Cabrera lies around ten kilometres south of Mallorca and has been a national park since 1991. You arrive by boat to find quiet bays, walking paths and very little development. Visitor numbers are limited.
Cabrera
Cabrera in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A day trip
- Best for
- Seeing a largely undeveloped coastline
- Best months
- April–June, September–October
- Time to allow
- Allow a full day
- Without a car
- Hire car recommended
- Parking
- Near the harbour in Colònia de Sant Jordi
- Keep in mind
- Anyone prone to seasickness — the crossing can be rough
- Access
- Pushchairs: Not practical for the walking routes · Wheelchairs: The main walking routes are unsuitable; discuss boarding and landing access with the boat operator
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
A small navigation light stands on the rocky headland.
Roughly two thousand hectares of island landscape, with very little development.
Old buildings remain from the island's military past.
Getting to know Cabrera
Does Cabrera suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Seeing a largely undeveloped coastline
- Snorkelling in clear water
- Setting aside a full day for an island trip
- Planning ahead and booking before places sell out
Things to bear in mind
- Anyone prone to seasickness — the crossing can be rough
- Expecting plenty of shops and services
- Relying on a regular winter boat timetable
- Deciding at the last minute in high season
Drive from the airport
45 minutes
50 km
Bus connections
Travel to Colònia de Sant Jordi
Region
Palma
Elevation
172 m
above sea level
A glimpse of Cabrera
Season guide for Cabrera
November Less suitable
Very quiet Mostly closed
Worth visiting in April, May, June, September and October. Less suitable in January, February, November and December. Mostly closed in January, February, November and December.
Location
Location of Cabrera
- Region
- Palma
- Municipality
- Palma
- Elevation
- 172 m above sea level
- Airport
- 50 km , around 45 minutes
- Hire car
- recommended
- Worth visiting for
- a day trip
- Coordinates
- 39.1419,2.9458
An island national park
Cabrera lies around ten kilometres south of Mallorca. It is the main island of a small archipelago that became a national park in 1991.
There are no resort streets or hotel strips. Instead, you find a harbour bay, buildings from its military past, a castle above the harbour entrance and marked walking paths across roughly two thousand hectares of island landscape.
Why make the crossing?
A boat trip from Colònia de Sant Jordi takes you to a coastline largely untouched by the development seen on Mallorca. On the way back, the contrast is clear.
In calm conditions, the clear water makes Cabrera a rewarding place to snorkel. Follow the park’s rules and stay within the areas open to visitors.
The prisoners of war
In the early 19th century, thousands of French prisoners of war were sent to Cabrera and largely left to fend for themselves. Many died. A monument on the island commemorates them.
Planning your visit
Most excursion boats leave from Colònia de Sant Jordi, with some departures also offered from Portopetro or Sa Ràpita. Daily visitor numbers are limited, and boats frequently sell out in high season.
Bring food, drinking water, sun protection and sturdy shoes. Services on the island are limited, and you should not rely on buying everything you need after landing. Poor sea conditions can cause cancellations, so check with your operator before setting off.
When to go
April is a lovely time for spring vegetation and fewer visitors, provided the weather allows the crossing. May brings migrating birds, while in September the sea still holds its summer warmth. Underwater visibility depends on wind and sea conditions.
Regular excursion services are seasonal and generally unavailable between November and February. Check the current timetable before making plans.
Photographs
Cabrera in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Cabrera
Three hours
Too short for a proper island visit, once you allow for the outward and return crossings.
Half a day
Some shorter boat trips include the Blue Cave and a swimming stop, without landing on the main island. Check the itinerary before booking.
A full day
The usual island visit includes the crossing, a landing in the harbour, the walk up to the castle, time for a swim and a return in the late afternoon.
On a rainy day
Boats may be cancelled in poor sea conditions. Check with the operator before travelling to the harbour.
Practical details
- Parking
- Near the harbour in Colònia de Sant Jordi
- Public transport
- To Colònia de Sant Jordi
- Time to allow
- Allow a full day
- Good to know
- Visitor numbers are limited and boats often sell out in high season. Bring food, drinking water, sun protection and sturdy shoes. Facilities on the island are very limited.
- Bus
- Travel to Colònia de Sant Jordi, then continue by boat
- Access
- Natural paths, with steps and uneven rock on the way to the castle · Pushchairs: Not practical for the walking routes · Wheelchairs: The main walking routes are unsuitable; discuss boarding and landing access with the boat operator · Dogs: Not permitted
- What you will not find
- A road network for visitors' cars · Resort hotels and shopping streets · A dependable year-round excursion timetable · Guaranteed last-minute places in high season
- Coordinates
- 39.1419,2.9458 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Cabrera
How do you get to Cabrera?
By boat, usually from Colònia de Sant Jordi. Crossing times vary with the boat and itinerary, generally from around half an hour to an hour. Some operators also run trips from Portopetro or Sa Ràpita. Services are seasonal and weather-dependent.
Why are visitor numbers limited?
Cabrera has been a national park since 1991. Visitor limits help protect its largely undeveloped coastline and marine habitats. Boats regularly sell out in high season, so book ahead.
What can you do on Cabrera?
Land in the harbour, walk up to the castle overlooking its entrance, follow marked paths, swim and snorkel. Facilities are limited, so bring food and plenty of drinking water.
What happened to the prisoners of war?
In the early 19th century, thousands of French prisoners of war were sent to Cabrera and largely left to fend for themselves. Many died. A monument on the island commemorates them.
Is Cabrera suitable for children?
Older children may enjoy the boat, castle and swimming. It is a longer and more demanding outing with small children, as crossings can be rough, there is little shade and facilities are limited.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Cabrera?
Recommended months: April, May, June, September, October. Access and opening are limited in January, February, November, December. See the visiting advice on this page. Spring vegetation covers the island. Sailings depend on the weather and timetable.
Is Cabrera worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. Boats can sell out, and the island is hot with little shade. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy.
How far is Cabrera from Palma airport?
About 50 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 45 minutes by car. Excursion boats leave from Colònia de Sant Jordi. The crossing takes roughly half an hour to an hour, depending on the boat and itinerary. Some operators also offer departures from Portopetro or Sa Ràpita. You can only reach Cabrera by sea.
Do I need a hire car for Cabrera?
A car is useful Travel to Colònia de Sant Jordi, then continue by boat
Where can I park in Cabrera?
Near the harbour in Colònia de Sant Jordi
Can I visit Cabrera with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Natural paths, with steps and uneven rock on the way to the castle Pushchairs: Not practical for the walking routes Wheelchairs: The main walking routes are unsuitable; discuss boarding and landing access with the boat operator
Are dogs allowed at Cabrera?
Not permitted
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.