Crystal water and small-group calm. This Palma Bay charter is built for time in the sea—SUP, snorkeling gear, and even a sea scooter—with the captain steering you to the best spot based on conditions.

Two things I especially like are the relaxed feel from the maximum 9 people setup, and the mix of activities so you’re not stuck doing only one thing. If you’re looking for a fun morning that still has breathing room, this hits that sweet spot.

One consideration: towels, sunscreen, and food/snacks are not included, so you’ll want to pack the basics before you head to the boat.

Key highlights before you go

• Exclusive small boat (max 9 people): less crowd pressure, more time with the crew.
• Long cove stop (~1/2 hour): enough time for a proper swim, not just a quick dip.
• SUP plus snorkeling plus sea scooter: you can switch between activities depending on your mood.
• Captain chooses the exact cove (Illetes, Punta Negra, or Portals Vells): built around sea conditions.
• Drinks included: water, soft drinks, and beers during the ride.

Palma Bay’s charter setup: why it feels easy

This isn’t a big-ferry “everyone lines up and waits” day. You’re on an exclusive boat for a small group—up to 9 people—so the vibe stays personal. In practice, that means you get more hands-on help when you’re trying something new, especially with the paddle boards and the sea scooters.

The itinerary is also designed for real time on the water. You’re not just passing the coastline for a photo and calling it a tour. You get a long stop to swim, snorkel, and relax, while the captain keeps an eye on conditions so you spend your limited vacation time where it’s actually comfortable.

Finally, I like that the crew leans local. The captain brings stories and curiosities about the area, and you can feel the pride in the experience—one highlight from the onboard vibe is that Enrique has a hands-on, boat-loving approach (he even mentioned building his own boat). That kind of personal touch doesn’t replace good logistics, but it does make the trip more memorable.

The cove plan: Playa Punta Negra (and why the spot can change)

The tour centers on a long stop at Playa Punta Negra, but here’s the practical part: the exact location may be adjusted by the captain depending on sea conditions. You might go to Illetes, Punta Negra, or Portals Vells.

Why this matters: calm water and good visibility can make snorkeling feel like a different activity altogether. When the captain can choose the best nearby cove, you’re more likely to get that clear, easy-to-enter swim rather than fighting waves or murk.

The scheduled stop is about half an hour for bathing, snorkeling, and relaxing. That timing is long enough to do a snorkel round, take a break, and then hop back in if you’re feeling it. It’s also short enough that you’re not exhausted before the rest of the morning wraps.

If you’re the type who hates uncertainty, this “captain decides” piece is worth noting. You’re not locked into one exact beach view. But you are locked into the goal: get you to the best water for the day’s plan.

SUP, snorkeling, and sea scooters: what each part is good for

This tour earns its value by offering multiple ways to enjoy the water—without you needing to be an athlete or an expert swimmer.

Paddle surfing (SUP): best for balance and views

SUP is included, and it’s the activity that most people can enjoy quickly, even if they’ve never done it before. You’ll be gliding over clear water, and the bigger benefit is that you can take it at your own pace. If you want a calmer, scenic option, SUP gives it to you without the fin-and-mask effort.

Also, the small-group setting helps here. When there are fewer people on board, you’re more likely to get quick fixes if your stance isn’t cooperating.

Snorkeling gear: best for seeing the underwater life

Snorkeling equipment is provided (mask included), and the payoff is the chance to explore marine life close to shore during that cove stop. This is a “grab a mask and go” setup, not a complicated lesson.

A helpful mindset: think of snorkeling as part swim, part look around. If you get tired, you can switch back to relaxing or onto the board. The structure makes it easy to change gears.

Sea scooter: best for fun under and over water

The tour includes a seascooter, and that’s one of the most praised extras. A sea scooter can turn a normal swim into something smoother and more playful—good for people who want to feel like they’re moving faster with less effort.

One practical note: if you’ve never used one before, give yourself a minute. The joy is in the movement, but you still want to follow the crew’s guidance so you feel confident.

The crew and boat: what small-group comfort looks like

The experience runs with a crew that focuses on comfort and guidance. Names that show up in the onboard stories include Enrique as the main host/captain, plus other guide names like Francesca and Marlilena. Even when the roles shift across days, the pattern in the way people describe the trip is consistent: they make you feel at ease and they help you get set up.

The boat is described as clean and compact, which is a good thing for a day trip. A smaller craft means you’re closer to the action—less time wandering around a deck, more time using the gear.

And yes, a key detail: gear is part of the package. You’re not renting snorkel masks somewhere else, and you’re not improvising with random equipment. That saves time and avoids the “we forgot to pack the one thing” stress.

Price and value: $78.02 for 2.5 hours of water time

At $78.02 per person, this tour isn’t trying to be the cheapest thing in Palma. It’s priced like an experience that includes several activities and the boat for a small group.

Here’s what you’re getting for your money:

• Paddle surfing (SUP) included
• Snorkeling equipment included (mask)
• Sea scooter included
• Water, soft drinks, and beers included
• Expert local guide/captain included
• Max 9 people on board

The value logic is simple: you’re paying for the full “water day kit,” not just transportation. If you were to separately hire a boat, rent gear, and buy drinks, the numbers would quickly climb.

Where you should be smart: because towels, sunscreen, and snacks/meal are not included, factor in those add-ons. Bring them yourself and the price starts feeling more reasonable. Skip them and you’ll end up spending time and money fixing it mid-trip.

Meeting point reality: plan your port logistics

The tour starts and ends at the same place: Saltytours – Boat Charter Tour, Paseo Maritimo, Ponent, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain.

Important practical detail: transportation to the port isn’t included. So you’ll want to build extra buffer time getting there. A tour like this only works if you arrive ready—wet suit optional, towel and sunscreen very much not optional if you burn easily.

Also, this is a mobile ticket experience. Have your phone charged and your ticket accessible so you’re not dealing with slow loading during check-in.

For what to bring, keep it simple:

• Sunscreen (not provided)
• Towel (not provided)
• Snacks or a small meal if you’ll want one (meals not included)
• Swimwear you’re comfortable wearing all morning

Timing and weather: how the day stays afloat

The tour lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes. That includes the ride out to the cove area and the main half-hour swim/relax block.

This experience requires good weather. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s exactly what you want for anything involving open water: you don’t want to force swimming conditions.

Even when the tour runs, the captain’s ability to choose among coves like Illetes, Punta Negra, or Portals Vells is a big deal. Sea conditions change fast in Mallorca, and the day is better when the crew is flexible.

A balanced caution: one negative review to keep in mind

Most of the feedback I see leans positive on the experience and the crew. Still, there is one standout negative account that complains about overbooking and alleges unsafe conduct.

Since that kind of claim is serious, the practical response is not panic—it’s preparation. If you book, do two things:

• Arrive early enough that you’re not stressed during check-in.
• If anything feels unclear on the day (group size, meeting time, boat assignments), ask the crew on the spot for clarity.

The operator’s response to that negative review says they believe the trip was delivered as described and that no injuries or issues were reported. So you’ll want to judge the experience by the overall track record and your own comfort with how things are handled when you arrive.

Who this tour suits best

This is a good match if you want a water-based morning that includes multiple activities without feeling like a class.

You’ll likely love it if:

• You want SUP + snorkeling + sea scooter in one outing
• You prefer a small group rather than a packed boat
• You’re comfortable swimming enough to enjoy a cove stop
• You want an easy way to see clear Palma-area water without planning a full day

It might be less ideal if:

• You strongly dislike any variation in exact cove location
• You hate packing your own essentials like towel and sunscreen
• You want a guaranteed long meal break (meals/snacks aren’t provided)

Should you book the Palma Bay snorkeling and paddle charter?

I’d book it if your priority is active, clear-water fun in a small-group setting where gear and guidance are included. The combination of SUP, snorkeling, drinks, and sea scooter time is a solid value for 2.5 hours, especially with a captain who adjusts the cove based on sea conditions.

But be smart about the basics: bring sunscreen and a towel, and plan for no meal onboard. If you do that, the trip becomes the kind of straightforward Mallorca experience that leaves you tired in a good way—salt on your skin, fish-spotting memories, and at least one “I can’t believe I did that” moment with the sea scooter.

If you’re on the fence, pick a time slot when conditions typically look better for you, and treat the captain’s cove choice as a feature, not a problem. This tour is built to find the best water for the day.

FAQ

How long is the charter tour?

It runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

How many people are on the boat?

The tour uses an exclusive small group boat with a maximum of 9 travelers.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Saltytours – Boat Charter Tour on Paseo Maritimo, Ponent, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain.

Does the tour include SUP, snorkeling, and sea scooters?

Yes. Paddle surfing is included, snorkeling equipment (mask) is included, and a sea scooter is also included.

What’s included for food and drinks?

Water, soft drinks, and beers are included. Meals or snacks are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. It’s also a good idea to bring snacks if you want food during the trip.

Where do you swim and snorkel?

You’ll stop for swimming and snorkeling at a cove connected to Playa Punta Negra, but the exact location can change (Illetes, Punta Negra, or Portals Vells) depending on sea conditions.

Is transportation to the port included?

No. You need to arrive at the meeting point on your own.

What if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What’s the cancellation rule?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time.