Balearic Cruise 3: Alicante-Ibiza-Formentera-Mallorca

This cruise combines two very different aspects of sailing: First, there is the long crossing from Alicante to the Balearics. After that, islands, bays, and anchorages determine our course. 

We sail along the coasts of Formentera and Ibiza and finally head towards Mallorca. 

It's not about getting from port to port as quickly as possible. We want to sail together, discover beautiful bays, spend the night at anchor, go swimming, and enjoy life on board. 

We have already sailed this route ourselves and know from experience how varied this journey is. The combination of a real offshore passage followed by relaxed island sailing makes this cruise one of the most beautiful trips you can take from Alicante.

A sporty yet stunningly beautiful cruise: night sailing over open sea, turquoise bays, anchoring under the stars, and Mediterranean harbour evenings.

Route & Highlights

• Alicante – our journey begins

The first evening belongs to Alicante and settling on board. You will take your cabin, spend an evening in Alicante, and sleep the first night in the harbour. The next day it will be: cast off – ahead of us lie the open Mediterranean and the Balearics.

• The big crossing – night sailing towards Formentera

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We leave the Spanish coast and sail out into the open sea. At some point, the mainland disappears behind the horizon. Now real ocean sailing begins.

The crew will be integrated into the daily life on board and, as desired, into the sailing. Keeping course, trimming sails, keeping watch, and experiencing the night at sea together with our skippers: such a passage remains memorable.

The hours after sunset are particularly impressive. Far away from the lights of the coast, the starry sky over the Mediterranean reveals an intensity that is hardly experienced on land.

And at some point the next morning, the first outlines of the Balearics appear on the horizon.

• Formentera – arriving in island paradise

After the long passage, the contrast could hardly be greater: crystal clear, turquoise water, bright sandy beaches, and sheltered bays.

Formentera is one of the most beautiful sailing areas in the western Mediterranean for us. When the weather and conditions are right, we look for a nice anchorage and enjoy island life directly from the ship.

After offshore sailing, it’s time to swim, relax, take the dinghy ashore, or simply sit on deck with a cool drink and look out at the sea.

These evenings at anchor are among the special moments of the trip. When the day visitors have disappeared and it slowly becomes quiet in the bay, you experience the Balearics at their most beautiful.

• Ibiza – spectacular coast and Mediterranean life

From Formentera, we sail on to Ibiza. The island is much more than clubs and nightlife. From the water, it shows a completely different side: steep coasts, small coves, offshore rocks, and time and again, beautiful anchorages.

Which bays we visit depends on the wind and weather. This is precisely the charm of a sailing trip: we have a planned route, but no rigid timetable.

During our stay in Ibiza, we also want to spend a night in a harbour. This leaves plenty of time to leave the ship and explore the island on land – for example, Ibiza Town with its historic old town Dalt Vila, its small streets, restaurants, and bars.

• From Ibiza to Mallorca

The next longer sea leg takes us from Ibiza towards Mallorca. Once again, we experience the feeling of a true passage between two islands.

Depending on the wind, we set as many sails as possible and enjoy LILLI as a classic sailing yacht should be experienced: under sail, with the open sea around us and a new destination on the horizon.

Those who wish can actively participate. Those who prefer to enjoy will find plenty of space on deck to let the sea and the journey take effect.

• Palma de Mallorca – the grand finale

From Ibiza, we head to the neighbouring island of Mallorca. Depending on the schedule, we can spend another night at anchor here, for example, on the southern coast of the island. Our journey ends in Palma de Mallorca – one of the great sailing metropolises of the Mediterranean.

Even the approach is impressive. The bay of Palma opens up before us and the famous cathedral La Seu slowly becomes visible on the horizon.

Our destination is the Club de Mar Mallorca. Here we will spend our last night on board. This leaves plenty of time in the evening for a joint stroll through Palma, a good restaurant, or a final drink in the old town.

The next morning, our Balearic cruise comes to an end – after a week in which a route on the nautical chart has turned into a real sailing journey.

Who is this trip suitable for?

This trip is aimed at people who want to experience the Mediterranean not just from the beach or hotel.

It is ideal for sailors who want to gain new experiences and sea miles, but also for sporty beginners who want to experience what it feels like to sail over the open sea at night and arrive in front of a Balearic island the next morning.

Those looking solely for a comfortable beach holiday with a fixed daily programme will find other trips.

Those who love the sea, wind, and sailing, are open to life on board, and want to experience a week that will be talked about for a long time, are exactly right on this trip. And don't worry: the yacht is fully equipped and you will lack for nothing, we even have air conditioning and a water maker on board.

From Alicante across the open Mediterranean to Formentera, Ibiza, and Mallorca – a week of sailing, islands, and sea on the classic yacht LILLI.