{"id":362,"date":"2026-09-27T16:46:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T06:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maluayacht.com.au\/?page_id=362"},"modified":"2026-10-03T11:12:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T01:12:39","slug":"cruising-mallorca","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/maluayacht.com.au\/?page_id=362","title":{"rendered":"Cruising Mallorca"},"content":{"rendered":"
Read more<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Cruising<\/figure>\n\n\n

West to Port Andratx<\/h2>\n

Leaving Palma, we worked our way along the south-west coast. At Santa Ponsa we anchored outside rather than enter the marina, but rain followed us day and night. Eventually we moved on simply to stay sane and sailed into Port Andratx, a fishing and yacht harbour where we found a quiet anchorage with good holding.<\/p>\n

When the weather finally cleared, our spirits lifted with it. We loaded the two mountain bikes into the RIB and went ashore to explore the countryside behind Andratx. The ride took us up the valley and towards the mountains, eventually pushing the bikes over a pass before descending into a sleepy village. Bread, local cheese and tomatoes restored enough energy for the return journey, followed by a cold beer overlooking the harbour as the sun went down.<\/p>\n\n

The calas of Mallorca<\/h2>\n

The south and east coasts introduced us to the calas \u2014 narrow inlets that can be only a few boat lengths long. Cala Pi was particularly memorable. There was barely room to turn Malua, so we anchored ahead and secured the stern to restrict our swing. The water was so clear that we could see the anchors embedded in the sand between patches of weed.<\/p>\n

In calm weather a cala could be idyllic, but swell changed everything. On another night the waves bounced from the cliff faces and Malua rolled from side to side. There was no danger, but there was very little sleep. Sunrise was a welcome signal to raise the anchor and look for calmer water.<\/p>\n\n

Porto Colom and the east coast<\/h2>\n

We continued along the coast through Cala Santanyi and Porto Petro before reaching Porto Colom, where we berthed Mediterranean-style along the harbour wall. The old town, with white walls and red tiled roofs, looked down over the waterfront and restaurants.<\/p>\n

Porto Colom also taught us another Mediterranean lesson: a gangplank is almost essential if you want to step ashore from a stern-to berth with any dignity. Malua did not have one, so I bought a ladder and filled the rungs with a strip of marine ply from a local boatbuilder. It was inexpensive, practical and could still serve as a ladder when Malua was on the hard.<\/p>\n

We kept cala-hopping northwards, eventually reaching Cala Ratjada. From there the next stretch was open water. Menorca lay ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n