Mallorca is a paradise of coves to go by boat, of course there are many more that I am going to tell you about here, but based on our experience as a charter company with almost 30 years established in Mallorca we recommend the following:
Wizard’s Cove
The Magician’s Cove is also known as Portal Vells, it is a cove made up of three small coves with sandy anchorage and algae (be careful not to anchor on the algae as they are protected). It is very well protected from winds and waves coming from the N, NW, W, SW and S. It has some restaurants where you can order food to be brought to the boat or go eat on the shore.
It has a good internet connection.
There are usually many boats, we recommend arriving early.
Cala D’egos
This is a rarely visited wild anchorage that is located when leaving the port of Andratx and with difficult access by land, it is common to find wild goats in the surroundings. The bottom is sandy. On its west face you will find a set of rocks with a small natural pool inside. We recommend exploring the cave, it houses something fantastic inside.
It is protected from waves and wind coming from N, NE and E.
You have a bad internet connection.
Saint Elmo
Beautiful coastal town with a good sandy anchorage, but also with buoys to be able to moor. This town has a promenade full of shops and restaurants that offer a good variety of fish and seafood. In addition, San Telmo is located next to the Dragonera Island, named for its dragon shape, this island can be visited. A small boat leaves the dock at certain times of the day for guided excursions.
Very protected from wind and waves coming from N, NE, E and SE.
It has a good internet connection.
Ses Ortigues
One of our favorite coves, the furthest south beginning of the wild Tramuntana and one of the least crowded. Its waters are crystal clear and clean thanks to its exposure to the open sea. This cove is perfect for snorkeling and resting under silent cliffs. On occasions we have seen yellow fin tuna hunting next to the anchored boat.
It is protected from waves and wind coming from the E, SE and S.
The internet connection is very bad.
There are usually few boats.
The bottom is sandy, but you have to be careful with some shallows that are near the coast.
Sa Foradada
They say that the best sunsets are seen from Sa Foradada, and it is true. It is exposed to the west and you can see very well how the sun falls on the sea. One of the things we like the most is walking up to the highest peak to see a movie sunset, accessing it through a small dinghy port under the cliff.
Be especially careful with anchoring because in some areas it is close to 20 meters deep. There is a small restaurant that makes very good paellas on the edge of the cliff, but you have to pay close attention to the hours.
It is protected from wind and waves coming from NE, E and SE.
The internet connection is bad.
Cala Deia
Cala Deia is famous for its wonderful views of the Tramuntana, clean and crystalline water and the vegetation that surrounds it. It is a spectacular place to do some snorkeling and relax sunbathing on the deck. Thanks to the ravine in which it is located, the air is somewhat cooler than in other coves, which makes it ideal to rest from the hot days. It is located just 1 hour by boat from the port of Sóller and has two restaurants on the beach that make very good paellas and Mediterranean food. Although the cove is not sandy, it has a small dock to disembark with the dinghy, and you can leave it properly moored so that it does not hit the rocks.
It is protected from wind and waves from the W, SW, S and SE.
The internet connection is good.
Port de Sóller
This town is emblematic of Mallorca, it is widely visited both by land and by sea for its characteristic promenade, shops and restaurants. The anchorage has unbeatable views of the valley, but the water is not attractive, it is a dull green color. You can anchor throughout the bay as long as the entry and exit of boats in the port is not obstructed. If you want to enter the port, we recommend reserving a berth well in advance. We advise being careful with the boats at night as the wind falls and the boats move at their free will.
It is a very good shelter unless the wind and waves come from the N, NW and W.
The internet connection is very good.
Sa Calobra
It is a very small cove, with rocks, but very pleasant. Anchoring is easy and wide, with sand and small stones at a depth of between 7 and 15 meters. It is a very quiet place to sleep, with fresh air and surrounded by mountains.
It is located at the mouth of an impressive ravine through which fresh, sweet water flows. We recommend taking a walk through the ravine early in the morning, as it is not very hot, you will find many wild goats grazing along the way, it is better not to pay much attention to them and continue walking through the vegetation.
There are also some restaurants in the next cove in case you want to go ashore to eat.
Anchorage protected from winds and waves coming from the NE, E, SE, S and SW.
It has a good internet connection.
Cala Boquer
Of the last ones that we recommend in the north of the island, the most normal thing is not to find many boats here. It is a cove with very easy access with a sandy bottom for comfortable anchoring, just be careful because to port you will find an area of rocks with little water that are perfect for snorkeling, but it is better to anchor away from them.
The cove itself is beautiful, the water is clean and crystal clear. It is so wild that you will see that the goats come down to the beach to ask for food.
We recently found a huge underwater cave. Visit it in a group, never alone, for safety.
The cove is well protected from waves and wind coming from all angles except the NE.
Cala Mesquida
This cove is located on the NE side of the island, it is difficult to anchor here in good weather, but if the opportunity arises, it is a very nice stop. The sand on the seabed colors the sea with a very turquoise blue that, together with the wide opening it has to the Mediterranean, offers very good visibility underwater. I think it is one of the cleanest waters in Mallorca, along with that of Cap de Ses Salines.
Anchoring is pleasant and very easy, taking into account not only the wind but the waves, which predominate in this place.
It has a small town where you can go with the dinghy disembarking on the beach, a walk to the Genoese tower that is at the top of the hill and several caves to visit by swimming or with the tender.
The cove is protected from wind and waves from all angles except N, NE and E.
Good internet connection.
Cala Varques
Already on the E side of Mallorca, it would be the first cove that we recommend if you are going down towards the south or the last one to visit if you are doing the E side.
It is a cove in a virgin state, with good views of the Mallorcan vegetation. You will find the water clean and full of caves and rocks for snorkeling.
The beach is very pleasant, there may be days when there are many people, but at sunset there is no one left, the daytime boats leave and you can enjoy a safe anchorage with few boats. It is a place frequented by climbers, it is a spectacle to see how they climb those vertical walls and then fall into the water from the heights.
Protected from wind and waves coming from N, NW, W and SW.
Cala Sa nau
Very close to Porto Colom we can anchor in this narrow cove, very secluded so the sea is normally like a private pool. The anchoring maneuver is not easy, you must anchor in the center of the cove and then go stern to the rocks and tie a rope to the ground to leave the boat firmly in one place and avoid tipping.
It anchors in about 4 meters of depth in turquoise water, the cove is small and there are usually many people, but from the boat you can enjoy the tranquility.
During the day many small day charter boats come so we recommend going as early as possible in the morning to get a good spot.
You will also find a small restaurant on the coast, nice to go and have a drink in the afternoon on the terrace under the shade of the pine forests.
Protected from wind and waves from all angles except NE and E.
Cala Mondragó
A large cove, with easy anchoring on a sandy bottom and with a lot of atmosphere.
There are many boats that come to visit this cove, but there is enough space. You will find several snorkeling spots with nice caves and places to jump.
There are also several restaurants on the beach, we do not recommend it 100% for eating but it is fine to have something to drink.
The anchorage is well protected with wind and sea from N, NW, W and SW.
There is a good internet connection.
Cala Marmols
The crystal clear water of this cove is wonderful, the anchorage is not very comfortable because the cove is small, but if you manage to go early and get a good spot, you will be grateful. In the afternoons it empties of boats and becomes a private cove for those who spend the night since it is only accessible by boat. It has a small, very beautiful and clean virgin sand beach.
The bottom is all sand.
The place does not have a very good internet connection.
It is protected from waves and wind from N, NW, W and SW.
Cap de ses salines
You will hardly find it calm, but it is the most crystalline and clean water in Mallorca. It is very exposed to the open sea and the boats passing by make waves, but if the sea and the wind are very calm, it is worth anchoring for a while.
It is only protected from NW, N and NE.
The anchorage is sandy about 3 or 4 meters deep.
Cala Caragol
A very wild cove, with difficult access by land. It has little space to anchor since the majority of its anchorage is posidonia. Keep in mind that the anchor must fall on a clearing of sand, the police usually come to check.
Well protected from wind and waves from N, NE, E and SE.
Platja d’es Carbó
Very beautiful and well protected cove thanks to the small islands at the entrance but you have to be very careful with the lows. Look very carefully at the chart and the plotter before entering. The anchorage is on sand/rock in about 4 meters of depth and it is an idyllic place to snorkel.
It is very beautiful and has the town of Colonia de Sant Jordi very close.
It is well protected from wind and waves from all angles except SW, S and SE.
It’s Trenc
One of the most famous beaches in Mallorca thanks to its length, it is the longest yellow sand beach on the island. Located between two coastal towns and many good restaurants. The water is turquoise and crystal clear and anchoring is pleasant and easy.
It is usually anchored in 4 or 5 meters with a sandy bottom.
Refugee from bad weather coming from N to S passing through the E.
Good internet connection, restaurants and supermarkets.
cove pi
A cove like no other, it reminds us of those coves in the south of Menorca where it seems that the earth swallows you. It is one of the most famous coves in Mallorca, it has a very busy sandy beach but the anchorage is very beautiful.
When anchoring, you should anchor in sand and tie a rope to the ground to avoid tipping, making sure you have enough chain down to avoid problems with crashing into the rocks.
It is usually very visited by other boats so we recommend going early to get a spot.
There are restaurants within a 5-minute walk. We do not recommend leaving the dinghy on the beach overnight, better to go to the restaurants during the day.
The cove is sheltered from wind and waves coming from W, NW, N, NE and E.
Cabrera National Park
One of our favorite places and one that we totally recommend for being a quiet, very safe place with a wonderful landscape.
Cabrera has a very sheltered anchorage except for winds from the N and NW.
It has some trails to get to know the island and a castle on top of a rock that can be visited throughout the day. There is also a small canteen for snacks and drinks.
Anchoring is comfortable, due to buoys that must be reserved at least 20 days in advance due to their high demand. Snorkeling is wonderful because the island, being protected, is a constant breeding ground for fish of all colors.
