Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide

Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide. Colònia de Sant Jordi is the main harbour on the south coast of Mallorca and a useful staging point for yachts moving between Palma, Cabrera, Cala Figuera, Es Trenc, Es Carbó and the south-east coast. It lies in the municipality of Ses Salines, close to shallow water, low-lying beaches, islets and environmentally sensitive seagrass areas.

For cruising yachts, it is best treated as a small, shallow harbour and fair-weather coastal stop rather than a major marina or heavy-weather refuge. The harbour is useful because of its position. It gives access to the south coast beaches and is a practical departure point for Cabrera when permits and moorings have been arranged, but it has limited draught, limited visitor capacity and shallow approaches.

Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - History

Colònia de Sant Jordi began as a small coastal settlement shaped by salt, fishing and agriculture. The wider Ses Salines area has a much older history: the saltworks at Sa Vall / Colònia de Sant Jordi are described by the local tourism office as dating back to the 4th century BC, with exploitation begun by Punic merchants and later valued by Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Christians. The modern village developed much later, mainly in the 19th century, as a working community linked to fishing, salt harvesting and farming; the name “Colònia” reflects this organised workers’ settlement rather than an ancient town.

In the 20th century, Colònia de Sant Jordi gradually changed from a modest working port into a holiday and boating base, helped by its beaches, the nearby salt flats of Es Trenc, and its position as the departure point for trips to the Cabrera Archipelago. Despite tourism, its history remains closely tied to the sea and salt: the harbour, fishing traditions and surrounding salinas are still central to the identity of the town

Chart Disclaimer. This chart is a schematic representation for illustrative purposes only and must not be used for navigation. Refer to official hydrographic charts for safe navigation. Be aware ENC charts may differ from official hydrographic charts. Both should be corrected and updated regularly.

Colònia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Currents and Tidal Flow

Tidal range at Colònia de Sant Jordi is small and has little effect on normal yacht navigation. The main water movement is wind-driven surface set, local harbour circulation, swell across shallow water, and disturbed sea around the islets, shoals and beach margins.

The greater concern is shallow-water sea state. South, south-west and south-east weather can make the outer harbour, anchorage areas and beach approaches uncomfortable. In settled weather the area can be straightforward, but wind over shallow water can create short steep chop. Skippers should rely on depth sounder and visual pilotage rather than tidal height.

Colònia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Weather

Colònia de Sant Jordi is exposed to the south coast weather pattern. It is more vulnerable than enclosed harbours such as Portocolom or Port d’Andratx when southerly swell runs along the coast. In settled summer conditions it is a useful stop, but it is not a strong refuge in deteriorating southerly weather. Easterly and south-easterly systems can also affect nearby anchorages, especially where swell wraps around the headlands and islets.

The area is often used in fair-weather cruising, but the shallow approaches and low coastline require caution in poor visibility, night entry or onshore swell. Thunderstorms and autumn depressions can quickly make the harbour and nearby beach anchorages uncomfortable. Treat the harbour as a limited-draught port and confirm berth or mooring availability before arrival.

The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible has a complete list of Spanish VHF Radio Channel information and weather forecast times along with NAVTEX UK and Europe and NAVTEX Mediterranean for 490kHz and 518kHz.

Colònia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Local Winds

Summer winds are often lighter in the morning, with afternoon sea breeze building along the south coast. This can create chop across the open water outside the harbour and around nearby beaches. Local effects are less dramatic than along the Tramuntana coast, but shallow water makes even moderate wind more noticeable.

Southerly, south-easterly and south-westerly winds are the main operational concern because they affect the harbour approaches and nearby anchorages. Northerly winds are generally more favourable for the south coast, but they may still produce gusts offshore and leave residual swell. A yacht planning to anchor off Es Carbó, Es Trenc or near the harbour should judge shelter by swell direction as much as wind direction.

Colònia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Approaches

Colònia de Sant Jordi is approached on Mallorca’s low southeast coast, where the harbour can be hard to pick out until close in and the shoreline is broken by beaches, rocky patches and small islets. From seaward, approach with caution and give the coast and off-lying islets a wide berth, particularly Na Guardis/Na Guardia, Na Moltona and the rocky ground around the harbour approaches. The surrounding coast is generally shallow and irregular, with sand, rock and Posidonia close to the beaches; do not follow the shoreline in close unless using a current large-scale chart and good light. The harbour entrance itself is shallow, with reported depths of about 3 m in the bocana, reducing inside to around 1–2 m in the basin, while the outer fuel quay is reported at approximately 2.5–3 m. The port is therefore best approached slowly, on the sounder, and in settled conditions; avoid arriving in poor visibility or with swell from the S–SE–E, when the shallow entrance and nearby rocky margins leave little room for error

Colònia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Navigation

Entry into Colònia de Sant Jordi requires careful pilotage, as the harbour lies behind shallow, broken coastal ground with nearby islets, rocks and Posidonia beds. Make the final approach slowly and in good light, keeping clear of Na Guardis/Na Guardia, Na Moltona and the rocky patches around the harbour approaches. The harbour entrance is shallow, with about 3 m reported in the bocana, then depths reduce quickly inside the basin to approximately 1–2 m, with around 2.5–3 m reported near the outer fuel quay. Keep to the marked or obvious fairway, watch the sounder continuously, and avoid cutting across pale patches or rocky margins. Once inside, manoeuvring space is limited and the harbour is busy with fishing boats, local craft, trip boats to Cabrera and tenders, so proceed at minimum speed. Entry should be avoided in poor visibility or with swell from the S–SE–E, when the shallow entrance and surrounding rocks make the approach more hazardous.

Colònia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Entry Formalities

Spain and the Balearic Islands are within the Schengen Area and the EU customs territory, so yachts arriving from another Spanish or Schengen/EU port normally do not complete full border clearance again. Yachts arriving from a non-Schengen port must clear through an authorised port of entry, for practical yacht clearance, the main Balearic entry ports include Palma, Alcudia, Ibiza, Mahon and La Savina. The usual formalities include crew passports handled by the Frontier Police and vessel/customs formalities handled through the appropriate Spanish authorities. Since 10 April 2026, the EU Entry/Exit System records non-EU short-stay entries and exits electronically rather than by passport stamping. Non-EU visitors remain subject to Schengen short-stay limits, normally 90 days in any 180-day period, unless they hold a visa or residence status allowing longer stay. Non-EU flagged yachts may also need to consider Temporary Admission rules for EU waters, commonly allowing private non-EU yachts used by non-EU residents to remain in EU customs territory for up to 18 months without VAT/import duty being due, provided the conditions are met.

Communications equipment normally used on cruising yachts does not require harbour-specific clearance, but drone use is regulated under Spanish and EU UAS rules. AESA states that drone operators must register in the member state of residence or activity and that the operator registration number must be included on the operator’s drones. Starlink use should be checked against the service plan and local availability; Starlink states that in-motion use in territorial waters requires local government approval and may not be available in all regions.

Colònia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Chart Accuracy

Navigation should be based on current official hydrographic charts, updated electronic charts, local notices to mariners, harbour instructions and the vessel’s own depth sounder. Electronic charting is useful for route planning and position awareness, but it should not be treated as exact at harbour, quay, reef, marina or anchorage scale. Colònia de Sant Jordi requires particular caution because the harbour, visitor berths and surrounding anchorages are shallow. Published draught figures vary widely between sources, from around 1.5–2 m in practical harbour guides to 3 m in marina-directory summaries. Use the conservative figure unless the harbour office confirms otherwise. Check Posidonia restrictions before anchoring.

Colònia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Anchorages

• Colònia de Sant Jordi. This has fair-weather anchoring nearby, but all anchoring must be planned around shallow water, swimmers, local traffic, sand patches, rock, weed and Posidonia restrictions. This is not a heavy-weather anchorage area.
• Es Trenc/Platja d’es Trenc.  The main open-roadstead anchorage west/northwest of Colònia de Sant Jordi, used in settled weather only. Anchor in about 4–7 m over sand, choosing clear patches and avoiding Posidonia. Holding is generally good in sand, but the anchorage is exposed to S–SW–W swell and can become uncomfortable quickly if the wind shifts onshore.
• Platja d’es Dolç.  Immediately west of the harbour, this is a convenient fair-weather stop close to Colònia de Sant Jordi. Anchor in approximately 3–5 m over sand with weed patches, keeping outside the swimming areas and clear of local boat traffic. It is only suitable in calm conditions and is exposed to swell from the south and southeast.
• Es Carbó.  Southeast of Colònia de Sant Jordi, behind the low sandy coast toward Cap de Ses Salines, this is one of the more attractive nearby anchorages in settled weather. Anchor in roughly 4–6 m over sand, with weed and Posidonia patches to avoid. It offers reasonable shelter from northerly conditions but is exposed to E–SE–S swell.
• Es Caragol.  Farther southeast near Cap de Ses Salines, this is a wide, remote anchorage off a sandy beach. Anchor in about 4–8 m over sand, using good light to avoid weed and rocky patches. It is a fair-weather anchorage only, with poor protection from E–S–SW winds and swell.
• Cala Galiota/near the harbour approaches.  Small craft may find temporary shelter close to the harbour area, but this is not a recommended anchorage for cruising yachts because of shallow water, rocks, harbour traffic and Posidonia. Depths around the approaches are variable, commonly 2–4 m, with sand, rock and weed patches, so anchoring should only be considered in settled weather, clear light and outside restricted or traffic areas.
• Cabrera staging anchorage. This should not be improvised. Cabrera is a protected national park and requires authorised moorings or permits. Use Colònia de Sant Jordi only as a staging harbour or waiting point after confirming weather, harbour depth and Cabrera arrangements.

Colònia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Marina and Berthing

Colònia de Sant Jordi is a PortsIB-managed harbour combining fishing, local leisure craft and Cabrera excursion traffic, rather than a deep-water yacht marina. The port has about 315 berths, with around 37–40 visitor/transit berths reported, but it is a shallow harbour and best suited to smaller yachts. PortsIB’s reservation system lists Colònia de Sant Jordi berths for boats up to 12 m LOA and 4 m beam, while local pilotage sources give visitor berths for yachts up to about 12 m and 1.8 m draft; other general marina listings quote higher theoretical limits, but the conservative working figure for visiting yachts should be around 1.8–2.0 m draft.

Visitor berths are reported on the outside of the first pier, normally with mooring lines, while the inside of the outer pier is used by excursion boats and local traffic. Services include water and electricity at berths, fuel, toilets/showers, waste facilities and a small repair/maintenance capability and a 9-ton travelift. The harbour is a practical stop for shallow-draft yachts and for crews visiting Cabrera, but space is limited in season, traffic from ferries and trip boats is significant, and skippers should confirm berth availability, draft and entry instructions with PortsIB/harbour staff before committing to the entrance.

Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Provisioning

Supermarkets. Colonia de Sant Jordi has useful local provisioning, with EROSKI/city Colonia Sant Jordi on Carrer ses Mates, the main supermarket for yacht supplies, close enough for fresh food, water, drinks and general stores; opening hours as Monday–Saturday 08:30–21:00.  Smaller local minimarkets and seasonal shops in Colònia de Sant Jordi can cover top-up supplies. Larger supermarket chains and heavier stock-up options are better found inland at Campos, Santanyí or toward Palma, depending on route.

Markets. Colonia de Sant Jordi has a seasonal evening market on Avenida Primavera, generally listed from May/June to October in the late afternoon/evening; days vary between Tuesday and Wednesday, with hours around 15:30/16:00–21:00/22:30, so check locally before relying on it. It includes fruit, vegetables and typical local produce. For more reliable fresh produce, use Ses Salines market, held on Thursday mornings in the town centre at Plaça Major, around 08:00/09:00–13:00, with local fruit, vegetables and other food stalls. For the widest choice, Santanyí market is held Wednesday and Saturday mornings, about 09:00–14:00, with a much larger selection of fruit, vegetables, olives, cheese, cured meats, bread and local produce, making it the better option for serious galley provisioning

Fish Markets. Colonia de Sant Jordi does not have a reliable public fish market suitable for yacht provisioning in the way Palma or larger ports do. Fresh fish is best sourced through local fishmongers or by asking at the harbour when the fishing boats land their catch, but this should be treated as opportunistic rather than a dependable daily market

Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Cuisine

Colonia de Sant Jordi’s food scene reflects its fishing-port roots and its position beside the salt flats of Ses Salines, with menus centred on fresh fish, seafood, rice dishes and simple Mallorcan produce. Look for local catches served grilled or baked, caldereta-style seafood stews, arroz marinero, frit de marisc, squid, prawns, mussels and seasonal fish, often paired with vegetables, olive oil and sea salt from the nearby salinas. Ashore, you will also find classic Mallorcan dishes such as pa amb oli, tumbet, sobrassada, coca de trampó, ensaimada and gató d’ametlla,

Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Local Beverages

Local beverages include Mallorcan wines, hierbas mallorquinas, local vermouth, coffee, bottled water, soft drinks and island-brewed beers. Mallorcan beers that may be found in supermarkets, bottle shops or restaurants include Rosa Blanca, Sullerica, Beer Lovers, Ralf, Toutatis, Cas Cerveser, 4 Alqueries and Forastera, depending on outlet and season.

Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Diesel Fuel

Diesel is available in Colonia de Sant Jordi harbour, but visiting yachts should confirm availability and opening hours before entry. The fuel quay is shallow-water access, with about 3 m at the entrance and approximately 2.5–3 m near the outer fuel quay; deeper-draft yachts should approach with caution and monitor depths continuously.

Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Water

Fresh water is available in Colonia de Sant Jordi harbour at serviced berths, though visiting yachts should confirm access with the port office before arrival. As berth space is limited and the harbour is shallow, crews should not rely on taking water unless a berth or suitable alongside access has been arranged.

Mechanical and Electrical Repairs Resource

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Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Marine Services

Colonia de Sant Jordi has limited local marine services.  You will have to DIY with my book or arrange someone to travel from Palma or elsewhere.

Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Etiquette

Colonia de Sant Jordi is informal but operates as a fishing harbour, excursion-boat base, local port and yacht stop. Use basic greetings in harbour offices, shops, markets, cafés, fuel points and service areas. Spanish and Catalan are both used locally; buenos días, bon dia, gracias and gràcies are appropriate. Dress is casual around the waterfront, but swimwear is not normal in supermarkets, harbour offices, town streets or restaurants away from the beach. Do not treat fishing quays, excursion-boat berths, local moorings or private berths as available yacht space. In anchorages, keep noise down, avoid generator nuisance, leave proper swinging room, keep clear of swimming zones and follow Posidonia anchoring rules without argument.

Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca Sailing Guide - Summary

Colonia de Sant Jordi is a shallow south-coast Mallorca harbour useful for smaller yachts, Cabrera staging, south-coast cruising and fair-weather stops near Es Trenc and Es Carbó. It offers limited berthing, water, local provisioning and some harbour services, but draught must be checked carefully and fuel should be confirmed before relying on it. The harbour is not a Palma-style service base and should be approached conservatively in southerly swell. This page is the harbour-level guide for the Colonia de Sant Jordi Mallorca sailing guide for all you need to know.