Blue & Beyond #4 - The Balearics

Ibiza – Es Vedra – Formentera – Espalmador – Palma de Mallorca – Cabrera – Menorca

Each of the islands has retained their own identities and offer quirky Catalan traditions. The abundant charms of the Balearics are sure to seduce those heading here by yacht for the first time, and old hands will always find something new to discover and fall in love with all over again. From clubbers to nature lovers and culture vultures, this group of islands really has something for everyone. Bluewater can provide a bespoke itinerary for your dream charter, just let us know what your interests are, what you want to see, and what kind of activities you enjoy then let us do the rest!

DAY 1

Arrive in Ibiza to start your unforgettable charter holiday and head straight to Cotton Beach Club at Cala Tarida. Perched on the edge of a cliff and named for the 100% cottons that furnish every inch of the club, this white retreat promises complete relaxation with a private sandy beach you can enjoy during the day time, and delicious food with two restaurants, one specializing in Mediterranean cuisine and the other, on the rooftop, offering fusion Asian fare.


Head back to your luxury yacht for Ibiza's legendary sunsets, take a cocktail on deck and enjoy the beautiful evening sky with your loved ones before getting ready to really take on this world-famous party island.

Heart Ibiza is the new landmark for those in search of an alternative dining experience. This 2,500 square-metre restaurant and performance venue is the result of collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Ferran and Albert Adria, the chef-brother partnership of elBulli fame. The venue is described as a laboratory where food, music and art come together. So sit back and enjoy the show.

DAY 2

This party island has a lot more to offer than just clubs. Yes, you can dance all night, and all day as well if you wish, however the white island offers so much more than its party island reputation. With a delicate blend of natural and historical riches, perfectly complimented by golden beaches and the warm waters of the Mediterranean, there is truly something unique about this island that makes it so special. Here you will find some of the best Spanish cuisine, served in the most idyllic of settings.

Head to Capella in San Antonio which offers stylish dining in a converted church, or try Bambuddha Restaurante in Santa Gertrudis where the ultra-cool come to lounge in sumptuous surroundings. Enjoy a romantic sundowner at the iconic Cafe del Mar, or if you prefer a more exclusive venue, the Eden Restaurant in San Miguel is perched atop 180m cliffs with fantastic sunset views.
Looking for somewhere to spend a day with the beautiful people? Want a VIP box above the crowds for a spot of people watching? Ushuaia Beach Club offers one of the coolest places in the Balearics where you can laze in a Balinese cabana, enjoy the sun, go for a splash in the sea and get lost in dreamy house music floating across the airwaves until the magical early hours.

Shopping around the streets of Ibiza town offers a collection of unique boutiques and holiday fare. A little further afield in St Gertrudis you will find Schulz, a shopping mecca of clothes, strange artefacts, furnishings, a gourmet food deli and beach gear; this really is the definition of a one stop shop and all with beautiful style.

If you would rather sit back and relax onboard, then head to Es Vedra and drop anchor for a sunset cocktail. Be captivated by this mystical, uninhabited rocky island, an Ibizan landmark seeped in mythology. The island is said to be home to sirens and sea-nymphs who tried to lure the legendary Greek King Odysseus, also known as Odysseus the Cunning, so he was far too astute to be tempted by their beautiful singing!

DAY 3


Only a short cruise from Ibiza, your Captain can transport you to a piece of tranquil paradise in the Balearics, the island of Formentera. Take breakfast on the aft deck with family and friends enjoying the morning sunshine then take a swim in the turquoise waters, before heading to the white sandy beaches of this pretty island. Although be sure to ask your Captain to recommend the right beach, as Formentera is also known for plenty of nude bathers! Or throw caution, and your clothes, to the wind and join them for an afternoon! 
For those who prefer to keep their clothes on and enjoy something a little more active, this is the ideal place for windsurfing enthusiasts; Formentera was a previous host of the World Windsurfing Championships.

In the north of this small island is an even smaller island called Espalmador. There is only a shallow sandbar which separates the two islands and during a low tide it is possible to walk across to the other island. The pass is called the Pas d’en Adolf and is less than one metre in depth. If you head to Espalmador visit the sulphur mud spa area renowned for its good skin healing properties. The beach is called S’Alga or ‘seaweed corner’.

DAY 4 & DAY 5


Depart first thing in the morning for Palma de Mallorca and arrive mid to late afternoon. The lack of tides and strong currents makes Palma a haven for luxury yachts. The coastline has many protective coves and moorings so this makes for an ideal yacht chartering location. One of the yacht charter events of note for the nautical calendar is the Palma Superyacht Show which will take place from 28th April until 2nd May. Bluewater will be there so please come and visit our stand or make an appointment with one of our brokers to visit some yachts available for sale or charter.

Palma - action There is something for everyone on this beautiful island; if you are looking for some thrilling adventures you are in the right place. As one of Europe’s premier rock climbing locations, you won’t be disappointed. With the many limestone cliffs there are many evil overhangs, slabby walls and crags to scale. Traditional climbing, bouldering and deep-water soloing are also becoming increasingly popular.

The north of the island offers a very different feel to the south, with the scenery growing more dense and greener the further up the island you head. Porto Pollensa is located at the top tip of Mallorca and is home to a much wilder stretch of long sandy beach popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers. If you head along the town you will reach Pine Walk, a beautiful pathway nudged between the sea and some amazing old properties reminiscent of a colonial era.

Palma - culture - For a spot of culture, visit the Joan Miro collection. Located in his old workshop, this gallery and museum gives real insight into how the artist lived and worked.

When you head into the Old Town you can’t miss the amazing gothic Cathedral, work on which began in 1229 at the behest of Jaume I on the foundation of an Arab mosque and took almost 400 years to complete.

Palma – ultimate hangout spot
 - Located on a private peninsula with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, Purobeach Palma is the ultimate relaxed summer hangout. Boasting a range of teak and pure white private lounge beds set against a background of vibrant blue skies, guests can sit back and enjoy the stunning pool, spa treatments and delicious food and cocktails offered while resident DJs play from sunrise to sunset.

Palma - culinary delights
 - For real foodies, try the San Juan Gastronomic Market located in a 1900s slaughter house, converted to hold food stalls both local and from around the world, cafes, sunny terraces and areas for wine tastings and cookery courses.
The daily market in the district of Santa Catalina is also worth a visit for fresh produce from the island.

And for those searching for a more gastronomic experience, the island boasts seven Michelin-starred restaurants for you to choose from.

Palma – shop ‘til you drop
 - Palma offers good shopping opportunities. Not far from the cathedral you can head up the Paseo del Borne, a tree-lined avenue of small boutiques peppered with the likes of Louis Vuitton, Rolex and Hugo Boss.
Just off the Borne is Jaime III, a relatively new and charmingly elegant street of smaller jewellery, shoe and clothes shops as well as the Corte Ingles department store.

To the east of the Paseo del Borne is a patchwork of pedestrian shopping streets featuring more individual quaint outlets of all descriptions.

DAY 6

Depart during breakfast to arrive in time for lunch at a little known island just off Mallorca. Everyone has heard of Ibiza, most of Mallorca, some of Menorca, few of Formentera but this small island in the Balearics, or more accurately collection of islands, is almost unheard of. Cabrera is an archipelago which is part of a marine national park, uninhabited and relatively untouched. Due to the seclusion of this island the wildlife has thrived and the prolific birdlife has earned the archipelago’s status as a Special Protected Area for birds, as well as a fantastic marine ecosystem and ocean bed.

Access to this National Park is restricted with a limited number of yachts gaining 24-hour permits. With fewer than 100 residents onshore, tranquillity is assured. Swim in the deep blue grotto, hike one of the endless routes available, see how many rare species of birds and sea life you can spot, and visit the archaeological places of interest both on land and below the sea.

DAY 7

Spend the day cruising from Cabrera to Menorca, stopping along the way for a swim and some lunch.

Arrive on the sun-bleached shores of Menorca and notice the change in pace. The easternmost Balearic island moves to its own mellow beat and reflects the Mallorca of yesteryear. Life here is low-key, and the white-sand bays that stud its 216km coastline are among the loveliest in the Mediterranean. Inland, criss-crossing its fields and rolling hills are an estimated 70,000km of dry-stone walls.

In 1993, UNESCO declared Menorca a Biosphere Reserve, aiming to preserve environmental areas such as the Parc Natural S’Albufera d’es Grau wetlands, and its liberal sprinkling of mysterious Bronze Age sites.

Just outside San Lluís, on the road to Es Castell, you will find Menorca’s largest winery where you can amble around the vineyards at your own pace, or join a 30-minute guided tour that concludes with a tasting of the wines, grape jelly and tangy Menorcan goat cheese.

We have many yachts available in the Balearics including Play the Game, La Vie and Saluzi. Call a bluewater charter broker today or email them to ask for more details on booking your next luxury yacht charter mycharter@bluewateryachting.com