Page 177 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES  175

also take water-skiing lessons
or (an easier option) bump
along on a rubber raft, towed
by a speeding boat.
Alternatively, visitors might
like to join a sea trip by kayak.
The most interesting routes go
to the islands such as Conillera,
near Ibiza, or Dragonera, off
Mallorca. Equally exciting
are trips to the waters of
Formentor (Mallorca) and
Cavalleria (Menorca).
Hiking
Hiking around the islands is
Beach volleyball, popular throughout the islands extremely popular. The best
area for hiking is probably
and fauna, create ideal con- touched by the hand of the mountainous regions
ditions for diving, and the humans. A word of warning: of Mallorca. The trails leading
sport is as popular as sailing snorkelling can be dangerous through the Serra de
throughout the islands. Every if you are distracted and Tramuntana are difficult;
seaside resort has at least one collide with nearby rocks. however, they offer a
diving centre (centro de buceo) wonderful experience and
where you can hire equipment, breathtaking scenery. Trekking
go for a test dive with an across the mountains along
instructor or enrol on a course. rough paths requires suitable
A one-week stay would be footwear and clothing and
sufficient to complete the this activity should not be
beginners’ course in scuba undertaken alone, as there
diving. The organizers ensure are potential hazards such as
proper supervision by a qual- sudden changes in the weather
ified instructor and provide all and unexpected ravines.
the necessary equipment. Menorca also offers many
People hoping to dive in hiking trails. Most of these lead
deeper waters must hold a Motorboat with parachute waiting for the through the local nature res-
proper diving certificate, adventurous to paraglide erves, of which the island has
such as PADI, CUC, CMAS/ 18. The regions of S’Albufera,
FEDAS or SSI. Holders of Other Water Sports Cap de Favaritx and Cap de
these certificates can join Cavalleria are truly magnificent
expeditions, some of which Other water sports that are areas for hiking. Many agents
explore underwater caves. popular with visitors include organize themed excursions,
One of the best places to dive taking out a high-speed water- such as birdwatching trips. If
is the water around Cabrera, bike or paragliding. Paragliding setting off without a guide, you
about 18 km (11 miles) off behind motorboats (similar to should make sure you have a
the coast of Mallorca. In 1991, hang-gliding) offers a wonderful good map, as many tourist
Cabrera and its surrounding way to see the islands. You can trails are not signposted.
waters were awarded the
status of a national park –
the first park of its kind in
Spain. Diving here requires the
permission of the park ranger.
A much cheaper but equally
exciting way of getting a
glimpse of underwater life is
to go snorkelling. A snorkeller
can observe the wonders of
the deep while floating on the
surface of the water almost
anywhere. Perhaps the most
interesting places are the small
bays rarely visited by tourists,
where nature has hardly been Snorkelling in shallow waters in Menorca

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