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Spain: Mallorca's Beaches and Marinas, Part Two - Sarah Drane, Purple Cake Factory

Mallorca's Marinas

Sarah Drane continues her exploration of the beaches and marinas of the island of Mallorca. For details of the best beaches in the island, read part one of Sarah's article.

The Marinas

Puerto Portals – Vitesse Yachts’ home port, 670-berth Puerto Portals, was inaugurated in 1986 and has matured to become one of the best marinas in the Balearics in terms of service and capability to moor boats of up to 80 metres in length. Because of this it attracts a well-heeled clientele who feel very much at home amongst the designer boutiques and fancy restaurants which line the quayside. A favourite with the Spanish Royals and international celebrities, there’s always a good selection of supercars to admire and there’s always a billionaire’s megayacht or two in port. Some eateries cater directly to that moneyed clientele. A meal for two at Tristan’s, the only two Michelin starred restaurant on the Island, will set you back hundreds of euros and even has a water menu with bottles priced from seven to 119 euros. However more affordable dining is available including the newly-extended famous Wellie’s Bar and Cappuccinos, both of which have extensive terraces for Puerto Portal’s favourite sport – people watching.

Port Adriano – Keen to steal Puerto Portals’ crown is Port Adriano. Right on the southwest corner of the Bay of Palma, backing one of Santa Ponsa’s famed golf courses, this marina is currently undergoing the most lavish of facelifts. First built in 1992, the existing 404-berth arrangement is being extended to add 82 brand new moorings for yachts between 20 and 60 metres in length. Philippe Starck, perhaps the most famous designer on the planet, is in charge of designing the new commercial area with 4,000m² of new shops and dining outlets as well as some fancy decorations in the common walkways plus an iconic signature lighthouse. When complete, sometime after 2011, Port Adriano will also count a scuba diving centre and a sailing school amongst its offer. This marina could well become a reference point for large yacht owners across the globe. Watch this space.

Puerto de Sóller – In striking contrast, 450-berth Puerto de Sóller on the northwest coast of the Island is more classic than contemporary. With a fine naval history, Sóller is now known and loved as a traditional fishing port. The handsome horseshoe-shaped bay fringed with pine-forested slopes is oft-photographed and much admired. Giving off the air of a grown-up very genteel seaside resort, Puerto de Sóller offers a decent clutch of bars and restaurants as well as banks, supermarkets and gift shops. The beach isn’t worth writing home about though, stony and tricky in bare feet. Two curiosities not to be missed are the rattling old wooden tram which dates back to 1913 and delivers passengers from Sóller town, some four kilometres away, and trundles across the waterfront until the Port. And, lastly, the makeshift ‘container bar’ which comes to life every evening slap bang in the middle of the quay – perfect for making friends with other boaters.

Cala D’Or – Cala D’Or is a smart purpose-built marina resort which still manages to retain Mallorquín charm. Whilst the 563-berth harbour itself oozes class with expensive toys tied to anchor and stylish bars and restaurants fringing the quayside, the surrounding coastline is typified by white sandy bays and lush Mediterranean vegetation. Cala D’Or is therefore a perfect base for exploration of Mallorca’s eastern edge. The countless small coves from the traditional picture-postcard fishing ports of Cala Figuera and Porto Petro to the blink-and-miss it Calas Ferrera and Serena with their postage stamp beaches flanked by turquoise waters are quite enchanting. One of Cala D’Or’s highlights is its swanky Yacht Club which combines business facilities with a fully-equipped gymnasium, bistrot and bar and swimming pool area – all with breathtaking marina views. Well worth a visit.

Port d’Andratx – This wide, long, natural bay at the south-western segment of Mallorca assumes an air of a laid-back Portofino with its colourful lattice of buildings and forested mountainsides. Attracting yachties from far and wide into its two neighbouring marinas – 475-berth Club de Vela and 228-berth Port d’Andratx – it’s a thoroughly pleasant place to spend an evening sipping sundowners at one of the many pavement cafés and restaurants fronting the harbour. Sedate and everso slightly elite, Andratx has an excellent selection of fish restaurants serving up the day’s catch fresh from the nets just a few paces away.

Sarah Drane

Sarah is the proprietor of Purple Cake Factory, an Award-winning company that specializes in real estate, marine and travel PR.

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