With the llaut, Mallorca's traditional fishing boat, now gracing magazines such as The Economist advertising luxury holidays with the hotel group Gran Meliá, the world is waking up to the fact that cruising the Mediterranean is not all about superyachts and power boats. While the south of the island’s so-called "millionaires marina" (Puerto Portals) and the sleek, Philippe Starck-designed Puerto Adriano cater for that end of the market, the marinas along Mallorca’s northern coast has an altogether more traditional, laid-back feel.
There are a multitude of sailing opportunities around the north coast of Mallorca, with the UNESCO-protected Sierra de Traumuntana setting an unforgettable backdrop. From the Cap de Formentor—the exclusive and rugged headline where we have a number of spectacular houses for sale and rent overlooking the bay and its famous beach—to the tiny, off-the-beaten track town of Son Serra de Marina at the easternmost tip of the Bay of Alcúdia, there are a variety well-equipped marinas catering for all size of boats and yachts.
Sailing experts and enthusiasts often like to base themselves near Puerto Alcúdia as the area is well served for marinas and the town hosts its annual sailing festival. We have a number of properties for sale and rent in and around Puerto Alcúdia. Particularly popular for buyers interested in sailing are the frontline apartments that overlook the port and the bay of Alcúdia as well as high-design contemporary villas with direct access to the beach.
Known for its splendid white sandy beach (it’s one of the longest in Europe) and shallow waters, the horseshoe shape of the bay of Alcúdia makes an ideal training ground for young sailors or watersports enthusiasts. From here you can also catch one of the ferries to Ciutadella on our sister island of Menorca.
Alcudiamar, in Puerto Alcúdia, is one of the biggest marinas in the area with the capacity to handle some of the largest boats. It has 744 berths for boats up to 30m long as well as commercial port. Offering yachtsmen all modern facilities, the marina has a wide choice of bars, shops and restaurants.
Just a few kilometres from Alcúdia town, on the other side of the peninsula, is the Marina de Bonaire. Lying at the eastern end of the Bay of Pollensa, it’s widely considered to be one of the most picturesque marinas within the north of Mallorca. This largely residential area, specifically Malpas-Bonaire and Cielo de Bonaire, is particularly popular with buyers of villas and apartments because many of the houses enjoy spectacular views across the bay and the position is perfect for watching the sun as it sets behind the mountains.
The Marina de Bonaire has 325 berths for boats up to 17m in length. It also has a dry dock with all the necessary facilities to carry out repairs as well as standard port facilities and 24-hour security. Another key attraction is the restaurant in the marina: Cocodrilo. It’s well known for its fish and seafood which is locally caught within the bay of Pollensa.
Puerto Pollensa is another major area for sailing enthusiasts in the north of Mallorca and, again, we have a variety of apartments and villas available to buy or rent. From here it’s an easy day trip to some of the island’s most attractive and secluded bays including Cala Figuera, Cala Murta and Cala Formentor. The pretty, seaside town boasts two marinas. The first is the Reial Club Nautic Port de Pollença which has 375 moorings for all types of boats up to 25m in length. The clubhouse has its own restaurant and café as well as a swimming pool, sailing school and fitness club. Its history dates back to 1961 when it was first established; in 1993, and following a large programme of expansion, King Juan Carlos I granted the club the title of Real Club Nautico. Puerto Pollensa has long been favoured thanks to its sheltered conditions and the club organises sailing, caneoing and fishing trips—as well as a departure point for tourist boats travelling to Formentor on day trips.
Puerto Pollensa is the town’s second marina which is a medium-capacity port with mooring service for 611 boats and yachts of up to 25m in length. While leisure boats dominate, it’s still possible to see traditional Mallorcan fishing boats, such as llauts, using this marina. One of the town’s most popular restaurants, Stay, overlooks the marina
At the easternmost tip of the area that we cover in Mallorca North, is Son Serra de Marina. A small seaside resort at the eastern end of the Bay of Alcúdia, it backs on to natural sand dunes and unspoiled countryside. It has a small marina, Club Náutico Serranova, which offers moorings of up to 7m in length. During the summer months, they offer sailing lessons for children from just one day up to two months. As the beach is out of the protection of the bay of Alcúdia, it can get windy and is an excellent place to learn to windsurf.
