Mallorca: Kayak Rental

Palma looks best from the water. This two-hour kayak rental from Can Pastilla gives you an active, low-cost way to see the Bay of Palma, with the option to paddle toward the islet of Sa Galera, stop for a swim, and look back toward the city. I especially like the freedom to choose your own route and the chance to combine exercise with quiet time on the sea.

I also like the price: $23 per person is fair for two hours of kayak use, equipment, and a life vest. The main thing to consider is the setting. Much of the outing takes place on open water, so you should not expect a shore packed with coves, cliffs, or scenic rock formations.

Key points to know before you book

• Sa Galera gives you a clear target: Paddle toward this small islet, where you can stop to swim, snorkel, and see an archaeological site connected with Phoenician activity from the 4th to 2nd centuries BC.
• This is a rental, not a guided tour: You choose your direction and pace, but you will not have a guide leading the route or explaining each sight.
• Two hours is enough for a taste of the bay: You may reach Sa Galera, Portixol, or possibly continue toward Palma Cathedral, depending on your speed and conditions.
• The equipment has earned praise: The kayaks are described as being in very good condition, and the staff member has been singled out for friendly, smooth service.
• You must handle beach transport: Equipment is at the meeting point, but transportation of the kayaks to the beach and back is not included.
• Bring only what you need: Swimwear and a towel are useful, while valuables, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

Starting at Can Pastilla with two hours ahead

The experience begins at the meeting point in Can Pastilla, a practical base on the Bay of Palma. Before you go down to the beach, check the shop location carefully. The kayaks and other equipment are kept at the meeting point, and the details make clear that getting the equipment to the beach and returning it afterward is not part of the service.

That matters because this is not a hotel pickup excursion. You arrange your own way to the meeting point, then follow the local instructions for collecting the kayak. Give yourself enough time to find the shop and get ready, rather than arriving at the last minute and losing part of your two-hour rental.

You can choose a single or double kayak. A single kayak suits you if you want to paddle at your own rhythm. A double kayak can make the outing more social, though both paddlers need to work together. If one person does most of the paddling, the workload can become uneven, as one Spanish-language comment put it with good humor: her boyfriend did all the effort.

A life vest is included with the kayak equipment. You need to bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to stop in the water. A wetsuit is not included, so if you think you need one, ask about that before setting out.

What the open bay feels like from a kayak

The appeal here is direct and simple: you are on the water under your own power, with Palma spread out nearby. Kayaking gives you a slower view of the city than a road or sightseeing bus. You can pause, look back toward the shore, and let the outing feel more like a short escape than a scheduled attraction.

At the same time, you should set your expectations correctly. A German-language review praised the friendly staff and the quality of the kayaks, but found the surroundings less varied than hoped. The route is mainly across open sea, with fewer coves, cliffs, and dramatic coastal features than you might find elsewhere in Mallorca.

I consider that an important point, not a flaw hidden in the fine print. The experience works best if you enjoy the act of paddling itself. If your main goal is a succession of striking rock formations and sheltered bays, this may feel visually modest.

The open setting does offer one advantage: you have room to focus on the horizon, the city views, and the rhythm of the kayak. The quiet stretches can be the best part. This is sport and fun, but it also gives you moments when there is little to do except paddle, float, and look around.

Sa Galera: the most interesting stop

For a clear destination, aim toward the islet of Sa Galera. It is the strongest reason to choose this rental over simply hiring a kayak without a suggested route. Sa Galera is connected with an archaeological site dating from the Phoenician period, between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC.

You should treat the islet as an optional goal rather than a guaranteed stop at a fixed time. This is not a guided outing, and your ability to reach it depends on your paddling speed and the conditions on the day. You also need to leave enough time to return the kayak within the two-hour rental.

Once there, you can stop for a swim, snorkel, and take in the views. The visit is not presented as a formal archaeological tour, so do not expect a guide to explain the site in detail. Its value comes from combining a small historical point with time on the water.

That combination is what I like about Sa Galera. You are not simply paddling in circles for exercise, and you are not spending the entire time on shore reading about the past. You have a modest historical destination that gives the route purpose, followed by a chance to get back in the water.

Bring your towel and swimwear if you want to make the most of this stop. Snorkeling is possible, but snorkeling equipment is not listed among the included items, so you should confirm what you need before leaving the meeting point.

Portixol and Palma Cathedral as longer options

If you paddle efficiently and have enough time, you can continue toward Portixol. The route can also take you farther in the direction of Palma Cathedral. These are options, not promised stops, and you should avoid planning an ambitious route without allowing time to return the kayak.

The possibility of seeing the cathedral from the water is appealing. Palma Cathedral is one of the city’s most recognizable sights, and a water-level view gives you a different angle from the usual street approach. Still, the information provided does not guarantee that every rental reaches the cathedral. Treat it as an extra possibility for strong paddlers, not the main reason to book.

Portixol offers another possible goal, but the same rule applies: the rental is self-directed. You decide how far to go, how long to stop, and when to turn back. I would rather set one realistic target, such as Sa Galera, than rush through several points and spend the final minutes worrying about the return.

This freedom is useful for a private group. You are not tied to a guide’s pace or to another group’s schedule. But the trade-off is responsibility. You need to keep track of time, choose a sensible route, and make decisions for yourself on open water.

Equipment and staff quality

The strongest practical praise is aimed at the equipment and service. The kayaks have been described as being in very good condition and giving a high-quality impression. That makes a real difference during a short rental, because poorly maintained gear can turn a pleasant paddle into a tiring chore.

The staff service also receives positive attention. A friendly employee helped make the process smooth, and another recent comment praised the treatment from the staff and described the guide as very good. Since this is a rental rather than a guided tour, I would read that reference to a guide as praise for the team, not as a promise that someone will paddle with you.

The service seems to be one of the safest reasons to choose BonaOna Surf School. You are paying for access to the bay, but you also want a clean handoff, usable equipment, and clear directions at the start. Good staff support helps, especially when the kayaks are collected at the shop and then taken to the beach.

Still, ask questions before setting off if any part of the equipment or route is unclear. The rental includes the kayak equipment and a life vest, but not food, drinks, a wetsuit, transport, or hotel pickup.

Is $23 a fair price?

At $23 per person, this is a reasonable way to spend two hours in Palma, particularly if you already have a way to reach Can Pastilla. The price covers the kayak equipment and life vest, and you get the freedom to make your own outing rather than paying for a longer organized excursion.

The value depends on what you want from the coast. If you want a short active break, a swim, and city views from the bay, the cost is attractive. You can create a pleasant half-day rhythm around it, though the rental itself lasts only two hours.

If you are hoping for transport, a guide, meals, or a full set of water-sports equipment, the price will feel less complete. None of those extras are included. You also need to account for your own transport to the meeting point and the effort of moving the equipment to and from the beach.

I would call this good value for independent paddlers, not an all-inclusive coastal excursion. The fact that cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity adds useful flexibility, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Who should book this kayak rental?

This activity suits you if you can swim, are comfortable with a self-guided water outing, and enjoy choosing your own route. It works well for couples, friends, or a private group that wants time together without a fixed guide or large tour schedule.

You should be prepared for open water and a fairly simple setting. If you need frequent instruction, want a narrated archaeological visit, or prefer a route packed with coves and cliffs, choose a more structured coastal activity instead.

The rental is not suitable for non-swimmers, visually impaired people, or babies under one year old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you should leave valuables behind. Those rules are sensible for a small craft on open water.

A double kayak may be the easiest choice for a pair who want to share the outing. A single kayak gives you more personal control, but it also means doing all the paddling yourself. Be honest about your energy and experience before choosing.

Practical tips for making the most of the two hours

Arrive ready to move. Wear your swimwear under your clothes, bring a towel, and check the shop location before heading down to the beach. Since equipment transport is not included, pay attention to the local instructions and allow time for that part of the process.

Set your route before you start. Sa Galera is the most obvious goal, with Portixol and Palma Cathedral as possible extensions. Keep an eye on the clock from the beginning, because stopping to swim or snorkel can make the return journey feel shorter than expected.

Do not load the kayak with items you do not need. Valuables are not allowed, and the best approach is to travel light. Bring only what you have been told to bring, especially your swimwear and towel.

Finally, think of the outing as a flexible paddle rather than a sightseeing checklist. The bay may give you city views, open-water calm, and a small archaeological stop. It may not provide dramatic coastal scenery at every turn, and the best experience comes when you enjoy the water itself.

Should you book the Mallorca kayak rental?

Book it if you want an affordable, self-guided paddle from Can Pastilla, with the chance to reach Sa Galera, swim, snorkel, and see Palma from the bay. The well-kept kayaks and friendly service add confidence, and $23 is a fair price for two hours.

Skip it if you need a guide, hotel transport, a wetsuit, or a coast filled with cliffs and sheltered coves. This is a straightforward open-water rental, not a fully planned sightseeing cruise. For confident swimmers who like independence, it offers a pleasant mix of exercise, sea time, and a little history.

FAQ

How long does the kayak rental last?

The rental lasts two hours.

How much does the kayak rental cost?

The listed price is $23 per person.

Where does the kayak rental begin?

The activity begins at a meeting point in Can Pastilla, in the Balearic Islands. Check the shop location before going down to the beach.

Is this a guided kayak tour?

No. This is not a guided activity. You rent the kayak and choose your own route.

Can I paddle to Sa Galera?

Sa Galera is a suggested destination for the rental. You can stop there to swim, snorkel, and see the archaeological site, while allowing enough time to return the kayak.

Can I continue to Portixol or Palma Cathedral?

You may continue toward Portixol or farther toward Palma Cathedral, depending on your route and available time.

What is included in the price?

Kayak equipment and a life vest are included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Food, drinks, a wetsuit, hotel pickup, transportation, and transport of the equipment to and from the beach are not included.