Mallorca's northwest coast is where the Serra de Tramuntana mountains meet the water directly — a UNESCO World Heritage landscape that looks nothing like the south or southwest of the island. This route from Port de Sóller to Sa Foradada is shorter than a full Tramuntana day, and works well when the goal is scenery and a good anchorage rather than a long list of beach stops.
Port de Sóller — the starting point
Port de Sóller is a large, naturally protected bay, which makes it a reliable starting point and a safe harbor if conditions on the open coast turn. It's also connected to the inland town of Sóller by a historic wooden tram, worth knowing about if a stop ashore is part of the plan before or after the boat day.
Cala Deià — a stop for atmosphere
South along the coast, Cala Deià is a small, rocky cove below the hillside village of Deià, long associated with the writers and artists who settled there. The water is clear and the setting dramatic — steep terraced hillside behind a narrow pebble beach — with a cluster of cliffside restaurants built into the rocks above the cove. It's a stop to swim and take in the setting rather than a long anchorage.
Sa Foradada — the natural endpoint
Continuing south, Sa Foradada is a narrow peninsula with a distinctive hole worn through the rock, visible from the water. It's roughly 12 nautical miles from Port de Sóller and only reachable by boat or a demanding hike down from the road above — there's no easy land access, which keeps it quieter than most stops on this coast. The anchorage sits sheltered from northerly winds with open views west, which is why it's known as a strong sunset spot; a restaurant on the point serves the headland by boat or on foot.
Comparing it to the south and southwest routes
Where the south Mallorca route is flat dune beaches and the southwest route is moderate cliffs and pine forest, the Tramuntana coast is mountains dropping straight into the sea — steeper, more dramatic, and with far less flat beach to work with. It's a different kind of day built around scenery and a small number of striking stops rather than a longer list of anchorages.
Planning the day
Port de Sóller to Sa Foradada suits a half-day comfortably, or a full day paired with time ashore in Sóller or Deià. See the Mallorca destination guide for the rest of the island's anchorages, or get in touch with your dates and we'll build the route around what you want to see.