REVIEW · MALLORCA
From Palma: Luxury Catamaran Group Tour with Tapas & Drinks
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Sailpalma.com · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Sailing away from Palma’s streets on a luxury catamaran is a fast route to relax. You’ll leave from La Lonja Marina Charter, cruise along Mallorca’s coastline, then anchor in a quiet bay with that clear, turquoise water you came for.
What I like most is the relaxed small-group setup (max 10–12), which means real space to lie down, sit on deck, and actually use the water gear. I also love that the crew keeps things friendly and efficient—plus you get freshly made homemade tapas served onboard with a welcome drink.
The main thing to plan for is comfort: the boat can get windy and chilly, so bring a jacket or hoody even if Palma looks hot.
In This Review
- Key highlights I think you should know
- Where you meet and how to get settled at La Lonja
- 4-hour daytime plan: sail out, anchor in a bay, then live in the water
- The swimming setup: snorkeling gear, SUP boards, floats, and real ease
- Tapas, welcome drinks, and what you might want to order extra
- Seats, shade, photos, and why the boat itself matters
- Why the itinerary works (and what you should watch for)
- Who this catamaran experience suits best
- Should you book the Palma luxury catamaran with tapas?
- FAQ
- How long is the catamaran tour from Palma?
- Where do I meet the crew?
- What’s included in the price?
- Can I buy extra drinks during the tour?
- Is snorkeling and SUP included?
- What should I bring to be comfortable on board?
Key highlights I think you should know
- Tiny group, calm vibe: up to 10–12 people, so it feels more like a private outing than a cattle-call cruise
- Water time is the point: you’ll anchor in a bay and get time for swimming and snorkeling (not just a quick dip)
- Gear is included: snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and floats are provided during the standard 4-hour option
- Tapas onboard: welcome drink plus freshly made tapas served on the boat while you’re settled in the bay
- Crew-led experience: skipper and host/ess are on board, with a music system and plenty of photo moments
- Optional evening slot is shorter: there’s a 7:00 PM option, but water-gear rules change at sunset
Where you meet and how to get settled at La Lonja
The whole experience starts at La Lonja Marina Charter. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early and meet the skipper and host/hostess at the marina gate. That buffer matters because you’ll want time for the quick welcome, any safety briefing, and getting your stuff organized before you sail out.
If you’re driving, there are two nearby parking options you can use as targets: Parc de la Mar (Av. de Gabriel Roca) or Parking Antonio Maura (Avinguda d’Antoni Maura). Both are close enough that you won’t feel like you’ve walked an extra city tour before you even step onboard.
On language, you’ll be in good shape: the crew runs in English and Spanish. And because the tour includes a captain onboard plus a host/ess, you’re not stuck guessing what’s happening next—people actually explain it and keep it moving.
What to bring is simple and practical. Wear swimwear under your clothes, pack a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Also bring a jacket or hoody: even in warm weather, wind off the water can make you feel colder than you expect.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Mallorca
4-hour daytime plan: sail out, anchor in a bay, then live in the water
This is built for a half-day sweet spot: 4 hours daytime. You start with sailing time, then the real payoff comes when you’re anchored and can take your time. Think of it as: cruise for the views, then slow down for the water.
After leaving the marina, you’ll head along Mallorca’s coast and see the island from a different angle than you get on land. Then you’ll reach the Bay of Palma area, where the schedule shifts into play mode: swimming, snorkeling, using the SUP boards, and relaxing onboard under the sun sails (with semi-shade when you need it). While you’re parked in that bay, you’ll also have your tapases moment—freshly made tapas served onboard so you don’t have to leave the boat for food.
A small detail that matters: in this format, the schedule is designed around being stopped in the bay for enjoyment, not constant motion. So if you’re the type who hates rushing, this works.
If you choose the 7:00 PM evening option, it’s only 2 hours, and the vibe is shorter and more about sail-and-sunset relaxing than long gear time. There’s also a clear limitation stated for sunset: no SUP, floats, snorkels, or paddle boarding at sunset. So if you’re coming specifically for the water toys, go for the daytime slot.
The swimming setup: snorkeling gear, SUP boards, floats, and real ease
This trip is one of those rare catamaran tours where the water gear isn’t an afterthought. You’ll have snorkeling equipment, plus SUP boards and floats provided. That means you can choose your level: float and chill, snorkel for a closer look, or stand up and test your balance.
What I’d treat as your strategy: pick one “main” activity and one “backup.” If you want confidence, start with swimming or floating first, then snorkel once you’re warmed up. If you’re feeling brave, try the SUP after you’ve had a drink of water and sunscreen is on. The bay time gives you enough flexibility to adjust based on how calm the water is that day.
Also, there’s on-board music, and you can see why that matters once you’re anchored. When the boat is rocking gently, music plus shade plus a cold drink turns the whole stop into a mini beach day without the sand.
Safety isn’t just a formality here. The tour includes a captain and host onboard, and there are clear safety expectations when you arrive and get oriented. One review even notes the crew handled seasickness support well. That tells me you’re not going to be left alone if someone feels off—just tell the staff early and they can respond.
Tapas, welcome drinks, and what you might want to order extra
Let’s talk food, because on a boat, food quality can make or break the mood. You get a welcome drink plus freshly made tapas served onboard, along with water. Reviews consistently describe the tapas as flavorful and worth the effort, and many call it a highlight.
Still, here’s the practical truth: tapas is not the same thing as a full lunch. At least one comment mentions it can feel more like light snacks than a big meal. If you’re hungry-hungry (or you’re out all day and want a proper finish), you may want to plan on buying extra drinks to keep the vibe going rather than expecting tapas to replace a full plate of food.
On drinks, you can purchase alcohol and mixed drinks at extra cost. Options listed include wine, soft drinks, cocktails, long drinks, cava, and champagne. That’s great if you want to steer your own preferences.
One note worth taking seriously: an included drink may come in sparkling form, and not everyone loves that. If that’s you, be ready to order something different after the welcome.
Seats, shade, photos, and why the boat itself matters
This is a “luxury” catamaran style outing, and you feel it in the layout. You’ll have comfortable seating areas around the boat, plus space to relax on deck and under the sun sails. With a maximum of 10–12 people, you’re not constantly stepping around strangers, and that changes the mood fast.
A lot of the reviews focus on how much room there was for everyone—front deck, back deck, and top space all felt usable. That’s a big deal because on many boat tours, the “luxury” part is just marketing. Here, the group size seems to match the boat’s actual comfort.
You’ll also get photography opportunities built into the experience: coastal viewpoints during sailing, then clear-water moments when you’re anchored. And because the catamaran is sailing, you’ll often see the coast lines in motion instead of staring at one fixed view.
There’s also a small “wow” factor when the crew opens up sails on the way back, which some reviews call out. It’s not essential, but it’s the kind of detail that makes a half-day feel like a proper outing.
A few more Mallorca tours and experiences worth a look
Why the itinerary works (and what you should watch for)
This tour has a simple logic: sail for scenery, anchor for fun. That’s it. The benefit for you is less waiting around and more time doing the things you actually want—swimming, snorkeling, and SUP during the daytime option.
The tradeoff is equally simple: because the tour is only 4 hours, you’re not going to get a long, multi-stop island cruise. If you want a full-day sampling of lots of beaches and coves, you may feel the time is short. One comment also suggests improving the timing by serving food later while sailing rather than during the swimming stop, which hints that the schedule is tight around the “get in the water” block.
Weather matters too. Mallorca’s coast can be generous, but conditions can change quickly. One review notes the crew adjusted to bad weather and still made the trip enjoyable. So the right mindset is: go with the plan, but trust the crew to adapt.
Finally, don’t ignore the “windy and chilly” note. Even on sunny days, you can go from comfortable to cold fast while you’re moving between stops. Bring the layer and you’ll enjoy the whole ride without that end-of-boat regret.
Who this catamaran experience suits best
If you want a calm, friendly day on the water with time to swim and snorkel, this fits nicely. It’s a strong match for:
- Couples and friends who want a relaxed break from Palma’s streets
- People who care about small-group comfort and avoiding a party-boat feel
- Swimmers and SUP fans who want gear included and time to use it
- Groups celebrating something (some reviews mention bachelorette parties and friend get-togethers)
It might not be the best fit if you’re after:
- A long, multi-hour snorkeling itinerary with lots of sites
- A full meal experience (tapas is tapas—good, but snack-sized for some appetites)
- A sunset “gear” day, since SUP/floats/snorkels aren’t available at sunset
Should you book the Palma luxury catamaran with tapas?
You should book it if your perfect Mallorca day looks like this: easy meeting at La Lonja, a short sail for views, then settling into a bay where you swim, snorkel, and play with included gear. At $117 per person for 4 hours, the value comes from the combo: luxury catamaran comfort, small group size, onboard tapas, and actual water time.
I’d say you should reconsider if you only want long excursions or a full lunch-and-beach routine. In that case, you may want a different format with more hours or more food-focused stops.
If you do book, do three things: bring a towel and jacket/hoodie, arrive 15 minutes early at the gate, and choose the daytime option if snorkeling and SUP are the main reason you’re coming.
FAQ
How long is the catamaran tour from Palma?
The daytime option is 4 hours. There’s also a 2-hour evening option starting at 7:00 PM.
Where do I meet the crew?
Meet at La Lonja Marina Charter, at the marina gate 15 minutes before your tour.
What’s included in the price?
The tour includes the sailing trip, welcome drink, freshly made tapas, water, music system, skipper/host/ess onboard, and snorkeling/SUP/floats equipment for the standard option. It also includes fees and fuel surcharge.
Can I buy extra drinks during the tour?
Yes. You can purchase additional drinks such as wine, soft drinks, cocktails, long drinks, cava, and champagne for an extra cost.
Is snorkeling and SUP included?
Yes for the standard daytime experience: snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and floats are provided. At sunset (the evening option), these water-gear activities are not included.
What should I bring to be comfortable on board?
Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen. It can be windy and chilly on the boat, so pack a jacket or hoody as well.
