cabrera island day trip from mallorca

• Mallorca Outdoor & Nature Spain

Cabrera & the Blue Grotto: Boat Tour from Mallorca

Cabrera is a popular excursion destination from Mallorca. From Colonia Sant Jordi, regular boat trips can be taken there – and contrary to my expectations, the tour to Cabrera was a complete success even in high summer.

Tips: ➜ Staying over night in the nature reserve on Cabrera ➜ Day tour from Palma to Cabrera * ➜ Boat trip from Colonia Sant Jordi to Cabrera

Cabrera: Popular excursion from Mallorca

By boat to cabrera, (almost) untouched nature on cabrera, activities on cabrera: hiking to the mirador de cabrera, the mirador de cabrera, book your hotel in mallorca now, at sunset: the blue grotto in cabrera, things to know about the island of cabrera, cabrera link tips.

Cabrera is part of an offshore archipelago south of Mallorca and also belongs to the Balearic Islands. At the same time, the island of Cabrera is a nature reserve . And a popular destination for excursions from Mallorca! So the chances seemed high to be overrun by crowds of tourists.

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Hey, I’m Tatiana, a German-Brazilian living in Berlin & the author behind The Happy Jetlagger. I’ve been writing about my travels since 2014. In addition to my job as a flight attendant, this blog is my passion project!

In the high season there are several trips daily. Our tour was the only one that day that still had seats available. It takes just under three quarters of an hour to drive from Colonia Sant Jordi in the southeast of Mallorca to Cabrera. Although we were already sitting in the larger of the two types of boats on offer (50 seats instead of just 12), the ride was damp and bumpy, but just right for a breath of really fresh sea air.

Tip: Colonia Sant Jordi is located in the beautiful southeast of Mallorca, with many beautiful beaches all around. The dream beach Es Trenc , for example, is right next door. Situated directly on the coast, Colonia Sant Jordi is a small and tranquil old fishing village with everything you need for a relaxing Mallorca vacation. So if you’re still looking for a great vacation spot, I highly recommend checking out accommodations there!

➜ Find hotels in Colonia Sant Jordi *

Arrived on the island: Astonishment. Where were all the crowds? Slowly we entered the secluded natural harbor of Cabrera. Some sailboats were lying there in the calm water, a few people were sunbathing on the small beach and otherwise: silence, silence, silence!

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If you come to Cabrera by excursion boat for a day trip, you have a few hours to explore the island on the longer tour. Some parts of the island of Cabrera are not open to the public, so you move with the other fellow travelers on the same trails – but you spread out relatively well on the island. For a grand view, you can hike up the fortress (Castillo de Cabrera) – and at 35 degrees in the midday sun, that’s more athletic than it sounds.

You can find lots more tips for your trip to Mallorca on my Mallorca blog

From the observation tower of the fortress, the Mirador de Cabrera , you have the perfect view over the island and the turquoise sea. On the way back stop at the island bar , then swim in the clear windless water and enjoy the pure nature around you: If you can not relax on Cabrera, it’s your own fault!

There are so many beautiful hotels in Mallorca and it’s hard to choose the right one! But don’t wait long too long – hotels will book up quickly. Book now to get the best deals for your vacation!

The excursion usually includes a stop at the blue grotto , depending on the weather conditions – this is only possible when the sea is calm. And the name… I wonder where it comes from? The water is just so incredibly deep blue that it wants to suck you in.

All excursion boats stop here for swimming and snorkeling. Due to the water depth, however, this is only something for swimmers. With luck you will even meet curious rays! If you have booked the afternoon tour, you get a romantic sunset on top!

Tip: If you are not staying near Colonia Sant Jordi or are traveling by rental car, it is a bit more complicated to organize a trip to Cabrera on your own. But there are tour operators who offer complete trips to Cabrera with arrival in Colonia Sant Jordi and still stops at the beaches nearby!

➜ Day tour from Palma with boat trip to Cabrera *

A few random facts about Cabrera:

• Making garbage forbidden! Cabrera is a nature reserve and the garbage that you bring or produce there, you have to take back: There are no garbage cans on the island, because the transport of tons of tourist garbage back to Mallorca is too costly. However, the system is not quite well thought out, waste avoidance and recycling are generally not a big issue on Mallorca. In the island bar, drinks are served in cans or disposable cups – that could also save quite a bit of trash. And resourceful tourists simply litter the toilet garbage cans in the public toilets for lack of litter garbage cans on the paths. Or throw food scraps into the bushes. Is organic. Well. A little more education and awareness for all visitors couldn’t hurt. This was completely absent from our tour, and if an island guard hadn’t happened to intercept me and enlighten me when I was looking for a trash can for my apple crate after leaving the boat – the topic of trash wouldn’t have come up anywhere else.
• Cabrera used to be the Alcatraz of Mallorca. Or like this. At the time of the Spanish Wars of Independence at the beginning of the 19th century, 9000 French soldiers were taken here as prisoners of war, under the worst conditions – and a large part met their death here. You can also learn more about the history of the island in the island’s own museum !
• Be sure to bring sturdy shoes ! Going up to the castle in flip-flops is no fun.
• Do not forget snorkeling equipment : On the beach and in the blue grotto is wonderful snorkeling and fish watching.
• The island bar serves wonderful Horchata (a Mallorcan almond milk drink) with fresh almonds!
• If you want to stay longer: there is a small, simple hostel on the island. Attention: Be sure to book in advance and the length of stay is limited to a few days! ➜ To make a reservation for the hostel of Cabrera

marcabrera excursions to Cabrera from Colonia Sant Jordi. If you book online, there’s a 10% discount, the half-day excursion as above then costs 36€. Resident discount is also available, but is only 7% and cannot be combined with the online discount.

Overnight stay on Cabrera Here you can make your reservation in the island’s only hostel.

Parque Nacional Marítimo – Terrestre del Archipiélago de Cabrera Official information about Cabrera (Spanish)

More articles about Mallorca:

• Hotel Review: Cook’s Club Calvià Beach in Mallorca
• The Best Things to Do in Felanitx, Mallorca
• The Best Markets in Palma
• Valldemossa: Sights & tips for the Mallorcan mountain village
• Consell: The Largest Flea Market on Mallorca

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Cabrera Island Day Out

• 6th Jan '24

Head east from Palma to the picturesque seaside town of Colonia Sant Jordi, which is the boarding point for boats to the island of Cabrera.

Belonging to an archipelago of 19 islets just ten kilometres from the southern coast of Mallorca, Cabrera, the smallest of the Balearics islands, was declared a Maritime National Park in 1991, the first in Spain.

Cabrera, meaning goat , gave the island its name ‘The Isle of Goats’ after a colony of wild goats which lived there.

Uninhabited since 1991, the island has a fascinating history. In addition to the goats and several farming families in its more recent history, the island’s castle and tower built in the 14th century was used as a hospital, a residence for the priest and a quarantine station during pandemics.   During the War of Independence, many of Napoleon’s soldiers were captured and held on the island, similar to Alcatraz . An obelisk has been constructed as a monument in their honour.

After an exhilarating 40 minute ride on the passenger speed boat, you will pull into the small harbour. There is a small cafe, toilets and an office for the environment agency, but your eyes will immediately be drawn to the pristine white beaches .

Hurl yourself into the clear crystal waters and enjoy the beauty of the island.

This is a landscape has remained unchanged for centuries. With National Park status, the islands have been allowed to flourish. An abundance of seabirds (including cormorants, shearwaters, falcons, ospreys and Caspian gulls), rich marine life with the greatest diversity of fish in the Mediterranean Sea, you will hopefully be lucky enough to spot one or two rare birds or see some dolphins on your trip.

The most impressive flora is marine, since 85% of the area of the Park is under water. More than 160 species of marine plants, of which 22 are endemic, among which the Posidonia seagrasses play a key role.

Cabrera boasts some of the most spectacularly clear waters of the Balearics as a result of these seagrasses which are called “the lungs of the Mediterranean”. Posidonia is incredibly effective at filtering the water and producing oxygen, hence the clarity of the waters.

Cabrera is open to overnight guests – 12 rooms for up to 24 visitors – with a maximum one-night stay so it is essential to prebook. The hostel-style accommodation is in the former Nepoleonic barracks.

If you do stay overnight, make your way over to the 19th-century red and white lighthouse of N´Ensiola. At 102 metres above sea level, it offers panoramic views. A four hour hike from the harbour. Fall asleep to the sound of the sea, wake to birdsong and be the first on the beach .

On your return journey, the boats stop at The Blue Cave. Famous for its crystal clear waters which are lit in a magical way by the rays of the sun creating an incandescent blue, if there is time, you may even be able to swim in the cave.

Arriving back to Colonia Sant Jordi, you will reflect on a very special day or stay and remember the peace and tranquility of this special place.

  Images kindly provided by Bjorn-Hoffman, The Green and The Blue .

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Cabrera Island: Mallorca’s must-do day trip for nature lovers

Even though it rarely makes it onto most travellers’ radars, a trip to Cabrera is a must when visiting Mallorca.

Cabrera island sits just 10 nautical miles south of the largest island in the Balearics , yet it’s a world away when it comes to scenery, history and the general vibe.

Except for a handful of rotating staff who return back to Mallorca weekly, Cabrera is a completely uninhabited island.

In stark contrast to most of the Mediterranean islands that surround it, Cabrera is largely untouched. And, whether you spend just a few hours there or decide to stay longer, you’ll quickly feel at one with the magnificent nature around you.

Cabrera is the only National Park in the Balearic Islands

You’ll have it (almost) to yourself, cabrera is a hub of ecotourism, it’s beautiful, if you’re short on time…, if you like to explore at your own pace…, if you want to learn more about cabrera…, explore the hiking trails, visit cabrera castle, learn about cabrera’s ethnography, enjoy the beach, spot marine wildlife, swim in the blue cave.

Just to let you know… This post (probably) contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associates links, and I may receive a small commission if you click one. This is at no extra cost to you and allows this site to keep running.

Why visit Cabrera Island

Cabrera is the fifth largest island in the Balearic archipelago, after the main islands of Mallorca, Ibiza , Menorca and Formentera.

Due to its proximity, it often gets considered as part of Mallorca, but is in fact the largest island of its own archipelago consisting of many more islands and islets.

Despite its relative anonymity, Cabrera Island is well worth a visit – even if it’s just for an afternoon. Here are just a few reasons why…

Cabrera Island isn’t just a protected National Park – it’s the only National Park in the whole of the Balearics.

The largest in all of Spain , Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park is also one of the best-preserved coastlines in all of the Mediterranean.

Thanks to its protected status, Cabrera’s waters are a much-needed sanctuary for much of the marine life that lives in breeds in them.

During August, only 300 visitors can visit Cabrera per day. During every other month of the year, that number drops by a third to just 200.

That means that Cabrera is never crowded, making the experience even more special. From the beaches to the hiking trails, you never have to worry about escaping the crowds.

With its strict entry limits, Cabrera is at no risk of over-tourism. On the contrary, it’s a wonderful example of how popular destinations can focus on – and thrive from – ecotourism.

The Balearic Sustainable Tourism Tax that was introduced to fund projects supporting sustainable tourism in Mallorca and its neighbouring islands has benefited Cabrera too.

Projects funded so far include the restoration of Cabrera’s infrastructure, the addition of new solar panels to power the island sustainably and the restoration of Cabrera Castle, an important and intriguing historical landmark.

As you would expect from such an island, Cabrera really is beautiful in its own unique way. With its winding landscapes and turquoise waters, it really does feel like a peaceful paradise next to the much busier island of Mallorca. It’s no wonder that locals come here to escape!

How to get to Cabrera Island

While Cabrera is just a short boat ride from Mallorca – and that’s easy enough – you’ll want to plan your visit in advance.

With limited numbers of tourists allowed on the island at any one time, boats to Cabrera can fill up fast. Unless you have your own private boat, you will need to book an organised trip.

Trips to Cabrera vary in length, from quick 3-4 hour trips to full day excursions.

If you’re choosing between the two, I would recommend maximising your time there if you can. Not only does it take a around 30-60 minutes to cross from Mallorca, but you’ll likely only visit once – so why not make the most of it?

Boat tours to Cabrera

If you want to add a day trip to Cabrera Island to your Mallorca itinerary, you’ll want to make sure you reserve a spot as soon as possible. This can be done easily online:

This speedy tour of Cabrera Island lasts just 2.5 hours (or 3.5 hours if you choose the slightly longer option). Granted, it’s not much time at all.

But, if you don’t have much time in Mallorca and really want to squeeze in a trip to Cabrera, it will give you a taste of the island.

You’ll have plenty of time to do just that on this full day tour of Cabrera.

Enjoy soaking up the beautiful waters that surrounded the Cabrera archipelago before taking some time to relax on one of its beautiful beaches.

Why not join this half day tour with audio guide?

Available in five languages, you can choose what you can learn more about Cabrera’s important history as well as enjoying the nature that exists there today.

Things to do on Cabrera

Depending on how much time you have on the island of Cabrera, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this unique destination . Here are a few of the best ways to discover Cabrera:

Just like Mallorca, Cabrera has a number of hiking trails to explore (albeit not as many!).

With only four vehicles on the island, hiking is one of the best ways to explore Cabrera. Just make sure you bring sturdy footwear!

Cabrera’s hikes range from the short (but fairly steep) 1.5km hike to the castle to the longer 11km lighthouse trail.

When you arrive at Cabrera Island, one of the first things you’ll spot is the castle.

This famous landmark sits high above the port and is intricately linked to the island’s history.

The castle is currently being restored to its original plan, including colours, decorations and furniture, to bring it back to life.

Housed in an old cellar, the Museum of Cabrera tells the stories of the island’s ecology, ethnography and archaeology.

It might be hard to believe that such a small island has so much to tell, but it’s ease to lose an hour learning about people’s relationship with Cabrera over the years.

Of course, one of the best things to do on Cabrera is to simply relax and enjoy its peaceful surroundings!

Given the limited number of visitors allowed on the island, you never have to worry about finding a spot at the beach.

You won’t have to walk far because there’s a sandy beach right by the port. However, it’s worth making the short – and scenic – walk to the main Sa Plageta beach.

If you love spotting local wildlife when you travel, you’re in luck because Cabrera has plenty!

With such an abundance of marine life, Cabrera is an awesome place to see some of the Mediterranean’s rarest wildlife.

More than 500 species live and breed in the National Park’s waters, including moray eels, octopuses, turtles, sperm whales and several types of dolphin.

No trip to Cabrera is complete without a stop in the famous Blue Cave.

The small cave just off the northern coast of Cabrera Island sits at up to 20m inside and, when the afternoon sun shines in, appears to be a bright blue colour (hence the name).

Many day trips to Cabrera will include a stop at the Blue Cave so you can see its vivid colours for yourself and take a dip in the inviting waters. When you book your excursion, make sure you check it’s included!

About Jodie Marie Dewberry

Jodie has been travelling the world full time since 2017, sharing the most unique places in the world along with tips for living as a digital nomad. She is a passionate wildlife photographer and has worked with a number of prominent travel brands, including airlines, tourism boards, hotels and tour operators.

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Boats to Cabrera from Colonia de Sant Jordi

If you are looking for a trip to Cabrera by boat from the Colònia de Sant Jordi, you have come to the right place. At Excursions a Cabrera we have three types of boats for our Excursions to Cabrera departing from Mallorca .

The price of the boat or ferry to Cabrera depends on the kind of excursion you choose. To decide on one of them we tell you some of the places you can visit on the island. (We recommend that you do not miss any of them, though).

And if the weather conditions are favourable, whichever excursion you choose, we will go swimming in the Blue Cave on our way back from Cabrera to Mallorca.

To follow, we show you the different boats that we have in the Colònia de Sant Jordi to travel to the island of Cabrera.

L'imperial Jet

Tonnage: 24,95 T.R.B. Building material: polyester

Cabrera ràpid

Tonnage: 14,49 T.R.B. Building material: polyester

Castell de Cabrera

Cabrera Island Boat Trip, Cala d'Or

12 person sailing yacht visiting the Cabrera Island National Park

An amazing & jam-packed day out visiting the nature reserve at Cabrera, you'll leave with a full stomach and plenty of good memories and photos!

Meet at Colonia St Jordi for the 2.5-hour sail to Cabrera Island - the views as you sail are fantastic and if you're lucky you'll catch a glimpse of some dolphins as you head into the sheltered bay of Cabrera.

Once moored, have a swim in the clear blue water and look our for the many varieties of fish swimming peacefully in this marine life sanctuary. You'll then head across to the port, where you can take part in a guided tour of the island, to see the various species of flora & fauna (approximately 2.5 hours). This needs to be booked in advance.

If you don't want the full tour, you can take the steep walk (about 15 mins) up the well-trodden rocky path to the 400-year-old castle and take some impressive photos of the bay, sea & Mallorca. The view from the top across the 10 mile stretch of sea to Mallorca is impressive and looking over Cabrera island itself you can also see the remains of the prison built to house thousands of prisoners during the Franco-Spanish wars. Dolphin sightings are also frequent.

After exploring the island, you'll return to the boat where a 3-course grill lunch is served on board with a platter of exotic fruits. After lunch, head across to stunning 'Blue Grotto' where you can explore and swim inside the cave, using the 3-meter motorised RIB.

After the swim, you'll start on the sail back to Mallorca, normally arriving between 20:00 – 21:00. Snacks and tapas are served on the return sail. You can disembark either where you started at Cala Sant Jordi or continue on to Cala d'Or (the boat's home port - an additional 3 hours on board at no extra cost).

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Everything you need to know about the island of Cabrera

The island of Cabrera is made up of an archipelago of 19 small islets located less than 10 kilometres off the coast of Mallorca. That’s why it has become one of the best boat trips from Majorca , ideal for anyone who wants to spend a different kind of day, surrounded by nature .

Here at ROIG we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the island of Cabrera , which has been declared a National Maritime and Terrestrial Park.

A brief history of the island of Cabrera

If you are spending your holidays with children in Mallorca and you are planning a getaway, it is a good idea to explain to them the curious history of the island of Cabrera and where its name comes from.

The origin of the name Cabrera comes from the fact that this island was inhabited only by goats. This was because the Romans used to release animals on certain islands in the Mediterranean Sea, in order to have food in case they had to take refuge on one of them, due to an emergency.

This is not the only island named after the animals that lived there. If you look in the south of Italy there is a small island called Capri (goats in Italian) and near Ibiza we find the island of Sa Conillera.

Due to its small size, the island of Cabrera was uninhabited for centuries and was only visited by the civilisations that made the Balearic Islands their home: the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Byzantines and Romans. In addition, pirates also used these islets as a hideout and it is believed that there is still some treasure to be unearthed.

Cabrera later became a prison for English soldiers who were captured in the Battle of Bailén. Most of them did not leave the island alive.

Finally, they decided to turn the Cabrera archipelago into the only National Maritime and Terrestrial Park in the Balearic Islands , where more than 130 species of birds rest on their migration routes. As a curiosity, you should know that this is the largest undeveloped area in the Mediterranean.

What to see in Cabrera?

Leisure time flies out of our hands and that’s why it is important to plan your holidays a little, to make the most of your days in Mallorca. One of the best options, to which you will have to dedicate a whole day, is to visit the archipelago of Cabrera.

The boat trip only takes half an hour and you will arrive at a small dock where they will explain the Natural Park’s regulations and answer any questions you may have. There you can also book a guided snorkelling excursion to discover the island’s beautiful seabed.

The small island is full of charms and, in addition to enjoying the fine sand and turquoise water, we recommend that you visit all these emblematic places on your excursions to Cabrera.

Cabrera Castle

Cabrera Castle is one of the island’s main attractions and is a perfect spot to contemplate Cabrera from the heights. You will see that, even as you move around the island, the castle will always be visible in one direction or another. In addition to the marvellous panoramic views, the Cabrera Castle is part of history and served as a prison at one time.

The Ensiola lighthouse

The Ensiola lighthouse is located 102 metres above sea level, a perfect location for views of the island of Cabrera in all its splendour. It is quite windy at this point on the island, so we recommend that you take a small jacket in case you get cold.

Sa Platgeta beach

You can reach the beach of Sa Platgeta on foot from the port, following the guided itinerary and without having to take a detour. As you walk along the bay where you have moored, you will come to this beach of turquoise blue tones that flood the atmosphere with a very wild touch. This is a good spot to start a snorkelling route.

Cabrera Museum

The Museum of Cabrera is a good place if you want to discover the island of Cabrera in its entirety. Inside you can learn about the evolution of this archipelago throughout history and the most important events that these lands have witnessed.

The museum ticket includes a visit to the Botanical Garden , where you will see a complete selection of the island’s main plants.

Donzell Cove

The composition of Cala Donzell is sand and rocks, so it is an ideal space for marine animals to grow . Its level of occupation is quite low and it is considered to be the most exclusive beach on the island. It is 50 metres long and 3 metres wide and has become one of the best beaches to visit on Cabrera island .

Monument to the French Prisoners

As mentioned above, during the War of Independence, many of Napoleon’s soldiers were captured and held on the island of Cabrera, which at the time served as a prison. Most of them were never able to return home. Today, an obelisk has been erected in their honour near the old cultivated fields, on the path that leads into the pine forest.

S’Espalmador beach

Following the route along the coast of Cabrera, which you can do on foot in a leisurely stroll, you will reach the beach of s’Espalmador. This place is a real wild beauty and, as it is quite far from the port, there will be fewer tourists that come here. This is a paradise where you can relax, sunbathe, swim and snorkel at your leisure.

The Blue Cave is one of the main sites to visit on Cabrera Island, but it’s only accessible by boat, so you’ll need to hire a guided tour to take you there. The cave has a clear bottom , crystal-clear waters and light streaming in to form a dreamlike setting. 

This spot becomes truly magical in the late afternoon, when the sun’s rays stream horizontally through the entrance to fill this space with brightness and light. This is also a good spot for snorkelling, as you will find a great deal of marine flora and fauna.

Cas Pagès beach

Cas Pagès beach is 270 metres long and 12 metres wide, making it the longest beach on the island. The occupation of this beach is quite low, especially if you go early in the morning, so it can become your favourite spot to relax with a good book, lying on the sand.

accommodation in mallorca

Activities in mallorca, alojamientos en mallorca, alquiler de coches, architecture, arquitectónicos, atracciones, espectáculos, excursiones roig bus, fiestas populares, local festivities, natural landmarks, natural sceneries, parajes naturales, parques de atracciones, restaurantes en mallorca, típico mallorca, does the island of cabrera have inhabitants.

Now you know how to get to Cabrera and what there is to visit on the island, but does anyone else live there, and is it possible to stay overnight on the island? We are going to answer all your questions, so that you can enjoy Cabrera to the fullest, without missing anything along the way.

After the island was used as a prison, it passed into the hands of the army, which sent a small detachment to the area for training. For a long time, the only people living on the archipelago were military personnel who were in transition to find their place in the armed forces. There were also about 12 families living there who were mainly involved in agriculture.

But when Cabrera was declared a National Maritime and Terrestrial Park in 1991, it was decided that it should be completely uninhabited. It is a dream place that offers visitors nature in its purest state and a feeling that you are far away from any civilisation.

In conclusion, there have been no inhabitants on Cabrera since 1991 , when the island became a National Park.

However, there is a refuge in the Park that allows anyone who wishes to stay one or two nights on the island of Cabrera, provided they have booked in advance. This is a highly recommendable experience, because as well as having the island to yourself during the hours when there are no tourists, it will give you more time to do all the activities you want.

This refuge is located 40 metres from the beach, so it will be very easy for you to have the beach to yourself if you get up a little early. 

To make the most of the island, it’s a good idea to bring your own food , as this will allow you to eat anywhere that looks nice. There is also a small canteen serving snacks, drinks and sandwiches.

Flora and fauna of Cabrera Island

The natural life it offers is one of the most attractive features of the island of Cabrera, both in the water and on the coast. The National Park is home to more than 400 botanical species and supports more than 200 animals , both marine and terrestrial.

The abundance of flora and fauna is what prompted the government to convert this space into a protected Natural Park. We will now explain the biodiversity that you will find once you set foot on the island of Cabrera in a little more detail.

On the land coast, the vegetation is prominently Mediterranean, with pine, holm oak, holm oak, olvillo and juniper . But the most impressive flora is found in the sea, as 85% of the Natural Park is water. If you dive you can discover more than 160 species of marine plants , including some algae, such as Posidonia oceanica .

Terrestrial reptiles (known as sargantanes in the Balearic Islands) are the island’s main species, and you can find them everywhere. On the island you can find a wide variety of seabirds, including the yellow-legged gull , Audouin’s gull, Cory’s shearwater and Balearic shearwater, among others.

You will also be able to see birds of prey, such as the peregrine falcon , the osprey or the common kestrel. Some of these birds do not live permanently on the island, but they have chosen this spot as a stop on their migration route, so they return every year.

As far as mammals are concerned, there are rabbits, genets, black rats, mice, hedgehogs and some species of bats. Cabrera contains an underwater paradise with more than 500 different species of marine fauna , including molluscs, crustaceans, sponges, fish and other organisms. The most outstanding animals are sea bream, sea bass, groupers, octopus, sea urchins, turtles and cuttlefish, and you can find them on any snorkelling route.

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Cabrera Island boat trip in Majorca from Colonia Sant Jordi

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Discover the island of Cabrera by boat from Colonia Sant Jordi: the choice is between a 6-hour premium tour with a three-hour stopover and a 3-hour short tour with a 20-minute stopover. Both tours include a circumnavigation of the archipelago and a visit to the Blue Grotto.

• Tour / activity duration: depending on selection
• Languages: English, Spanish
• Transfer: no, not included
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• Usually cheaper than at site

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• Valid for one year from the date of purchase

Cabrera Boat Tour from Colonia Sant Jordi

An island to discover, Cabrera is best explored by boat from Colonia Sant Jordi. Choose one of the options that best suits your plans. The premium tour offers the longest stay in Cabrera (3 hours), while the fast route offers a complete circumnavigation of the island and a visit to the Blue Grotto.

Cabrera Tour Premium Details

• Cabrera Boat Trip Premium (6 hours) - per person (age 13+) 67.-€
• Cabrera Boat Trip Premium (6 hours) - per child (age 3 to 12) 35.-€
• Cabrera Boat Trip Premium (6 hours) - per infant (age 0 to 2) 0.-€

Cabrera Tour Fast Details

• Cabrera Boat Trip Fast (3 hours) - per person (age 13+) 55.-€
• Cabrera Boat Trip Fast (3 hours) - per child (age 3 to 12) 32.-€
• Cabrera Boat Trip Fast (3 hours) - per infant (age 0 to 2) 0.-€

Option 1: Cabrera Boat Trip Premium

The Premium Tour to Cabrera includes the sea route around the island on board one of our speedboats (capacity 47 or 35 people). Approximately 1.45 hours after leaving Colonia Sant Jordi, we arrive at the port of Cabrera and are greeted by a National Park guide who will explain the different routes to be taken on the island. You can spend around 3 hours on Cabrera, visiting the fortress, the museum, the archaeological site, the lighthouse and the botanical garden. At the agreed time, we will meet again at the harbour and set off for Sa Cova Blava (Blue Cave), where you can take a refreshing dip in the cave if the weather is clear. We then return to Colonia Sant Jordi.

• Duration: ~ 6 hours
• Hours: 12:15 PM
• Months: 28th of March - October
• Pick-up not included
• Starting points: Colónia de Sant Jordi
• Extra: Snorkel rental (15€) and binoculars (50€)
• Skipper, fuel, boat ride

Option 2: Cabrera Boat Trip Fast

After leaving the port of Colonia de Sant Jordi, we arrive at Na Foradada, the first island of the Cabrera archipelago. The trip takes about 25 minutes (with a boat for 47 people or 35 people). We circle Cabrera and enjoy the scenery of the 19 islands. In the port of Cabrera we dock for a short stay of about 20 minutes and continue on to Sa Cova (Blue Cave), where we enter - weather and sea conditions permitting - and make a brief stop for a swim. Afterwards, we return to Colonia Sant Jordi.

• Duration: ~ 3 hours
• Respect the nature and the values that made it possible to have this protected and valuable area.
• Help us reserve Cabrera: Don’t leave back any mark of your visit in the National Park.
• Always stay on the indicated area.
• Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Don’t forget your camera and your goggles.
• Take water and food with you as on the island as there are no fountains or restaurants.  You would only find a small fisherman’s bar in the port where they only serve small snacks and drinks.

Please bring

Swimwear, towel, sunglasses, sun blocker, at least 1.5 l drinking water, snacks, sports- / hiking shoes, suitable clothing, backpack, camera, small travel pharmacy (just in case), snorkeling equipment

Detailed description

Cabrera boat trip from colonia sant jordi.

As the crow flies, Mallora is 15 kilometres from the Cabrera Nature Reserve. When the weather is good, the archipelago off the south-east coast is clearly visible and attracts the curiosity of many visitors. Excursion boats run daily between the port of Colonia Sant Jordi and the archipelago. It takes a good 30 minutes to cross or circumnavigate the archipelago by speedboat. Cabrera is considered to be one of the last natural paradises in the Balearic Islands and is therefore under special protection. This also means that the number of visitors who can "land" on the island is limited. A visit to Cabrera is a journey into the history of Mallorca, as the island and its inhabitants are largely left to the mercy of nature.

Visitors to Cabrera have a choice of several excursions. If you are interested in the nature and history of the island and want to spend a little more time getting to know it, the 6-hour Premium Tour is recommended. It includes a round trip of the archipelago and a 3-hour stay on Cabrera. A ranger from the Nature Reserve will meet you at the harbour and give you a brief introduction to the island's "house rules". You will have the opportunity to visit the castle and museum of Cabrera, the archaeological excavations, the French monument, the lighthouse of Ensiola, the botanical garden or the beaches of Sa Platgeta and s'Espalmador.

Although Cabrera is only a few square metres in size, it is home to a huge variety of plant and animal species. The archipelago is surrounded by crystal clear waters and the beaches are made up of sand, stones and pebbles. Snorkelling on Cabrera is becoming increasingly popular because of this biodiversity, and boat trips from Colonia Sant Jordi include a snorkelling stop at Cabrera Blue Grotto.

Valid on the reserved day or for 12 months after date of purchase if no date has been selected. You will receive the tour operator's details with the purchased ticket. Attention: reservation is required! The reservation can be made through sunbonoo as part of the booking process or later by contacting the tour operator directly via phone or email.

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Customer reviews cabrera boat tour from colonia sant jordi, nature reserve with guaranteed experience.

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An excursion that I recommend

Eine ausflugstour die ich empfehle, boat trip okay, island hike great, bootsfahrt okay, inselwanderung prima, 5-star excursion, ausflug mit 5 sternen, wonderful island, wunderbares eiland, write your own review.

Cabrera Island boat trip in Majorca from Colonia Sant Jordi.

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Holiday destination Mallorca

Tours, activities & excursions Mallorca

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Region Mallorca South

Tours, activities & excursions Mallorca South

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City Colónia de Sant Jordi

Tours, activities & excursions Colónia de Sant Jordi

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Cabrera Island Boat Trip with Blue Cave

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Information about the Cabrera Island Boat Trip:

For bookings to Cabrera Island, you need to book here : Cabrera Tour 2024

At click-mallorca we are island experts: we know it like the back of our hands! We are recommended in national newspapers and travel magazines. We know what you are looking for and what you need. For this reason, we have prepared a super excursion to visit Cabrera. Our excursion is not just about leaving you on the island, and giving you free time. We want you to discover much more. We combine a visit to the island with the spectacular Ses Covetes Beach, a route to Palma through incredible landscapes of the coast that can only be seen from the sea, and a sea cave.

What do we do on this boat trip?

Our excursion to Cabrera starts from Palma or Arenal where you will board our bus to take you to the spectacular Ses Covetes Beach. Forget about going to Colonia de Sant Jordi, not finding parking, queues... we make it easy. In Ses Covetes you will have an hour to swim and enjoy the beach, because it would be almost a crime not to let you enjoy this beach.

The boat excursion to the Island of Cabrera sets sail from Ses Covetes, where we will board a comfortable and modern boat, ideal for this crossing. We will arrive at Cabrera Island about 45 minutes later. Did you know that this is actually an archipelago of 18 islands and islets ? We are unique in that en route to Cabrera we will show you some of them and you can take amazing photos from the boat.

When you book at click-mallorca.com you receive by email an exclusive ebook with a visitors' guide to Cabrera with a multitude of tips and ideas on what to do in Cabrera selected by our team of experts on the island. Some examples:

• Enjoy its beaches, sunbathing or snorkelling
• Go up to contemplate the best views of the Mediterranean from Cabrera Castle
• Learn how Cabrera was a prison for French prisoners

In the afternoon comes the main course of the excursion, and that is that we have prepared a return route that makes this excursion to Cabrera unique and very different from any other. First of all, we will show you the Blue Cave . Then our captain will take you back by boat to Palma on a route where you will discover sea caves, lighthouses, cliffs and see places like Cala Pi, Cabo Blanco or Cap Rocat from the sea. During the route we will make a stop to swim, and if the weather allows it, an extra stop in a sea cave, which you can enter.

Blue Cave: Included in the price

On the excursion to Cabrera, in the afternoon we make a stop at the Cova Blava (Blue Cave), so you can take photos and see it from the sea. It is a unique experience in the world, and you will be able to be part of it.

What is included in the price?

The price of the trip includes:

• Bus ride from Palma to Ses Covetes beach to catch the boat
• time on the beach of Ses Covetes
• the boat trip to Cabrera Island
• free time to explore the island
• snorkel equipment that you can use for free in Cabrera and in the swimming stops that we make
• see the Blue Cave
• a spectacular route in boat back to Palma with a stop for a swim
• travel insurance
• skipper who knows the route in detail
• crew on board that will take care of you at all times
• a guide to visiting Cabrera
• with your reservation, you receive a 5% discount code for your next reservation of an excursion

If, in the case of bad weather, the tour is cancelled by the supplier, you will be offered the option of a change of day or a full refund.

Remember that babies of 2 years or younger do not pay, but please indicate in the comments if you have a baby with you.

Residents' Discount for Cabrera Tickets

Unfortunately the passage from Mallorca to Cabrera is not included in the government project to offer discounted travel for residents of the Balearic Islands. 

More about the Cabrera Island boat trip from Mallorca:

Approximate timetable of the tour:.

The duration of the Cabrera Island boat excursion is eight hours,and this is an example of the itinerary:

• Pick up by bus 9:30-10:15
• Journey to Ses Covetes
• Free time at Ses Covetes beach: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Boat trip to Cabrera: 12:15 - 13:00
• free time in Cabrera: 13:00 to 15:30
• return route with blue cave and swim stop: 15:30 - 18:00
• arrival in Palma: 18:00
• return by bus to the hotels

Departure point:

The departure point of the boat trip is from Palma or hotels in the Can Pastilla and Arenal area. Don't worry about a thing, after booking we'll send you an email with all the details of where you should be, at what time... everything without worries and with all the information for you to have a great time.

• If you stay in Palma: we recommend you come straight to the Palma Auditorium
• If you stay outside of Palma: a good place is to come to the Bahamas hotel in Arenal where we pick you up by bus

Book a private boat excursion

This product is an excursion shared with more clients. If you have a bigger budget and want to do something just with your group, check out our boat charter in Mallorca section with a wide range of boats.

Route for the boat trip to Cabrera island:

We can help you resolve any queries related to your booking and the excursion.

Reviews about the boat trip to Cabrera:

Excellent experience, really well organised and nice staff... power boat to a beautiful island with plenty of time to explore, swim and enjoy... Capped off with a swim in a blue cave, a great family day out. Note, there is a supermarket near the booking office for your picnic stuff as indeed there is a little cafe on the island selling food and drink. I recommend and thank the staff for a great day

Loved the overall experience- timing was great especially enough time on the island including blue cove. The crew was very nice, excellent COVID-19 safety procedures and the organization was spot on. Can only recommend.

What a lovely experience! I will definetly recommend it! The crew were very nice and the trip was great. The "cova blava" was totally amazing with crystal clear water. I will come back for sure. Thank you for everything!

All in all it was a great day, the stops the boat gave us on the way there and back were fantastic and the crew were super friendly and helpful. I would thoroughly recommend the trip, just book the longer stay as there is enough to do to fill the time.

My friend and me took the tour to Cabrera and the blue cave. At the beginning the captain told us that the sea is rough so we have to take a different way to the island and we will get wet. He also informed us about safety procedures. It was so much fun when we were jumping over the high waves!!! At one bay we were supposed to go swimming but because of the "bad" conditions we had to go to a different one. No troubles - that's nature! Lucky us we arrived at the blue cave first so it was very quiet and we really enjoyed it. Thanks :)

La très sympathique réceptionniste belge nous a vendu du rêve et nous l'a servi sur un plateau d'argent! Nous avons opté pour le tour complet en hors-bord avec ses deux pauses dans les eaux cristallines des côtes de l'île de Cabrera: Snorkeling avec les poissons près d'une plage magnifique ainsi que dans une grotte. La balade est commentée en espagnol et en anglais. Le pilote du bateau est très disponible. Journée splendide. Nous la recommencerions volontiers.

Friendly booking staff and useful departure slots. V professional captain with good English. Great sea swimming and fabulous blue cave with amazing water. Not sure if the six hour trip would be too long but 2.5 hours was spot on. Great views of the coast on the way back. Need cap, sunnies and tons of suncream! Wear swim stuff. Easy to find at the main port.

Wij kozen voor de totale tour van 3,5 uur inclusief stop van een uur bij het kasteel en een zwemstop in de blue cave. Wij vonden vooral het varen met de speedboat erg leuk en hebben genoten van de mooie uitzichten. De eilanden zijn mooi maar niet super speciaal dus ik vond het prima dat wij niet uren bij het strand bleven zoals andere tochten. Wij zouden vooral de tocht met de kleinere boten adviseren; was bij het kasteel ook prettig dat we het op ons gemak konden bekijken zonder grote groep om ons heen. Zeer aardige schipper en verder goed geregeld.

We had a fabulous time during this nice boat trip to Cabrera. Place really worth to visit, amazing landscape! the part where you can swim in the blue cave with clearest water I have ever seen is incredible! Totally recommended during visiting Mallorca!

We were well looked after by our crew from Mar Cabrera and they were so sweet too, closing down the plastic awnings for us when we were shivering. Our group of 15 had a marvellous time on the island of Cabrera and I would recommend it without a doubt. We booked with Click-Mallorca, by the way, and had a hassle-free experience. Do book in advance as you will find yourself with no seat on the boat in summer; it only holds 50. Cabrera was amazing. From the moment we set foot on the island we were in love. The landscape is spectacular. The plants and colours seem so rich compared to the other Balearic Islands. We were greeted by a friendly ranger who told us the rules and showed us the bar. We liked him. We started out by walking the short uphill stroll up to the old fortress. Amazing views, clear blue sky. But careful, those spiral steps at the end are horrendous. Take your time and you'll be fine. Once at the bottom we had a beer or two and then headed to the picnic area and beach. Stunning. I will definitely return.

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Cabrera Island Day Trip from Mallorca

• Round-trip shared transfer
• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transportation to/from attractions
• Calonge, Calonge, Majorca, Balearic Islands
• Location Name: Colonia Saint Jordi Location Address: Calle Gabriel Roca, 20 Colonia Sant Jordi
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• IMPORTANT INFORMATION: indicate phone number with the international code
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 5 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

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• chrisdeemeg 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Hop on /off bus Seville Horrible experience on this tour. Waited in pouring rain for over 50min while 2 buses passed by without stopping. Had to get a taxi to stop no.1 where I tried to explain what happened to an extremely indifferent and rude customer services person who just walked away from us. No rain covers on buses. This company has no interest in their customers beyond taking their money. Would NEVER use them again. Totally Horrible to deal with Read more Written 25 March 2024
• Voyager61021693071 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Sevilla day trips to Dehesa (Iberian Pig Farm) and Granada (Alhambra) We took two excursions from Sevilla with Javier as our guide - one day to Dehesa and the pig farm and the other day to Granada and the Alhambra. Both days were excellent, very professional, personal, and fun. My two children (ages 12 and 14 / girl and boy) both enjoyed the trips - and keeping them both entertained with the same things can be a challenge as you might expect! I highly recommend this company and especially Javier - who also made some excellent flamenco and restaurant recommendations! Read more Written 18 March 2024
• Lisabear111 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience! We all love the trip. It's so nice, unique and wonderful! Our tour girl took us to the restaurant and I had the best green olive I ever had. Read more Written 6 March 2024
• Yordan O 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Itálica tour Itálica tour:Excellent tour . Highly recommended. It’s a must tour of visiting Sevilla. Full of history and ancient culture. Read more Written 31 January 2024
• Y9013DMtracyr 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Nice day in the White Villages and Ronda Great trip! Peter was extremely knowledgeable and a great tour guide. Although some shops were closed on Christmas Eve, we still enjoyed a coffee outside and got the vibe of the town. Ronda had a lot to offer too. Fun trip! Read more Written 28 December 2023
• U5912IOsarahk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles interesting and beautiful Went with Get a guide to Pueblos Blancos and Ronda on a day trip (from Seville). Great driver and superb guide (Spanish and English throughout the tour, managed beautifully). Really incredible views, historical and geographical information shared, tips... from a passionate friendly kind guide. Would highly recommend. Read more Written 5 December 2023
• Foxfeather 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic Customized Tour, Above and Beyond Expectations Booking with Andalucia Experiencias (I went through them directly) was very easy and manager Miguel was very responsive to my questions and kept in touch to confirm information before our trip. Our guide, Javier, was prompt to pick us up and was delightful company. He was very knowledgeable about the area and willing to share about local culture and cuisine, was well organized, and went above and beyond to make our two tour days (we also booked the Iberian pig farm/jamon tour) memorable and perfectly tailored to our interests. Because we did the private tour we were flexible to make it our own trip, which was well worth the expense vs. the big group tours. I wouldn't hesitate to tour with them again or refer friends traveling in the Seville area, I feel like we lucked out in choosing this company and getting such a wonderful guide. Read more Written 1 December 2023
• Vacation52931775558 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best part of our Southern Spain trip We were surprised that we had a private tour, just us and our guide Salvador. He was amazing. He knew so much about the area and Christopher Columbus. Our tour was November 1 so some things like museums were closed but Salvador added other stops to make up for it. He was so polite and truly wanted us to have an amazing adventure. Our best day in Spain (and the rest set the bar high). Read more Written 19 November 2023
• Seaside13180854810 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing tour, highly recommended Was amazing the multi-day tours with they, all team was attented and very nice landscapes and hidden places. Our trip was Seville, Malaga and Granada Read more Written 18 November 2023
• Tom C 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour from Seville of Almodóvar and Cordoba Peter, our guide was very accommodating and professional. He shared his knowledge and love of the area with h us. Everything was very well planned and we felt in good hands. Read more Written 1 November 2023
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• Michelle M 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Ronda and white village a must! Our guide Peter was so knowledgeable and friendly. He knew all the right places to get the best photos and gave us great recommendations for lunch. He took us to little known places that had interesting history. Our trip was amazing. Put it on your bucket list!! Read more Written 23 August 2023

More to explore in Majorca

Cabrera Island Day Trip from Mallorca provided by Andalucía Experiencias

Cabrera Island Day Trip from Mallorca

• Round-trip shared transfer
• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transportation to/from attractions
• Calonge, Calonge, Majorca, Balearic Islands
• Location Name: Colonia Saint Jordi Location Address: Calle Gabriel Roca, 20 Colonia Sant Jordi
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• IMPORTANT INFORMATION: indicate phone number with the international code
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 5 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• sorinp09 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing white villages tour. We really enjoyed this tour. We were able to see all the white villages that were on the list. They were very accommodating with our preferences. David was a fantastic and knowledgeable tour guide. Read more Written 15 April 2024
• chrisdeemeg 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Hop on /off bus Seville Horrible experience on this tour. Waited in pouring rain for over 50min while 2 buses passed by without stopping. Had to get a taxi to stop no.1 where I tried to explain what happened to an extremely indifferent and rude customer services person who just walked away from us. No rain covers on buses. This company has no interest in their customers beyond taking their money. Would NEVER use them again. Totally Horrible to deal with Read more Written 25 March 2024
• Voyager61021693071 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Sevilla day trips to Dehesa (Iberian Pig Farm) and Granada (Alhambra) We took two excursions from Sevilla with Javier as our guide - one day to Dehesa and the pig farm and the other day to Granada and the Alhambra. Both days were excellent, very professional, personal, and fun. My two children (ages 12 and 14 / girl and boy) both enjoyed the trips - and keeping them both entertained with the same things can be a challenge as you might expect! I highly recommend this company and especially Javier - who also made some excellent flamenco and restaurant recommendations! Read more Written 18 March 2024
• Lisabear111 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience! We all love the trip. It's so nice, unique and wonderful! Our tour girl took us to the restaurant and I had the best green olive I ever had. Read more Written 6 March 2024
• Yordan O 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Itálica tour Itálica tour:Excellent tour . Highly recommended. It’s a must tour of visiting Sevilla. Full of history and ancient culture. Read more Written 31 January 2024
• Y9013DMtracyr 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Nice day in the White Villages and Ronda Great trip! Peter was extremely knowledgeable and a great tour guide. Although some shops were closed on Christmas Eve, we still enjoyed a coffee outside and got the vibe of the town. Ronda had a lot to offer too. Fun trip! Read more Written 28 December 2023
• U5912IOsarahk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles interesting and beautiful Went with Get a guide to Pueblos Blancos and Ronda on a day trip (from Seville). Great driver and superb guide (Spanish and English throughout the tour, managed beautifully). Really incredible views, historical and geographical information shared, tips... from a passionate friendly kind guide. Would highly recommend. Read more Written 5 December 2023
• Foxfeather 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic Customized Tour, Above and Beyond Expectations Booking with Andalucia Experiencias (I went through them directly) was very easy and manager Miguel was very responsive to my questions and kept in touch to confirm information before our trip. Our guide, Javier, was prompt to pick us up and was delightful company. He was very knowledgeable about the area and willing to share about local culture and cuisine, was well organized, and went above and beyond to make our two tour days (we also booked the Iberian pig farm/jamon tour) memorable and perfectly tailored to our interests. Because we did the private tour we were flexible to make it our own trip, which was well worth the expense vs. the big group tours. I wouldn't hesitate to tour with them again or refer friends traveling in the Seville area, I feel like we lucked out in choosing this company and getting such a wonderful guide. Read more Written 1 December 2023
• Vacation52931775558 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best part of our Southern Spain trip We were surprised that we had a private tour, just us and our guide Salvador. He was amazing. He knew so much about the area and Christopher Columbus. Our tour was November 1 so some things like museums were closed but Salvador added other stops to make up for it. He was so polite and truly wanted us to have an amazing adventure. Our best day in Spain (and the rest set the bar high). Read more Written 19 November 2023
• Seaside13180854810 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing tour, highly recommended Was amazing the multi-day tours with they, all team was attented and very nice landscapes and hidden places. Our trip was Seville, Malaga and Granada Read more Written 18 November 2023
• Tom C 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour from Seville of Almodóvar and Cordoba Peter, our guide was very accommodating and professional. He shared his knowledge and love of the area with h us. Everything was very well planned and we felt in good hands. Read more Written 1 November 2023
• KatePari88 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent day trip from Seville Perfect day trip to the Alhambra. David was our tour guide for the day and was FANTASTIC (request him if you can!). I was initially hesitant on doing a day trip to then Alhambra (versus a few days in Granada), but our trip schedule didn’t have time for a trip to Granada so we opted for the day trip. David picked us up at 8am from our hotel in Seville and the drive to Granada took ~3 hours. It was a nice, clean Mercedes sprinter van. David messaged me on WhatsApp the day before to check in before pick up. We stopped midway for coffee and the toilet. Along the way David shared lots of facts about southern Spain and answered our many questions. When we arrived in Granada we went straight to the Alhambra where we met another tour guide, Noelia. Noelia was fabulous and so smart - she walked us around the Alhambra gardens and took us into different sites within the Alhambra. One note - be sure to book in advance because tickets to the Nasrid Palaces sell out, and based on when I booked we were unable to get the tickets. But, the garden tickets gave us access to 90% of the grounds/properties. After the Alhambra, David picked us up and drove us to the old town of Granada where we had lunch, walked around, and went to a lookout point to see the Alhambra from another POV. After this we drove back to Seville, arriving at our hotel around 7pm. I would highly recommend this day trip if you do not have time to spend a few days in Granada. David and Noelia were excellent guides and made the day very fun and educational. David especially made our day so personal and authentic. Read more Written 29 October 2023
• Allfentons 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Day trip to the white villages! Peter was a fabulous guide. Very courteous and friendly! Explained the history of the area. Brought us to a great restaurant for lunch. Hiked with us at Ronda at the bottom of the gorge. Would highly recommend him! Read more Written 20 October 2023
• jorstern 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Tour Great experience - glad we splurged for this private tour. We were picked up directly from our hotel, given a nice tour of the Alhambra + some time in Grenada. The tour guides were very helpful and knowledgable. Read more Written 18 September 2023
• Michelle M 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Ronda and white village a must! Our guide Peter was so knowledgeable and friendly. He knew all the right places to get the best photos and gave us great recommendations for lunch. He took us to little known places that had interesting history. Our trip was amazing. Put it on your bucket list!! Read more Written 23 August 2023

More to explore in Majorca

Cabrera Island Day Trip from Mallorca provided by Andalucía Experiencias

Explore the Beauty of Cabrera Island in Mallorca

12. March 2024

Come explore the beauty of Cabrera Island off the Coast of Mallorca: A paradise for snorkelers with unspoiled beaches. The archipelago is part of the biggest Spanish maritime reserve and there are only a limited amount of visitors allowed each day – don’t miss out!

Transparency note: Some links in this post may lead to external booking opportunities. If a purchase is made, we receive a small commission. The price does not change for you.

What would Mallorca look like if tourism hadn’t taken off? An intriguing question that can be easily answered with a short boat ride to Cabrera Island. Inquisitive lizards, friendly fish, a blue cave, and an ancient castle are just some of the things that await you. The trip to Cabrera is not necessarily cost-effective, but it is certainly worth every penny. Come and explore the island with us!

Reserve your spot on the boat: Departure from Colonia de Sant Jordi Departure from Palma

Natural Reserve of Cabrera

The castle of cabrera island, cabrera’s seamen’s cemetery and a legend, hiking on cabrera, the beaches of cabrera: bathing & snorkeling, the blue cave, the museum es cellar, the french cross, the cabrera island visitor center in colonia de sant jordi, staying in cabrera: the hostal rosa dels vents, tickets & reservations for cabrera island.

The Cabrera Archipelago is composed of 18 islands and is part of Mallorca both geographically and administratively. Ten thousand years ago, the sea level was so low that a sandbar linked the two islands. Various animals took advantage of this to move to the outlying island.

When we talk about Cabrera today, we are referring to the main island, which is the only one in the archipelago can be reached by tourist boats. The area around it and the sea is widely protected. In February 2019 it has become the largest maritime nature reserve in Spain.

Access to the island of Cabrera is heavily regulated. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed to take trips to Cabrera with certified providers each day. If you possess your own boat, you can only approach the island with special permission from the island government and only dock at the buoys to protect the Neptune seagrass.

Some rangers are stationed on the island all year round. They make sure that no one enters the Cabrera Island without authorization. Moreover, they provide visitors with information on the rules and lead tours on routes that we are not allowed on without them.

Activities and Sights on Cabrera Island

Cabrera , translating to “goat” in English, has long been a strategically significant stopover in the Mediterranean. The Romans brought the name. They released goats on the island in order to have provisions for their merchant ships halfway to the western part of their empire, without having to carry it all the way. The goats had no natural enemies on the island, so the population of the animals multiplied without restraint. And Cabrera Island got its name. However, goats are nowhere to be seen today. They were banished after they had eaten all the plants and almost destroyed the unique ecosystem.

The castle on the island is a prominent sight. It was built at the end of the 13th century and subsequently destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. As part of the defense system against the pirates, the castle was hotly contested. The corsairs often used the outlying island as a staging point to plan their attacks on Mallorcan ports and to hide their spoils. That’s why people frequently refer to the island as the Pirate Island when talking about Cabrera .

The sentry at the castle was the highest paid in the Kingdom of Mallorca, but also the one who had the least amount of soldiers made it back home. After the pirate era, smugglers used the abandoned island to hide contraband. It is rumored that even dictator Franco used the island to hide antibiotics.

Just below the castle lies the sailor’s cemetery, where mainly French soldiers are buried. There are two graves that are worth mentioning. One is of a Mallorcan, either a farmer who had a heart attack or a fisherman who drowned in a storm while out at sea, depending on who tells the story. The grave remained without a gravestone, the deceased was called “En Lluent”.

The second grave was of a German soldier during World War II. Johannes Bochler, or Böckler, a 20-year-old soldier, drowned after their plane crashed due to engine failure in April 1944. Only the pilot survived. Böckler’s body was discovered in the sea near Cabrera and buried in the cemetery there.

The legend goes that the ghost of the German pilot would roam the island every night, wishing to return home and be buried with his loved ones. Decades later, the Commission of German War Victims exhumed the body and brought it back to Germany. However, this did not end the haunting. The ghost kept roaming the island. More so, there appeared another one on the German cemetery where the body was buried. It is said that an old fisherman can be heard moaning in barely comprehensible language, wanting to return to his grave by the blue sea.

The island of Cabrera is not the perfect place for hikes, but there are some trails to explore. Make sure to stay within your and your children’s physical capabilities when planning day trips, and be sure to return to the boat at the designated time. Some hiking paths may require a ranger’s guidance.

Like hiking? Find more trails here .

Tours for hiking on Cabrera Island:

• The distance from the harbor to the lighthouse N’Ensiola on the southwestern peninsula is 5.5 kilometers, with an estimated round trip time of five hours.
• The hike to Na Picamosques is the same distance and goes west to the island’s highest peak. This hike must be reserved at the information office at the harbor and is guided.
• The hike to Sierra del Canal de Ses Figueres is 8.5 kilometers and takes approximately 2.5 hours. This hike is guided by rangers.
• The tour to Ses Sitges takes you behind the castle to the unexplored part of the island, where you can find secret coves and remnants of civilization such as charcoal huts and lime kilns. This hike must also be reserved at the information office.

Make sure to bring swimwear and goggles, along with food and water, in your backpack. Even though there is more to Cabrera than beaches, the small bays here will probably be your main destination, especially if you have younger kids.

The beaches of the Cabrera island are sandy with stones and pebbles mixed in. If you have sensitive children, you should bring swim shoes. The main beaches are Sa Platgeta and s’Espalmador , and there is a smaller, rocky beach near the old farmhouse.

No matter where you enter the water, be ready to not be able to remove your children from it. Fish swim around you fearlessly, and hermit crabs bask in the sun on the rocks. It is said that you can even spot dolphins and turtles, although we haven’t been that fortunate yet. However, it is likely to see octopuses and moray eels.

And there are also fearless animals on land. The native Balearic lizards are so bold that they even climb on legs and into pockets. Don’t accidentally squish them!

Regardless of which excursion to Cabrera you book, they all make a swimming stop in the Blue Cave on the way back. You should definitely take advantage of this, so it is best to keep your swimwear on and have swimming aids for the kids to make the most of the time in the water.

Why is the cave so special? Well, it’s blue. But not like all the other bays. It has a dark, almost unnatural shade of blue. This is due to the particular way the cave is oriented and the way the sunlight comes in.

Since 1996, the former wine cellar has been home to an ethnological museum. It belonged, like the houses on the beach, to the Feliu family, which was expropriated by the state at the beginning of the 20th century. The museum is three kilometers from the harbor. Right behind it is the botanical garden, where native plants of the island are exhibited.

One part of the exhibition displays archaeological discoveries from the excavations, which uncovered a Byzantine necropolis. But there are also artifacts from the sea from ships sunk off of Cabrera that date back to Roman times. Additionally, the tradition of fishing is explained, for which salting plants were built on Cabrera to make the caught fish last.

The stone cross is a monument meant to commemorate the French soldiers who died on Cabrera. After the defeat of the Napoleonic army in Bailén , 12,000 captive soldiers were abandoned here during the Spanish War of Independence at the beginning of the 19th century, with no lodgings or supplies.

The soldiers in their time on the island chopped down all trees and nearly eliminated every animal. There was one source of freshwater that secured their survival. There were obviously also cases of cannibalism. On one of the hikes, you pass by the remnants of an improvised camp made by the soldiers. Only a third of the prisoners made it out alive – scarred and undernourished.

The Cabrera Visitors Center is located in the port of Colonia Sant Jordi and not on the archipelago. It contains an aquarium, which simulates a dive from Mallorca to Cabrera.

Visiting is a great way to prepare, to recap a canceled trip due to bad weather, or if the boat tour and associated full-day trip aren’t for you.

There is so much to do on Cabrera that one day is not enough? There is a solution for that too. Next to the beach Sa Platgeta , there is a simple hostel in the old farmhouse building with a total of four rooms for a maximum of 12 people, who share a bathroom and a common room with a kitchen.

The stay there is limited to two nights and must be reserved in advance through a somewhat complicated and Spanish website through the Balearic Ministry for Protection of Nature . Each room costs roughly 60 euros per night.

If you are still reading here, I have apparently made you sufficiently interested in visiting Cabrera . The boats to the island depart from Colonia de Sant Jordi daily between April and October. It is absolutely necessary to book the tour in advance !

New, there are also boat trips to Cabrera Island that leave from Palma de Mallorca . These excursions also take you to the Blue Cave and you have free time on the island. You can book the tour from Palma here .

Details: Day trip 6 hours, from April to October, weather dependent.

Tour operator: The excursions can be booked from Colonia de Sant Jordi and Palma .

Parking: In Colonia de Sant Jordi.

Strollers: Conditionally. In some spots, a stroller isn’t the most practical thing. But for very small children, it’s worth bringing. Check with the operators in advance.

Important: Trash must be taken back to Mallorca. Official paths must not be abandoned.

Bring: Sun protection, sunscreen, umbrella, swimwear, goggles, water, snacks

Accommodation: For the adventurers, there’s the option to stay at the Rosa del Vent hostel. The stay is limited to two nights.

More info: To kick off or wrap up your visit, visit the visitor center/aquarium of the national park in Colonia Sant Jordi, which is located close to the boat dock.

Want more recommendations like this? Check out more than 100 day trips and excursions on Mallorca .

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