Around Mallorca: A 180NM Sailing Circuit in 7 Days

Route Overview: 180NM, 7 Days, One Island

Mallorca rewards sailors who go all the way around. The full circuit is roughly 180NM, split into daily legs of 20 to 30NM, which means 4 to 6 hours of sailing per day with time left to swim, eat, and explore ashore. You start and finish in Palma, the island's capital and its largest charter base, where over a dozen operators stock boats from 35ft monohulls to 45ft catamarans.

The route runs clockwise: south to the Cabrera archipelago, up the gentle east coast, around the dramatic north cape, and back down the mountainous west coast. This direction puts the prevailing summer sea breeze, a thermal wind from the south to southeast running typically Force 3 to 4, behind you on the trickiest western stretch. If you are new to sailing in Spain, Mallorca is a strong first choice because most of the route offers sheltered bays every few miles.

The season runs May to September. July and August bring the calmest conditions but also peak crowds in anchorages. June and September offer the best balance: warm water (23 to 25°C), moderate winds, and open mooring buoys. For a broader view, check our Mediterranean month-by-month guide.

Day	Leg	Distance	Highlights
1	Palma to Cabrera	25NM	National park, blue grotto
2	Cabrera to Cala d'Or	20NM	Pine-fringed calas, snorkelling
3	Cala d'Or to Cala Ratjada	25NM	Cuevas del Drach, Porto Cristo
4	Cala Ratjada to Pollença	25NM	Cap de Formentor lighthouse
5	Pollença to Sóller	30NM	Tramuntana cliffs, Sa Calobra
6	Sóller to Palma	30NM	Dragonera island, sunset coast
7	Palma	0NM	Cathedral, La Lonja tapas quarter

Day 1: Palma to Cabrera (25NM)

Permit required: book 7 days ahead

Clear the marina by 09:00 and head southeast across the Bahía de Palma. The first 10NM are straightforward, typically flat water with a light morning breeze. As you pass Cap Blanc, conditions can pick up to Force 4, so reef early if your crew is still finding their sea legs. The archipelago of Cabrera appears after about 4 hours of sailing.

Cabrera is a national maritime-terrestrial park, and anchoring requires a permit from the Balearic government. Apply online at least 7 days in advance through the MITECO reservation system. The fee is roughly EUR 6 per night, and you must use one of the 50 mooring buoys in the main harbour. No anchoring is allowed. Arrive early: in July, every buoy can be taken by 14:00.

Once moored, dinghy to shore and hike the 20-minute trail to the 14th-century castle for panoramic views. The underwater visibility in the harbour regularly exceeds 30 metres, making it some of the best snorkelling in the Balearics.

Day 2: Cabrera to Cala d'Or (20NM)

The famous east coast calas begin

Today is the shortest leg, and that is deliberate. You will want time to explore the succession of narrow inlets that define Mallorca's southeast coast. Depart Cabrera by 08:00 to make the most of the morning calm, and sail north-northeast toward Colònia de Sant Jordi. From there, hug the coast at a comfortable distance (0.5NM off is safe, depth charts show 10m or more) and work your way past Cala Llombards and Cala Santanyí.

Your overnight stop is Cala d'Or, a cluster of five small coves with mooring options in the Cala Llonga marina (around EUR 80 per night for a 40ft boat in high season). The entrance is narrow, about 30 metres wide, so approach slowly and check for outbound traffic. If the marina is full, Portopetro lies just 2NM south and has 225 berths.

Ashore, walk between calas along the coastal path. The water in Cala Mondragó, part of a natural park, is typically turquoise and knee-deep for 20 metres out, making it ideal if you are sailing with children.

Day 3: Cala d'Or to Cala Ratjada (25NM)

Caves, cliffs, and a working fishing harbour

This leg follows the east coast north, passing Porto Cristo around the halfway mark. If your crew is keen on the Cuevas del Drach (Dragon Caves), one of Mallorca's most visited sites, plan a detour. Porto Cristo's small harbour has limited space, roughly 50 visitor berths, so arriving before 11:00 is wise. The caves are a 15-minute walk from the harbour. Entry costs about EUR 17 per adult, and tours last 1 hour including an underground lake concert.

From Porto Cristo, the coast turns rockier. You pass Cap des Pinar and several open bays before reaching Cala Ratjada, a traditional fishing town with a 450-berth marina. Expect to pay around EUR 65 per night. The town has excellent seafood restaurants along the waterfront. Try the catch-of-the-day at a portside chiringuito for under EUR 20.

Winds on this stretch are generally cooperative. The thermal breeze builds from the east after noon, giving you a comfortable beam reach for the final miles into Cala Ratjada.

Day 4: Cala Ratjada to Pollença (25NM)

Rounding Cap de Formentor: the crux of the route

This is where the sailing gets serious. The first half of the day takes you north along the sheltered east coast, past the wide Bahía de Alcúdia. Enjoy it, because the final approach to Cap de Formentor, the island's northernmost point, can be rough. Wind accelerates around the headland, often jumping 1 to 2 Beaufort levels above surrounding conditions. In a Force 4, expect Force 5 to 6 at the cape, with short, steep seas.

Time your rounding for the morning, ideally before 13:00, when thermal effects are minimal. The lighthouse sits 210 metres above sea level on a sheer cliff, visible from over 20NM. Once you clear the cape, the wind typically eases as you enter the Bahía de Pollença on the northwest side.

Port de Pollença has a straightforward approach with depths of 3 to 6 metres across most of the bay. The Real Club Náutico de Pollença has around 375 berths and charges roughly EUR 55 per night for a 40ft boat. The town is quieter than Palma, with a pleasant waterfront promenade and several good restaurants within walking distance.

Day 5: Pollença to Sóller (30NM)

The hardest day: Tramuntana cliffs and limited shelter

Day 5 is the longest and most exposed leg of the circumnavigation. The Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage mountain range, plunges from peaks over 1,000 metres directly into the sea along Mallorca's entire northwest coast. The scenery is something else, but the practical reality is that there are almost no safe anchorages for 30NM.

Leave Pollença at first light. The coast between Cap de Formentor and Port de Sóller offers just two semi-sheltered spots: Cala Tuent and Sa Calobra, both open to the northwest. If the forecast shows anything above Force 5, consider staying an extra night in Pollença and waiting for better conditions. There is no shame in it. This stretch has caught out experienced sailors.

Sa Calobra is worth a pause if conditions allow. The Torrent de Pareis, a deep gorge that opens to the sea through a narrow gap in 300-metre cliffs, is accessible by dinghy. Anchor in 6 to 8 metres on sand outside the gorge entrance.

Port de Sóller, your destination, is a nearly enclosed circular bay. The entrance faces northwest and is about 200 metres wide. Inside, depth drops to 3 to 5 metres. The marina has about 150 berths at around EUR 70 per night. The town is connected to Sóller proper by a vintage tram (EUR 7 one-way). Eat fresh prawns at the harbour while the mountains glow orange at sunset.

Day 6: Sóller to Palma (30NM)

Dragonera island and the homeward run

The final sailing day is another 30NM leg, but conditions are generally more forgiving than Day 5. Head southwest along the Tramuntana coast, which gradually lowers in profile as you approach the island's western tip. About 20NM into the leg, Illa de sa Dragonera appears off the southwest corner of Mallorca.

Dragonera is a protected natural park shaped, as the name suggests, like a sleeping dragon. It runs about 3.2km long. Anchor on the southeastern side in 5 to 8 metres for a swim stop. The island has no permanent residents, only a handful of park wardens and a large population of Lilford's wall lizards found nowhere else on earth.

From Dragonera, you have 10NM to Palma. The approach brings you past the resort coast of Santa Ponsa and Magaluf before the Bay of Palma opens up. The cathedral on the waterfront is your landmark. Re-enter the marina, plug in the shore power, and appreciate that you have just sailed around an entire island.

For your final night, berth at one of Palma's marinas. Club de Mar charges approximately EUR 100 per night for a 40ft boat. Marina Palma runs slightly cheaper at about EUR 85.

Day 7: Palma

A rest day you have earned

No sailing today. Spend the morning at the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Palma (La Seu), a Gothic structure begun in 1229 that took 400 years to build. Entry costs EUR 10. Inside, look for the Gaudí-designed canopy above the main altar, completed in 1912.

Walk to the La Lonja quarter for tapas. The narrow streets around Plaça de la Llotja are packed with small bars. A plate of tumbet (Mallorcan ratatouille) and a glass of local Binissalem wine costs roughly EUR 8 to 12. For provisioning or last-minute packing, the Mercat de l'Olivar is a 10-minute walk from the marina.

North Coast Warning: Have a Plan B

The stretch from Pollença to Sóller, covering Days 4 and 5, is the section that separates this route from a beginner-friendly itinerary. The north coast is fully exposed to winds from the northwest through northeast. In summer, these are uncommon but not impossible. A Tramuntana wind event, cold northerlies at Force 6 or higher, can last 2 to 3 days and make the coast dangerous.

Your plan B is simple. If the forecast is unfavourable, skip the north coast entirely. Sail from Pollença back through the Bahía de Alcúdia, down the east coast, and return to Palma the way you came. You lose the Tramuntana cliffs but you keep your boat in one piece. That is always the better outcome. Check our honest guide to sailing safety for more on managing exposed passages.

For weather, use the Spanish Met Office (AEMET) marine forecast and Windy.com. Check both every morning before departure. If two sources disagree, trust the more conservative one.

Licensing and Charter Costs

Spain requires an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) or equivalent national licence for bareboat charter. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or IYT Bareboat Skipper, you can obtain an ICC through your national authority. Alternatively, hire a skipper for about EUR 180 to 220 per day.

Charter costs for a 38 to 42ft monohull from Palma range from EUR 2,200 per week in May to EUR 4,500 per week in August. A 40ft catamaran runs EUR 3,500 to EUR 6,500 over the same period. For a detailed breakdown, see our 2026 charter price guide. Budget an additional EUR 600 to 900 per week for fuel, marina fees, and provisioning. If you are booking your first charter, start the process 3 to 6 months in advance for the best boat selection.

This route also compares well against other 7-day Mediterranean circuits. For more wind and less motoring, consider the Ionian Islands route from Lefkada to Corfu. For warmer water and shorter hops, look at the Saronic Gulf circle from Athens.