Water sports in the Balearics: sailing, paddleboarding and diving, where to go

In the Balearics, the sea is a playground in its own right. Sailing, paddleboarding, diving, kayaking in the coves: every island has its own spots. And the archipelago hosts one of the biggest fixtures in world sailing, the Copa del Rey MAPFRE, in Palma bay in early August each year. Here is where to practise, and what to watch.

Sailing, the queen of the Balearics

Palma bay is one of the great sailing hotspots of the Mediterranean. Every summer, the Copa del Rey MAPFRE de Vela brings together more than a hundred boats from around twenty countries there, with one-design and handicap classes. To sail yourself, sailing clubs and schools offer rentals and courses, from beginner level to advanced, in Mallorca as well as Menorca and Ibiza.

Paddleboarding, diving, snorkelling: the archipelago's clear waters

The turquoise waters of Formentera and Ibiza are ideal for paddleboarding and snorkelling; the coves of Menorca, reachable on foot or by kayak, offer unspoilt seabeds; Mallorca combines dive spots, schools and moorings. Everywhere, protected posidonia seagrass meadows are respected by anchoring only in designated zones.

To reach the spots from one island to the next, see our guide to ferries.

Frequently asked questions about water sports in the Balearics

What is the Balearics' big regatta?
The Copa del Rey MAPFRE de Vela, in Palma bay, in early August.

Where can you paddleboard and snorkel?
In the clear waters of Formentera and Ibiza, and in the coves of Menorca.

Can you anchor anywhere?
No: posidonia seagrass meadows are protected, so you must anchor only in designated zones.

Dates and schedules change; check the official calendar before you travel. Information verified in August 2026. The Daily Baleares is an AI-assisted publication with human review.