Sail the Balearic Islands

Getting Around this Spread-out Group of Islands

Most Balearic sailing holidays begin with a flight to Mallorca and the main sailing base in Palma, although there are smaller bases at marinas dotted around the islands, including Ibiza and Formentera.

While it's feasible to sail to the Balearics from a mainland base, particularly for an extended charter, the nearest mainland charter base is at Denia, just over an hour's drive south of Valencia. Ibiza is 55 nautical miles (100 km) from Denia, making it a viable starting point if your focus is the smaller southern islands of the group.

The Balearic Islands archipelago stretches 150 miles long and is said to contain 20,000 anchorages! To fully explore all the main islands in one sailing holiday requires an extended charter. If you're limited to a typical 7-day itinerary, you’ll need to make some tough choices.

Mallorca alone offers plenty to explore from Palma, with local destinations scattered along the coast, particularly on the south and east sides. The small island of Cabrera should definitely be included, and it's also possible to make a passage across to Menorca within a week. However, to visit Ibiza and Formentera comfortably, you’ll need to forgo Menorca and northern Mallorca. Alternatively, opt for a longer holiday—it's 68 nautical miles (125 km) from Palma to the stunning northern Ibiza bay of Cala San Vicente.

Weather and Sailing Conditions in the Balearic Islands

The summer sailing season in the Balearic Islands is long, with hot but comfortable temperatures and steady humidity around 70%, complemented by a short, mild winter. The island's topography creates a local wind pattern known as the embat, which intensifies throughout the day and tapers off in the late afternoon. These predictable summer breezes make afternoon sailing around the Balearics a true pleasure and significantly enhance the region’s appeal as a charter holiday destination.

Sea conditions can become less favorable, especially in the shoulder seasons, when colder winds from the north override the local winds. At times, sailing along the northern coastlines of Mallorca and Menorca, as well as the waters between these islands, can be uncomfortable for some crew members. In contrast, the waters around Palma and the southern islands generally remain calm during the charter season. Similarly, weather from Sardinia can stir up the seas to the east. While such conditions are less common, they are predictable and can be avoided with careful attention to weather forecasts and thoughtful itinerary planning.