With the wonderful crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, coupled with the spectacular backdrop of the Serra de Tramuntana and the beautifully landscaped area of Alcanada close by, Puerto Pollensa has a wide choice of strenuous and not so strenuous activities on offer for everyone to enjoy.
The calm waters of Pollensa Bay provide an ideal venue for those wishing to venture onto the sea with private boat charter, complete with or without crew, and available from the port’s marina. Daily and weekly charters are available to take you away from the crowds to your own private cove or beach by following the wonderfully scenic coastline on the north of the island.
Ribs, speed boats, motor cruisers, sailing boats and catamarans are all available from either Puerto Pollensa or Alcudia. There are at least 6 charter companies operating from Puerto Pollensa’s Marina and as many operating from Port d’Alcudia.
Alternatively, take one of the many daily boat trips around the island and visit local places of interest. Those wanting a cheaper and quieter outing on the water can hire two man canoes from the beachfront at a reasonable cost.
Water skiing and jet skiing are also available from these locations. Expect to pay around €75 for one or two people on a single jet ski for 20 minutes or €130 for 60 minutes. Jet skis are used away from the swimming areas and users are taken out to a circuit in the sea by speed boat from the shore. It’s very exhilarating but can eat into your travel spending money very quickly!
Kite surfing is becoming increasingly popular and Mallorca Kite School, based in Pollensa is probably the best on Mallorca. Kite surfing takes place in Pollensa Bay between July 1st and March 1st. Outside of these dates it is prohibited due to the proximity of the S’Albufereta Nature Reserve and the need to protect nesting plovers in the area. The school offers three courses: Beginner at €135 for 3 hours; Basic at €270 for 6 hours over two days and a Full Course at €405 for 9 hours over 3 days.
Joining the Asociacion Aprende a Navegar Kite Club gets you a 30% discount off these prices. Alternatively, the school offers one hour lessons at €45. The school is located on the coast road between Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia and meets each day at midday outside the entrance of the PortBlue Club at the Pollentia Club Hotel.
Staying with the water, Nautical Experiences, located next to Stay Restaurant in the marina in Puerto Pollensa is one of a number of companies offering fishing trips in the area. Prices are €70 per person for 4 hours with a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 8. Not quite “The Deadliest Catch” but well worth the trip!
Finally, why not venture beneath the waves with simple snorkelling or scuba diving? Scuba Mallorca at 23 Carrer d’Elcano is one of the best centres within the Balearics with excellent reviews from both novices and fully qualified divers.
Courses vary from an Introduction to Diving, Beginners Course, Advanced and Professional Courses and Free Diving courses (by special arrangement). There are a large number of dive sites used within the area ranging from easy to those reserved for the more experienced. Children as young as 8 are catered for with a special Kids Padi Bubblemaker and Seal Team Experience.
A great way to tour around the north of the island is by bicycle and there are over 6 cycle hire shops in Puerto Pollensa alone. Those who are more serious and competitive riders can hire the very latest equipment and enjoy some spectacular rides used by some of the road racing professional teams as training routes during the winter months.
The north of the island, including the Serra de Tramuntana, is used by Team Sky, who are often accommodated in Alcudia, during their February training period.
Sir Bradley Wiggins uses Puerto Pollensa as a training base and holiday home and often eats in Tolos Restaurant in Paseo de Londres, a very popular place for cyclists. Tolos is cycling themed with cycle jerseys and winning bikes displayed on its walls.
The more standard versions of bicycle can be hired from around €17 per day but if you really want to spoil yourself why not go for the electric bikes from Wattstyle at 12, Carrer de Joan XXIII? Mallorca has long been a favoured destination for cycling holidays and some of the hire shops organise daily cycle tours for their customers so you never need to ride alone!
The Spanish mainland is well known for the quality and quantity of its golf courses. The island of Mallorca can also boast some wonderful courses with one of the finest right on the doorstep of Puerto Pollensa. Of the roughly twenty courses on Mallorca, the Club de Golf Alcanada, just down the road from Alcudia, is certainly the best.
The views from the fairways are amazing and the course itself, designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr. & Jnr. which opened in October 2003, contains some 58 green side fairway bunkers, challenging greens and some tricky tee shots. The course, pro shop and clubhouse with its excellent facilities are welcoming and the service is extremely good.
