Balearic Islands trip 1: Alicante-Ibiza-Formentera-Mallorca
An extraordinary sailing trip from the Spanish mainland coast to the most beautiful Balearic Islands: night sailing across the open Mediterranean, turquoise bays, secluded anchorages, and Mediterranean harbor evenings. Offshore sailing meets island paradise.
This sailing trip combines two very different aspects of sailing: First, there's the long crossing from Alicante to the Balearic Islands. After that, islands, bays, and anchorages will determine our course.
We sail along the coasts of Formentera and Ibiza and finally set course for Mallorca.
The goal isn't to get from port to port as quickly as possible. We want to sail together, discover beautiful bays, spend the night at anchor, go swimming, and enjoy life on board.
We have sailed this route ourselves and know from experience how varied this trip is. The combination of a genuine offshore passage followed by relaxed island sailing makes this one of the most beautiful trips you can take from Alicante.
A sporty and at the same time wonderfully beautiful sailing trip: night sailing across the open sea, turquoise bays, anchoring under the stars and Mediterranean harbor evenings.
Route & Highlights:
Alicante – our journey begins
The meeting point is the yacht at the Real Club de Regatas de Alicante. After check-in, you will get to know the boat and the crew. Together, we will discuss the planned route, the weather conditions, and the most important procedures on board.
The first evening is dedicated to Alicante and settling in on board. You'll move into your cabin, have the opportunity to spend the evening exploring Alicante, and spend the first night in port. The next day, it's time to cast off – the open Mediterranean Sea and the Balearic Islands lie ahead.
The great crossing – night sailing towards Formentera
The passage from Alicante to the Balearic Islands is the most athletic part of our trip and for many participants one of the highlights.
We leave the Spanish coast and sail out into the open sea. Eventually, the mainland disappears behind the horizon. Now real offshore sailing begins.
The crew is integrated into daily life on board and – if desired – into sailing. Maintaining course, trimming sails, keeping watch, and experiencing the night at sea together with our skippers: such a passage is truly memorable.
The hours after sunset are particularly impressive. Far from the lights of the coast, the starry sky over the Mediterranean reveals itself with an intensity that is rarely experienced on land.
And sometime the next morning, the first outlines of the Balearic Islands appear on the horizon.
Formentera – Arriving in island paradise
After the long passage, the contrast could hardly be greater: crystal-clear, turquoise water, bright sandy beaches and sheltered bays.
Formentera is one of our favorite sailing areas in the western Mediterranean. When the weather and conditions are right, we find a nice anchorage and enjoy island life directly from the boat.
After offshore sailing, it's time to swim, relax, go ashore in the dinghy, or simply sit on deck with a cool drink and look out to sea.
These evenings at anchor are among the most special moments of the trip. When the day-trippers have disappeared and the bay slowly becomes quiet, you experience the Balearic Islands at their most beautiful.
Ibiza – spectacular coastline and Mediterranean lifestyle
From Formentera we sail on to Ibiza. The island is so much more than clubs and nightlife. From the water, it reveals a completely different side: steep coastlines, small coves, offshore rocks, and countless beautiful anchorages.
We decide which bays to visit depending on the wind and weather. That's precisely the appeal of a sailing trip: we have a planned route, but no rigid schedule.
During our stay in Ibiza, we would also like to spend a night in a port. This will leave enough time to leave the ship and explore the island on land – for example, Ibiza Town with its historic old town Dalt Vila, its narrow streets, restaurants and bars.
From Ibiza to Mallorca
The next longer stretch of sea takes us from Ibiza towards Mallorca. Once again we experience the feeling of a true passage between two islands.
Depending on the wind, we set as many sails as possible and enjoy the yacht as a classic sailing yacht should be experienced: under sail, with the open sea around us and a new destination on the horizon.
Those who wish can actively participate. Those who prefer to relax will find plenty of space on deck to soak in the sea and the journey.
Palma de Mallorca – the grand finale
From Ibiza we sail to the neighboring island of Mallorca. Depending on the schedule, we can spend another night at anchor here, for example off the island's south coast. Our journey ends in Palma de Mallorca – one of the Mediterranean's major sailing destinations.
Even the approach is impressive. The bay of Palma opens up before us and the famous La Seu Cathedral slowly becomes visible on the horizon.
Our destination is the Club de Mar Mallorca. Here we will spend our last night on board. This leaves plenty of time in the evening for a stroll through Palma, a nice restaurant, or a final drink in the old town.
The next morning our Balearic Islands trip comes to an end – after a week in which a route on the nautical chart has turned into a real sailing trip.
Sailing instead of cruising
This sailing trip is not a pre-planned itinerary down to the last detail. We are traveling on a sailing yacht and will adjust our route according to the wind and weather.
This means that the islands and destinations mentioned form our planned itinerary. We can adjust the actual anchorages, departure times, and daily stages to suit the conditions along the way.
That's exactly what sailing is all about for us.
Our experienced skippers steer the yacht and decide on the safe execution of each individual maneuver.
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