Menorca: Coves and Beaches Boat Trip w/ optional Paella

Menorca’s best coves are often easier to reach from the water than by road, and this cruise gives you a full day of them for $47. You sail from Ciutadella past Macarella, Macarelleta, Son Saura, Es Talaier, and Cala Turqueta, with time to swim, walk, or simply sit back and watch the coast slide by.

I like the two proper beach stops, especially the generous two hours at Son Saura and the chance to swim from the boat at Cala Turqueta. I also like the value of the full-day option: paella, a drink, a bar, a washroom, beach time, and a long coastal cruise are all folded into one fare.

The main trade-off is scale. On busy summer departures, the boat can carry more than 240 passengers, so seating and beach access may feel crowded. The paths to the beaches are rocky, and the paella contains meat, seafood, and gluten, with no discount if you skip it.

Key points before you book

• Son Saura gives you two hours ashore: Walk the Camí de Cavalls toward Es Talaier or stay by the white sand and shallow water.
• Cala Turqueta is the best swimming stop: You can go ashore or use the boat’s rear platform for a swim.
• The full-day cruise includes lunch: Chicken and seafood paella comes with sangria or orange juice.
• Macarella and Macarelleta are sightseeing stops: You see these famous coves from the water rather than spending long periods on shore.
• The 3.5-hour option is a shorter sampler: It includes one beach stop, coastal views, and a cave visit if conditions allow, but no food or drinks.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear: Equipment is not supplied, and the clearest water is at the beach and boat stops.

Starting from Ciutadella’s old port

The trip begins at Passeig des Moll, in Ciutadella’s old port. Look for Menorca Blava on the sign at the door of pontoon number 1. A Menorca Blava employee should be there to guide you to the boat.

The meeting point can take a little finding because the boat may not be labeled exactly as you expect. Give yourself extra time, especially if you are carrying beach gear or traveling with children. Free parking is included, though hotel pickup and drop-off are not.

The boat has upper and lower seating areas, a bar, and a washroom. That matters on a seven-hour outing. You are not limited to one cramped bench for the whole day, although busy departures can make it hard to claim a table. One practical tip: keep your bag compact and avoid blocking seats with towels or beach gear.

The guide service is offered in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Commentary covers the coves and coast as you sail, but announcements are made in several languages, so the details can be easy to miss when the boat is busy.

Two ways to see Menorca from the water

You can choose between a 3.5-hour half-day cruise and a seven-hour full-day cruise. The shorter trip is useful if you want a taste of Menorca’s coast without giving up most of your day. It includes roughly an hour of sailing before stopping at Son Saura or Cala Turqueta, depending on weather and operating conditions.

At the beach stop, you get about one hour. You can walk ashore, remain on the boat, or swim from the rear platform. The cruise then passes Macarella and Macarelleta without a long stop before returning toward Ciutadella. If the weather permits, the boat also visits a cave.

The half-day option does not include food or drinks. It suits you if your priority is coastal scenery and a swim, or if you already have lunch plans in Ciutadella. The full-day trip costs $47 and adds several hours, a second beach stop, and lunch, making it the stronger value if you have the time.

Son Saura and the walk to Es Talaier

After about an hour of sailing on the full-day trip, the boat reaches Son Saura. You get two hours here, which is enough time to choose your pace rather than rush from boat to beach and back.

Son Saura has white sand, calm shallow water, and a broad, natural feel. It is a good place to swim without making the day all about swimming. You can spread out a towel, cool off in the shallows, or stay on board and enjoy the view from the water.

The more rewarding option for walkers is the roughly 15-minute path along the rustic Camí de Cavalls to Es Talaier. This leads to a smaller, more remote beach. The walk is not long, but the footing is rocky, so comfortable shoes are more useful than flip-flops.

This stop shows both sides of Menorca’s coast. Son Saura is easygoing and accessible from the boat, while Es Talaier offers a quieter setting for people willing to walk. You should not expect a paved path or an effortless stroll. Anyone with reduced mobility may struggle here, and the activity is not recommended for people with mobility impairments.

Allow enough time to return to the boat. The schedule is fixed, and the cruise cannot wait for a leisurely final swim or a slow walk back from Es Talaier.

Paella lunch on board

Once everyone is back aboard, lunch is served. The included meal on the full-day option is mixed paella with chicken and seafood, accompanied by a glass of sangria and orange juice.

The meal is one of the better value points of the trip. Portions are described as generous, and there may be a chance for second helpings after everyone has been served. The crew organizes the meal efficiently, which is no small task on a large boat with a full passenger list.

Expect a casual boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. On crowded sailings, finding a proper table can be difficult, and some people may eat from their laps or carry plates to another deck. The food has received both strong praise and more measured opinions, so keep your expectations sensible. It is a pleasant part of the outing, but the coves and swimming are the real reason to book.

The dietary limits are important. The paella is not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, people avoiding seafood, or people who cannot eat gluten. The operator advises anyone with intolerances to bring their own food. You do not receive a lower price if you do not eat the paella.

The bar sells additional drinks, but bring cash. Payment by card has been a problem on some departures. A cooler is not allowed, so pack only what the rules permit. You should also bring water, since a long day in the sun can leave you thirsty even with drinks available on board.

Macarella and Macarelleta from the sea

After lunch, the boat sails toward Macarella and Macarelleta. These two coves are among the most recognizable sights on Menorca’s south coast, with pine-covered shores and clear water tucked into narrow inlets.

This is primarily a viewing section of the cruise. You pass the coves and see how their shape changes from the water, but you do not get the same extended shore time as at Son Saura or Cala Turqueta.

That is not a flaw if you choose the trip for a broad look at Menorca. Reaching several famous coves by land would mean separate walks, parking problems, and more planning. From the boat, you can see the coastline in one continuous outing. The drawback is simple: if Macarella is the place you most want to sit on, this cruise does not give you a long visit there.

Cala Turqueta and the best swimming time

The final major stop is Cala Turqueta, where you get about 75 minutes. The small beach is backed by pine trees and surrounded by clear blue water. It is one of the prettiest sections of the trip, but its size means it can feel crowded when several boats arrive together.

You have two choices. Walk ashore to enjoy the beach, or stay near the boat and swim from the rear platform. The second option is often the smarter use of time if you want clear water and a little more space. You can jump in, swim, and use goggles to look over the pale seabed.

Bring your own mask and snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is not included, but the water is clear enough to make simple goggles worthwhile. You may see small fish over the sandy bottom, although marine life varies with conditions.

The 75-minute stop is long enough for a swim and a quick look at the beach. It is not long enough for a relaxed beach day, especially if you spend time walking from the boat, changing, and finding a place on the sand. Keep your watch in sight and listen for the return boarding time.

A cruise built around scenery, not solitude

The boat gives you an excellent view of Menorca’s coast, but this is not a private sailing trip. On quieter dates, there is more room to move around and the mood can feel relaxed. In July and August, the boat may be full, with more than 240 people aboard on some departures.

That size brings advantages. The boat is stable, has plenty of seating when demand is moderate, and includes useful facilities for a long day. The crew handles boarding, meals, and the beach schedule in an organized way. Several accounts also praised the crew for keeping the trip smooth and safe.

The cost is that personal service can be limited. The crew may have little time for individual conversation, and multilingual announcements can be hard to hear if people are talking. If you want a quiet sail with a guide focused only on your group, choose a smaller boat trip instead.

For a first visit to Menorca, the large boat is a practical compromise. You get a broad view of the southern coast and avoid arranging separate transport to beaches that are not easy to connect in one day.

Weather, timing, and what to pack

The cruise runs from May through September. Weather affects the route and the choice between Son Saura and Cala Turqueta, and bad weather can lead to cancellation. If conditions are poor, the operator allows a date change or refund under the stated cancellation terms.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack sunscreen. You should also bring:

• Comfortable shoes for the rocky paths
• Goggles or a snorkeling kit
• A towel and sun protection
• Water and any special food you need
• Cash for bar purchases

Smoking indoors is not allowed. A cooler is also prohibited. The boat has a washroom, but it is still wise to use facilities before boarding, particularly before the longest sailing sections.

Sun protection matters more than you may expect. You are exposed on deck, at the beach, and in the water, and the breeze can make the heat feel less intense than it is. A long-sleeved sun shirt is a good choice if you burn easily.

Who gets the most from this cruise

I would choose the full-day trip if you want to see several famous coves but do not want to manage beach roads, parking, and separate walks. It works well for couples, families, and groups who enjoy a relaxed day split between sailing, swimming, and a simple lunch.

It is also a good choice if you want to see Menorca from two angles. The boat shows the cliffs, pine-covered coves, and beach shapes from offshore, while the stops give you time to walk on land and feel the water.

The half-day cruise suits a tighter schedule. You still get a beach stop, views of Macarella and Macarelleta, a possible cave visit, and time for a swim. Choose it if food is not important or if you prefer to eat independently.

I would not choose this outing if you need step-free access, dislike crowded boats, or want a long, quiet stay at one beach. The paths are rocky, the boat can be busy, and the schedule gives you a taste of several places rather than a full day at one cove.

Is the $47 fare good value?

For the full-day option, $47 is a fair price. You get seven hours on the coast, several scenic passes, two beach stops, a paella lunch, a drink, a multilingual guide, a bar, and a washroom. Arranging all of that by taxi or separate excursions would usually require more planning and could cost more.

The value is strongest when you use the whole day. If you are only interested in one beach, a land-based visit may give you more time in the sand. If you want a broad introduction to Menorca’s southern coves, the boat saves effort and covers a lot of ground.

The half-day option is less complete but still useful. It provides the main coastal experience without committing seven hours. Just remember that you must budget separately for food and drinks.

Should you book the Menorca Blava boat trip?

Book the full-day cruise if you want maximum coastline for a modest price, enjoy swimming, and can accept a large boat. Son Saura is the strongest stop for time and flexibility, while Cala Turqueta is the highlight for clear water and a quick swim.

Choose the half-day version if you want a shorter outing and do not need lunch. Bring sturdy shoes, your own snorkeling gear, sunscreen, water, and cash. If you are vegetarian, have a serious food intolerance, or need easy access, plan carefully or choose another activity.

For most visitors with one free day in Ciutadella, this is a sensible way to see Menorca’s south coast. The scenery carries the experience, and the paella makes the full-day fare especially worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip leave from?

The departure point is Passeig des Moll in Ciutadella’s old port. Look for Menorca Blava on the sign at the door of pontoon number 1. A Menorca Blava employee will welcome you there.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a 3.5-hour half-day cruise or a seven-hour full-day cruise. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What beaches does the full-day cruise visit?

The full-day route includes Son Saura and Cala Turqueta as beach stops. It also passes Es Talaier, Macarella, and Macarelleta.

Is lunch included?

Paella, sangria, and orange juice are included with the full-day option. The half-day cruise does not include food or drinks.

Can I choose a vegetarian paella?

No. The paella contains chicken and seafood and is not suitable for people who cannot eat meat, seafood, or gluten. If you have an intolerance or dietary restriction, bring your own food.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included. Bring your own goggles or snorkeling kit if you want to look for marine life in the clear water.

Is the trip suitable for people with reduced mobility?

No. The activity is not recommended for people with reduced mobility because the paths to the beaches are rocky.