Boat Trips from Cala Galdana

Surrounded by the most paradisiacal coves on the south coast of Menorca, Cala Galdana is the nerve centre of tourism on the island. Here you will find two of the largest hotels, a beach equipped with sun beds and umbrellas and large groups of tourists and families. You may not be seduced by the idea of spending the day on the most crowded beach, but consider it for a boat trip to the southern coves.

The well-known coves of Macarella, Turqueta and Mitjana are very close to Cala Galdana, and although they require a long walk or long queues in the car parks if you go by car, a good way to visit them is by joining one of the many boat trips Menorca has to offer. I'll tell you all the details:

You are in luck, because one of the cheapest boat trips in Minorca leaves from Cala Galdana: for 29 € you can embark on a tour that will take you to discover Macarella, Trebalúguer, Turqueta and Cala Mitjana, among many others. If you prefer, you can choose this same option but enjoy a full day of sailing for €50, but you will have to travel to Ciudadela.

For comparison with other excursions or boat trips offered on the island, the price for a full day sailing trip is around €50 if you sail on board a large boat and around €120 if you decide to spend the whole day sailing on a sailboat with only 10 other passengers.

A mid-budget option is to sail on a catamaran for half a day, which can cost around €65. As you can see, in Menorca there are options for all tastes and all budgets.

If you're travelling with your family, by the way, be sure to check if there are special rates for the little ones, as they usually have reduced prices for children.

The most important thing to bear in mind is that you should book as far in advance as possible, especially if you are travelling in high season (mid-June to mid-September). To do this, the best thing to do is to check online. On Hellotickets, for example, you can compare itineraries, prices, dates and capacity of each boat.

Although there is a wide variety on offer, demand is very high and if you want to secure a place on the time and boat that suits you best, you should book well in advance. When making your reservation, also check what is included in each excursion: the vast majority offer snorkelling or paddle surfing equipment, food, snacks and drinks on board, etc. Check in advance so that you can choose what suits you best!

One of the great advantages of sailing along the coves of the south of Menorca is that there is a wide range of options, so you can choose the time and duration of the tour: from sailing early in the morning to late in the afternoon, choosing between half-day or full-day routes.

If you are joining a boat trip, you should know that you can choose between half-day trips and full-day trips. If you choose a full-day excursion, you will usually embark at around 10am and return to port between 17:00 and 18:00 hours. If you fancy a shorter tour, they usually last between three and four hours and you can choose to do it in the morning or afternoon.

The basis of the itinerary will be the same regardless of its duration and the captain will make sure that you visit the most important coves. However, with a full day excursion you will have more time to enjoy the dips, the snorkelling and above all, to relax on board with an aperitif and a good paella.

All the boat trips that depart from or pass through Cala Galdana will take you to Cala Macarella and its little sister Macarelleta. You will also pass by Cala Trebalúguer, Cala Mitjana and Cala Turqueta. Their fine, white sands, crystal-clear waters and the caves that surround them will make the trip a real walk through the Spanish Caribbean.

Prepare your camera and don't worry about anything, because the skipper will provide you with the goggles and snorkel so you can snorkel and go into the caves to discover the fascinating underwater life of the island. Let yourself be guided by the crew's recommendations: they will make sure to make the swimming stops at the best spot depending on the wind and swell of the day.

If you haven't found an option that suits your needs departing from Cala Galdana, don't worry. Ciudadela, for example, is very close by and also offers boat tours with daily departures. If you want to discover the north of the island, you can embark in Fornells and from the capital, Mahón, you can choose which itinerary you want to follow. I'll tell you all about it:

From Ciudadela

Ciudadela looks like something out of a fairy tale. Before or after embarking on a boat tour from Ciudadela, you will have to stroll through its cobbled streets and enjoy its exquisite gastronomy. But back to what we are interested in, the boat excursions, you should know that the most successful excursion on the coast of Menorca departs from Ciudadela. This day trip to the coves in the south of Minorca will take you to discover the most popular coves on the island for only 50 € and best of all, you will be able to eat a traditional paella served on board.

From Fornells

Fornells is another key point from where you can embark on a boat excursion. The bay is beautiful: its village of whitewashed houses is surrounded by crystal clear waters and a few minutes from there, the landscape becomes unspoilt and rugged. You'll find it hard to think of anything else but the waves, the sea and the wind. You can sail aboard a romantic sailboat or luxury catamaran and swim in broad daylight or head out at sunset to watch the best sunset on the island. The north has a lot to offer so consider a boat trip from Fornells.

From Mahon

Mahon is the capital of Menorca and as the island's main town, the range of things to see and do in the port is enormous. Once there you will see that the large ferries arriving from the mainland embark and disembark in its beautiful harbour. The best thing about its location is that it's a similar distance from both the northern and southern beaches. Therefore, taking a boat trip from Mahón will allow you to choose your itinerary and route without any problem, which is a great advantage.

By the way, don't miss its picturesque streets before or after a boat trip - you won't regret it!

Without leaving the water, you can continue to enjoy the crystal-clear sea that bathes Menorca on a kayak excursion that will add a touch of adventure to your holiday. The bay of Fornells will be the perfect setting to join an expert instructor who will take you either through the unspoilt coves of the north or through the rugged Caves of Los Ingleses. The choice is yours. Don't stay on land and check here all the details to join a kayak tour in Menorca.

It is clear that the sea is one of the great attractions of the island, but Menorca is much more than sun and beach. That's why you should be encouraged to discover the interior of the island and explore its hidden corners.

A local company of Menorcan experts has organised an exclusive sunset safari to take you to discover the most rugged cliffs, a traditional farm where you will taste local Menorcan delicacies and the best sunset on the island. I'd rather not tell you the rest, because the route is worth discovering in person. If you're up for it, I'll tell you here all the details about how to take part in this Jeep safari in Menorca.