Cabrera is the wild, almost uninhabited archipelago that lies about ten miles off the south coast of Mallorca. The main island, also called Cabrera, and its islets form a maritime and land national park, which means that visitor numbers, anchoring and activities are limited, and the water and the seabed are among the clearest and best preserved in the western Mediterranean. The landscape is rocky and scrubby, with no hotels and no villages, only a small harbour, a ruined fourteenth-century castle on the headland, a few park buildings and paths up to the viewpoints. The island has a dark chapter as well. In the early nineteenth century thousands of French soldiers captured in the Peninsular War were left here in harsh conditions, and a monument at the harbour remembers them. Today the archipelago is known for its sea caves, including the Cova Blava, or Blue Cave, where sunlight turns the water electric blue, for its colonies of seabirds, and for the black Balearic lizards that are found nowhere else. A boat trip from the south coast of Mallorca is the way to see it.
How it works
Boats to Cabrera leave from Colònia de Sant Jordi, the quiet fishing and beach village on the south-east coast, about an hour by road from Palma. The crossing takes roughly forty-five minutes to an hour in a covered vessel, and the operator arranges the permission that the park requires, so there is nothing to apply for yourself. The day trip usually includes time ashore at the harbour, a swim stop in a bay, and sometimes a sea-cave stop. Choose a dated departure, since the number of visitors allowed each day is controlled.
What to expect
The sea can be choppy on the crossing, so those who suffer from seasickness should take a remedy. There is almost no shade or shopping on the island, so bring water, a packed lunch if your trip does not include one, sunscreen, a hat and sturdy shoes for the walk up to the castle and the viewpoint.
Swimming and snorkelling are excellent in the calm coves, but the water is cool outside summer. Regular sailings concentrate between spring and autumn, and winter departures are fewer and weather dependent, so confirm the season before you plan your trip around it.
Making the most of it
If the weather allows, walk up to the castle for the view across the whole archipelago and back to the Mallorcan coast. Keep to the marked paths, take your rubbish away and do not feed the lizards, which are protected and used to visitors. Combine the trip with the long, pale beaches and salt flats of the south coast, or the lunchtime fish restaurants of Colònia de Sant Jordi, which make a fine ending to the day.
If you only have time for one boat day on the island, this is the wildest and most memorable of them.
Good to know
The park protects its wildlife and seabed strictly, so you cannot land where you like, collect shells or stones, or bring pets. Mobile coverage is patchy, and the boat captain makes the final decision about the route and the swim stop according to wind and swell. If the sea is too rough, trips are cancelled or moved to another date, and most operators will offer a refund or a new slot.
Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, bring a towel and a light waterproof layer, and pack reef-safe sunscreen if you have it, since it protects the clear water that makes the trip so special.
What to expect
The experience
A boat crossing from Colònia de Sant Jordi to a protected island group, with time ashore and a swim stop in clear water.
Best time
Late spring to early autumn, on a calm day with good visibility for snorkelling.
How long
Most trips take half a day to a full day, including the crossing each way.
Tips
Book a dated departure, bring water, food and sun protection, and take a seasickness remedy if you are prone to it.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Nature lovers, swimmers and snorkellers who want to see an unspoilt Mediterranean island.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the boat, the swim stop and the lizards, but there is little shade and no shop on the island.
- Couples
- A quiet day of clear water and empty paths, followed by a fish lunch in Colònia de Sant Jordi.
- Pair with
- The salt flats and beaches of the south coast, or the Caves of Drach on another day.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day.
Good questions
How do you get to Cabrera?+
By boat from Colònia de Sant Jordi on the south-east coast of Mallorca. The crossing takes under an hour, and the operator handles the park permission.
Can you swim at Cabrera?+
Yes, swim stops are a highlight, and the water is very clear. Outside the summer months it is cool, so a wetsuit top or a short swim is more comfortable.
Do boats go to Cabrera in winter?+
Departures are fewer and depend on the weather, since the crossing can be rough. The main sailing season runs from spring to autumn, so check before you plan.
What is there to see on the island?+
There is a small harbour, a fourteenth-century castle on the headland, a memorial to French prisoners, sea caves such as the Blue Cave and many seabirds and Balearic lizards.
Is there food on Cabrera?+
There are no restaurants or shops, so bring water and food unless your trip includes lunch. Eat in Colònia de Sant Jordi before or after the trip.
