Charter Tour of Palma Bay: Snorkeling and Paddle Surfing

The best part of this Palma Bay trip is the mix of small-boat freedom and easy water fun. You ride out from Palma, pause at a clear-water cove chosen for the day’s sea conditions, then use paddleboards, snorkeling gear, floats, and a sea scooter without paying extra for each activity.

I especially like two things: the maximum of nine people, which keeps the boat from feeling like a floating bus, and the relaxed stop of roughly 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The main catch is that the captain chooses the cove, so you are not guaranteed Punta Negra, Illetes, or Portals Vells on a given day.

Key points to know before booking

• A small boat with a nine-person limit: You get a more personal outing than on a large sightseeing cruise.
• The swimming stop depends on sea conditions: The captain may choose Punta Negra, Illetes, or Portals Vells.
• Several water toys are included: Paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, floats, and a sea scooter are available.
• Drinks are supplied: Water, soft drinks, and beers are included, but meals and snacks are not.
• Local guides add context: Enrique, Franchesca, and Marilena have been praised for friendly service and useful local information.
• You return to the same port: Transport to and from the meeting point is your responsibility.

Leaving Palma for a clear-water cove

Saltytours Mallorca operates this outing from the Paseo Maritimo in Palma, at the Saltytours boat charter meeting point. You need to make your own way there, and the activity ends back at the same location.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You leave the city behind and see Palma Bay from the water, with time for coastal views and photographs. One especially nice touch is a stop for pictures of Palma Cathedral from the sea. It gives you a different angle on one of the city’s most familiar sights.

The full outing lasts about two and a half hours, with around 30 minutes set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and general relaxation. That is enough time to feel like you had a proper sea outing, but not so long that the trip takes over your whole day in Mallorca.

Your captain decides where to stop based on the sea. The possible areas are Illetes, Punta Negra, and Portals Vells. This flexible approach makes sense in a bay where wind and waves can change the quality of a swimming spot, though it also means you should not book this expecting one fixed cove.

Punta Negra, Illetes, or Portals Vells

Punta Negra is the place specifically described for a longer bathing stop, and it has been used for swimming in warm, clear water with fish visible while snorkeling. You can expect time to leave the boat, cool off, and try the equipment at your own pace.

Illetes and Portals Vells are the other possible stopping areas. The choice is not presented as a sightseeing menu. Instead, the captain selects the best option for that day’s conditions. That is good practical seamanship, but it does require a flexible attitude.

The stop is not a full beach visit. You are spending time from the boat, using the surrounding water for swimming and activities. If you want a long stay on sand, a beach club, or a full afternoon at one named cove, this is not the right format.

For a quick sea break, though, the arrangement works well. You get a change of scene, a chance to swim in clear water, and several ways to stay active without arranging separate rentals.

Paddleboards, snorkeling, and a sea scooter

The equipment is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. Paddleboards are included, so you can stand or kneel above the water and enjoy the cove at a gentle pace. You are not limited to sitting on the boat while other people swim.

Snorkeling masks let you look below the surface for fish and marine life. The water around Punta Negra has been described as warm and clear, which is exactly the sort of setting where a short snorkel stop feels worthwhile.

The sea scooter is the unusual extra. It lets you move through the water with less effort and can make the swimming stop more playful, especially for older children and teenagers. If you have never tried one, the first attempt may take a moment to get used to, but it adds something different from ordinary snorkeling.

Floats and noodles are also available. These matter more than they might sound. You can use them to rest in the water, keep things easy, or give less confident swimmers a more comfortable way to enjoy the stop.

The activity is not presented as a lesson in paddleboarding or snorkeling. You should expect equipment for casual use, rather than formal instruction or a coached water-sports session. That makes it accessible for a mixed group, but anyone seeking serious training should choose a specialist class instead.

A small group changes the feel of the trip

The boat holds no more than nine people. That limit is important because a small boat can feel very different from a large excursion vessel. There is less crowding around the equipment, fewer people competing for space in the water, and a better chance to speak with the captain.

The experience can feel especially intimate when fewer than nine places are filled. One outing had only three people on board, creating the feel of a private charter even though the product is not advertised as a guaranteed private trip.

That point deserves care. You are booking a small-group boat, not necessarily an exclusive boat for your own party. The maximum is nine, and the final group size can vary. If privacy is essential, confirm the arrangement before booking rather than assuming the word charter means private hire.

A small boat also has a tradeoff. It may feel compact, especially when people are moving between swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. One poor experience raised concerns about overbooking and the boat being too small, so I would treat the nine-person limit as a real limit worth confirming at booking time.

Most of the available feedback is strongly positive, with a 4.6 out of 5 rating and 90 percent of participants recommending the experience. Still, the criticism about boat size, booking expectations, and crew behavior should not be ignored. The overall picture is favorable, but the experience depends on clear expectations and good communication.

Enrique and the local guiding style

Enrique is named as one of the guides, and he receives especially warm praise for making the trip comfortable and enjoyable. Franchesca and Marilena are also identified as guides who share local facts and help people feel at ease.

The guiding style appears informal. You are not signing up for a long lecture about Mallorca. Instead, the captain and crew share stories and curiosities as you travel around the bay, with practical attention to comfort and the day’s conditions.

That suits this type of outing. The main point is time on the water, not a formal history tour. The guide’s local knowledge is useful when you want to understand what you are seeing, find the best place to swim, or get a good photo of Palma from offshore.

The trip also works well for families with older children. A 13-year-old had a particularly good outing, and the sea scooter, floats, and paddleboards give children more than one way to stay entertained. You still need to judge your own family’s swimming ability and comfort around a small boat, since the activity is built around open-water recreation.

What the $78 price includes

At about $78.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Palma Bay. The value comes from the package rather than from the boat ride alone.

You receive roughly two and a half hours on the water, a captain-led route, a swimming stop, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floats, and a sea scooter. Water, soft drinks, and beers are included as well. If you would otherwise rent several pieces of equipment separately, the bundled price becomes easier to justify.

The small-group setup also adds value. A nine-person maximum gives you more room and attention than a large cruise, though you should not assume the boat will be private. For a birthday treat, a family morning, or a relaxed afternoon with water activities, the price can make sense.

Food is not included. Bring a snack if you will want one, especially if you are booking a later slot or arriving hungry. Towels and sunscreen are also not supplied. Those are easy items to forget when you are focused on swimming, so pack them before leaving your accommodation.

The 5 p.m. departure has one practical advantage: you can enjoy the water later in the day, when the heat may feel less intense than at midday. One family found that timing comfortable and still warm enough for swimming. The exact departure choices are not provided here, so check the available time when you reserve.

What to pack for the boat

Keep your packing simple. You need transport to the port, a towel, sunscreen, and anything you want to eat. The operator supplies water, soft drinks, and beers, so you do not need to bring those unless you have a specific preference.

Sunscreen is particularly important because you will spend time exposed on the boat and in the water. Reapply as needed, since swimming and paddleboarding can remove it quickly. A towel is essential after the swim, and food is sensible if you do not want to wait until the tour ends.

The meeting point is at Saltytours on Paseo Maritimo in the Ponent area of Palma. Build in enough time to find the exact departure spot, since transport is not part of the booking. After the activity, you return to the same meeting point.

The tour confirmation arrives at booking. Most people can participate, and the booking information does not list a special fitness requirement. Even so, the core of the outing involves swimming and using equipment in the sea, so you should be comfortable with those conditions.

The main limitation: flexibility cuts both ways

The captain’s choice of swimming area is sensible because sea conditions matter. A sheltered cove with calmer water will usually make for a better stop than a famous location with choppy water. This is one reason not to become too attached to Punta Negra or any other named place.

But the same flexibility can disappoint if you booked for one specific setting. The route may not include every location mentioned, and the exact stop is not guaranteed. Ask yourself if you want a general Palma Bay water outing or a visit to one particular beach.

The boat’s small size is another consideration. It helps create a friendly atmosphere, but it can feel crowded when the boat is full. The nine-person cap is reassuring, yet it does not turn a compact vessel into a spacious yacht.

There was also one serious negative account involving alleged overbooking, an unhappy interaction with the captain, and safety concerns. The operator disputed those claims, stating that the trip finished without injury or incident. I would not treat one account as proof of a wider pattern, but it is a useful reminder to confirm the group limit and ask questions if anything seems unclear before departure.

Who should book this Palma Bay outing?

I would recommend it most to people who want a short, active sea trip rather than a full-day cruise. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who like having several water activities available without arranging separate rentals.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy informal guiding. Enrique, Franchesca, and Marilena are associated with a friendly, helpful style, and the trip includes local stories along with coastal views.

You may want a different experience if you need a private boat, a guaranteed stop at Punta Negra, a full meal, or a large amount of space. You should also look elsewhere if you want a formal snorkeling lesson, a dedicated paddleboarding class, or a full beach afternoon.

The timing can work nicely as a morning activity or as a late-day break. A 5 p.m. outing may help you avoid the strongest midday sun while keeping the water warm, although the available departure times need to be checked at booking.

Cancellation and weather details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels the activity.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want Palma Bay in a relaxed, playful format, with a small boat, a clear-water swimming stop, and several pieces of equipment included in the price. The combination of snorkeling, paddleboards, floats, and a sea scooter gives you more to do than a standard boat ride.

Before paying, make sure you are comfortable with three points: the boat may be full at nine people, the captain chooses the swimming cove, and you must bring your own towel, sunscreen, snacks, and transport to the port.

For most people seeking two and a half hours on the water, the package offers solid value. Just think of it as a small-group bay adventure, not a guaranteed private charter or a fixed beach tour.

FAQ

Where does the Palma Bay boat tour start?

The activity starts at Saltytours, Boat Charter Tour, on Paseo Maritimo in the Ponent area of Palma, Mallorca.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it starts.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes. About 30 minutes is set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation.

Which swimming cove will the boat visit?

The captain chooses the stop according to sea conditions. Possible locations include Illetes, Punta Negra, and Portals Vells.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is nine people per boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with paddleboards, floats, and a sea scooter.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, and beers are included. Meals and snacks are not provided.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in a choice of a different date or a full refund.