Port d’Alcudia: North Coast Catamaran Cruise with Meal

Crystal-clear water is the star here. This five-hour catamaran cruise from Puerto de Alcúdia combines beautiful North Mallorca scenery with long swim stops, a barbecue meal, and room to stretch out on deck. I especially like the friendly crew and the chance to use kayaks and standup paddleboards between swims. The main catch is that the boat can carry a large group, and the limited number of watercraft means you may need to wait your turn.

The $80 price is fair if you plan to make good use of the swim stops, meal, two included drinks, and onboard activities. I would bring your own mask and goggles, since snorkeling equipment is not included and masks are available for sale rather than loan. The daytime cruise runs like a relaxed beach day at sea, while the sunset departure replaces lunch with a barbecue dinner.

Key points to know before you book

• Three swim stops may fill most of your day: Depending on the route and conditions, you can spend roughly two hours in clear water near scenic coves.
• The barbecue is cooked onboard: Daytime departures serve lunch, while sunset sailings include dinner, with pasta, bread, and grilled meat among the foods described.
• Kayaks and paddleboards are included: They are available for shared use, but the supply is limited, so do not expect one for every person.
• The boat has room to move: Several people found the catamaran comfortable rather than cramped, although arriving early helps you find your preferred seating area.
• Two drinks come with the meal: Soft drinks and sangria have been included, while cocktails and other drinks cost extra.
• It suits families, couples, and mixed-age groups: The crew provides life vests, and ladders make it possible to enter the water without jumping.

Setting out from Puerto de Alcúdia

You meet the greeter at the boat kiosk for Alcudia Sea Trips, operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa, on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia. This is a useful meeting point because you are heading straight from the resort port onto the water, with no lengthy transfer attached to the activity.

The cruise lasts about five hours. A common daytime schedule mentioned by participants runs from 10 a.m. to about 3 p.m., though you should check the available departure time for your date. Sunset trips follow the same general idea but finish with dinner rather than lunch.

The first part is sailing along the north coast. The boat gives you broad views of the sea and Mallorca, and the open deck is the place to sit if you want the full effect of the wind and sun. On choppier days, the forward nets can get wet. That can be fun if you are prepared for it, but it is not the best spot for anyone who wants dry clothes and a quiet ride.

Music plays during the cruise, generally creating a relaxed holiday mood rather than a silent nature outing. The tone is social and easygoing. If you are hoping for a small, hushed sailing boat with a guide explaining every cove, this is not quite that. It is better understood as a spacious day boat with scenery, swimming, food, and a friendly crew.

The north coast from the water

The real pleasure is seeing parts of the coast from a different angle. From the catamaran, you can take in the long sweep of Mallorca’s north shore, rocky edges, open water, and the pale coves that make this part of the island so popular.

Specific stops vary with the day and conditions, but the route has included areas near Formentor Beach and Alcanada Beach. One reported daytime schedule spent around two hours near Formentor and about an hour near Alcanada, while other departures made three shorter swim stops. That difference matters: you should expect several water breaks, but not a fixed list of beaches or an identical timetable.

Formentor is a strong stop for anyone who values scenery as much as swimming. The setting is broad and memorable, with clear water and plenty of room to look around from the boat. Alcanada offers another change of scene and gives you a fresh place to swim or use the boards.

Do not expect to walk ashore at every stop. The point is usually to anchor offshore and enter the sea from the catamaran. That makes the outing feel more like a floating beach club than a shore excursion.

Swim stops with fish, kayaks, and paddleboards

The stops are the heart of the day. After sailing for a while, the crew anchors in a sheltered or scenic area and opens the water activities. You can swim, use a kayak, try a standup paddleboard, or simply sit on deck and watch the action.

The water is often described as warm and clear, with fish visible below the surface. Bring your own snorkeling mask if you have one. Masks are not included, and the operator has stated that masks are available for sale because of health restrictions. Goggles are also useful if you mainly want to swim and look underwater.

A ladder leads from the catamaran into the sea, which is helpful if you are not comfortable jumping from the side. Life vests are available at no extra charge. Still, you should be a reasonably confident swimmer if you want to make full use of the stops, since the main activity takes place in open water rather than at a shallow sandy beach.

The kayaks and paddleboards add real value, especially for families with older children and teenagers. The limitation is supply. Details given by participants included around three kayaks and two paddleboards, so everyone cannot use one at the same time. The crew appears to manage this by allowing people to take turns, but busy departures can mean a short wait.

If water sports are important to you, treat them as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. You are guaranteed the chance to swim, but not unlimited paddleboard or kayak time.

Lunch, dinner, and the onboard barbecue

Once the boat is anchored, the crew prepares the meal while you swim. This is a smart use of time. Instead of spending an hour tied to a dock or waiting for a restaurant table, you eat while looking out over the sea.

The daytime meal is a barbecue lunch. Foods described on different departures include chicken, pork, sausage, pasta with tomato, bread, and watermelon. Portions have generally been considered generous, with extra food available on some sailings. Two drinks during the meal are included, with soft drinks and sangria among the options described.

The sunset departure includes a barbecue dinner rather than lunch. The supplied details do not give a separate dinner menu, so you should expect the same general onboard meal style rather than a formal evening meal.

I would call the food practical and satisfying rather than a reason to choose the cruise by itself. Many people enjoy the hot barbecue and the chance to eat freshly prepared food at anchor. A few found the vegetarian choice limited, and one person who avoided pork felt the meal offered little beyond bread and plain pasta. Report dietary restrictions to the main office before boarding, not casually once the boat has left.

If you need a particular meal, ask in advance and bring suitable extra food if you are unsure. That is especially sensible for strict dietary needs. The bar also sells additional drinks, including cocktails, so the $80 price is not necessarily your final spend if you order often.

Finding a comfortable place onboard

The catamaran offers several ways to spend the day. You can sit in the shaded or more sheltered areas, move around the deck, or stretch out in a sunbathing spot. Arrive in good time if a particular seat matters to you.

Some departures carry many people, but the boat is large enough that several families and groups did not feel squeezed. That said, this is not a private charter. At busy times, the best sunbathing spaces and water equipment can be claimed quickly.

The trip can also be wet at the front of the boat, particularly when the sea is choppy. Bring a light layer and clothing suited to the weather. A dry bag would be useful for phones and cameras, though it is not listed among the required items. At minimum, protect anything you do not want splashed.

Music and the bar give the cruise a social feel. The volume has been described as comfortable on some trips, but your experience can vary with the group and crew. Couples wanting a quiet sunset may prefer to sit away from the main social area.

How the cruise works for families

This is one of the better boat choices in Alcúdia for a mixed-age group. Children and teenagers have plenty to do beyond sitting still: swimming, watching the coast, kayaking, and trying the paddleboards.

Families with children around school age and older have found the five-hour duration manageable because the day is broken into sailing, water stops, lunch, and more time on the sea. The ladders are useful for anyone who does not want to jump, and the crew can provide life vests.

The main issue is supervision. The water activities are shared and take place away from the boat, so adults should keep an eye on children. Non-swimmers can enjoy the deck and use flotation equipment, but this is not a shallow-water beach outing.

Teenagers may get the most from the trip. The combination of music, swimming, clear water, and paddleboards gives them independence without requiring a full day of organized sightseeing.

Value at $80 per person

At $80, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Mallorca. The price becomes easier to justify when you add up what is included: five hours aboard the catamaran, crew service, a barbecue lunch or dinner, two drinks with the meal, several swim stops, and use of the kayaks and paddleboards.

You are also paying for the setting. A simple meal at the marina would not give you the same views or access to quiet coves. If you spend most of the time swimming and use the included activities, the package offers good value.

The value drops if you dislike group outings, do not swim, or want a quiet sailing lesson. Extra drinks cost more, snorkeling equipment is not included, and the limited watercraft may disappoint anyone expecting constant access to a kayak.

For a family, the price can add up quickly. For a couple marking a special day, or a group that wants one large activity instead of several smaller ones, it is easier to defend. Several people described the trip as one of the best parts of their Mallorca holiday, which makes sense if the sea is your main reason for visiting the north coast.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Pack swimwear, sunscreen, a camera, and clothing suited to the weather. Add your own snorkeling mask or goggles if seeing fish matters to you. A towel is a sensible item for any swimming cruise, although it is not specifically listed in the supplied details.

Tell the main office about dietary restrictions before boarding. Do not assume the crew can produce a full alternative meal once the barbecue is underway.

Arrive early if you want a preferred place to sit. This is especially useful for groups hoping to stay together or for anyone who wants a certain balance of shade and sun.

Keep some money available for drinks beyond the two included with lunch or dinner. Cocktails and other beverages are not part of the basic package.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, but the information provided does not explain how wheelchair users access the swimming areas or which parts of the deck are easiest to reach. If you need specific assistance, contact the operator before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Mallorca plans are still moving around, but check the current booking conditions for your date.

Who should book the Alcúdia catamaran cruise?

I would choose this for a family, couple, or group of friends that wants a full half-day on the water without arranging food, equipment, and transport between several beaches. The crew, swim stops, barbecue, and relaxed music create an easy holiday day with little planning.

I would think twice if you need a strict vegetarian or specialized menu, want a private boat, or expect unlimited access to kayaks and paddleboards. The outing is also less suitable if you dislike open-water swimming or prefer a quiet, guide-led coastal tour.

For most visitors staying around Alcúdia, this is a strong all-purpose boat trip. Book it for the coves, the clear water, and the chance to let someone else handle lunch. Bring your own mask, arrive early, and judge the water sports as a welcome extra rather than a guarantee of personal equipment.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is the boat kiosk of Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Marítimos BRISA, on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours. A daytime departure described in the supplied information ran from 10 a.m. to about 3 p.m., but you should check the available starting time for your date.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Daytime departures include a barbecue lunch onboard.

Is dinner included on the sunset cruise?

Yes. The sunset option includes a barbecue dinner onboard.

What drinks are included?

Two drinks are included during the meal. Soft drinks and sangria have been mentioned among the available choices. Other drinks, including cocktails, cost extra.

Can I swim from the catamaran?

Yes. The boat anchors at scenic stops so you can swim in the sea. Ladders provide access to the water.

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Yes. Canoes and standup paddleboards are included for shared use. The number is limited, so you may need to take turns.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling masks are not included. Masks are available for sale, and bringing your own goggles or snorkeling set is recommended.

Can I report dietary restrictions?

Yes. Dietary restrictions must be reported to the main office before boarding.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The supplied information does not specify the arrangements for entering the water or using the onboard equipment, so contact the operator if you need detailed assistance.