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You are going to love Menorca if you like less crowded beaches, super fine sand, warm weather, and crystal-clear waters. With more than 100 spectacular beaches and a 216 km coastline, this Mediterranean Island is perfect for beach lovers who prefer a more laid-back destination than Ibiza or Mallorca.
Laid back or not, this island has very good infrastructure and facilities for tourists. Right from great accommodation options to amazing boat tours and water sports to cheap car rental, Menorca has quite a lot to offer.
In this blog, we will talk about the five best cruises and boat trips in Menorca (P.S. all are our personal favourites).
Natural Coves and Beaches Boat Trip
The 7-hour trip is offered by Menorca Blava, one of Menorca’s top boat trip companies. Explore the Island’s southern coast, sail to Menorca’s most natural beaches, such as Son Saura and Cala Turquela, discover Macarella and Macarelleta coves, and enjoy scrumptious Mediterranean cuisines. You will get a live tour guide fluent in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian languages.
The trip starts from the old port of Ciutadella. It doesn’t include hotel pick-up and drop-off, water activities, or car hire service in Menorca.
Visit Up to 8 South Beaches in Half a Day
Want to cover the best of Menorca’s south beaches? Choose this boat trip offered by Marenostrum Charter. All you have to do is sit back and relax while the cruise takes you to six to eight most stunning beaches of Menorca that are less crowded. You will also be provided with snorkelling gear and a stand-up paddle in case you wish to snorkel and explore the undersea world.
The trip is 3 – 4 hours long with stops at the following beaches: Cala Turqueta, Cala Escorxada, Cala Macarelleta, Cala Macarella, Cala Trebaluger, Playa Arenal De Son Saura, Cala Galdana, and Cala Fusta.
Catamaran Trip and Snorkelling
A perfect way to discover the northern coast of Menorca in an exclusive Catamaran. The catamaran is the fastest sailing vessel in Menorca, ideal for small groups not exceeding 10 people. This is a 3 hours tour offered by Katayak Menorca, includes a visit to one or two beaches, coves, or virgin bays depending upon the weather, and guided snorkelling.
You can snorkel in the clear blue waters of Menorca. A certified guide will accompany you, and all equipment will be provided for the guests. This wholesome boat ride will help you disconnect from city life with your family and friends. Get unlimited drinks and snacks to devour and breath-taking landscapes to view.
Full-Day Boat Trip with Authentic Lunch
Unwind and refresh in the calmness of the sea and freshness of the air. The full-day Menorca boat tour offered by Excursions Menorca takes you to the best beaches around, swimming in unspoiled bays, and a hearty paella lunch on the board.
You will stop at virgin beaches like Son Saura, Cala en Turquela, and Cala Macarella-Macarelleta, bask in the sun, go swimming or snorkelling, or simply relax on the boat.
At lunchtime, you will be served an authentic paella lunch with a glass of Sangria. Get tourist guides in several languages. Note that snorkelling equipment or an instructor is not included in the trip package.
While the company offers pick-up and drop-off service at an additional cost, you can rent a car in Menorca at a much more affordable price for your entire tour from Binicars.
Kayaking and Snorkelling in Menorca’s Marine Reserve
Enjoy Kayaking? This is the perfect opportunity to paddle through the most beautiful marine reserve in Fornells, Minorca. Kayak through the northern coast of Menorca and snorkel in two different areas of a marine reserve. You will have plenty of time to sunbathe and rest on the beach of s’Arenelet before paddling back to the starting point.
The 3.5 hour-trip includes a paddle and life vest, drum for personal belongings, guide in three languages, insurance, double or single kayak, and snorkelling gear.
Hope this blog helps you choose the right boat trip in Menorca for you and your family. For cheap car hire in Menorca, you can book our cars online.
Snorkeling in Menorca is a major tourist attraction. It is a fun and rewarding activity that doesn't require diving & swimming skills or any certification course. It also doesn't need you to haul heavy equipment.
Even if you cannot swim, you can have a fantastic snorkeling experience in many areas. In this blog, you will find snorkeling tips for non-swimmers shared by the best snorkeling guides and expert scuba divers who visit us for car rental in Menorca .
Being in the Menorca car hire business for several years, we have made friends with the cream of snorkelers, divers, and swimmers from around the world. They frequently rent a car at Menorca airport through our website.
Fortunately, few of them shared great ideas on how non-swimmers can snorkel without fear in the oceans.
How Non-Swimmers Can Snorkel in Menorca – Expert Tips
Snorkeling is a surface water activity that mainly involves floating and very little swimming. Many non-swimmers snorkel in the clear waters of Menorca's beaches all the time. And if you are one among them, all you need to know is the basic technique and be comfortable in the waters.
Choose a Non-Swimmer-Friendly Snorkeling Spot
Menorca has several snorkeling beaches for non-swimmers. We suggest choosing a shallow bay, such as Cala Macarella or Cala Morell. Rent a car at Menorca from our fleet and find a suitable location with the following tips.
- Locate a beach with calm waters – it will give you clear underwater visibility and decrease your chances of encountering waves and other issues, such as equipment flooding and uneven entry or exit.
- Choose a spot with low currents. It will allow you to stay at your entry point without constantly fighting for water flow.
- Make sure there are no entanglement problems or dangerous marine animals below.
Snorkeling from the Beach vs. boats
You might also have to decide whether you will snorkel from the beach or the boat.
Our expert friends recommend that non-swimmers and first-time snorkelers stay closer to the shallow waters than go on a boat.
This is because staying on the beach will give you control over your activity. You can stand up whenever you want, practice your gear before entering, and gradually venture into the deep waters after gaining confidence.
Many of Menorca’s beaches have reefs right on the shores, allowing snorkelers plenty of marine life to explore in the shallow waters.
On the other hand, boat snorkeling is an excellent option when it comes to choosing a great spot for exploring marine life. Plus, an experienced instructor will be with you to provide guidance at each step.
Many tour operators in Menorca offer special trips for beginners and non-swimmers, where coaches will teach the basics on shallow waters, including techniques, getting comfortable with water, and using the gear, and then take you on the boating excursion.
However, snorkeling by boat isn't for people who are scared of deep waters as it won't give you the luxury to test and try waters before you snorkel.
Focus on Good Quality Gears
If you wear loose-fitting, low-quality shoes, you won't be able to run for long. Similarly, poor-quality snorkeling gear that doesn't fit will be problematic – your gear may come off when you are in the waters, cloud your eyes, or leave you breathless.
Even though snorkeling requires minimum gear, such as a mask, fins, and a snorkel, they must be of the best quality and quite fitting. As a non-swimmer beginner, you must also get a floatation device.
Like our car hire, Menorca has plenty to offer when it comes to snorkels – you can rent gear or buy your own.
Trying the gear in a swimming pool or a shallow spot on the beach will help you to control the pressure force and your breathing and check if the mask and fins fit properly.
Choose a dry snorkel with a purge tube that prevents water from getting into the tube, even when fully underwater.
Get the sizing right for the fins; they should offer a snug fit around your feet. The blades should be flexible, light, and short.
The head mask should have a high-quality silicone skirt for a good seal, quick-adjustable buckles, and comfortable head straps.
As many recommend full masks for beginners due to their comfort level, we suggest being cautious when choosing full masks because they can build up carbon dioxide and be challenging to remove.
Don't Snorkel Alone on Beaches
Practicing in a swimming pool differs from snorkeling in Menorca's real beach waters. Even though snorkeling is safe, you are still in the ocean. You are exposed to many things like sharp reefs, wildlife, strong currents, and wind.
For this reason, no one should snorkel or swim alone in the ocean, regardless of their strong swimming skills. And as a non-swimmer and snorkeling beginner, it is best you follow the rules, stay with someone experienced or be in the vicinity of the group.
Anything can happen during the excursion. You could get leg cramps, become fatigued to continue, or lose a gear. Having people around will ensure you receive aid immediately.
Other Tips from Our Friendly Experts
- Travel with a buddy to the beach always. And don't forget to use our car hire in Menorca to get to the beach. In an emergency, you can always return to your hotel quickly.
- Ensure lifeguards are around and the place is moderately crowded for safety reasons.
- Choose a sandy part of the beach or a sandy beach for easy entry.
- Wear a floating device for safety. You can choose between vests, life jackets, ski belts, swim buoys, and pool floats.
- Stay calm and composed, and be aware of your surroundings.
Hope these tips from our experts ease out your first snorkeling experience in Menorca.
If you want to rent a car in Menorca, are looking for cheap car hire near Menorca beaches, or need an online car rental at Menorca airport, we have different solutions available.
Diving into the crystal clear warm coast and discovering the beautiful world underwater is now at hand’s reach. Rent a car in Menorca, drive to one of the beaches, and fulfill your snorkeling dream.
With more than 100 beaches to explore, Menorca is one of the best places to Snorkel in Spain. The waters are usually clear, blue, and calm. The beaches on southern Menorca are sandier, while the beaches on the Northern part are rockier with the rocky seabed. As a car hire in Menorca, we meet many tourists who come here for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Why Snorkeling in Menorca is a Great Experience
The well-preserved Posidonia meadows in Menorca offer a great snorkeling experience. Menorca’s coasts will surprise you as they depict a great diversity of underwater flora and fauna, colors, and textures –things that we can never see on the surface of the land.
Since Menorca’s waters are warm and crystal clear, they offer an ideal environment for snorkeling and swimming. However, we recommend the coast of the marine reserve located at Menorca’s north. Since the area is restricted to fishing, you will find different varieties of fish.
While any cove or rocky beach corner is an ideal place to dive and snorkel, we suggest the easier parts for beginners, such as bays and inlets.
Also, remember that not all beaches are accessible by car. So, even if you rent a car at Menorca airport or use our car hire services, you may have to walk for half an hour to reach your beach. Alternatively, you can hire a boat.
What’s the Best Time to Snorkel in Menorca?
July through October are the best seasons to snorkel in Menorca because the seawater temperature is perfect for soaking in. If you like a warmer temperature, the summer months will be a better choice. The water will be tepid and nice, with the temperature hovering over 28 degrees.
There are different kinds of species in the waters of Menorca. Balearic Island has vibrant marine life. You will find sea anemones, starfish, octopuses, moray eels, sponges, sea bream, turbot, millet, scorpionfish, and groupers.
Top Snorkeling Beaches in Menorca
Some of the most beautiful snorkeling beaches in Spain are located in Menorca. If you are visiting the island during summer, you may find the beaches more crowded than usual, particularly early and late summer months.
The top 10 snorkeling sites are listed below. While most of them are accessible by Menorca car hire services, you still might require to walk for 10 minutes to reach the beaches.
South of Menorca
Cala Blanca
Calo Fondo
Cala Coves
Cala Macarella
Cala en Porter
North of Menorca
Cala Pregonda
Cala Morell
Marine Reserve Minorca
Cala Tamarells
Cala Viola de Ponent
Binibeca, Punta Prima, Arenal D’en Castell, and Cala Pilar are a few of our favorite places to snorkel with friends. You can find reasonable snorkeling gear at Decathlon in Mahon. Alternatively, you can rent gear from local shops.
There are diving schools in Menorca that offer well-rounded snorkeling safaris. The schools are professional and guided by certified scuba divers, with everything included in the price, such as gear, life jacket, wet suit, etc., unless exceptions are mentioned.
Diving schools are ideal for children and beginners.
Don’t forget to bring an underwater camera or waterproof phone cover to take amazing pictures of marine life. For car rental in Menorca, you can pre-book a suitable car online via our website.
Want to experience Spain in the most incredible way? Plan a road trip with your friends. With amazing landscapes, gorgeous coasts, UNESCO world heritage sites, Barcelona, secluded islands, and long summer days, Spain makes one of the perfect countries for road trips worldwide. And if you are not sure how to plan your journey, choose from these beautiful road-tripping routes.
Rent a Car in Menorca from Binicars to Enjoy Spain like Never Before
Andalucía
If you enjoy sunbathing, scaling mountains, white villages, and beaches, driving around Andalucía will give you pure joy. Andalucía is a place that offers you jaw-dropping landscapes, glorious cathedrals, medieval fortresses, and architecture that depicts the Spanish culture perfectly.
A perfect road trip in Andalucía should cover the following places in the same order as written: Nerja, Malaga, Marbella, Gibraltar, Cadiz, Ronda, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada.
Total distance: 518 miles in 11 days.
Menorca Balearic Island
With great weather, affordable plane tickets, fantastic food, secluded beaches, and cheap hire car services, Menorca is an attractive destination for a road trip. If you wish to stay away from people and enjoy a quiet Island life, unlike the touristy Ibiza and Majorca, rent a car in Menorca and have a blast of a road trip. It is a tiny island, untouched by the urban human civilization. A few favorite spots you must visit on your road trip to Menorca are Cami De Cavalls track, Ciutadella, Mahon, and Macarella Cove.
A perfect road trip in Menorca should cover the following places in the same order as written: Mahon, Binibeca, Cala en Porter, Ciutadella, Cala en Tarqueta, Cala Pilar, Fornells, Menorca Island, and Monte Torro.
Total Distance: Entire Island in 5 days.
Catalonia, Aragon, and the Basque Country
This trip, starting from Barcelona, will take you through Spain’s most dynamic regions – driving along the foothills of the Pyrenees region into the incredible Basque region, where you will see Spain in a different romantic light. Then head to Costa Brava to experience European-style romantic hotels. Drive to Tarragona, a beautiful rocky hill above the Mediterranean Sea, looking over a fine medieval town and intriguing Roman ruins. Pamplona is exquisite, where Bullfights are quite the marvel.
To enjoy a perfect road trip, cover the following places in the same order as written: Barcelona, Tarragona, Zaragoza, Pamplona, and Donostia San Sebastian.
Total Distance: 600 Kms in 7 days.
Ruta De La Plata
Ruta De La Plata route is often called the road of silver, the longest highway in Spain and an ancient Roman road. The car drive will take you through the cities of Merida, running through Western Spain. The road trip is a replica of the American Route 66 Trip. You can also see the infamous Sandstones City of Salamanca here.
Total Distance: 800 kms in 7 days.
While looking for Car Rental services in Menorca, check out Binicars’ exclusive fleets of hire cars.
Road tripping in Menorca is nothing less than a fascinating experience for keen explorers. And having the ideal car rental company in Menorca by your side, like Binicars, with the most uncomplicated booking and return options, is the ultimate freedom you need for your road trip. With a car hire at Menorca airport, you can cover the entire Balearic Island, tick off the hidden gems, track down unexplored beaches, and visit the main sight in less than a week.
We have put together a blog about how to cover Menorca in 4 days with car hire. Menorca can be as much fun as its touristy counterpart, Ibiza. It is a hidden gem that needs people who set out to discover new things on wheels.
So rent a car at Menorca airport, tune into your favorite song album, and set out to have an incredible week.
Reaching Menorca and Renting a Car
The fastest way to reach Menorca is by air. You can take a flight from Paris – the easiest and shortest route. Menorca is just two hours from Paris. Flight fare to the island is pretty cheap, and it goes further down depending on the season. There is plenty of car hire at Menorca Airport, including Binicars, the best on the Island. However, if you have your own car and want to take it to Menorca, a ferry from Barcelona or Majorca is a great option.
The island is pretty compact, stretching 50 Kms from West to East and 20 Kms from North to South. It has just one main road. You must go back to the main road whenever you want to go somewhere else.
Since Menorca is the least visited Balearic Island (and it's the best thing about it), accommodation and food are generally cheaper than on other Spanish islands. You can book a fully-equipped room for just €50-55 . The same goes for shopping, transportation, and restaurants. Menorca is an ideal choice for a road trip if you are tight in the budget section.
Day 1: Hike Cami de Cavalls and Visit the Old City Center
Mahón is the capital city of Menorca. It has a tiny airport. You can rent a car at the airport and go to the Old City Center to book a resort, hotel, or guest apartment. If you have the time during the day, visit Cami de Cavalls. It is a 185-KM trail that circles the entire island of Menorca. Since it follows the coasts, all the beaches and cliffs have access to it. It is one of the most beautiful and oldest trails in Europe. If you are a fitness enthusiast, this is an incredible track to sweat your tiredness. You have options for biking, horse riding, and walking.
The hike may take an entire day, and it is impossible to cover the whole track. It would be easier to mark your hike's start and finish points before starting.
Day 2: Cover South East of Menorca
Drive around the southeast in your hired car at Menorca. You can first drive to Binibeca, a cute Mediterranean Village with white houses, similar to what you see in Santorini. Walking in the old lanes of Binibeca and eating at the local café outside the village is the best way to enjoy this place.
Next, head to Cala en Porter, 19 kms from Binibeca. Remember to visit the infamous cliff-top bar/club Cova 'd Xoroi, which offers the best sunset view over the Mediterranean Sea. You can walk through the Cami de Cavalls to get an impressive view of the coastline if you are feeling adventurous. Kayak paddling on the ocean will improve your mood.
Hit the road again and drive to Ciutadella de Menorca, where you can book a room for the night, have scrumptious local food, enjoy good music, and give the day rest.
Day 3: Cala en Turqueta and Playa des Talaie r
You can cover the entire southwest of Menorca in a single day. You will come across the two most exquisite beaches here: Cala en Turqueta and Playa des Talaier. The views are worth beholding from the cliffs. The beaches are crowded in Summer with lazy tourists. Snorkeling and Cliff Jumping are popular adventure activities here. However, if you wish for a quiet time, pleasant weather, and very few people, October is the ideal month for planning a road trip to Menorca.
Day 4: North West of Menorca
The places you can cover in the North West of Menorca are Cala Pilar, Playa de Cavalleria, and Fornells. Fornells is a fisherman village and the only proper habitation on the North coast of Menorca. The town has a small port and a city center. You can walk to the Torre de Fornells, a great sunset point located at the end of the village.
Playa de Cavalleria is one of the best things in Menorca, located 30 km from Cala Pilar. The beach is secluded and is perfect for people who don't enjoy crowds. It is a must in your itinerary if you are a nature lover. Car rentals in Menorca cannot go here, so you may have to take a walk.
Day 5: Mount Torro
Monte Torro is the highest point in Menorca. It is 17 kms from Far de Cavalleria and offers a 360-degree view of the Island from above. There's a small bar and restaurant cafe at the top. So, you can enjoy this tiny island's view while having a delicious lunch.
I hope this blog makes you take a road trip to Menorca. If yes, don't forget to Rent a car from Menorca's most trusted car rental partner