Alcúdia and Port de Pollença are the two main harbours for boat trips on Mallorca’s north coast. Trips from them run from two hours to a full day, so a wrong pick wastes time or money.
This article compares them by length, departure point, fare and booking steps, so you can match one to your time and budget.
Run by a local crew from Port d’Alcúdia:
- Sunrise dolphin watching: about 2 hours towards Cap de Formentor, ages 3+.
- Blue Cave boat trip: a turquoise sea cave you can only reach by boat.
- Coll Baix & Alcanada snorkelling trip: wild coves and snorkel stops in clear water.
Which boat trip to choose by budget, time and goal
If you have a full day and want the longest trip on the north coast, choose the Formentor boat trip. It leaves from Alcúdia and lasts 4 hours 30 minutes, so it fills about half a day.
Fares start at €29 per person. If you have only a few hours, skip this trip and pick a shorter one.
Compare the two trips below by length, departure point and fare, and for dolphin sightings, see which months and departure times to pick.
| Criterion | Glass-bottom catamaran | Formentor trip |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| Departure point | Around Alcúdia Bay | Alcúdia |
| Fare from | €19 per person | €29 per person |
Formentor catamaran: the longest north-coast day, with a beach stop
The Formentor catamaran takes 4 hours 30 minutes, the longest trip on the north coast. Its main stop is Formentor Beach, where you can swim, so it suits a full day on the water rather than a short outing.
Choose it if you want a long day with a swim. If you mainly want to see the seabed, take the glass-bottom catamaran instead. On this trip, underwater viewing is only a bonus.
Before you book
- Check the road rule: vehicle access towards the Formentor lighthouse is restricted from 15 May to 18 October, between 10:00 and 22:00.
- Check the marine forecast for the north-west coast, from Dragonera to Formentor, for wind and sea state.
- Budget for drinks and snacks, which you buy at the boat bar.
- Check the inclusions of your chosen trip: the sailing catamaran includes food and drink.
- To compare more options, see Mallorca boat trips and outdoor experiences.
Glass-bottom catamaran: the shortest trip, with a swim stop
The glass-bottom catamaran is the shortest trip from Alcúdia, at 2 hours. It leaves from Alcúdia Bay and passes Alcanada and its lighthouse before reaching Coll Baix.
If you have only a short morning or afternoon free, this is the trip to pick.
Want to get in the water rather than look through glass? Our Coll Baix & Alcanada snorkelling trip follows the same coast with real snorkel stops. If you choose the glass-bottom boat, check these onboard points:
- Underwater viewing windows let you watch marine life and the seabed without getting in the water.
- The boat anchors during the stop, so you can swim or sunbathe.
- The trip suits families with children, but check the age rules in the booking conditions before you travel with a child.
- Fares start at €19 per person. Snacks and drinks cost extra, so confirm their prices and how to pay when you book.
Dolphin watching: an open-water trip for wildlife lovers
Our sunrise dolphin-watching trip leaves Port d’Alcúdia at dawn and heads towards Cap de Formentor, an area known for regular dolphin sightings. You spend around 35 to 40 minutes in the dolphin-watching area.
A swim stop at Coll Baix may be added if conditions allow, but it is not part of every trip. Dolphins are wild animals, so no sighting is guaranteed.
To see dolphins in the Bay of Alcúdia and along the north coast, take our sunrise trip that leaves at dawn, when the sea is calmest. Whatever the boat, keep at least 60 metres from dolphins. If a boat watches them, it must come in gently and must never block their route.
Coves and caves: a speedboat trip towards Artà
The speedboat trip towards Artà leaves from Puerto de Alcúdia and lasts 3 hours. On the way, the boat passes cliffs and coves, then reaches the sea caves of Cap Farrutx.
The route includes stops for swimming, so bring a swimsuit and a towel.
Prefer a calmer boat for the caves? Our Blue Cave boat trip from Alcúdia reaches a turquoise sea cave you can only access from the water.
A speedboat is small and fast, so it feels every wave more than a larger boat does. When the wind picks up, the ride gets bumpy, and the crew may skip a cave or a cove to stay safe. Swimming stops also vary in length by itinerary, so check the trip details when booking. For a fixed route with cave stops, see the Blue Cave boat tour from Alcúdia.
Formentor from Port de Pollença: the shortest transfer
The shortest boat route to Formentor Beach leaves from Port de Pollença. The crossing takes about 25 minutes, so it suits a short day when you want more time on the sand and less time on board.
Fares start at €18 for an adult and €8.50 for a child.
Before you travel, check these points:
- Departure times: from 21 to 30 October, the transfer has four daily start times, between 11:00 and 16:00. Choose the one that fits your travel date.
- Road restriction: vehicles are limited on the Formentor road from 15 May to 18 October, between 10:00 and 22:00.
- Driving there: if you reach the road by car during that season, plan your journey outside those hours.
Private charter: your own boat and skipper for small groups
To compare other boat trips, catamarans and charters around Alcúdia, browse the options below:
A private charter means you rent the whole boat and skipper for your group. Boats from Alcúdia take up to 12 people, so this suits a small group of friends or family who want to set their own pace.
You can head to Coll Baix, Cap de Formentor or Pollença Bay. The crew can guide the route, or you can pick stops for swimming, sunbathing or diving.
Questions before paying
Total price
- Is this the full price for the whole boat?
- Is fuel included, or charged extra?
- Are any fees added after booking?
Skipper
- Is the skipper included in the price?
- Is the skipper paid separately?
- What is the skipper’s fee for the full day?
Insurance
- Is insurance included in the price?
- Who pays for damage at sea?
- What does the insurance cover?
Cancellation
- Can you cancel for free, and until when?
- Is the refund the same in bad weather?
Pick your trip by the time you have and by your goal. For the seabed, take a glass-bottom boat. Check what the fare includes and the sea forecast before you sail.
Your next step: choose one trip, then read its booking conditions before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk from Alcúdia Beach to Alcúdia Old Town?
Yes, you can walk there, but the old town is inland, not on the seafront. Alcúdia Beach lies beside Port d’Alcúdia, so you walk away from the sea to reach it.
Before you set off, check the route and walking time from your exact starting point.
Is Alcúdia Old Town worth visiting before or after a boat trip?
Yes, it is worth a visit before or after your boat trip. The old town is a separate stop from Port d’Alcúdia and its boat departures, so it gives you a change from the beach and harbour area.
Is Alcúdia a party town?
No, not as a whole. Port d’Alcúdia, the harbour area by the boats, has bars and nightclubs, while Alcúdia itself has quieter bars and restaurants.
For a calm evening after your boat trip, stay in the old town. If you want to go out late, stay near the port.
When is the best time of year for a boat trip from Alcúdia?
Late spring to early autumn is the best time for a boat trip from Alcúdia, because the sea is usually calmest then. Wind and sea state can still change a trip, so check the marine forecast before you go.
Read our 15 best beaches in Mallorca, see where to stay in Mallorca, and get our Mallorca Ultimate Guide.
Some links in this article are affiliate or partner links. If you book through them, Palma Tour Mallorca may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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