Mallorca’s marinas have long attracted superyachts and leisure seekers, thanks to their calm blue waters, plentiful coves, and relaxed atmosphere.
Here we get an insider’s perspective on Mallorca from a yachting specialist and local expert, Vicky Lobo. Having lived there all her life and worked as both a crew member and a charter broker, few people know the Mallorca yacht charter scene as intimately as she does.
She is currently at Ankor Software, where she leads Ankor Pay, a yachting payment platform. In our conversation, Vicky shares what defines an exceptional yacht charter, reveals some of her favourite spots in Mallorca, and takes us through her personal island itinerary.
What makes a good charter experience great for guests?
It’s all those little bits and pieces that make the charter experience great. It obviously starts with the retail broker and the charter manager, but it ends with the crew. It’s all about making sure everyone’s prepared and every detail is thoughtfully considered.
The guests also play an important role in shaping the experience, particularly whether they’ve filled out their preference sheets well in advance. This information can really make or break the charter, depending on what they’re looking for.
Whether it’s having their favourite foods ready, wanting an authentic Spanish experience, or catering to families with kids on board, every detail is tailored to enhance the journey. Questions like: “Do the deckhands have experience with kids? Do they know how to entertain them at sea? You have all these different water toys, sure, but are they willing to play with them and have fun?”
To sum it up, a great charter experience is a collaboration between everyone involved.
For someone who has never chartered a yacht but is interested, why is it a great way to travel?
In my experience, it’s the unparalleled privacy that appeals to most travellers. It’s completely different to being in a hotel or even renting a villa.
On a boat, you can go where no one can see you, enjoying the privacy and flexibility that yacht charters offer. There’s no hotel breakfast to rush to and no strict schedules like those on a cruise. You can wake up anytime and change your itinerary, obviously within reason!
If you feel like starting the day with a morning swim or staying at this anchorage for another hour, you can. It’s completely bespoke to you and tailored to your preferences.
It is also a great solution for those who only have a week of holiday a year. You can have a holiday that completely relaxes, where you don’t have to think about it. Everything’s taken care of; you just tell your broker what you want, and the crew, and then everything’s done. You go to sleep when you want, you wake up when you want, and you eat when you want.
Tell us about the yacht scene in Mallorca. Why should people choose a Mallorca yacht charter?
Mallorca is the hub of yachting in the Western Mediterranean; it’s the detour stop for private vessels travelling around the Med. It has always been popular with charter vessels, but it is becoming more so thanks to the increase in direct long-haul flights.
Mallorca has everything that you would want in one place. If you’re someone who wants to go and see the sights, we’ve got cliffs and small, tranquil, secluded coves. We also have rich snorkelling spots and great nature reserves.
If you’re a charterer who likes to get off the boat every day, there are countless incredible beach clubs you can hop off and on. There are also restaurants set up so you can get into your tender and drive straight up to them. We have all those different aspects that Mallorca can provide for you.
If you could design the perfect week in Mallorca, what would the highlights be?
You can take on Mallorca in two ways, depending on your preference. If you want that tranquil nature, where you’re unseen the whole time, then the west coast of the island is stunning. With its long stretches of beaches, turquoise waters, and so many different secluded coves, destinations like Es Trenc and Playa de Muro stand out for their exceptionally clear waters and natural beauty.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who likes to be seen and turn up with the tender to go to the beach clubs, then it would definitely be the southwest coast. There are still those same stunning coves, but it’s a lot busier due to the strong presence of beach clubs and higher number of day charters that go around that side.
But personally, I would leave from Palma and go to Cabrera for the night, then head back to Palma de Mallorca and up the east coast from south to north. I think the Bay of Formentor feels like a lake, with its calm, crystal clear waters that are often wonderfully warm depending on the time of year. But most of the year it’s warmer there because it’s that bit shallower, and not much movement of water since it’s a rounded cove. Then I’d continue along the north coast to Sa Foradada, a majestic rock formation.
What are your favourite local restaurants?
It’s definitely the local restaurants that have been family-run for years. One of my favourites that I can remember going to as a child is Camp de Mar. It’s a restaurant on an island, and it’s got this little bridge up to it, where kids can jump into the water off the rocks while parents enjoy a great meal. It’s definitely changed slightly since then; it’s become a bit more upmarket, still very reasonably priced, and the food is still really good.
On the east coast, there are a few beach restaurants that are truly local, with fresh fish brought in that morning and served as their fish of the day. There’s also a beach bar on Playa de Muro, which is great. Of course, you must be careful not to get lured into ones that have been renovated and marketed as beach restaurants when, in reality, everything is imported, and the food isn’t truly local.
In Palma, there are a few excellent tapas restaurants, but there are also quite a few tourist traps, so I’d be careful about that. I recommend La Boveda, which is just off a beautiful square with a church there. It’s a really great location to go and eat, and then afterwards, there is the best ice cream place just outside of that.
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