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Balearic Islands by sailboat

Guide to the most beautiful destinations, coasts and islands of the Balearic archipelago

Pristine bays, rocky coves, white beaches, quaint villages, bustling clubs and DJ sets, set against the backdrop of a crystal clear sea: a perfect sailing vacation destination

IbizaFormenteraMajorca and Menorca are four islands nestled in the Mediterranean halfway between Spain and Africa, each with a strong identity that will make you experience different emotions every day. Hidden coves far from the hustle and bustle, long sandy beaches enlivened by quaint chiringuitos, nature trails, gastronomic specialties, and nightlife-rich resorts are just the distillation of an offer so broad that it will be impossible to get bored. Discover the Balearic Islands from the sea and experience something new every day: from the rocky cliffs of Majorca, to the fine sandy beaches of Formentera; from the festivals of Ibiza, to the tranquility and peace of Menorca.

The best time of year

From May to August, the weather is warm and suitable for anyone who also wants to enjoy water sports. If you want to have the islands almost entirely to yourself and sail in peace, the best months are September and October.

Travel Ideas

Travel Ideas

A sailing vacation in the Balearic Islands is characterized by quiet sailing to discover hidden coves and bays that cannot be reached by land. For a week-long vacation you usually combine Ibiza with Formentera, as they are very close, and Majorca with Menorca. With two weeks to spare you can touch all four islands, getting your fill of sea and snorkeling, discos and nature walks. 

Sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism

The Balearics are aiming to become an increasingly sustainable destination, and each island has a strong nature component. The sea near Formentera is crystal clear thanks to the presence of Posidonia oceanica, a plant that gives oxygen and transparency to the water. The Cabrera archipelago, a little-known gem accessible only by boat, is Maritime-Terrestrial National Park and holds caves, lagoons and one of the best-preserved seabeds in Spain, as well as the perfect destination for birdwatchers.

Perfect for

Perfect for

The Balearic archipelago offers travel experiences for all tastes, suitable for groups of friends as well as families with children. Ibiza and Formentera are a favorite destination for young people looking for parties and fun, often also a destination for flotillas. Menorca, a quiet island, is more suitable for families and those seeking an adventure vacation. Mallorca, finally, is the right blend of the three, really has something for everyone.

First time on a boat

First time on a boat

The Balearic Islands are one of the most popular sailing destinations ever. It is an ideal destination both for novices who want to learn how to sail and for those getting on a sailboat for the first time. The winds are light in the middle months of the year and ensure smooth sailing, suitable for everyone.

Vacation highlights in the Balearic Islands

Balearic Islands: islands and beaches for all tastes

Ibiza: not just parties

Ibiza: not just parties

Ibiza is a popular, if not the most popular, tourist destination among young people because of its nightlife. 

Numerous, in addition to beach bars such as in Playa d'en Bossa, are in fact discos and clubs. Among the most famous are Amnesia, Pacha, and Ushuaia; from May to October, producers and DJs from all over the world arrive on the island!

But Ibiza is not just about wild parties and nightlife. During your sailing vacation you can rock the night ashore, and during the day rest on the deck of the boat as you set sail to discover heavenly beaches. The lesser-known and crowded ones are located in the northern part of the island, first and foremost Cala d'Aubarca, one of the most hidden and immersed in an unspoiled landscape, and Aguas Blancas, which is difficult to reach except by boat, a local favorite with its rocky seabed, ideal for snorkeling. In the southern part of Ibiza, you can't miss Las Salinas beach, bordering the picturesque salt marshes, famous for its crystal-clear water and fine white sand; and Cala Comte, a golden-sand beach renowned for its sunsets. 

Formentera and its Caribbean waters

Formentera and its Caribbean waters

Formentera is the smallest but most exclusive island in the archipelago. A corner of the world with white sand and clear waters, an island with no traffic and few roads joining the main places: an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility that you will hardly find elsewhere. In recent years it is among the favorite destinations for Italian tourists who have spread the fashion of aperitivo by the sea in typical chiringuitos there. 

You will find dreamy bays, such as Cala Saona and Calò d'Es Morts, and larger beaches such as Ses Illetes and Es Migjorn, all characterized by fine sand and waters so clear and calm that you will feel as if you were sailing in the Caribbean Sea. 

Majorca: the island of 300 beaches

Majorca: the island of 300 beaches

Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands and seventh among the Mediterranean islands. With a sailing vacation you can discover all the wonders of this island: hidden bays for solitary bathing will alternate with long, crowded beaches and quaint villages to discover during evenings ashore. 

Among the Balearic Islands, Majorca is also the island with the most beaches-it even has more than 300! Rocky coves, sandy beaches, hidden bays, with greener water in the Tramuntana area, bluer in the southern and eastern areas: there is something for everyone! Playa de MuroCala MesquidaEs TrencSa Calobra,... seeing them all is impossible!

Menorca: the island of lighthouses

Menorca: the island of lighthouses

Sailing around this island you can immerse yourself in turquoise waters, discover solitary coves that can only be reached by boat, and the more sporty will be able to go on suggestive treks through unspoiled vegetation. In short, an experience in close contact with nature. Among the most beautiful coves are Pregonda beach, Turqueta cove and Tortuga cove.

Among the beauties the island offers are its distinctive lighthouses. To this day most are uninhabited and some can be safely visited. From each lighthouse it is possible to enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the surrounding nature, especially from the Cavalleria Lighthouse

Menorca is also the perfect destination for astronomy lovers. In 2019 it was awarded as a Starlight tourist destination, thus confirming it as one of the most suitable places in the world to observe the celestial vault, thanks to the very low level of light pollution and particularly clean air.

Cabrera: the island that isn't there

Cabrera: the island that isn't there

A true paradise where time seems to stand still, it is only 28 nautical miles from Mallorca. The island, often overlooked when talking about the Balearic Islands, together with the surrounding islets constitutes a true oasis, one of the best examples of marine life in the entire Mediterranean. Having been used until recently as a military zone, it has never become a major tourist destination. This has allowed much of the Balearic Islands' native flora and fauna to remain intact, and in 1991 it was declared a Maritime-Terrestrial National Park. The island can only be visited by reservation, so the best way to visit it is definitely by sailboat: in high season it is recommended to book a mooring buoy.

Balearic Islands: azure bays and nightlife

Playa de MitjornBalearic Islands Caves
Friends in the Balearic Islands
Menorca Bay

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Practical Info

Geography

Located opposite the east coast of Spain, the archipelago has four major islands (Ibiza, Formentera, Majorca and Menorca) and a number of smaller islands. Green islands with sand and pebble beaches, many unspoiled and accessible only by boat

Getting there

There are numerous flights, including low-cost, connecting the islands to European cities. They all have airports, except Formentera, which can be reached quickly from Ibiza by ferry. 

Getting around

Several ferry companies connect all the islands with each other and with the Spanish coast. The main ones are Baleària and Acciona. 

Winds

The Balearic Islands are quite windy from October to April, due to the mild southwesterly wind that blows during periods of bad weather, and the Tramontana that comes down from France. In summer, however, light breezes blow that mitigate the heat. 

Ports and marinas

All four islands have marinas in which to stay. The island with the largest number of marinas is Majorca, being the largest, but Menorca and Ibiza are also well supplied; Formentera, on the other hand, has only one marina: La Savina. 

Costs

A boating vacation in the Balearics is for everyone, starting at 500 euros per person for a week in low season (excluding flights). The price may vary depending on the period and the service offered.

Where to see the most spectacular sunsets from the sailboat

  1. 1

    Playa Benirras, Ibiza

    Incredible sunsets in a special and evocative atmosphere: as the sun sets, you can hear from your boat the excited rhythm of drums played by hippies in an almost ancestral ritual: . a unique experience, hard to forget. 

  2. 2

    Es Vedra, Ibiza

    An islet shrouded in mysteries and folk legends. The best time to admire it is precisely at sunset, when the landscape is tinged with fiery colors. What better location than from a sailboat? Be careful not to get too close, the island is said to send compasses and navigation instruments into a tailspin!

  3. 3

    Cala Saona, Formentera

    If you are looking for a secluded place to enjoy a quiet aperitif in the cockpit and admire the beautiful colors of the golden hour, Cala Saona is the perfect place: it is the only sandy beach among the cliffs that stretch across the southwestern part of the island.

  4. 4

    Sa Foradada, Maiorca

    Going to see the sunset at Sa Foradada is a great classic, but seeing it from the sailboat is a unique experience. Imagine waiting for the sunset behind the big cliff while chatting with your fellow passengers, what could be better? 

  5. 5

    Puerto de Ciudadella, Minorca

    One of the most recommended places as a puesta del sol. From the sailboat you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city, its houses and the magnificent Gothic cathedral whose colors transform as the sun goes down.

Guides & tips

Greece by sailboat

Greece by sailboat

Ibiza by sailboat

Ibiza by sailboat

Formentera by sailboat

Formentera by sailboat

Cyclades islands by sailboat

Cyclades islands by sailboat

 Ionian Islands by sailboat

 Ionian Islands by sailboat

 Sardinia on a sailing boat

 Sardinia on a sailing boat

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