More about: Day Trips around the Best Beaches in Menorca
You can only say you really know Menorca once you've sailed its beautiful turquoise waters: its stunning coves invite you to relax, and considering that most of them are inaccessible on foot or by car, or require long walks, joining a boat trip in Menorca is a great way to get the most out of your trip.
But what are the best excursions? How much should I budget? Can I take the whole family on a boat? I'll answer these questions and more in this article. Keep reading!
Menorca Northern Beaches Boat Tour
Explore the coves of northern Menorca by boat
Enjoy a 3.5-hour trip around Menorca's wildest coves with snacks and snorkelling equipment included. Perfect for discovering Cavalleria, Cala Pregonda and Fornells from the sea.
If you want to discover the wildest and most rugged side of Menorca, this boat trip around the northern coves is the perfect option. Over the course of around three and a half hours, you'll sail along less touristy but equally impressive stretches of coastline, stopping to swim and snorkel in rougher, deeper waters that are ideal for observing marine life. In addition, snacks are served on board to recharge your batteries while you enjoy the scenery.
During the tour, you will visit iconic places such as Cavalleria, with its red earth and strong waves; Cala Pregonda, known for its crystal-clear waters and volcanic rocks emerging from the sea; and Fornells, a charming port ideal for water sports. Unlike the coves in the south, here you will find dark sands, steep cliffs and a more rugged natural beauty, perfect for those seeking a different and authentic experience in Menorca.
Recommended if... you fancy a relaxing excursion that is accessible for the whole family, with stops to swim in unique coves in the north and discover a different side of the island.
Menorca Southern Beaches Boat Tour with Lunch
The best boat trip to discover the coves of southern Menorca
Perfect if you want to spend a day aboard a boat sailing along the south coast of the island, with its turquoise coves and fine sand. Includes lunch.
Macarella, Son Saura and Turqueta, among others, should be on your wish list when you travel to Menorca. Their fine sand, crystal-clear waters, surrounding nature and tranquillity of the sea make them favourites with all visitors to the island.
On this excursion to the coves of southern Menorca, you will set sail at around 10 a.m. for a relaxing trip around the southern coves. On board, lunch is included (you'll be served a traditional, freshly made paella) and there's a bar service to refresh you whenever you want. You'll be provided with everything you need so that when you stop for a swim, you can snorkel and enjoy the island's underwater life.
You couldn't ask for much more from an excursion that includes all this for such a reasonable price, especially considering that the south coast is the most popular part of the island. Don't forget your swimsuit, flip-flops and sunscreen. Enjoy!
Recommended if... you want to visit the southern coves with everything included for a very reasonable price.
How much does a trip to the coves of Menorca cost?
You can find boat trips around the coves of Menorca from £28 for the south coast (lasting 4 hours) to around £110 if you want the most premium option on the north coast (on a sailing boat for a whole day). In general, the south coast of the island is more popular and there are usually more services available: larger boats, more frequent departures, etc., which makes it a little cheaper than the north coast.
How long do the excursions to the coves of Menorca last?
Due to the wide range and variety of excursions on offer, you can choose between short trips lasting 3½ hours and excursions lasting practically the whole day, around eight hours. The longer excursions usually include food and drinks on board, but on all excursions, long and short, you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling to make the most of the coves.
Is it worth taking a trip to discover the best coves?
Yes, absolutely. Many of the island's coves are inaccessible on foot or by car. Others require long walks of up to two hours in the intense summer heat. That's why joining a boat trip where you can reach the coves comfortably from the water, without getting hot or having to make a big effort, is well worth it.
If you take a full-day excursion, lunch is included, which saves you from having to interrupt your beach day to go to a beach bar to eat or buy food. You can eat peacefully on board whatever the crew has prepared and enjoy the swimming, sun and crystal-clear waters to the fullest.
Where do the excursions to the coves depart from?
There are daily excursions from the main towns and beaches on the island: from Cala Galdana or Ciudadela you will set sail for the southern coves, and if you want to explore the northern coves, you will always depart from the port of Fornells, a small village located in the bay of Fornells, in the north of Menorca.
However, depending on where your hotel or apartment is located, you can choose other departure points, such as Mahón.
Choose between the southern coves and the northern coves
The best-known coves are those in the south (Macarella, Macarelleta, Turqueta, Mitjana, Trebalúguer, etc.), but they are also the most crowded. You can't leave Menorca without seeing them, and a good way to avoid congested car parks and crowded beaches is to visit them by boat. However, if you prefer to discover a more natural and unspoilt environment with fewer people (and boats), choose the northern coves.
What do you do on the excursions? Itinerary, what's included, etc
During the excursions, you will be able to discover the coves from the boat, enjoy the colour of the water and the natural landscapes surrounding each of the beaches. In addition, all boat trips include stops for swimming and you will usually be provided with the necessary snorkelling equipment. You can swim and discover the marine life of the coves, rocks and caves.
On day trips, food and drink are included, so you'll have the chance to recharge your batteries during the trip without having to worry about a thing.
As for the itinerary, the southern coves excursions follow a fixed route: departing from Ciudadela or Cala Galdana, you'll discover Mitjana, Mitjaneta, Macarella, Macarelleta, Trebalúguer, etc. The itinerary for the northern coves is less defined because when sailing, the wind and waves will determine the course of the boat. In any case, the skipper will always take you to the best spots for swimming and snorkelling, and you will enjoy an authentic experience.
Snorkelling on boat trips
Snorkelling in Menorca is probably the most entertaining part of the day. A refreshing dip with the right goggles and snorkel provided on the boat will allow you to get up close to the hundreds of colourful fish and seaweed that live on the walls surrounding the island's stunning coves. The clear turquoise waters will make it easy to see and, for a moment, you'll feel like you're in a National Geographic documentary. And without having to fly to the Caribbean or the Maldives!
As for physical fitness, there's no need to worry, because snorkelling doesn't require you to hold your breath or dive deep into the water, so it's a relatively relaxing and not very tiring activity.
Tips for organising your boat trip
The great advantage of joining a boat trip is that you don't have to worry about anything other than arriving on time for boarding and letting yourself be carried away on what is sure to be the best day of your holiday. Even so, keep the following in mind to get the most out of your trip:
- Check what each option includes before booking: as you've seen, there are all kinds of options: longer or shorter trips, with or without food included... Read all the details carefully to make sure you choose the option that best suits you.
- Morning excursions vs afternoon excursions: if you want to go on a half-day excursion and can't decide between morning or afternoon, here's a tip. The colour of the water is much more striking in the morning, when the sun is at its highest and brings out the turquoise colours to their fullest. To enjoy swimming, choose the morning option. For a more relaxed trip where you can enjoy the more subtle colours, take the excursion in the afternoon or even at sunset.
- What should I bring? Don't forget the essentials, such as your swimsuit (bring a change of clothes if you don't want to spend the whole day in your wet swimsuit), sunscreen, water and flip-flops. Everything else is included.
- What can I expect from the boat: if you would like to find out more about the boats that sail the waters of Menorca and the differences between them, you can check out my articles on sailing trips and catamaran excursions in Menorca.