I awoke on my first morning in the Spanish islands of Mallorca to a clear blue sky and the warmth of October sunshine. The sea outside my window was calm and inviting.
As I ate my breakfast on the Hotel Illa d’Or’s seaside terrace, a beautiful vintage yacht moored up on the jetty. I smiled, knowing that I would soon be aboard her and sailing around Mallorca. The conditions were perfect for my photographs and what better way to capture the beauty of the island than from the sea.
The Isabel Maria by the hotel’s jetty
Looking back to the Hotel Illa d’or
Before we left Pollensa Bay we passed another beautiful boat, the Rossina de Mare.
There’s no end of beautiful beaches and secret coves to discover when you charter a yacht in Mallorca.
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Surely this has to be the perfect way to spend a morning. Our boat the Isabel Maria is a lovely, recently restored, 4-birth, Latin-rigged, wooden yacht, that was once regularly rented by Grace Kelly back in the 1960s. We certainly felt in good company as we glided through the calm seas. When someone suggested that Grace Kelly would be an apt name for the boat, they were immediately reminded that changing the name would be bad luck and we were all told the story of how she became the Isabel Maria.
Many years ago a young man from Mallorca was caught in a storm while out in a small boat and had to take shelter on the neighbouring island of Menorca. While there he met a girl called Isabel Maria. From then on he regularly returned to the island. Eventually, he commissioned a beautiful wooden boat to be made, naming it the Isabel Maria. On seeing it the girl’s father agreed to their marriage. The young man, now in his nineties I believe, was delighted to see his beautiful boat restored and back in use again.
Looking back at the Isabel Maria, as I swam in the aqua marine, crystal clear water
When we had the chance to swim from the boat there was no stopping me. I was in heaven! Luckily I’d brought my little waterproof camera with me so I could take a few photos as I swam. This included some under the water but as I didn’t have a snorkel and mask I simply snapped away not sure of what I had taken until later. Before I got back on-board, someone found a mask on the boat and I had the chance to take a glimpse of the world beneath the waves. There really is nothing like it.
Read all my articles from across Spain and her many lovely islands.
After our swim we were treated to what we were told was ‘second breakfast’, even though we had all eaten heartily at the hotel earlier. A beer or two later we headed back to the hotel for… yes, you guessed it… a very large and extremely tasty lunch!
With special thanks to Holiday Sailing Dream, Hotel Illa d’Or and Enjoy Pollensa. As always all thoughts expressed are my own, honest opinions.
More photos from my visit to Mallorca can be found on Flickr.
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Stunning pictures! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful adventure! I hope to one day sail in Mallorca and be able to capture as many wonderful pictures as you did! Safe travels, keep up the great posts!
What a fabulous little yacht and your photos are fantastic!
The landscape is really nice cant imagine sailing or boating in Mallorca, much different then South Florida that is for sure.
What better way to capture the sea indeed. Your photos are amazing, especially the 6th photo featuring the gentle roll of the sea and the lighthouse.
I loved the story of the old man and his boat!
Thanks Mandy. That photo is one of my favourites too. I was so lucky that the weather (and the sea) were on my side that day!
It surely looks idyllic, Kat. I was bobbing along with you 🙂
It was a wonderful experience and definitely one I’d like to repeat.
Amazing shots Kathryn; it looks stunning – would love to be out there on that boat right now 🙂
Thanks Suzanne, the calm sea was perfect for my photos.
Lovely to read an article about Puerto Pollensa. I went there virtually every year for about 15 years with my family, it was a magical time, I used to love watching the sunset while we had a drink at the Illa Dor Hotel!
It’s certainly a habit I’d lik eto get into. Glad to heat it brought back happy memories and I hope you get to go back one day.
Yes brought back lots of happy memories, I want to be on that beach on the Pine Walk right now!! 🙂
That’s so awesome Kathryn — sailing on the same boat as Grace Kelly!!!
I love the sweet story behind the boat and the naming of it. I’d love sail on it myself around Mallorca. The sceneries above and underwater are so beautiful. That second breakfast is a delicious idea.
I do feel very lucky to have experienced this and Mallorca is a lovely island that I’d really recommend.
Ahh, sailing the seas on the same yacht as Grace Kelly. It doesn’t get much better than that!
That’s exactly how I felt that morning. 🙂
What an incredible journey – and your photographs make me drool. Thank you for taking us there.
My pleasure!
What luxury! The food on board the yacht looks very tempting. I love the photo with the lighthouse. It looks just like a beautiful painting. 🙂
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment. I must admit, I did feel terribly spoilt!
Gorgeous shots, Kat! What a special adventure to see Mallorca from the sea.
Thanks Jessica. It was perfect 🙂
What a wonderful way to see Mallorca. Gran Canaria’s a great place to explore by boat too. As well as the starting point of the annual ARC. Can’t wait for this year’s event, which we’re covering.
Would certainly love to explore Gran Canaria by boat one day. I’ve yet to visit any of the Canary Islands but I’ll be visiting my first, Tenerife, next Spring. I’m sure it won’t be the last though!
Sounds like an idyllic way to pass a morning – beautiful yacht, lovely photos
Thanks Sue and it was! 🙂
Very nice yacht, and so big. The second breakfast is not bad too.
She’s a real beauty! And the food was great, as were all the meals I had in Mallorca.
Fabulous photos. Mallorca is definitely on my to-do list. I haven’t been since a family holiday almost 40 years ago!
I do hope you get to visit again soon, Rachel. It’s a very special place.
I love the photo with the lighthouse and the small waves in the foreground. Looks like you had a hearty and fabulous time.
That one of my favourites too, Jennifer. The sea is just so beautiful that morning.