Mallorca: Caló des Moro and Cala Marmols Boat Tour

The best beaches are better from the water. This 2.5-hour boat trip along Mallorca’s southeast coast gives you a quick, scenic look at Es Pontàs, Cala Llombards, Caló des Moro, Cala s’Almunia, Punta des Bauç, and Cala Marmols. I especially like the two 35-minute snorkeling stops and the chance to reach coves that are awkward or tiring to access on foot. I also like the small-group feel reported by several people, with about 12 passengers on one outing and friendly skippers such as Carlos, Fernando, Matthias, and Captain Carlos.

The main drawback is simple: this is an active boat ride, not a quiet sightseeing cruise. You need to be comfortable swimming, sitting on a moving boat, and handling waves. One booking had a last-minute boat change that left seven people squeezed into a tiny vessel, though that appears to be an exception rather than the usual setup. At $53 per person, the tour offers strong value if you want swimming, snorkeling, and several coastal views in one short outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Two 35-minute water stops: You get dedicated time to swim and snorkel at Caló des Moro and Cala Marmols, rather than only stopping for a quick photo.
• Es Pontàs from the sea: The natural stone arch makes a memorable photo stop and gives you a different view of Mallorca’s rocky coast.
• A brisk coastal ride: The boat can move quickly across the waves, which adds fun but may not suit people prone to seasickness.
• Small-group atmosphere: Several outings had around 12 people, making the boat feel more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.
• One drink included: You receive a beer or soft drink, but meals and hotel transport are not included.
• Meet at Cala d’en Busques: The departure point is at Cala Figuera port, so allow time to find the harbor and reach the boat.

Starting at Cala Figuera’s Cala d’en Busques

Your trip begins at Caló d’en Busques, at the port of Cala Figuera. This is not a hotel pickup excursion, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. That matters if you are staying elsewhere on Mallorca. One person traveling from El Arenal found the bus ride long but worthwhile, while another had trouble with directions from the bus stop to the meeting point.

The practical fix is easy: walk toward the harbor once you reach Cala Figuera. The meeting point is at the port, and the route is easier to understand on foot than on a map that does not clearly mark the final approach. Arrive early if you want a better seat, especially near the front. One outing found that early arrival helped secure those seats.

The boat includes safety equipment, a radio, and a professional skipper. Snorkeling equipment is also provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and goggles. Still, pack your swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, water, snacks, flip-flops, and extra food if you expect to be hungry after swimming.

Smoking is not allowed. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness. Life jackets were available for non-swimmers on one outing, but the activity rules still clearly identify non-swimmers as unsuitable, so you should not treat this as a beginner swimming lesson.

Port de Cala Figuera and the first coastal views

The opening section takes you out from Cala Figuera and along the southeast coast. The ride combines open water with views of small bays, caves, and rocky inlets. The skipper may point out places connected with old smuggling activity or areas where marés stone was extracted.

That background adds a little context without turning the trip into a lecture. One of the strongest features of this boat ride is the balance between explanation and open time. You get small bits of information as you move, then plenty of room to look, take photographs, and enjoy the sea.

The ride itself can be speedy. Several people liked the thrill of the boat jumping over waves, while others should keep in mind that the motion is part of the experience. If you are sensitive to rough water, sit where the movement feels most manageable and bring anything you normally use for seasickness.

Es Pontàs, a natural arch made for photographs

The boat pauses near Mirador de Es Pontàs, where you can photograph Es Pontàs, a striking natural stone arch rising from the sea. Seeing it from the water gives the formation a better sense of scale than a quick roadside view.

This is a photo stop, not a long beach visit. You will want your camera ready, but do not expect to get off the boat here. The surrounding rock formations also help explain the character of this part of Mallorca: pale stone, sharp edges, sea caves, and small coves that look far more inviting from a boat than from a road.

The boat then passes Caló des Macs before reaching Cala Llombards for another photo stop. These pauses break up the ride and give you several chances to see the coast without spending the whole trip swimming.

Cala Llombards and the coves along the coast

Cala Llombards is included as a photo stop rather than a swimming stop. That distinction is useful because the tour covers many places, but only two have the longer water breaks. You will see more coves than you can explore in 2.5 hours, so the format favors variety over extended time on land.

As you pass the smaller bays, look for changes in the water color and the shape of the shoreline. The views are a big part of the value here. If you tried to visit every beach by road, you would spend far more time parking, walking, and moving between locations. From the boat, the coast comes to you.

The tradeoff is that you cannot linger at every place. If one particular beach is your main goal, a longer beach day may suit you better. If you want a broad sample of the southeast coast with two proper swims, this schedule works well.

Caló des Moro: 35 minutes for swimming and snorkeling

The first major water stop is Caló des Moro, one of Mallorca’s most famous small beaches. The water is known for its clear turquoise color, and the boat gives you access without requiring a long walk to the beach.

You get about 35 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. That is enough time to get into the water, use the provided equipment, look for fish, and enjoy the cove without feeling rushed. Several people especially liked the clarity of the water and the amount of fish visible while snorkeling.

The beach itself can be busy during the high season, but arriving by boat changes the experience. You spend your time in the water or on the boat rather than trying to claim a patch of sand. One of the appealing details is that you can swim toward the beach if you want a closer look, though the activity information does not promise time on shore.

Bring a towel and a secure way to protect your phone. The views are excellent from the water, and this is one of the stops where you will probably want both photographs and a swim. Remember that the 35 minutes includes getting in and out, so move promptly when the skipper announces the stop.

Cala s’Almunia and Punta des Bauç

After Caló des Moro, the boat continues toward Cala s’Almunia, with a photo stop along the way. Cala s’Almunia has a different feel from a broad sandy beach, with a compact coastal setting and rocky edges that make it especially photogenic from the sea.

The route then reaches Punta des Bauç, another photo stop. These sections are not filler. They give you a view of the coastline’s changing shapes and offer a short rest after snorkeling before the second water stop.

You may find this part of the trip more relaxed if the boat is carrying a small group. With fewer people, it is easier to take photographs and listen when the skipper points out a feature. The operators speak Spanish and English, so explanations are available in both languages.

Cala Marmols, the quieter second swim

The second 35-minute snorkeling stop is at Cala Marmols, a quiet and relatively untouched cove. Reaching it by boat is one of the tour’s strongest advantages. One person described visiting a secluded beach that would otherwise take around two hours to reach on foot, which shows why the boat access matters.

Cala Marmols is a good contrast with Caló des Moro. Instead of focusing only on a famous beach, the itinerary gives you time in a calmer setting with clear water and a more isolated feel. The snorkeling equipment is included, and the water is a major attraction. You may see fish close to the rocks, though the exact conditions depend on the day.

Again, 35 minutes is a useful amount of time but not a full beach afternoon. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, and enjoy the setting, but you should not expect a long stay on shore. The tour is designed to show you several places, not to settle into one cove for half a day.

The return through Cala Figuera

The final section includes about 20 minutes of sailing back through Cala Figuera before returning to Caló d’en Busques. This gives you time to dry off, enjoy the views, and have the included drink.

You receive one beer or soft drink. Meals are not included, so bring snacks and water. The drink is a pleasant extra rather than a major part of the trip, but it fits the easygoing mood of the ride. Some outings included music, which added to the relaxed atmosphere.

At the end, you return to the same port where you started. There is no hotel drop-off, so plan your onward transportation before you arrive. If you are using public transport, give yourself extra time to locate the harbor at the beginning and to connect with your return route afterward.

What the $53 price really buys you

At $53 per person, this tour offers good value for a short coastal outing. The price includes the boat, skipper, safety equipment, radio, snorkeling gear, and one drink. You also get access to two beautiful swimming areas and a long list of photo stops.

The best comparison is not simply with a beach visit. It is with the time and effort needed to reach these coves over land. The boat lets you see Es Pontàs, Cala Llombards, Caló des Moro, Cala s’Almunia, Punta des Bauç, and Cala Marmols in 2.5 hours. You would not realistically cover all of those places independently in that time.

The value drops if you dislike swimming or want a quiet, slow cruise. You are paying for movement, variety, and water time. You are not paying for lunch, hotel transport, a private boat, or a full-day excursion.

The excellent overall rating of 4.8 from 515 ratings matches the tour’s main strengths: friendly staff, attractive stops, clear water, and good organization. Still, the report of a replacement boat being too small is worth taking seriously. If the boat changes, ask about the capacity and seating arrangement before agreeing to the substitute.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families with older children or teenagers, and anyone staying near southeast Mallorca who wants to see several coves without spending the day on the road. It also suits people who care more about swimming and scenery than formal historical commentary.

The tour worked well for families with teenagers because it mixes speed, photographs, snorkeling, and free time. It also suits a social group, since the boat can create an easy setting for meeting other people. Several outings had friendly, low-key skippers, and one group particularly appreciated the relaxed guide and fellow passengers.

I would hesitate to recommend it to non-swimmers, people with strong seasickness, or anyone who wants plenty of time on a beach towel. You should also think twice if a cramped boat would ruin your day. Ask about the vessel if you receive notice of a last-minute change.

Useful planning tips for a better outing

• Arrive early: You may get a better seat, especially toward the front.
• Bring water and snacks: The included drink is only one beer or soft drink, and meals are not provided.
• Pack sun protection: A hat, sunscreen, towel, and swimwear are essential for the open boat and water stops.
• Use the supplied snorkeling gear: Masks and goggles are available, so you can pack lighter.
• Protect your phone: The best photographs come from the boat and beaches, but water is always nearby.
• Check the weather: One outing still worked well on a mediocre weather day, but sunshine makes the water color and photographs much better.
• Plan your route to Cala Figuera: The port meeting point can be confusing if you rely only on a map or bus stop directions.
• Keep expectations realistic: You will see many places, but only Caló des Moro and Cala Marmols receive the longer swimming stops.

Should you book the Caló des Moro and Cala Marmols boat tour?

Book it if you want a fast, scenic introduction to Mallorca’s southeast coast with two proper snorkeling stops. The combination of Es Pontàs, several smaller coves, clear water, supplied equipment, and a drink makes $53 a fair price.

Skip it if you need a calm cruise, dislike waves, or want hours on one beach. For most active visitors who can swim, this is one of the better ways to pack a lot of coastal beauty into half a day. Try to go in the morning or outside the busiest summer weeks if you want calmer coves and fewer people around you.

FAQ

How long is the Caló des Moro and Cala Marmols boat tour?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours.

Where does the boat tour begin?

It begins at Caló d’en Busques in the port of Cala Figuera.

What is the price of the tour?

The price is $53 per person.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Port de Cala Figuera, Es Pontàs, Caló des Macs, Cala Llombards, Caló des Moro, Cala s’Almunia, Punta des Bauç, Cala Marmols, and Cala Figuera.

How long are the snorkeling stops?

You receive about 35 minutes for snorkeling at Caló des Moro and about 35 minutes at Cala Marmols.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and safety equipment are included.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One beer or soft drink is included.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included, so you should bring food, snacks, and water.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in Spanish and English.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.