From Colònia de San Jordi : Catamaran Cruise to Es Trenc

Es Trenc is the headline, but the best part of this five-hour catamaran cruise is the time spent off the boat. You sail past Cap Salines, stop in clear Mediterranean water, eat a freshly cooked barbecue, and have room to stretch out on deck. It feels more like a relaxed day at sea than a rushed sightseeing trip.

I like the two swimming stops and the generous food-and-drink package. I also like the friendly, lively crew, who have helped older passengers board and kept families, solo visitors, and large groups comfortable. The main thing to consider is crowding: on busy summer departures, shade and prime deck spots can go quickly.

At a glance

• Two long water stops: Swim and snorkel near Es Caragol, Es Trenc, or Cala Marmols, depending on the route and conditions.
• Fresh barbecue lunch: Chicken breast, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and cake are served buffet-style.
• Drinks included: Soft drinks and water are available throughout, with wine and sangria served with the meal.
• Useful coastal views: The route passes Cap Salines and offers a fine look at Mallorca’s southeast shore from the water.
• Good family balance: There is music and a social atmosphere, but also plenty of time to sit quietly, swim, or sunbathe.
• Two departure choices: Pick the morning sailing from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM or the afternoon sailing from 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

Leaving Colònia de Sant Jordi for the open water

Your day starts at the pier beside Hotel Marqués del Palmer in Colònia de Sant Jordi. Boarding and return are at the same place, which keeps the plan simple, but transport to and from the port is not included. You need to arrange your own way there and back.

Once underway, the catamaran gives you a better view than a standard bus or road trip ever could. The southeast coast opens up in pieces: low shorelines, bright water, sandy beaches, and the distant edge of Cap Salines. The cruise itself is part of the experience, not just a transfer between swimming stops.

Magic Catamarans runs the trip with Spanish and English-speaking staff. The tone is informal and sociable, with music playing on board. Expect a holiday atmosphere rather than a quiet sailing lesson. One captain has even invited an interested passenger to take the wheel for a moment, although that should be treated as a friendly possibility, not a promised part of the program.

The catamaran offers a useful mix of spaces. You can sit in the sun, look for shade, or move around while the boat is sailing. On heavily booked summer trips, however, the available seating can feel tight, particularly if you want a specific spot out of the sun. A boat that feels spacious at boarding can fill quickly once everyone settles in.

The first stop: clear water near Mallorca’s southern beaches

The itinerary usually includes two stops, with locations such as Cala Marmols, Es Caragol, and Es Trenc named as possible destinations. The exact anchorage depends on the day’s plan and sea conditions, so do not expect a fixed beach-by-beach schedule.

The first swim stop is often the more rewarding one for snorkeling. You may see small fish in the clear water, and the boat gives you time to swim rather than allowing only a quick dip. Snorkeling masks are available, but you need to leave a €10 deposit. Bring cash for that deposit, even though card payments are accepted for most onboard purchases.

One practical point matters here: the catamaran may anchor offshore rather than pull directly onto a sandy beach. You may be swimming from the boat, with the shore close by but not always easy to reach. If your priority is walking onto a beach, confirm the conditions with the crew on the day. If your priority is floating in clear water, the offshore stop works well.

The water is the star. You get time to swim, sunbathe, and use the mask without having to rush back aboard after ten minutes. Families should still keep a close eye on children, since the main activity is open-water swimming rather than a supervised beach session.

Es Caragol, Es Trenc, and the second swim

Es Caragol and Es Trenc are among the southeast coast’s most appealing sandy beaches, and seeing them from the sea gives you a different sense of their setting. The catamaran passes along the coast before dropping anchor again, so you get both sightseeing and swimming rather than spending the entire trip in one bay.

The second stop can be quieter underwater than the first. Snorkeling conditions vary, and wind, visibility, and sea traffic all affect what you see. Bring realistic expectations: this is not a specialist marine-life tour. It is a pleasant chance to use a mask, watch a few fish, and cool off in clean water.

I like that the swimming time is substantial. Earlier schedules have included roughly two hours at a first beach and around forty minutes at another, while other departures may divide the time differently. The important point is that the program leaves room for the water, not just photos from the deck.

There is also a good balance for non-swimmers. You can stay aboard, listen to the music, enjoy the views, and eat when lunch is served. The boat is not only for people who plan to spend every minute in the sea.

Barbecue lunch on a moving holiday boat

The crew prepares lunch on board, making the meal feel like part of the day rather than a packed picnic. The buffet normally includes chicken breast, chicken skewers, sausages, salad, bread, and cake. It is straightforward food, but it is filling and suited to a mixed group with different appetites.

Most of the menu is meat-based. If you need a vegetarian meal, contact Magic Catamarans at least one day ahead by email or phone. It will not be prepared automatically, so this is one detail you should handle before arrival.

Soft drinks and mineral water are available throughout the cruise. Wine and sangria are included with the meal, while other alcoholic drinks may cost extra. Keep a card with you for onboard purchases, since only card payments are accepted and American Express is not accepted. The €10 snorkeling-mask deposit is the exception that requires cash.

Lunch is served while the boat is stopped or settled at anchor, giving you a chance to eat without missing the scenery. The crew keeps the mood lively with music, and the meal becomes a social part of the cruise. If you want a quiet, gourmet lunch, this is not that. If you want a generous barbecue after swimming, it fits the day well.

Music, crew, and the mood on board

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Staff are described as friendly, helpful, and willing to assist people getting on and off the boat. That matters if you are traveling with an older family member or young children, since boarding a catamaran can require a little care.

The music leans toward holiday fun, including Spanish selections and familiar party songs. Some departures feel relaxed, while others become quite animated, with dancing and singalong moments. You can enjoy the social energy or move away from the main group and watch the coast.

This is a good trip for a solo visitor, too. The structure gives you natural chances to sit near other people, swim, and join the lunch atmosphere without requiring you to book as part of a group. Families with children and teenagers also have plenty to do, and the swimming stops break up the time on deck.

The catch is that the atmosphere is not fully under your control. A lively soundtrack and a full boat are part of the package. If you want a private, silent sail with very few people, choose a smaller charter instead.

Is $69 a fair price?

At $69 per person, the value is strong if you plan to use the whole package. You get five hours on the water, two swim stops, the catamaran ride, a barbecue buffet, soft drinks, water, and selected wine and sangria. Paying separately for a boat trip, lunch, and beach access could easily add up, especially in high season.

The value is also in the time. A shorter cruise may give you a quick photo stop and one swim, while this trip makes a full half-day of the coast. You are not simply being ferried to Es Trenc. You are paying for the sailing, the staff, the meal, the music, and the time to swim.

Still, the price does not include pickup or drop-off. If you are staying outside Colònia de Sant Jordi, add the cost and effort of getting to the port. A past passenger had difficulty finding a taxi after the tour and needed help arranging a bus, so plan your return before boarding rather than leaving it until 8:30 PM.

Morning or afternoon sailing?

The morning cruise runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It gives you the rest of the evening on land and suits families who prefer to finish earlier. The afternoon cruise runs from 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM, allowing you to spend the cooler later hours at sea and return around sunset time.

Your choice depends on how you want to use the day. The morning sailing is easier to pair with dinner or another activity. The afternoon sailing can feel more relaxed if you do not want an early start, but you should make sure your return transport from Colònia de Sant Jordi is arranged.

The boat’s route and stops can change, so select the departure time for the rhythm of your holiday rather than a guaranteed sunset or exact beach sequence.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light cover-up. You will spend a lot of time exposed to sun, even if you choose not to swim. A small amount of cash is useful for the snorkeling-mask deposit, while a payment card is needed for onboard purchases.

If snorkeling is important to you, bringing your own mask and fins may be worthwhile. The boat provides masks with a deposit, but the fit and availability may vary. A past passenger specifically recommended bringing swimming fins.

Do not assume every stop gives easy access to the sand. Water shoes may be useful if you expect to enter from the boat or walk near a rocky edge, though the provided information does not promise a particular shore landing.

If you need a vegetarian lunch, contact the provider one day ahead. That single message can make the meal far more comfortable, since the standard spread is mainly meat.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, solo visitors, and groups who want a simple day on the Mediterranean without planning every detail themselves. It works especially well for people who value swimming time, a ready-made lunch, and a friendly social setting.

Older family members can enjoy the scenery and food without swimming, and the crew has helped passengers with boarding. Children and teenagers get clear water, music, and a change of scene. Solo visitors can join the shared atmosphere without feeling out of place.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone seeking a private sailing experience, a quiet boat, or serious snorkeling. The boat can be busy, the music is part of the mood, and the underwater viewing depends on conditions. You may find plenty of fish at one stop and very little at the next.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 1,735 reviews, and that matches the practical picture: this is a well-liked, good-value day out, with crowding and variable snorkeling as the main qualifications.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want the southeast coast made easy. For $69, you get a long stretch at sea, two chances to swim, a freshly prepared barbecue, included soft drinks and water, and a sociable crew. The views around Cap Salines, Es Caragol, and Es Trenc give the day a strong sense of place.

Skip it if you dislike group boat trips or need guaranteed beach access and calm snorkeling conditions. For everyone else, choose your departure time carefully, arrange your transport in advance, bring cash for the mask deposit, and contact Magic Catamarans early if you need vegetarian food. Those small preparations let you focus on the best part: a full half-day floating along Mallorca’s southern coast.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

Boarding and disembarkation take place at the pier beside Hotel Marqués del Palmer in Colònia de Sant Jordi.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours. The morning option runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the afternoon option runs from 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

Which beaches or areas does the boat visit?

The route includes the southeast coast and may stop near Cala Marmols, Es Caragol, and Es Trenc. The exact stops can vary.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The cruise includes stops for swimming and snorkeling in the Mediterranean.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. Bring cash for the deposit.

What food is served?

The barbecue buffet includes chicken breast, chicken skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and cake for dessert.

Which drinks are included?

Soft drinks and mineral water are available during the trip. Wine and sangria are served with the meal.

Can I request a vegetarian meal?

Yes, but you must contact the activity provider at least one day before the cruise by email or phone. The vegetarian option is not prepared without advance notice.

How do I pay for purchases on board?

Only card payments are accepted on board, and American Express is not accepted. The snorkeling-mask deposit requires €10 in cash.