Alcudia: Boat Trip to Coll Baix

The best part of this Alcúdia boat trip is the swim stop. You ride out along the north coast, pass Alcanada and its lighthouse, then jump from the boat into clear, mint-green water near Coll Baix or another sheltered spot. It is a simple, good-value way to get out on the bay without giving up a full day.

I like the spectacular coastal views and the chance to swim straight from the boat. I also like the short format: around two hours is long enough to feel like a proper outing, but not so long that children or casual sightseers lose interest. The main consideration is the glass bottom. It is not a broad viewing deck. Expect a few small windows, and sometimes they may be dirty or unavailable.

Key points to know before you book

• The swim stop is the star: You usually get about 15 to 30 minutes in the sea, with a ladder for getting in and out.
• Expect several pickups: The boat may collect passengers from different jetties around Alcúdia Bay before heading out, using 30 to 40 minutes of the trip.
• The glass bottom is modest: Small side windows offer a glimpse of marine life, but this is mainly a scenic cruise and swimming trip.
• Alcanada adds a fine opening view: You pass Alcanada beach and its lighthouse before heading toward the more secluded Coll Baix area.
• Food and drinks are sold onboard: You can buy snacks and beverages, including drinks from the bar.
• The $34 price is fair: You get a coastal cruise and a swim stop for less than the cost of many longer excursions, though you should not expect a full guided marine tour.

What this two-hour trip is really like

Transportes Maritimos Brisa runs this outing from its boat kiosk at Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcúdia. You can choose from departure points around Alcúdia Bay, but check your exact pickup point carefully. The boat may collect passengers at several jetties, and one passenger saved a taxi ride only after discovering that a nearer pickup was available.

The advertised duration is two hours, though the trip can run closer to two and a half hours. That difference comes mainly from the extra stops to collect passengers and the time spent waiting for people to board. If you have a tight connection, dinner reservation, or airport transfer, leave plenty of room afterward.

The route feels relaxed rather than formal. You get a boat ride, coastal scenery, a short swimming stop, and some time to look through the glass-bottom windows. There is no strong emphasis on commentary, so you should book this for the views and the water, not for a detailed lesson about Mallorca’s geology or sea life.

Leaving Port Alcúdia and collecting passengers

The trip begins at the Brisa boat kiosk in Port Alcúdia. Depending on your departure point, you may board at the main port or at one of the smaller jetties around the bay. The boat can make three or four pickups before it reaches the open part of the route.

This first section may take about 30 to 40 minutes. That sounds like a lot on paper, but it is also part of the experience. You see Alcúdia Bay from the water, watch the shoreline change, and get a feel for the size of the resort area. If you simply want to race to Coll Baix, the stops may test your patience. If you are happy with a gentle cruise, they are not a serious problem.

You will find seating on more than one level. The upper deck gives you the best wide views and more open air. For anyone prone to seasickness, sitting high and looking toward the horizon may help. One practical tip is to consider the 10 a.m. departure. The morning tends to be cooler and less humid, and the sun is not yet at its strongest.

Do not bring large luggage or bulky bags. Bring only what you need for a swim, such as a towel, swimwear, camera, and light beachwear.

Alcanada beach and lighthouse from the water

One of the first scenic features is Alcanada beach and its lighthouse. The view is strongest from the upper deck, where you can take in the shoreline and the open water without a roof or railing blocking as much of the scene.

This is not a beach visit. You do not generally step ashore at Alcanada, so think of it as a passing viewpoint. That matters when you compare this cruise with a land-based beach excursion. You will see more coastline than you could on foot, but you will not spend a long period exploring any single place.

The boat’s pace gives you time to take photographs. Bring a camera or phone, but protect it carefully around the swimming stop. Salt spray, wet passengers, and sea wind are all part of a small boat outing.

The run toward Coll Baix

After the pickups, the boat heads along the north coast toward Coll Baix. The scenery becomes more open and rugged, with mountainous slopes sheltering a secluded beach and clear water below. Coll Baix is one of Mallorca’s more isolated coastal spots, and seeing it from the sea gives you a useful sense of why it feels removed from the main resort area.

The boat does not turn this into a long shore visit. The swimming generally takes place from the boat, not on Coll Baix beach itself. This is an important point. Some people expect to walk onto the sand, but the usual format is to remain offshore and enter the water by ladder or jump from the boat.

The ride is especially good for you if your main goal is to see the coast without committing to a longer cruise. The scenery is the main event during this section. You may also get a look at marine life through the viewing windows, though the glass-bottom setup is limited.

The small glass-bottom viewing area

The glass-bottom feature sounds grander than it is. The boat has a few small windows, including windows along the sides, rather than a large clear floor where you can sit and watch the seabed. The glass can also be difficult to see through in bright, hot conditions, and some passengers found the windows less clean than expected.

You might spot fish or other signs of marine life, but this is not a specialist wildlife cruise. There may be no regular announcement or feeding demonstration, so you should keep your expectations modest. I would treat the glass windows as a bonus for children and curious passengers, not as the reason to book.

That said, children often find even a small underwater view exciting. For a family that wants to give younger children a short introduction to being on a boat, this format can work well. Children who cannot swim should understand that the boat may stop in deep water, not beside a shallow beach.

Swimming in clear water for 15 to 30 minutes

The swimming stop is the most memorable part for most people. The boat anchors or pauses near a beautiful section of coast, and you can enter the sea for roughly 15 to 30 minutes. Depending on sea conditions, the stop may be near Coll Baix, Alcanada, the lighthouse area, or another safe location.

You may jump from the boat, but there is also a ladder. Getting in is usually easy enough, while getting out can take longer when many people want to use the same ladder. At busy times, the queue can feel crowded, especially when children hesitate in the water or gather around the boarding point.

Bring a mask or snorkel if you have one. The water is clear, and one useful tip is to look for marine activity around the boat rather than expecting a formal snorkeling session. The equipment is not listed as included, so bring your own if you want to see beneath the surface.

Sea conditions control the plan. When currents are strong, the crew may cancel the Coll Baix swim and move to a safer location, such as the lighthouse or Formentor area. That is a sensible change, but it means the exact stop is not guaranteed. If swimming in a particular cove is essential to you, this outing may feel less predictable than a land-based beach day.

The water stop is also weather dependent in a broader sense. Rough seas can change the route or make the ride less comfortable. The crew has adapted the trip during high waves, but you should still consider your own comfort on the water.

Food, drinks, and comfort onboard

You can buy food and drinks onboard, including snacks and alcoholic beverages. This is useful because the trip does not include refreshments, and the pickup period can make the outing longer than the advertised two hours.

Prices are described as reasonable, but you should still bring a payment method suitable for the boat’s bar. Do not rely on bringing a picnic in a large bag, since large luggage and oversized bags are not allowed.

Seating is available on the boat, with the upper level offering the most open views. Shade and exposure will vary by where you sit, so take sun protection seriously. A morning departure can make the ride more comfortable, particularly in the hottest part of summer.

This is a casual boat, not a luxury yacht. The atmosphere is laid-back, and the staff are generally friendly. You may find the service warm and attentive at one moment and more hands-off at another. That fits the price, but it is worth knowing if you are looking for a polished, highly guided cruise.

Value at $34 per person

At $34 per person, the trip offers solid value if you want three things: a view of Alcúdia Bay, a short ride along Mallorca’s north coast, and time to swim in clear water. A two-hour coastal excursion with a swim stop can easily fill a morning without taking over your holiday budget.

The value is weaker if you are booking mainly for the glass bottom. The viewing windows are small, and the boat may not be the one shown in promotional pictures if the glass-bottom vessel is being repaired. In that case, you may be offered a regular boat or the chance to reschedule.

You should also count the cost of reaching the port. Transfers are not included, and the wrong pickup point can mean an unnecessary taxi ride. Check the departure location around Alcúdia Bay before you pay.

The trip works best as a short and sweet outing. It is not designed for hours of snorkeling, a long stay at Coll Baix beach, or a full day on the water. If you want those things, you should compare it with a longer cruise. For a quick half-day activity, the price is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this outing to families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a relaxed look at Alcúdia Bay. It is especially suitable for children who enjoy boats but may not manage a longer excursion. The swim gives the trip a clear purpose, while the coastal route keeps the ride varied.

You will probably like it if you enjoy:

• Short boat rides with dramatic coastal views
• Swimming from a boat in clear Mediterranean water
• Casual outings with snacks and drinks available onboard
• Taking photos of Alcanada, Coll Baix, and the bay
• A good-value activity that fits into a morning or afternoon

I would be cautious if you have a mobility impairment, since the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. I would also think twice if you get severe motion sickness. One passenger with motion sickness managed well on the trip by choosing the upper deck and looking toward the horizon, but sea conditions can still make a difference.

The trip may also disappoint you if you expect a big glass viewing floor, a narrated tour, or a guaranteed landing at Coll Baix. You are buying a scenic cruise with a swim, not a fully guided nature expedition.

Booking tips for a smoother morning

Choose the 10 a.m. departure if it fits your plans. It gives you cooler air and softer conditions before the day becomes hotter, and it leaves time afterward for lunch or a beach visit.

Arrive at the correct Brisa kiosk or jetty, and check whether your booking uses the main Port Alcúdia departure or another pickup point. A QR code may not be enough to board directly. One practical issue is that you may need to exchange the digital ticket for a paper ticket at the kiosk.

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and keep your belongings small. Pack a towel, camera, and beachwear, but skip the suitcase or large beach bag. If you plan to snorkel, bring your own mask and snorkel.

Take a seat on the second floor if you want panoramic views or if you are worried about seasickness. Keep your phone secure during the swim stop, and do not expect a long period in the water. The stop may be closer to 15 minutes than 30, depending on boarding and sea conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this Alcúdia boat trip if you want an affordable coastal outing with a real chance to swim in clear water. The friendly crew, strong scenery, onboard bar, and short format make it a practical choice for families and casual visitors.

Skip it if the glass-bottom feature is your main reason for going, or if you need a guaranteed stop at Coll Baix beach. The best way to think of this experience is as a scenic ride around Alcúdia Bay with a refreshing swim attached. At $34, that is a fair deal, especially when you choose a morning departure and use the nearest pickup point.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The stated duration is two hours. Some trips can take around two and a half hours because the boat collects passengers from several points around Alcúdia Bay.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is the Alcudia Sea Trips boat kiosk for Transportes Maritimos Brisa at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcúdia, Illes Balears. Other departure points around the bay may also be available.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat includes a swimming stop near Coll Baix, Alcanada, the lighthouse area, or another safe location depending on sea conditions.

Do I swim at Coll Baix beach?

Usually, you swim from the boat rather than walking ashore at Coll Baix beach. The boat may change the swimming location if currents are strong.

How long is the swimming stop?

The listed stop is 15 minutes, while some trips provide around 20 to 30 minutes in the water. The exact time can vary.

Is the boat really glass-bottomed?

The boat has a small glass-bottom viewing area with several small windows. It is not a large transparent floor, and the glass may be difficult to see through or unavailable if the vessel is under repair.

Can I buy food and drinks on the boat?

Yes. Food, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase onboard. They are not included in the ticket price.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, and a camera. A mask and snorkel can also be useful for looking at marine life near the boat.

Can I bring large luggage?

No. Large bags and luggage are not allowed onboard.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.