Mallorca : Speedboat, Snorkelling and Swimming Adventure

Formentor is at its best from the water, where a fast RIB ride brings you past white sand, striking villas, the old Formentor Hotel, and clear blue coves. The highlight is a swimming stop of roughly 30 to 40 minutes, plus a look inside a sea cave with stalactites.

I like the good mix of speed and swimming, and I like that masks and snorkels are included rather than treated as an extra. Guide Miguel has been especially attentive with families, finding a better place to swim when jellyfish were present. The main drawback is that the cave may feel brief or less impressive than expected, and the sea can be cold or rough enough to change the plan.

Key points to know before you book

• A quick route to Formentor: You leave from Port de Pollença and return to the same port after 1.5 hours.
• A real swim stop: Plan on roughly 30 to 40 minutes in a beautiful Formentor cove when conditions are suitable.
• Snorkel gear is included: Masks and snorkels are provided, so you do not need to bring your own set.
• The cave is interesting but modest: You enter a sea cave to see stalactites and take photos, though it may not be the tour’s strongest moment.
• Cold drinks may be provided: Bring snacks anyway, since food is not included.
• Sea conditions matter: If the water is unsafe, you are offered another date instead.

Why Formentor works so well by speedboat

The northern coast of Mallorca can take time to reach overland, especially when you want to see several points in a short visit. By boat, you get a different kind of access. The cliffs, coves, villas, and beach open up around you, with no road between you and the sea.

This trip is not a full-day cruise. It lasts 1.5 hours, which makes it easy to fit into a stay in Port de Pollença or a wider Mallorca itinerary. You get a burst of speed, coastal sightseeing, a cave visit, and time in the water without giving up half your day.

The speedboat itself is part of the fun. A RIB gives you the open-air feel of a small boat, but with enough power to move quickly along the coast. Expect wind, spray, and a lively ride rather than the slow, quiet pace of a large sightseeing vessel. If you like being close to the water and want to see more coastline in less time, this format makes sense.

Leaving Port de Pollença for the Formentor coast

The meeting point is Port de Pollença, and the activity ends back there. Pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the port.

Once underway, the boat heads toward the Bay of Formentor. The views include the famous white sand beach, clear water, hillside villas, and the old Formentor Hotel. You also pass the Formentor lighthouse and other coastal points of interest, giving you a useful look at the area before the swimming stop.

I like this sightseeing from the sea because it shows how the coast fits together. From land, you might see one beach or one viewpoint. From the boat, you can watch the coves and buildings appear from changing angles. The villas feel especially distinctive from the water, where their position above the coast is easier to appreciate.

The ride is short enough that the tour keeps moving. You are not spending long stretches simply waiting for the next stop. That said, a short tour has a tradeoff: the boat cannot pause at every point of interest, and the time for photography may be limited if conditions require a change in route.

The Bay of Formentor and its white sand beach

The Bay of Formentor is the visual center of the trip. Its white sand and clear water give you the classic Mallorca sea view, but the boat adds a useful perspective. You can see the beach and surrounding villas without dealing with a road journey or committing to a full beach day.

The water is the reason to bring swimwear and a towel. In favorable conditions, the boat stops in a cove for a substantial swim, around 30 to 40 minutes according to the activity details. That is long enough to snorkel, float, take photographs from the boat, or simply cool off.

Do not assume the water will always feel warm. One family took the tour in spring and found the sea cold, though they still enjoyed their swim. Jellyfish were also present at that time, and Miguel found a more suitable place for the family to enter the water. This is a useful reminder that the exact swim location depends on the sea, not just the printed route.

The crew’s flexibility matters here. The point is not to force a swim in one fixed spot. If the conditions are poor, the captain may look for a more suitable area. If conditions do not allow the tour to operate safely at all, you are offered another date.

Snorkeling in clear water

A snorkeling set is included, which adds real value to a $40 tour. You do not have to rent equipment separately or carry a mask and snorkel to the port. The crew provides the basic gear for the swimming stop.

The snorkeling is best understood as an informal chance to look beneath the surface, not as a guided marine-life lesson. You can use the mask and snorkel in the clear water around the cove and see what the conditions offer. The crew may point out local sea life and landmarks, but the main focus is enjoying the water.

I would bring sunscreen that you apply before boarding, plus a towel and camera. A waterproof phone case could be useful if you want pictures from the water, though it is not listed as included. Keep snacks with you because food is not provided. Cold drinks have been provided on the boat, but you should not rely on that for every need.

The sea may be cold in spring, and jellyfish can appear. Those are not reasons to skip the trip, but they are reasons to keep your expectations sensible. You may prefer to snorkel for a few minutes and then enjoy the views from the boat rather than spending the entire stop in the water.

Entering the Formentor sea cave

The cave visit adds a small sense of adventure to the route. The boat enters a cave on the island of Formentor, where you can look at stalactites and take photographs. It is a different setting from the open coast, and the change from bright water to a darker rock space gives the trip some variety.

Still, keep this part in proportion. The cave is not the main reason I would book the experience. One family found it somewhat disappointing, while the speedboat ride, clear cove, and swimming stop made up for it. That sounds like the right way to judge it.

The cave is a bonus stop, not a major underground expedition. Conditions inside may affect how long you remain, how easy it is to take photos, and how impressive the formations look. If you are booking mainly for dramatic caves, this may not be enough. If you want a compact coastal trip with a cave included, it adds something worthwhile.

The crew and the feel of the trip

The instructors speak Spanish and English. Miguel is named in the feedback and was described as friendly and attentive, especially when choosing a swimming area around jellyfish. Another family found the driver helpful with local landmarks and sea life.

That personal attention is important on a small speedboat. The captain is not just steering from point to point. Decisions about the swim location, sea conditions, and route shape the whole experience. A good crew can make the difference between a pleasant swim and a frustrating one.

The boat environment is casual. You should expect an active ride rather than a formal narrated cruise. You may get useful local information, but the biggest rewards are the views, the pace, and the chance to stop in the water.

This suits families with older children and teenagers particularly well. Two teenage daughters enjoyed the combination of speed, clear water, and snorkeling. The ride also works for couples or friends who want a short coastal activity with more energy than a standard boat trip.

It is not suitable for pregnant women. Intoxication is not allowed, which is sensible on a fast, open boat where balance and attention matter.

Is $40 a fair price?

At $40 per person, the cost is reasonable for a 1.5-hour activity that includes the boat, captain, fuel, and snorkeling equipment. You are paying for access to the Formentor coast by water, not just for transport from one port to another.

The value comes from the combination. A simple boat ride might give you the views but no proper swim stop. A beach visit might give you the water but not the lighthouse, villas, sea cave, and fast coastal route. Here, all of those pieces are packed into a short outing.

The short duration also helps the price feel practical. You can book it around another Mallorca plan, and you are not committing to an expensive full-day excursion. For a family, the total cost still adds up, but the included equipment and possible cold drinks keep the add-on costs low.

The limitation is time. You will not get a long, slow visit at each point, and the route may change with the sea. If you want several hours of snorkeling or a leisurely beach day, spend more time at Formentor itself. If you want a lively overview with a real swim, $40 is a solid rate.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want. Since the tour returns to Port de Pollença, it is easy to plan around lunch, another port activity, or an afternoon at the beach.

Sea conditions are the key variable. If the water does not allow the tour to operate, you are offered another date. This policy protects the experience, but it also means you should leave some flexibility in your schedule if your Mallorca plans are tight.

Bring:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Snacks
• Swimwear

Food is not included. Drinks may be available on board, but snacks are still worth carrying. Secure loose items before the boat accelerates, and use a camera you are comfortable taking near water.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging several Mallorca plans.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would choose this for you if you want a short, active outing rather than a full-day cruise. It is a good fit for families with teenagers, couples, and friends who like speed, swimming, and open-air coastal views.

You should also book it if you are staying near Port de Pollença and want to see Formentor without planning a longer day around it. The included snorkel gear makes the booking simple, and the return to the same port keeps the logistics clear.

Think twice if you dislike fast boat rides, need guaranteed warm water, or want a long beach stop. The cave may not satisfy you if dramatic geological sights are your main goal. Pregnant women should not book, and anyone who may be affected by sea conditions should keep plans flexible.

Should you book the Formentor speedboat adventure?

Yes, if you want a good-value taste of Formentor from the water. The strongest parts are the fast ride, the white sand bay, the clear swimming cove, and the chance to snorkel with equipment already supplied. The lighthouse, villas, old hotel, and cave give the short route plenty to look at.

Book it for the whole package, not just the cave. Check the sea forecast and starting times, bring a towel and snacks, and allow for cool water or a changed swim location. For $40, this is a compact and enjoyable way to add some sea time to a Mallorca holiday.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at Port de Pollença.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Port de Pollença.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours.

What language does the instructor speak?

The instructor speaks Spanish and English.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling set is included.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so you should bring snacks.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, camera, snacks, and sunscreen.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.

What happens if sea conditions are poor?

If sea conditions do not allow the tour to operate, you are offered another date.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.