Where to sail and rent a boat in the Balearics

To sail or rent a boat in the Balearics, you can choose between historic sailing clubs (Real Club Nautico de Palma, Club Nautico Ibiza), marinas across the four islands, and a rental fleet with or without a skipper that starts around 40 euros a day for small licence-free craft, according to the Balearic average recorded by Nautal. All that is left is choosing your island, your level and your budget: here is the full picture, quieter spots included.

Where can you learn to sail and rent a boat in Mallorca?

Mallorca is the historic heart of sailing in the Balearics. The Real Club Nautico de Palma (RCNP) runs its own sailing school there and remains the historic organiser of the Copa del Rey, according to the club. Further south around the bay, the Club Nautic S'Arenal, founded in 1952, also offers a friendly setting for beginners.

Real Club Nautico de Palma, Palma

For moorings, Palma concentrates several marinas. Marina Port de Mallorca advertises 200 berths and takes boats up to 50 m. You will also find Club de Mar Palma, Marina Palma Cuarentena, presented as the city's oldest harbour, and Club Nautico Palma Nova with its 82 berths. Enough to find a mooring whatever the size of your boat.

Marina Port de Mallorca, Palma

For sailing itself, there is no shortage of spots. To the north, Cabo de Formentor stays an unspoilt area. To the west, the uninhabited island of Sa Dragonera is reached through the Freu de Dragonera passage, with anchorages at Cala Cuco and Cala Llebeig.

Sa Dragonera, Andratx

The quieter spot is the Cabrera archipelago, south of Mallorca, a national park. Here, sailing and anchoring require a compulsory permit applied for online, according to the regional authority. Anchoring is on day buoys spread across three zones: 30 at Es Burri, 8 at sa Coveta Roja and 12 at Port, for boats up to 15 m, between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset, with the permit valid for 12 months. A strict framework, but water worth the trouble.

Two events set the season's rhythm in Palma. The Palma International Boat Show is scheduled for 29 April to 2 May 2026 on the Moll Vell, with around 300 yachts on display. And the Copa del Rey MAPFRE holds its 44th edition from 1 to 8 August 2026 in Palma bay: more than 100 sailing boats, around 20 countries and close to 1,000 sailors, with a prize ceremony at the Almudaina palace presided over by King Felipe VI.

Menorca: sailing school and a tour of the lighthouses

Menorca cultivates a calmer style of sailing, ideal for learning. In the north, the Club Nautic Fornells, founded in 1966 and refurbished between 2008 and 2010, welcomes children from age 8 in its sailing school, with 74 berths and a summer school that has run for more than 40 years. On the Mahon side, the Club Maritimo Mahon offers a summer sailing and kayaking school for ages 7 to 13.

Club Nautic Fornells, Es Mercadal

For a licence-free rental, budget from 100 euros a day, with 4-hour packages from 250 euros and 8-hour packages from 350 to 400 euros for the 2026 season. The renowned route is the tour of the seven lighthouses departing from Ciutadella, taking in Punta Nati, Cavalleria, Favaritx, l'Illa de l'Aire and Artrutx. A fine way to circle the island by sea.

Cavalleria lighthouse, Es Mercadal

Ibiza: historic clubs and iconic coves

In Ibiza, sailing has history. The Club Nautico Ibiza, founded in 1925 on Avenida Santa Eulalia, runs a sailing school and regattas. For younger sailors, the Club Nautico Santa Eulalia takes children from age 5-6 at its municipal school, opened in 2011.

Club Nautico Ibiza, Eivissa

On rentals, the range is wide. Licence-free, you start around 40 euros a day, the Balearic average recorded by Nautal. With a skipper, expect a full day at 750 euros all-in, or a half day from 370 euros. Once aboard, aim for Cala Comte, Cala d'Hort facing the Es Vedra islet, and Port Roig.

Cala d'Hort, Sant Josep de sa Talaia

Formentera: the small island you earn by sea

Formentera is mostly reached and explored by boat, often from Ibiza. The main harbour is La Savina, alongside the high-end services of Marina de Formentera. For rentals, prices are cited around 200 euros a day for a sailing boat and around 400 euros for a catamaran, within a general range of 400 to 5,000 euros a day depending on the season, with gentler rates in April-June and September-October.

Port of La Savina, Formentera

The anchorages that made the island's reputation: Illetes and Espalmador to the north, Cala Saona, Es Calo and Es Pujols. Turquoise water that explains why so many boats drop anchor here in summer.

How much does boat rental cost in the Balearics?

Prices vary by island, boat type, whether a skipper is included, and the season. Here is a summary of the ranges quoted by platforms and clubs for 2026.

Do you need a licence to rent a boat in the Balearics?

For now, you can sail without a licence within a limited framework. Under Royal Decree 1188/2025 of 26 December 2025, without a licence you can sail a boat up to 6 m, or a motorboat up to 5 m and 15 hp without a reduction gear, only during daylight and within 2 nautical miles of a harbour or shelter. That is what allows the "licence-free" rentals advertised by rental companies today.

Note that the rule is set to change soon. From 1 October 2026, licence-free rental would end and a minimum navigation licence would become compulsory for every rented motorboat, according to specialist sources. If you are planning to rent after that date, check with the rental company on the licence required.

For more, the PER (Patron de Embarcaciones de Recreo) remains the reference qualification. You need to be at least 18, pass a medical check, a theory exam, at least 16 hours of practical training and 2 hours of radio practice (GMDSS), according to the maritime authority. It qualifies you to skipper boats up to 15 m, up to 12 nautical miles from the coast, including inter-island sailing between the Balearics and the Canaries. Enough to island-hop entirely within the law.

How else can you move between the islands?

A private boat is not the only way to sail between islands: scheduled links stay the simplest option. We cover the crossings in detail in our guide to ferries between the Balearic Islands. And if you want to extend the day on land, look at our ideas for hiking in the Balearics or our guide to driving around.

Frequently asked questions

Can you rent a boat without a licence in the Balearics?

Yes, for now. Royal Decree 1188/2025 allows a licence-free sailing boat up to 6 m or a motor up to 5 m and 15 hp, by day and within 2 miles of a shelter. But from 1 October 2026, a minimum licence would become compulsory for every rented motorboat.

What does a boat rental cost in Ibiza?

Licence-free, you start around 40 euros a day for small craft, the Balearic average recorded by Nautal. With a skipper, expect 750 euros for a full all-in day or from 370 euros for a half day.

Where can you learn to sail in the Balearics?

Every island has its schools: the Real Club Nautico de Palma in Mallorca, the Club Nautic Fornells in Menorca (from age 8), the Club Nautico Ibiza and Club Nautico Santa Eulalia in Ibiza (from age 5-6). Clubs run sailing schools and, in summer, courses for children.

Do you need a permit to anchor at Cabrera?

Yes. Sailing and anchoring in Cabrera national park require a compulsory permit applied for online. Anchoring is on day buoys (3 zones), for boats up to 15 m, between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset.

What boat should you take to Formentera?

Many reach Formentera by boat from Ibiza and anchor at Illetes or Cala Saona. For rentals, prices are cited around 200 euros a day for a sailing boat and around 400 euros for a catamaran, with gentler rates in April-June and September-October.

Prices, quotas and licence rules change; always check current terms with official sources and rental companies before you book. Information verified in August 2026. The Daily Baleares is an AI-assisted publication with human review.