About this tour
When Jake from our team rented B452 'Doris', a four-person boat from Can Pastilla, we had the whole bay of Palma to ourselves for four hours — no licence required. The boat handles smoothly even if you've never touched a helm before. You're free to putter between coves, beaches, caves and cliff faces at your own pace, which beats following a tour guide's schedule. The vibe is relaxed Med: warm water, limestone cliffs, quiet inlets. Suit yourself for splashing about, not a structured experience.
Highlights
- No sailing experience needed — the boat's straightforward to steer and throttle
- Four hours gives real freedom to explore at your own rhythm
- Caves and limestone cliffs create natural anchoring spots
- Four-person capacity feels intimate, not crowded
- Can Pastilla embarkation point is accessible via public transport
- Infant seats available if bringing little ones along
- Insurance included, though franchise applies
What to expect
You'll rock up to pontoon F at Can Pastilla, where staff walk you through the controls — throttle, steering, basic safety. Takes ten minutes tops. Then you're loose in the bay. Most people head toward the caves and smaller beaches dotted along the shoreline; you can anchor, snorkel, or just drift. The water's clear and warm. No itinerary means no rushing — you choose how long to sit in each cove. Bear in mind fuel isn't included in the rental (you'll pay extra), and there's a 500-euro deposit, so bring a valid card. The boat itself is genuinely easy to operate; Jake felt confident within the first few minutes.
Wind and current can shift, so mornings tend to be calmer if that matters to you. Peak summer brings plenty of other private boats about, so the 'solitude' sells better in shoulder months. Four hours is enough to hit two or three spots without feeling rushed, but it's not a full-day adventure.
What travellers say
- Beginner-friendly controls; no sailing cert or experience needed
- Full freedom to explore at your own pace without guides
- Bay scenery is genuinely striking — caves, cliffs, clear water
- Insurance included (with franchise) removes liability worry
- Infant seats and service animals both catered for
- Fuel and cleaning fees add 40+ euros on top of rental cost
- 500-euro deposit requirement may inconvenience budget travellers
- Summer weekends see many rental boats; not as exclusive as advertised
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Total autonomy. No guide narration, no group dynamics, no fixed itinerary — just you, your crew, and the Balearic coastline. Suits groups of friends or small families who want to move at their own pace. The boat's stable and responsive, making it genuinely beginner-friendly. Infant seats are on hand, and the bay itself is sheltered enough for nervous swimmers.
Fuel (20€ for four hours) and a daily cleaning fee (20€) are extra — the rental price doesn't cover them, so budget accordingly. You'll need to post a 500-euro deposit on a card, which can sting if you're cash-light. Early summer and weekends get busy with other rental boats, so mornings feel less exclusive than the blurb suggests. No onboard facilities — if you need a loo, you're swimming to shore or heading back.
Bring sun cream, water, and a light snack. Public transport links are nearby. Groups max out at four. Best in calm weather; late spring and early autumn are sweet spots.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.