Bay of Pollença Mallorca: A Guide for Sailors and Tourists
The Bay of Pollença is the most nautical bay in northern Mallorca. Sheltered by Cap Pinar and the Formentor Peninsula, it has calm waters almost all year round and unspoilt coves reachable only from the sea or on foot.
As you leave the Bay of Alcúdia behind and round Cap Pinar, the landscape changes noticeably. The sea usually becomes more sheltered and the Formentor Peninsula begins to close the horizon with its pine-covered slopes. This is the natural entrance to the Bay of Pollença, one of the calmest sailing areas in northern Mallorca.
Port de Pollença, at the western end, is the bay's nautical reference point, while to the north lie Formentor Beach and, beyond it, some of the peninsula's best-known coves.
The passage between Cap Pinar and Formentor is one of the most spectacular moments of the journey from Alcúdia, because it reveals how two very different bays are joined by a narrow corridor of sea.
Where it is and what it is like
The Bay of Pollença opens between Cap Pinar to the east and the Formentor Peninsula to the north, with Port de Pollença as the main village in the west.
Quick facts
| Name | Bay of Pollença (Badia de Pollença) |
| Municipalities | Pollença |
| Length of coastline | ~10 km |
| Maximum width | ~3 km |
| Average depth | 5-25 m |
| Predominant seabed | Sand in the southern half; posidonia and rock at Formentor and Cap Pinar |
| Main ports | Port de Pollença |
| Best activity | Sailing, yachting, kayaking, snorkelling |
| Environmental protection | SCI (Site of Community Importance), Natura 2000 network (ES5310005 Badies de Pollença i Alcúdia) |
Is the Bay of Pollença worth visiting?
For sailors, yes. The bay is calm, Port de Pollença has good facilities, and the unspoilt coves of Formentor are within reach. For visitors coming only for the beach, Formentor Beach is difficult to reach in high season because of the traffic restrictions. There are no access restrictions by boat. The shuttle bus (Line 334) connects Port de Pollença with Formentor Beach throughout the high season.
Port de Pollença has its own nautical, residential character that has nothing to do with the tourism of the Bay of Alcúdia.
What is in the bay
The southern part, around Port de Pollença, has a fine sandy beach, a seafront promenade (the well-known Pine Walk), restaurants and everything needed by anyone planning to settle in for a few days. The atmosphere is nautical and residential, with less tourism than Alcúdia.
North of Port de Pollença there are small beaches such as Albercutx and, to the west, Llenaire, quieter and less well known. Cala Bóquer lies to the northwest, accessible only on foot (a 1-hour walk): coarse sand, deep water, no facilities.
At the northern end, Formentor Beach is the best known in the bay: white sand, turquoise water, pine shade, sun lounger service and a restaurant. The unspoilt coves of Cala Murta and Cala en Gossalba, within the Formentor Peninsula, can be reached from Formentor Beach on foot (1 hour minimum) or by boat.
What you can do
The Bay of Pollença has a more nautical character than the Bay of Alcúdia. Port de Pollença is a recognised base for Mediterranean cruising, with courses, regattas and boat hire. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are also common in the southern area.
For snorkelling, the most interesting spots are near Cala Murta and the rocky islet off the Formentor headland, where the posidonia-and-rock seabed offers more variety than the central sand.
Kayaking and paddleboarding work very well: the bay is sheltered and the distances are manageable.
Sailing and anchoring
Sailing conditions are among the calmest in Mallorca. The Formentor Peninsula acts as a natural screen against the tramontana. Westerly winds and the llebeig can enter through the southern end, but the bay is usually calm.
Free anchoring. Over sandy bottoms in the inner part, near Port de Pollença and Formentor Beach. Always over sand: posidonia is protected.
Formentor buoy field. The Formentor Beach area has a field of approximately 70 eco-friendly buoys managed by Ports IB, for vessels of 8 to 25 metres, for stays of up to 6 nights. On arrival, contact via VHF channel 77. The state of the field can vary by season; check with Ports IB before planning.
Maritime traffic. Port de Pollença has significant traffic of sailboats and private yachts in summer, especially during regattas. Our boat trips enter the bay from the northeast, through the channel between Cap Pinar and Formentor.
Precautions. The entrance through that channel can have currents under certain wind conditions. Boats rounding Cap Pinar from the Bay of Alcúdia must respect the marker buoys of the military zone.
Boat trips
Our Boat Trip to Formentor enters the Bay of Pollença after rounding Cap Pinar. As the boat moves on, the landscape shifts from cliffs to a much more sheltered bay, with Port de Pollença on one side and the slopes of Formentor on the other. That transition is one of the best ways to understand this bay's personality.
Our Private Boat Trips allow you to spend more time in the bay and tailor the route.
When to go and sea conditions
The bay changes little in appearance, but a great deal in atmosphere depending on the time of year. Spring and autumn usually offer the most pleasant conditions for sailing: calm sea, mild temperatures and less boat traffic.
In summer, boat traffic at Port de Pollença is heavy. The road access restrictions to Formentor Beach (15 May – 15 October) make arriving by sea the most convenient option.
Access and practical orientation
The main access point by land is Port de Pollença, 10.7 km from the Port of Alcúdia. There is public parking at the marina and in the village streets.
For Formentor Beach: shuttle bus Line 334 from Port de Pollença in high season, or access by car outside the restricted hours (before 10:00 or after 22:00).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Bay of Alcúdia and the Bay of Pollença?
The Bay of Alcúdia is larger, with more urban beaches and a higher volume of tourism. The Bay of Pollença is more sheltered and nautical, with unspoilt coves at Formentor. Our boat trips depart from Alcúdia and can reach Formentor.
Which beaches are in this bay?
The main ones are Port de Pollença and Formentor Beach. The unspoilt coves (Cala Murta, Cala en Gossalba) are the most attractive for snorkelling.
Can you anchor freely?
Over sand, yes. The Formentor Beach area has an eco-buoy field (VHF channel 77). Anchoring over posidonia is prohibited.
When is the sea at its calmest?
The bay is generally calm thanks to the shelter of Formentor and Cap Pinar. Days with a northwesterly tramontana are the most uncomfortable.
Which of our boat trips covers this bay?
Our Boat Trip to Formentor covers the bay's most representative stretch, entering between Cap Pinar and the Formentor Peninsula before reaching Formentor Beach. Our private boat trips are the best option if you want to spend more time sailing around the bay and stopping at different spots.
Is it good for kayaking?
Yes. Port de Pollença is an excellent starting point for many destinations. The bay is sheltered and the distances are reasonable, though you should weigh up your fitness and the day's sea conditions.
Can you visit Formentor Beach by boat?
Yes. From the boat there are no access restrictions, unlike the road in high season. Our Formentor trip includes a stop in the area.
Artà is a municipality in northeastern Mallorca with an inland old town and an unspoilt coastline. It is not a beach town but a gateway to the Llevant Natural Park and the wildest coves of the east coast.
The Necropolis of Son Real is one of Mallorca’s most important archaeological sites, with 143 Talayotic tombs on the coast of the Bay of Alcúdia. It sits just metres from the sea and can be seen from our boat trips.
The Llevant Natural Park protects the most unspoilt stretch of Mallorca’s northeastern coast, with cliffs over 200 metres high, sea caves and coves with no road access. It is the destination of our Coves and Caves boat trip.
150 metres from Alcanada beach lies a 4-hectare islet covered in pines and crowned by the Aucanada Lighthouse, in service since 1861. The water around it is among the clearest in the Bay of Alcúdia, thanks to the posidonia meadows.
The Port of Alcúdia is the departure point for all our boat trips and also a destination in its own right: seafront promenade, restaurants and direct access to the beach. In July and August the parking fills up before 10:00.
The Punta de l’Avançada Lighthouse stands at the tip of the point, inside a military zone closed to the public since 1940. It can only be seen from the sea.