Private and exclusive sailboat in and around the Bay of Palma

A sailboat can change Mallorca. This private charter takes you from Club de Mar through the Bay of Palma aboard a modern Beneteau Oceanis 35.1, with a professional captain handling the sailing while you settle into the cockpit, swim, snorkel, and enjoy the coast. I especially like the private format for families and small groups, plus the included paddle board and snorkeling gear. Fuel, drinks, insurance, and final cleaning are also covered, which keeps the price easier to understand.

The setting is comfortable and the port location is handy, particularly if you arrive by cruise ship. I also like that you can choose a short sunset outing, a four-hour half day, or an eight-hour full day. The main consideration is that the swimming stops may be near busy beaches and other boats, so the word exclusive describes your charter, not necessarily an empty stretch of sea.

Key points to know before booking

• A modern 2018 Beneteau Oceanis 35.1: The boat has a roomy cockpit, padded sun areas, shade, and space to move around.
• Private groups up to nine: You share the boat only with your own family or friends, with a captain focused on your group.
• Three useful time choices: Select a 2.5-hour sunset charter, a four-hour half day, or an eight-hour full day.
• Water activities are included: Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are provided, along with swimming stops.
• Food is flexible but extra: Bring your own lunch and snacks, or arrange paella or Spanish tapas in advance.
• Convenient cruise-port pickup: The boat leaves from Club de Mar, berth 123, close to Palma’s cruise terminal.

Setting out from Club de Mar, berth 123

Your starting point is Club de Mar in the Port of Palma, at berth number 123. The location next to the cruise terminal is one of the strongest practical features here. If your ship is in port for the day, you can reach the boat without arranging a long transfer across Mallorca.

That convenience matters because a private charter works best when you do not spend half your day getting to it. You should still allow enough time to find berth 123 and gather your group before departure, but the meeting point is far simpler than a marina outside Palma.

The charter is offered in English and Spanish. A professional skipper handles the boat and provides the live guidance, leaving you free to enjoy the view rather than study the controls. One especially positive experience came from a captain named Juan, who was praised for his friendly service and for choosing excellent places along the coast. Captains can vary, but that gives you a useful picture of the personal service this company aims to provide.

What the Beneteau Oceanis 35.1 feels like

The boat is a 2018 Beneteau Oceanis 35.1, a modern sailing yacht designed for comfort rather than a rough, stripped-down sailing day. The main social area is the cockpit, where everyone can sit together. Padded areas provide room for sunbathing, while a shaded section gives you a break from Mallorca’s strong summer heat.

That layout makes a difference on a private trip. You are not simply being carried from one swimming stop to another. You can sit with your family, stretch out, watch the shoreline, or move around the boat without feeling trapped in one seat.

The boat can take a private group of up to nine people. That is useful for a larger family or a group of friends, but group size deserves some thought. With only two people aboard, the space should feel generous. With nine guests plus the skipper, it will feel much more social and much less like a quiet couple’s retreat. If privacy and elbow room matter most, a smaller group is the better match.

A previous outing also showed that sailing depends on the weather. On one day, the crew tried to sail but conditions did not allow it. The boat still made a pleasant trip, but the experience became more of a motor-powered cruise with swimming rather than a classic sail. Seasickness tablets were offered when guests boarded, which was helpful on a rough day. If you know you are sensitive to motion, ask about the conditions and consider bringing any medication you normally use.

Cruising across the Bay of Palma

The main four-hour plan takes you around the Bay of Palma before returning to Club de Mar. The route includes scenic views, time on the water, swimming, and stops where you can use the equipment provided. The coastline gives you a different view of Mallorca than you get from roads or hotel terraces, and the slower pace lets you notice the shape of the coves and the changing color of the water.

The captain has room to adjust the outing around weather and sea conditions. That is valuable on a private charter because you can ask for more swimming time, more sailing, or a quieter pace instead of following a fixed public-tour schedule. The exact route is not guaranteed, so you should think of the itinerary as a flexible Bay of Palma outing rather than a list of guaranteed coves.

I like this style of touring for families because the day does not depend on everyone wanting the same thing at the same moment. One person can relax in the shade, another can paddle board, and others can swim or snorkel. The boat becomes your base between activities.

The view is the main reward during the sailing sections. You see Palma from offshore, with the city and shoreline opening out behind you. The boat also gives you a calm place to enjoy the sea without the constant movement of a packed excursion vessel.

Swimming and snorkeling near Cala Major

Cala Major is listed as a swimming stop, with about an hour set aside for getting into the water. The clear water makes this the active part of the outing. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately, and the paddle board gives you another way to spend time away from the boat.

The water was described as clear and pleasant for swimming, and the supply of snorkels was considered good. The paddle board was also a popular option. These details make the stop more than a quick photo break: you have enough time to swim, look below the surface, or simply float near the boat.

There is one important limit. Cala Major and other stops may be just offshore from busy resort beaches. That means you might see plenty of people on the sand and other boats around you. You may be able to swim to shore from some stops, so the experience will not always feel like a remote cove known only to your group.

This is where expectations matter. You get a private boat, private group, and personalized service. You do not necessarily get an empty bay. If your goal is to leave the resort crowds far behind, ask the captain at the start how much flexibility there is in choosing quieter anchorages. If your goal is simply to swim from a comfortable sailboat and avoid a crowded passenger boat, this arrangement still makes good sense.

Choosing between 2.5, 4, and 8 hours

The charter comes in three main formats:

• Sunset charter: 2.5 hours
• Half-day charter: 4 hours
• Full-day charter: 8 hours

The sunset option suits couples or anyone who wants a short, scenic outing without giving up most of the day. It is also a natural choice for a special celebration. The provided details do not specify a separate sunset menu or meal, so plan around the included water and soft drinks unless you arrange food separately.

The four-hour charter is the most balanced choice for many people. It gives you time to leave the port, cruise through the bay, stop for a swim, try the snorkeling gear or paddle board, and return without committing the entire day. The listed route includes Cala Major and about an hour of swimming, so this length should be enough for a compact outing.

The eight-hour charter is better for a group that wants to make the boat the day’s main event. You have more time to relax between activities and let the captain adjust the pace. It also gives you a better reason to arrange lunch, either by bringing your own food or ordering paella or Spanish tapas ahead of time.

The general activity description gives a duration range of three to eight hours, while the specific choices are 2.5, 4, and 8 hours. Check the available departure time and exact duration when booking so you choose the version you expect.

Food, drinks, and what you need to plan

Water and soft drinks are included. That is useful on a sunny day, but food is not part of the rental price. You have two straightforward choices: bring your own lunch and snacks, or order paella or Spanish tapas in advance to be served while the boat is anchored.

For a four-hour outing, snacks may be enough, depending on your departure time. For eight hours, I would plan food in advance rather than hope everyone can wait until returning to Palma. Preordered paella or tapas can make the full-day charter feel more like a celebration, but you should check the additional price before committing.

The included fuel is a plus because you do not have to watch the cost rise as the boat moves around the bay. Final cleaning is also included, as is full insurance on board. These items may sound minor, but they help prevent the usual add-on surprises that can make a private boat day harder to price.

Is $812 good value for up to nine people?

The listed price is $812 per group of up to nine. That is a substantial total for a four-hour outing, but the per-person figure changes sharply with group size. At nine people, it works out to roughly $90 per person. At four people, it is about $203 each, and for two people it becomes a much more expensive private splurge.

The value comes from what is included: a private modern sailboat, a professional skipper, fuel, drinks, water equipment, insurance, cleaning, and swimming stops. You also avoid sharing the boat with strangers and can shape the pace around your own group.

For a family of six to nine or a group celebrating together, the price is easier to justify. You are buying privacy and comfort for the whole group, not just a seat on a scheduled boat. For a couple, the sunset charter may be the more sensible choice unless the private setting is the main reason for booking.

The price does not include food, so add that to your budget if you want paella or tapas. Also remember that poor sailing conditions can reduce the amount of actual sailing you get. The boat can still take you out and provide swimming time, but you should not treat wind-powered sailing as guaranteed.

Who will enjoy this private Mallorca boat day?

I would recommend this charter most strongly to families, couples celebrating something special, and groups of friends who want the boat to themselves. It is also a practical option for cruise passengers because the port meeting point reduces transfer time.

The experience suits people who value flexibility over a fixed sightseeing checklist. You can relax, swim, snorkel, paddle board, or simply enjoy the coastline from the cockpit. The captain’s local knowledge adds a personal touch, especially when weather or sea conditions call for a change of plan.

It is less ideal for anyone expecting a completely secluded cove. Busy beaches and other boats may be visible at the swimming stops. It may also disappoint someone who wants a full day of strong sailing without interruption, since wind conditions can prevent the boat from sailing as planned.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, which widens its appeal, although you should confirm the practical boarding arrangements for your specific needs before booking. The private format can also be easier for a group with different mobility or comfort requirements because you are not trying to fit into a fixed public-tour routine.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Mallorca schedule is still shifting.

The activity is operated by Islander Balearic Charter SL and carries registration number GOIBE215615/2025. It is a private group experience, and the listed languages are English and Spanish.

Bring your preferred snacks if you do not want to order food. For a sunny day, a hat and sun protection are sensible, though those items are not listed as inclusions. If you are prone to seasickness, note that the water can be rough enough on some days for medication to be useful.

Should you book this Palma sailboat charter?

Book it if you want a private, comfortable way to spend time on the Bay of Palma, especially with a family or group large enough to share the cost. The boat, captain, swimming equipment, paddle board, fuel, and port location create a strong package, and the experience has received a high overall rating of 4.7 from eight bookings.

Choose the four-hour option for the best balance of time and cost. Pick eight hours if you want a full day at sea and plan to arrange lunch. The 2.5-hour sunset trip is the better fit for a couple or a short celebration.

I would not book it expecting an untouched cove or guaranteed sailing. Instead, think of it as a private base on the water, with a friendly skipper, clear swimming spots, and the freedom to set your own pace around Palma.

FAQ

Where does the sailboat charter leave from?

The departure point is Club de Mar in the Port of Palma. The boat is at berth number 123, next to the cruise terminal.

How long is the private boat trip?

The available choices are a 2.5-hour sunset charter, a four-hour half-day charter, and an eight-hour full-day charter. Check the available start times when booking.

How many people can join the private charter?

The listed price covers a private group of up to nine people.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddle boards included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and a paddle board are included, along with stops for swimming and relaxing.

Is food included on the boat?

No. You can bring your own lunch and snacks, or order paella or Spanish tapas in advance for an additional cost.

What is included in the price?

The charter includes a professional skipper, fuel, water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, full insurance on board, final cleaning, and swimming stops.