Mallorca offers the most varied sailing in the western Mediterranean. The dramatic UNESCO-listed Tramuntana mountains drop sheer into the sea on the northwest coast, Cap de Formentor provides one of the great headland passages, and the protected Cabrera Archipelago — a national park — makes an extraordinary optional detour. With the best flight connections of any Med sailing destination, Mallorca is also the most accessible — Palma Airport is 15 minutes from the marina.
Day by day
The route
Day 1
Arrive Palma de Mallorca
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Palma Airport is 15 minutes from the marina — the easiest transfer in the Med. The city itself is outstanding: La Seu Cathedral, Bellver Castle, and a restaurant scene that rivals Barcelona. Check in, provision, and spend the evening in Palma — there's no rush to leave until the morning.
Day 2
Palma → Port d'Andratx — 21nm
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Head southwest along the coast, passing the dramatic cliffs of Cabo Blanco. Cala Pi is a narrow, pine-lined inlet en route — a stunning swim stop with turquoise water and white sand tucked behind towering cliffs. Port d'Andratx is a beautiful natural harbour backed by mountains, with a contemporary art centre (CCA Andratx) and relaxed waterfront restaurants. A classic first stop.
Day 3
Port d'Andratx → Port de Sóller — 25nm
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The most dramatic sailing day of the week. Round the northwest corner of Mallorca under the UNESCO World Heritage Tramuntana mountains — sheer cliffs dropping straight into the sea, the mountains towering thousands of feet above you. Port de Sóller is a near-circular bay, almost completely landlocked, with a historic tram connecting the port to Sóller village. One of the finest natural harbours in the western Mediterranean.
Day 4
Port de Sóller → Cala Formentor — 34nm
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The longest day of the week — an early start is worth it. Round Cap de Formentor, Mallorca's dramatic northern cape, where the cliffs fall vertically for hundreds of metres. The bay of Formentor beyond is one of the most beautiful in the Balearics — crystalline water, a pine-fringed beach and the famous Hotel Formentor. Moor on a buoy (book ahead in peak season) or anchor off the beach.
Day 5
Formentor → Cala Ratjada — 25nm
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Round Mallorca's north-eastern capes and drop down to Cala Ratjada, a lively little town on the island's easternmost tip. The anchorages nearby are some of the finest on this coast — Cala Agulla and Cala Mesquida offer white sand and clear turquoise water — and the walk out to the Capdepera lighthouse rewards you with views back along the coast. An easier day after the long haul north.
Day 6
Cala Ratjada → Colònia de Sant Jordi — 32nm
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Sail down the east coast past a string of beautiful calas. Anchor off Porto Cristo if you'd like to visit the Coves del Drach (Dragon Caves) — a vast underground lake with daily classical concerts. Round Cap de ses Salines, the island's south-eastern tip, and along to Colònia de Sant Jordi on the south coast: a relaxed town beside Es Trenc, Mallorca's most famous white-sand beach, and the jumping-off point for the Cabrera archipelago.
Day 7
Colònia de Sant Jordi → Palma — 28nm
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With settled weather it's well worth detouring to the Cabrera National Park — a protected archipelago with some of the clearest water in the Med (anchoring needs a permit, so book ahead). Otherwise, sail west along the south coast past Cap Blanc and into the bay of Palma, the city rising on the horizon. Check out by 09:00; the airport is 15 minutes from the marina.
Local tip: Cabrera National Park is a spectacular Day 7 detour, but anchoring there needs a permit that sells out fast in July and August — book it alongside your charter if you'd like to include it.