Charter Tour of Palma Bay: Snorkeling and Paddle Surfing

Crystal-clear water is the main event. This Palma Bay boat trip combines a small-group cruise with snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a sea scooter stop in a sheltered cove. I like the maximum of nine people, which keeps the outing more personal, and the easy mix of gear, drinks, and swimming time. I also like that captain Enrique and guides Franchesca and Marilena have earned praise for making people feel comfortable.

The main caution is that this is not a fully fixed sightseeing route. Sea conditions decide the cove, so you may stop at Illetes, Punta Negra, or Portals Vells rather than the exact place you had in mind. At $78.02 per person for about two and a half hours, the value depends on how much you want active water time instead of a longer coastal cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• A small boat with room for up to nine: This is designed to feel more intimate than a large excursion vessel.
• The swimming cove changes with the weather: The captain chooses between Illetes, Punta Negra, and Portals Vells for safer, better conditions.
• Sea scooters come included: You can use them above and below the water, along with paddleboards, floats, and snorkel equipment.
• About 30 minutes may be spent reaching the cove: One outing reached Punta Negra after roughly half an hour at sea.
• Drinks are provided, but food is not: Water, soft drinks, and beers are included. Bring a snack if you need one.
• The boat returns to the Palma meeting point: You arrange your own way to Saltytours on Paseo Maritimo.

What this Palma Bay tour is really like

This is a short, activity-led boat outing rather than a full-day sailing trip. You meet at Saltytours on Paseo Maritimo in Palma, board the boat, and head along Palma Bay toward a suitable swimming area.

The advertised duration is about two hours and thirty minutes. The central part is a long pause for swimming, snorkeling, paddle surfing, and relaxing. The exact timing can vary, but the experience is built around one extended water stop, not several quick landings.

That simple plan works well. You are not constantly climbing on and off the boat or rushing from cove to cove. Once the boat reaches its chosen location, you can settle into the water and choose how active you want to be.

I would think of this as a compact sea playground with a boat ride attached. If you want hours of open-water sailing, this will feel short. If you want a convenient half-day break from Palma with several water activities included, it makes more sense.

The experience has a 4.6 rating from 20 reviews, and 90 percent of bookers recommend it. That is a good result, though the small number of ratings means I would still read the practical details carefully before paying.

Leaving Palma and heading toward the cove

The meeting point is Saltytours Mallorca, at Paseo Maritimo, Ponent, 07014 Palma. You must get there on your own, and the activity finishes back at the same location.

One useful detail is the view from the water. The boat can provide a different angle on Palma’s waterfront, and one outing included a photo stop with the cathedral in the background. That gives the trip some sightseeing value before the swimming begins.

The ride to the cove may take about 30 minutes. One recorded trip reached Punta Negra after that length of time, so you should not expect to jump into the water immediately after casting off.

That ride can be a pleasant part of the experience, but it also matters when you judge the price. Of the roughly two and a half hours, some time is spent getting to and from the swimming area. You are paying for the boat, skipper, equipment, and small group, not two and a half full hours of snorkeling.

The boat is described as compact and clean. Enrique, one of the captains, reportedly built the boat himself. A compact vessel gives the outing a more private feel, especially when fewer than nine people are booked, but it also means less room to spread out than you would find on a large catamaran.

Choosing between Illetes, Punta Negra, and Portals Vells

The captain chooses the swimming stop according to sea conditions. The possible locations are Illetes, Punta Negra, and Portals Vells.

That flexibility is useful in Mallorca. Calm water matters more than a promised cove name when you are planning to use paddleboards, snorkels, and a sea scooter. A captain who adjusts the route can look for conditions that make the water stop more comfortable.

The tradeoff is predictability. You cannot book this expecting Punta Negra every time. You may have seen photographs of one particular cove, yet the boat could go somewhere else on the day.

Punta Negra appears to be a strong possibility, and it has been described as a warm, clear-water stop with fish visible while snorkeling. Still, the captain has the final say. That is not a flaw in itself, but it is an important part of the bargain.

The outing includes a long stop of roughly half an hour or more for bathing, snorkeling, and rest, while the full activity lasts about two and a half hours. The supplied timing describes the stop as the main part of the trip, so you should have enough time to try more than one activity rather than taking one quick swim and returning immediately.

Snorkeling in clear water

Snorkeling is one of the easiest ways to enjoy this trip. Masks are supplied, and the cove may offer clear water and visible fish. You do not need to bring your own mask unless you prefer a personal fit.

The snorkeling here is a casual add-on to a boat trip, not a specialist marine excursion. The information provided does not promise a reef, rare species, an instructor-led session, or a particular amount of marine life. You might see plenty of fish in good conditions, but the natural setting and visibility will vary.

That makes the included equipment valuable for families and occasional swimmers. You can try snorkeling without buying or packing a full kit. If you already enjoy snorkeling, bring realistic expectations: the highlight is the mix of swimming, paddling, and exploring rather than a long guided underwater tour.

The water stop is also a good chance to slow down. You can float, swim, or sit on the boat while other people use the equipment. One birthday outing used snorkel gear, paddleboards, sea scooters, and floats, giving the group several ways to enjoy the same cove.

Paddleboards, floats, and the included sea scooter

The paddleboards add a little exercise and a lot of play. You can stand or kneel above the clear water, then return to the boat when you want a rest. The experience is not presented as a lesson, so you should be comfortable trying the basics without expecting formal coaching.

The sea scooter is the most unusual inclusion. It can be used above and below the water, and one first-time user found it especially fun. This gives the trip an extra activity that you would not normally get on a simple boat-and-swim outing.

The equipment list also includes floats, snorkels, and paddleboards. Since you can switch between activities, the stop should work for a mixed group. One person can snorkel while another paddles, and someone else can simply relax in the water.

I would ask the captain for clear instructions before using the sea scooter, especially if you have never handled one. The supplied information does not specify age limits, operating rules, or separate safety instruction, so follow the crew’s directions rather than treating it like a toy.

The small boat makes access convenient, but it may also mean equipment is shared. With a full group of nine, you may need to take turns. With only three or four people aboard, the same gear should feel much easier to use at your own pace.

How personal is a nine-person boat?

A maximum of nine people is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. A small group lets the captain speak with people directly and makes the boat feel less like a standard mass excursion.

The experience can be especially pleasant when the boat is not full. One outing had only three people aboard, creating something close to a private trip. Another had four people, with plenty of access to the paddleboards, sea scooters, snorkel gear, and floats.

You should not assume that level of space every time. The stated maximum is nine, so the boat may be full. Even then, nine is a manageable number for a short water outing, though a compact boat will feel busier when everyone wants the same equipment.

This is a good choice if you like a social setting but dislike large organized groups. You may get a chance to ask about Palma Bay, the coastline, and local points of interest. Captain Enrique has been singled out for making the trip enjoyable, and the wider guiding team has been praised for sharing fun local information and checking that people are comfortable.

There is one serious negative account alleging overbooking, a very small boat, poor conduct, and safety problems. The provider disputes those claims and says the trip ran without injury or complaint. I cannot verify either side from the supplied information, so I would treat this as a reason to confirm the meeting details and group size before departure, not as proof that the problem is routine.

Drinks are included, but pack your own food

Water, soft drinks, and beer are included. That is handy after swimming, particularly on a hot afternoon, and it saves you from buying drinks separately before boarding.

Food and snacks are not included. Bring something small if you know you will need to eat during the outing. Keep it simple and secure, since you will be on a compact boat and moving between the deck and the water.

Towels and sunscreen are also not provided. Bring both. Sunscreen matters even when you spend much of the time in the water, and a towel makes the return journey much more comfortable.

The trip can work well at different times of day. A 5 p.m. departure was praised as a pleasant choice because it avoided the strongest midday sun while remaining warm. I would consider that timing if you want a softer afternoon on the water, though the exact departure options are not specified here.

Is $78.02 a fair price?

At $78.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to swim off Mallorca. The price becomes more reasonable when you count the small group, boat ride, snorkel equipment, paddleboards, floats, sea scooter, and included drinks.

You are also paying for a captain who chooses the cove based on sea conditions. That decision can protect the quality of the water stop, though it means you are buying a flexible experience rather than a guaranteed route.

The value is strongest for someone who will use several inclusions. If you plan to snorkel, paddle, try the sea scooter, enjoy a drink, and take in the Palma waterfront, the package offers a lot within a short period. If you only want to sit on a boat and admire the coast, a sightseeing cruise may offer more cruising time for your money.

It is also worth comparing the cost with a private charter. This is described as an exclusive boat for small groups, but the maximum is nine and the trip may include other bookers. You get a small-group atmosphere, not necessarily a private boat reserved just for you.

Who will enjoy it most?

I would recommend this outing to couples, families with older children, and friends who want a low-commitment water adventure near Palma. The activity mix suits a group with different interests because nobody has to snorkel or paddle for the entire stop.

It also suits first-time users. You can try a sea scooter, paddleboard, or snorkel without arranging separate rentals. The guide support and small group may make the experience less awkward than renting equipment alone.

The trip is less suitable if you need a fixed route, a large stable vessel, or a fully private charter. It may also disappoint serious snorkelers looking for a long marine session or anyone expecting meals to be served onboard.

Most people can participate, according to the activity information, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. If you have specific mobility or swimming needs, contact Saltytours before booking and ask about boarding, movement on the boat, and water access.

You should also be comfortable with a weather-dependent plan. If conditions are poor, the experience may be moved to another date or canceled with a full refund. If the minimum number is not reached, the same options apply.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

The tour is usually booked about 10 days ahead, so reserve early if your Palma schedule is tight. You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile, which keeps arrival simple.

You are responsible for reaching the Paseo Maritimo meeting point. Plan that part before the day, since transportation to the port is not included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded. The cut-off follows local Mallorca time.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a snack. Water, soft drinks, beer, snorkel gear, paddleboards, floats, and sea scooters are supplied. Since the boat is compact, keep personal items limited and well secured.

Should you book the Palma Bay boat tour?

Book it if you want a short, friendly water outing with several activities packed into one trip. The small group, clear coves, included sea scooter, and helpful guides give it more character than a basic boat ride.

I would especially choose it for a family birthday, a relaxed afternoon with a teenager, or a first attempt at snorkeling and paddleboarding. The 5 p.m. timing may be appealing if you prefer to avoid the strongest midday heat.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed stop at Punta Negra, a truly private charter, a meal, or a long sailing route. The best way to judge the $78.02 price is to count how many of the included activities you will actually use. If the answer is three or four, this small Palma Bay outing offers solid value. If you only want a scenic cruise, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the Palma Bay boat tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Saltytours, Paseo Maritimo, Ponent, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours and thirty minutes.

Which swimming cove will the boat visit?

The captain chooses between Illetes, Punta Negra, and Portals Vells according to sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and snorkeling equipment are provided for the water stop.

Are paddleboards and sea scooters included?

Yes. Paddleboards, floats, and a sea scooter are included in the activity.

Are drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, and beers are included. Meals and snacks are not provided.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and any food or snacks you may want. Transportation to the port is also your responsibility.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.