Sailing Mallorca Itinerary 1-week: Palma, Portocolom, Cabrera Loop

Mallorca Sailing Itinerary Details: August 2024 – one week sailing itinerary – 120 nm – approximately 4 hours of sailing per day

Notes

Weather Considerations:

• June: variable, mild to moderate winds, most of days Embat.
• July – August: Thermal sea breezes. mid-August possibility of storms from North or Northeast
• September: End of thermals, calms, and a rare Northeast storm.

In August, the prevailing winds are typically from the eastern quarter, E-SE, mainly affected by a sea breeze that blows strongest in the afternoon and generally dies down around 8 pm when the land cools. (See screenshot below). There are also chances of stronger blows from the N-NE, known as the “Tramuntana” wind, which can become quite strong and gusty, particularly in the northern parts of the island. – But you will have protected anchorages in case that happens.

*The west coast has limited anchorages, and although the east coast is exposed to the predominent wind, it has more options for anchoring.

Crowds and Anchoring / Mooring Space in the Calas

August is high season, and it will be hard to escape the crowds. This will be especially problematic in the beautiful Calas (coves) where anchoring space is limited. However, many of the boats are day tourist boats and will leave in the afternoon, when it might be much easier to get a spot. (Or in the early morning before the day tourists get there).

BEWARE: Do not anchor on the protected Posidonia seagrass anywhere in Mallorca; you risk a big fine.

Cabrera National Park Pass:

For the Cabrera National Park, you will need 3 different permits, all booked through the same site: https://intranet.caib.es/rescabfront/?lang=es  – Book in good time!! (see more details in the anchorages below).

• Cabrera Sailing Permit (valid for 1 year – free)
• Mooring Buoy
• Cabrera Diving Permit

Sources

• https://www.navily.com/carte (Chart of Anchorages with cruisers comments)
• https://www.noonsite.com/place/spain/balearics/cabrera (Cruisers comments)
• https://reservas.portsib.es/reservas/en/accounts/login/?next=/reservas/en/reserve/mooring/%3Fisland%3D1 (Mallorca Dock Booking)
• https://intranet.caib.es/rescabfront/?lang=es (Cabrera Booking)
• https://www.windy.com/ (Weather forecast)

Best Dive Sites

• El Toro – Near Camp de Mar
• Isla del Sec (2 shipwrecks) – Palma
• Sa Madona Cave – Near Port Andratx
• Cabrera National Park (need a permit)

Best Places to Eat

• Cala Figuera Fishing Village for the fresh catch.
• Portocolom with many options!
• Camp de Mar has the famous and STUNNING restaurant Illeta located on a rock in the sea – You HAVE TO BOOK early!! (A colleague of mine who lives in Mallorca highly recommends to do this) – see the picture in the anchorage below.
• Port Andrax again has many options and claimed to be ‘the best Paella in Mallorca’ at Restaurant Club de Vela by the water

Route: Palma – Cala Pi – Cala Figuera – Portocolom – Cabrera – Camp de Mar – Palma

1. Cala Pi

Notes on Anchorage

• Not protected from any southerly winds
• Grab a mooring and use a stern anchor or tie to the shore
• A swell enters when windy, but unless you have strong southerlies you should be fine!

Things to Do at Cala Pi

• Snorkeling and Diving: The clear waters and rocky cliffs provide excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities.

• Hiking to Cala Beltran: A short hike from Cala Pi leads to Cala Beltran, a more secluded and untouched cove.

• Historical Sites: Visit the 16th-century defense tower, Torre de Cala Pi, located near the beach. (This tower was part of a network designed to protect against pirate attacks and offers fantastic views of the coastline.)

• Local Cuisine: If you want to eat out on your first evening, there is a restaurant with good reviews on the headland here called Taverna La Paleta, which serves Mediterranean food. Just take your dinghy to the beach and walk up to the east.

2. Cala Figuera

You have two options here: you can try to book a spot on the dock at the end of the bay, or you can anchor at the entrance in the channel. I think anchoring is your best option, as the dock is very small.

Notes on Anchorage

https://www.navily.com/mouillage/entrance-cala-figuera/42229

• Be aware of strong southerlies when this is too exposed – if that is the case, continue north to Calo de Llamp or Portocolom (see below)
• A sailor on Navily mentions to use the black anchor ball up when anchored in the channel (if you have it)

What to do at Cala Figuera

Seafood Restaurants: Being a fishing village, Cala Figuera has several excellent seafood restaurants where you can enjoy fresh catches of the day.

3. Porto Colom

Notes on Anchorage

https://www.navily.com/mouillage/portocolom/19050

• Porto Colom is an all-weather anchorage – Go here if the weather gets annoying!
• There is the option to anchor between the mooring field and channel for free or along the eastern side of the bay. Look at the Navily chart
• Moorings = €30-50 per night, depending on boat length and season. Call channel 9 or tel:+34971824658
• Dinghy landing at the marina

Things to Do in Porto Colom

• There are lots of places to eat in Portocolom

• Visit the Torre de Portocolom (watch town): Originally built for defense against pirate attacks.

• Visit the cave – see picture:

4. Cabrera Island

Notes on Anchorage

• Very Protected Bay
• Anchoring is forbidden in the Cabrera National Park
• Book mooring ASAP (+ sailing permit and diving): https://intranet.caib.es/rescabfront/?lang=es  (40 guest buoys)
• tel:+34971177641 or call on channel 9 on arrival

Things to Do in Cabrera National Park

• Diving and Snorkeling!!

• Historical Sites: The main island hosts a historical fort, Castell de Cabrera, originally built in the 14th century to protect against pirates and later used as a prison for French soldiers during the Napoleonic wars. Nearby, you can also explore the old lighthouse at Punta de Anciola, which offers stunning views of the surrounding sea.

• Botanical Garden and Ethnographic Museum: These spots are must-visits for those interested in the local vegetation and the cultural history of Cabrera. The museum displays artifacts and information about the island’s past and its ecological significance.

• And keep your eye out for the Osprey!!

5. Camp de Mar

Notes on Anchorage

For your last day, you could either go to Camp de Mar (the more nature/beach option) or to Port Andrax for the city experience. (see anchorage below).

• Not protected in w-s
• Anchor

Things to Do in Camp de Mar

• Restaurant Illeta located on a rock in the sea – You HAVE TO BOOK early!! (A colleague of mine who lives in Mallorca highly recommends to do this) – see the picture in the anchorage below.

6. Back to Palma de Mallorca