If you’re looking for a boat trip with kids that blends Mallorcan charm, turquoise swim stops and a touch of adventure, this one’s hard to beat. We boarded Fenicia – a fully restored 1977 Mallorcan llaüt – at Club de Mar in Palma and set sail south towards Cala Blava, cool drinks in hand.
On deck, there’s space for everyone to find their spot, with two cushioned sun decks (one shaded) and seats in the cockpit if you fancy a chat with Captain Dominik. Cruising along the Bay of Palma, we slowed to watch a ray glide near the surface before continuing to Cala Vella, a rocky cove with crystal clear water and not a busy-beach in sight.
Anchor down, we relaxed into full holiday-mode. Paddle boarding, snorkelling and sprawling on the giant water mat kept everyone busy. The swim platform is perfect for endless jumps into the sea, and the llaüt’s wide deck makes it easy for the kids to move around without tripping over ropes or grown-up toes.
Below deck, Fenicia has a small toilet (always a win with kids in tow), a cosy seating area and a compact bedroom. We stayed up top, happily basking in the sun until the smell of lunch tempted everyone out of the water.
Captain Dominik had prepared a tapas feast. Padrón peppers never tasted better, paella cooked-on-board, spanish tortilla and snacks for little hands. A salty lunch at sea is really is one of life’s great pleasures.
After a quick post-paella dip, we set course for the Green Cave. From the outside you’d never guess what’s inside. You swim in through one entrance, clamber over a few rocks and emerge through another. Sunlight bouncing off the limestone turns the water an electric, almost unreal shade of green. The kids decided to apply DIY clay mud masks (we may have joined in for research purposes – best avoided if you have sensitive skin!) before swimming back to Fenicia for one last play on the water mat and paddle board.
We ended the trip with a slow, scenic cruise past Palma’s Old Town and the Cathedral, before gliding back into Club de Mar. A family boat trip that is part adventure, part laid-back lounging and entirely Mallorca.
