Your Complete Guide to Yacht Charter in Port de Pollença, Mallorca

The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range protects the bay of Pollença from cold winds. Two capes at either end of the bay break the waves even in stormy weather. It's this natural setup that's made northeast Mallorca a standout sailing destination in the Balearic Islands. When you charter a yacht in Port de Pollença, you can reach secluded bays with turquoise waters in just a few hours - places that tour boats and buses simply can't access.

The Real Club Náutico Port de Pollença marina stays open year-round. Here you can find everything from a compact boat for half a day to a three-cabin sailboat for a week-long cruise. Going with a skippered charter takes all the navigation stress off your plate - your captain handles the route, mooring, and all communication with port officials. Within just ten nautical miles of the marina, you've got Cape Formentor, Alcudia Bay and dozens of tucked-away coves waiting to be explored.

Skippered or Bareboat: Which Works for You?

An experienced captain knows the local currents and wind corridors. They'll take you to bays you won't find in any guidebook and steer the boat safely in bad weather. If you're traveling with kids or your crew doesn't have much sailing experience, this is definitely the way to go.

Want to sail solo? You'll need an international license - IYT Bareboat Skipper, RYA Day Skipper or ICC. Charter companies check documents and often ask to see your logbook.

Here's what you'll need for bareboat charter:

• proof of qualification (licence, logbook);

• VHF certificate for radio communication;

• a deposit of €1,500 to €5,000;

• insurance and excess details.

Many charters offer a compromise: a captain on board for the first day or two. They'll walk you through the yacht's quirks and show you around the local waters. After that, you're on your own.

Picking Your Vessel and Timing Your Trip

In Port de Polensa, you can rent a motorboat, sailing yacht or catamaran. Motorboats zip between bays quickly - perfect for day trips involving swimming and snorkeling. Sailboats give you something different: that peaceful glide with the wind, total quiet without engine noise, and the genuine feel of being at sea. Motor boats consume more fuel, but allow you to visit half a dozen bays in a day.

For groups of four to six, a 10-12 meter yacht with two cabins does the trick. It's roomy enough for a comfortable weekend, anchoring overnight in one of the bays on the north coast. Planning a week-long coastal cruise with stops at Menorca or the Cabrera archipelago? You'll want a larger vessel with three or four cabins and a good supply of water. Catamarans are stable in waves and offer more deck space, which is why families with young kids love them. Wide cockpits allow you to dine al fresco even in light seas.

The sailing season runs May through October. Early summer brings air temps of 22-28°C and water around 20-23°C. Tourist crowds are still light, and the breeze builds to a perfect 10-15 knots by midday - pretty much ideal sailing weather. July and August? That's peak season madness: marinas packed to the gills, popular bays overflowing, and charter prices hitting their high point. September strikes a nice balance: warm water, fewer people, and occasional short rains. October is still suitable for sailing, although the evenings are getting cooler.

Polensa Bay is protected from north-westerly winds by the Tramuntana mountains. South-easterly winds can cause waves, so it is worth checking the forecast on Windfinder or Windy before setting sail. Local sailors swear by early morning departures when the sea's calmer, then heading back as evening approaches.

Routes and Hidden Gems Along the Coast

Northeast Mallorca works for any timeframe, from a few hours to a full week. Chartering a yacht here opens up places you'd struggle or flat-out can't reach by land. Most of the good spots sit within a 15-nautical-mile radius of the marina.

Cape Formentor is seven nautical miles from the port. From the water, you'll see dramatic pine-covered cliffs and the lighthouse at a height of 200 metres. The land route? A narrow, winding road with parking nightmares during peak season. From your yacht, you get those same incredible views minus the crowds and traffic jams. Stop at Cala Formentor along the way - white sand, easy water entry, and a depth of about five metres a hundred metres from the shore. The anchor holds nicely in that sandy bottom, though you'll want to find different shelter if the south wind picks up.

On the other side of the port lies Alcudia Bay with its long beaches and the Albufera Natural Park. The crossing takes about two hours by motorboat. On the way back, you can stop at one of the small bays on the eastern coast of the peninsula.

The real beauty of having a yacht? You can reach bays with zero roads or parking lots. There are several dozen of them around Port de Pollença. Here are the standouts:

• Cala Boquer. A pebbly cove tucked behind the Cavall-Bernat massif. Waves barely touch this place. The clear water and rocky bottom attract snorkelling enthusiasts.

• Cala Morta. Small pebbles, turquoise water, and a complete lack of infrastructure. You're getting here by boat or hiking a mountain trail - that's it.

• Cala Figuera. A narrow bay between the rocks, similar to a fjord. Divers come here for the underwater caves.

• Cala San Vicens. Four bays nearby: Cala Barques, Cala Clara, Cala Molins and Cala Carbo. Those coastal cliffs hit different when you're viewing them from the water.

Be careful dropping anchor in the smaller bays: the depths change sharply, and there are rocks on the bottom. Posidonia seaweed is protected by law - fines are imposed for damaging the beds.

Documents and What You'll Actually Pay

International charters need passports and the details of all crew members. The charter company sorts out your crew list, insurance, and sailing permit. EU citizens can use their internal passport. Get visa questions handled ahead of time - Spain is part of the Schengen area.

Check-in eats up an hour or two. You and a company rep walk through the hull, deck, and cabins together, noting every scratch, ding, and chip in a report. Miss something during this check? It might come out of your deposit when you return. Then there is a briefing on the on-board systems: navigation, desalinator, generator, galley. A separate item is the location of the safety equipment. Finally, you get your document packet: a ship's ticket, insurance policy, emergency contacts and a map with recommended moorings.

High season rates for a 12-14 meter sailing yacht run €3,000 to €6,000 per week. That spread depends on how old the boat is, what equipment it's packing, and the charter company's reputation. In May or September, the same vessels cost 30-40% less. Added to the base price are a deposit (€1,500–5,000), fuel (€150–400 per week), mooring in marinas (€30-100 per night), captain's services if required (€150–250 per day plus meals) and final cleaning. Popular yachts book up four to six months out, so don't wait.

Living Aboard and Staying Safe

Space on a yacht is limited. Ditch the hard suitcases - soft bags squeeze into lockers without scratching up the cabin finish. For comfortable Mediterranean sailing, pack:

• Light cotton or linen clothing for daytime wear.

• A windbreaker for the evening - the temperature feels lower on the water.

• Shoes with white non-slip soles - dark rubber marks the deck.

• Sunglasses with a strap and high SPF sunscreen.

• A hat or cap - the sun is stronger on the water than on shore.

Grab your groceries the day before at Port de Pollença supermarkets. There is a refrigerator and stove on board. Plan some meals at shoreside restaurants though - the fresh seafood and local paella are absolutely worth it.

Marine rules aren't just bureaucratic nonsense. Before you cast off, everyone needs to know where life jackets and fire extinguishers are stashed. Run through basic commands before departure - 'hard to starboard,' 'ease the sheet,' 'weigh anchor'. The speed limit in the port area is three knots. Keep at least 50 meters between anchored boats

Longer Voyages

Port de Pollença makes a solid jumping-off point for trips beyond the northern coast. Overnight passages need experience and at least two people who can handle watch duty. Week-long cruises can hit several destinations:

• Menorca - 30 miles east. Takes 5-7 hours under sail. The capital, Mahón, stands on the shore of one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean.

• Cabrera - a national park in the south of Mallorca. Entry requires prior permission, which can be obtained online.

• Dragonera - an uninhabited nature reserve off the west coast. A good place for snorkelling and bird watching.

• Port de Sóller - a picturesque harbour in the north-west. The route there runs along the mountainous coast of Tramuntana.

Unspoilt nature, crystal clear water, no buildings - some of these places genuinely look frozen in time. This is especially true of Cabrera: the islands of the archipelago have hardly changed in the last hundred years.

You're an hour's drive from the marina to Palma airport. You can fly in the morning and be out at sea by lunchtime. A full week lets you cover the entire north coast with a stop in Menorca. Over the weekend, you can explore five or six bays that are otherwise inaccessible. That's what makes Port de Pollença so convenient - full infrastructure right there, wilderness starting just a few miles offshore.