The Mediterranean around Mallorca's coast is about as good as snorkelling in Europe gets. Visibility regularly exceeds 15 metres in the deep water and the diverse rocky seabed around the island's southern and eastern coasts hosts a surprising variety of marine life. For anyone wondering how to access the best spots, the short answer is the same as for the best calas: go by boat.
Why Mallorca is a Snorkeller's Paradise
A combination of factors makes the Balearic waters unusually good for underwater visibility. The Mediterranean has very low tidal range, meaning sediment stays largely settled. The rocky coastline provides algae and structure for fish to inhabit. And the protected zones around several of Mallorca's most accessible calas have allowed marine life to recover to levels that would have seemed optimistic twenty years ago.
You don't need to be an experienced diver to benefit from this. A mask, a snorkel, and fins are enough. The real question is getting to where the water is clearest and the underwater landscape is most interesting.
The Best Snorkelling Spots
Cala des Moro (Santanyí)
Already one of Mallorca's most photographed beaches, Cala des Moro also has excellent snorkelling along its rock walls. The left flank of the cala drops into a rocky ledge system at around 3–4 metres where you'll find sea urchins, moray eels, and schools of salema porgy. The right flank has a sea cave accessible by snorkelling at the surface.
Cala Varques (Manacor)
The sea caves here are the main attraction for snorkellers — there are two accessible from the surface, one of which has a rock shelf at about 2 metres with a significant resident population of two-banded sea bream. The open bay section also has large patches of posidonia seagrass, home to seahorses if you look carefully enough near the edge of the meadow.
Cap de Formentor
The waters around the northernmost tip of Mallorca are cold, clear, and well-oxygenated. Rocky drop-offs reach dramatic depths within 50 metres of the surface. Octopus are common here. Barracuda are sighted regularly in the summer months.
Illa de Sa Dragonera
The uninhabited island off the western tip of Mallorca is a protected nature reserve accessible only by boat. The waters in the channel between Sa Dragonera and the mainland are particularly productive for snorkellers: strong currents bring nutrients through the passage, and the fish life reflects this. Bring fins — you'll want them in the current.
Porto Cristo Area
The open sea in front of Porto Cristo and the small calas north and south of the port offer sheltered, relatively shallow snorkelling in calm conditions. A good option for younger snorkellers or those less comfortable in open water.
Gear Guide
What to Bring
- A good-fitting mask — A cheap mask that leaks will ruin everything. Test the fit dry: press it gently against your face without the strap — it should hold by suction alone.
- Full-foot fins — Lighter to travel with than open-heel fins and work well in warm water.
- A rash guard or thin wetsuit top — Sun protection for your back and some warmth for longer sessions.
- An underwater camera or phone case — The marine life is worth photographing.
What to Leave Behind
- Gloves — It's tempting to grab rocks for stability, but touching the reef causes cumulative damage. Practise buoyancy instead.
- Spearfishing equipment — Illegal in most of Mallorca's protected zones.
Best Time of Year
Water temperature peaks in August and September at 26–28°C — warm enough to snorkel comfortably in swimwear alone for long sessions. June and October are excellent: slightly cooler water (21–24°C), better visibility, and dramatically fewer people at the best spots. April and May are viable with a wetsuit top; visibility is often at its seasonal best.
For the snorkelling spots further from the road — Cala des Moro, Cala Varques, the Formentor peninsula — a boat charter is the only practical way to do them properly. Arriving by sea takes ten minutes; you choose your time, and you leave when you want.
