Palma de Mallorca: Small Group Tour by Locals in Hidden Coves

The appeal here is simple: spend a morning getting to Mallorca’s coast on foot and in the water, with time for snorkeling, small caves and optional cliff jumps. The group is capped at eight, so you can ask your guide questions and move at a more personal pace than you would on a large outing.

I like two things in particular: the mix of sea time and local history, from the old Fortín Militar de Bendinat to Ermita de Portals Nous, and the chance to choose your own level of adventure. One consideration: you need to know how to swim, and the walk can feel long if you are not used to spending much of a morning on your feet.

At a glance

• Small group: No more than eight people, with a more personal feel and room to ask your guide about the places you pass.
• A morning on the coast: The four-hour route combines short heritage stops, coastal walking, swimming and snorkeling.
• Cliff jumps are optional: You can jump at designated spots, or stay on shore and enjoy the cove.
• Guides named on this tour: Marc and Joan are among the guides mentioned. Your assigned guide may vary.
• Useful gear is included: Snorkeling equipment and water shoes are provided. Share your shoe size when booking.
• Bring the basics: Transportation, bottled water and snacks are not included.

A four-hour outing built around the sea

This is not a bus tour with a string of photo stops. You get from one part of the coast to another on foot, with substantial time for swimming and snorkeling along the way. The route takes in Bendinat and Ses Illetes, then finishes above the water at Ermita de Portals Nous.

The stated duration is about four hours, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The listed stops add up to roughly three hours and 25 minutes, leaving the rest for walking between them and the practical pauses that come with a coastal outing. You should expect an active morning, not four hours of continuous swimming.

The small group is a real advantage here. With a maximum of eight, a guide can check in about swimming ability and help people make sensible choices around the water. Joan, one of the guides named for the tour, has been especially attentive to different swimming abilities and brought additional equipment for a participant who needed it. That kind of care matters more on a route where people may be in the water at different times and comfort levels.

Starting near Bendinat’s old fort

The meeting point is Av. República, 15, in Bendinat. The first listed stop is Fortín Militar de Bendinat, a small old fortress that once served as a watch point over the area. You spend about 10 minutes here, hearing stories about its past and how soldiers kept watch.

This is a brief introduction rather than a full history visit. If you love military architecture, do not expect a long tour through a large fort; the value is in the context your guide gives the place and its position in the coastal route. I like having this pause at the start. It gives the morning a sense of place before the focus shifts to the sea.

The meeting point and first stop have different addresses in the route details, so check the exact meeting instructions before setting out. Transportation to the tour is not included. The area is near public transportation, but allow time to get to Bendinat for the 9:30 start.

Snorkeling around Ses Illetes

The longest single stop is Platja de Ses Illetes, where you spend about an hour and a half swimming around the coast, looking into small caves and exploring underwater. Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to bring a mask and snorkel of your own. The route is designed to take advantage of the coast, not keep you planted on a beach towel.

You may see fish and other details below the surface, though the exact conditions and sightings depend on the day. One of the strongest features of the experience is the chance to see this stretch of Mallorca from the water, rather than only from a road or viewpoint. Guides also share local history and culture as you go, adding context without turning the outing into a lecture.

Cliff jumping is available for those who want it, but it is not a requirement. The right choice is the one that suits your comfort level; you can enjoy the coves and swim without taking a leap. The tour information says participants should know how to swim, so this is not a good fit if you cannot swim or are uncomfortable in open water.

The sea is the main event, which makes practical preparation worthwhile. Wear comfortable shoes for the walking portions and bring water and snacks. Water shoes are supplied, but you need to provide your shoe size when booking. Bottled water and food are not included, so do not assume you will be handed a drink or snack during the morning.

A quick pause at Mirador de Rafael

After the time in the water, the route stops for about 15 minutes at Mirador de Rafael, a lookout in Ses Illetes. From here, you can take in the sea and the skyline, and give yourself a moment to dry off and catch your breath.

This is a short viewpoint stop, not a long break. Bring a camera if you like taking photos, but keep your gear practical: you will be moving between land and water, and anything you carry should be easy to manage. The viewpoint also offers a useful change of pace after a long swim stop.

Walking to Bendinat’s rocky cove

The next section leads toward a rocky cove in Bendinat, with about an hour set aside for the stop. You can swim in the clear water, take a leisurely walk along the coast or opt for another cliff jump. If you prefer a quieter visit, there is no need to make the jump the measure of whether you are having fun.

This is where the tour’s active side becomes most apparent. One participant described the walk as long, while also noting that Joan kept the pace flexible and checked whether people needed anything. That is useful to know if you are traveling with teenagers or family members with different energy levels. Still, a small group and a considerate guide cannot remove the uneven footing or make the walking disappear. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably.

The rocky setting is part of the appeal, but it is worth being clear about what that means: this is not a relaxed, all-day beach stay. You are moving between coves, swimming spots and viewpoints, and the route asks you to be comfortable changing between walking and water time. If you want a sun lounger, a nearby café and little exertion, choose a different kind of outing.

Finishing above the coast at Ermita de Portals Nous

The last stop is Ermita de Portals Nous, a small chapel above the coast with a view from its elevated position. The tour allows about 30 minutes here. It is a quieter finish after the swims and walking, and gives you time to take in the view and hear more about the chapel and its setting.

The tour ends at Carrer Oratori, 1, in Portals Nous, not at the Bendinat starting point. The end location is about five minutes from a bus or taxi stop, according to the tour details. Since transportation is not included and the route is point-to-point, plan ahead for how you will get back to your accommodation or continue your day.

One helpful detail from Joan’s outings is that he has assisted people with their onward plans, including suggesting a beach and restaurant and explaining how to return safely. Treat that as a sign of a considerate guide, not a guaranteed transfer or meal arrangement. The tour does not include transportation, food or drinks.

What the price buys you

At $53.10 per person, the price covers about four hours with a local guide, a group of no more than eight, snorkeling equipment and water shoes. It also buys access to a carefully varied morning: a fortress, two stretches of coast, time in the water, a lookout and a chapel above the sea.

The value depends on what you want from Mallorca. If you are happy to pay for a guided experience that puts swimming and coastal exploration first, the price is reasonable for a small group and included equipment. It is less compelling if you already have your own plan for the coves, do not want a guide or would rather spend the same morning on a beach without walking.

Remember to add your own water, snacks and transport to the cost. Those are not included. You may also need to factor in the effort of getting to the starting point and arranging your return from Portals Nous.

Who will get the most from it

This suits confident swimmers who like an active morning and want more than a beach stop. It is especially appealing if you enjoy snorkeling, coastal walks and the option of a cliff jump, but still value hearing local stories along the way. Families with teens may find the mix of swimming and optional jumps a good fit; one group’s teenagers particularly enjoyed the chance to jump from cliffs.

It can also work for people who prefer not to jump, as long as they are comfortable swimming and walking. The activity description includes leisurely walking and swimming as alternatives to cliff jumping. The small group and guides’ attention to different needs help, but the tour is not presented as a non-swimmer activity.

Skip it if you want an easy, seated excursion, need transport included, or are uneasy in open water. The best reason to book is the combination of coast, water and local guidance, not any single stop in isolation. If that mix sounds like your kind of Mallorca morning, this is a strong choice.

Practical details before you go

The tour starts at 9:30 a.m. at Av. República, 15, in Bendinat, and ends at Ermita de Portals Nous, Carrer Oratori, 1. Confirm your meeting instructions and work out your return trip, since the two points are different and transport is not provided.

Wear comfortable shoes and give your shoe size when booking so water shoes can be supplied. Snorkeling equipment is included, but you should bring water and snacks. You need to know how to swim. The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is received at booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

Should you book this Mallorca coast tour?

Book it if you want an active, small-group morning that blends snorkeling, swimming, coastal walking and local stories. The combination of a maximum group size of eight, included water gear and optional cliff jumps makes the price appealing for people who plan to spend plenty of time by and in the sea.

Think twice if swimming is not comfortable for you, if a long walk sounds unappealing, or if you need a round-trip transfer. For confident swimmers who want a more personal way to explore the coast, this tour offers a satisfying mix of movement, sea time and local character.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts about four hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:30 a.m.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is eight.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Participants should know how to swim.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are water shoes provided?

Yes. Water shoes are included. Provide your shoe size when booking.

Are food, water and transportation included?

No. Bottled water, snacks and transportation are not included.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at Ermita de Portals Nous, Carrer Oratori, 1, in Portals Nous.