Menorca: Taxi-Boat from Es Grau to Colom Island

Leave Es Grau behind. This short taxi boat trip gives you a pleasant ride across the bay, a look at both beaches on Colom Island, and several quiet hours beside clear water. I like the freedom to choose between Playa Els Tamarells and Playa Arenal d’en Moro, and I like that the boat returns you to Es Grau without making you paddle or arrange a second transfer.

The main catch is that you need to bring everything you want for the beach, including food, drinks, shade, and any swimming gear. The ride is easy and the island is beautiful, but $28 is mainly paying for transport. If you want a guided nature tour or lots of included extras, this will feel rather bare-bones.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Two beach choices: See Playa Els Tamarells and Playa Arenal d’en Moro before choosing where to spend your free time.
• About four hours on Colom: Most of the activity is unstructured beach time for swimming and sunbathing.
• Return taxi boat included: Your skipper drops you off and collects you at the arranged time.
• Meet at the Es Grau pier: Arrive 20 minutes before departure so you are ready when the boat leaves.
• Bring your own supplies: Food, drinks, umbrellas, and snorkeling equipment are not included.
• Weather can change the plan: Rough sea conditions may lead to a new date or a refund.

Leaving Es Grau by Taxi Boat

The trip begins at the pier in Es Grau, a practical starting point for reaching Colom Island. You meet the skipper directly at the agreed meeting point, and the instructions ask you to arrive 20 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because this is a small transfer service, not a large sightseeing cruise with a long check-in process.

The boat ride is described as lasting about 30 minutes as it travels out of the bay and toward Colom Island. You get a change of pace right away. Instead of walking through town or spending the entire day at Es Grau, you cross the water and approach a smaller island with two beach options.

The exact feel of the ride may vary. One passenger found the crossing very quick, closer to 10 minutes, and felt the price was high for the length of the boat journey. I would treat the boat as a useful transfer rather than the main attraction. The real value comes from the hours you spend on Colom.

The skipper takes you around the coast and shows you the two beaches before you choose where to be dropped off. That is a helpful touch. You do not have to pick a beach blindly, and you can compare the two stretches of sand before settling in.

Choosing Between Playa Els Tamarells and Playa Arenal d’en Moro

The trip focuses on two beaches: Playa Els Tamarells and Playa Arenal d’en Moro. Both are described as white-sand beaches with clear ocean water, but the most important difference for you is simply which setting feels better when you see them from the boat.

You may prefer to choose based on the day’s conditions, the look of the water, or how peaceful each beach appears at the time. Since the skipper shows you both before drop-off, you have a little control over the day instead of being assigned a single shore.

This choice is also one of the strongest features of the trip. A standard beach transfer would take you to one fixed point. Here, you get a brief coastal ride and a chance to make a decision after seeing both beaches.

Do not expect a full guided visit to Colom Island. The skipper’s role is transport and drop-off, not a long walking tour or a detailed explanation of the island. If you want facts about local ecology, history, or geology, you may need to find that information elsewhere.

Four Hours of Unhurried Beach Time

After the drop-off, the schedule becomes wonderfully simple. You have about four hours to swim, sunbathe, rest, and enjoy the surroundings before the boat comes back for you.

I like this format for people who want a quiet half-day without a packed program. You are not pushed from one stop to the next, and you do not have to keep checking the clock every 20 minutes. The return time is arranged in advance, so your main job is to remember when and where to meet the boat.

The water is described as crystal clear, and swimming is one of the main reasons to choose this trip. The beaches are also suited to simple sunbathing on white sand. This is a good match for you if a towel, a swim, and a few peaceful hours sound better than a busy sightseeing schedule.

Still, four hours is a long time if you are not prepared. Food and drink are not included, and there is no stated beach equipment service. One passenger specifically wished that snorkeling equipment and an umbrella were available. That is useful advice: pack your own supplies rather than counting on extras at the beach.

Because the boat is your transport, you should also think carefully about what you can comfortably carry. Bring water, snacks, sun protection, a towel, and anything else you need for the full stay. The trip does not include hotel pickup, so you must also make your own way to Es Grau.

What the $28 Price Really Covers

At $28 per person, the cost is reasonable if you value access to Colom Island and do not have another easy way to reach it. The price includes the return taxi boat and skipper, so you are paying for both crossings and the convenience of a scheduled pickup.

The cost is less attractive if you judge it only by time on the water. One passenger felt the ride was short for the price. That criticism is fair, especially if you expected a full boat excursion with commentary, onboard drinks, or equipment.

The comparison changes if your alternative is reaching the island by kayak. A passenger noted that kayaking was the other way to get there and had not been obvious beforehand. The taxi boat is far easier if you do not want to paddle, carry gear in a kayak, or depend on your own timing.

I see the price as a practical access fee rather than a luxury outing. You get a pleasant ride, a look at both beaches, and a return transfer. You do not get meals, hotel transport, beach gear, or a long guided program.

Timing, Language, and the Return Pickup

The complete activity lasts about 4.5 hours, including the boat rides and roughly four hours of beach time. Starting times vary, so you need to check the available departure when booking rather than assume a particular morning or afternoon schedule.

The skipper waits at the pier meeting point, and the activity ends back there after the return trip. One positive account describes the pickup point as easy to find and the boat leaving and returning on time. That reliability matters because the island is not a place where you want to improvise your way home.

Guiding is offered in English, Spanish, and Catalan. However, one person reported that the guide did not speak English during the trip. If English support is important to you, confirm the language arrangement before booking. The activity is simple enough to follow physically, but any spoken information may be limited depending on the skipper.

The skipper also appears to show both beaches before making the drop-off. This is more useful than a formal speech for this particular outing. You can see your options and make a quick choice.

What to Pack for Colom Island

The best way to enjoy this trip is to treat it as a self-contained beach outing. Since food and drink are not included, take enough for the entire time on the island.

A practical packing list includes:

• Water and food for several hours
• A towel and swimwear
• Sun protection
• An umbrella or other shade option if you need one
• Snorkeling equipment if you want to explore the water
• Any personal items needed for the full four-hour stay

These items are not supplied, and the activity does not promise rental services at either beach. The lack of equipment is not a problem if you arrive prepared. It can be frustrating if you expect a staffed beach facility or a boat stocked with supplies.

Keep your load manageable. You need to board the taxi boat, step off at the beach, and later carry everything back to the pickup point. The service is designed around a simple transfer, not luggage handling.

Who Will Enjoy This Trip Most

I would recommend this for you if you want a quiet beach half-day and prefer easy transport over a strenuous water activity. It suits swimmers, sunbathers, couples, and anyone who likes to set their own pace.

It is also a good option if you are staying near Es Grau and want to see a different shore without arranging a complicated excursion. The direct meeting point keeps the plan simple, and the included return ride removes the worry of finding your own way back.

Families may appreciate the straightforward schedule, but you should consider how children handle a boat transfer and several hours without included food or shade. The information provided does not describe child-specific facilities, so plan according to your own needs.

This is not a strong pick for people with mobility impairments, as the activity is specifically not considered suitable for them. It also may disappoint you if you want a narrated cruise, organized snorkeling, refreshments, or a full island tour.

Weather and Sea Conditions Matter

The boat service depends on the sea. If conditions are unfavorable, the operator can arrange another date or provide a refund. That is a sensible safeguard, since a short crossing can become uncomfortable or unsafe in poor weather.

You should keep a little flexibility in your schedule if the sea forecast looks uncertain. The possibility of a new date is helpful, but it may not work well if you have only one free day in Menorca.

Good conditions also affect the enjoyment of the beaches. Clear water and a calm crossing make this outing much more appealing. Rough water could change the feel of the boat ride and may cancel the plan altogether.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several activities around changing weather.

Is the Colom Island Taxi Boat Worth Booking?

Book it if you want a simple return transfer to a beautiful beach, not a packed tour. The strongest reasons are the choice between two beaches, the four hours of free time, the clear swimming water, and the fact that the skipper handles the return ride.

Think twice if $28 feels high for a short boat crossing or if you need shade, food, snorkeling gear, or detailed English commentary included. Bring your own supplies, confirm the language, and arrive at the Es Grau pier 20 minutes early.

For a relaxed beach day with very little structure, this is a useful Menorca outing. For a full sightseeing cruise, it is too limited. Your decision comes down to one question: do you want easy access to Colom Island, or do you want the boat ride itself to be the main event?

FAQ

Where does the taxi boat depart?

The taxi boat departs from the meeting point on the pier in Es Grau. The skipper waits there for passengers.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts about 4.5 hours. This includes the boat transfers and approximately four hours of free time at one of the beaches.

Which beaches can I visit?

You can choose between Playa Els Tamarells and Playa Arenal d’en Moro. The skipper shows you both beaches before dropping you off.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included, so you need to bring your own supplies.

What happens if sea conditions are unfavorable?

The operator may arrange an alternative date or provide a refund if sea conditions are not suitable.