Puerto Andratx / Puerto Andraitx is a pretty bay with a small well developed, but largely undiscovered, resort village on its southern side. Puerto Andratx is a popular haunt for yachts of all shape and sizes and lower key than some of the marinas closer to Palma. Whether you opt for a walk-ashore berth or a night on a buoy Puerto Andratx is a very pleasant harbour in which to spend an evening.
There are three alternatives for mooring in Puerto Andratx.
First is the Club de Vela Marina. One of the oldest marinas on Mallorca, Club de Vela is a welcoming sort of place but can be costly during the summer months. (77€ for a 10m boat 2015) It is also one of the few marinas that charges double for catamarans; rather than the usual 50% extra. The marina has excellent facilities and is well maintained so you do get your money’s worth! The fresh water here is of a good quality unlike some other parts of the coast.
Your second option is the Moll Transit (Port Authority) quay/pontoon. The pontoon is located to the right as you enter the harbour proper. There is an online booking system for this but it is so complicated and unreliable most people just drop into a free spot and wait to see what happens. The Port Authority monitors VHF channel 8 if you fancy your chances of raising someone to help you in. The Moll Transit is significantly cheaper than the marina (67€ for a 16m yacht including power and water; 2015) but as a result it is usually full.
Lastly you can opt for one of the many buoys that occupy the outer part of the harbour. These buoys are managed by the Club de Vela and they are usually on hand to help you pick one up. Prices vary according to the length of your yacht and the time of the year. Expect to pay around 30€ for a 12m yacht and 40€ for a yacht between 12-15m per night (2015) If you need water you can negotiate with the marina for access to a tap. They also offer pay-as-you-go wifi – If it is operational!
Anchoring is no longer a real option in Puerto Andratx as the buoy fields cover most of the available seabed.
If you have “sand seekers” among your crew it is worth noting that Puerto Andratx lacks a decent beach.
Onshore the little town of Andraitx is an eclectic mix of styles and you can find a restaurant to suit every budget and taste. There are a couple of good supermarkets and a myriad of bars, cafes and other shops. There are some more upmarket restaurants located near the marina. This is a fairly unknown part of Mallorca but don’t be surprised to see the odd celebrity floating around as the likes of Tom Cruise and Claudia Schiffer have houses in the area.
One of the sights recommended for a visit is the old town of Andraitx located a couple of kilometres inland. This is a pleasant village and has a beautiful little square hidden away at its centre with some delightfully laidback cafes and bars around it. Andraitx is a very sleepy place normally. Its charms can appear understated at first glance so perhaps doesn’t live up to the hype in many people’s eyes, however, it makes an enjoyable trip out. During the summer season there are several festivals held here and the buses travels regularly between the port and town.
Trip boats in Puerto Andratx offer an opportunity to visit nearby Isla Dragonera if you don’t have time to sail around there yourself.