From Cala Figuera: Boat Tour to Cala Marmols & Caló de Moro

The best part of this trip is seeing Mallorca’s southeast coast from the water, where sandstone cliffs, smugglers’ caves, and bright turquoise coves line up in one long coastal show. The boat leaves Cala Figuera and runs past Cala Santanyí, Es Pontàs, Cala Llombards, S’Almunia, Caló des Moro, and, on the longer option, Cala Màrmols.

I like the small-group feel and the chance to swim straight from the boat rather than fight for space on a busy beach. I also like the simple value: snorkeling gear, fuel, insurance, and one beer or soft drink are included in the $44 price.

The main consideration is that this is more of a scenic boat ride than a full guided history tour. One captain spoke little English and gave only place names, and departures can be delayed or canceled if weather makes the sea unsafe.

Key points to know before you book

• Cala Màrmols is the longer route’s prize: You get about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling at a beach reached mainly by boat or hiking trail.
• The swim stop depends on the wind: On the shorter route, you may swim at Caló des Moro or S’Almunia for about 40 minutes.
• Es Pontàs gives the tour a memorable landmark: This strange rock formation marks the old entrance to a sea cave.
• The RIB boat keeps the group small: That makes it easier to see the coves and find a place in the shade.
• One drink is included: You receive one beer or soft drink, but food is not provided.
• The sea sets the schedule: The skipper can change the route or cancel the trip for safety.

Leaving Cala Figuera for Mallorca’s southeast coast

You meet at the RedstarTours Excursiones office beside the port of Cala Figuera. This is a useful starting point because the port itself is part of the setting: fishing boats, narrow water channels, and steep rocky edges give you an immediate taste of the coast you are about to see.

The boat is a RIB, or rigid inflatable boat. It is built for speed and close coastal cruising, so you cover a good stretch of Santanyí’s shoreline in a relatively short time. The standard trip lasts about 1 hour 50 minutes, while the Cala Màrmols option runs about 2 hours 50 minutes.

A small boat gives the ride a more personal feel than a large sightseeing vessel. It also lets you get closer to coves and rock formations, though the trade-off is that the ride can feel choppy when the sea is up. Sit where you can hold on comfortably, and bring protection from the sun even if the boat has shaded areas.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment, fuel, insurance, and one beer or soft drink. You will need to arrange your own food, and the tour does not promise a meal stop.

Cala Santanyí and Es Pontàs

The first coastal stop is Cala Santanyí, where you have around 10 minutes to take in the cove. From the boat, you see the beach and surrounding rock walls without needing to find a parking place or walk down to the sand.

The next stop, Es Pontàs, is one of the most distinctive sights on this stretch of Mallorca. The name refers to a natural stone bridge or arch, described here as the old entrance to a cave. It is the sort of formation that makes more sense from the sea than from land, since the boat gives you a direct view through and around the rock.

You get about 10 minutes at Es Pontàs. That is enough for photographs and a good look, but not enough for a long explanation or a leisurely exploration. If you want detailed geology or local history at every stop, this tour may feel light on commentary.

Still, Es Pontàs is a strong early highlight. The boat’s movement, the open water, and the unusual shape of the rock make this feel like a proper coastal outing rather than a simple transfer to a swimming spot.

Cala Llombards and the coast of sea caves

The boat continues toward Cala Llombards, with about five minutes devoted to the stop. The time is brief, so think of it as a scenic pass and photo opportunity rather than a beach visit.

The route also takes you past sa Cova des Fum and Es Caló des Macs. This part of the trip is about the changing character of the shoreline. You see small inlets, rough rock, and openings in the cliffs that are easy to miss from a road or walking path.

The caves have a practical story as well as visual appeal. Some were once used by smugglers as hiding places. You are not promised a long historical talk, but the setting helps you understand why small sea caves mattered along an isolated coast. A boat is the right way to see these spaces, since many sit below the cliff line or face directly onto the water.

If your captain gives brief commentary, listen for the place names as the boat moves. The cruise is strongest when you treat it as a moving view of the coast, with the guide pointing out landmarks rather than delivering a formal lecture.

S’Almunia and Caló des Moro

S’Almunia is one of the more atmospheric stops. Its shoreline includes traditional huts and fishermen’s barracks, giving the cove a lived-in character that contrasts with the untouched cliffs farther along the route.

Caló des Moro is famous for its clear blue water and bright sand. Seen from a boat, you avoid the effort of reaching the cove over land, but you also do not get a long beach visit on the extended Màrmols route. This distinction matters when choosing your ticket.

On the shorter route, the boat can stop for a swim at Caló des Moro or S’Almunia, depending on the wind. You have about 40 minutes for the water stop. On the Cala Màrmols option, the boat continues onward and there is no swim stop at Caló des Moro.

That is the key choice between the two versions. Pick the shorter trip if swimming at Caló des Moro matters most. Pick the longer trip if you would rather reach Cala Màrmols, even though you will pass Caló des Moro without stopping for a swim.

The water is the star at either location. Snorkeling gear is included, so you can look below the surface without bringing your own mask and tube. The tour does not promise a particular marine life sighting, but the clear water makes the swim worthwhile even if you simply want to cool off.

Cala Màrmols and the 45-minute swim stop

The extended route continues south toward Cala Màrmols, a more secluded beach that can be reached by boat or by hiking trail. The longer trip adds roughly one hour, and most of that extra time gives you access to this quieter section of coast.

Once there, you get about 45 minutes to swim and snorkel from the boat. This is the main reason to choose the longer option. You are not rushed through a five-minute photo stop, and you have enough time to get into the water, enjoy the cove, and dry off before the return ride.

The beach itself is described as virgin and protected from ordinary road access. From the boat, you see the unbuilt side of Mallorca, with rock, sea, and open shoreline taking priority over facilities. That also means you should not expect restaurants, changing rooms, or food service at the stop.

The trip also passes the maritime quarries of Es Bauç. Sandstone blocks were cut here and transported by sea, a reminder that this coast has long been shaped by work as well as nature. The quarries add context to the cliffs, since the rock is not simply scenery. It was also a useful local material.

The longer trip is particularly good for anyone who values time in the water. The 45-minute stop is long enough to feel like part of the experience, not just a quick dip between photo stops.

What the boat ride feels like in practice

The RIB is small enough to avoid an overcrowded feel, which is one of the better features of this excursion. You can see the shoreline without a forest of heads in front of you, and the boat has shaded space for hot days.

That shade matters in Mallorca’s strong sun. You will still want sunscreen and a hat, but having some cover makes the return ride more comfortable. Free drinks are available in the form of one beer or one soft drink per person.

The ride can be lively. When the water is choppy, the skipper may need to adjust speed and direction. Safety comes first, and the captain has full authority to change the route or cancel the trip if conditions are unsuitable. That is not a flaw in this type of outing. It is simply part of booking a small coastal boat trip.

Departures may also run late because of the nature of the operation. Keep your schedule flexible around the start time, especially if you have a restaurant booking, bus connection, or another timed activity afterward.

The crew speaks Spanish, Catalan, and English. The level of English commentary can vary. You may get helpful place names and directions without a full explanation of every cave or beach. If you want to learn a great deal about local history, bring your own questions and treat the trip primarily as a scenic cruise.

Is $44 a fair price?

At $44 per person, the cost is reasonable for a nearly two-hour or nearly three-hour coastal excursion, especially since fuel, insurance, snorkeling equipment, and one drink are included. You are paying not only for transport on the water but also for access to coves that are difficult to reach from land.

The value is strongest on the Cala Màrmols option if you want a substantial swim stop. Forty-five minutes in a remote cove, plus the coastal sightseeing along the way, gives the longer trip a clear purpose.

The shorter route can be the better deal if your time is limited or your main goal is to see Caló des Moro and S’Almunia. You may swim for about 40 minutes, but the exact cove depends on the wind.

Food and other extras are not included. Bring what you need before boarding, but remember that the supplied information does not specify how much storage space is available on the boat. Pack lightly and keep personal items secure.

The free cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather cancellations are handled separately, since the skipper can stop departures when sea conditions are unsafe.

Who should book this coastal trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a compact way to see several southeast Mallorca coves without organizing beach access on your own. It suits couples, friends, and families with children who enjoy boat rides and swimming.

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. You should also be comfortable with a boat ride that may be bumpy at times and with getting into the sea from the boat rather than walking into shallow water from a beach.

The tour is a good fit for photographers, too. Es Pontàs, S’Almunia’s fishermen’s huts, the cave openings, Caló des Moro, and Cala Màrmols all offer different views. A late-day or sundowner departure can give the coast especially attractive light, although the exact available starting times vary.

I would think twice if you need a detailed guided tour in English, a meal, or a guaranteed stop at one specific cove. The itinerary can change with the wind, and the captain may provide only limited commentary.

Final call: choose your swim stop first

Book this tour if your priority is coastal scenery, clear water, and a small boat, with enough time for a proper swim. The longer Cala Màrmols route is my pick for the fullest outing, since its 45-minute water stop and less accessible setting justify the extra hour.

Choose the shorter trip if Caló des Moro is your main target or you prefer a quicker ride. Just remember that the swimming location depends on the wind, and the extended option does not stop for swimming at Caló des Moro.

For $44, the package is solid: a professional skipper, snorkeling gear, fuel, insurance, and a drink are all covered. Go for the water and the views, not for a long narrated history lesson, and you should get exactly the kind of relaxed southeast Mallorca experience this route is built to provide.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at the RedstarTours Excursiones office right next to the port of Cala Figuera.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the RedstarTours Excursiones office.

How long does the excursion last?

The available options last either 1 hour 50 minutes or 2 hours 50 minutes, depending on whether you choose the shorter route or the Cala Màrmols option.

Which languages are available?

The tour is offered in Spanish, Catalan, and English.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, fuel, insurance, and one beer or soft drink are included.

Where can you swim during the tour?

On the shorter route, the swim stop may be at Caló des Moro or S’Almunia, depending on the wind. On the Cala Màrmols route, you have about 45 minutes to swim and snorkel from the boat at Cala Màrmols.

Can the itinerary be changed or canceled?

Yes. The skipper may change the itinerary or cancel the excursion to protect passenger safety. Departures may also experience delays, and weather conditions can cause cancellations without prior notice.