Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

Formentor looks best from the water. This four-hour cruise from Port Alcudia gives you a calm way to see Aucanada, Coll Baix, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Beach, and the famous Formentor lighthouse without dealing with the road. I especially like the peaceful ride through Mallorca’s northern bays and the one-hour swim stop at Formentor Beach.

The price is reasonable at $34 per person, particularly if you want a simple half-day on the sea. My main caution is the amount of time spent aboard: you get only a short look at Cap de Formentor itself, and the boat can feel crowded, with the upper deck filling early.

• Forty minutes to Coll Baix: A slow opening cruise gives you time to take in the rugged coast near this hard-to-reach beach.
• One hour at Formentor Beach: This is the main practical reward, with time for swimming in clear water.
• Only ten minutes at Cap de Formentor: Expect a passing view, not a shore visit to the lighthouse.
• Four hours from Port Alcudia: The experience is mostly a scenic boat ride, not a fast sightseeing circuit.
• Bring your own supplies: Food and drinks are not included, so sunscreen, a camera, and comfortable clothes matter.
• A sensible price for a sea day: At $34, it offers an affordable way to reach Formentor Bay by boat.

Leaving Port Alcudia for Mallorca’s north coast

The trip begins at the Alcudia Sea Trips boat kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa, on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia. You arrange your own way to the port because transfers are not included.

The first part of the trip is about settling into the boat and finding your preferred viewing spot. If open-air seating matters to you, arrive with enough time to board before the best places fill. One particularly useful detail is that the upper deck may be full very early, even on a sunny day. If you arrive after those seats are taken, you may spend the ride on the middle deck.

That is not a dealbreaker, but it changes the feel of the trip. The upper deck gives you a clearer view and more sun. The middle deck offers shelter and may be easier if you want a less exposed ride, though your view can be more limited.

The boat ride itself is the core of the experience. You are not being rushed from one stop to another. The schedule leaves room for the northern coast to pass by slowly, with stretches of open water, rocky headlands, and sheltered bays. I like this pace for a relaxed morning or afternoon, but you should not book it expecting a packed list of shore visits.

Aucanada, Coll Baix, and Cap des Pinar from the water

As the boat moves away from Port Alcudia, you see coastal areas including Aucanada, Coll Baix Beach, and Cap des Pinar. These places are valuable from the sea because the boat gives you a broad view of the coast rather than a close look at one single viewpoint.

The itinerary allows about 40 minutes for the cruise near Platja del Coll Baix. Coll Baix is especially interesting because the beach is part of a more remote section of coast. From the boat, you can appreciate its setting without spending time working out how to reach it over land.

This is also a good time to take photographs. The scenery changes gradually, so you can wait for a clear view instead of trying to capture everything in a few rushed minutes. Keep your camera ready, but also give yourself time to simply watch the coastline. The trip is at its best when you treat it as a scenic ride, not a transport service with constant activity.

A further 25 minutes of sightseeing takes you through the Balearic Islands’ coastal setting before the boat heads toward Formentor Beach. These minutes may feel long if you want to get straight to swimming. For anyone who enjoys quiet water views, though, they are part of what makes the outing pleasant.

The one-hour stop at Formentor Beach

Formentor Beach is the clearest highlight for most people who want more than a view from the boat. The stop lasts about one hour, giving you time to swim in the cool, clear water of Formentor Bay.

I would plan this part carefully. You have enough time for a proper swim and a little rest, but not for a long beach day. If swimming is your priority, be ready to get into the water fairly soon after the stop begins. If you prefer to stay dry, the bay still gives you a fine place to pause and enjoy the coastal setting.

The water stop also breaks up the four-hour ride. After spending much of the first part seated and watching the coast, you get a chance to move around and cool off. This makes the trip more appealing for families and for anyone who wants a gentle sea outing rather than four straight hours of sightseeing from a seat.

Food and drinks are not included. Since the tour lasts half a day, you should plan ahead rather than count on buying refreshments during the trip. The supplied information does not confirm any onboard food service, so bringing what you need is the safer choice.

Remember your sunscreen. You will spend time in strong open sunlight, especially if you sit on the upper deck, and the reflected light from the water can add up quickly. Comfortable clothes and a camera are also sensible choices.

The quick look at Cap de Formentor

After the beach stop, the boat continues for about 20 minutes before reaching the Cap de Formentor sightseeing section. The actual sightseeing time is listed at around ten minutes.

This is where expectations matter most. You can see the famous Formentor lighthouse and the dramatic headland, but this is not a visit ashore. You do not get time to walk around the lighthouse, explore viewpoints, or linger along the cape.

In practice, the headland can appear only briefly as the boat passes. One particularly important caution is that some departures have offered only about a minute of distant viewing for Cap Formentor. If the lighthouse is the main reason you are booking, this short look may feel disappointing.

I would think of Cap de Formentor as a bonus view during a coastal cruise, not the main event. The boat gives you a different angle on the cape, but it does not replace a land excursion to the lighthouse. If you want detailed sightseeing at Cap de Formentor, you need an experience with a longer stop on shore.

The ten-minute timing also makes seating important. Keep your camera ready before the boat reaches the cape, and do not wait until the last moment to move to the best available viewing area. You may not get a second chance.

The ride back to Port Alcudia

The return trip takes about 45 minutes. By this point, you have completed the beach stop and the short Cap de Formentor viewing, so the ride back is mainly for enjoying the coast from another angle and resting.

This final stretch is where the tour’s slow pace becomes either its best feature or its main weakness. I like having time to sit quietly and watch the sea after swimming. You might find it too long if you hoped to visit several places on land.

The full timing works out to roughly three hours on the boat, with about one hour at Formentor Beach. That ratio is worth considering before you book. You are paying for a boat trip with a beach break, not an efficient sightseeing transfer.

The boat returns to the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk in Puerto Alcudia. Since the tour ends where it starts, the arrangement is straightforward if you are already staying near Alcudia or can reach the port independently.

What $34 buys you

At $34 per person, this is a fairly accessible way to see Mallorca’s north coast from the water. You get a four-hour outing, several coastal views, a Formentor Beach stop, and a passing look at Cap de Formentor. Compared with arranging separate transport to the beach and cape, the simple price can make sense.

The value depends heavily on your priorities. If you want a relaxing boat ride and a swim, the cost is appealing. The one-hour beach stop gives the trip a clear purpose, and the coastal views begin soon after departure.

If you mainly want the lighthouse, the value is weaker. The short viewing time means you should not treat this as a dedicated Formentor lighthouse tour. You are also not paying for lunch, drinks, or transport to the port, so those costs need to be added to your day.

I would rate the value as good for a relaxed half-day at sea, but only fair for serious sightseeing. The experience is strongest when you enjoy the journey itself.

Crowding, comfort, and timing

A four-hour boat trip can feel very different depending on seating. The upper deck may fill quickly, leaving later arrivals on the middle deck even in good weather. I would arrive early if a top-deck seat is important to you.

The supplied information does not give a maximum group size, so I cannot promise a small boat or a quiet setting. Several departures have felt full, which is worth keeping in mind if you dislike crowded boats. On the positive side, the activity is organized around a clear route and simple stops, and many bookings have rated the overall ride highly.

The experience also depends on the boat operating normally. On one October departure, the boat was out of service and people were told only when they arrived. That kind of disruption is uncommon in the general picture, but it is a real practical risk. Check your messages before leaving for the port and keep some flexibility in your day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful here because weather, boat operations, and changing plans can affect a sea outing.

Who will enjoy this Formentor cruise?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want:

• A gentle way to see Mallorca’s northern coast
• A one-hour swim in Formentor Bay
• A modestly priced half-day on the water
• A simple outing from Port Alcudia
• Time to sit, take pictures, and enjoy the sea without planning several connections

It works especially well for people who value scenery over constant activity. You do not need to organize separate visits to Aucanada, Coll Baix, Formentor Beach, and the cape. The boat handles the route while you watch the coast pass.

I would hesitate if you want long stops, a detailed visit to the lighthouse, or a small and quiet boat. I would also think twice if you get bored during long rides. The itinerary gives you only one substantial break, and Cap de Formentor itself receives just a short sightseeing period.

For families, the swim stop is a strong point, though you should plan your own food and drinks. For photographers, the views are worthwhile, but the quick cape passage requires preparation. For couples or solo visitors looking for a calm coastal outing, the ride can be pleasant if you choose your seat early.

Practical advice before you go

Bring sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and a camera. Add your own food and drinks because they are not included.

Arrive at the Transportes Marítimos Brisa kiosk on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia with enough time to board. The exact starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Keep your expectations focused. You will see the Formentor area from the water, swim at Formentor Beach, and pass the lighthouse. You will not have a long shore visit at Cap de Formentor.

If swimming is important, pack what you need for the water and keep the one-hour limit in mind. If the lighthouse is your priority, choose a tour that specifically promises time ashore instead.

Should you book it?

I would book this $34 cruise if I wanted an easy, scenic day on the sea with a useful swim stop. The coast near Alcudia and Formentor is the real attraction, and the slow pace lets you enjoy it without driving or planning a complicated route.

I would not book it solely to visit the Formentor lighthouse. The view may be brief and distant, and the boat can be crowded. Choose it for the full experience: coastal scenery, a one-hour swim at Formentor Beach, and a relaxed return to Port Alcudia.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The experience lasts four hours from departure in Port Alcudia to the return to the same port.

Where does the boat leave from?

You meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips boat kiosk operated by Transportes Marítimos Brisa, at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

What places can I see during the cruise?

The route includes views of Aucanada, Coll Baix Beach, Cap des Pinar, Formentor Beach, Formentor Bay, and Cap de Formentor.

How long is the stop at Formentor Beach?

The beach stop lasts about one hour.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. The tour includes a swimming stop in the clear waters of Formentor Bay at Formentor Beach.

How long do I spend sightseeing at Cap de Formentor?

The planned sightseeing period at Cap de Formentor is about ten minutes. The tour does not include a shore visit to the lighthouse.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Is transport to the port included?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.