Water sports in Sóller

Port de Sóller sits in an almost closed bay with a narrow mouth, so very little swell gets in. That is why it suits water sports so well: you can launch from the shore, paddle along the rocks at the entrance and come back without surprises. Outside the bay begins the north coast of the Serra de Tramuntana, a cliff coastline with no roads, where the sea is a different story.

To choose where to swim, see beaches and coves in Sóller. This guide covers what you do on and under the water.

We list no prices: they vary by season and company. Ask for a quote before booking.

A kayak is the easiest way to see the coast from the water. There are three kinds of outing:

• Bay and lighthouses: paddling inside the bay to the Far de Sa Creu, at the harbour entrance of Port de Sóller, and on towards the Far des Cap Gros, on the headland above the Port, is a one or two hour outing, suitable for beginners in good weather. To reach the lighthouses on foot, see the hiking guide.
• Coast and caves: towards the coves and sea caves along the coast, always with a local guide and in calm seas. Ask who knows the stretch and what happens if the wind changes.
• Towards Sa Calobra: a long, exposed crossing with few places to land. Only for experienced sea kayakers, with a favourable forecast and company. If you simply want to reach Sa Calobra, the boat from the Port is the sensible choice.

Kayak hire and guided trips are usually available in season: ask on the promenade or by phone about companies, rates and times. Make sure a life jacket is included and that you are told which area you may use.

The sheltered bay is ideal for stand-up paddle boarding: standing on the board you see the seabed, the harbour and the coast from a new angle. For a first go, use a wide board and head out early in the morning or at sunset, when the sea tends to be flattest.

• Beginners: stay inside the bay and close to shore.
• Attach the board to your ankle with the leash and wear a life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer.
• If the wind pushes you away from shore, kneel or lie down and paddle: you present less surface to the wind.
• Avoid SUP in a strong tramuntana or when the sea looks choppy outside the bay.

As with kayaks, boards are available to hire in season; check availability and conditions on the day.

Snorkelling is mostly done on the rocks at either end of the bay and at coves reached by boat, such as Cala Deià and Cala Tuent (details of each in the beaches guide). Soller Divers includes snorkelling on its sailing-boat outings and offers a snorkelling and freediving activity.

• Wear water shoes: the shores are rock and pebble.
• Always go with someone and, if you swim away from shore, tow a marker buoy so boats can see you.
• Look, do not touch: not the fish, not the Posidonia, not the sea urchins.
• If you are nervous with a snorkel, start in shallow water inside the bay.

Dives leave by boat along the north-west coast of Mallorca. The sites have caves and walls, good visibility (sometimes over 30 metres) and marine life such as nudibranchs, grouper, moray eels, lobster and octopus.

• Soller Divers (sollerdivers.com): a PADI and SSI 5-star centre at Carrer de la Marina 62, Port de Sóller. According to its official website: daily half-day trips from April to October, trial dives and courses, technical diving and a snorkelling and freediving activity. Phone +34 671 023 854, email info@sollerdivers.com.

Before booking a trial dive, ask the centre about the minimum age, the depth and the number of dives. Bring your certification card and, if asked, a medical certificate.

If you plan to fly soon after diving, ask your centre how long to wait.

Boat trips, boat hire and charters have their own guide: boat trips from Port de Sóller, with routes, durations, booking and licence rules.

For jet skis, ask at the harbour or at the maritime authority (Capitanía Marítima) about companies, rules and permitted areas.

The tramuntana is the north wind that gives the mountains their name. The Port bay softens the swell, but outside it the sea can pick up quickly. Simple rules:

• Check the wind and sea forecast first thing; with a tramuntana or strong gusts, stay in the bay or do not go out.
• If the wind blows out of the bay, the paddle back is harder than it looks.
• A sudden change in wind or clouding over is your cue to head back.
• A red flag on the beach means do not enter the water.

The figures are approximate. Today's forecast is on the weather in Sóller.

• Life jacket on kayak and SUP, even if you swim well.
• Do not go alone outside the bay, and tell someone your route and return time.
• Phone in a waterproof pouch. The emergency number is 112.
• Watch for boats: the Port has tour and fishing boat traffic; keep out of the entrance channel.
• Sun and dehydration: you burn faster on the water than you think. Sun cream and water.
• If you tire, climb on to the board or kayak and wave your arms.

Posidonia oceanica meadows are a protected marine plant that keeps the water clean and clear. Under the Balearic government's Decree 25/2018, anchoring boats on Posidonia is generally prohibited, except with authorised low-impact systems such as mooring buoys. In practice:

• If you hire a boat, do not drop the anchor on the dark patches on the seabed: use buoys or sandy bottom.
• Do not pull up or trample the plant; dry leaves on the shore are part of the ecosystem.
• Do not take shells, urchins or starfish, and do not feed the fish.
• To check specific regulated anchoring zones, see the Balearic government's official site (caib.es, "Cuida la posidonia").

• Swimsuit, towel and water shoes.
• A rash vest or shorty wetsuit in spring and autumn.
• Sunglasses with a strap, a cap and water-resistant sun cream.
• Water and some fruit.
• A waterproof pouch for phone and keys.
• Your own mask and snorkel if you snorkel regularly.
• Your certification card and medical certificate if you will dive.

All activities start from Port de Sóller, about 3 km from the town. The most convenient way is the Sóller tram; if you drive, read parking in Sóller. If you prefer the mountains, there is climbing and cycling.