The 10 Best
Anchorages in Mallorca

Part of the Mondragó Natural Park, this double cove offers two separate anchorages separated by a pine-covered headland. The water is extraordinarily clear — visibility of 15 metres is common. The eastern cove (Cala s'Amador) is shallower and calmer; the western (Cala Mondragó itself) has more swinging room for larger vessels. Arrive before 10am in July and August to secure a spot.

The most dramatic anchorage on the island, Sa Calobra sits at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains. Sheer limestone cliffs drop straight into the sea and the Torrent de Pareis gorge — one of the largest canyon systems in the Mediterranean — opens onto a small beach accessible only by boat or a 30-minute hike. The anchorage is exposed to the north, so it's best visited May–September when the tramuntana wind is dormant.

The artist's village of Deià perches 200 metres above a tiny pebble cove that can only be reached by boat or a steep 20-minute path. The water is impossibly blue, the surroundings are untouched, and the atmosphere is unique. There's a restaurant at the top of the rocks — Ca's Patro March — that's among the best in Mallorca. Anchor on the chain buoys if available, or carefully in 8–12 metres.

Not to be confused with the cape of the same name, this fishing village near Santanyí has a perfectly sheltered inlet. Whitewashed boathouses line the narrow channel and traditional llaüt fishing boats still work out of here daily. Anchor off the mouth of the inlet and take the dinghy in. It's calm in almost any wind direction and exceptionally pretty at sunset.

The only national park in the Balearic Islands and one of the most pristine marine environments in the Mediterranean. Access requires a permit (limited to 50 vessels per day), but the reward is anchorages with visibility exceeding 20 metres, endemic wildlife, and a near-total absence of other boats. The main anchorage in the harbour is sheltered and safe in all winds. Apply for your permit at least two weeks in advance — our team handles this for all charters.

The quieter neighbour to Sa Calobra, Cala Tuent is set against the same Tramuntana mountain backdrop but with a sand-and-pebble beach and a small restaurant. It's often overlooked because Sa Calobra attracts the crowds, which makes it perfect. Good holding in 6–10 metres on a sandy bottom. One of our personal favourites for a long lunch and an afternoon swim.

A long, narrow fjord-like inlet surrounded by ancient pine forests and topped by a 17th-century watchtower. The cove is only about 60 metres wide but extends 300 metres inland. Crystal clear water over white sand and excellent shelter from the prevailing southwest winds. It's tight for larger vessels but perfect for yachts up to around 15 metres.

A small, intimate cove set between low limestone cliffs near Cap de Ses Salines. The water shifts from turquoise to deep cobalt as you move away from shore, and the fine-sand beach is wide enough to land the dinghy comfortably. Mostly frequented by locals who know better than to share it. Particularly beautiful in the late afternoon when the light catches the limestone.

The only natural harbour on Mallorca's west coast, Sóller is surrounded by orange groves and backed by the Tramuntana mountains. It's a full port rather than a wild anchorage, but the setting is extraordinary and the town (accessed by the island's famous vintage tram) is one of the most charming in the Balearics. Ideal as an overnight stop on a circumnavigation of the island.

Hidden at the base of the Cap Formentor peninsula — the northernmost point of Mallorca — Cala Murta is surrounded by ancient pine forests running down to the water's edge. There's no beach, just a rocky shoreline and the deepest silence you'll find anywhere near civilisation. Anchor in 5–8 metres. The sunset here, with the cliffs turning gold, is something you don't forget.