Sea & Beach Reviews from Mallorca

The sound of clinking glasses, popping corks and champagne bubbles filled the air around the harbour in Palma this weekend as we celebrated the end of the 2010 Superyacht Cup. The Superyacht Cup, which has been running for 15 years, is a race like no other. Twenty privately owned sailing yachts, which are generally designed for cruising rather than racing, set off in a staggered start with the fastest at the back of the pack and the slowest at the front. Over the course, the boats behind catch the slower vessels out in front so that the finish is close one with all the boats meeting at the line. First one to cross is the winner.

It's late October, and still the sun shines in Mallorca. And not just that autumnal sun that provides such wonderful light, but proper hot sunshine. It was a blissful 27 degrees yesterday, and with Northern Europe under the influence of a cold northerly front, we thank our lucky stars that we are here, away from the grey and the damp.

Sailing in Mallorca is big business. In the last few alone decades new marinas have been built at Puerto Portals and Port Adriano to accommodate luxury yachts and Palma has one of the largest harbours in Europe for non commercial vessels.

I drove down to see what Cala Ratjada was like as a friend had suggested I take a look. It is clear when you arrive that the town is another German stronghold on the island, with specials boards outside restaurants written almost exclusively in German, with the odd bit of Spanish and English.

There are so many great beaches in Mallorca. White sands and clear waters can be found all along the north, south and east coasts and Majorca beach resorts like Magaluf, Illetas & Puerto Portals all have sheltered bays.

The Port of Soller is on the North West coast of Mallorca, nestling in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountain range. In my opinion we have got it all here – from the majestic mountains that surround us down to our perfect horse shoe bay. Despite a thirty year association with the place, I would never have envisaged what is happening here today.

Living near the sea in the Port of Soller, Majorca, has many advantages. Waking to the sight of the perfect horse shoe bay surrounded by mountains is still a thrill. The beach is coming to life with strategically placed tin bins which are used by the local bar owners to burn the bamboo.

We arrived 15 minutes late. It would have been considered early if we were meeting Spaniards, however Mark and Chris are proud Yorkshire men. They are also the father and son team who run the yacht charter company in Puerto Soller, on the western coast of Mallorca.

In addition to the smart beach clubs that Mallorca has to offer, there are a number of more relaxed beach bars where you can enjoy food and drink either right on the beach or right next door to the beach.

The Sol Wave House Hotel in the Majorca beach resort of Magaluf is part of an plan to bring a bit more class to the resort. The main attraction at the hotel are the two wave machines that make learning to surf and even ride barrels a reality in the flat calm of Mallorca's beaches.

We left our lovely home town of Pollensa and set out for the west of the island. One of the great things about the island is that everywhere is so accessible, within 50 minutes we had traversed the island and arrived at Port d’Andratx for a leisurely walk along the sea front. 

Mallorca has miles of coast line and is home to some of the most popular beach resorts in Europe. Magaluf, Alcudia, Palma Nova and and Cala D'or all make the Trip Advisor top ten list for beaches in Spain, and a week on the sand is what most people look for in a summer break, making Mallorca the ideal summer holiday destination. Finding the best beach on Mallorca is something that can turn a trip to the island into a perfect holiday.

Cala Mesquida cove lies at the Northerly tip of the Eastern coast of the island in the Capdepera district and it is well worth the drive to get to it, though you can take the bus from nearby Cala Ratjada if you prefer.

Port d'Andratx is one of the many beautiful harbour towns in Mallorca. The bay is a stunning natural cove and the harbour has a quaint charm with little fishing boats and yachts coming and going.

During the summer months there are plenty of opportunities to take boat trips across the calm sea in the North of Mallorca. There is a regular boat service from the popular tourist town of Puerto Pollensa to the beach at Formentor, where the sea is clear blue and the sand is soft.

During the peak season even the quietest beaches and most secret bays in Mallorca become busy. Finding a space on the beach in Palma or any of the popular beach resorts can become difficult and the water becomes cloudy as hundreds of people stir up the sand.

Take a coastal stroll or cycle to little hidden gem Platya des Morer Vermell with its white sand and crystal clear water perfect for snorkelling.