Charter Tour of Palma Bay: Snorkeling and Paddle Surfing

The best part of this Palma Bay outing is the small boat and the long swimming stop. You cruise from Palma to a cove such as Punta Negra, Illetes, or Portals Vells, then have time to snorkel, paddleboard, float, and try the sea scooter. I especially like the nine-person maximum and the way Captain Enrique shares local stories along the route.

I also like that water, soft drinks, beers, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and floats are included. The main thing to consider is that the boat is compact, and the captain chooses the cove based on the sea. You will not necessarily visit the exact place you had in mind.

Key points to know before booking

• Small-group format: The boat carries no more than nine people, though one complaint reports an overbooking problem, so confirm your booking details before departure.
• A proper water-sports stop: Plan on roughly 30 minutes at a cove for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, floating, and sea-scooter fun.
• The location can change: Punta Negra, Illetes, or Portals Vells may be used, depending on wind and sea conditions.
• Useful gear is included: Masks, paddleboards, floats, and a sea scooter are supplied, along with water, soft drinks, and beers.
• Palma views from the water: The route can include photo views of Palma Cathedral from offshore.
• Bring the basics: You must reach the port yourself, and towels, sunscreen, food, and snacks are not included.

A compact boat trip from Palma’s waterfront

This is a straightforward way to get onto the water without committing to a full-day sailing trip. You meet Saltytours Mallorca at Paseo Maritimo in Palma, board the boat, and spend about two and a half hours on Palma Bay before returning to the same point.

The boat is designed for small groups, with a maximum of nine people. That matters here. A swimming stop feels far more relaxed when you are not sharing the equipment with a large crowd, and the crew can keep a closer eye on how everyone is doing.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a compact charter boat, not a large yacht with wide decks, cabins, or lots of room to spread out. One account describes the boat as clean and compact, with only three people aboard at one point. That could make the trip feel nearly private, but a fuller departure will feel more social and confined.

The experience is best understood as a short boat ride with a generous water break. It is not mainly a sightseeing cruise, and it is not a long coastal expedition. You are paying for easy access to a pleasant swimming spot, plus a bundle of water equipment that would otherwise cost extra to rent.

Cruising past Palma Cathedral

The ride out gives you a different look at Palma. One particularly nice touch is the chance to stop for photographs with the cathedral viewed from the sea. The angle changes the familiar city landmark completely. Instead of seeing it above busy streets, you see Palma’s waterfront opening out behind the boat.

The supplied details do not promise a fixed sightseeing route, so the scenery will depend on the captain’s decisions and conditions that day. The captain may point out local details and share stories about the area, adding a little context to what could otherwise be a simple transfer to the cove.

Do not book this for a detailed guided tour of Palma. The history and commentary are supporting features. The real focus is time in the water.

Choosing between Punta Negra, Illetes, and Portals Vells

The swimming stop is planned for about half an hour, although the wider outing lasts around two hours and thirty minutes. The captain decides between Punta Negra, Illetes, and Portals Vells according to the sea. This is practical rather than disappointing: a calm, safe cove is more valuable than reaching a named location in rough conditions.

Punta Negra is the place most clearly associated with the supplied trip details. It is described as a cove with warm, clear water and plenty of fish. That combination suits both casual swimmers and anyone who wants to spend time looking below the surface with a mask.

Illetes and Portals Vells offer alternative settings if conditions make Punta Negra less suitable. You should not expect to choose the cove yourself. If a particular beach is important to you, ask at the start what the captain expects to do that day.

The half-hour stop is long enough to enjoy the equipment but short enough to keep the outing moving. You can swim, look for fish, try the paddleboard, and use the sea scooter, but you may need to choose your priorities rather than do everything at length.

Snorkeling in clear water

The snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack a mask unless you prefer using your own. The water at the cove is described as clear, and fish can be seen close to shore. The exact marine life and visibility will change with the weather and sea conditions, but this is one of the more worthwhile reasons to choose the boat trip over a simple sightseeing cruise.

I would keep the snorkeling expectations modest. This is not presented as a specialist marine excursion, and there is no promise of a reef, a guide-led marine biology talk, or a long snorkeling session. Think of it as easy recreational snorkeling during a beach stop.

The calm-water setting also helps beginners. You can use the mask for a short look, return to the boat, and switch to a paddleboard or float. That flexibility is useful for families and mixed groups in which some people want to swim while others prefer to stay above the water.

Paddleboards, floats, and the sea scooter

The included equipment gives this experience more value than a basic boat ride. Paddle surfing lets you move across the surface, while floats provide a low-effort way to relax. The sea scooter is the unusual extra. One participant described using one for the first time and finding it especially fun.

You should not assume every piece of equipment will be used continuously. There is one boat and a limited amount of time, so people may need to take turns. With fewer than nine people aboard, those turns should be manageable, but a full departure will naturally involve more sharing than a trip with only three or four people.

The sea scooter is also a good reason to book if you want something beyond swimming and snorkeling. It adds a playful, slightly silly element to the stop, especially for older children and teenagers. The supplied information does not give an age limit or detailed safety rules, so ask the crew for instructions before using it.

The water equipment is part of what makes the price easier to justify. If you paid separately for a boat ride, paddleboard, snorkel rental, and sea-scooter session, the total could quickly exceed the tour cost. Here, those activities are gathered into one short outing.

What the guides add to the trip

Captain Enrique is named several times as a strong part of the experience. He is described as friendly, attentive, and good at sharing local information. Francesca and Marilena are also identified as guides who helped make participants comfortable and added fun facts along the way.

That personal contact matters on a small boat. A good captain affects the mood, the safety of the water stop, and the amount of useful advice you receive. You are not simply being dropped at a cove. The crew provides the gear, explains the activities, and helps the group settle into the boat.

There is one serious negative account involving alleged overbooking, poor conduct, and unsafe handling of passengers. The operator disputes those claims and says the trip ran without injuries or complaints from others. The available material does not establish a pattern, but the allegation is important enough to keep in mind. Confirm the departure time, meeting point, and number of people in your booking, and raise any concern with the crew immediately.

Most of the supplied comments praise the crew, the small-group format, and the easygoing feel. One parent used the outing with a 13-year-old, while another chose it as a birthday activity for a son. Those details suggest the trip suits families with older children, provided everyone is comfortable around open water and follows the crew’s instructions.

Is $78.02 a fair price?

At $78.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Mallorca. You could swim from a public beach for far less. The value comes from combining several elements: a boat ride, access to a secluded or less accessible cove, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, floats, a sea scooter, drinks, and a local captain.

The price makes more sense for people who want several activities in one package. If you only want to sit on a boat and look at the coast, you may find a simpler cruise better suited to you. If you plan to use the boards, mask, and sea scooter, the package becomes more attractive.

Group size also affects value. With only a few people aboard, you receive a more personal outing and easier access to the equipment. With nine people, the price still includes the same features, but the experience will feel less exclusive.

The trip is usually booked about 10 days ahead, so popular departure times may fill before your Palma visit. A late afternoon departure can be appealing in summer. One birthday outing used the 5 p.m. slot and found it pleasant because the weather was still warm without the strongest midday sun.

What to bring to Paseo Maritimo

You need to make your own way to Saltytours Mallorca at Paseo Maritimo, Ponent, 07014 Palma. Transport from your hotel is not included, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Pack sunscreen and a towel. Neither is supplied, and both are essential after time in the water. Bring food or a snack if you need one, since the package includes drinks but no meal or snack.

Water, soft drinks, and beers are supplied. That is convenient, but it does not replace lunch, especially if you are booking the outing around a meal time. Wear something practical for getting wet and keep your belongings limited, since a compact boat offers less spare room.

The mobile ticket is useful for arrival. Confirmation is provided at booking, so keep the ticket accessible on your phone.

Who will enjoy this Palma Bay outing?

I would choose this for a couple, a small family, or a group of friends who want an active break without spending an entire day at sea. It works particularly well for people who enjoy variety: a little sightseeing, a little swimming, some snorkeling, and a few minutes on a paddleboard or sea scooter.

It is also a good option for a birthday or a short family activity. The 13-year-old participant and the birthday outing with a son both point to an experience that can work well for older children and teenagers.

I would think twice if you dislike small boats, need lots of personal space, or want a fixed beach destination. You should also skip it if you are looking for a serious sailing trip, a long snorkeling session, or a full meal on board.

Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not give specific guidance for mobility needs, swimming ability, or age limits. If those points matter to you, contact the operator before paying.

Weather, cancellations, and practical timing

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same arrangement applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that period are not accepted, and the local time in Mallorca controls the deadline.

Because the captain may change the swimming location for sea conditions, flexibility is part of the deal. That choice can improve the outing by keeping you in calmer water, but it means you should not treat Punta Negra, Illetes, or Portals Vells as guaranteed stops.

Should you book the Saltytours Mallorca charter?

I would book this if you want a short, active Palma Bay trip with plenty of equipment included and a small group rather than a large excursion boat. The clear water, fish, sea scooters, paddleboards, and views back toward Palma give the two and a half hours real variety.

I would not book it solely for a private-yacht experience. The boat is compact, and the maximum group size is nine, not one private party unless you arrange that yourself. I would also confirm the booking details before departure because of the isolated overbooking complaint.

For the right person, the package is good value: you reach the meeting point, board a small boat, enjoy a captain-led ride, and spend time in the water without arranging separate rentals. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and a snack, then let the captain choose the calmest cove.

FAQ

How long does the Palma Bay boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and thirty minutes, including the boat ride and the swimming stop.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Saltytours Mallorca on Paseo Maritimo, Ponent, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The stated maximum is nine participants per boat.

Which swimming cove will the boat visit?

The captain chooses between Punta Negra, Illetes, and Portals Vells based on sea conditions. The exact cove is not guaranteed.

What equipment is included?

The trip includes snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floats, and a sea scooter. Water, soft drinks, and beers are also provided.

Do I need to bring food, towels, or sunscreen?

Yes. Meals and snacks are not included, and towels and sunscreen are not provided. Bring them if you need them.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If bad weather or an insufficient minimum number causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.