Page 176 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

174  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES  175
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES also take water-skiing lessons

or (an easier option) bump
The warm climate and diversity of the favourite sports under professional along on a rubber raft, towed
landscape on the Balearics make them supervision. Cycling, horse riding and by a speeding boat.
an excellent place for all types of sport. golf are also popular in the islands Alternatively, visitors might
The most popular of these are, of course, and many travel bureaux and agents like to join a sea trip by kayak.
The most interesting routes go
water sports and you will find windsurfing, offer equipment hire, from yacht to the islands such as Conillera,
sailing and diving are all well catered for. charter to bicycle rental. Some hotels near Ibiza, or Dragonera, off
Those looking for an activity holiday of this also have their own facilities and can Mallorca. Equally exciting
kind will have the chance to practise their often hire out equipment. are trips to the waters of
Formentor (Mallorca) and
Cavalleria (Menorca).
competitor. The Trofeo Almirante not a popular sport here. A
Conde de Barcelona, held in few agents organize trips, how-
August, features regattas with ever. Further information is Hiking
classic sailing boats. Almost available from the Asociación Hiking around the islands is
every coastal town has its own Balear de Pesca or from the Beach volleyball, popular throughout the islands extremely popular. The best
marina and these are visited Club Nautics. area for hiking is probably
by yachts from all over Europe. and fauna, create ideal con- touched by the hand of the mountainous regions
Many vessels remain here for ditions for diving, and the humans. A word of warning: of Mallorca. The trails leading
the winter. Beach Activities sport is as popular as sailing snorkelling can be dangerous through the Serra de
Of course, you do not have to During the high season, beaches throughout the islands. Every if you are distracted and Tramuntana are difficult;
own a yacht in order to cruise employ lifeguards so it is safer to seaside resort has at least one collide with nearby rocks. however, they offer a
the Balearic Islands. Many firms bathe and swim. Most beaches diving centre (centro de buceo) wonderful experience and
offer sea-going vessels for are sandy and situated in small where you can hire equipment, breathtaking scenery. Trekking
charter. Smaller inshore cata- bays. Sailing yachts and fishing go for a test dive with an across the mountains along
Wind- and kite-surfers in Can Pastilla, marans can be rented by the boats sometimes anchor at the instructor or enrol on a course. rough paths requires suitable
on the west coast of Mallorca hour on local beaches. You can mouth of the bay and these are A one-week stay would be footwear and clothing and
also find many clubs or schools only a hazard if you swim out sufficient to complete the this activity should not be
Windsurfing that are able to teach you the too close to them. The beaches beginners’ course in scuba undertaken alone, as there
The conditions for windsurfing rudiments of sailing. can be busy and are sometimes diving. The organizers ensure are potential hazards such as
are not as impressive here as The popularity of sailing is short of space for beach sports. proper supervision by a qual- sudden changes in the weather
they are in the Canary Islands so great that during the high Nevertheless, a few of them ified instructor and provide all and unexpected ravines.
because the local winds are not season the marinas tend to have areas designated for the necessary equipment. Menorca also offers many
strong enough for advanced be very busy, even though volleyball, and even on busy People hoping to dive in hiking trails. Most of these lead
surfers. As a consequence, the the mooring charges are beaches you can still find deeper waters must hold a Motorboat with parachute waiting for the through the local nature res-
Balearic Islands are not popular extremely high. Some boats space to kick a ball around proper diving certificate, adventurous to paraglide erves, of which the island has
with professionals, but this moor in sheltered bays, or play frisbee. such as PADI, CUC, CMAS/ 18. The regions of S’Albufera,
makes them a very good place accessible only by sea. FEDAS or SSI. Holders of Other Water Sports Cap de Favaritx and Cap de
for beginners to pick up some these certificates can join Cavalleria are truly magnificent
of the basic techniques. Fishing Diving and Snorkelling expeditions, some of which Other water sports that are areas for hiking. Many agents
Although the number of The clear, clean coastal explore underwater caves. popular with visitors include organize themed excursions,
schools is rather limited, all Despite the fact that the local seawaters, combined with the One of the best places to dive taking out a high-speed water- such as birdwatching trips. If
of the islands have at least waters teem with fish, fishing is diversity of underwater flora is the water around Cabrera, bike or paragliding. Paragliding setting off without a guide, you
one school that teaches basic about 18 km (11 miles) off behind motorboats (similar to should make sure you have a
windsurfing and offers the coast of Mallorca. In 1991, hang-gliding) offers a wonderful good map, as many tourist
equipment hire. Surfing Cabrera and its surrounding way to see the islands. You can trails are not signposted.
enthusiasts will also be able waters were awarded the
to find suitable spots in the status of a national park –
Balearic Islands, but do not the first park of its kind in
expect the “ultimate wave”. Spain. Diving here requires the
permission of the park ranger.
A much cheaper but equally
Sailing exciting way of getting a
Sailing is the most popular glimpse of underwater life is
water sport in the Balearic to go snorkelling. A snorkeller
Islands. Major international can observe the wonders of
regattas include the King’s Cup the deep while floating on the
and the Princesa Sofia Trophy surface of the water almost
held in Mallorca. These are high- anywhere. Perhaps the most
profile events and attract many interesting places are the small
of the world’s leading sailors; bays rarely visited by tourists,
King Juan Carlos was a frequent Catamarans on Es Pujols beach in Formentera where nature has hardly been Snorkelling in shallow waters in Menorca

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