12 Best Anchorages Around Mallorca for a Private Yacht Charter

Best Anchorages Around Mallorca: A Broker's Working Guide

The best anchorages around Mallorca reward captains who plan ahead and charter guests who trust local knowledge. This island offers more than 550 kilometres of coastline, yet only a handful of bays combine clear holding ground, reliable shelter, and the kind of water colour that stops conversation on the aft deck. Below, we break down the anchorages our captains return to season after season — covering the northeast, southeast, southwest, and the offshore hop to Cabrera. Whether you are planning a luxury yacht charter for a family week in July or a corporate weekend in late September, these coordinates belong on your passage plan.

Why Mallorca's Coastline Suits Yacht Charters So Well

Mallorca sits roughly 130 nautical miles southeast of Barcelona, centred in the western Mediterranean's most dependable summer weather window. From June through October, prevailing winds blow from the northeast at 8–15 knots, dropping to near-calm most mornings. That pattern creates predictable swell on the exposed north coast and glass-flat conditions along the southern and eastern shores — exactly where the finest anchorages cluster.

The island's geography helps too. Limestone cliffs plunge into sand-bottomed coves barely 50 metres wide, offering natural shelter without the need for a breakwater. Depths of 4–8 metres on sand are common, which suits yachts from 18 to 55 metres comfortably. And because the coastline curves through almost every compass bearing, a skilled captain can nearly always find a lee shore within 30 minutes of motoring. For guests aboard a private yacht hire, that translates to calm water, warm lunch on the swim platform, and zero roll.

Top Anchorages on the Northeast Coast

1. Cala Formentor — A long, narrow bay backed by pine forest at the tip of Cap de Formentor. Sand and weed bottom in 5–7 metres. Best in southerly or light wind conditions; exposed to the Tramuntana. 2. Cala de Sant Vicenç — Three small coves sharing one approach. Anchor in Cala Barques on sand at 4 metres. A tender ride ashore leads to a quiet beach with a single café. 3. Cala Agulla (near Cala Rajada) — Wide bay with excellent holding in 6 metres over sand. The town of Cala Rajada is a 10-minute tender run south, useful for provisioning or an evening ashore. 4. Cala Mesquida — A broader, dune-backed bay just north of Cala Rajada. Good for yachts up to 40 metres. Morning calm here is remarkable before the sea breeze fills in around midday.

These four spots form a natural overnight-hop sequence for a boat charter covering the northeast over three days.

Sheltered Bays Along the Southeast: Calm Water and Turquoise Seabeds

The southeast coast between Porto Cristo and Colònia de Sant Jordi is where Mallorca's most photographed calas line up like beads on a string. Cala Mondragó, inside the Mondragó Natural Park, offers twin coves with sand holding at 3–5 metres — ideal for a midday swim stop. Slightly further south, Cala Llombards sits at the base of ochre cliffs, barely 40 metres across, best approached by tender after anchoring the mother vessel outside in 8 metres.

For a longer stay, Es Pontàs — the natural rock arch — marks the entry to a broader roadstead where 30-metre-plus yachts can swing comfortably. Crew often set a stern line ashore here during settled weather. The water clarity reaches 15–20 metres on a calm day, which makes it a favourite snorkelling stop on any Mallorca yacht rental itinerary. Browse our [fleet in Mallorca](#) to match the right vessel to these shallow-draft anchorages.

The Cabrera Archipelago: A Permit-Only Detour Worth Every Mile

Cabrera lies roughly 10 nautical miles south of Colònia de Sant Jordi. The archipelago is a protected national park, and every vessel — charter or private — needs a permit from the park authority before entering. Anchoring is limited to designated buoys inside Cabrera's main harbour, with a maximum stay of one night for vessels over 20 metres.

Despite the paperwork, Cabrera rewards the effort. The harbour sits inside a near-circular bay with depths of 4–6 metres over Posidonia seagrass. Visibility often exceeds 25 metres. Ashore, a 14th-century castle overlooks the anchorage, and marked trails lead to a clifftop lighthouse. Our operations team handles permit applications as part of the itinerary planning — see our [Mallorca day-charter itinerary](#) for routes that include a Cabrera overnight.

When to Visit: Seasonal Timing for the Best Conditions

June and September offer the most comfortable balance of warm air, manageable crowds, and reliable anchorage availability. July and August bring peak demand — popular coves like Cala Mondragó and Cala Formentor can fill by 10:00. Early arrivals or overnight stays solve the problem, and a crewed yacht charter gives you the flexibility to reposition at dawn before day-boats arrive from the marinas at Port d'Alcúdia or Porto Cristo.

October is a well-kept secret among repeat charterers. Water temperatures hover around 23 °C, the Tramuntana is still infrequent, and most anchorages sit empty. Browse our [guide to Mallorca sailing seasons](#) for month-by-month conditions and recommended routes.

Plan Your Mallorca Yacht Charter Around These Anchorages

Every anchorage on this list has been verified by captains who moor here dozens of times each season. The right yacht, the right week, and a well-sequenced route turn a list of coordinates into a week of quiet mornings on still water, long swims off the passerelle, and dinners ashore in harbour towns that still feel genuinely local. Mallorca's best anchorages are the reason experienced charterers keep coming back — and the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the finest yet.