Alcudia: Boat Trip to Coll Baix

Mallorca looks best from the water. I like this $34 boat trip for its fine views along Alcúdia Bay and its refreshing swim stop near Coll Baix or Alcanada. The short two-hour outing gives you a taste of the north coast without taking up your whole day.

I also like the friendly crew, onboard snacks and drinks, and the easy family appeal. The main catch is that the glass bottom is not a large viewing panel, and several pickups can eat into your sightseeing time. If you expect a full cruise or a beach landing, adjust those expectations before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• The swim is the star: You may jump from the boat into clear, mint-green water for roughly 15 to 30 minutes.
• Coll Baix is not guaranteed: Strong currents can move the swim stop to the lighthouse area or another safer location.
• The glass bottom is modest: Expect several small windows, not a broad underwater viewing deck.
• Allow extra time for pickups: The boat may collect passengers from several points around Alcúdia Bay before heading out.
• The upper deck has the best views: A seat upstairs gives you a wide view of the coast and a better horizon if you feel queasy.
• Bring swimwear and a towel: Food and drinks are available to buy, but they are not included in the $34 price.

What this Alcúdia boat trip really offers

Transportes Marítimos Brisa runs this excursion from its kiosk at Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcúdia. The advertised duration is two hours, though some departures take closer to two and a half hours. That extra time can come from several short pickups along the bay.

At $34 per person, I see this as a good-value coastal sampler rather than a major sailing adventure. You get transport by boat, views of Alcúdia Bay, a look at Alcanada and its lighthouse, a run toward the secluded Coll Baix area, and time to swim from the boat.

That last detail matters. You are not normally walking onto Coll Baix beach for a long beach visit. The boat anchors or stops offshore, and you enter the sea from the vessel. For many people, that is the best part. For others, especially families with young children or anyone expecting a sandy beach stop, it may feel different from the description they had in mind.

The trip suits you if you want a simple morning or afternoon activity, a few good coastal photographs, and a swim without arranging a full-day excursion. It is less suitable if you want detailed guiding, a serious marine biology experience, or a long stay at one cove.

Starting at the Brisa kiosk in Puerto Alcúdia

Your meeting point is the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk for Transportes Marítimos Brisa on Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcúdia. You need to arrange your own way to the port, since transfers are not included.

Give yourself time to find the kiosk and sort out boarding. One practical wrinkle is that an electronic QR ticket may not be enough to board directly. A passenger was asked to exchange it for a paper ticket at the booth, so visiting the kiosk before departure is sensible even if you have a phone ticket ready.

The company offers several departure points around Alcúdia Bay. These can include jetties away from the main port, but the booking details may not make that obvious. Check the available pickup points carefully. Choosing a jetty closer to your accommodation could save you a taxi ride, as one passenger discovered after booking the main port.

The boat can become crowded after several pickups, particularly in high season. Still, reports indicate there is enough room to move around and find a seat. If you want the clearest views, head for the second floor as soon as practical.

The first 40 minutes: pickups and Alcúdia Bay views

The early part of the trip is partly a scenic cruise and partly a collection run. The boat may make three or four short stops to collect passengers from different points around the bay. In total, this can take about 30 to 40 minutes.

That sounds less exciting on paper, but the coastline remains attractive while you wait. You get changing views across Alcúdia Bay, with beaches, headlands, and the mountain-backed shoreline appearing from a different angle than they do on land.

I would not book this trip mainly for a narrated tour. There is no dependable commentary describing each headland or explaining the marine life below. The scenery does the talking, so you should be comfortable looking, taking photographs, and enjoying the ride without much interpretation.

The boat has upper and lower seating. The upper deck gives you the broadest view, more open air, and a useful sightline to the horizon. That can help if you are prone to motion sickness. One passenger with an easily upset stomach found the trip manageable, especially with an upstairs seat and a 10 AM departure.

Morning timing is worth considering. A 10 AM outing can be cooler and less humid than the middle of the day, with softer light for photographs. You still need to check the available departure time for your date, but an early start is a practical choice in hot weather.

Alcanada beach and its lighthouse

The route includes views around Alcanada beach and its lighthouse. The lighthouse gives the coastline a clear focal point and makes a good photograph as the boat passes. From the water, you see the shore as a connected sweep of bays and rocky edges rather than as separate stops on a road map.

The boat may pause briefly at points along the coast, but this is not a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing service. You should think of Alcanada as part of the view, not as a guaranteed long beach visit.

This is also one of the areas associated with the swim stop. Depending on conditions, the crew may choose water near the lighthouse rather than Coll Baix. That change is not necessarily a disappointment. Strong currents have led the crew to move the swim to a safer spot, which shows sensible attention to conditions.

The water is often described as clear and mint-green. Bring a mask or snorkel if you have one. The boat itself may offer only limited underwater viewing, while a mask gives you a better chance to see what is below the surface during the swim.

Reaching Coll Baix by boat

Coll Baix is one of Mallorca’s more secluded coastal spots, backed by steep mountains and reached by a much quieter route than the main resort beaches. Seeing it from the water is the point here. The boat lets you appreciate the isolation without asking you to make a long walk to the cove.

The approach is the scenic payoff of the outward journey. The mountain walls make the cove feel protected, and the bright water contrasts sharply with the darker rock. You get the best sense of the place when the boat slows and gives you time to look toward the shore.

But keep the wording precise in your mind: this is generally a swim from the boat near Coll Baix, not a landing on the beach. Some departures may stop close to the cove, while others may use another point offshore. Sea conditions and safety decisions can change the plan.

That flexibility is important. On one outing, a strong current meant the boat could not safely use Coll Baix for swimming, so the crew went toward the lighthouse and Formentor area instead. You should value the swim and scenery more than one exact pin on the map.

The swim stop, usually 15 to 30 minutes

The swimming break is the most memorable part for many people, and I can see why. You climb down a ladder from the boat into open Mediterranean water, swim around the vessel, and climb back aboard when the crew calls time.

The stated itinerary allows about 15 minutes, while other accounts describe 20 to 30 minutes in the water. The real amount may depend on the route, sea conditions, loading time, and how efficiently people enter and leave the boat.

There can be a queue at the ladder. With only one main entry and exit point, hesitant swimmers and children can slow the process. If you want a proper swim, move promptly when the crew opens the opportunity, but do not feel pressured to jump if you are not confident in open water.

Children may enjoy the excitement of a boat ride and watching the coast. Very young swimmers need extra care, since the water below the boat is too deep to stand in. One family with children aged four and seven enjoyed the outing but already understood that their children might not be able to swim independently.

The crew may also stop people from swimming when the current is too strong. That is a reasonable trade-off. A short, safe swim is better than a longer stop in difficult water.

Bring a towel, swimwear, and beachwear. A camera or phone in a waterproof pouch will help you capture the coast, but keep it secure around the water. A snorkeling mask is useful if you want to look for marine activity rather than simply cool off.

The glass bottom: useful, but not the main event

The boat is promoted as glass bottom, but you should lower your expectations. The underwater viewing area consists of several small windows, described by passengers as four relatively small panels on the sides or lower part of the boat. The glass may also be warm or less than perfectly clean.

This feature can still entertain children, especially on the way out or while the boat is stopped. It gives you a quick look beneath the surface and supports the promise of seeing marine flora and fauna. It is not a full viewing experience, and it is not the reason I would book the trip.

Do not choose this outing if your main goal is to sit over a large clear panel and watch sea life for most of the journey. Choose it for the coastal views and swim, with the glass windows as a small extra.

There is also a possibility that the glass-bottom boat is temporarily unavailable. One departure used a standard boat because the glass-bottom vessel was being repaired. The alternative still provided a very enjoyable coastal trip, but you should know that the boat type can change.

Food, drinks, and comfort onboard

Food and drinks are not included in the ticket, but a bar onboard sells snacks and beverages. Prices have been described as reasonable, and the service has received praise for being friendly. You can buy something during the ride instead of carrying a picnic.

Do not bring large luggage or big bags. The instruction is clear, and space can become tighter after multiple pickups. A small day bag with your towel, swimwear, camera, and sunscreen is the sensible setup.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than polished. You may find a busy boat, some noise, and a little disorder around the swimming ladder. In return, you get a casual outing where you can sit, watch the coast, have a drink, and get into the sea without paying for a full-day cruise.

The trip works for solo visitors, couples, and families. A solo passenger still found it enjoyable, while children often like the boat itself as much as the scenery. If you want peace and quiet, choose an early departure and sit upstairs, though no short public boat trip can promise silence.

Is $34 good value for two hours?

At $34, the price is reasonable for a boat ride with a swim stop in one of Mallorca’s best-known coastal areas. I would call it good value if you want a compact experience and do not need a meal, transfer, or long stop ashore.

The strongest value comes from combining several small experiences: the ride around Alcúdia Bay, Alcanada and its lighthouse, the approach to Coll Baix, and swimming in clear water. Booking separate transport and trying to reach a remote cove yourself could take more planning, though this trip does not include hotel pickup.

The price feels less attractive if you spend much of the trip waiting through pickups, if the swim is shortened to only a few minutes, or if you book mainly for the glass-bottom viewing. A longer cruise may suit you better if you want more time at sea and a slower pace.

I also like that you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund and reserve without paying immediately. That gives you some flexibility, especially when weather and sea conditions may affect the route. Check the available start times before committing.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want a short introduction to Alcúdia’s north coast.
• You enjoy swimming from a boat in open water.
• You are looking for a family-friendly outing at a moderate price.
• You want coastal photographs without committing to a full-day cruise.
• You can handle a few passenger pickups and a relaxed, informal setup.
• You are happy to see Coll Baix from offshore rather than land on the beach.

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, since the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The ladder and boat access also make the swim less suitable for anyone uncomfortable entering open water.

You may also want another tour if you need detailed commentary, a large underwater viewing area, a quiet vessel, or a guaranteed stop at Coll Baix. The scenery is excellent, but the service is simple and the route can change for safety.

My verdict: book it for the swim and scenery

I like the Alcúdia to Coll Baix boat trip as a short, fairly priced taste of Mallorca from the sea. Its best features are the mountain-framed coast, the clear-water swim, the helpful crew, and the chance to see places that are harder to reach from land.

Book it with realistic expectations. Allow for several pickups, treat the glass bottom as a minor extra, and understand that Coll Baix may be replaced by a safer swimming area. Choose a morning departure, sit upstairs, bring a mask if you have one, and pack only a small bag.

For $34, this is a good choice when you want a simple coastal outing that leaves room in your day for the beach, lunch, or another Alcúdia activity.

FAQ

How long does the Alcúdia boat trip to Coll Baix last?

The advertised duration is two hours. Some departures may last around two and a half hours, especially when the boat makes several pickups around Alcúdia Bay.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk for Transportes Marítimos Brisa on Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcúdia, Illes Balears.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The trip includes a swimming stop from the boat, usually near Coll Baix or Alcanada. The exact location can change if currents or sea conditions make another area safer.

Do I swim at Coll Baix beach?

You generally swim from the boat offshore rather than landing on the beach itself. The boat may stop near Coll Baix, but the exact swimming location can change.

Is food available onboard?

Food and drinks are not included in the ticket, but snacks and beverages are available to purchase at the onboard bar.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, and a camera. A snorkeling mask can also be useful during the swim. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.