you book

• Two swimming stops make this more than a sightseeing cruise: You get real time in the water, not just a quick photo stop.
• The barbecue is prepared on board: Expect chicken breast, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and cake.
• Soft drinks and water are included: Wine and sangria are served with the meal, while card payments are used on board for purchases.
• The scenery is the star: Cap Salines, Es Caragol, Es Trenc, and the southeast coast provide a fine backdrop from the catamaran.
• It works well for families and solo visitors: The crew has helped older passengers and children, and the relaxed setup suits groups or people traveling alone.
• Summer space can be tight: Some departures feel pleasantly roomy, while others leave less choice between sun and shade.

Setting out from Colònia de Sant Jordi

The boat leaves from the pier beside Hotel Marqués del Palmer in Colònia de Sant Jordi. That clear landmark matters because the town has several waterfront areas, and arriving at the wrong stretch of harbor could create an unnecessary scramble before departure.

You can choose a morning sailing from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or an afternoon sailing from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The morning trip gives you a classic beach-day rhythm, with lunch during the warmest part of the day. The afternoon option lets you sleep in and brings softer evening light as the cruise returns.

Once aboard, the pace is relaxed. The catamaran gives you several ways to spend the time: sit on deck, watch the coast slide past, listen to Spanish music, or claim a place to sunbathe. I like this flexibility because not everyone in a family or group wants the same thing every minute.

The sailing is not designed as a formal lecture about Mallorca. The live guide speaks Spanish and English, and the focus is on the sea, scenery, food, and atmosphere. You are here to enjoy the coast rather than memorize a list of dates.

Passing Cap Salines and the southeast coast

The first part of the cruise gives you the best sense of Mallorca from the water. As the catamaran heads along the southeast coast, you get views that are hard to appreciate from a road or crowded beach path.

Cap Salines marks the southern edge of the island and helps frame the trip. The shore here feels open and exposed, with the blue Mediterranean spreading out beside you. The catamaran’s broad deck is useful at this point, since you can move around and find different angles for photographs.

The cruise also passes Es Caragol, one of the beaches that gives this coast its appeal. From offshore, you see the pale sand and clear water in a single sweep. It is a good reminder that the trip is not only about reaching a swimming stop. The sailing itself provides much of the visual payoff.

The exact route can vary with conditions, and the stated swimming area may include Cala Marmols or the Es Caragol and Es Trenc area. That flexibility is practical. It allows the crew to choose a suitable place to anchor rather than treating the itinerary as immovable.

The first long stop: water, masks, and beach views

The swimming stops are the heart of the day. Instead of dropping anchor for ten hurried minutes, the boat allows proper time to swim, snorkel, and relax near the coast.

At the first stop, you can use a complimentary snorkeling mask, with a €10 cash deposit required. Bring your own mask if you have one, especially if you care about fit or want to avoid carrying cash. Fins are not listed as included, and one past passenger specifically recommended bringing them, so pack your own if you enjoy snorkeling properly.

The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, and the first stop can be particularly good for seeing fish. Conditions matter, though. Wind and water movement can affect visibility, and snorkeling is not guaranteed to be spectacular every day. One earlier sailing had poor snorkeling because of weather, so treat the underwater life as a bonus, not the sole reason to book.

You might swim directly from the catamaran or enjoy views of the beach nearby. The trip is not presented as a beach landing excursion, so do not assume you will spend hours walking on shore. The attraction is the combination of boat access and clear water.

Life jackets are available, including suitable options for small children. Families should still keep close track of children around the swim platform and water, as you would on any boat outing.

Barbecue lunch on the open sea

During the main stop, the crew prepares a buffet barbecue on board. The menu includes chicken breast, skewers, sausages, fresh salads, bread, and cake for dessert. It is straightforward food, but that is exactly right for a day of swimming and sun. You want something filling and easy to eat, not a long restaurant meal below deck.

The strongest praise goes to the quantity, freshness, and timing of the food. The grill is working while you enjoy the water, then lunch is ready when people are hungry. That makes the stop feel efficient without feeling rushed.

Soft drinks and mineral water are available throughout the trip. Wine from Mallorca and sangria are served with the meal. The supplied information also says card payments are accepted on board, with American Express not accepted. Since some details about drink charges can vary by what you order, carry a payment card that works with the boat system and do not rely on cash for onboard purchases.

Vegetarian food is available only if you arrange it at least a day in advance by email or phone. This is important. Do not assume the standard buffet will provide a full vegetarian plate, and do not leave the request until boarding.

A second swim near Es Trenc or Es Caragol

After lunch and more time in the water, the catamaran continues along the coast and makes another stop. The second location may have fewer fish than the first, but it still gives you another chance to swim, snorkel, or lie in the sun.

This second pause is valuable because the trip does not force everyone into one short water break. Strong swimmers can make the most of the sea, while less active passengers can remain on deck with a drink and music.

Es Trenc is one of Mallorca’s best-known beaches, and seeing it from the water gives you a different perspective from simply arriving by land. You appreciate its pale sand and open shoreline without having to spend your entire day searching for a place on the beach.

One limitation is access. The swimming stops do not always place you in a sheltered cove with an easy walk onto the sand. If your perfect boat day involves stepping straight onto a beach café terrace, this is not that kind of trip. If you are happy swimming from a boat and enjoying the view, the setup works well.

Music, crew, and the mood on board

The mood is relaxed but not silent. Spanish music plays during the cruise, and the crew can create a lively atmosphere with dancing and singalong moments. That suits a group looking for a cheerful day out, though it may not suit someone hoping for a quiet, meditative sailing.

The crew earns consistent praise for being friendly and helpful. They have assisted older passengers getting on and off the boat, and families with children have found the experience manageable. One passenger even described chatting with the captain and being allowed to steer, but you should treat that as an occasional personal moment rather than a promised part of the program.

The boat has enough room to move around on many departures. At the same time, high-season sailings can feel crowded, with limited shade or sunny seating. A past description put the group at about 65 people and suggested it should not be much larger. That gives you a useful sense of scale: this is a shared excursion, not a private yacht charter.

If you care strongly about where you sit, arrive at the pier with enough time to board without rushing. The exact boarding process is not detailed, but early arrival generally gives you a better chance of choosing between sun and shade.

Is $69 good value for five hours?

At $69, this is good value if you want several holiday ingredients in one booking: boat transport along the coast, two swimming opportunities, snorkeling equipment access, lunch, soft drinks, water, and a live guide.

A private boat would cost far more, while a simple beach day would not give you the coastal views or the convenience of moving between swimming areas. The food is not gourmet, but it is substantial, and having the barbecue prepared on board saves you from arranging lunch separately.

The value is strongest for families and groups. Children can swim, adults can enjoy the scenery and drinks, and nobody has to plan a restaurant reservation at the beach. Solo visitors can also fit in comfortably, since the atmosphere is social without requiring you to arrive with a large group.

The value is less clear if you dislike crowds, are uncomfortable swimming from a boat, or want a highly private experience. In those cases, a smaller charter or a land-based beach day may suit you better.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear a swimsuit from the start and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a light cover-up for the return sail. The itinerary centers on swimming and sun, so ordinary sightseeing clothes are not especially useful once you board.

Bring cash only for the €10 snorkeling-mask deposit. Onboard payments are by card, and American Express is not accepted. If you want a vegetarian meal, contact Magic Catamarans at least one day ahead. The standard meal is heavily meat-based.

The meeting point is the pier next to Hotel Marqués del Palmer. Pickup and drop-off are not available through this booking, so you need to arrange your own way to and from Colònia de Sant Jordi. This deserves attention: one past passenger had difficulty finding a taxi after the cruise and needed help arranging a bus.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans are uncertain. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you delay payment while keeping a place.

Who should book the Magic Catamaran?

I would choose this cruise for a family, a group of friends, or a solo visitor who wants an easy day on the Mediterranean without organizing every detail. It is especially good for people who value swimming time, generous food, and a friendly crew more than quiet luxury.

It also suits mixed-age groups. Children can enjoy the water and music, adults can settle into the deck chairs, and older family members can receive help from the crew when boarding. The trip has enough variety to keep a five-hour outing from feeling repetitive.

I would think twice if your priority is secluded coves, a tiny passenger count, or serious snorkeling. The boat can be busy, the second stop may have limited marine life, and the music gives the day a social holiday feel rather than a peaceful sailing mood.

Final verdict: book it for a relaxed sea day

Book the Magic Catamarans cruise if you want a well-priced half-day that combines Mallorca’s southeast coast with swimming, lunch, and a cheerful atmosphere. The two water stops, onboard barbecue, and views past Cap Salines and Es Trenc give you more than a simple boat ride.

Before paying, make three checks: arrange your own transport to Colònia de Sant Jordi, request vegetarian food in advance if needed, and bring a non-American Express card plus €10 cash for the mask deposit. If you can accept a shared boat and possible summer crowding, this is an easy, enjoyable way to put the beach behind you and spend the day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

Boarding and disembarkation take place at the pier beside Hotel Marqués del Palmer in Colònia de Sant Jordi.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts five hours. You can choose a morning departure from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or an afternoon departure from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

What food is served on board?

The buffet includes chicken breast, skewers, sausages, fresh salads, bread, and cake for dessert. A vegetarian menu is available only if requested at least one day ahead.

Are drinks included?

Soft drinks and mineral water are included throughout the trip. Mallorcan wine and sangria are served with the meal. Card payments are accepted on board, but American Express is not accepted.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. The deposit must be paid in cash.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off cannot be booked through this activity. You need to make your own way to the pier and arrange your return from Colònia de Sant Jordi.