Early in the morning, the skipper Alex was already at the marina in Palma de Mallorca, overseeing the preparation of the boat that would welcome the crew for the following week. It was a 2020 Sun Odyssey 440. Fortunately, the boat was ready before noon, and Alex used this time to settle into one of the cabins while waiting for the crew members to arrive.

After lunchtime, the first two crew members arrived and moved into their respective cabins. They then opened a bottle of wine and started getting to know each other. Unlike other Sailingmint charters where the crew consists of people who already know each other (family or friends) and book the boat together, this week’s charter featured individual cabin bookings. As a result, most crew members were unfamiliar with each other, except for two friends who had booked a cabin together. Consequently, the positive atmosphere on the boat wasn’t guaranteed by existing relationships but was instead built from the very beginning.
Alex and the first two members of the crew handled the groceries for the week, and soon after that, the three remaining members arrived from the airport. After the new crew members moved into their cabins, the whole group had dinner together in the city centre of Palma de Mallorca. Luckily, eating in Mallorca and Menorca is, overall, a very positive experience. Unlike other popular sailing destinations, such as Croatia, in the Balearic Islands you get your money’s worth in any restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal.
During the first dinner together, the crew members had the opportunity to express their expectations for the cruise. As a skipper, Alex always makes sure the crew knows that the experience is for them, and as such, he always takes their expectations into account when planning the route and selecting ports and marinas. For this trip, the crew decided they wanted to focus on "seafood cuisine" around Mallorca. Consequently, the itinerary was designed to include nights in small ports and marinas, rather than anchoring, so the crew could enjoy seafood meals at local restaurants.
After analysing the wind patterns for the upcoming week, Alex determined that a clockwise route around Mallorca Island would be the best approach, allowing for a circumnavigation and a visit to the famous northwest region. With the route planned, the crew set sail early the next morning and enjoyed breakfast anchored in a turquoise bay. Following this pleasant meal, they continued towards Port de Soller, passing the picturesque lighthouse of Cala Figuera. Although the swell is a constant feature of sailing in the Balearic Islands, Alex managed to find a sheltered bay for lunch before heading to the day’s final destination. By 7pm, the boat was smoothly docked in Port de Soller, and the crew set out to explore. The port, situated in a natural bay, features a well-equipped marina with a pool and cocktail bar, while the charming old town offers excellent dining options.
On the second day, there was another early rise to head to Sa Calobra, a stunning bay surrounded by tall cliffs and a beach. Since land access requires a long hike, arriving by boat early in the morning allowed the crew the privilege of enjoying this beautiful beach all by themselves, which was a highlight of the trip. While the boat was anchored, the crew members could either swim close to it or get to shore on a paddleboard to explore the area. In Alex’s words, “It’s one of the most beautiful locations I’ve been in the Balearic Islands.”

After breakfast, and just before the crowds began to arrive, the crew set sail once more, this time heading towards Pollenca. The strong winds provided a perfect opportunity for exhilarating sailing, with the boat heeling and giving the crew the chance to experience of being true salty sailors.
Eventually, the port of Pollenca drew closer, and it was time to dock the boat for lunch. Unlike in Croatia, where ports are often right in the city centre, Mallorca’s ports are usually situated a little further out, with more traditional features such as cement structures and fishermen’s gear. While the initial arrival might not be immediately striking, the true charm reveals itself after a stroll down the main street leading to the town centre.
Following Pollenca, the journey continued through the northern capes towards a bay with a striking “Tiffany” blue, rather than the typical turquoise. This unusual colour is caused by the underwater grass in this protected area, where anchoring is restricted to prevent environmental damage. The Posidonia Authority inspected the vessel to verify compliance with these regulations, and once confirmed, they granted permission for the crew to explore the bay.
The final destination for the day was Cala Lateada, where the crew concluded their day with the best dining experience of the week.
On the morning of the following day, skipper Alex decided to retrace the route slightly to wait for the swell to calm down before heading southeast. The waiting period took place on a beach, where the crew also enjoyed a pleasant lunch at the beach bar.
Once conditions improved, they set sail for Puerto Colon, renowned for its stunning caves, the Coves del Drach. CCuriously, Alex and the crew were not the only premium guests in Puerto Colon that day, as the catamaran of none other than Rafael Nadal was also in the area (although its owner was not spotted). As per the theme of the week, the day ended with another delightful dining experience at the marina. Staying with the week’s theme, the day concluded with another excellent dining experience at the marina.
That day, the air was filled with sand from the Sahara Desert, creating a fog, and by the next morning, rain had spread the sand over the boats. The vessels were covered in sand as if they had their own private beach where the deck and cockpit were supposed to be. Consequently, the day began with washing the boat, followed by a trip to Cala Varquez, where the crew disembarked to explore the caves by dinghy, walk around the area, and enjoy the beach now that the rain had ceased.

Unlike the previous nights, this time the day concluded not in a port but in a bay, Cala Arsenal. Still, the crew went to a restaurant on shore, which unfortunately did not offer the best dining experience despite its prime location. On returning to the boat, it was a relief that skipper Alex had chosen this bay for the night, as it offered excellent protection from the region’s strong winds.
As the final day of the trip dawned, the crew prepared for an early departure to quickly cover the distance to the marina. There was still time for a brief stop at a bay for breakfast and a quick visit to Cala Pi, which was cut short due to the swell.
Upon arriving at the marina, Alex demonstrated his expertise by manoeuvring the boat into a very tight space. He raised his fenders, navigated around boats with thrusters on, and despite the very limited space, the base manager encouraged Alex to dock. He did so successfully, earning well-deserved recognition from those who witnessed the manoeuvre.

Whether due to the successful manoeuvre or the achievement of a great sailing week, the crew was in celebration mode, which led to sharing bottles of wine. The crew’s spirit matched that of the regatta celebrations taking place at the marina. In sum, the day, and the whole week, ended on a very positive note, with a party mood and overall bonding experience.
The next day, it was time to say goodbye. On behalf of Alex and Sailingmint, we would like to thank the crew for their trust, as well as for their involvement and contribution in making this sailing week in the Balearic Islands such a memorable experience.□