Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

The best part of this four-hour cruise is the view from the water. You pass Aucanada, Coll Baix, Cap des Pinar, and the Formentor coast without dealing with winding roads or parking. I like the relaxed pace and the chance to swim at Formentor Beach, where you get a full hour in the clear water.

I also like the low price, $34 per person, for a half-day outing in one of Mallorca’s most scenic areas. The catch is time: most of the trip is spent on the boat, and Cap de Formentor may appear only briefly from offshore. The boat can also fill quickly, so do not assume the upper deck will be available.

Key points at a glance

• Formentor Beach swim stop: You get about one hour for a swim and a break at the bay.
• Coastal route from Alcudia: The cruise passes Aucanada, Coll Baix Beach, and Cap des Pinar.
• Brief lighthouse view: Cap de Formentor is scheduled as a short sightseeing pass, not a shore visit.
• Four hours on the water: This suits you if you enjoy scenery and an easy ride more than active sightseeing.
• Bring your own supplies: Food and drinks are not included, and you must reach Port Alcudia yourself.
• Plan your boarding position: The upper deck may be full early, especially in good weather.

What the Formentor cruise actually offers

This is a sightseeing boat ride from the Port of Alcudia to the Formentor area and back. You stay on the boat for the coastal viewing sections, then get time at Formentor Beach for swimming and a break.

That distinction matters. This is not a walking tour of the lighthouse, and it is not a road trip through the Formentor peninsula. You will see the famous cape from the sea, but the scheduled sightseeing time at Cap de Formentor is only about 10 minutes.

I see the experience as a simple way to enjoy Mallorca’s north coast without planning several stops yourself. You sit back, watch the bays pass, and let the boat handle the route. If you want long visits at several beaches or a close look at the lighthouse, the format may feel too limited.

The boat leaves from the Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Marítimos Brisa kiosk on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia. You need to arrange your own way to the port, since transport is not included.

Leaving Port Alcudia and passing Aucanada

The trip begins at Port Alcudia, with the boat heading out toward the Formentor area. The first part gives you open views across the bay and the northern Mallorca coast.

Aucanada is one of the first named points along the route. From the boat, you can take in the shoreline and the changing shape of the coast without stopping on land. This early section helps you settle into the pace of the outing, which is more about looking and relaxing than constant commentary or activity.

Bring a camera, but keep your phone or camera secure. You will want it ready for the bays and cliffs, yet the boat ride means spray, movement, and changing angles. Sunscreen is just as important. The open deck offers the best chance at clear views, but also leaves you exposed to the sun.

One practical detail is seating. A German booking from late October described the upper deck as already full when the boat was boarded in Alcudia. On a sunny day, you may need to choose between a lower or middle deck seat and waiting for a better position. If sitting outside is important to you, arrive ready to board rather than assuming you can claim the top deck later.

Coll Baix Beach and Cap des Pinar from the water

The schedule gives about 40 minutes for the boat cruise around Platja del Coll Baix, followed by roughly 25 minutes of sightseeing in the Balearic Islands area. These labels are broad, but the main point is clear: you are seeing the coast from offshore rather than stepping ashore.

Coll Baix is especially appealing from a boat because the view lets you appreciate the beach’s setting without adding a hike or land transfer to your day. The coast here feels remote compared with Port Alcudia, and the boat provides an easy viewpoint for the bay and surrounding cliffs.

Cap des Pinar is another named coastal point along the route. You will have time to watch the shoreline, take photos, and enjoy the sea. I like this part for travelers who find the ride itself worthwhile. You are not rushing from one landmark to the next. The boat keeps moving, and the scenery changes at a comfortable pace.

Still, set your expectations carefully. The information provided does not promise a guide’s commentary or a close approach to every point. If you need detailed explanations of geology, local history, or wildlife, this may feel light on interpretation. It is best treated as a scenic cruise.

The one-hour stop at Formentor Beach

Formentor Beach is the main active break. The schedule allows about one hour, giving you time to get off the boat or enjoy the bay and swim in the clear water.

This is the strongest part of the trip for anyone who wants more than a moving view. You can cool off, relax, and spend time in the water instead of sitting aboard for the entire four hours. The swimming stop also gives the cruise a useful rhythm: sightseeing first, a proper pause in the middle, then the return route.

Bring a swimsuit if you want to swim, along with a towel and sun protection. The official packing advice lists sunscreen, a camera, and comfortable clothes, but swimwear is the obvious addition for this stop. Food and drinks are not included, so plan for that before departure. The supplied information does not specify onboard catering or a food stop.

The beach break is also where the tour earns much of its $34 price. You are paying for boat transport to a famous part of Mallorca, coastal views along the way, and time in one of the island’s best-known bays. If you value swimming and easy access more than a full day on shore, that is a fair arrangement.

The limitation is the length of the stop. One hour is enough for a swim and a quick rest, but not enough for a leisurely beach day. If you want to read, sunbathe, eat slowly, and swim several times, you may wish the boat stayed longer.

A short look at Cap de Formentor

After the Formentor Beach break, the boat continues toward Cap de Formentor. The schedule gives about 20 minutes for the boat transfer, then around 10 minutes for sightseeing at the cape.

The cape and its famous lighthouse are the visual target of the cruise. From the water, you can see the dramatic end of the Formentor peninsula and photograph the lighthouse from a different angle than you would from the road. This is a worthwhile feature, but it is important to understand the scale of the stop.

You do not get a land visit to the lighthouse. You do not walk around the cape. The sightseeing window is short, and one booking described the lighthouse as visible from a distance for only about 60 seconds. That is not a deal breaker if you mainly want a passing view, but it can disappoint you if the lighthouse is the main reason for booking.

I would think of Cap de Formentor as a photo moment within a longer cruise, not as the central destination. For a close visit, you need an experience that includes land transport or a longer stay in the area. This boat trip gives you the coastal perspective, which is its real purpose.

The return to Alcudia takes patience

The final boat section is listed at about 45 minutes before returning to the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk. After the beach and cape, you retrace the general coastal route and have more time to watch Mallorca from the water.

By this point, you may be ready to get off. That is the main tradeoff of the experience. A four-hour boat ride sounds moderate, but only about one hour is set aside for the beach break, and the listed sightseeing at the cape is brief. One French booking described the ride as too long compared with the time spent at the beach.

The schedule details add up to about three hours and 20 minutes: 40 minutes, 25 minutes, one hour, 20 minutes, 10 minutes, and 45 minutes. The advertised duration is four hours, so the remaining time likely covers boarding, maneuvering, and unlisted movement, but the exact breakdown is not provided. You should allow the full four hours and avoid scheduling another activity immediately afterward.

If you enjoy being on a boat, the return ride is part of the pleasure. If you want to maximize time on land, it may feel slow. This is one of those tours where your idea of a good day matters more than the number of sights listed.

Is $34 a fair price?

At $34 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to reach the Formentor area by sea. You get a four-hour outing, a swimming stop, and views of several coastal points without paying for a private charter.

The value is best if you are staying near Alcudia and already want a half-day on the water. You do not need to arrange a separate route to Coll Baix, Formentor Beach, or the cape. The boat combines them in one outing, which saves planning time.

The price does not include food, drinks, or transport to the port. Those extra costs are easy to overlook, especially if you are traveling with children or a group. Pack what you need before arriving, but keep in mind that the supplied details do not confirm what storage or onboard facilities are available.

A private boat would give you more control, but it would also cost far more. A land excursion could give you longer at the lighthouse and beach, but you would lose the broad sea views. For $34, this cruise makes sense as a scenic introduction rather than a detailed Formentor visit.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this trip if you want a calm outing with good coastal views and a chance to swim. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who prefer a straightforward half-day activity with little planning.

You are likely to enjoy it most if you:

• Like watching scenery pass from a boat
• Want a swimming stop at Formentor Beach
• Are staying in or near Alcudia
• Prefer a modestly priced shared outing
• Do not need a long visit at the lighthouse
• Are comfortable spending several hours aboard

I would think twice if you dislike crowded boats, need plenty of personal space, or want to spend most of your time on land. The upper deck can fill early, and the boat may feel busy in good weather.

It is also not the best match if your main goal is a close look at Cap de Formentor. The cape receives only a short viewing period, and you may see the lighthouse from a distance. In that case, compare this cruise with a land-based outing before booking.

Practical advice before you go

Meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Marítimos Brisa kiosk at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears. Transfers to the port are not included, so leave enough time to reach the meeting point on your own.

Wear comfortable clothes and bring sunscreen. A camera is worth packing for the bays, beach, and cape. Add swimwear and a towel if you plan to use the swimming stop.

I would also bring water and any food you need, since food and drinks are excluded. The most useful packing choice is simple: sun protection, something comfortable for four hours aboard, and a dry change of clothes if you swim.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure time before you commit to other plans. The activity information does not identify individual guides, so you should not book this expecting a named guide-led commentary.

Should you book the Alcudia to Formentor cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, easygoing view of Mallorca’s north coast with a proper swim stop. The best moments are the passing bays, the peaceful time on the water, and the hour at Formentor Beach.

Skip it if you want a long beach visit, a close lighthouse experience, or a quiet private boat. The cruise can be crowded, and Cap de Formentor may be visible only briefly from offshore.

My advice is to book with realistic expectations. Think of this as a scenic sea outing with one useful beach break, not a full tour of every Formentor sight. For $34, it offers good value when the ride itself is part of what you want.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The advertised duration is four hours. The route begins and ends at the Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Marítimos Brisa kiosk in Port Alcudia.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is the boat kiosk of Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Marítimos Brisa, on Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The trip includes a break of about one hour at Formentor Beach, where you can swim in the clear water.

Can I visit the Formentor lighthouse?

The boat provides a short sightseeing view of Cap de Formentor and its famous lighthouse. The schedule allows about 10 minutes for sightseeing, but it does not include a land visit or walk to the lighthouse.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price, so bring what you need or plan to purchase supplies before arriving at the port.

Is transport to the port included?

No. You must arrange your own transfer to the meeting point at Port Alcudia.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. If you plan to swim at Formentor Beach, also bring swimwear and a towel.