Cabrera Day Trip from Mallorca: My Experience and Everything Nobody Told Me
To Cabrera from Mallorca
When people think about Cabrera, the first things that come to mind are crystal-clear waters, peace and quiet, and the famous Blue Cave. It sounds like a little paradise just a few kilometres from Mallorca.
And it is.
But it's also a boat ride that puts you to the test before you even arrive, fearless lizards with more attitude than many tourists, a castle that reveals why the island was once so strategically important, and a sense of peace that's hard to find anywhere else in the Mediterranean.
This was my experience.
The Boat Ride That Tells the Truth
The excursion starts in Colònia de Sant Jordi. The harbour is calm, the sea looks perfectly flat, and you assume the crossing to Cabrera will be a relaxing cruise.
Well... not quite.
As soon as we reached open water, the famous Mediterranean swell appeared. The boat started bouncing up and down without stopping, and to make matters worse, we were sitting on the lower deck.
Every time we hit a wave, water poured inside.
Not a few drops.
Buckets of it.
By the time we arrived, my hair, T-shirt, trousers and even my trainers were completely soaked.
It felt more like riding inside a floating washing machine than a sightseeing boat.
When I got home around seven in the evening, my clothes were still damp.
My advice
If the sea looks even slightly rough, pack a lightweight waterproof jacket.
I didn't... and regretted it for the whole journey.
And, of course, keep your phone safely inside a waterproof bag or backpack.
The Castle: A Climb Worth Every Step
I'd read several reviews describing the walk up to the castle as difficult.
Honestly?
I found the opposite.
The path is very well marked and you can reach the top in about fifteen minutes without much effort. We took considerably longer, but only because we stopped every few metres to take photos, admire the views... or avoid stepping on yet another lizard.
The best part isn't reaching the castle.
It's the journey itself.
As you climb higher, the true Cabrera Archipelago slowly reveals itself. More islands appear on the horizon, the harbour looks completely different, and the sea changes through every imaginable shade of blue.
It's one of the most relaxing places I've ever visited.
Several times I simply stopped and looked at the scenery without doing anything at all.
Just the sound of the wind, the sea and the occasional boat entering or leaving the harbour.
When you finally reach the top, you immediately understand why this place was once so important.
The Famous Staircase from Hell
Just when you think the climb is over, you discover you can actually go even higher.
And it's absolutely worth it.
First, however, you have to face an incredibly narrow spiral staircase.
I'm not exaggerating.
The steps are so tiny that only half your foot fits on each one, and the staircase is so narrow that you almost have to climb sideways.
As I was making my way up, one question kept going through my mind.
How on earth did soldiers manage this centuries ago carrying weapons, supplies or those huge telescopes they used to watch the sea?
I only had a small backpack, and I already found it awkward.
And the way down...
With very little light and those tiny steps, I ended up coming down almost on tiptoe like a ballet dancer trying not to lose her balance.
Once you step outside again, the reward is immediate.
From the castle terraces you can admire almost the entire archipelago.
The view is simply breathtaking.
Inside the castle you'll also find wooden information panels explaining Cabrera's history and its role as a lookout point protecting the Mediterranean.
Rather than a luxurious castle, it feels much more like a military watchtower built to spot pirates and invading ships.
The Real Owners of Cabrera
Before we landed, our guide warned us.
"Don't feed the lizards."
I assumed it was just another rule to protect the wildlife.
Five minutes later, I understood why.
Those little creatures are shameless!
They have absolutely no fear of people.
The moment you take out a sandwich, they appear from nowhere.
And they're not looking for a tiny crumb.
They're after the whole prize.
As soon as one manages to grab something, the others rush in as if someone had fired the starting gun.
They chase each other, push one another aside and fight over every tiny piece of food.
At one point they genuinely reminded me of a miniature version of Jurassic Park.
I'll admit...
They made my skin crawl.
There were so many on the ground that more than once I lifted my foot at the last second because I was afraid of stepping on one.
Still...
They're part of Cabrera's charm.
A Little Harbour Café Full of Charm
After the walk, we stopped at the small harbour café.
It turned out to be one of the nicest surprises of the day.
It's absolutely charming.
Don't expect a fancy restaurant or an expensive beach club.
Everything is simple, and that's exactly why it's so enjoyable.
But what impressed me most were the people.
From the moment we arrived, they welcomed us with smiles and started joking with us almost immediately.
You can tell they genuinely enjoy their work, and they create such a friendly atmosphere.
The menu surprised me too.
Considering you're on a protected island, there's a good selection of food and drinks.
And then came another surprise.
I expected the typical sky-high prices you often find in tourist spots around the Balearic Islands.
Instead, everything felt surprisingly reasonable.
It's the kind of place where you happily sit down, slow your pace and simply enjoy the peaceful harbour.
The Blue Cave: The Perfect Ending
Our final stop was the famous Blue Cave.
I'd seen countless photos before visiting.
Even so...
Nothing prepares you for seeing it in person.
The way sunlight enters the cave creates an extraordinary blue glow.
For a few seconds, it almost looks as if the cave is illuminated from beneath the water.
Then comes the moment everyone has been waiting for.
The captain gives permission to jump in.
The first brave person dives...
...and the scream they let out when they hit the water makes the whole boat laugh.
Because yes...
It's freezing!
After the first shock, though, you don't want to get out.
I slowly swam deeper into the cave until I reached the point where the sunlight could no longer reach.
That's when I noticed something fascinating.
The famous Blue Cave is only blue where the sunlight enters.
The deeper you swim, the magical colour disappears completely, and it becomes an ordinary sea cave: dark, quiet and mysterious.
Ironically, that's exactly what makes the experience even more incredible.
Nature creates something almost magical using nothing more than sunlight and seawater.
Is Cabrera Worth Visiting?
Without the slightest doubt.
This isn't the place for people looking for beach clubs, loud music or shopping streets.
It's for anyone who enjoys walking, spectacular scenery and disconnecting from the outside world for a few hours.
I returned to Mallorca tired, still wearing slightly damp clothes thanks to the boat ride, and with my legs reminding me that the spiral staircase really exists.
But I also came home feeling I'd experienced one of those days that's worth living at least once.
And if you ever decide to visit Cabrera...
Don't forget your waterproof jacket...
...and never take your eyes off your sandwich.
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