Snorkeling in Mallorca: Catamaran with BBQ in Bay of Palma

The barbecue happens while you're still in the water.

Snorkeling in Mallorca combines a four-hour catamaran sail through the Bay of Palma with free snorkeling gear, swimming in the Mediterranean, and a grilled meal served on board. The boat carries hammocks for those who want to rest instead, and a bar with soft drinks, sangria and cocktails. Everyone boards with easy access, and guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese.

The Experience

The catamaran leaves the port and heads toward a nature reserve, where the water stays calm enough for swimming and snorkeling from the deck. You get snorkeling equipment included—mask, fins and snorkel—so there's no rental fee or gear to arrange beforehand. The underwater life in the bay includes fish and rock formations that reward a few minutes below the surface, but if you'd rather skip the snorkel, you can swim without it or float in one of the hammocks strung across the deck while the Mediterranean breeze and live music set the pace.

Midway through the sail, the crew fires up the barbecue on board and serves a grilled plate to everyone. A bar operates throughout the day with soft drinks, sangria and cocktails available to order. The combination means you're eating and drinking while anchored in the bay, not rushing back to shore for lunch. After four hours total, the boat returns to port.

Infants and small children can come along—strollers are welcome on board—and service animals are permitted. The boat is designed so everyone can access the water and cool off without difficulty, regardless of fitness level. Guides conduct the experience in English, Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese, so language won't be a barrier to understanding what's happening around you.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel).
• barbecue plate served on board.
• bar service with soft drinks, sangria and cocktails.
• four-hour catamaran sail through the Bay of Palma.
• access to hammocks for resting between swims.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Life & Sea

Is this one for you?Four hours is long enough to sail to a calm anchorage, snorkel or swim, eat a meal and return without cutting into the rest of your day, but short enough that you're back by early afternoon if you want to explore Palma's old town or another part of Mallorca afterward. If you need a full-day excursion or prefer a longer offshore journey, look for extended catamaran options instead.

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Top questions

Can I snorkel if I've never done it before?

Snorkeling equipment is included and the crew shows you how to use it before you enter the water. The bay's calm conditions and easy access from the boat make it suitable for first-timers, and you're never required to snorkel—swimming or floating in a hammock are equally valid ways to spend the four hours.

What's the water temperature like in the Bay of Palma?

The Mediterranean in the bay stays warm enough for comfortable swimming and snorkeling year-round, though it's coolest in winter months and warmest in summer. Refreshing dips are mentioned as part of the experience, so expect water that feels invigorating rather than tepid.

Is the barbecue meal filling, or should I eat before boarding?

A barbecue plate is included as part of the experience, and the bar serves drinks throughout the sail. The operator describes it as a delicious meal served on board, though the exact portion size isn't specified—if you have concerns about appetite, eating a light breakfast beforehand is a safe choice.

What happens if the weather turns rough?

The itinerary describes sailing to a nature reserve where conditions allow swimming and snorkeling, which implies the crew selects calm-water days or routes. Specific weather policies aren't detailed in the source material, so confirm cancellation or rescheduling terms with the operator before your departure date.

Do I need to bring my own towel?

Towels aren't listed in the inclusions, so bring one from your accommodation or ask the operator if they're available on board. Swimwear, sunscreen and a change of clothes are essentials to pack.