Mallorca : Speedboat, Snorkelling and Swimming Adventure

Formentor is best seen from the water, where its white beach, turquoise coves, and grand villas line up in one fast, refreshing outing. This 1.5-hour trip mixes a lively RIB ride with roughly 30 to 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, depending on the conditions and timing.

I like the way the trip gives you both motion and downtime, rather than keeping you on the boat the entire time. I also like the practical value: at $40, fuel, skipper, and snorkeling equipment are included. The main drawback is that the sea cave may feel less impressive than the beach and swimming stop, and spring water can be cold.

Key points at a glance

• Formentor from the sea: See the white-sand beach, villas, old hotel, lighthouse, and coastal viewpoints without staying on land.
• A proper swimming stop: You can expect around 30 to 40 minutes in a clear cove when conditions allow.
• Snorkeling equipment supplied: Masks and snorkels are included, so you do not need to pack your own set.
• A short, lively boat ride: The speedboat adds a fast, fun element without taking up half your day.
• A sea cave visit: Enter a Formentor cave to see stalactites and take photographs, though this stop can be less memorable than the swim.
• Simple Port de Pollença logistics: You meet at the port and return there after the trip. Pickup and food are not included.

Why Formentor works so well from a speedboat

Formentor sits at the northern end of Mallorca, where the coast is easiest to appreciate from offshore. From a road, you focus on bends, parking, and lookout points. From a boat, you get the full shape of the bays, the pale beach, the cliffs, and the private-looking villas around the water.

The speedboat gives this outing a clear sense of purpose. You move between points quickly, then stop where the water looks best for swimming. I like that balance because a short tour can otherwise become either a slow sightseeing cruise or a rushed photo stop.

You should expect spray, wind, and a firm ride rather than a quiet harbor cruise. The boat is part of the entertainment, but it also means you should secure your phone and camera. Bring only what you can keep dry and close.

The route includes views of the famous Formentor beach, the old hotel, nearby villas, and other coastal points. One trip also passes the lighthouse and a few additional sights, though the exact route can change with sea conditions.

Leaving Port de Pollença for the open water

Your start and finish point is Port de Pollença. Since pickup and drop-off are not included, plan to reach the port yourself and allow enough time to find the meeting point before departure.

The operator provides the boat, skipper, and fuel, so the listed price covers the main parts of the ride. Spanish and English are available, and the crew handles the basic running of the boat while pointing out landmarks and sea life.

The information supplied for the experience does not state the boat’s passenger capacity or whether every departure has the same skipper. One named instructor is Miguel, who has been described as attentive during a swim stop. If you meet him, he may be the person leading your outing, but the provider lists the service generally rather than promising a particular guide.

The first minutes are likely to feel energetic as the boat leaves the port and picks up speed. If you prefer a gentle start, tell the crew if you feel uncomfortable. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, and anyone under the influence of alcohol or other substances will not be allowed to take part.

Seeing Formentor beach, villas, and the lighthouse

The sightseeing portion is strongest when you look outward from the boat rather than waiting for one single attraction. Formentor beach is the visual centerpiece, with pale sand and clear water backed by the dramatic northern coast.

The surrounding villas add a glimpse of Mallorca’s more private side. From the water, you see their position and setting without entering private property or spending time on a road transfer. The old Formentor hotel is another recognizable coastal feature, best treated as a passing landmark rather than a full visit.

The lighthouse and other points of interest add variety to the ride. You will not be touring buildings or stopping for long walks, so this is about views and access from the sea. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a guided museum-style explanation at every point.

I would sit where you can see ahead and to the side, then turn around as the boat passes the coast. The best photographs may come quickly, and a speedboat ride is not the place to wait until the last second.

The cave stop and its stalactites

The trip includes entry into a cave on Formentor island. Inside, you can see stalactites and take photographs, giving the route a small adventure element beyond the standard beach-and-swim format.

The cave is worth seeing, but you should set your expectations carefully. It is a short stop, and the scale and lighting may not make it the star of the trip. One account found the cave a little disappointing, while the other parts of the outing more than made up for it.

That is a fair way to judge this section. You are not booking a dedicated cave tour. You are booking a fast coastal trip that adds a cave visit along the way. If you enjoy unusual rock formations and want a few distinctive photographs, you will appreciate the stop. If your main goal is spectacular scenery, the beach and open-water ride may please you more.

Be careful with cameras and phones inside the cave. The boat is on the water, the surroundings can be wet, and there is no guarantee that conditions will let the crew linger.

Snorkeling and swimming in a clear cove

The swim stop is the heart of the experience. You get time to leave the boat, cool off, and look below the surface with the supplied mask and snorkel.

The clearest water and calmest cove are chosen according to conditions, so the exact place may vary. Around 30 to 40 minutes is a useful guide for the time available, though the full experience lasts about 1.5 hours.

You should not assume tropical water. In spring, the sea may still feel cold, and one family found the water chilly but still enjoyed a good swim. Pack a towel and use sunscreen before boarding, since a short outing can still mean plenty of direct sun.

Jellyfish can also appear. During one spring outing, the instructor moved the group to a more suitable place so the family could swim. That is a good reason to listen to the crew rather than jumping in the moment the boat stops.

The snorkeling itself is best understood as a chance to see clear water and local marine life, not as a long reef expedition. You might spot fish and enjoy the color and visibility, but the experience does not promise a particular species or a large underwater site.

Cold drinks have been provided on outings and make a welcome finish after the swim, but food is not included. Bring snacks if you will be hungry, especially if this trip falls between meals.

What the $40 price really includes

At $40 per person, this is a strong-value way to see a famous part of Mallorca if you want an active outing. You are paying for a boat, skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, coastal sightseeing, a cave visit, and a swim stop. The price also saves you from arranging separate boat transport and hiring equipment.

The value comes from the combination, not from the length. Ninety minutes is short, but that can be useful on a packed Mallorca schedule. You can fit the trip into a morning or afternoon and still have time for other plans in Port de Pollença or elsewhere on the island.

The short duration also limits how much time you spend at each stop. If you want a slow beach day, this is not a replacement for visiting Formentor beach on land. If you want to cover several sights, enjoy speed, and get in the water without losing a full day, the price makes sense.

Food is not included, so bring snacks. Pickup is also not included, which matters if you are staying far from Port de Pollença and need to arrange your own transport. Those costs should be part of your budget when comparing this outing with a longer excursion that includes transfers.

When the sea changes the plan

This is a sea-based activity, so the water has the final say. If conditions are unsafe or unsuitable, the operator will offer another date. That policy protects the trip from becoming a rough, unpleasant ride, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Mallorca schedule.

The sea can also affect the quality of the stops. A calm day should make swimming, snorkeling, and cave access more comfortable. Wind or swell may change the route, shorten a stop, or make the ride bumpier.

I would avoid placing this tour immediately before an important departure or reservation. The listed policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still taking shape.

The provider does not promise a particular departure time in the basic details. You need to check availability for current start times. That is especially important if you are coordinating this with a beach visit, meal, or other Mallorca activity.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This outing suits you if you want a compact coastal adventure rather than a full-day cruise. It works particularly well for families with older children and teenagers who enjoy speed, swimming, and a change of scene.

It also fits couples and active adults who want photographs of Formentor from the water. The boat ride gives you a stronger sense of movement than a standard sightseeing vessel, while the snorkeling stop keeps the experience from becoming only a ride.

You should think twice if you dislike fast boats, get motion sick, or want a long, quiet swim. The experience is also not suitable for pregnant women. Anyone hoping for a substantial meal, hotel pickup, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter will need a different tour.

The trip may appeal to mixed groups because you can enjoy the coastal views even if you do not spend the full swim stop snorkeling. The equipment is there, but you choose how much time to spend in the water.

Pack smart for the 1.5-hour outing

Bring the basics and keep your load light. The required list is simple:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Snacks

Wear something suitable for getting wet and secure anything valuable before the boat speeds up. A camera is useful for the beach, villas, lighthouse, and cave, but do not let photographs distract you from the short swim stop.

You should also remember that food is not included. Cold drinks may be offered, but you should not rely on a meal or snack service. A small snack is enough for most people during a 1.5-hour trip.

If you are sensitive to cold water, a light extra layer for the ride back may help. That is practical advice rather than a stated requirement, since the water can feel cool in spring and the boat ride creates wind.

How this compares with a land visit to Formentor

A land visit gives you more time on the beach and lets you explore at your own pace. This boat trip gives you something the road cannot: a view back toward the coast, easy access to coves, and the chance to swim away from shore.

The two experiences serve different purposes. Choose the boat if your priority is variety, speed, and water time. Choose a land visit if you want a relaxed beach day or need more control over how long you stay.

At $40, this trip can work as a useful add-on rather than your only Formentor experience. You see the headline sights from offshore, then decide later if the beach deserves a longer visit from land.

The 4.8 rating from 29 ratings reflects a strong response overall, and the most praised details are consistent: the speedboat ride, the clear cove, the helpful crew, and the value for money. The cave receives a cooler assessment, so book this for the complete mix rather than for the cave alone.

Should you book the Formentor speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a short, good-value water adventure from Port de Pollença, especially if a 30 to 40-minute swim sounds as appealing as the sightseeing. The combination of a fast RIB ride, Formentor beach, coastal villas, lighthouse views, snorkeling gear, and a cave stop gives you plenty for $40.

Skip it if you need hotel transport, want food included, dislike speedboats, or expect a large cave experience. Keep your date flexible because the sea may force a change, and remember that spring water can be cold and jellyfish may affect the swim location.

For most active visitors with limited time, I would consider this a sensible booking. The strongest part is not any single landmark. It is the compact sequence of moving fast, seeing Formentor from the sea, and cooling off in clear water before returning to the port.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat trip start and finish?

The activity starts at Port de Pollença and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours. You need to check availability for the current starting times.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling set is included in the price.

Are food and hotel transfers included?

No. Food and pickup and drop-off are not included. You should bring snacks if needed and make your own way to Port de Pollença.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in Spanish and English.

What happens if the sea conditions are poor?

If sea conditions do not allow the tour to operate, you will be offered another date. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.