Menorca, or Minorca, is the second largest island to charter a yacht in the Balearic archipelago, which is considered one of the ideal locations for a sailing holiday due to the perfect combination of its position in the western Mediterranean, 300 sunny days annually, favourable winds, and breath-taking sights you should not miss. The whole island of Menorca is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to protect the unspoiled nature and wildlife of the island.
Menorca is a true yacht charter paradise among all the Balearic Islands, best known for its golden beaches, crystal clear sea, rugged coastline, and hidden coves. Menorca yacht charter gives you the opportunity to explore the Balearic Island that is less visited and touristy than the rest of the islands, but just as stunning.
Find Your Ideal Yacht in Menorca Sailing Region
Why is Menorca Popular Among Sailors?
When you charter a yacht in Menorca, you get everything you want on your sailing holiday: the weather with mild temperatures all year long, a not very rough ocean, as well as a wide range of amenities, landscapes, beaches, and marinas to choose from. These conditions are perfect for novice skippers, who want to sail on their own for the first time on a charter yacht, but also for experienced sailors who want to enjoy offshore sailing further from the land.
Its unspoiled nature is what makes Menorca the most authentic of the Balearic Islands. When you opt for a boat hire in Menorca, you can easily sail to the neighbouring Mallorca, or stay and go beach hopping.
Yacht Charter in Menorca Sailing Region
Charter a yacht in Menorca and discover numerous unspoiled white sandy beaches with turquoise water on this island, such as Cala Turqueta, on which you can spend the whole afternoon lying in the sun or playing water sports. Most of the yachts can be chartered in Port Mahon, the capital of Menorca which has the longest and deepest natural harbours in the world.
Best time for boat hire in Menorca is from May to October, when it’s delightfully warm on the island, with an average temperature of 29°C/84°F in the peak summer months of July and August. July has the most hours of sunshine at an average of 12 per day, and more than 8 from March until September. The sea temperature reaches 26°C/79°F in August and is comfortably warm from June to October, so you can take a dip in the sea anytime then on your chartered yacht.
Best Places to Visit in Menorca Region
After you chartered your yacht in Menorca and headed off on a sailing adventure you should not miss some of the Menorca’s highlights such as Mahon city, probably the best location on the island to visit various restaurants with delicious local cuisine. Mahon is considered the birthplace of mayonnaise. If you feel adventurous, you should explore Isla del Rey and its abandoned historic military hospital.
Ciutadella de Menorca is the second big city of the island and the former capital of the island. Take a walk through the old town and its many plazas and tiled streets or visit the amazing interiors of the Santa Maria Cathedral. Just outside of the city, you can visit Ses Pedreres de s’Hostal, an archeological location that has a stone labyrinth and botanical gardens. If you are in the mood for hiking, go to nearby Pont d’en Gil to witness amazing cliffs and beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea.
The rest of the island is yours to explore on your Menorcan sailing vacation; you can find endless beaches like Cala Pregonda, Cala Turqueta, Cala Galdana, Cala en Porter, Cova d’en Xoroi, and many more. Hiking around the island is more than welcome to find hidden coves and bays while visiting S’Albufera des Grau Nature Reserve is a must if you want to see thousands of bird species among the wild forest, dunes, and cliffs. Just south of the nature reserve, you can find Torralba d’en Salord, a perfectly preserved Talayotic village with stone structures like Stonehenge.
Important Info for Sailing in Menorca Sailing Region
Best time to sail
April - October
Most popular marinas
Mahon Marina, Ribera Del Puerto Marina, Cala Llonga Marina, Villacarlos Port, Cala Font Marina, Port D'Addaia, Es Grau Marina, Cala En Bosc Marina, Bahia de Fornells Marina, Ciutadella de Menorca Port
Nearest airports
Menorca Airport (MAH)
Number of charter yachts
10+
Popular regattas
Copa del Rey Repsol de Vela Classic Menorca
Top attractions
Mahon Port, Cala Galdana Beach, S'Albufera National Park, Monte Toro, Binibeca Vell-The Fisherman’s Village, Cala Turqueta, Cala en Porter
Gastronomy Highlights of Menorca Sailing Region
When on your yacht charter in Menorca be sure to get a taste of local food. Menorcan cuisine has peasant roots and is a part of wider, Balearic cuisine since it shares many dishes with its neighbouring islands. However, the islands’ isolation from one another in the past led to the development of individual traditional dishes. Menorcan cuisine is rich in vegetables, cereal and legumes as well as being low in fats.
Sobrassada is a unique Balearic Island delicacy, a reddish-coloured sausage made with pork mince, bacon, salt and spices. Since sobrassada has a soft pâté-like consistency, it is typically spread on toast or bread rather than being sliced. This sausage can also be used as a condiment or a topping for coca de recapte.
Coca de recapte is a Spanish flatbread, similar to Italian pizza traditionally eaten cold. Coca dough is made with flour, salt, olive oil, yeast, sugar, and warm water, while the most traditional Coca de recapte topping – escalivada is a preparation of roasted eggplant, red peppers, and onions, sometimes also topped with sardine fillets, fresh or tinned, or butifarra and onion or spinach and pine nuts.
Arròs de la terra is a typical Menorcan dish that was traditionally made on the days of the porquejada (pig slaughter). Despite arròs meaning rice in Catalan, this dish doesn’t contain rice and is based on broken wheat in a stone mortar and pork.
Oliaigua also known as Oliaigo in some villages, is one of Menorca's most traditional dishes. It used to be a farmers' food for its easy cooking and cheap ingredients. Oliaigua is made with water (aigua) and oil (oli) with several vegetables and leafy vegetables such as tomato, onion, and pepper. In the summer, the soup is eaten cold, and in the winter, it's eaten warm with onions, eggs, baked potatoes, or pickles.
