Balearic beats

Tony and Sarah Boas arrived in the Mediterranean intending to spend a season exploring the Balearic Islands, but wound up staying for eight years...

We first came into the Mediterranean in 2011, intending to spend the following season doing a circuit of the Baleares and then returning to the Atlantic. Eight years later we are still in the Western Med, having spent most of our time exploring the islands – Sardinia, Elba, Corsica and, above all, the Baleares. The attraction – beautiful anchorages, clear warm water, good swimming, usually benign weather, not to mention the good food and wine ashore. We think we are now stuck in this area!

Practicalities

From mainland Spain, the Baleares are within easy reach. From our winter base in Cartagena, Formentera is only 150 miles to the northeast. Ibiza is but 60 miles from Calpe – a day sail. From Valencia, Sóller, in Mallorca, is 140 miles and from Barcelona, Menorca is 120 miles.

When to go?

April, May and June are delightful, with the anchorages less crowded and mooring prices reasonable. July and August are to be avoided if possible. The islands become crowded, the weather too hot and, above all, marina prices become horrendous, sometimes three times the prices of May. Many of the regular cruisers return home at this time, either laying up ashore or retreating to the cheaper marinas on the mainland. In September and October the crowds go, prices reduce and the water temperature is at its best – perhaps our favourite months.

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