Speedboat excursion through the coves of northern Menorca

The best of northern Menorca is offshore. This private speedboat trip takes you from quiet Port d’Addaia to small beaches, clear swimming spots, rocky coves, and the dramatic Favaritx Lighthouse. I like the small private group, limited to 12 people, and the mix of snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, and coastal views. The main drawback is the meeting point: it is in Port d’Addaia, not necessarily the same port used by your cruise ship.

I also like that the boat covers a lot of coast in three hours without turning the outing into an all-day commitment. Captain Jessica, also called Jess, is praised for her friendly manner, safe handling, and clear explanations along the way. At $534.07 per group, the value is strongest when you share the cost with several people, though you will need to buy your own drinks onboard.

• Port d’Addaia departure: Start and finish in a quiet natural harbor, with views before the boat heads into open water.
• Three hours on the north coast: See Arenal d’en Castell, Son Parc, Cala Pudent, Cala’n Tosqueta, Favaritx, and Savinar de Mongofre.
• Swimming time matters: The longer stops at Cala’n Tosqueta and Savinar de Mongofre give you time for a proper swim, snorkel, or paddleboard outing.
• Water equipment included: Snorkeling gear, paddle surf boards, a boarding ladder, and life jackets are provided.
• Private boat for up to 12: You avoid a large excursion boat and can enjoy a more personal outing with your own group.
• Early arrival is essential: You must arrive 20 minutes before departure because the boat leaves on time and does not extend the trip later.

Why a Speedboat Is a Smart Way to See Northern Menorca

Northern Menorca is best appreciated from the water. Roads and walking routes can bring you to some beaches, but several coves on this route are hard to reach by land. From the boat, you can see the coast as a series of changing scenes: broad sandy bays, low dunes, rocky headlands, empty inlets, and black slate cliffs around Favaritx.

The semi-rigid motorboat is modern and designed for a group of up to 12. That size gives you more room than a large sightseeing vessel and makes it easier to stop at smaller coves. You are not simply looking at the coast from a distance. The boat pulls in close enough for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.

The pace also suits a short holiday. In three hours, you get a good sample of the north coast without using up an entire morning or afternoon. I would choose this outing if you want active time on the water but still need space in your schedule for lunch, a beach visit, or another part of the island.

The ride itself may feel quick and lively. One person described the speed as impressive, while another noted that the boat moved rapidly between coves. That is part of the appeal, but anyone who prefers a slow, gentle cruise should think about the boat type before booking.

Port d’Addaia: A Calm Start and Finish

The excursion begins at Carrer Steward, 163, in Port d’Addaia. Addaia Bay is a small natural harbor surrounded by countryside and quiet water. It gives the trip a peaceful beginning before the boat picks up speed along the coast.

You have around 30 minutes connected with the port at the start, then another 20 minutes on the return. The harbor is not just a place to meet the boat. It helps set the tone for the outing, with a quieter feel than Menorca’s larger resort areas.

Arrive at least 20 minutes early. This is not a flexible suggestion. The boat leaves on time, and the trip will not run late to make up for a late arrival. Since round-trip transport is not included, you need to arrange your own way to Port d’Addaia. A shuttle may be available if arranged in advance, but it is not part of the standard price.

One important planning point: Port d’Addaia is not automatically the same place as a cruise ship port. If you are visiting Menorca on a cruise, check the distance and timing carefully before reserving this outing.

Arenal d’en Castell and Son Parc: Broad Bays With Easy Water

The first coastal stops show a gentler side of northern Menorca. Arenal d’en Castell is a large, horseshoe-shaped beach, about 650 meters long, with shallow, clear water. Buildings surround much of the bay, so this is not the most remote stop, but the shape of the inlet keeps the water relatively calm.

The boat spends about 10 minutes here. That is enough for a quick look and some photographs, but not enough for a long swim. I would treat Arenal d’en Castell as a scenic introduction rather than the main swimming stop.

Son Parc offers another broad sandy setting. It is also known by several local names, including Arenal de s’Olla de Son Saura and Arenal de Son Saura. The bay has dunes, a gentle slope, moderate waves, and transparent water.

Again, the planned stop is about 10 minutes. From the boat, you get a useful contrast between the open beach area and the smaller coves still ahead. If your priority is quiet snorkeling, do not expect these first two stops to provide the most secluded conditions. Their value is in the views and the sense of how varied the coast can be.

Cala Pudent: Fish, Sandbanks, and Clear Water

Cala Pudent is a small, untouched beach with very few buildings. Its sandbanks and Posidonia meadows support fish and other marine life, making this one of the more appealing places to use the included snorkeling equipment.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That gives you more time than the first two bays, though you will still want to be ready to enter the water promptly. The ladder makes getting in and out easier, and life jackets are available for anyone who wants extra support.

Posidonia is a seagrass that grows in Mediterranean waters. It provides shelter for marine life and helps keep the seabed healthy. You may see fish around these meadows, though exact conditions depend on visibility, sea movement, and the season. The important point is that Cala Pudent is not only pretty from the surface. It has a reason to bring a mask and snorkel.

Cala’n Tosqueta: The Main Water Stop

Cala’n Tosqueta receives about 40 minutes, making it one of the most useful stops on the route. This quiet cove is less known than Menorca’s famous beaches and has a rocky seabed with extensive Posidonia meadows.

Here, you have time to choose your own pace. You can swim near the boat, snorkel over the rocky bottom, or use one of the paddle surf boards. The equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own board or snorkeling kit.

The cove is rocky rather than a broad sandy beach. That may be a plus if you want clear water and marine life, but it is less suitable for anyone seeking a long walk on soft sand. Wear secure swimwear and use the ladder when boarding again. The boat crew can help keep the stop organized, but you should still keep an eye on the time.

The best part of this stop is flexibility. You are not forced into one activity. If snorkeling is not your thing, you can swim or paddle. If you prefer to stay aboard, you can enjoy the quiet surroundings and watch the others from the boat.

Favaritx Lighthouse: Black Bands and Slate Cliffs

The boat then reaches the Favaritx Lighthouse, set on the cape of the same name. Its white tower with a black spiral band is easy to recognize, and the surrounding cliffs give this part of the coast a tougher, more dramatic look.

The stop is about 10 minutes, so this is mainly a viewing and photography pause rather than a long land visit. You should not expect to get off and tour the lighthouse as part of this boat excursion. The attraction is the view from the sea, where the lighthouse sits above rugged slate cliffs.

This is one of the strongest visual moments of the trip. The earlier coves are about water and beaches. Favaritx adds rock, height, and a distinctive structure to the route. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire stop looking at the screen. The setting changes quickly as the boat moves on.

Savinar de Mongofre: The Quietest Coves on the Route

Savinar de Mongofre Beach is a small, isolated cove near Port d’Addaia. Access by land is difficult, which helps keep it quiet even in the high season. The boat allows you to reach it without a long walk or rough road.

The scheduled stop lasts about 40 minutes, matching Cala’n Tosqueta as the longest pause. That gives you real time to swim, snorkel, or paddleboard rather than simply step into the water and climb straight back out.

This is likely to be the most peaceful part of the outing. It is also a place where conditions matter. A remote cove has fewer facilities, and you should not expect a beach bar or easy land access. Bring what you need for the three-hour trip, though bottled water and soft drinks can be purchased onboard.

The isolation is exactly why the stop is valuable. You see a side of Menorca that is difficult to reach by ordinary sightseeing. The boat is not just a faster way to visit famous beaches. It gives you access to places where the sea is the practical route.

What Is Included and What You Should Bring

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, paddle surf boards, life jackets, a ladder for entering and leaving the water, and all fees and taxes. Those inclusions make the price easier to judge, especially if you would otherwise need to rent water equipment separately.

Drinks are not included. Bottled water and soft drinks are available to buy onboard, but bringing your own practical sun and swim supplies is wise if permitted by the operator. The supplied information does not specify a storage policy, so keep personal items compact and secure.

For your own comfort, I would plan for:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Sun protection
• Secure footwear for boarding
• A small waterproof bag for valuables
• Any medication you need during the three-hour outing

Do not count on the trip ending late if you arrive late. The timing is firm, and the boat returns to Port d’Addaia at the agreed time.

Is $534.07 Good Value for a Private Group?

The listed price is $534.07 for the whole group, with up to 12 people. That works out to roughly $44.50 each if 12 people share the boat. With six people, it is about $89 per person. With only two people, the private experience becomes much more expensive.

That group pricing is the key value question. For a family or group of friends, the cost can be reasonable because you receive a private boat, a local skipper, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and several coastal stops. You also avoid being tied to the pace and crowd of a large excursion.

The value is weaker for a very small party unless privacy matters greatly. A shared boat could cost less, but this experience gives you the benefit of having only your own group onboard. You may also have more room to discuss where to swim or how long to use the boards, within the fixed schedule.

The trip has received a 4.9 rating from 17 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. The most praised points are the scenery, small-group feel, clean and comfortable boat, safe handling, and the friendly service from Jessica or Jess. Those are practical strengths, not just pleasant extras. A good skipper affects how relaxed you feel when entering the water, moving around the boat, and learning about the coast.

Who Should Book This Boat Trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples or families who want a private outing
• Groups of friends who can share the fixed cost
• Anyone who wants swimming and snorkeling, not just sightseeing
• People who want to reach coves that are difficult to access by land
• Cruise passengers who can arrange transport to Port d’Addaia with enough time
• Visitors who enjoy a fast boat ride and changing scenery

It may be less suitable if you want a slow harbor cruise, a full beach day, or a land-based visit to the lighthouse. The schedule includes several stops, but some are only 10 minutes long. The longer water stops are where you get the most freedom.

The boat can carry up to 12 people, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. No special fitness requirement is stated, but you should be comfortable getting into and out of the water using a ladder.

Final Decision: Book It for Water Time and Secluded Coast

Book this speedboat trip if you want to combine fast coastal sightseeing with proper swim stops. The strongest reasons are the private format, access to hard-to-reach coves, included snorkeling and paddleboarding equipment, and the chance to see Favaritx from the sea.

I would be cautious if your schedule depends on a cruise port connection, if you dislike speedboats, or if you are traveling as only one or two people and cannot share the cost. Check the meeting point before paying, arrive early, and remember that drinks cost extra.

For the right group, this is a very efficient way to meet northern Menorca: quiet coves, fish-filled water, rocky headlands, and a skipper who can keep the outing friendly and well paced.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat excursion start?

It starts at Carrer Steward, 163, 07740 Port d’Addaia, Illes Balears, Spain.

Where does the excursion finish?

The boat returns to Port d’Addaia, the same meeting point where the trip begins.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate up to 12 people, and only your group participates.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddle surf boards, a ladder, and life jackets are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Bottled water and soft drinks can be purchased onboard.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 20 minutes before departure. The boat leaves on time and the trip will not finish later than the agreed time.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.