Mallorca for skippers: the trend of island hopping.

Mallorca is an excellent starting point for sailing trips in the western Mediterranean. The picturesque island belongs to the Balearic Islands and can boast a variety of fantastic marinas. From April to June, the waters around Mallorca offer perfect sailing conditions, especially due to the great weather conditions. The western Mediterranean is famous for its sailing areas, each of which has its own special character.

But why not combine several destinations on one sailing trip? Island hopping is the name of the trend that involves sailing to more than one island and different coastal regions. We present the most popular destinations in the western Mediterranean, which can be wonderfully combined with a vacation in Mallorca.

Mallorca as a starting point

Mallorca, as one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea around Spain, offers numerous ports of call and several ports from which you can start your journey. Whether you own your own boat or want to rent one from a boat rental company: A well-equipped sailing boat is the best prerequisite for island hopping between the Balearic Islands and other beautiful islands.

When planning your trip, you should be sure that your starting point for island hopping corresponds to your final destination. Furthermore, it is important to plan enough time for your trip. Perhaps you would like to do an island tour around Mallorca first, before you leave for other destinations? The following islands and coastal regions are perfect for sailing tours and the island hopping trend:

From Mallorca to Ibiza

Sailing is not only beautiful in Mallorca, but also in Ibiza. The white island is located about 60 nautical miles from Mallorca and can be reached from its larger neighbor in about half a day. The port of departure in Mallorca is Port d'Andratx.

Instead of sailing directly to Ibiza, you can turn off at the southern tip of Mallorca and moor at the uninhabited rocky island of Dragonera. Prices for moorings tend to be a bit higher in Ibiza than in Mallorca - expect to pay 100 euros per day. In exclusive marinas, the fee can be quite a bit higher.

Ibiza Town attracts with historical sights and a unique Mediterranean flair, as does the town of Valldemossa on Mallorca.

Above the harbor is the old town district "Dalt Vila" with its winding streets, the cathedral of Santa Maria de les Neus and the Citadel of Ibiza, a fortification from the 16th century. So if you haven't had enough of La Seu Cathedral in Mallorca, you can continue sightseeing right here.

Explore Menorca

Compared to Mallorca, the "bigger" Balearic island, Menorca is the "smaller" island in the Mediterranean Sea around Spain. Things are more tranquil here than in Mallorca and Ibiza. Depending on where you start on Mallorca, it takes half a day to a day and a half to reach the northernmost of the Balearic Islands. The berths here are comparatively cheap - you have to reckon with about 50 to 100 euros per day.

Menorca convinces with secluded bays and lonely beaches. An absolute must is a tour of the town of Ciutadella on the west coast of the island, which is comparable to Alcudia on Mallorca. The old town with its cathedral and palm-lined town hall is well worth seeing. Those who have planned a longer cruise will dock in the port of Maó. The capital of Menorca is located in the southeast of the island and is known for its Georgian-style houses built in the British style.

So if you are traveling by sailboat, a "hop" from Mallorca to Menorca is worthwhile. This way you combine a unique vacation with many sights and you can explore the two most wonderful regions of the Balearic Islands within a very short time.

Island hopping to the Côte d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur is probably the most famous sailing area in Europe. Here, the marinas are close together, so you can quietly discover the many enchanting places that make the Mediterranean coast of France such a popular destination on a sailing trip. Among the most famous spots on the Côte d'Azur are St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Fréjus and, of course, Monaco.

In addition, the metropolis of Marseilles offers moorings directly in the city center, so you can easily combine sailing with a city tour. Popular among sailors are the Îles d'Hyères, which are located off the coast of the port city of Hyères. The island of Porquerolles with its small harbor and charming beaches is enchanting, as are the harbor towns of Portocolom or Porto Cristo on Mallorca, for example.

Despite general prejudices, the prices for moorings on the Côte d'Azur are on average not higher than elsewhere in the western Mediterranean and on Mallorca. However, it always depends on where you moor. On average, you have to reckon with 50 euros per day, which is about the same price as for a mooring at the ports of Mallorca.

The approximately 60 km long stretch of coast from Marseilles to the Îles d'Hyères is especially popular among nature lovers. Here you can explore the Calanques National Park and enjoy the tranquility of the small fishing villages that line this stretch of coast. Alternatively, if you're still in Mallorca, the S'Albufera Nature Park would be a comparable destination.

If you're still drawn to the city, drop anchor in the port of Marseilles, the Vieux Port. The Vieux Port is in itself a sight of the port city. Not far from the port is the city center with its many boutiques and cafes, where you can store or relax.

East of Toulon begins the legendary Côte d'Azur with its many famous seaside resorts. Names like Cannes, Antibes, Saint-Tropez and Port Grimaud make sailors' hearts beat faster in France. Mallorca, on the other hand, has places like Cala Pi or Playa de Santa Ponsa in store for you. Another advantage of the French Mediterranean coast is its excellent navigability. Experienced sailors hardly encounter any challenges here, because shallows are very rare.

The tidal difference can also be safely neglected, as it is only 0.3 m even at spring time. Between Marseilles and Monaco, sailors can expect to find around 60 harbors. Some marinas are extremely popular and therefore always busy. Therefore it is worthwhile to call at less known places like Le Lavandou or San-Peire-sur-Mer or to start at another travel time from Majorca - because when there is the most activity, you can also count on a lot of tourism on "Malle".

A tour to Monaco

Among the destinations on the Côte d'Azur, Monaco stands out quite clearly from its peers. Not only is the principality a stomping ground for the rich and beautiful, it also offers a wealth of sights as well as first-class marinas. Port Cap d'Ail is recommended for boats between 6 and 20 meters long, while boats up to 30 meters long dock at Port de Fontvieille.

Port Hercule, on the other hand, is not for small sailors, because this is where the millionaire yachts moor. But there are also suitable marinas on Mallorca, where rather smaller sailboats unfortunately have little lost. In Monaco, you have to reckon with costs of 50 to 100 euros per day for a berth.

The Monegasques call their home "Le Rocher" - "the rock". Indeed, the principality is enthroned high above the sea. Some 80 public elevators make it easy to get around within the principality. The old town of Monaco-Ville is home to the Prince's Palace, the residence of the Grimaldis, as well as the Oceanographic Museum once headed by Jacques-Yves Cousteau. If this museum excites you, you should also visit the various museums of art and culture in Mallorca.

Monte-Carlo, on the other hand, located in the northeast, hosts many of the attractions for which the Principality is so famous. These include the traditional luxury hotel "Hôtel de Paris" or the opera. Of course, Monte Carlo with its world-famous casino is also at the top of the travel list for casino lovers.

In Monte Carlo you can stroll through the narrow streets, treat yourself to a delicacy like Barbajuan - small fried ravioli - or visit one of the many boutiques. Barbajuan can hardly be compared with real Spanish tapas, which you can find in Mallorca.

Corsica

If you sail around Corsica, you will soon have to come to terms with the winds - it is never windless here. The west coast of the wildly romantic island scores with numerous bays, while on the east coast you will find long beaches. The interior of the island is characterized by dense maquis forests. If you are approaching Corsica from the Côte d'Azur or even Mallorca, you may encounter some challenges.

Especially in the Golfe du Lion the Tramontane blows down from the Pyrenees. Wilder and rougher are the winds on the west coast of the island. From Calvi in the west to Bastia in the east, the dry Libeccio blows, providing excellent sailing conditions. Corsica is considered one of the most demanding sailing areas in the Mediterranean and impresses with its wild, unspoiled beauty, which, however, can only partially keep up with the Mallorcan coastal region.

In the very south lies the harbor town of Bonifacio, which is also comparable to Porto Cristo on Mallorca. It is worthwhile to dock here and go ashore. From the harbor, the King of Aragon's Staircase with 187 steps leads up to the old town, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the sea. The cost of a berth is comparatively cheap and ranges from 30 to 40 euros per day, always depending on the specific marina.

From Mallorca to Sardinia

Sardinia is known for its Costa Smeralda ("Emerald Coast"), which stretches in the northeast of the island from Palau to Olbia. This is also where most of Sardinia's marinas are located. Among the most famous ports on the Emerald Coast is Porto Cervo, which was established in 1962. In the high season, the prices for berths in this resort are fabulous and easily reach several hundred euros per day.

It is worthwhile to switch to cheaper marinas - in Santa Teresa di Gallura you pay 70 euros in the high season, in Cala Gavetta 122 euros. Olbia is definitely worth a detour. Here you can stroll along the elegant harbor promenade and observe the lively activity in the harbor.

The linguistic similarities between the various towns and cities are particularly striking. Those who also visit a language school in Spain or Italy will quickly notice how similar the two languages Italian and Spanish or the Mallorcan nuances are. So on the islands of Mallorca and Sardinia it is easy to get along with the terms.

Destination: Sicily

Italy's largest island is a popular sailing destination and impresses with its incredible diversity. Here, you can go ashore in major cities like Palermo and Messina or dock in smaller ports like Capo d'Orlando. A popular destination are the Lipari Islands, which can be easily reached from Palermo, Capo d'Orlando or Portorosa. Island hopping on an island, so to speak ... By the way, this is also possible on Mallorca, if you want to have a closer look at Sa Calobra.

A sailing trip to Lipari, the capital of the archipelago, is definitely recommended. Here you can climb the castle hill with the castle complex and make yourself comfortable in a café. On average, you have to expect port fees on Sicily in the amount of 50 euros per day, which are quickly worth it, however, when you consider the richness of species and the variety of sights.

From island hopping back to Mallorca

Of course, you do not have to combine all the islands mentioned with your vacation in Mallorca and the sailing tour. After all, island hopping is also always dependent on various conditions such as the weather situation, your own health condition or the travel time. In summary, however, it can still be said that with this trend within ten to fourteen days you will make a wonderful trip that allows you much more than just a glimpse of Mallorcan island life ...