Sailboat Trips from Menorca
Few sensations compare to sailing to the sound of the wind and waves. And if you do it in the crystal clear waters of Menorca... the experience becomes an (affordable) luxury that you should make the most of on your holidays.
Sailing at sunset | ©Josh Sorenson
Menorca is probably the most natural and best preserved island of the Balearic Islands. There you will enjoy the sea and nature like in few other places in the world, especially if you join a boat trip in Menorca. If instead of just any boat you choose to complete your trip with a sailing trip, you'll want to stay and live there (forewarned is forearmed).
Let yourself be carried away by the swaying of the waves, the strength of the wind and the silence of the most spectacular unspoilt coves in Europe. I'll tell you about the best options for embarking on this adventure:
Menorca Northern Beaches Boat Tour
A full day excursion by sailboat in the northern coves
You will embark in Fornells on an authentic sailing boat and the skipper will follow the rhythm of the wind to make the experience as authentic as possible. You will discover the coves of the north and have time for swimming and snorkelling.
The coves in the north of the island are characterised by being practically virgin. Not only will you not be surrounded by tourists on every beach, but you will also be travelling on a sailing boat with only 10 other people, which makes this excursion a more intimate and much more authentic experience.
You will set sail from Fornells in the morning and you will have the whole day ahead of you to let the wind (and the skipper) decide the route to follow. The crew guarantees that you'll be sailing most of the time and you'll be able to enjoy the best spots in the north of Menorca.
Pack a towel, swimming costume, sunglasses and a cap and don't worry about anything else. Throughout the day you will make several stops for swimming and snorkelling to complete a perfect day.
Why choose this tour: for a very good value for money you will spend a day at sea discovering the best coves in the north. Lunch is included and the boat is equipped so you can snorkel and discover the underwater life of Menorca.
Recommended if... you want to do a sailing trip in Menorca without having to break your pockets renting a private boat. This is the best option for an intimate trip in very small groups.
Menorca Catamaran Cruise
Celebrate the end of the day with a sunset sailing tour
The best sunset on the island can be seen from the sea: take a dip in the late afternoon and take advantage of the last rays of sun to have an aperitif on board and enjoy the peace of the Mediterranean at the end of the day.
It is clear that sailing is something magical, but if you do it late in the day the result will surely be the most romantic evening of your holiday. Shortly before 19:00 you will board a real sailing boat and set sail for the coves of the north. A few hours ahead of you will be spent enjoying the wind, the waves and the sea.
You'll have time to take the last dip of the day , soaking up the sun's rays before it sets, and you'll return to the boat to finish watching the sunset while an aperitif is served on board. Take some clothes with you to change into as you'll be heading back to the harbour late in the evening. The feeling of sailing in the darkness of the sea is something you won't forget when you return from your trip.
Why choose this tour: This excursion will allow you to put the finishing touch to a perfect day on your holiday. The sunset lights, an aperitif on board and the sunset from the Mediterranean will take care of it.
Recommended if... you feel like joining a quiet plan to enjoy nature.
How much does a sailing trip in Menorca cost?
The prices of the sailing excursions are a little higher than those of the more crowded boat trips. Bear in mind that you will be travelling in small groups and the experience is much more exclusive, so you will have to pay around 60 € for 4 hours of sailing or 110 € for the whole day.
However, bear in mind that sailing excursions usually include drinks and a snack. In the case of the full-day excursion, lunch is also included on board so you don't have to worry about anything else. If you're looking for something more economical, you can always join a larger organised tour, such as some of the excursions that pass through the southern coves (priced at €50 for a full day and €28 for four hours).
Why a sailing excursion is worthwhile
The answer is clear: the experience is much more premium. For starters, the sailboats will hold a maximum of 12 passengers, making them virtually private tours. You'll sail away from the crowds (and the noise) of the masses and the excursion will allow you to enjoy nature even more.
On the other hand, you will be able to get closer to the crew, ask your questions to the skipper, discuss your favourite spots so that he can stop and you can have a swim, etc. Furthermore, sailing is not comparable to embarking on a much larger boat (there are boats that can accommodate more than 200 people).
At this point it is indisputable that the crystal clear waters of Menorca are best enjoyed from the sea. However, the range of tours on the island is quite varied and you will find routes and excursions to suit all budgets. If sailing excursions don't suit you, don't worry, there are more options.
How to book a sailing excursion
The easiest way is to book online. In Hellotickets you can check timetables, prices and availability. The main recommendation is to book in advance. Sailboats have a very limited capacity and if you travel in summer, the demand tends to be very high. Book your boat trip as soon as you have your plane tickets so you don't run out of space on board.
How long does a sailing trip last?
If you're planning to book a sailing trip, you'll be able to choose the duration. You can usually find full-day tours (the price is around 110-120 €) or half-day tours. Half-day sailing trips usually last around 3.5 hours and are usually long enough to see the most important coves in the area.
Excursion timetables
If you choose the full day trip you will have to board in the morning (normally around 10:00) to make the most of the daylight hours. You will return to the port at around 17:00 after having spent a spectacular day sailing along the coast of Menorca and having had lunch on board. If you choose the afternoon excursion, you will board around 19:00 to watch the sunset from the boat and return to the port late in the evening.
Itinerary of the sailing boat excursions
Sailing trips usually start from the north coast of the island. The base port will always be Fornells and from there you will sail, literally, wherever the wind takes you. And this should not worry you. Firstly, because with the skipper's experience you will reach the most spectacular and hidden places in the north and secondly, because the whole area is spectacular, so wherever you go, you will be amazed.
The best known coves on the north coast are Cala Tortuga, Cala Pregonda, Cala Pilar and Cap de Cavalleria. You will be amazed.
Other boat trips in Menorca
If you want to explore the turquoise waters that bathe the island of Menorca but you are not convinced about doing it on board a sailing boat, I also recommend the option of taking a catamaran excursion. If not, you can always consult my guide on the best boat trips in Menorca to find out the best routes and the full range of prices available.
If you want to make sure you find a boat trip close to your hotel or flat, I have also put together a list of the best boat trips departing from every major cove or town on the island: