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.

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.

Last Saturday I decided that it was time for a change and I should visit one of the other beaches in Mallorca rather than my beloved Cala Llamp. There are so many beaches in Mallorca to choose from but I had set my expectations of what a beach should offer pretty high with Cala Llamp.

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.

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.

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. 

The always cool, always sexy Nikki Beach opened up in Mallorca this summer bringing the world famous Nikki Beach cocktail of cool, sexy glamour to the south west coast of the island. We went down last weekend to see their "Amazing Sundays" party.

The Port of Soller is heating up (35 degrees today) and welcoming its visitors for the summer. The Repic beach is the main playground, and the choice of which part of the beach you sit on is a decision of the day. Some of the deckchair vendors are attached to local restaurants and the expectation is that if you sit on their deckchairs you will buy your snacks and lunch from them. 

Playa de Muro is worth a visit, whether as a day out or as a base for your holiday. There’s a very busy main road stretching the length of the town stocked with every commercial amenity you might need, there are supermarkets and pharmacies, clothing and souvenir shops, bars restaurants and fast food outlets and for nightlife you’re in walking distance to Playa D’Alcudia’s main hot spot the Banana Club.

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.

Can you keep a secret?

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.

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.

The sheltered bay of Puerto Pollenca features the stunning back drop of the Tramuntana mountains which can be seen from all over the resort. The warm summer evenings are ideal for taking strolls along the pedestrianised promenades along the front which lead towards the famous Pine Walk where you'll also find the D’Albercuix beach running along side.

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.

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.

Mal Pas – Playa de Sant Pere and Playa de Sant Joan, two quiet, beautiful beaches for the price of one!

The bay of Alcudia is well known for it's endless Playa de Muro beach. Not quite as well known is that the bay is excellent for wind and kite surfing. And just a a little bit further down the coast from Playa de Muro, the wind surfers and kite surfers have laid claim to one of the best places on the island to ride the waves.