Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option – The Mallorca Traveler

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option

REVIEW · MALLORCA

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option

  • 4.41,047 reviews
  • 3 hours
  • From $69
Book on GetYourGuide →

Operated by Sa Calma Boats · Bookable on GetYourGuide

If you want Mallorca with your feet in the water, this fits. It’s a short 3-hour cruise from Can Pastilla with one swim stop near the Palma Marine Nature Reserve, plus BBQ and drinks onboard. You can pick a daytime outing or the sunset option and spend your limited time in the best possible way.

I especially like the combo of a real water break (including snorkelling equipment) and a sit-down onboard lunch that doesn’t feel like a rushed snack. The onboard BBQ catering is built into the experience, so you’re not scrambling for food after swimming.

One thing to consider: the main BBQ burger is described as a beef and pork mix, so if you avoid pork, your options may be limited.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option - Key highlights you’ll actually care about

  • One clear swim-and-snorkel stop near protected waters, only if weather cooperates
  • BBQ lunch + dessert included, with a full onboard meal rhythm
  • Drinks plan is simple: 1 drink included, then you can buy more from the bar
  • Sunset option changes the mood without changing the core 3-hour format
  • Music and crew energy can turn the boat ride into a fun party atmosphere
  • No towel provided, so plan for that before you head to the pier

Boarding the Super Delfin Verde in Can Pastilla

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option - Boarding the Super Delfin Verde in Can Pastilla
This tour runs out of Can Pastilla, and you’ll meet at a point that can vary by the option you book. Once you’re aboard, the setup is straightforward: you cruise along the bay first, then you’re given time to swim and snorkel, and the BBQ comes as part of the onboard schedule.

The boat is the Super Delfin Verde, which matters because the whole experience is built for open-air cruising. Think “short cruise day,” not “all-day sightseeing.” At $69 per person for 3 hours, the value comes from getting a chunk of coastline plus water time plus lunch, all in one go.

If you’re driving, leave extra time. Parking can be hard to find, and boarding closes 20 minutes before departure, with the boat leaving on time.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Mallorca

Palma Bay cruising: coastline views without the car slog

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option - Palma Bay cruising: coastline views without the car slog
From the start, you’re pointed toward the Palma Marine Nature Reserve area, then moving along the bay with the kind of views that don’t show up from land. You get a sea-level look at Mallorca’s coastline, including the contrast between rocky edges, Mediterranean vegetation, and sandy stretches like Illetas and Cala Mayor.

If your tour is the one that runs toward Palmanova (the route varies depending on where you depart), you’ll also get those classic bay panoramas with Palma’s coast in view. It’s the sort of sightseeing that feels practical: you don’t have to pick between beaches, viewpoints, and photos. You get them while moving.

A small heads-up: the overall ride is short, so the day’s focus stays on the water and food rather than long scenic stops.

Your swim and snorkel stop: clear water, but conditions can vary

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option - Your swim and snorkel stop: clear water, but conditions can vary
The core payoff is the swim stop. The boat makes one swimming stop if the weather is good, and the route can include idyllic spots such as Cala Vella. This is where the “Natural Reserve” idea becomes real. You jump in from the boat in crystal-clear Mediterranean water, then use your snorkelling gear if you want.

Here’s the honest part: snorkel quality depends on the stop and the day. One rider found the snorkel spot didn’t provide much visibility or marine life, so don’t assume every stop will be equally amazing. Still, the water itself is consistently described as very clear, and the basic setup is made for easy entry and time in the water.

If you’ve never snorkelled from a boat before, this is a good intro. It’s simple: put on the included equipment, enjoy the swim, and return when the time is up—no long hike, no complicated logistics.

BBQ lunch onboard: what you get for $69

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option - BBQ lunch onboard: what you get for $69
Lunch is handled onboard and includes both a BBQ-style main and catering sides. The BBQ menu listed for this tour includes:

  • BBQ hamburger
  • Tomato mozzarella skewer with basil and balsamic cream
  • Spring roll
  • Potato salad
  • Dessert: watermelon and pineapple

You also get insurance and fees included, which quietly boosts the value because it’s part of what you’re paying for rather than something tacked on later.

Taste-wise, the consistent theme is that the food is more than “filler.” People call it yummy, and the burger-based BBQ fits the short-tour format well. You’ll eat while you’re on the move or after cruising, so the meal doesn’t interrupt your time on the water—it becomes part of the flow.

Diet note (important): one clear downside that came up is limited choices for people who don’t eat pork. If that’s you, it’s worth checking what’s actually in the burger options before you go.

Drinks, music, and the sunset option that changes the whole vibe

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option - Drinks, music, and the sunset option that changes the whole vibe
You get 1 drink included: water, beer, or sangria (your choice at least among those options). After that, additional food and drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar, which helps if your group wants to pace their drinks differently.

About the sangria: it’s repeatedly praised as tasty. People also describe drinks as reasonably priced, which makes it easier to add a second or third round without feeling trapped in a pricey bar-only situation.

Then there’s the mood. This isn’t a quiet, sit-and-photos-only boat. The vibe is animated, with music playing during the ride. Depending on the day, it can turn into a dance-party energy level, and the crew can be very hands-on—helping people have fun, taking photos, and keeping the atmosphere upbeat.

If you choose the sunset option, the timing shifts the mood from “daylight swim day” to “golden-hour cruise.” You still get the same core elements (cruise, swim time, BBQ), but the light makes the coastline look completely different and the return trip often feels like the best part of the evening.

One practical consideration: music can be loud at times, so if you’re sensitive, bring some personal ear comfort.

You can also read our reviews of more evening experiences in Mallorca

What to expect from the crew (and why it matters on a boat)

This kind of tour lives or dies on the crew. The tone here is friendly and attentive, with staff members who help keep things safe and organized while also maintaining a fun atmosphere.

You may run into different crew members depending on the sailing—names that show up include Roger, Juan Diego, Marc, Arantxa, Leandro, David, Fabio, Luis, and Carlos. The consistent experience thread is that they’re present: watching swim safety, managing the schedule, and making sure people feel taken care of.

It matters because the schedule is tight. Boarding closes early, the boat departs on time, and the whole 3-hour window depends on everyone being ready when it’s time to move.

Who this tour suits best (and who should rethink it)

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option - Who this tour suits best (and who should rethink it)
This fits best if you want a high-value, low-effort Mallorca experience:

  • You want sea views plus water time in one shot
  • You like having lunch included rather than planning a meal
  • You don’t mind a social vibe with music and energy

It’s also good for first-time snorkellers since equipment is included and the stop is built around easy access from the boat.

Skip or reconsider if:

  • You need wheelchair accessibility or have mobility impairments (the tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users)
  • You avoid pork and need clear alternatives beyond chicken sausages or non-pork burger options (the BBQ burger is described as beef and pork)
  • You’re expecting guaranteed high-visibility snorkel conditions every single time (the snorkel stop can vary in how much you can see)

Price and value: $69 for sea time, lunch, and snorkel gear

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option - Price and value: $69 for sea time, lunch, and snorkel gear
At $69 per person for about 3 hours, you’re paying for a bundled experience:

  • boat cruising from Palma Bay area
  • one swim stop with snorkelling gear included
  • a full BBQ meal plus dessert
  • 1 drink included
  • insurance and fees

That pricing makes sense when you compare it to the cost of piecing together equivalent time: transport to a beach, renting snorkel gear, then buying lunch and drinks separately. Here, the day’s structure is already handled. You’re not spending your time coordinating.

The value gets even better if you pick the sunset option, because you get the same included activities in a more scenic light—without paying extra time or needing extra tickets.

Practical tips to make your 3 hours go smoothly

Palma Bay: Boat Tour with BBQ, Snorkelling, & Sunset Option - Practical tips to make your 3 hours go smoothly
A boat tour compresses the schedule, so small decisions matter:

  • Arrive early: boarding closes 20 minutes before departure, and the boat can’t be delayed.
  • Plan for parking: it can be difficult to find, so don’t roll up at the last minute.
  • Bring what you need since towels aren’t included.
  • Expect open-air time on the boat and water time at the swim stop, since that’s the entire point of the tour.
  • If you’re booking for someone with mobility needs, know it’s not wheelchair-friendly.

If you want calm conversation, the music level may be a factor. If you want fun, this tour leans into it.

Should you book this Palma Bay BBQ, snorkel, and sunset boat tour?

I’d book it if your Mallorca trip needs one “do it all” half-day: a real swim from the boat, snorkel gear included, a proper onboard lunch, and coastline views that feel like you’re seeing the bay the way locals do.

I’d think twice if pork-free eating is a non-negotiable requirement, or if you’re specifically chasing flawless snorkel visibility every time. In those cases, it may still be fun as a cruise and BBQ day—but don’t count on the snorkel stop to deliver a guaranteed underwater show.

If you’re flexible and want an easy win in your itinerary, this one’s a solid bet.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Mallorca we have reviewed