Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

Formentor is Mallorca’s great coastal showpiece, and this boat trip lets you see it from the water without tackling the winding road to the lighthouse. You cruise from Port Alcudia past rugged coves and bright sea, then get a proper hour at Formentor beach for swimming. I like the easy pace and the chance to see several hard-to-reach bays in one outing.

I also like the price: at $34 per person, it is a reasonable way to spend half a day on Mallorca’s north coast. The main catch is time on the boat. You get only about 45 to 60 minutes at the beach, and the boat can feel crowded, especially if you arrive too late to claim space on the upper deck.

Key points to know before you book

• Four hours from Port Alcudia: The cruise leaves from the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk operated by Transportes Maritimos Brisa.
• Formentor beach is the main stop: You have about one hour for swimming and relaxing in the clear water.
• Cap de Formentor is viewed from the boat: The lighthouse and cape are sightseeing points, not a shore visit.
• Several coves appear along the route: Aucanada, Coll Baix beach, Cap des Pinar, and other bays provide the best scenery early in the trip.
• Food and drinks are not included: Bring what you need, along with sunscreen, a camera, and comfortable clothes.
• Deck space can fill quickly: Recent feedback describes a full upper deck on some departures, so arrive early if an open-air seat matters to you.

Why this cruise works for seeing Formentor from the sea

The north coast of Mallorca is difficult to cover casually by car. The roads toward Cap de Formentor are winding, and a short visit can turn into a full day of driving and parking. This cruise offers a simpler alternative: you sit down, watch the shoreline pass, and let the boat handle the distance.

The scenery is the real reason to book. From the water, you can take in cliffs, sheltered bays, and long stretches of open coast without keeping your eyes on the road. The boat also gives you a different view of Formentor beach. Instead of arriving only at the sand, you approach it across the bay, with the sea and mountains opening around you.

This is sightseeing rather than a guided historical tour. No individual guide name is provided, and the experience centers on the coast, not on detailed commentary. If you want a narrated lesson about Mallorca, this may feel light. If you want four hours of sea air and broad views, the format makes sense.

The total score is 4.1 from 569 ratings, which fits the experience well. The strongest points are the pleasant ride, attractive scenery, smooth organization, and enjoyable swim stop. The weaker points are limited time on land, crowded seating on some boats, and the fact that Cap de Formentor may appear only briefly from a distance.

Leaving Port Alcudia and passing Aucanada

Your meeting point is the boat kiosk of Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Maritimos Brisa, on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia. You need to make your own way to the port because transfers are not included.

The first part of the cruise gives you time to settle in and choose your viewing spot. If you want the clearest open-air views, arrive early rather than assuming you can find an upper-deck seat at the last minute. The boat may have plenty of room overall, yet the best seats can go quickly on sunny days.

As you leave the port, the route takes you along Mallorca’s north coast toward Aucanada and Cap des Pinar. This early section is useful because it eases you into the scenery. You are not rushed from one photo stop to the next. Instead, the coast changes gradually as the town gives way to coves and more rugged shore.

The boat ride is planned as sightseeing, so bring your camera where you can reach it. Sunlight on the water can make photos look very different from the view from land. Sunscreen is just as important, since several hours on a boat can catch you off guard even when the air feels comfortable.

The 40-minute view toward Coll Baix

The cruise includes roughly 40 minutes around Platja del Coll Baix. This is one of the most appealing parts of the route because the beach is known here as a coastal sight rather than a place you simply drive up to.

You should think of this section as a slow scenic pass, not a landing. The boat lets you look toward the beach and surrounding coast, but the published plan does not include time to go ashore at Coll Baix. That distinction matters if you are choosing between a boat cruise and a beach-hiking day.

I like this part of the trip for its sense of access. You see a piece of Mallorca that can be awkward to reach by ordinary transport, while keeping the effort low. You can remain seated, take pictures, and watch the coves arrive and fade behind you.

The tradeoff is that sea views can be weather-dependent. The boat still travels the route, but the visual reward depends on visibility and how comfortable you are sitting outside in the sun or wind. Comfortable clothing is a sensible choice, and a light layer may be useful if conditions change.

The open-water sightseeing section

After Coll Baix, the cruise continues through the Balearic Islands for about 25 minutes of sightseeing. The schedule allows you to keep watching the coast instead of treating every stop as a separate event.

This stretch is best for people who enjoy the journey itself. You can relax and let the changing views do the work. It is also a good moment to organize photos, reapply sunscreen, or simply stop trying to see every detail. A four-hour cruise can feel long if you expect constant activity, but it works better when you treat the boat as the main attraction.

The ship’s capacity is an important practical detail. One recent account described the upper deck as full at boarding, leaving a choice of the middle deck even in good weather. That does not mean every departure will feel packed, but it does mean you should not assume the top level will be available.

If sitting outside is essential for you, arrive with enough time to check in and board without a last-minute scramble. If you are happy to move around or watch from a lower deck, the seating issue matters less. Either way, the views are not limited to one exact seat.

One hour at Formentor beach

Formentor beach is the main break, with about one hour set aside for swimming and free time. This is the most active part of the excursion. You can get into the clear water, stay on the boat, or use the pause to relax and take in the bay.

The one-hour timing is both useful and limiting. It is long enough for a swim and a little quiet time, but not long enough for a slow beach day. You should have your swimwear ready and keep your belongings organized so you do not spend half the stop looking for a towel or changing clothes.

The water stop is a strong reason to choose this cruise over a purely scenic ferry ride. You are not only looking at Mallorca from a distance. You get a chance to cool off in the bay and break up the long ride.

Still, keep your expectations realistic. This is not a full Formentor beach visit with several hours on shore. If your priority is sunbathing, a long swim, or exploring the beach at your own pace, you may find the stop too short. If you want a refreshing pause within a wider coastal trip, the timing is more suitable.

Food and drinks are not included. The supplied information does not specify onboard food service, so bring suitable refreshments if you need them. Do not forget sunscreen. The combination of open water, bright sun, and a swim stop makes sun protection a basic part of the day.

Seeing Cap de Formentor and its famous lighthouse

After the beach break, the boat continues for about 20 minutes before the Cap de Formentor sightseeing section. The cape is the headline attraction, but the format may surprise you: this is a short view from the water, not a visit to the lighthouse.

The scheduled sightseeing time at Cap de Formentor is about 10 minutes. That is enough to point your camera toward the cape and lighthouse, but it is not a long photo stop. A recent account described seeing Cap de Formentor from a distance for only about 60 seconds, which shows how much the actual view can vary with the boat’s position and the route taken that day.

This is the most important expectation to set before booking. The trip is named for Formentor, yet most of your time is spent cruising toward it, around the wider coast, and back. You should choose this experience for the complete sea journey, not for a guaranteed close-up lighthouse visit.

I still think the view can be worthwhile. The cape is dramatic from the water, and the approach gives you a broad sense of how the coast fits together. But if the lighthouse is your number-one goal, a land excursion may give you more control over how long you look and where you take photographs.

The 45-minute cruise back to Alcudia

The return journey lasts about 45 minutes. By this point, you will have had the main swim stop and the Formentor sightseeing section, so the ride back is a quieter finish.

This is where the tour’s pace divides people. Some will appreciate the chance to sit back after swimming and watch the coast without a schedule of new activities. Others may feel that four hours is a long time on a boat for less than an hour at the beach.

I suggest judging the trip by the kind of day you want. If you enjoy boats, open water, and coastal scenery, the return ride is part of the value. If you need frequent stops, land walks, or constant commentary, the long cruising sections may test your patience.

The experience has generally been described as well organized, and several ratings give it full marks for a pleasant outing. At the same time, a serious operational issue was reported on one date, when a boat problem meant the excursion did not go ahead and guests were informed only on arrival. This appears to be an occasional disruption rather than the normal format, but it is worth keeping in mind when planning a tightly scheduled day.

Is $34 good value for four hours?

At $34, this is fairly priced for a four-hour boat outing from Alcudia to the Formentor area. The price covers the scenic cruise and the swimming stop, which means you get both transport along the coast and a simple recreational activity.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange your own way to see Coll Baix, Formentor beach, and Cap de Formentor. The boat combines them in one half-day outing and removes the need to drive the coastal route yourself.

The value is weaker if you are paying mainly to visit the lighthouse or spend the day at Formentor beach. The cape is a brief sightseeing point, and the beach stop lasts about one hour. You are buying a moving coastal view, not a full land tour.

Remember to add the cost of getting to Port Alcudia and any food or drinks you bring or buy. Transfers are not included. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mallorca plans are still shifting.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this cruise for a first look at Mallorca’s north coast, especially if you are staying near Alcudia and want a low-effort half-day outing. It suits couples, families, and anyone who prefers scenery from the water to a demanding road trip.

It is also a good choice if swimming matters to you. The one-hour Formentor beach stop gives the trip a clear break and makes it more than a sightseeing circuit.

I would be cautious if you dislike crowded boats, need guaranteed upper-deck seating, or want a long beach stay. You should also think twice if a close, extended visit to the Formentor lighthouse is your main goal. The boat provides a glimpse of the cape, not a full visit.

What to bring and how to make the day better

Bring sunscreen, a camera, and comfortable clothes. Add swimwear and whatever food or drinks you need, since those are not included.

Arrive early enough to board without rushing, especially if you want an upper-deck seat. Keep your camera and sunscreen accessible during the ride, and do not wait until the beach stop to prepare for swimming.

Most of all, book this as a scenic cruise with a swim stop. That simple description matches the timing. It prevents the common mistake of expecting several hours of beach time or an extended lighthouse visit.

Should you book the Alcudia to Formentor cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, easygoing way to see Mallorca’s north coast from the sea, with attractive bays, a Formentor swim stop, and a short view of Cap de Formentor. The pleasant ride, clear water, and simple organization give it solid value at $34.

Skip it if you want extensive time on land, a quiet boat with guaranteed upper-deck seating, or a close visit to the lighthouse. For most people, the right question is not how long you get at Formentor, but whether you enjoy the four-hour journey there and back. If the answer is yes, this is a sensible half-day outing from Alcudia.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The activity lasts four hours, including the cruise from Port Alcudia to the Formentor area, the beach break, sightseeing at Cap de Formentor, and the return journey.

Where does the boat leave from?

You meet at the boat kiosk of Alcudia Sea Trips, Transportes Maritimos Brisa, on Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia, Illes Balears.

Is transport to the port included?

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

How much time is available at Formentor beach?

The planned break at Formentor beach lasts about one hour.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. The Formentor beach stop is intended to give you time to swim in the clear water.

Do I visit the Formentor lighthouse?

The lighthouse and Cap de Formentor are sightseeing points viewed during the cruise. The schedule does not include a shore visit to the lighthouse.

Are food and drinks included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Since there is a swimming stop and food and drinks are not included, you should also prepare for those needs.