Boats to Cabrera from Colònia de Sant Jordi: the four operators compared

Not just any boat can take you to Cabrera: the national park only lets passengers from four companies go ashore, and all four are based in Colònia de Sant Jordi. If you want a full day on the island, Excursions a Cabrera is the most complete choice for departure times and boats; if you prefer a small, fast launch, go with Mar Cabrera; if you are staying in Playa de Palma and don't want to drive, Life & Sea is the only one that sails from the bay.

Who the four licensed operators are

The park's official list, published by the Balearic government (the Govern) on its Cabrera National Park page, names four passenger transport companies, all sailing from Colònia de Sant Jordi (Ses Salines). Porto Petro turns up in older write-ups, but it is no longer on the list: don't count on boats to Cabrera from there.

Excursions a Cabrera is the veteran. The family behind it has been crossing to the island since 1965, first in a llaüt (traditional Mallorcan boat), and has run regular trips since 1984. Shop at Carrer Dofí 11 (phone 971 649 034) and three boats: the L'Imperial Jet (80 seats, 15 m), the Miquel Serra (62 seats) and the Castell de Cabrera (47 seats). Audio guides are available.

Mar Cabrera (Cabrera Sea Fun) uses yellow panoramic launches with 50 seats at most and, in the company's own words, an "anti-seasickness" design. It says it is the first Balearic excursion operator to hold a Blue Flag for sustainable nautical tourism operators, across three boats. Office on the harbour esplanade, phone 971 656 403.

Life & Sea is a Palma company with bases in S'Arenal, Can Pastilla and Colònia. In Colònia its Cabrera boat does not leave from the harbour but from the Es Marqués jetty, to the left of the Hotel Universal Marqués (Plaça Molí de sa Sal). More in our Life & Sea review.

Aventura IB Sub is a dive centre on Carrer Gabriel Roca: dives at Cabrera for certified divers, a private sailing boat or llaüt, and snorkelling around the coves. It is not the option for an ordinary visit.

Cabrera boat prices and departure times

Adult and child fares as published by the operators when we checked.

With Mar Cabrera and Life & Sea, "child" means 3 to 12 years old. Mar Cabrera takes 7 % off if you book on its website. Its "Cabrera 360" trip showed no price, so ask before you book.

What each one includes

The crossing, the landing and, almost always, a swim at the Cova Blava. Excursions a Cabrera stops at the cave on every trip when the sea allows, and with Mar Cabrera the swim comes on the way back from the long landing. Life & Sea includes mask and snorkel; with Mar Cabrera you bring your own or hire it before boarding. Food is not included on any of them: bring water, a picnic and cash for the harbour canteen.

The Cova Blava: don't book just for the cave

You visit the Cova Blava by swimming from the boat on the way back, and only "if sea conditions allow". With a swell running, there is no stop. What you are paying for is the landing; the cave is a bonus. If swimming and snorkelling are what you are really after, see the snorkelling and paddleboarding guide.

Which to choose: time ashore, departure time and boat

To see the island, go long and early. The 6-hour trips leaving between 09:00 and 10:00 give you 3 h 30–4 h ashore, just enough to walk up to the castle (outside only: it is currently closed for safety reasons; check the park's page), the Es Celler museum and the beach at sa Platgeta. There is no shade on the climb, so the cool of the morning is better.

The 3-hour trips give you about 45 minutes on the island. Enough for the harbour and a swim, not for the castle.

To avoid the crowds, go in the afternoon. The 15:30 Golden or Mar Cabrera's 15:30 and 18:30 landings are the least busy way to set foot on Cabrera.

If you get seasick, the Excursions a Cabrera Express crosses in 35 minutes, and Mar Cabrera makes a point of its "anti-seasickness" launches.

GetYourGuide3 - 6 hours

Leaves from Colònia de Sant Jordi

Colonia Sant Jordi: Classic & Express Boat Tour to Cabrera

4.6 (364)

from €45Check availability

GetYourGuide3 - 6 hours

Leaves from Colònia de Sant Jordi

Colonia Sant Jordi: Premium & Fast Boat Tour around Cabrera

4.6 (154)

from €56Check availability

See all on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on 6 October 2026

Boats to Cabrera from Palma

From the Bay of Palma there is only one option: Life & Sea's "Cabrera Excursion", €90 (children aged 3 to 12, €70). It leaves Can Pastilla at 10:00 and S'Arenal at 10:15, returns at 18:15 and 18:30, passes Cap Rocat, Cabo Blanco, Cala Pi and Es Trenc, lands on Cabrera and stops at the Cova Blava. If you have a car, driving to Colònia and sailing from there is cheaper and saves you hours on the boat. Trips from the bay are in our guide to boat trips from El Arenal.

What travellers say

The two trips from Colònia de Sant Jordi sold on GetYourGuide (from €45 and from €56) are rated 4.6 out of 5, one with 364 reviews and the other with 154.

The operators themselves head off the most common complaints in their terms: Mar Cabrera warns that if you miss the boat there is no refund and no change of date. Before booking, be clear on two things: a short trip is not enough to see the whole island, and the Cova Blava is not guaranteed.

How to book and cancel

With Mar Cabrera you can change or cancel up to 48 hours before; after that, or if you don't show up, you lose the fare, and the statutory right of withdrawal does not apply. On GetYourGuide cancellation is free up to 24 hours before and the charge is taken 72 hours before; we explain it in our GetYourGuide review.

Parking in Colònia is free (there is no pay-and-display zone), but in July and August spaces are hard to find: arrive with time to spare.

If you are going in your own boat or a hired one, you need a free permit from the park first; permits and mooring buoys are covered in the Cabrera guide and under private boat hire.

Alternatives

If the south coast tempts you but Cabrera doesn't, the Es Trenc trip is a different outing: boats can't land on the beach. For coves without landing, the coast around Cala Figuera and Caló des Moro is close by. And if you'd rather stay in the bay, compare options in our boat trip comparison.