Activity · Boat & nature
Boat trip to Cabrera National Park
The archipelago south of Mallorca is a national park – uninhabited, strictly protected and only reachable by licensed boats. This page explains the formats, how the trip works and its limits.
Visitor numbers in the national park are limited daily; only licensed boats may land.
Quick answer
What is Cabrera National Park?
An archipelago of one larger and several small islands around ten nautical miles south of Mallorca, protected as a national park for decades. There are no hotels, no roads and no independent tourism: if you want to set foot on the island, you come on a licensed excursion boat, usually from Colònia de Sant Jordi.
Tour formats compared
The difference lies in the type of boat, the time ashore and the swimming stops. Speedboats shorten the crossing; classic excursion boats and sailing boats make the journey itself part of the experience. Almost all tours call at the natural harbour of Es Port; from there, short paths lead to the museum and to the castle above the bay.
| Format | Duration | Typical content | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat, half day | approx. 4 hrs | Short crossing, time in the harbour of Es Port, one swimming stop | Families, sensitive stomachs, limited time |
| Full-day tour | 6–8 hrs | Main island with climb to the castle, several bays for swimming, food on board | Anyone who really wants to see the island |
| Tour with the Blue Grotto | depending on the operator | Additional stop at the Cova Blava with time to swim in the grotto light | Snorkellers, photography |
| Sailing trip | full day | Slower crossing, small groups, more time on the water than on land | Guests who love boats, couples |
What the national park means
- Visitor numbers are capped – tours are booked up early in high season.
- Anchoring and landing only with a permit; unauthorised landings are not allowed.
- No shops, no beach infrastructure, only very basic supplies in the harbour.
- Stay on marked paths; plants and animals are fully protected.
- In strong wind, tours are cancelled at short notice – the crossing is over open water.
Best time to go
The season runs roughly from April to October. May, June and September offer the best combination of calm sea, warm water and moderate crowds. In high summer the boats are full and the island is hot with little shade.
Profile at a glance
- Start
- Colònia de Sant Jordi, south
- Duration
- 4–8 hours
- Season
- April to October
- Access
- only with licensed boats, quota
- Requirements
- Good sea legs, sturdy shoes
Booking and prices
Prices, departure times and the number of places available each day vary by operator and season, so we do not give fixed figures. You book directly with the licensed boat companies in the harbour of Colònia de Sant Jordi – in summer ideally a few days in advance.
Next steps
Frequently asked questions about the Cabrera tour
Where do the boats to Cabrera leave from?
The main departure port is Colònia de Sant Jordi in the south of Mallorca. From there, the crossing takes between about 30 minutes and a good hour, depending on the type of boat.
Why are visitor numbers limited?
The archipelago is a national park on land and at sea. Landings and anchorages require a permit and are subject to quotas; only licensed operators may bring guests ashore.
How long does the tour take?
The usual formats are half-day tours of around four hours and full-day tours of six to eight hours with time on the main island and swimming stops.
What should you take?
Water, sun protection, a hat, sturdy shoes for the path to the castle and swimwear. There are only very limited supplies on the island and no shops.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, provided they cope with the crossing. In wind, the swell in the open channel can be noticeable; half-day tours are the gentler choice for younger children.
Image credit: Harbour bay of the island of Cabrera in the national park: photo Antoni Pons Oliver, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons