Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

The best part of this trip is the view from the water. From Port Alcudia, you’ll pass Mallorca’s rugged north coast, quiet bays, and steep headlands before stopping at Formentor Beach for a swim. The boat gives you a simple way to see coastline that is difficult to reach by land.

I like the relaxed pace and the chance to swim in clear water without planning a separate beach day. I also like the low price of $34 per person, which makes this a useful choice if you mainly want a scenic boat ride rather than a full guided tour.

The main drawback is that most of the four hours are spent on the boat. The view of Cap de Formentor may be brief and from offshore, and the boat can fill quickly, so arrive early if sitting on the upper deck matters to you.

Key points

• A four-hour cruise from Port Alcudia: The trip follows Mallorca’s north coast and returns to the same port.
• A one-hour stop at Formentor Beach: You have time to swim in the clear water, though food and drinks are not included.
• Several coastal sights in one outing: The route passes Aucanada, Coll Baix Beach, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Bay, and Cap de Formentor.
• Cap de Formentor is viewed from the boat: The lighthouse and cape are sightseeing points, not shore excursions.
• Upper-deck seats may go first: The boat can be crowded, especially in good weather, so arriving early is sensible.
• Flexible booking terms: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund and reserve without paying immediately.

Starting at Port Alcudia for a North Coast Cruise

You meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips boat kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia. The activity begins and ends here, and no transfer to the port is included, so you’ll need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Once aboard, the trip settles into a sightseeing cruise rather than a guided shore tour. You sit back, watch the coastline pass, and get a different angle on Mallorca’s north side. This is a good format if you want a morning or afternoon on the sea without committing to a full-day sailing trip.

The boat follows a route toward the Formentor area and includes several named coastal sights. The exact appeal is visual: rocky points, open sea, small bays, and the changing shape of the coast as you move away from Alcudia.

Bring sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and a camera. There is little need for formal clothing, and you’ll be more comfortable if you dress for sun and sea air. Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly within the limits of what you can bring or buy at the port.

Passing Aucanada, Coll Baix, and Cap des Pinar

Early in the route, you’ll see Aucanada, Coll Baix Beach, and Cap des Pinar. These places help make the cruise more than a straight ride to Formentor. You get a broad look at several parts of the coast without changing transport or arranging separate visits.

The itinerary allows about 40 minutes for the boat cruise around the Coll Baix section. Do not read this as a 40-minute beach visit. The supplied schedule describes it as boat cruising, so the value here is the view from the sea rather than time on shore.

Coll Baix is especially appealing from the water because the boat lets you see the bay without requiring a land approach. If you are hoping to walk on the beach, this trip is not designed for that. The only clearly scheduled beach break comes later at Formentor Beach.

The route then includes about 25 minutes of general sightseeing around the Balearic Islands. This is unhurried by design. You can take photographs, watch the shoreline, and enjoy the feeling of being away from roads and resort streets.

The One-Hour Break at Formentor Beach

Formentor Beach is the practical centerpiece of the outing. The boat allows about one hour here, giving you the chance to swim in clear water and cool off after the coastal cruise.

This stop makes the trip more useful than a sightseeing ride with no time in the water. If swimming is important to you, the hour gives the day a clear purpose. You can also stay aboard if you prefer not to swim, but the experience is built around this pause.

Keep your expectations in check. One hour is enough for a swim and a little rest, but not enough for a long beach day, a meal, and an extended walk. Food and drinks are excluded, so you should not count on the tour to provide refreshments.

The swimming stop is also the part most likely to determine whether you enjoy the tour. I would choose this excursion for the combination of coastal views and a quick swim, not for extensive time at Formentor Beach. If you want to spend half a day on the sand, visiting independently would give you more control.

Seeing Cap de Formentor and Its Lighthouse

Cap de Formentor is one of Mallorca’s best-known coastal sights, and the trip includes a sightseeing pass near the cape. The planned time here is about 10 minutes, followed by the return journey.

That short timing matters. You are not walking to the lighthouse, touring it, or spending a long period beneath the cape. You see it from the boat, and the view may be distant. One recent booking account described seeing Cap de Formentor for only about 60 seconds from offshore, which is a useful warning for anyone booking mainly to photograph the lighthouse.

The cape still adds value if you enjoy seeing Mallorca from the sea. The dramatic headland makes sense as part of a coastal route, but it should not be treated as a dedicated lighthouse visit. If the lighthouse is your top priority, check the exact sailing conditions and understand that this cruise does not take you ashore there.

The brief viewing also shows why this activity is best considered a scenic boat trip to the Formentor area, not a complete Formentor sightseeing tour. You get the setting and the coastal perspective, but not the time to explore every landmark.

Three Hours on the Boat, One Hour at the Beach

The advertised duration is four hours. The schedule includes about 40 minutes around Coll Baix, 25 minutes of sightseeing, one hour at Formentor Beach, 20 minutes of ferry time, 10 minutes at Cap de Formentor, and 45 minutes on the return ferry.

Those listed segments add up to roughly three hours and 20 minutes, leaving some flexibility for boarding, movement between sights, and the exact sailing conditions. The useful point is that most of the activity takes place aboard the boat. The beach stop is the only substantial break from cruising.

That balance suits you if you enjoy sitting outdoors and watching scenery change. It may feel slow if you want a packed schedule with several land visits. One poor rating described the journey as too long for only 45 minutes to an hour at the beach, while other bookings praised the pleasant ride and organization. Both reactions make sense because the appeal depends heavily on how much you enjoy time at sea.

I would not book this expecting constant activity. Bring a camera, settle into the rhythm, and treat the transit itself as the main event. If you need frequent stops, walking, or structured commentary, another excursion may fit better.

Choosing Your Seat on a Crowded Boat

The boat can be full, especially when the weather is warm and clear. One booking account noted that the upper deck was already full when boarding began in Alcudia, leaving only the middle deck despite excellent weather.

Arriving early is the simplest way to improve your choice of seat. The upper deck usually offers a more open view, which matters on a sightseeing cruise. Still, no seat guarantees a perfect photograph, and you’ll need to keep moving your attention between the coastline, the sea, and the other passengers.

A crowded boat does not cancel the scenic value, but it changes the feel of the trip. You may have less room to stretch out and fewer chances to move around. If personal space is a priority, the $34 price should be weighed against that limitation.

The experience provider is Transportes Marítimos Brisa. No guide names are supplied, and this is not presented as a tour led by a named historian or naturalist. You should expect transport, coastal sightseeing, and a swimming stop rather than a detailed walking commentary.

What the $34 Price Really Buys

At $34 per person, the tour offers a reasonably priced way to combine several coastal views with a Formentor swim. You avoid arranging separate transport to Coll Baix, Formentor Bay, and Cap de Formentor, and you can see all three areas in a single four-hour outing.

The price is strongest when you value convenience. You board in Alcudia, remain on one boat, stop for a swim, and return to the same port. For a family or couple who wants an easy sea excursion, that simplicity can be worth more than a longer list of activities.

The value is weaker if you are paying mainly to see the lighthouse. The cape viewing is brief, and there is no land visit. It is also weaker if you expect lunch, drinks, or a quiet private cruise, since those are not included and the boat may be busy.

I would compare the price with your own priorities. For a scenic ride plus a swim, it is fair. For a full exploration of Formentor, it is only a partial solution.

Practical Details Before You Go

You’ll need to reach the Alcudia port yourself. The meeting point is the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk for Transportes Marítimos Brisa, at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

The activity lasts four hours, but starting times can vary, so check availability for the day you want. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while arranging your plans.

Pack sunscreen and a camera, along with comfortable clothes. Since the tour includes a swimming stop, bring whatever you need for getting in and out of the water, though the supplied information does not specify changing facilities or equipment.

There is no included meal or drink service. Plan your food and water before boarding, while keeping in mind that the tour details do not state what may be brought onto the boat.

Who Will Enjoy This Formentor Boat Trip

I would recommend this cruise if you want to see Mallorca’s north coast without renting a car or organizing several separate stops. It also suits you if a one-hour swim in Formentor Bay sounds better than spending the entire day on land.

Families and couples may like the straightforward plan: board in Alcudia, see the coast, swim, and return. The route also works for first-time visitors who want a broad look at the Formentor area but do not need a long guided explanation at every point.

You may want another option if you dislike crowded boats, need lots of time on shore, or want a close and lengthy look at the lighthouse. The journey is scenic, but it is also long enough that you should be comfortable spending several hours seated or standing aboard.

The mixed booking scores reflect this tradeoff. Several recent bookings praised the pleasant ride, organization, and attractive stop at Formentor Beach. At the same time, one outing was canceled because of a boat breakdown without advance notice, and another account found the crowded boat and long transit disappointing. That breakdown appears to be an operational exception, but it is worth keeping your schedule flexible.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want an affordable coastal cruise from Alcudia with a real swimming stop. Arrive early for a better chance at an upper-deck seat, bring sun protection and your own refreshments, and think of Cap de Formentor as a brief offshore sight rather than a lighthouse visit.

Skip it if you want a full day at Formentor Beach or detailed time on land. For the right expectations, this is an easy, scenic four-hour outing. Its best moments come from the open-water views and the swim, not from ticking off every Formentor attraction.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The activity is advertised as a four-hour cruise from Port Alcudia to the Formentor area and back.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa on Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

Is transport to the port included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point at Port Alcudia.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

How long is the swimming stop?

The scheduled break at Formentor Beach lasts about one hour.

Can I swim at Formentor Beach?

Yes. The tour includes time to swim in the clear waters at Formentor Beach.

Will I visit the Formentor lighthouse on land?

No. Cap de Formentor and its lighthouse are sightseeing points viewed from the boat. The schedule allows about 10 minutes near the cape.

What other places can I see from the boat?

The route includes views of Aucanada, Coll Baix Beach, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Bay, Formentor Beach, and Cap de Formentor.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. Since the tour includes a swimming stop, you should also prepare for time in the water.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.