Sailing in Menorca – Balearics like a local
Sailing in Menorca is a fabulous way to get to appreciate this island variety, from white sandy beaches, to coves and creeks, to terracota sands and crystal waters. Over the years we have tested various sailing areas and it’s so difficult to decide which ones we are more fond of!
We started the kiddies young in here in Spanish style – sailing and swimming with toddlers or even babies barely few months old is the week-end norm in here! So a certain 3 years old got to the priviledge of indulging early into Balearics like a local!
Breakfasts at leisure and then mid morning we’ve been picked by our skipper friend. What better way to see the gorgeous south and explore electric blue waters and coves than sailing in Menorca?
We left the quiet beautiful Passeig de Mariners around 11am and sailed smoothly into Canal de Jordi. The first 30 minutes of our ride were incredibly smooth and picturesque : Fortalesa de la Mola on one side, Castell de Sant Filip the other.
The fortress and the castle look glorious from the sea, my hair less so!
The sea looks deceivingly calm from the shore, but once out of the port, the wind and currents made a very fun bumpy and wobbly fast ride. R was incredibly keen on speed at the beginning, but after few showers, he concluded he is better off either under a towel or in the inside cabin.
We stopped for our first swim by a gorgeous golf, crystal clear water and lots of other boats with families – Cala de Biniparratx, a little paradise for Menorca with toddlers.
Kids with ages ranging from as little as below 1, splashed and swam around boats alongside Mediterranean good looking parents. Sailing with babies even, hats off to the Balearics!
We picked my Menorcan friend from an exquisite little harbour called Biniancolla.
The locals swimming made some space for our boat – fun casual talking in my broken Spanish. We should be back in here for lunch – I’ve been instantly swept off my feet by the water and this charming spot. I’m also told the pizzeria in here – Baia is great.
We stopped for lunch on the boat in another magic golf by Binibeca – first another dip, thereafter lots of beer, delicious Spanish cheeses and jamons.
I snorkelled with my almost 4 years old quite a bit, lots of exploring and fish. A spotted eel by the caves, baby fish nurseries, funny silvery and black bigger fish.
For R it’s been his first snorkelling in the sea – 6 months ago in Nevis he was not quite ready and in Procida recently he preferred to splash and jump in the big waves. London swim classes certainly helping, as he manages even 15secs under the water. What a difference 6 months make with the kids – I am now truly fortunate to have a partner in crime for sailing in Menorca, dinners and snorkelling!
We concluded our sailing back to where we started – passed Punta Prima and back to Passeig de Mariners.
My friend and I had a fantastic wobbly ride in the front, R snoozed in the back and dreamed about fish. Luca is a fantastic captain and Menorca with toddlers by sea is sooo gorgeous – we will be back!
Travelling during the pandemic (July 2021).  Being fully vaccinated and travelling from UK to Spain was easy, just a couple of extra forms. Coming back to London we booked our private tests at a Mahon clinic 3 days agead of our travels and thereafter, Day 2 tests once back in London.
For more getaways in Menorca, head to our Long weekends in Mahon; for Menorca with kids, head here; for Es Castell and charming Sant Joan de Binissaida here and for more rural Menorca family holiday by Llucmacanes head here. And for the latest and hottest opening in Menorca, head to Hotel Can Alberti (Mahon) and  Fontenille (Alaior)!
32 comments on “Sailing in Menorca – Balearics like a local”
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Very jealous, the sea looked absolutely gorgeous!! I get so sea-sick and being disabled would make the boat difficult but the places themselves would be fantastic!!
Thanks Kate, I get seasick myself but after many diving trips with choppy seas, I learnt few tricks.Looking at the land and the horizon line work for me as well as pills! A ferry would be great for you to enjoy the blue Mediterranean!
Yes tried a number of things too!!! But a ferry isn’t as bad!! Thank you x
Such beautiful photos – you’ve made me want to book a holiday now 🙂
Thanks Helen and good to hear! 😉
This looks amazing! What a lovely way to spend a day. Love snorkelling too 🙂 x
Thank you, indeed lovely day and not sure we have enough of those ! Snorkelling is great and having a little partner in crime just wonderful ! X
Wow. In love with Menorca. In laws have a place in Es Castell so know the island well. Went on 3 kayak excursions last year and one day hope to kayak all the way round. Looks like yoy had a great time.
Lucky you and lucky in laws! Kayaking all the way round Menorca to me it seems quite challenging, keep me posted!
Oh my goodness, that looks so much fun! Lovely weather and I bet it was warm too. Sighs dreamily 🙂
Thank you! Yes I am also sighing dreamily now 😉 thanks for stopping by!
What a lovely adventure and glad you guys had fun, you look awesome in your swim suit, love the colour of it
Thanks a lot Miranda! I love Mykonos blue as colour – brings me so many happy memories of Mediterranean, holidays and friends! And thank you for stopping by!
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful day out! It looks like it was lovely and warm as well! I don’t think I’ve ever been sailing, but it looks so much fun!
Thank you Emma, warmly recommending a couple of hours of sailing on smooth seas, so much fun! Indeed lovely and warm – it is Spain afterall, so there were over 30 degrees – perfect for sailing. Thanks for stopping by!
I would love to try a day on a boat. The sea looks amazing and the areas you visited looked really picturesque.
(hubby helping out)
Hey Jayne, hubby helping comes always handy, experienced captain as well! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
This sounds just perfect, the views look amazing. What a fabulous holiday x
I would love to do this with the fam. Sounds like an amazing experience.
Thank you & thanks for stopping by!
I’ve not taken my two properly sailing yet- but this looks wonderful. Such happy, carefree photos and of course also of Menorca.
Thanks for linking up to #familytraveltips
Thank you Carrie! Pleasure! Indeed holidays with a 4 years old are almost carefree compared to holidays with the 2 cheeky monkeys, 16 months brother included !
Wow, this looks like a wonderful day out. I would love to take my children sailing, we’re taking them canoeing today actually. Brilliant that your little one will go snorkelling with you, what a wonderful activity for you to do together. Thanks for linking up to #familytraveltips.
Nat.x
I love canoeing as well, waiting for the 16 months old to get a bit more reasonable (hope dies last!) to take them as well! Thanks so much for stopping by and keep us posted on the canoeing adventures & fun!
Wow how blue is the sea. What an experience to do together, very jealous!
Thanks Claire! Amazing blue indeed! Greetings from Romania!
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