Fornells Boat Tour: The 3-Hour Cruise Along Menorca's North Coast
Updated October 20, 2026 · 4 min read
Most boat trips in Menorca head for the south coast, with its pale coves and turquoise water. Fornells is on the other side. The village sits on a large natural bay on the north coast, and the boats that leave from it go the other way, along a coast the south-coast boats never see.
The 3-hour cruise
The 3-hour boat tour along the Menorcan coast from Fornells costs €40 per person and is rated 4.7 from 863 reviews. The listing describes “a fast and stable boat” and promises the “virgin beaches and beautiful caves on the Menorcan coast”.
Three things are worth knowing from that one sentence:
- Fast and stable is what the operator says about the boat. Ask what kind of boat it is and how many people it carries.
- Beaches and caves are what the south-coast boats offer too. The difference here is the coast, not the promise: this is the north side of the island, and the landscape is not the one on the postcards of Cala Macarella.
- The listing does not say how many passengers the boat takes, whether there is shade, or whether there is a swim stop. These are on the booking page, and a swim stop makes a real difference in July.
Fornells itself
Fornells is a fishing village around a bay that the tourist sources put at several kilometres long, one of the largest natural harbours on the island. The Torre de Fornells, one of the island’s biggest defensive towers, was built by the British in the early nineteenth century to guard the entrance. The village is best known for caldereta de langosta, the lobster stew cooked in an earthenware pot, and you will see it on menus all along the waterfront. Prices are on the menu, not in this guide.
If you are arriving without a car, check how you will reach Fornells before you book a morning departure. It is on the north coast, a little way from the main towns, and the bus timetable is the thing to look up. If you would rather drive, our guide to the best calas on Menorca and how to reach them covers parking and the summer shuttle systems on the island.
The sunset alternative
The catamaran sunset cruise from Fornells is the same village from a different angle: two hours, €72, 4.7 from 171 reviews. The listing describes watching the sun set over the village, with snacks on board, and the chance to jump into the warm water to swim and snorkel.
| Trip | Duration | Price per person | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fornells 3-hour boat tour | 3 hours | €40 | 4.7 from 863 reviews | Seeing the coast, caves and beaches |
| Fornells catamaran sunset cruise | 2 hours | €72 | 4.7 from 171 reviews | An evening on the water, with snacks |
The sunset cruise costs almost twice as much for two-thirds of the time, and that is the right comparison to make. You are paying for the catamaran, the snacks and the hour, not for more coastline. If the aim is to see the coast, book the cruise by day. If the aim is a good evening, the catamaran is the better of the two.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is there a swim stop, and is snorkelling equipment included?
- What is the cancellation policy if the sea is too rough? Boat trips on any coast can be moved or cancelled for weather.
- Where exactly does the boat leave from, and what is the check-in time?
For the cruises that run along the south coast, see the boat tours in Menorca page, and for a paddle in Fornells Bay instead of a boat, see kayaking in Fornells Bay.
