BASKING IN THE BEAUTY OF THE BALEARICS

The bijou Balearic archipelago is a place of captivating contrasts. Rustic fishing villages and crumbling monuments hidden down dusty lanes. Glamorously hedonistic hotspots and chic hideouts for the young elite. Peaceful bays, sandy beaches and majestic mountain pathways. There is something for every mood and every guest.

It doesn’t take much to fall under the spell of this special cluster of islands. For the perfect escape, take one week to really get under its skin, hopping back and forth between the islands. Families will find the Balearics to be wonderfully welcoming during school holidays in July and August, while those with younger children might prefer to visit in low season when the weather is slightly cooler and the islands are significantly less crowded. For couples and groups, May, June, September and October are ideal – the weather is lovely and there is still a buzz, but you’ll miss the holiday hordes.

Join your yacht charter in Ibiza, an island of glamorous tranquillity. While its public persona typically centres on its infamous nightlife, you’ll discover that there is so much more to the island. Cool and sophisticated, with an alluring polish that belies its sleepy soul, Ibiza Old Town is full of magic and beauty. Here you can browse high-end boutiques or wander the hippy market at Punta Arabi; you can spot celebs in world-class restaurants or sample local delights at rustic eateries; party to the small hours or slip away after a quiet cerveza at a small taverna.

On your first morning, you can head to Illetas Beach on Formentera, Ibiza’s quieter little sister island, where great anchorages are set in an area of incredible natural beauty. Illetas is known as ‘fashion beach’ and it is a pretty, narrow strip of sand, lapped by clear turquoise waters and lined with chic seaside restaurants serving up ocean-fresh seafood all day.

After another night in Ibiza Town and a leisurely breakfast on board (perhaps after a late night sampling the Ibiza scene), meander along the coast to drop anchor near Santa Eulalia and Cala Llenya for the day. This palm-lined promenade is fringed by a sandy beach and is renowned for being Ibiza’s gastronomic and cultural hub. There is an array of excellent restaurants, art galleries and boutiques here, while the quiet beach at Cala Llenya is a haven of powder soft sand surrounded by fragrant pines and a sweet little beach bar, famed for its paella.

Back on Formentera, the longest beach, Playa Migjorn, is a picturesque spot to anchor for a couple hours or even a day. Extending for 8km along the south side of the island, the sea here is almost clichéd in its twinkling azure tones and clarity. Wander up and down the rolling sand dunes from beach club to beach club, throwing yourself into the softly lapping waves with regular abandon to cool off.

A shallow sandbar separates Formentera from the small, private island of s’Espalmador. This popular superyacht setting is great for yacht spotting, but even better for snorkelling and swimming. The island also boasts mud flats where guests can partake in a mud bath before running back into the ocean to clean off.

It would be easy to spend an entire charter hopping between beaches on Ibiza and Formentera, but you won’t regret the five hour overnight cruise to Mallorca. Palma is perhaps one of the Med’s most under-the-radar cities; amble through the old town to the cathedral, do a bit of shopping in the Passeig de Born and sip coffee while people watching at the Placa Llotja. A two hour cruise around the coast will take you to Punta Negra, a rocky peninsula that is home to two small coves. The natural horseshoe bay is a lovely anchorage and the perfect place to raid your yacht’s tender and toys.

Following a night in Palma, your yacht can make its way to anchor off Soller, Deia and Dragonera on the west coast of Mallorca for the day. Look out for the indigenous wall lizards of uninhabited Dragonera wildlife park and soak in the beauty of the olive groves and fruit trees of Soller before exploring its botanical gardens. Enjoy a seafood lunch at the Cas Patro March beach restaurant on rustic and secluded Cala Deia.

Make the final stop on your Balearic charter Menorca, a scenic, family-friendly little island that will captivate culture lovers, nature enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies in equal measure. Nearly half the island is protected as a nature reserve, so its rugged landscape is alive with birds, reptiles, insects and unique plant life. Your captain will know the best hidden coves where you can revel in breathtaking beaches and nip along the water on jetskis. The best is arguably Cala Macarella, a beautiful cove accessed best by yacht. After a day on the water, moor up in Mahón, a mellow yet sophisticated town that exudes historic elegance and style. Come ashore for dinner or stay on board watching the harbour lights from on deck as you discuss the past days and plan your return to the beautiful Balearics.

Contact an Ocean Independence charter broker for a completely bespoke Balearic itinerary just for you.