Motorboat rentals in Mallorca

Motorboat rental in Mallorca 

Enjoy the freedom of a motorboat rental in Mallorca and explore the culture and nature of this unique holiday region. The island has four corners. In the north, the island stops at Cape Formentor, in the east at Cape Capdepera, in the south at Cape Salinas and in the east at the Cape of Sant Elm. If you want to explore all these corners with a motorboat, you will travel approximately 150 nautical miles or approximately 317 kilometres in total. Whether it is with an open sports boat or a luxury motor boat, and whether it is a long weekend or a planned week trip, the options are incredibly versatile. Enjoy a motorboat rental in Mallorca and fly with your family or friends over crystal clear waters.

What price is my motorboat hire in Mallorca likely to cost?

Renting a motorboat in Mallorca varies greatly depending on a number of factors like how many people, the duration of your stay, the amenities of the boat, and also whereabouts on this idyllic island you want to rent.  Below is a breakdown of roughly how much you can expect to pay, depending on where in Mallorca you want to go:

If you’re heading to Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital, you can expect to pay around $242 for half a day, $395 for a day charter and $1218 for a week during high season and around $183 for half a day, $268 for a day charter and $792 for a week in low season.

Renting a motorboat in Pollensa costs from $486 per half day, $608 per day and $4258 per week in high season and from $364 per half day, $425 per day and $2374 per week in low season.

Prices at Can Picafort start at $256 for a half day, $378 for a full day and $2644 for a week during high season and $219 for a half day or day charter and $1535 for a week during low season.

If you want to go to Santa Ponsa or Port Adriano, you can expect to pay from $169 per half day, $242 per day and $1697 per week in high season, or from $157 per half day, $169 per day and $1185 per week in low season.

Motorboat rentals in Sa Rapita cost around $335 per half day, $670 per day and $2345 per week all year round and in Cala Ratjada, hire costs about $487 per day and $3411 for a week.

If you’re heading to Port Cristo, Cala d’Or, or Portocolom, you can expect to pay about $256 for a half day, $347 for a day and $1827 for a week in high season, while low season prices usually drop to around $244 for a half day, $365 for a day and $1705 for a week.

In Alcudia, high season prices start at $486 per half day, $608 per day and $4258 per week, while low season prices drop to around $364 per half day, $425 per day and $2374 per week.

At Port de Soller, the prices are a little steeper, starting at $2912 per half day, $5159 per day and $36114 per week in high season, and dropping slightly to $2027 per half day, $2948 per day and $20636 per week in low season.

Are bareboat rentals in Mallorca possible?

Yes!  It is possible to rent a boat both with and without a skipper in Mallorca.  A boating licence is only necessary in Mallorca for certain vessels which fulfill specific requirements.  You should look these requirements up to ensure you aren’t breaking any laws.

If you want a relaxing holiday where you’re guided to all the best sailing spots by someone with experience, you should rent a motorboat with a skipper.  If, however, you want the freedom to explore the coast of Mallorca as you wish and you possess any necessary licenses, you should rent a motorboat without a skipper.

What are the weather and sailing conditions like in Mallorca?

The temperature in Mallorca is mild year round, boasting almost perfect weather for the majority of the year which is rarely too hot.  The winter months from December to February can get a little colder, with minimum average temperatures that can dip below 10°C (50°F) and the water temperature during these months ranges from 12-18°C (53.6-64.4°F).  For the rest of the year, the water temperature heats up, reaching a maximum average temperature of 27°C (80.6°F) from July to September.  It is generally agreed though that the sailing conditions are perfect all year round.

The predominant winds in Mallorca are the Northern winds and the average wind speed can range from 5-15 knots (5.8-17.3 mph) throughout the summer which is perfect for sailing.  There are also a number of bays dotted along the coast of the island, which are perfect places to drop your anchor for the night.  It should be noted, that Mallorca is typically more exposed to Tramontana, a northwesterly wind that experienced sailors love but can take those who are less experienced by surprise.

The waves during the summer months are generally non-existent and when they do appear, they aren’t big enough to cause problems.  Even in winter, when the waves can be bigger, they rarely reach 5 metres (16.4 ft) tall.  Tidal ranges generally don’t exceed 1 metre (3.3 ft).

When is the best time for your motorboat charter in Mallorca?

The best time to hire a motorboat in Mallorca depends on the type of holiday you want.  Generally, though, it is agreed that April, May, the beginning of June, September and October are the best months to sail as during these months, you can enjoy the fantastic weather, while avoiding the worst of the crowds.  It’s also not quite as hot during these months which is great for those who aren’t used to the heat, as well as having slightly lower prices and better deals on boats.  Although it hardly rains in the months of June, July and August, the temperature can rise to as high as 32 ºC (89.6ºF), which can lead to high humidity.

Where are the best ports and sailing areas to visit during your motorboat rental in Mallorca

Mallorca has a total of 46 harbours where you can drop your anchor and many little bays that are perfect to explore.  A few of note are listed below:

• On the East Coast - Cala d’Or, Portocolom, and Cala Figuera

This area on the east coast of Mallorca is great for relaxed sailing trips, with sparkling water that’s perfect for taking a refreshing dip.  Many of the bays are only reachable by sea, which means that many of the beaches you can enjoy here are mostly unspoilt by development.  From this area, you can also see the mountains of Serra Levant which reach up to 500 metres (1640 ft).

• Cabrera

Cabrera was actually a military area until 1968 but is now uninhabited and, as a result of the biological diversity of the flora and fauna, has been declared a natural reserve.  In an attempt to preserve the natural beauty of the area, only 50 boats are permitted to sail there at any one time, meaning that you have to apply for a special licence to sail here.  You also aren’t allowed to anchor here - if you want to rest for a bit, you can moor at one of the buoys - and if you want to dive, you will also need a special licence.  If you do manage to acquire all the correct licences, you should also make sure you visit the Old Castell, as well as the museum of the island.

• Bahia de Palma - Puerto de Palma and Can Pastilla

Puerto de Palma is the biggest harbour on the island but as such, it can be very busy, which means it may be better to head over to Can Pastilla instead.  There is only mooring for 500 boats here but you will also get a stunning view of the beach and the Tramuntana mountains.

• Port d’Andratx

This port is located on the southwest coast of the island and, like Can Pastilla, has space to moor up to 500 boats.  If you want a quick break from sailing, you can take a quick hiking trip in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, the perfect place for intrepid explorers to test out their climbing abilities.  The steadily blowing winds make this area great for sailing and the breathtaking views are enough to make your trip truly memorable.  If you’re lucky, you may even stumble across a celebrity, as the Port d’Andratx is the port of choice for many famous people.

• Port de Soller

This is one of the only decent moorings on the west coast of Mallorca and is not just fantastic for sailing.  There are also many shopping possibilities around the port where you can buy souvenirs for your friends and family, as well as restaurants where you can eat if you get hungry.  Inexperienced sailors should beware of the Mistral and Tramontana winds however which can get quite strong at certain times of the year.

• Port de Pollensa and Alcudia

These are both located on the north coast of Mallorca and the Port de Pollensa is actually one of the biggest ports on the island.  The turquoise waters are crystal clear and perfect for swimming, while the long beaches covered in white sand are the ideal place for working on your tan.  If you fancy doing something a little more active, you can go hiking in the Tramuntana mountains.  Sailors should beware though, as there are occasionally strong downbursts and swells that happen so suddenly they can take inexperienced sailors by surprise.

• Cala Ratjada

This is actually an important fishing harbour and well worth visiting for anyone interested in fishing.  Located on the northern peak of the island, the coast here is dotted with beautiful watchtowers and lighthouses, and is also a great place to go swimming, with amazing views of the surrounding area.

Other notable ports include:

• Port Adriano
• Puerto Portals
• Club Nàutic Ca'n Picafort
• Porto Cristo
• Marina Bonaire

What to do and see in Mallorca?

Start your motorboat trip in Sant Elm, in the far southwest of Mallorca. For example, your destination could be Port Adriano. Discover beautiful landscapes to fall in love with during your tour: breathtaking bays with turquoise waters. Enjoy this trip and sail your motorboat towards the glowing red evening sky. If you decide to go ashore, you can expect romantic mountain villages, museums in old estates and rustic retreats.

Sant Elm used to be the favourite of pirates and smugglers. Nowadays, the dreamy place is primarily a popular destination for individual tourists, who are looking for a quiet place to relax away from mass tourism. Here on the coast, you can visit small hotels, shops, a diving school and a few restaurants, but above all you can admire nature at its best. The Dragonera Natural Park marks the small resort of Sant Elm, which comes alive especially in the summer. The offshore island of Dragonera for Sant Elm is towering and elongated and resembles a large breakwater and protects anchorages and buoy areas. To visit Sant Elm you can either anchor or pay for a mooring buoy. 

If you sail from Port Adriano to the coast on a rented motorboat, you will reach a very special marina with many shops, bars and restaurants. A marina like this is unique in Mallorca and offers the best nautical infrastructure. Port Adriano really comes alive between spring and fall, because numerous events take place during this period and many visitors come ashore and create a lively, vibrant atmosphere. There you can also admire motor yachts of considerable dimensions or rent a yacht yourself.

In the island’s capital, Palma de Mallorca, you can visit the Palma de Mallorca Cathedral, which is the most visited attraction in the city.  Above the altar in this iconic city, you can see a crown of thorns designed and made by Antoni Gaudi.  Those interested in historic architecture can also visit the Royal Palace of Almudaina.  Although the site dates back to Roman times, the current palace was rebuilt in the 14th century and is used by the Spanish royal family to celebrate functions to this day.  The walls are adorned with original 16th century Flemish tapestries and, even if none of this appeals to you, it is worth visiting this palace just for the amazing views it offers of the bay of Palma.

If you like art, there are a few good options but one which impresses all who visit it is the Joan Miro museum.  Joan Miro was a surrealist artist and in this museum, you can see more than 6000 pieces of his artwork, including unfinished paintings and sculptures.

If you then sail on to Soller, you can see Es Pontas, a 65 ft (19.9 metre) natural rock arch, and you can even try out one of the many hiking trails.  Probably the most famous hiking trail in Soller, and indeed on the whole of Mallorca, is the Dry Stone Route.  This route consists of 90 miles of ancient stepping stones that the locals used to use to cross the mountains before roads were built.  To this day, the route is well maintained and runs all the way from Port d’Andratx to Pollensa.  Although the full trek lasts 8 days, you can cut it short and choose to do just a portion of it.

You can even go island hopping and visit some of the other islands in the surrounding area where there will be even more things for you to see and even more activities for you to do, including a little snorkeling along the way.

How to get to Mallorca

The fastest and easiest way to travel to Mallorca is by plane. Flights to Palma de Mallorca are conveniently offered by many airlines from different locations across Europe and around the world. It is currently possible to fly directly to Mallorca from 26 European countries, including the UK, Finland, Italy, France, and Russia, and even Morocco and Algeria in Africa. Once you have arrived in Palma, you can easily and cheaply take buses to the different towns of the island. Ask us for a transfer from the airport. This is offered by many charter companies at the same time.  Or, if you fancy a slightly more adventurous route to the island, you can take a boat from mainland Spain to Mallorca to extend the amount of time you spend on the water.