Features of yachting in the Balearic Islands
Denis Korablev
  • 11.05.2020
  • 319

Features of yachting in the Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands are an archipelago belonging to Spain in the Mediterranean Sea, which has everything for a great holiday. The capital of the Balearic archipelago - Palma de Mallorca, is located just 196 km from Barcelona and 250 km from Valencia. Today the Balearic Islands are one of the largest centers of international tourism, and not the cheapest. Tourists are attracted here, first of all, by the cleanest beaches, a long holiday season and a large number of entertainment venues (bars, restaurants, cafes, discos and casinos). The islands have a high standard of living, and the prices are high - goods and services are comparable in cost to those of Barcelona. The local cuisine consists mainly of meat, vegetable and fish dishes and fruit for dessert. The most famous dishes are paella, sausage sobassada, caldera, coca de yam, and fig bread. The marinas are concentrated on the largest islands - Menorca, Mallorca, Formentera and Ibiza.

Mallorca

Majorca is the largest of the archipelago's islands. Taking in yacht charter in Spain, this island is the very first to visit. It is home to the lively and welcoming city of Palma de Mallorca, where architectural monuments of various periods and styles are concentrated (especially notable is the Cathedral in the Gothic style and the Gothic Bellver castle of the 13th century located on a mountain 112 m high). The flow of tourists to Mallorca is huge and does not dry up: approximately 12 million tourists visit this resort annually. The main shrine of the Cathedral is the 15th century Ark of the Life-giving Cross, encrusted with precious stones. In Mallorca, Knights' Tournaments and Bullfights are held with the participation of bullfighters from different provinces of Spain.

Although the climate of Mallorca is not characterized by a predominance of hot weather throughout the year, it is pleasant to spend time here even in winter. The most favorable time to visit the island is August and September. There are scuba diving schools and equipment rental in Mallorca, so learning how to dive and breathe properly will not be difficult for you. And the diversity of the underwater world can surprise even experienced divers. There are many reserves with national status - oak and olive groves, beautiful bays of the Mediterranean Sea and white sandy beaches are available to tourists.

Ibiza

Ibiza is the third largest island in the Balearic archipelago, with the capital of the same name, located on the southeast coast. Of greatest interest in Ibiza are the archaeological museum located on the Cathedral Square of Dalt Vila and the Sas Taulas gate with the remains of a Renaissance fortress. The island has excellent harbors and beaches and is home to many restaurants, shops and nightclubs. The two archaeological museums house the world's finest collections of Carthaginian art, which gave the name Pitiuses, the pine-covered islands. And today, like three thousand years ago, the slopes are covered with evergreen trees. Here you will find beaches to your liking - it can be either a secluded spot or a fully equipped recreation area. The clear and calm waters of the island are ideal for a variety of water sports: scuba diving, windsurfing, boating, water skiing and sailing. The underwater world is very rich and diverse, there are 20 diving schools and a decompression chamber on the island, which operate all year round and ensure the safety of travel in this region.

Formentera

The island of Formentera is famous for its pristine nature, and gently sloping sandy beaches with crystal clear waters and date beaches are scattered all over the coast. It is the smallest and quietest island of the entire archipelago, and the entire territory of the island is a rocky plateau untouched by civilization. The main feature is the greenish-turquoise color of the water in the area, created by the underwater meadows of special perennial plants (called Posidonia after Poseidon). According to experts, the water in the area is the cleanest in the entire Mediterranean. Due to its small size and ubiquitous sands, the island is of great interest to those who prefer peace and solitude. Here, modernity is harmoniously combined with tradition, and UNESCO included the island and its water area in the World Heritage List for the unique underwater colonies of Posidonia.

Menorca

The sparsely populated island of Menorca is especially interesting for yachting enthusiasts, as there are many interesting harbors with many fishing boats. The entire coast is indented with grottoes, cozy bays and protruding rocks, between which comfortable beaches are located. To relax in seclusion and forget for a while about the hustle and bustle of the big city, you should go to Addaya Bay. The southern coast of the island is rich in ravines, while the northern coast is steep, with reddish sandy and pebble beaches. In terms of architecture, the island is home to both English-style buildings (a testament to the British presence over the centuries) and the snow-white houses typical of the Mediterranean. Hotels and villas are located very compactly, and you will not find higher than two-storey buildings on the island. Here you can taste delicious Mediterranean cuisine, but there is no full-fledged shopping in Menorca.

Yachting on the islands

The climate in the Balearic archipelago is temperate, typical of the Mediterranean region, with high humidity and large temperature differences at different times of the year. Thanks to the sea breeze called Embat (blowing from May to September), the summer heat is tolerated relatively calmly. Judging by the possibilities for yachting, here they are not the most extensive - strong winds often blow, which limits sailing on yachts for novice yachtsmen. Of course, walking in a strong wind can bring a lot of new and bright impressions, but at the same time it requires sufficient experience from both the crew and the skipper. On the coast of the islands there are not so many bays closed from the wind, where it would be possible to hide from the winds of all directions. For beginners, routes along the coast of Mallorca are suitable - there is a well-developed yacht infrastructure and many protected anchorages. There are ports and marinas on all islands, but they are usually cramped and require the captain to be able to maneuver well under the engine. For protection from waves and wind, artificial structures - breakwaters - were created near each marina. You can be sure that on any of the islands you will be able to refuel with fuel and fresh water.

If you are interested in buy a yacht or rent a boat, we recommend that you pay attention to the offers of the company 2yachts - surely among them there are relevant, interesting for you and affordable options.