Catamaran sailing in Mallorca through the Bay of Palma with BBQ

The best part of this Palma Bay trip is the pause at Cala Vella, where you can swim in clear water, try a paddleboard or simply stay aboard while the crew prepares a BBQ. It gives you more than a sightseeing sail: there is time to enjoy the coast from the water.

I like two things in particular: the 36-person cap on a boat designed for 57, and the combination of a meal with time to swim. The crew and food also receive especially warm praise, and one visitor describes a lively, friendly atmosphere aboard.

The main caveat is that this is a single-destination outing, not a long coastal itinerary. If you expect several stops or a full day of exploring, the roughly four-and-a-half-hour trip may feel limited for the price.

The useful details at a glance

• A small-group limit: Oasis Catamaran caps the group at 36, though the boat can carry 57.
• One main destination: The boat sails from Port of Palma toward Cala Vella, then returns along Palma Bay.
• A swim-and-relax stop: Cala Vella is a nature reserve with coves and clear water. The route may change with the weather.
• BBQ cooked aboard: The meal is prepared on the catamaran, with particularly strong praise for its quality.
• Paddleboards are included: Paddleboards are available during the stop at no extra charge.
• About half a day: Plan for approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. The route details also give a four-hour duration, so check the exact timing before you set plans around it.

Sailing out from Port of Palma

The outing begins at Port of Palma, at the meeting point listed as HJ9V+29 Palma, Spain. From there, the catamaran heads across the Bay of Palma toward Cala Vella. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from another port.

This is a shared sailing trip, but the passenger limit is lower than the boat’s capacity. Oasis Catamaran says it accepts no more than 36 people aboard a vessel built for 57. That leaves more room than filling every available place would, though the limit does not promise a quiet or private trip. A past group of about 30 was described as comfortable rather than crowded, but group size can vary.

The boat is called Oasis Catamaran. No individual guide names are provided, so I would not book expecting a particular skipper or crew member. The people working on board are a central part of the experience: the crew handles the sailing, helps organize the stop and prepares lunch. The strongest impressions from people who have taken the trip concern their friendliness, organization and service.

You are on the water for most of the outing, which is the point. The ride gives you a different view of Palma and its bay, rather than a guided walk through the city or a series of land-based stops. If you want a few hours away from streets and sightseeing queues, this is a pleasant change of pace.

Cala Vella: the main event

The catamaran sails to Cala Vella, a nature reserve known for coves and clear water. This is the trip’s main destination and the place where the schedule shifts from sailing to swimming and relaxing. The route description does not name several separate stops, so think of this as one substantial anchoring break rather than a hop between beaches.

You can swim while the boat is stopped, or use the paddleboards provided on board. They are included in the price, which is useful if you want to do more than sit on deck, and means you do not need to arrange a separate rental for this activity. If you would rather take it easy, staying on board is also part of the appeal.

The water and scenery are a major reason to choose this trip, but they are also subject to conditions. The route may change depending on the weather, and the experience requires good weather to operate. If a particular cove is the main reason you are booking, keep in mind that the captain may have to adjust the route.

There is only one destination listed, and that is worth weighing honestly. One person who was unhappy with the trip found the destination average and expected more for the price. If you have taken many boat trips and want a long route with multiple stops, this may not deliver enough variety. If a scenic sail, one swim stop and time to unwind sound like a good half-day, the single-stop format can feel just right.

BBQ on board, not at a beach restaurant

Lunch is prepared directly on the catamaran while you are at Cala Vella. That makes the meal part of the boat outing, rather than a break that sends you ashore. The BBQ is one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience, with one person saying the food exceeded expectations.

A meal served on board can make the stop feel less rushed: you can eat and enjoy the setting without giving up the rest of the sailing time to find a restaurant. But the details provided do not specify the menu, drink options or how dietary needs are handled. If you have allergies or other food requirements, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the BBQ will suit you.

The crew also draws strong praise for being friendly, helpful and organized. That matters on a shared outing: clear coordination can make it easier to move between sailing, lunch and water activities without the day feeling chaotic. The atmosphere has been described as lively, though a shared boat’s mood naturally depends on the people aboard that day.

Is $91.71 good value?

At $91.71 per person, the price buys a roughly half-day sailing trip, a BBQ cooked on board, a stop for swimming and paddleboards included in the price. It is a fair bundle if you plan to use the stop and enjoy the meal. You are paying for time on the water and the boat experience, not just transport to a cove.

The value depends on what you want from a boat trip. If your priorities are a scenic sail, a friendly crew, lunch and time to swim, the package has several useful elements in one outing. The group cap also means the boat is not filled to its full capacity, which may make the time aboard more comfortable.

On the other hand, the route has one main destination and the trip is not especially long. If you compare it with boat tours that visit several coves or spend most of the day at sea, you may find the price harder to justify. The limited number of available ratings, 4.6 from eight reviews, is encouraging but still a small sample. The most useful signal is the mix: strong praise for the crew and food, alongside at least one clear complaint that the destination and overall outing did not feel worth the cost.

The trip is booked, on average, 27 days ahead. That is a useful planning clue, not a guarantee that every date sells out or that you must book exactly that early. If you have a fixed travel date, booking ahead is sensible; if your plans are flexible, compare your options and check availability.

Timing, weather and small planning notes

The listed overall duration is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes, while the route details describe the activity as four hours. Since those figures do not match exactly, allow a little flexibility around the start and return, and confirm the expected timing when you book. The experience begins and ends at the Palma meeting point.

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and most people can participate. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, or if poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For a weather-dependent day on the water, that flexibility is worth noting.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded. The cut-off follows local time in Mallorca.

Bring what you need to be comfortable around the water, especially if you intend to swim. The supplied information does not spell out what personal items or facilities are available on board, so check with Oasis Catamaran if you have a specific practical question.

Who should book this Palma Bay sail?

I would consider this trip if you want an easy half-day on the Mediterranean, enjoy swimming and value having lunch included. It also suits you if you like the social feel of a shared boat but prefer a stated cap of 36 rather than a boat filled to its full capacity.

It is less suited to anyone expecting a long voyage, several coves, a private charter or a detailed tour of Mallorca’s coast. The plan centers on a sail to Cala Vella, one stop and a return across the bay. That can be a good, simple day on the water, as long as you know what you are paying for.

Book it if the mix of sailing, swimming, paddleboards and BBQ sounds like your ideal Mallorca break. If variety of destinations matters more than time to relax, compare it with a tour that makes multiple stops before committing.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran trip?

The overall duration is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. The route details also describe a four-hour activity, so confirm the exact timing before making other plans.

Where does the trip start?

It starts at the Port of Palma meeting point listed as HJ9V+29 Palma, Spain.

Where does the trip end?

It ends back at the same meeting point in Palma.

How many people can join?

The catamaran has capacity for 57 people, but the maximum group for this activity is 36.

Where does the catamaran sail?

It departs from Port of Palma and heads toward Cala Vella in the Bay of Palma. It returns by sailing along the bay.

Is there time to swim?

Yes. The catamaran stops at Cala Vella so you can swim and relax.

Are paddleboards included?

Yes. Paddleboards are available on board and included in the price.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. A BBQ is prepared on board. The menu and drink options are not specified.

Can the route change?

Yes. The route may be altered depending on weather conditions.

What happens if the trip is canceled due to bad weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.