Coves, BBQ, and a catamaran day. From Port d’Alcúdia, this 5-hour ride on the Anacaona turns Mallorca sunshine into easy swim stops with snorkels and water toys and an onboard BBQ lunch with sangria. The main thing to keep in mind is that the route can shift with wind or safety, so don’t count on every photo promise becoming a guaranteed on-shore stop.

I love the pacing here: short, clear anchor stops where you can actually get in the water, followed by time to relax on deck. The itinerary is built for real coast time—Coll Baix, then a longer BBQ-and-swim stop at the Cala d’Engossalba/Cala Murta area, plus a quick lighthouse moment at Aucanada.

One more detail worth your attention: you’ll enjoy views of Formentor from the catamaran, but that is not the same thing as a full land visit. If you want quiet, cookie-cutter serenity, expect that boat size and crowd levels can change your vibe on the day.

Key things I’d bank on before you go

• Water time is the point: multiple swim/anchor stops, including a longer break tied to lunch.
• Anacaona is set up for easy in-and-out: reviews note friendly crew help and generally smooth boarding/unloading.
• BBQ lunch is cooked onboard: grilled meats plus pasta salad, bread, fruit, and included drinks during the meal.
• Snorkel gear and water toys are part of the deal: kayaks and paddle boards are available without extra charge during the cruise.
• Crowds can affect the experience: the company lists a max of 110, but some days can feel packed depending on departure load.
• Formentor is a viewpoint, not a land tour: you get coast views while sailing past.

Port d’Alcúdia catamaran cruising: why this one is worth your money

At about $86.51 per person for roughly five hours, you’re paying for three things at once: transport by boat, structured swim breaks, and a meal. That combo is where the value shows, especially if you don’t want to rent a car or spend your day plotting parking spots and rocky paths.

This cruise sails from Port d’Alcúdia aboard the Anacaona catamaran, with a day built around stopping in coves where swimming is practical. That means fewer long stretches of “watching other people swim” and more actual time in the water—one of the most consistent reasons people call it a highlight.

The onboard feel is usually relaxed rather than party-leaning. Still, your exact vibe depends on how full the boat is and what the music setup is like that day. I’d treat it as a sun-and-sea excursion first, and a sailing moment second.

The route in plain English: five-ish hours, four main moments

You start at Passeig Marítim, 18, 07400 Alcúdia. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point, which matters if you’re juggling dinner plans or trying to catch a bus after.

The day typically breaks down like this:

• A quick check-in and departure phase (the BRISA transport stop)
• Coll Baix cove for a short, secluded swim break
• The big anchor stop (Cala d’Engossalba / Cala Murta area), where lunch is cooked and served
• Aucanada Beach and lighthouse area for a shorter water/camera stop
• Final sailing/return around Port d’Alcúdia, including Formentor coast views from the water

Total time is listed as about 5 hours, and the operator notes the itinerary can change depending on wind, time, and weather/safety.

Stop 1: Transports Maritims BRISA and getting settled quickly

The first listed stop is Transports Maritims BRISA, about 5 minutes. In practice, this is your window to find the correct dock area, get on board, and get your bearings fast—especially important if you’re not staying right next to the port.

A couple of the reviews you’ll see around this trip emphasize that loading and unloading are smooth. That’s a real quality-of-day factor: the faster you get settled, the quicker you’re thinking about swims instead of logistics.

Stop 2: Platja des Coll Baix for that hard-to-reach-cove feeling

Your first proper water break is at Platja des Coll Baix, scheduled for about 20 minutes. The big selling point is that it’s a smaller cove that’s difficult to reach on foot or by car—so by boat, you get that “how do we even get here?” payoff without effort.

What you should expect:

• A short anchor time that’s designed for quick swims and sun time
• Crystal-clear water conditions when the day is calm (good weather matters here)
• A deck-and-nets setup where you can relax right where you’re anchored

Possible drawback: with only 20 minutes, this is not the stop for long, slow plans. If your style is “I swim for 40 minutes and then I change my mind,” you’ll want to use the onboard time at the next stop for the longer session.

Stop 3: Cala d’Engossalba / Cala Murta is where the day becomes a BBQ day

This is the main event. After Coll Baix, the catamaran anchors at Cala d’Engossalba, and the itinerary also labels the stop as Cala Murta. Total time here is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and it’s when the crew prepares the BBQ and you get the most flexibility for water activities.

This is the stop where you’ll likely spend your best sea time for the day:

• Snorkel equipment is carried onboard
• Kayaks and paddle boards are available with no extra charge
• You can swim near the catamaran or chill on the nets and benches onboard
• Lunch is prepared and then served while you’re in relax/swim mode

The onboard BBQ menu (and what’s actually included)

Lunch/dinner on board includes:

• A selection of grilled meats (chicken, pork, sausages)
• Fresh pasta salad made with Mallorcan tomatoes and vegetables
• Bread
• Seasonal fruit for dessert

Drinks during the meal are included too: orange, water, and sangria (listed as 2 drinks during lunch time). After that, the bar is available for extra drinks all day.

If you’re vegetarian: plan for limits

This is the one caution I’d take seriously. One vegetarian report said the options felt limited to bread and some pasta, and the drinks were basic. Another comment praises the crew for taking vegetarian needs into account. So here’s the practical take: the BBQ is meat-forward, and vegetarian food may be simpler than the full menu. If you follow a strict diet, eat early expectations accordingly and be ready to make do with what’s available onboard that day.

Stop 4: Aucanada Beach and the lighthouse-photo cooldown

After eating, you get a shorter stop near Aucanada Beach, about 20 minutes, including time beside the lighthouse. This is a perfect “reset” moment: you’re done with the heavy swim and lunch rhythm, and now it’s mostly cooling off, taking photos, and enjoying the coastal view.

This stop is also helpful if your skin got sunburned during the earlier cove time. The water here gives you an easy second chance to cool down without needing a full swim session.

Formentor views from the water: what you should and shouldn’t expect

The itinerary includes views of Formentor from the catamaran. That’s the key wording: you get the look from the sea, not a guaranteed land stop.

Why this matters: Formentor is a place with strong expectations—people often plan a whole day around seeing it. If your priority is a Formentor land photo or walking time, plan around the fact that your experience here is more about cruising past and taking pictures from the deck.

Stop 5 and the return to Port d’Alcúdia: the slow end of the party

Your final phase is listed as Port d’Alcúdia, about 2 hours 45 minutes (with the tour ending back at the meeting point). That length can feel like “wait time” if you’re expecting nonstop swimming, but it usually works as the calmer sailing and returning stretch.

You’ll get:

• More time for scenic viewing
• Time to relax on board after your last swim/photo moments
• A smoother landing back in Alcúdia instead of rushing straight from the last cove

If you like structure, this ending part is actually useful. It helps you transition from saltwater to real-life dinner plans without feeling like you just sprinted off a boat.

Food and drinks: BBQ lunch value and what to do about the bar

Let’s talk money and taste, since that’s where people feel either happy or annoyed.

Included during lunch

You get a proper hot meal with a real mix of items:

• grilled meats
• pasta salad (with tomatoes and vegetables)
• bread
• fruit dessert

And the drinks included with the meal are listed clearly: orange, water, and sangria, with 2 drinks per person during lunch time.

Extra drinks: yes, there’s a bar

The bar stays available for additional drinks, and reviews suggest prices are not outrageous, but they’re not free either. One review remembered beer around €5 for about 400 ml. I’d bring a small amount of cash or have your payment method ready for drinks you want beyond the included 2.

Can you bring your own?

Yes. The tour notes you can bring your own food and drinks if you want, but it also says the catamaran has a bar service with inexpensive prices. If you’re picky, bringing a snack can keep you comfortable during the sail in-between stops.

Crowds, comfort, and the reality of catamaran days

This cruise is sized for a day trip, not a private charter. The operator lists a maximum of 110 travelers, and that’s a decent ceiling for a catamaran.

Still, some reviews describe days that felt much more crowded—one mentioned around 179 people on a departure. That’s not something you can predict from booking alone, so it helps to arrive with flexible expectations:

• find your favorite deck spot early
• keep your swim plan practical (quick gear-on, gear-off)
• don’t expect quiet solitude on the hottest deck areas

Toilets and onboard basics

One review calls the toilets basic but clean. That’s a fair description for a boat. You’ll want to treat this as a utility, not a spa.

Music and sailing expectations

Most people describe the day as calm and relaxing. But there are also mixed notes about music volume and whether sailing was under sail versus motor-driven. So if your dream is a quiet, romantic sail moment, keep expectations grounded. This trip is mainly about swimming stops plus onboard BBQ.

Practical tips to make your day smoother

Here are the small choices that add up on a catamaran cruise:

• Bring sunscreen and a photo camera. The deck sun can be intense, and you’ll want to capture the coves and coastline.
• Pack for quick changes. Even with short stops, you’ll want to move fast between swimming and drying off.
• Use the long BBQ stop to plan your biggest swim. Coll Baix is short. The lunch anchor stop is where you get the longer water window and the best chance to use the water toys.
• Bring a payment method for extras. Included drinks end after lunch time, and the bar is open for more.
• If you’re traveling from a cruise ship, give yourself extra buffer. There are reports of timing problems when people couldn’t get to the meeting point fast enough. Port logistics can be unpredictable.

Who this catamaran cruise is best for

This is a strong pick if you want:

• a low-effort way to see multiple coves along Mallorca’s north coast
• real swimming time with built-in anchor stops
• an easy meal without hunting for restaurants mid-day
• included water toys like kayaks and paddle boards

It’s also good for groups celebrating something, because the atmosphere is social but not automatically chaotic.

I’d think twice if:

• you need a guaranteed Formentor land stop (the plan is views from the catamaran)
• you strongly dislike crowds and want near-private space
• you’re expecting a quiet sailing-only experience with lots of time under sail
• you’re vegetarian or have strict dietary needs and can’t handle simpler onboard options

Should you book this Mallorca catamaran with BBQ lunch?

If you want a classic Mallorca sea day—swimming coves, a cooked BBQ meal, and time to relax on deck—this cruise is a practical value. The included BBQ lunch plus sangria and the included water toys make it feel like more than just transport.

Book it with realistic expectations:

• Formentor is a view from the boat, not a land outing.
• The day can be calm or lively depending on weather and boat crowd levels.
• Expect onboard convenience more than luxury.

If your ideal day is sun, sea, and simple fun without a car, this is one of the easiest ways to make it happen from Alcúdia.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The tour is listed as approximately 5 hours.

Where does the tour start and where do you end?

It starts at Passeig Marítim, 18, 07400 Alcúdia, Illes Balears, Spain, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the lunch or dinner included?

Yes. Lunch or dinner is included and includes BBQ (meat selection), pasta salad, bread, and fresh fruit.

What drinks are included?

During the meal you get 2 included drinks per person, listed as orange, water, and sangria. Extra drinks can be purchased at the bar.

Do you get snorkeling equipment, kayaks, or paddle boards?

Snorkel equipment is available, and the catamaran also carries kayaks and paddle boards. The itinerary states these can be used without extra charge.

Do you stop at Formentor beach?

The itinerary notes views of Formentor beach from the catamaran. No specific land stop at Formentor is listed.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The operator notes the itinerary may change depending on wind, time, or weather and for safety reasons.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and a photo camera. You can also bring your own food and drinks if you wish, though there is a bar onboard.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Dubai Yacht Sea escape Cruise, Swim, Tan & Sightsee!Private Yacht Charter ChicaFUN 3 Waterslides All InclusivePrivate Yacht Cruise to Dolphin House with Lunch : HurghadaFuerteventura: Small-Group Magic Deluxe Catamaran Cruise