Tesams
Member
Help needed please for a trip over to Menorca, thoughts and ideas welcome. We're based in Cala D'or, so was planning on heading north and experience some north eastern calas and then over to menorca for 3 days.
Menorca Recommendations for a Med Newbie
- Thread starter Tesams
- Start date
Whitelighter
Well-Known Member
Mehon is the obvious place to head to - a really beautiful town and worth a visit. Easy from north Mallorca too.
Mooring wise there are 3/4 different operators that have various quays and marinas in the large Cala that firm Mahon port.
There are also some floating marinas in the centre which are not attached to the shore - anchoring in the port is now not allowed.
I'd perhaps start with a call to marina Mahon which is pretty centrally located and go from there.
Mooring wise there are 3/4 different operators that have various quays and marinas in the large Cala that firm Mahon port.
There are also some floating marinas in the centre which are not attached to the shore - anchoring in the port is now not allowed.
I'd perhaps start with a call to marina Mahon which is pretty centrally located and go from there.
Danfarry
Well-Known Member
Fornells is lovely, you can pick up a buoy or possibly squeeze on the town quay.
Illa den Colom is between Mahon and Fornells. It has loads of little bays and anchorages so you can always be sheltered.
There is also a sand bar there, it is only a meter deep and the surf builds up there which is great fun in your tender!
Illa den Colom is between Mahon and Fornells. It has loads of little bays and anchorages so you can always be sheltered.
There is also a sand bar there, it is only a meter deep and the surf builds up there which is great fun in your tender!
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Yup, Mahon is the obvious place to base yourself and the nearest protected anchorage is a few miles north at Es Grau (Colom). As you go further north and west there is a nice little marina and anchorage at Addaia although be careful with the entrance. Fornells is a well known major anchorage further on and is a good bolthole in windy weather. As you go further west around the island there is the very attractive harbour and town of Cuitadella if you can get a berth. On the south side of the island there are a number of anchorages which are sheltered from northerly winds and also very attractive
I would say that the wind forecast will decide your cruising plans because as you probably know Menorca is known as the windy isle partly because its relatively flat and partly because, being the most northerly island in the Balearics, it is most exposed to the NW mistral wind which can be very strong there. It can blow quite hard from the East as well. For that reason the channel between Majorca and Menorca is not to be taken lightly so pick a day to do that when the wind forecast is benign
I would say that the wind forecast will decide your cruising plans because as you probably know Menorca is known as the windy isle partly because its relatively flat and partly because, being the most northerly island in the Balearics, it is most exposed to the NW mistral wind which can be very strong there. It can blow quite hard from the East as well. For that reason the channel between Majorca and Menorca is not to be taken lightly so pick a day to do that when the wind forecast is benign
Truro Ex Pat
Well-Known Member
Yes we went over in late July and always get caught by the weather,in Minorca, we did Mahon (Marina) 1st and then Aidda and then finished in Fornells, we were due to go to Citudella and then round past Cala Bosch to anchor but due to wind went back to Alcudia, just check the forcast before you go unless you do not mind a windy anchor and unsettled crossing!
Its also very busy in the marinas and on the buoys when we went.
Its also very busy in the marinas and on the buoys when we went.
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Yes us too. We cruised around Menorca twice when we were moored in Palma and it always seemed to be windy. If I'm being frank, IMHO Menorca is not only the windiest but also the least attractive Balearic island. Majorca itself as a cruising area is fantastic and with so many variations but we also enjoyed Ibiza and Formentera even though Ibiza is just mad crowded during the high season
So if I was the OP I'd head south rather than north
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
Have a look at this report that I wrote a couple of years ago.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?363830-Short-cruise-round-Menorca-lots-of-Pics
You might want to go the other way round if you are leaving from Cala D'or.
Last summer, Mahon was packed in August - we spent a couple of nights in Cala Teulera (on the right as you drive up the river to Mahon).
Strong winds last summer from the north so we then did a couple of nights in Cala Binibeca.
We've passed Binibeca lots of times and thought it would be too tight to anchor there but we were travelling with some yachtie friends and there really is lots of space in there.
A couple of pics
This is Cala Teulera - in August!!
And this is Binibeca
For the North side see my report but I didn't like Fornells - too open and exposed.
Much preferred Addaia - more challenging nav to get in but very do-able - just follow the marked channel.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?363830-Short-cruise-round-Menorca-lots-of-Pics
You might want to go the other way round if you are leaving from Cala D'or.
Last summer, Mahon was packed in August - we spent a couple of nights in Cala Teulera (on the right as you drive up the river to Mahon).
Strong winds last summer from the north so we then did a couple of nights in Cala Binibeca.
We've passed Binibeca lots of times and thought it would be too tight to anchor there but we were travelling with some yachtie friends and there really is lots of space in there.
A couple of pics
This is Cala Teulera - in August!!
And this is Binibeca
For the North side see my report but I didn't like Fornells - too open and exposed.
Much preferred Addaia - more challenging nav to get in but very do-able - just follow the marked channel.
Promarine11
Active Member
Great advice Deleted User. Fornells sheltered though sparce for much else to do and see. The north though'interesting' can be a real pita when the prevailing North winds blow. Stay south ,pop in to Latitude in Mahon and have Nikki make you and the crew one of his Mojito's you'll probably never leave.