Anyone been to Cabrera?

[Spyro]

I'm off to Mallorca beginning of next month for a week sailing. We are thinking about visiting Cabrera. I know we need to apply for a permit before going but I want to know what it's like from someone who has been and is it worthwhile visiting?
Any info appreciated.

Ian

 

[SilverBreeze]

Was there this time last year, two Bavs, six Irish on each boat.

Very dry island, no houses. Pick up a mooring, paddle ashore, cantina may or may not be open. Walk uphill to lighthouse, admire view. Walk back down. Big eff off Customs boat arrives, crew into now open cantina, one drink, they roar away back to sea. Long walk through scrub to black and white lighthouse on NE side of island, long walk back. Into the dinghy, capsize at the dock, right it and paddle back to the boat.

That's what they did, I stayed on the boat, drank wine, read a book, listened to music, prepared dinner, had a nice time.

I wouldn't go there again.

 

[ccscott49]

Nice spot, great snorkelling, rest as above!

 

[Guest]

Left job in Palma. Now ex-employer took me out to a restaurant.

Sailed off to Cabrera. Strict on holding tanks. That is the point that the food poisoning set in. Lasted 1 day before holding tank was full. Passed out.

Next thing was being awoken to drop anchor back in Mallorca. Went to doctor.

Sorry, I do not remember anything other than the buoy and the holding tank issue.

 

[FAITIRA]

Was there in 92 before the restrictions came in, found the place very interesting and the history attached touching, apparently hundreds or thousands of French POWs were starved to death during the Peninsular Wars. I would recommend a visit.

 

[duppamiller]

We chartered from Palma in 2005 and also wondered whether Cabrera would be worth the effort. The answer is a definite yes! Quiet, sheltered and unspoilt anchorage makes a great contrast to the rest of Majorca. Unanimous agreement that this was the best place we stopped at. If you're going with Sunsail then make sure they've organised permits in plenty of time - we were within sight of the national park boundary before we got the green light!

 

[Aja]

We wanted to go. Had licence etc, then weather went totally against us.

Bummer

Donald

 

[jimbaerselman]

Unusual. Strongly recommended if you like wild life (not the Ibiza sort). The park rangers are very helpful, and hand out good leaflets explaining the unusual fauna and flora which have developed in isolation on this small archipelago. Long walks. Take binoculars and refreshment. A little about the place on my website.

 

[mbay]

I'm going there middle of June you'll have to let me know how you get on, best places to go, worst etc.
Have a good trip.

 

[tcm]

um, it's not an abolutely must-see IMHO unles you are a seabird nut - it's a nature reserve hence there is utterly sod all on the island and hence the only worthwhile thing to do is hike to the top of the hill and take distant pic of your boat in the bay, although there wll be others as well, so not an incredible shot really. Hohum. I was with a journalist friend who had already got the shot the previous year and reused it the lazy git.

But around the main island of majorca there are plenty of other anchorages at least as pretty and at es trenc just opposite on majorca SE coast (mallorca is somewhere else, much more pretentious and expnsive I believe) the water is really lovelyand blue with sandybeach instad of a bit gritty as on cabrera, and there are some beach restaurants and bars, and also some women sell multi-purpose bits of cloth (skirts, top, wrap) on the beach and demonstrate how to wear them whilst wearing no other clothes whatsoever, all of which I found a bit more interesting than Cabrera, really.