Tour of the beaches of southern Menorca with paella included

The best part of this Menorca boat trip is simple: it gets you to two beautiful southern beaches without the long road, parking hunt, or walk often needed to reach them. You cruise from Ciutadella, stop at Son Saura and Cala en Turqueta, and have time to swim, sunbathe, or walk onward to Es Talaier.

I like the mix of free beach time and easy sightseeing from the water. You also get a proper lunch of paella with sangria and orange drink, which makes the $66.37 price feel fair for a full seven-hour outing. The main caution is size: with up to 170 people on board, this is a busy boat excursion, not a quiet sailing trip.

At a glance

• Two substantial swimming stops: Spend about two hours at Son Saura and 90 minutes at Cala en Turqueta.
• A walk to Es Talaier: From Son Saura, you can follow a roughly 15-minute path to this more remote cove.
• Classic south-coast scenery: The route includes Cap d’Artrutx lighthouse and water-level views of Macarella and Macarelleta.
• Lunch is built in: Mixed paella comes with sangria and orange drink, with no separate paella choice.
• A practical family option: There is shade on board, a bar for purchased drinks, and enough room for a full day by the sea.
• A large-group format: The boat can carry up to 170 people, so expect an organized excursion rather than an intimate cruise.

Why this boat trip works for Menorca’s south coast

Menorca’s southern coves are famous for clear water, pale sand, and pine-covered shores. They are also not always easy to reach. A boat gives you a different way to see them, and this trip covers several of the coast’s best-known names in one day.

You leave from Passeig des Moll in Ciutadella at 10:00 am and return to the same point. That makes the outing easy to fit into a Ciutadella stay. You do not need to arrange separate transport to each beach, and you can spend the sailing time resting on deck, listening to the commentary, or buying a drink from the bar.

I would think of this as a beach day with a sightseeing cruise attached, rather than a specialist sailing voyage. The route is the main attraction. You see several coves from the sea, then get enough time ashore or in the water to make the day feel active.

The boat is cleaned and organized, according to the information available, and the crew is described as friendly and effective. Commentary is given in several languages, with information about the island and the areas along the coast. Do not expect a private guide or a small group setting. The advantage of the larger boat is a straightforward, generally good-value day; the trade-off is less peace and personal space.

Leaving Ciutadella for Cap d’Artrutx

The trip begins at Ciutadella’s harbor, where you board for a full day on the water. The route includes a visit to Cap d’Artrutx lighthouse on the way out and again on the return.

The lighthouse gives the cruise a useful visual marker. It is not a long walking stop based on the stated schedule, so you should think of it as a viewpoint from the boat rather than a separate lighthouse tour. Keep your camera ready as the boat passes the cape.

The first part of the day is also your chance to settle into the boat. You can find a place in the sun or look for shade if you prefer to stay out of direct heat. The onboard bar sells drinks such as water, coffee, soft drinks, chips, and ice cream, but these are not included in the ticket price.

Because the trip lasts around seven hours, small choices matter. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a towel, and a swimsuit. Your own snorkeling gear is allowed, and it is worth packing if you want to look beneath the surface during the swimming stops. Coolers and similar containers are not allowed, so plan for a light personal bag rather than a full picnic setup.

Son Saura gives you the longest beach break

Son Saura is the first main stop and the longest one. You get about two hours here, with the chance to leave the boat and enjoy the beach at your own pace.

This is the stop where the timetable gives you the most freedom. You can swim from the shore, sunbathe, or simply walk along the beach. If you want more than a standard beach visit, a roughly 15-minute path leads toward Es Talaier, one of the more remote coves in this part of Menorca.

That short walk is a useful option, but do not treat it as a guided hike. You are responsible for keeping track of the time and returning to the boarding point. If you choose the path, leave enough margin for the walk back and any delay getting through the beach area.

Son Saura is also the stop most likely to suit people who do not want to jump directly from the boat. You can reach the sand and settle in there. Families may appreciate this, as can anyone who wants a proper beach break rather than a quick swim.

There is one practical warning. Conditions can change with wind and waves, and seaweed can affect how pleasant a beach feels on a particular day. One account of the trip described large waves and beaches made less enjoyable by algae. That is not a problem you can predict from the itinerary, but it is a good reminder that Menorca’s postcard conditions depend on the weather.

Macarella and Macarelleta from the water

After Son Saura, the boat passes the coves of Macarella and Macarelleta. These are among the most recognized names on Menorca’s south coast, and the boat gives you a way to see them without making the walk from land.

This is a viewing stop from the water, not a scheduled beach landing. That distinction matters. You can take in the shape of the coves, the color of the water, and the wooded slopes from the deck, but you should not expect time to go ashore at both places.

For many people, this will be one of the prettiest sections of the route. It also breaks up the day nicely. You spend part of the morning moving along the coast, get a longer beach stop at Son Saura, then continue past famous coves before the second main swim.

If you want photographs, stay alert for the crew’s commentary and announcements. A large boat can make it difficult to move quickly from one side to another, especially when many people are trying to take pictures. You will get the best experience by treating the cruise as a broad coastal view rather than expecting a private lookout.

Cala en Turqueta is the main swim highlight

The second main stop is Cala en Turqueta, with about 90 minutes to swim from the beach or from the boat. The cove is known for exceptionally clear water, and it is a popular place for snorkeling.

This is the stop for people who enjoy getting straight into the sea. If you bring your own mask and snorkel, you can look underwater during the break. Some passengers also choose to enter the water directly from the boat, which avoids the crowded sand and gives you a more immediate swim.

That choice comes with a clear condition: you need to be comfortable in the water and able to use the boat’s access safely. If you prefer a gradual entry, use the beach. The shore is also the better choice for children or anyone who wants to stay close to dry land.

Cala en Turqueta can become very crowded in August. One useful tip is to consider swimming from the boat rather than trying to find a comfortable patch of sand at the height of the season. The beach is the attraction, but the boat may offer a better place to enjoy the water when the shore is packed.

Weather can also shorten this stop. On one outing, conditions became difficult enough that the boat returned earlier for safety. That is frustrating when you have looked forward to a long swim, but it is the right call at sea. The route and timing may change when wind or waves make a stop unsafe.

Paella makes the long day easier

Lunch is mixed paella, served with sangria and orange drink. The food is included in the ticket, and it is one of the strongest parts of the value calculation.

The paella is generally described as tasty, and several accounts single it out as a highlight. You may be able to repeat food and drink, though the exact service arrangement can depend on the day. Sangria receives a little less consistent enthusiasm than the paella, but the included drink still makes lunch feel more generous than a basic sandwich stop.

There is no choice of paella. This is important if your group has different tastes or dietary needs. If you have food intolerances, you may bring your own food on board, but you do not receive a discount for skipping the included paella.

The onboard bar is separate. Drinks bought there cost extra, and coolers are not allowed. You can purchase water, coffee, soft drinks, chips, and ice cream, which is useful during a long day, but budget for these if you do not want to rely only on the lunch service.

A boat lunch will not suit everyone who prefers an independent meal. You eat within the excursion’s schedule and setting. For me, that is a fair trade here: you are out for seven hours, and having lunch already arranged means you can spend your time enjoying the coast instead of planning where to eat.

What the larger boat means in practice

The capacity is up to 170 people. That number tells you a lot about the character of the trip.

You should expect a shared excursion with set timings, announcements, and a busy feel at popular stops. It is not designed for quiet conversation, a personal captain, or a flexible route. One dissatisfied account also described confusion around places during beach boarding and returning to the boat. With a group of this size, keep your belongings close and pay attention to where and when you must reboard.

At the same time, a large boat can be comfortable in ways a small vessel is not. There are seats, shaded areas, a bar, and enough space for different types of passengers to spread out. Families can find the format easier than a tiny sailing boat, and most people can participate.

The excursion is not particularly suitable for people with mobility issues. You may need to manage boarding, movement around the boat, and access to beaches. If stairs, uneven ground, or getting in and out of the water are difficult for you, ask the operator before booking.

Solo visitors should set expectations correctly. The trip is social in the sense that you share a boat with many people, but large groups often stay together. If you want easy conversation with a small set of fellow passengers, a smaller sailing trip may suit you better.

Is $66.37 good value?

At $66.37 per person, this is a solid value if you want a full day on the coast and plan to use the included lunch. You get about seven hours, two beach or swim stops, coastal sightseeing, paella, sangria, and orange drink.

The value is strongest when you compare it with the separate cost and effort of reaching several southern beaches by land. You also avoid spending the day driving between coves. The boat provides views of Macarella and Macarelleta, a pass by Cap d’Artrutx lighthouse, and access to Son Saura and Cala en Turqueta in one outing.

The price is less attractive if you want a quiet boat, a private experience, or a flexible itinerary. You are paying for access and convenience, not exclusivity. Extra bar drinks cost more, and you need to supply your own snorkeling equipment if you want it.

With an average booking lead time of about 12 days, it is sensible to reserve ahead during the busy season. The experience has a 4.4 rating from 126 ratings, which fits the overall picture: strong satisfaction for the beaches, food, crew, and organization, with some reservations about crowds, wind, and the large-boat format.

Who should book this Menorca cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want to see the south coast efficiently and prefer a planned day over a do-it-yourself beach circuit. It suits couples, families, and groups who like a mixture of swimming, sightseeing, and lunch without having to make many decisions.

It is especially useful if you are staying in or near Ciutadella and want to reach beaches that can be awkward to visit by road. The two long stops give you real time on the coast, rather than just a series of quick photo pauses.

You should think twice if your ideal day is a silent sail with very few people. You may also want another option if you dislike fixed meal arrangements, need full mobility access, or hope to spend long stretches alone on an empty beach.

Book with the weather in mind. The trip requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Final verdict

This is a practical, good-value way to experience Menorca’s south coast from the sea. The two swimming stops, clear water at Cala en Turqueta, coastal views, and included paella give the day plenty of substance.

The compromises are real: the boat can be busy, the route is fixed, and wind or seaweed may affect the beach stops. Still, if you want an easy full-day outing from Ciutadella with food included, this is a sensible choice. Bring swim gear, sunscreen, and realistic expectations about the group size, and you are likely to get a rewarding day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start and finish?

It starts at Passeig des Moll in Ciutadella, Menorca, and returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts approximately seven hours.

Which beaches do you visit?

You visit Platges de Son Saura and Cala en Turqueta. At Son Saura, you can also take a roughly 15-minute path toward Es Talaier.

Can I see Macarella and Macarelleta?

Yes. The boat passes Macarella and Macarelleta for views from the water, but they are not listed as beach landing stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The price includes mixed paella, sangria, and orange drink. There is no alternative paella option.

Can I bring my own food?

If you have food intolerances, you may bring your own food on board. Skipping the paella does not result in a discount, and coolers or similar containers are not allowed.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.