When we hear 'Balearic' we immediately think about that typical setting where we'd all like to be: coves lapped by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean surrounded by forests where you just want time to stand still. Truth be told, Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera (the largest islands in the archipelago) are tailor-made to enjoy the weather, the sea and sailing.
The islands are not just about beaches. In fact, UNESCO has included the island of Ibiza and its culture (e.g. Dalt Vila, the old city of Ibiza, is an extraordinary example of Renaissance military architecture) and the cultural landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana (located in Majorca and home to fascinating monuments and towns such as Sóller, Valldemossa and Pollença) on its list of World Heritage Sites. In order to properly discover the Balearic Islands by boat, it's a good idea to spend at least one week around each of the two largest islands (Majorca and Minorca) and another week in Ibiza and Formentera, although there are shorter trips that connect several islands. You will love the sensation of anchoring in coves where people cannot get to by car, the experience of spotting dolphins, night swimming when it's hot, seeing the fluorescent plankton phenomenon or star gazing from the deck. We also recommend mooring your vessel for the day and hiring a car or bike to travel around the different landscapes on the islands, both coastal and inland, making sure you enjoy the most exclusive side of the islands, having a drink on the coolest terraces at the 'in' restaurants, clubs or beach clubs that tend to start the day off with breakfast to then transform into cocktail bars in the evening.
The best and most enjoyable weather for sailing is between April and October, with summer being the most stable time of year (although you need to bear in mind possible high winds at sea). Moreover, the northern areas can even see some snow during winter months so it is advisable to not go out sailing at this time of year.
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Cabrera
Park
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Local
Cuisine
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Minorca
Biosphere
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Formentera
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Nightlife
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Dive
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Ibiza
Town
Cabrera
Park
This marine ecosystem stands out in this cluster of calcareous islands and islets, with meadows of Posidonia oceanica, which favour the proliferation of a large number of species of marine fauna. It is one of the best conserved sea beds of Spain. There are also many endemic plants and important bird colonies. For these reasons it was declared a Land and Sea-based National Park in 1991.
Source:
www.spain.info
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Local
Cuisine
The cuisine of the Balearic Islands is very much that of the regional markets. The dish of the day is made from what is available at market that day. You wouldn’t think so today, but in times past these Islands were poor. That has led to local people making the most of what they have. They have much in common with Andalucian people who know how to make good meals using what has often been thought of as poor man’s food.
Source:
www.thetapaslunchcompany.co.uk
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Minorca
Biosphere
The island of Minorca was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993, thanks to the great variety of habitats that it comprises. Ravines, caves, wetlands, isles, dune systems and beaches are the habitat of numerous species, some of which are endemic.
Source:
www.spain.info
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Formentera
Formentera offers more than 20km of white sand and clear water with surprising combinations of blue. On the island you can find everything from the typical lonely cove to dream beaches, but on all of them you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a natural environment preserved from overcrowding.
Source:
www.formentera.es
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Nightlife
Clubs are to Ibiza what croissants are to Paris. Since the late 80s, the Spanish island has held a reputation of being a mecca for house, trance, and general nightlife hedonism—which seems appropriate, as the island is named after Bes, the Egyptian god of music and dance.
Source:
www.vice.com
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Dive
The dive sites around the Balearic Islands are dramatic to see. There are several shipwrecks lying in crystal clear waters, beautiful caves and caverns to explore as well as great boulders and limestone cliffs. Off Majorca and Menorca, the caves are especially spectacular as they have air pockets to surface in and stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Source:
www.diviac.com
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Ibiza
Town
UNESCO included the category Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture in its World Heritage collection. Dalt Vila is a veritable memorial to history. Its many strata of earth contain remnants of all the cultures that have inhabited the island, from the very first settlers in the bay of the city of Ibiza , to the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors, up to the Christian conquest led by the King of Aragón in the 13th century. The architecture, great beauty and simplicity of the Old Town have significantly influenced the colonial constructions of the New World.
Source:
www.eivissa.es
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