Mallorca

23 May 2010

Anchorage

This is the ideal anchorage for any yacht charter holiday in Mallorca. A great place to stop for a day or night and a good rest point if you’ve sailed over from Barcelona.

A very sheltered, private and stunning anchorage. Surrounded with steep hills and with a small beautiful beach at the far end. The water is crystal clear and great for swimming in.

Some tourist boats do pop into the cala but only for a few minutes and then they head off again. This can be a popular location for yachts and motor boats so be sure to get there early (before lunch) or early evening to get a good anchorage.

If you are in the area you must pop in here.

Accessing the Cala

The cala is half way between Cabo Del Pinar and Pollensa. Between Cala Figuera and Cala Enfeliu. The entrance can be hard to see but you’ll usually spot another boat or mast poking out of the cala. When looking straight at the entrance Cala Nurta is to the left and Cala Enfeliu directly to the right hand side.

The cala is fairly deep with depths of around 3-5 meters. You can get very close to the beach and still be able to anchor in a yacht.

Anchoring is over sand and has a good hold although I can assume that it probably gets churned up in  high season due to lots of boats coming and going.

If you want to access the beach you can by dinghy or by swimming.

Location

39.55’8N 03.09’9E

Facilities

Stock up on food before you get here as there are no shops. There is just the small beach and a couple of houses at the far end.

Shelter

Shelter is good however some swell can enter in the evening.

23 May 2010

Anchorage

If you want to escape the tourist resorts and beaches along the East coast of Mallorca then this is a great anchorage. Away from the hustle and bustle next to some beautiful cliff side houses and a small beech.

A good anchorage as it is well sheltered as it’s tucked behind the NW side of Punta Del Gat.

You can anchor by the houses or opposite the beach. There is a channel which runs between Punta Del Gat and Isolte d’es Farro – we would not recommend using this unless you have some local knowledge.

Access

If you are coming from the north you will pass by Calas Molto and Guya which you’ll recognise from a long sandy beach and some built up high rise buildings (in the summer this beach gets packed with tourists and is very noisy). Pass this beach and round the next headland (Punta Del Gat) and then head west. The cala is just on the right hand side and can be recognised by two buoys (an orange buoy and a small white on). There is a small beach to the east.

Location

39.42′.7N 03.28′.3E

Anchoring

Anchor over sand and weed at 3-5 meters.

There are two buoys which can also be used. We were unsure which to use but some locals told us that the large orange buoy is normally for smaller power boats as it’s not very strong. They also suggested that the smaller white’ish buoy is much stronger so is the preferred buoy – we did not try this buoy so are not sure whether this is true.

They are trying to preserve the seaweed in this area so where possible use buoys rather than anchor.

Facilities

There are no facilities here that we have discovered. You could however pop into Puerto de Cala Ratjada to stock up on food and water

Shelter

Whilst fairly well sheltered you can get some swell in this cala.

23 May 2010

Marina or Anchorage

Located on the top os Mallorca Island (N), this is the ideal place to stop if you’re sailing over from Barcelona.

It’s very well sheltered and has some beautiful including a stunning mansion house which you can anchor near on Punta de la Avanzada. We would recommend this for an anchorage as it’s very well sheltered with no swell either.

Accessing Pollensa

Finding Pollensa is very easy when you’re coming in from the north. You’ll see some very steep vertical cliffs (Cabo De Formentor) which marks the northern entrance to Pollensa. Go around these cliffs and then head south west into and continue until you can see another headland (Punta de la Avanzada). In the summer you will see other yachts anchored just around from this point.

It’s worth being aware of depth when you enter here as the entrance to the marina is shallow. You can anchor around the point in sand at around 3-4 meters of water.

Facilities

There are water taps and electricity points on all the pontoons.

There is a town where you can stock up on food. This can be accessed by the marina of my a dinghy if you are anchored.

25 May 2010

Marina

Located in the North East of Mallorca – Alcudia is a well known holiday destination. With a long sandy beach, marina, old town and many restaurants.

If you’re looking for a quiet retreat then this is not the location for you. This is a bustling town filled with tourist shops, restaurants, British and Irish pubs and high rise hotels.There’s no shortage of places to eat out in restaurants designed for families and holiday makers. However, if you’re looking for something more local then you may struggle to find this in Alcudia.

The marina itself is well-equipped and a great place to stop if you need some spares for the boat or to stock up on food and water before heading to other smaller calas.

There is a supermarket right by the marina which is extremely expensive however, if you’re willing to walk with your shopping or get a taxi, we recommend the Eroski super market which is about a 15 minutes walk along the main drag which runs parallel to the beach.

For most yacht charters this is a location to stock on food and water, find yachting supplies or to pick up a boat from.

Location

39.50′.3N 03.08.2E

Accessing Alcudia Marina

The marina is very easy to find as it’s in the north corner of Bahia De Alcudia. To the east of the marina you will see two large chimneys and to the west there is a long sandy beach and high rise buildings.

Take care when approaching the marina as it is slightly shallow and can apparently be dangerous in big seas.

They cater for large and small boats with depths of around 4 meters.

Mooring

As with most Mediterranean marinas the mooring is against a pontoon (stern or bow too) with anchor lines which you pick up off the wall and run out to secure the bow/ stern of your boat.

Radio on Channel 09 when you arrive and they will tell you which pontoon is the visitors pontoon. You will find someone waiting for you at the pontoon to help you into your berth.

Facilities

The facilities are very good with modern hot showers and toilets.

There is water and power n the pontoons too however, you will need a special adaptor on your hose (same adapter they use in Puerto De Palamos). It is circa 10 Euros to buy the adapter on one of the chandlers  next to the marina office. The electricity uses a normal European plug which you can find anywhere in the UK

There is an Internet cafe in the supermarket by the marina if you need Internet access.

Anchoring

You can also anchor to the south west of the marina.

Recommendations

We can recommend one restaurant in Alcudia which, although hard to find, is worth a visit. Prices are not cheap (Menu Degustation for 60 Euros per head)  but the food is different and the service is very good. The restaurant’s name is Restaurante Jardin.

25 May 2010

Porto Colom

Marina or Anchorage

This is one of the most pretty and calm anchorages we’ve visited so far in Mallorca. Definitely a spot worth visiting in you’re in the South East of Mallorca.

Ideal for either anchoring or going into the Marina.

This town has remained relatively untouched compared to other areas of Mallorca.  With a very Spanish feel to it and without the large high rise hotels.

If you’re anchoring like us, then hop into your dinghy and take a trip on-shore (there is a great place to tie your dinghy up in the Port Authority marina) and check out the local town. There are normally small market stalls on the side of the marina which sell everything from locally made chocolate and pastries to jewelery and clothing.

Small cafes are spread along the water front too, giving a much more local and Spanish feel to the area.

Location

39.25′N 03.16′.2E

Accessing Porto Colom

The entrance is fairly easy to see with a lighthouse at the entrance on the north side. If coming from the north you’ll be able to see the lighthouse but the entrance may not be that visible until you are further around the the headland.

Anchoring

There are mooring buoys however they seemed to mostly be privately owned. You cannot anchor between the mooring buoys but you can anchor to the east of the channel on the opposite side to the anchor buoys towards the marina

The ground is mostly mud and sand.

Facilities

Small supermarket near the Port Authority marina.

Restaurants and cafes run along side the water front by the Port Authority and Club Nautico.

25 May 2010

Anchorage

On the most southern tip of Mallorca located just west of Punta Salinas. Tucked in behind two small islands with a long quiet sand beach. A quieter alternative to Es Trenc but close enough so you can sail or motor over there for a swim and some lunch.

There are a few motor boats coming and going and some jet skis which can cause some wake. We also found there to be some swell during the night which made it slightly less comfortable than we would have liked.

Slightly less well sheltered than Es Trenc beach. Es Trenc is also referred to as Playa Del Trench if you cannot find it on your charts. This is a nudest beach but has the most beautiful clear water and is ideal for swimming.

Location

39.18′.6N 03.00.8E

Accessing Playa Des Carbo

When accessing this anchorage from the north it can at first be hard to see. After passing Punta Salinas continue along the coast to the west. You will pass a small beach and then the coast will become slightly more hilly/ rocky. Continue on and you will see a town in the distance. Before you get to the town you will see some small islands – these mark Playa De Sa Roquetas and Playa Des Carbo.

Do no attempt to pass behind these islands between the beaches as it is very shallow. Instead continue past Isle Peleda and Isle Moltana. Turning after Isle Moltana towards the breach.

Travel carefully as this is shallow going to 2 meters when you get close to the beach.

Anchoring

Anchor over sand and rock. Very rocky nearer Isla Moltana .

Facilities

None

Recommendations

Swimming at Es Trenc beach

27 May 2010

Port/ Marina

The main port in Mallorca, located on the south coast slightly to the west.

A large, popular port located very close to the center of Palma. The port is made up of several smaller marinas including Real Club Nautico, Marina Port De Mallorca and Club De Mar. The Imray RCC Pilot guide also suggests there are Port Authoriy moorings in this marina however we could not find them. According to the book they are located on the Paseo Maritimo however, we could only find commercial moorings in this area for local businesses.

The town of Palma is beautiful and worth visiting if you are in the area.It is an old town with plenty to see and do. There’s lots of shopping (food and clothing), sights to see and great restaurants and bars.

We stayed in the Real Club Nautico when we visited in May. This marina is the most convenient for accessing the town.  When we asked locally we were advised that all the marinas were a similar cost.

Location

39.33′.5N 02.38′E

Accessing Real Club Nautico de Palma (RCNP)

Head towards Palma port which can be recognised as it is a built up area with some distinctive buildings including the Catherdral (in the photo above) and the Castillo de Bellver. Once you enter the port the Real Club Nautico is located towards the right. Continue right along the marinas until you see a fuel pontoon ahead of you with a large sign asking you to call Port 09 – this fuel pontoon belongs to the RCMP. Call them on VHF channel 09 to ask for a berth and come alongside just after the fuel pumps.

We found the pontoon quite high for Tangaroa so we came along side by the fuel pump. Whilst this is not the marina’s preferred reception place they were happy while we waited here and headed to the office to pay for our stay and hand in our papers.

To find the marina office walk along past the fuel shop and continue until you have to turn left (by the cafe and supermarket). The office is the top floor of the next white building you walk past.

They do not use pontoons in the marina. As per most marina’s in the med you book stern or bow to the wall and use the mooring lines they provide. Some will help you into your berth.

Facilities

Modern and clean showers and toilets

Launderette

Bar and small supermarket (we found this super market to be very expensive so went to the supermarket which is about a 10 min walk from the marina)

There is also a gym and swimming pool which belong to the RCNP. We do not know whether you have to pay extra to use these facilities.

Excellent location for easy access to the town.

Electricity and water on every berth. Electricity used normal European plug which we use in the UK.

Cost

Moderate – we paid 48 euros for our 12 metre yacht.