Best Boat Tour in Palma de Mallorca? Our Catamaran Review

A sunset boat tour in Palma de Mallorca was the perfect way to end our trip to this beautiful island. We sailed on a brand new catamaran with a welcome drink, five rounds of really good tapas, and amazing views of the cathedral as we pulled out of the marina. We even had a gorgeous orange moon glowing over the city on the way back. Is this boat tour right for you? We’ll tell you everything you need to know, plus how to choose between the sunset sail and a day trip, since the day trip might suit you better depending on your travel style.

This is not sponsored. We just love to share our experiences when they work out so well, so you can enjoy them too. Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no additional cost to you. Our opinions are our own.

Sunset or Day Trip? Which Boat Tour in Palma de Mallorca to Book

Our tour operator offered both day trips and sunset tours, and you should give some thought to which one is best for you before you book. The day excursions are about four hours and meant for enjoying the sun and getting in the water, with snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and floats included, plus stops at coves along the coast.

The sunset sail is a two-hour casual boat ride where you stay on deck the whole time. We love a sunset cruise and picked this option because it was our last night and we wanted to see Palma from the water at a relaxed pace. If you have a full day free, the longer trip is lovely, too, and you’ll get the Mediterranean experience. We highly recommend doing at least one of these excursions, if not both. We sailed at 7:15 pm in late August and the timing was perfect. We had daylight on the way out, saw the sunset and the mountains from the water, and got all the city lights on the way back in. You can book this exact tour for day or sunset here: Luxury Catamaran sailing with welcome Drinks Tapas

The Catamaran and the Crew

The boat was brand new and beautiful, with a big shaded cockpit, cushioned seating all the way across the back, and a bright interior with a galley and lounge. Everything was spotless and there was tons of room to spread out, with a maximum of 10 to 12 guests. Our crew was great and the group was fun. We spent most of the evening chatting with travelers from a few different countries, which is one of our favorite parts of a shared excursion.

What You See From the Water

Pulling out of the marina, we looked back at the cathedral and the Almudaina Palace as they lit up in the evening sun with all the yachts and masts in front of them. We’d walked past that cathedral every day of our stay, and it’s a completely different experience from out on the water. From there we traveled along the coast toward the mountains and watched the sun go down. We were lucky to have a gorgeous sunset, and the way back in was just as extraordinary with a huge orange moon over the skyline.

What’s Included on the Boat Tour in Palma de Mallorca

We paid $262 for two, so $131 each for our boat tour in Palma de Mallorca. That covers the crew, a welcome drink, water, tapas, all fees and taxes, and insurance. The longer day trips also include the snorkeling gear and water toys. The food was a highlight. They served about five different plates over the evening, which were all small but thoughtfully prepared and served individually. We loved that they were real tapas rather than a bowl of chips and side of olives.

Pro Tips: You can’t bring your own food or drinks on board. Anything beyond the welcome drink comes from an open bar you pay for, with cocktails, spirits, juices, and coffee. We bought a few drinks and the prices were about what you’d pay at a bar in town. Gratuities aren’t included either, so bring some cash.

Getting to the Boat Tour

The marina was an easy walk from our hotel in central Palma, so we never needed a taxi. The tour drops you back at the same spot around 9:15 pm, which is perfect timing for a late dinner or night out in the Old Town. The tapas on the boat were great, but they’re not a full meal, so plan to eat something light before or after the sunset cruise.

Who Should Book This Boat Tour in Palma de Mallorca?

This trip is best for couples and travelers who want a relaxed evening on the water with a gorgeous view of the city, and who don’t mind sharing a boat with a small group to keep the price down. We enjoyed the social aspects of this shared boat tour, and it made a lovely last night of the trip. If you want to swim, book the longer day trip instead. And if you’d rather have the boat to yourself, look into a private charter.

Is a Boat Tour in Palma de Mallorca Worth It?

No question. Two hours on a beautiful new catamaran with a welcome drink, five rounds of tapas, and the cathedral view at sunset for $131 each is a great deal in Mallorca. Being out on the water at sunset on a warm late summer evening was a perfect way to end the trip. We’d book it again, and we’d still choose the sunset over the day trip, but that’s an entirely individual decision depending on if you want to get into the water or just watch the sunset. We actually think it’s worth doing both. You can get all the details on our trip here: Luxury Catamaran sailing with welcome Drinks Tapas

Boat Tour in Palma de Mallorca: At-a-Glance


The tour	Two-hour sunset catamaran sail
Cost	$262 for two, or $131 per person
Departure	7:15 pm in late August, from the marina in central Palma
Group size	10 to 12 guests
Included	Welcome drink, water, tapas, all fees and taxes
Extra	Open bar drinks and gratuities
Not allowed	Outside food and drinks, smoking
Best views	The cathedral on the way out, and the city lights coming back
Book instead	A longer day trip if you want to swim and snorkel

Boat Tour in Palma de Mallorca FAQs

How Much Is a Boat Tour in Palma de Mallorca?

We paid $262 for two on the two-hour sunset catamaran, which is $131 each. That included a welcome drink, water, and tapas.

How Long Is the Sunset Boat Tour?

Two hours. The day excursions on the same boats last about four hours and include swimming and the water toys.

Do You Swim on the Sunset Cruise?

No. Swimming is part of the longer daytime trips. The sunset sail is all about the views and the food.

What Time Should You Book a Sunset Boat Tour in Palma?

Aim to be on the water about 45 minutes before sunset. Ours left at 7:15 pm in late August, which gave us daylight, the sunset, and the city lights on the way back.

Is There a Bar on Board the Sunset Cruise?

Yes, and it costs extra. The welcome drink and water are included, and you can buy cocktails, spirits, juices, and coffee. You can’t bring your own.

Where Does the Boat Tour in Palma de Mallorca Leave From?

From the marina in central Palma, and it returns to the same spot. We walked there from our hotel in the center. You can read our top recommendations on where to stay in Palma here: Read more here: Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca: 3 Hotels We Loved

We highly recommend adding a few nights at a beach resort on Mallorca in addition to checking out Palma. Read about one of our favorite spot here: Cala Ratjada, Mallorca: Is It the Right Vibe for Your Trip?