RIB speed, then swimming in postcard coves. This Cala Figuera tour traces Mallorca’s southeast coast and, with the right option, reaches Cala Màrmols, plus the coves of Caló de Moro with snorkeling gear. I like the small-group pace and the fact that the best views come from the water, not from a bus stop. One possible drawback: the guide and skipper language can vary, so don’t count on detailed commentary in every language.

What I really like about the setup is that it’s built around short, scenic stops and then water time. You get snorkeling equipment and drinks (a soft drink or a beer) while the RIB runs the route between coves. And because the boat is set up for a hot coastline, you’ll likely appreciate the shade once the sun ramps up.

Your main “decision point” is the water and wind. You may swim from the boat in Caló d’es Moro or in S’Almunia for about 40 minutes, and if you pick the longer option for Cala Màrmols, you won’t get a swim stop in Caló des Moro. Weather can also affect departures, and the skipper makes the call for safety.

Key highlights to look for

• Cala Màrmols by boat: a “only-access-by-boat-or-trail” beach stop with real swim time
• Caves and smugglers’ hideouts: you’ll see small caves along the route tied to old maritime stories
• Es Pontàs rock formation: the ancient cave entrance vibe you notice immediately from the water
• Wind-controlled swim options: your swim spot can shift between Caló des Moro and S’Almunia
• Short, punchy sightseeing stops: quick visits at Cala Santanyí, Es Pontàs, and Cala Llombards
• Drinks included on board: one soft drink or one beer, no need to track down a bar

South-East Mallorca by RIB: why this route feels different

This is a “sea-first” way to see Mallorca’s Santanyí coast. Instead of parking somewhere and walking a viewing point, you cruise along the coves as they appear—one after another—so the water color becomes part of the experience.

The tour also has a smart pace. You spend most of your time moving between sites by RIB, then you get focused visits and swimming. That’s especially handy on a day where you want the scenery now, not later.

And yes, this area is famous for turquoise water, but what makes it practical is that you actually have time in it. The tour builds in swim windows right from the boat, with snorkeling gear in your bag.

Meeting at RedstarTours Excursiones: start next to the port

You meet at the RedstarTours Excursiones office right next to the port of Cala Figuera. Plan to arrive a bit early so you can check in, get your snorkeling gear, and settle before the RIB pulls away.

It’s also a nice location to begin because Cala Figuera itself has that working-port feel. You’re not fighting for a bus pickup somewhere in the middle of nowhere; you’re already at the water.

The 110–170 minute plan: how the coast unfolds

The duration depends on the option you choose, with trips running about 110 to 170 minutes. The “longer” route is designed for the Cala Màrmols stop, while the other option keeps things tighter around the Caló des Moro and Santanyí area.

A typical flow goes like this: quick speed legs between coves, then short visits to notable spots, then the main swim time. The route is set up so you see a lot of coastline without spending the whole time in transit.

Cala Santanyí and Es Pontàs: quick stops with instant payoff

After the RIB speed leg, you’ll reach Cala Santanyí for about 10 minutes. It’s a chance to take in the bay from the water and get oriented to how the coves sit along this stretch of coast.

Next is Es Pontàs for roughly 10 minutes. This is where the rock formation stands out—it’s described as an ancient entrance to a cave. From the water, that “this looks carved” feeling is much clearer than it would be from shore.

Even if you only have a few minutes here, it’s one of those stops that gives you a fast “wow” before the tour moves on.

Cala Llombards and sa Cova des Fum: the coast gets more rugged

Then it’s on toward Cala Llombards (about 5 minutes). This stop is short, but it helps break up the day so you’re not just watching coastline from one long boat ride.

Between larger bays, you’ll pass along the sort of coastline that makes the South-East of Mallorca feel wild. The route includes sa Cova des Fum, and you’ll also come by es Caló des Macs along the way.

What this means for you: even if you’re not a “cave hunter,” you’ll still pick up the changes in the shoreline. You’ll see how the light hits stone and water, then watch that contrast shift as the boat turns.

S’Almunia: fishermen’s barracks and smuggler caves

S’Almunia is one of the most interesting parts of the route. You’ll visit, and the tour highlights its typical huts and fishermen’s barracks, plus the small caves used as hiding places.

This is where the coastline starts feeling like it has a backstory. Even if your guide mainly names places (more on that below), the visual is doing some of the teaching: caves cut into rock, sheltered pockets, and the logic of hideouts for people traveling by sea.

Also, this is one of your potential swim options. Depending on the wind, you might jump in here for about 40 minutes.

Caló des Moro: always-clean turquoise and a swim slot

Caló des Moro is treated like a star stop, with clean turquoise-blue water and a strong “you want to swim here” vibe. The tour says you’ll have the opportunity to swim from the boat in Caló d’es Moro—or instead in S’Almunia—based on wind direction.

So if your day has wind and the boat staff chooses S’Almunia for the water time, don’t assume you missed the best part. You’re still getting a beautiful turquoise spot and the same general experience: jump in from the RIB, snorkel, and float around in calm coves.

If you choose the option that includes Cala Màrmols, the trade-off is important: the tour states there’s no swim stop in Caló des Moro on that longer itinerary.

Es Màrmols: the “virgin beach” option with 45 minutes in water

If you select the option that extends to Cala Màrmols, the journey continues to this boat-access-only (or hiking-access-only) beach. Once you’re there, you get about 45 minutes for bathing from the boat and snorkeling.

This stop is the one many people are aiming for, because it feels less like a regular “beach parking lot” and more like a secluded coastline moment. You’re not just passing by—you have real time to enjoy the water and the feeling of arriving at a more untouched area.

And because you’re snorkeling from the boat, you don’t lose time walking to find the right spot. You get in, you swim, you’re back.

The special details between stops: Es Bauç quarries

Along the way, the tour route includes a look at Es Bauç, where sandstone blocks were cut and then transported by sea. It’s not the kind of fact you would catch from a typical viewpoint.

What I like about this kind of sidebar is that it turns the trip from “pretty water tour” into “I actually learned something while I was enjoying myself.” Even with short visits, these details make the coast feel lived-in and practical, not just scenic.

Snorkeling gear and your best way to use it

Snorkeling equipment is included, and the tour builds in time for swimming from the boat. The biggest advantage is that you don’t have to manage a separate activity or pay for gear at the beach first.

Because the swim time is limited (roughly 40 minutes for the Caló/S’Almunia choice, and about 45 minutes at Es Màrmols on the longer option), you’ll get more out of this if you treat snorkeling as part of the swim window, not a separate mission.

If conditions are choppy, you may feel it more at the edges of coves. One review note points out that the water can be choppy and the captain managed it well. Translation for you: keep your expectations flexible, and listen to skipper instructions.

Small-group comfort, shade, and drinks that don’t slow you down

This trip is promoted as a small group experience, and that matters here. You spend less time waiting, more time actually getting to the fun parts, and the boat feels easier to move around in.

The boat also has shade, which is a real quality-of-life feature on a hot Mallorca day. If you arrive with water bottle in hand and you can grab drinks without climbing around, you’ll keep your energy for the swim stop.

Drinks are included on board as one soft drink or one beer. That’s a nice touch because you don’t have to plan a separate stop for refreshments.

Price and value: what $44 buys you on this coast

At around $44 per person, this is positioned as a value option for what you’re getting: RIB transport along a major stretch of coastline plus snorkeling gear plus included drinks plus fuel and insurance.

You’re also not paying for food here, so the deal only makes sense if you’re happy to treat this as a swim-and-sightseeing excursion. For many people, that’s exactly right. You come for the water and the coves, then you eat later on land.

If you’re choosing between the shorter and longer itinerary, think about your priority. If Cala Màrmols is a must, paying for the extended option is the point. If you want more relaxed, tighter timing and still want great water time, the shorter route around Caló des Moro and S’Almunia can be a better match.

Weather, wind, and the skipper call: how to plan without stress

This is one of those tours where conditions matter. The operator notes that weather can cancel departures without prior notice, and delays can happen.

More importantly, the skipper is the authority on board. That’s not just legal language; it’s how your swim stop is ultimately decided. The tour explicitly says wind direction can determine whether you swim in Caló d’es Moro or in S’Almunia.

So go in with a mindset of flexibility. You’re buying access to this coastline, not guaranteed one exact shoreline moment. If wind pushes the swim to a different cove, you still get water time and the same RIB-in-the-coves feel.

Language reality: what you can expect from the guide on the day

The live guide is available in Spanish, Catalan, and English. That’s the official promise.

But based on real-world variation, it’s smart to assume you might get more place names than detailed explanations if the language match isn’t perfect that day. One praise example mentions an excellent captain even when English commentary wasn’t extensive, focusing instead on names of locations.

If you want deeper history or geology, treat this as a visual and practical tour first. If you’re happy learning by seeing—coves, caves, rock formations—then the “names and scenery” format works.

Who should book this RIB trip (and who might skip it)

Book it if you want:

• Water time as the centerpiece (swim from the boat)
• A coastline route packed with coves in a short window
• Snorkeling gear without extra planning

You might skip it if:

• You need long on-foot exploration at one beach (this is more hopping and swimming than walking)
• You dislike timing that’s controlled by wind and the skipper’s safety decisions

It’s a great match for couples, friends, and anyone staying near Cala Figuera who wants a strong “Mallorca coast” experience without committing to a full-day schedule.

Should you book the Cala Figuera to Cala Màrmols RIB tour?

Yes—if your top priority is swimming and seeing Mallorca’s southeast coves from the water. The combination of RIB speed, short scenic stops, included snorkeling gear, and swim windows makes the value feel solid for the price.

Choose the longer option if Cala Màrmols is on your wishlist and you’re okay trading off the Caló des Moro swim stop. If you’d rather keep it simpler and don’t need that extra beach, the shorter route still gives you excellent coastline and a real swim slot.

One last tip: pack for sun and water, and keep an open mind about wind. When conditions line up, this route delivers exactly the kind of day that turns into a favorite memory.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour from Cala Figuera?

The tour duration runs about 110 to 170 minutes. The included excursion length is listed as either 1 hour 50 minutes or 2 hours 50 minutes depending on the option you select.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at the RedstarTours Excursiones office, right next to the port of Cala Figuera. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes the RIB boat excursion (duration depends on option), a professional skipper, snorkeling equipment, drinks (one soft drink or one beer), insurance, and fuel.

Is there swimming and snorkeling time?

Yes. You’ll have the opportunity to swim from the boat in Caló d’es Moro or in S’Almunia (about 40 minutes), depending on wind direction. If you choose the option that goes on to Es Màrmols, you’ll have about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling there from the boat.

If I choose the Cala Màrmols option, do I still swim at Caló des Moro?

The tour states that with the option Cala de Moro y Cala Marmols, the journey continues to Es Màrmols and there is no stop for a swim in Caló des Moro.

What languages is the guide available in?

The live tour guide is listed in Spanish, Catalan, and English.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.