Fishing Boat Trip in Mallorca

The fish are not the only catch. This half-day outing takes you from Can Picafort into the Bay of Alcudia, where local crew choose fishing spots, set up the equipment, and keep the morning moving with swimming, snacks, and views of Mallorca’s north coast. I like the small-group format for up to three people and the fact that fishing gear, chumming, food, drinks, a fishing license, and insurance are included.

I also like the relaxed pace. You can fish seriously, sit in the sun, or swim while the boat is anchored. The main caution is simple: fish are never guaranteed. Several trips produced little or no catch, and the balance between vertical fishing and trolling may not suit everyone. There is also a slight timing inconsistency in the supplied details, with the trip described as both four and five hours, so confirm the exact schedule before you go.

Key points at a glance

• Can Picafort departure: Meet at Club Nautic Can Picafort and look for Royal Charters Mallorca.
• Bay of Alcudia fishing: The boat heads toward local fishing grounds, including areas around the north of Mallorca and, on some outings, the Formentor area.
• Two fishing styles: Expect vertical fishing at anchored stops, along with some trolling during the ride.
• Swimming break: When the boat is stopped, you can swim in the Mediterranean or rest on deck instead of fishing.
• Food included: Snacks such as crackers, olives, and salami, plus plenty of drinks, are supplied.
• Private-trip value: The $683 price covers a group of up to three, making the cost easier to justify for a small private party than for one person.

Leaving Can Picafort at 8:30 in the morning

Your morning begins at Club Nautic Can Picafort, where you look for the Royal Charters Mallorca boat. The listed departure time is 8:30 AM, although availability should be checked when booking because the activity page also says to confirm starting times.

Can Picafort is a useful base for this outing because you are already on Mallorca’s north coast, close to the Bay of Alcudia. There is no long land transfer built into the activity. You arrive at the marina, meet the English or Spanish-speaking crew, and get onto the boat.

The early start makes sense for a fishing trip. It gives you a cooler part of the day and puts you on the water before the stronger afternoon heat. If you are staying elsewhere on Mallorca, plan your morning carefully. The package does not list hotel pickup, so you should arrange your own way to the harbor.

The group size deserves attention. The price is listed as $683 for up to three people, and one outing had only five people aboard in total, which made the boat feel comfortable. This is not priced like a seat on a large sightseeing cruise. It works more like a private or small-party charter, especially if you are booking for three.

Fishing the north coast with local guidance

Once the boat leaves the harbor, you can begin fishing with the supplied gear. The crew chooses the spots, handles the chumming, and explains what to do. You are not expected to arrive with a fishing license or bring tackle from home. The fishing license, insurance, equipment, and food for attracting fish are included.

The waters around northern Mallorca can reach depths of roughly 40 to 60 meters. That depth allows for bottom and vertical fishing in areas where larger fish may be found. The exact catch will depend on conditions, season, and luck, so it is best to view the outing as time on the sea with a chance of catching fish, not as a guaranteed haul.

The captain and sailor are described as experienced with the local waters. Martin is named in several accounts as the captain or host, and he receives especially warm praise for being welcoming and helpful. That matters on a fishing charter. A good skipper does not simply drive the boat to one place and wait. The crew can adjust the plan, explain the gear, and help you make the most of a slow bite.

Still, you should keep expectations in check. One outing had one fish among seven people, while another had no fish at all. That is not necessarily a failure of the crew. Fishing is affected by conditions that no operator can control. If your main goal is to bring home a large catch, you are accepting real uncertainty.

Two stops for vertical fishing and trolling

The trip uses two main fishing approaches: vertical fishing and trolling. The itinerary describes two stops for vertical fishing, with trolling during parts of the ride.

Vertical fishing at anchored spots

Vertical fishing means dropping your line down from the boat rather than casting far from shore. This is likely the more focused part of the trip for people who want to actively fish. The boat anchors or stops over deeper water, and you work the line below you.

The most impressive reported catch came during a strong vertical-fishing outing near the Formentor area: a 17-kilogram grouper, two John Dory, and seven sea bream were caught. That is an exceptional result, not a promise, but it shows what the north coast can produce under the right conditions.

You may also find the vertical sections easier if you are new to boat fishing. The crew supplies the equipment and can guide you through the basic process. You do not need to spend time choosing tackle or learning which bait to purchase before arriving.

The drawback is that you may spend periods waiting. A fishing boat is not an amusement ride with constant action. If the fish are quiet, the water may feel peaceful rather than exciting. Bring patience and enjoy the setting instead of measuring the morning only by the number of fish caught.

Trolling while moving between spots

Trolling keeps lines in the water while the boat moves. It gives you another chance to catch fish during the transfer between fishing areas and on the return to port.

The results appear less reliable than the vertical fishing. One successful outing produced a tuna of about 10 kilograms, but the trolling portion was described as modest compared with the strong vertical fishing. One customer also felt that trolling took too much time and wanted more time spent actually fishing at the stops.

That is useful advice when deciding if this trip fits you. Trolling adds variety and makes the boat ride part of the fishing. If you prefer to drop a line and wait at a fixed spot, you may wish to ask the crew how much time is usually allocated to each method.

Swimming and relaxing between fishing sessions

This is not a fishing-only charter. When the boat is anchored, you can swim in the Mediterranean or stay aboard and relax in the sun. That flexibility makes the outing more suitable for a mixed group, especially if one person loves fishing and another is happy with a swim and a boat ride.

The swimming option also helps when the fish are not biting. Instead of sitting through a long quiet spell, you can get into the water and change the rhythm of the morning. The supplied information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is provided, so do not assume you will have masks or fins unless the operator confirms it.

The boat itself has been described as immaculate and well cared for. Cleanliness matters on a compact four-hour charter, where everyone shares the deck and equipment. A tidy boat also makes the trip feel more comfortable for a birthday outing or a special morning at sea.

You should remember that this is a working fishing boat, not a luxury yacht. The information gives no details about cabins, toilets, shade, or a dedicated sunbathing area. If any of those features matter to you, ask before paying.

Mallorcan snacks and drinks on board

Food is part of the package, not an optional purchase. The snacks specifically described include crackers, olives, and salami, along with plenty of drinks.

This is simple food, but it suits a morning on the water. You can nibble between fishing sessions without having to bring a full meal or return to shore. The local touches are modest rather than elaborate. Think practical boat snacks, not a restaurant lunch.

For a four-hour trip, the included refreshments add real value. You are paying for the boat, crew, gear, license, insurance, and food in one price. That makes budgeting easier, particularly for a private group.

The details do not specify dietary options, alcoholic drinks, bottled water brands, or a hot meal. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask ahead. Do not count on the listed snacks being enough for every appetite, especially if you are treating the outing as a full morning away from land.

Equipment, licensing, and what you need to bring

The package includes specialized fishing equipment and chumming supplies. It also includes the fishing license and insurance, so you do not have to arrange permits yourself.

The operator describes the equipment as first-class Shimano Gold gear. One customer specifically reported that the equipment did not appear to match that description, so I would treat the brand claim with some caution. The more dependable point is that fishing equipment is supplied and ready for use.

You should bring practical personal items:

• Sun protection
• Swimwear and a towel
• A light layer for the boat ride
• Any personal medication
• Extra food if you need more than the supplied snacks

The supplied details do not state whether towels or sunscreen are provided, so bring your own. You should also keep valuables to a minimum. The boat is designed for time on the water, not for carrying bulky luggage.

Is $683 good value for up to three people?

The listed price is $683 per group of up to three. That works out to about $228 per person if three people share the cost. For one person, the same price would be hard to justify unless you strongly value having a private boat outing.

The price includes more than a basic boat ride. You receive the vessel, crew, fishing gear, chumming, license, insurance, snacks, and drinks. You also get access to local fishing spots that would be difficult to choose on your own. For three people celebrating a birthday or planning a private morning, those inclusions make the price more reasonable.

The value becomes weaker if your sole goal is a guaranteed catch. Several outings produced very few fish or none at all. No fishing charter can promise success, but the high group price means you should be comfortable paying for the full experience: time at sea, local guidance, swimming, and the chance to catch something.

The trip is also more appealing when shared. A couple can split the price, but a group of three gets the clearest per-person value. Before booking, confirm whether the price remains fixed for fewer than three people and whether the boat is fully private for your party.

The four-hour schedule and the five-hour wording

Most of the information describes this as a four-hour trip, with departure at 8:30 AM and a return around midday. One highlight calls it a five-hour boat trip, creating a small but important discrepancy.

That difference matters if you are arranging airport travel, a later excursion, or a family lunch. I would ask Royal Charters Mallorca to confirm the exact duration, departure time, and expected return before booking.

The likely rhythm is straightforward:

• Leave Can Picafort around 8:30 AM.
• Begin fishing soon after departure.
• Travel toward deeper local fishing grounds.
• Stop for vertical fishing.
• Continue with more fishing and trolling.
• Swim or relax during suitable pauses.
• Eat snacks and drink refreshments on board.
• Fish again on the way back to port.

The order may change with sea and fishing conditions. A flexible attitude will serve you better than expecting every minute to follow a fixed timetable.

Who will enjoy this Mallorca fishing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to a small group that wants a private sea outing with fishing at its center. It suits experienced anglers who want local access, but the supplied equipment and crew support also make it approachable for people without their own gear.

It is a good match for:

• Three friends sharing a private charter
• Couples who want fishing mixed with swimming
• Families with older children who can enjoy time on a boat
• Birthday groups
• Visitors who prefer a small boat to a large cruise
• Anglers interested in vertical fishing and trolling

It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed catch, dislike waiting, or want a full-day charter. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a luxury yacht, a full restaurant meal, or a long snorkeling session. Those features are not part of the stated package.

The strongest part of the outing is the crew-led access to the north coast. Martin’s warm manner, the clean boat, and the simple all-included setup make the morning easy to enjoy even when the fish are quiet.

Should you book this boat trip?

Book it if you see fishing as part of a pleasant morning on the water rather than a guaranteed production. The boat is clean, the group size can be intimate, the crew provides the practical essentials, and you get swimming and Mallorcan snacks alongside the fishing.

I would book for three people to make the $683 price work best. Before committing, confirm the four-hour schedule, ask how the time is divided between vertical fishing and trolling, and clarify the equipment supplied if branded Shimano gear matters to you.

If catching fish is your only priority, consider the risk carefully. A 17-kilogram grouper and several other fish have been caught on a successful outing, but other trips produced one fish or none. For the right group, the real value is the complete morning: local waters, a helpful crew, fresh air, a chance at a serious catch, and a pleasant way to see Mallorca from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the fishing boat trip depart?

The meeting point is Club Nautic Can Picafort. Look for Royal Charters Mallorca.

What time does the trip leave?

The listed departure time is 8:30 AM. You should check availability and confirm the exact starting time when booking.

How long is the trip?

The activity is generally described as four hours. One description mentions five hours, so confirm the precise duration with Royal Charters Mallorca.

What fishing methods are used?

The trip focuses on vertical fishing and trolling. The information describes two stops for vertical fishing, with trolling during parts of the journey.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment and chumming supplies are included. The operator describes the gear as first-class Shimano Gold equipment.

Is a fishing license included?

Yes. The fishing license is included in the price, along with insurance.

Are food and drinks provided?

Yes. Snacks and drinks are included. Specific snacks described include crackers, olives, and salami.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. You can swim in the Mediterranean while the boat is stopped, or relax on board in the sun.

What languages does the crew speak?

The crew and driver speak English and Spanish.