One smooth way to see Alcúdia by water. This half-day catamaran trip is built around swimming and easy coastal cruising, with a lunch stop where the crew keeps things moving. You get a clear sense of where Alcúdia and nearby coves sit along the Bay of Alcúdia.

What I like most is how the day stays simple: no complicated lunch planning, and you’re not just sitting on a boat. You can also use snorkel gear and a kayak during the main anchoring stop, while lunch is prepared.

One consideration: this is a popular outing, with up to 110 people, so space for shade and quiet can get tight on busy days. If you hate crowds, plan your expectations carefully.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Snorkel gear and kayak time included during the longer cove stop, so you can actually use the water time
• Two meaningful anchor stops plus a quick beach swim window for Coll Baix
• Lunch happens while you’re at anchor, which keeps the schedule feeling efficient
• You’ll pay for most drinks, and water is not automatically included
• Shade and seating are limited on board when the boat is full, especially in strong sun
• Photo-friendly cruising along the Alcúdia coast, including the Aucanada lighthouse area

Why A Five-Hour Alcúdia Catamaran Feels Like the Right Length

A 5-hour cruise is long enough to feel like you left the city behind, but short enough that you do not lose an entire day. Starting at 10:00 am means you can still have a real afternoon plan after you get back, whether that is dinner in Alcúdia or a slower walk by the harbor.

The big appeal here is that the trip is designed around water time. You are not paying just to watch other people swim. You get anchor stops with enough time to cool off, plus gear at the main stop that turns the cruise into a hands-on coastal day.

And yes, the coastline views matter. Even when the schedule is busy, cruising along Alcúdia’s shore gives you that “oh, this is why Mallorca is worth it” feeling fast.

Getting There: Transports Maritims BRISA and the 10:00 Departure

Your meeting point is Transports Maritims BRISA, Passeig Marítim, 07410 Port d’Alcúdia. The activity ends back at the same spot, so you are not left figuring out transport twice.

They use a mobile ticket, and you receive confirmation at booking time. That is practical. It also usually makes the morning less stressful, because you can just show your phone and go.

One more practical note: it is described as near public transportation. That matters in Mallorca, where taxis are convenient but not always cheap. If you are staying in or near Port d’Alcúdia, you can likely make the start time work without a car.

Tip: arrive a bit early. Boats load people quickly, and you will want a good spot on deck before they cast off.

Cruising Past Aucanada Lighthouse: Your First Real Views

You set sail along the coast of the Bay of Alcúdia and head toward the lighthouse of Aucanada and the nearby cliffs. This is your “settle in and look around” segment.

This part is less about getting wet and more about soaking up the coastline rhythm. Expect plenty of windows for photos, especially when the light is high and the water looks bright. Even if the day is busy, this early cruising time gives you a sense of geography that helps later when you recognize coves and shorelines from the land.

If you care about photos, grab a spot on the outer deck when you can. On a catamaran, people tend to drift toward the sides. Moving early helps.

Coll Baix Swim Stop: Quick Anchor, Proper Cooling Off

The first anchoring beach stop is Platja Des Coll Baix. You drop anchor for about 20 minutes, and that time is meant for one thing: get in the water and enjoy it.

Because the stop is short, go in with a simple plan. If you want sunbathing, stake out a place fast. If you want a swim, get there early too, since time fills quickly once people start boarding and re-boarding.

What this stop is best for: quick relief from beach heat, a refresh in the Mediterranean, and a change of pace from sitting on deck. A few people also felt the swimming spots were not dramatically different from each other, so treat this as the “starter swim” rather than the main event.

If you use snorkel gear regularly, you might not rely on this stop alone for that. The more equipment-focused time comes later.

The Longer Pollensa Cove Stop: Lunch Plus Water Activities

Next you head to a cove near Playa del Puerto de Pollensa. This is the longer stop at about 1 hour, and it is the most active stretch of the day.

While you are anchored, the crew prepares your lunch. At the same time, you can use snorkel equipment and a kayak on board with no extra charge. That matters, because it turns the “lunch stop” into a true break, not just a pause before sailing again.

Lunch on Board: Convenient, Basic, and Not Built for Every Diet

Lunch is described as basic. Based on what you might encounter, it can include items like pork, chicken, or a Frankfurt sausage, with pasta salad. That is a common style of mass catering: filling and easy for a group, not necessarily refined.

Vegetarian options may be limited. If you are strictly vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, the smart move is to be ready with snacks. Several comments point to poor choice for specific diets and the reality that you may be paying extra energy for your own meal solution on board.

One thing I like about the setup is timing. You are not left hungry while you wait for food to be served. You anchor, lunch gets prepared, you eat, then you can still use some of the water time.

Drinks: Budget for Them, Especially Water

Most drinks are not included. A recurring pattern is that drinks are sold on board, and pricing can feel high once you are already out at sea. Water and beer are common examples of add-ons, even if lunch includes one free beverage for each person.

If you want to minimize surprises, bring a water bottle if rules allow, or plan to buy what you need during lunch. Either way, do not assume water is free just because you are having lunch.

A Day at Sea With 110 People: Shade, Space, and Noise

Here is the honest tradeoff of this kind of cruise: when the boat is full, it can feel like a busy day on a floating platform. The maximum group size is 110 travelers, and you should take that seriously.

Some experiences felt well run and not over-crowded, with the time at each stop feeling right. Others described it as packed, with not enough sunbathing room and shade seats taken quickly. Heat makes this worse. When it gets hot, people want shade immediately, and the deck can fill in a hurry.

Music is another variable. One side of the experience is that there is energy on board, with people enjoying the ride. Another side is that the volume can be loud for some guests. If you are sensitive to noise, consider bringing earplugs.

My practical advice:

• Bring a hat and sunscreen you can reapply fast
• Use a towel or quick-dry mat if you like having your own spot
• If you care about shade, position yourself early when you reach the longer stop

This is not a quiet charter. It is a day trip built for fun and swimming, and the tradeoff is sometimes less personal space.

What You Actually Get for $86.50: A Value Check

At $86.50 per person for about 5 hours, the price makes sense if you treat it as a bundle: coastal cruising, anchor time, a lunch stop, and key water gear.

Here is what is likely included in the value:

• Light lunch at the main anchoring stop
• Snorkel equipment use
• Kayak use
• Access to multiple swim moments during the day

What can push the total cost higher:

• Drinks, including water, may be extra beyond any free lunch beverage
• If you are hoping for lots of snorkeling time at every stop, the schedule is time-bound, and gear time is most clearly matched to the longer cove stop
• If you want vegetarian-friendly lunch options, the buffet style can disappoint, and you might end up buying snacks for yourself on board

So do you get your money’s worth? Often yes, if you want the convenience of a hosted swim day and you will use the included gear. If you are strict about food choice and drink costs, you may feel the price more sharply.

Who This Catamaran Cruise Suits Best

This is a good fit if you:

• Want a simple half-day on the water from Port d’Alcúdia
• Like the idea of swim stops instead of a long bus ride
• Plan to use snorkel gear and the kayak
• Prefer an organized day with a crew running the show

It may be less ideal if you:

• Need lots of space and quiet
• Are very picky about lunch ingredients
• Hate paying extra once you are already on board
• Are traveling when the boat is likely to be packed, like peak summer periods

Families can like it because it is structured and includes activities. Just know that with more people on board, your deck experience can vary.

Should You Book This Alcúdia Catamaran Cruise?

If your goal is an easy Mallorca day with coastline views, swimming time, and included water gear, I think this one is worth considering. The included snorkel gear and kayak turn it from a passive cruise into something you can actively enjoy. And the timing is friendly: you get back at the same meeting point and still have an afternoon to work with.

My deciding checklist:

• You are okay with a busy boat and limited shade
• You are flexible about lunch quality and you can handle basic food
• You can budget for drinks, especially water
• You genuinely want to spend time swimming and snorkeling rather than just watching

If those boxes match you, book it with realistic expectations, show up early for deck space, and bring snacks if your diet needs options. You are likely to leave with the kind of coastline memories that make Mallorca click fast.

FAQ

What time does the catamaran cruise depart from Port d’Alcúdia?

It departs at 10:00 am from the meeting point in Port d’Alcúdia and returns back to the same location.

How long is the cruise?

The total experience is about 5 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

The start point is Transports Maritims BRISA, Passeig Marítim, 07410 Port d’Alcúdia, Illes Balears, Spain.

Is the ticket digital?

Yes, this experience uses a mobile ticket.

What’s included with lunch and water time?

Lunch is provided during the main anchoring stop, and you can use snorkel equipment and a kayak on boards at no extra charge during the longer cove stop.

Are drinks included?

The information provided indicates that drinks are not automatically included. Water and other drinks may need to be purchased onboard.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.