Got a plan for summer? Try your hand at watersports in Mallorca

Unlike the Canary Islands which enjoy mild, all-year-long sunny days, the Balearics are a seasonal place. The best time to practise watersports in Mallorca is between May to October when the weather is hot, the sea is warm and there is plenty of swell to keep things exciting. It is worth remembering that July and August are high seasons and temperatures are scorching. If you can travel outside of the family holiday window, the island’s best beaches will be quieter, temperatures more manageable and it will be easier to book into Mallorca’s resorts. 

For those who are new to watersports in Mallorca, chartering a boat for a day is a great way to get acquainted with the ocean. Either book a whale-watching tour, hire a crew for the day, or set sail around the coastline to discover hidden calas.

There are many different types of boats to enjoy in Mallorca: catamarans, sailing boats, or luxury yachts. And, if you are a fan of boats, you won’t want to miss the Palma International Boat Show which takes place at the end of April and the beginning of May each year. 

Fancy chartering a boat and sailing around the beautiful island of Mallorca? With several companies offering boat hires in a range of different shapes and sizes, you can be sure of finding the best option for the right price for you and your group of salty sea dogs.

The types of boats available range from yachts, sailboats, catamarans, speedboats and many more, depending on your requirements and the number of people wanting to get on board. The boats can be chartered from a range of different resorts, yet the most popular marinas and ports to drop anchor tend to be Palma, Puerto Portals, Port Adriano, Port d’Andratx, Port de Sóller, Port de Pollença, Port d’Alcúdia and Cala d’Or.

If you’re looking for a more glamorous experience of watersports in Mallorca, opt for a motor yacht charter, where holidaymakers can relax in a more spacious and luxurious environment whilst exploring the island. Alternatively, those who are interested in the sport of sailing may prefer a sailboat charter, where they can truly indulge in the sailing experience. Some of the best sailing schools on the island are located in Palma, Port Calanova, Port de Pollença, Port d’Andratx, Port d'Alcúdia and Santa Ponça. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to enjoy sailing in Mallorca, a truly unforgettable experience.

It is possible to rent a canoe or kayak at the majority of the watersport centres across the island, whether it’s just for the hour, or even for the day. The north and east coasts tend to be the most popular destinations for kayaking and canoeing due to their idyllic beaches and crystalline waters. Pack a picnic and spend a day out exploring the more rugged, off-the-beaten-track corners of the island. Pick a hidden cove and set up camp for the day before kayaking back to civilization.

Surf’s up! Head to Mallorca’s surf spots and battle with your board across the island’s windswept oceans. Whether you are a beginner looking for classes or a master of the waves, the island promises surfers an exhilarating experience.

With 500 kilometres of coastline to choose from, there are plenty of places where surfers can catch some waves. Yet, finding the right conditions can be tricky.  Beginners looking for crystal clear waters and gentle swell can enjoy places such as Alcúdia Bay, Playa del Muro or Can Pastilla. Meanwhile, those with some know-how can grab their boards and enjoy the natural surroundings of Cala Ratjada or Son Serra de Marina. The swell also depends on the season with places such as Palma de Mallorca Bay proving more popular during the winter months and Playa de Canyamel delivering waves in early and late summer. If you are a complete novice, why not book some lessons with a local school? 

Kite surfers flock to the same beaches, keen to hunt down the best waves. If you’re looking for the perfect place for a spot of kitesurfing or windsurfing, then Son Serra de Marina Beach in the Bay of Alcúdia, situated in the north of Mallorca, is the place to be. 

This small seaside resort is an ideal surfing destination due to its prevailing and constant winds. Where this part of the coastline is not protected by the bay, the winds are much stronger, making it an optimal resort for these types of surfing. The beach is 450 metres long and backs onto sand dunes and the beautiful hills of Llevant Natural Park.

Equipment for waterskiing and Mallorca wakeboarding can be found at major beaches, including Cala Millor, Ca'n Picafort, Cala Formentor, Magaluf, Palma Nova, Peguera, Playa de Palma, and Port de Pollença. A major hotspot for wakeboarders is the Wakepark on the Estany Petit Lake in Alcudia, located in the north of Mallorca. The park boasts a wide range of obstacles for more professional borders, and introductory lessons are also available to beginners. Being the first and only cable ski in Mallorca for wakeboarding, this park is undoubtedly an exhilarating experience.

Flyboarding, also known as hoverboarding or jetpacking, has become a 21st-century watersports phenomenon. This impressive piece of equipment allows you to soar above the water as it launches you into the sky. The opportunity for flyboarding is more limited than most other watersports due to its novelty, however, the most popular destinations are Port Calanova, located just five minutes away from the city of Palma de Mallorca, along with Port de Pollença and Port d'Alcúdia.

If you’re looking for a more relaxing way to enjoy watersports in Mallorca, paddle boarding is the perfect option as the island is blessed with tranquil waters. Paddleboards are available to hire on various beaches, including Santa Ponsa, Alcúdia and Calanova. Paddleboarding trips to the bays of Llombards and Pollença are also available, where you can enjoy SUP paddleboarding in untouched surroundings. 

Mallorca’s warm, crystalline waters are home to a wide range of sea creatures that can be seen up close on deep-sea adventures. Scuba diving in Mallorca offers a different perspective for those wanting to enjoy a day at the beach. Alternatively, those keen to stay closer to the shore can witness the watery paradise by snorkelling around the pristine calas.

With its stunning array of reefs and caves and clear visibility, Mallorca is the ideal destination to dive down and explore the underwater world. Most of the diving sites are situated in the bays of Alcúdia and Port de Pollença, where you can dive alongside barracudas, octopi, sting rays and many more fascinating sea creatures.

Port de Soller, on the west coast of Mallorca, and Sant Elm on the south-west coast are also popular diving destinations, along with Santa Ponça and Cala Bona, which both lie on the east coast of the island.

If you are more of a beginner, introductory courses are also available in more shallow and calm waters, where an instructor will teach you everything you need to know. There are several diving centres in Mallorca’s hotels, and you will more than likely be able to locate a diving centre near to wherever you are staying.

If you are looking for an eco-friendly way to enjoy Mallorca’s wildlife, snorkelling in one of the island’s many calas is for you. However, the best places for underwater exploration tend to be on the south and the east coast. Cala D’Or, Cala Ferrera, Cala Llombards, Cala Morlanda, Cala Deia and Cala Sant Vicenç are particularly favourable when it comes to their snorkelling conditions. Look out for groupers, sea anemones and cuttlefish amongst many other marine creatures that call these waters home.