Sailing Yacht Charter Spain and the Balearics

Embark in Palma de Mallorca, provisioning from Santa Catalina market before departure. Familiarise the crew with the yacht during an afternoon sail north along the Mallorcan coast towards Port de Sóller, navigating the headland at Punta Grossa. Sóller's circular bay, backed by the Tramuntana range, provides a sheltered overnight berth with good restaurants directly on the waterfront.

Early departure for the Cap de Formentor headland — a 25-nautical-mile passage along Mallorca's dramatic north-western coast. Round the cape in typically favourable morning conditions and bear away south-east towards Port de Pollença, a wide, sand-bottomed bay with space for anchoring off the town beach or a marina berth. The town has one of the better restaurant scenes on this coast.

The inter-island passage to Menorca — approximately 40 nautical miles from Cap de Formentor to the approaches of Ciutadella on Menorca's western end. This is the day to use the yacht fully: the crossing is open water with consistent thermal winds developing by mid-morning. Ciutadella's old harbour is navigable under sail with care; the town, with its 17th-century palaces and narrow streets, is architecturally unlike anywhere in Mallorca.

Coast-hopping east along Menorca's southern shore, visiting Cala Turqueta and Cala Macarella in succession — both accessible by anchor in the morning before day visitors arrive. Afternoon passage continues east towards Cala Galdana, the largest of the southern inlets, where a mooring buoy or anchor in the outer approaches allows an overnight stay with a dinghy run to the beach.

Morning entrance to Mahón harbour — one of the iconic Mediterranean harbour approaches, through a long, cliff-lined channel into a wide anchorage. Spend the afternoon and evening in Mahón: the covered market, the gin distillery at Xoriguer on the waterfront (Menorcan gin production predates the island's return to Spanish rule), and the elevated views from the old town across the harbour.

Return passage west across the Balearic Sea to northern Mallorca, approximately 45 nautical miles — a longer day requiring an early start. Conditions permitting, the Cabrera archipelago approach from the east is possible as an alternative routing south. Otherwise, make for Cala Ratjada or Porto Cristo on Mallorca's eastern coast for a final night anchored or on a marina berth.

Final passage south and west along the Mallorcan coast to Palma, timing arrival for the afternoon. The approach into Palma Bay, with the cathedral of La Seu above the city walls, is one of the most satisfying arrivals in the Mediterranean. Disembarkation the following morning allows a final evening in the city — Palma rewards it.