So you want a summer sun getaway with plenty of sand, sea and sunshine but you don’t want to spend your precious holiday time lying around on a beach? Relax, Mallorca’s Cala Millor has a range of sporting activities to keep restless holidaymakers happy.
The beautiful east coast of Mallorca, one of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is the perfect setting for a resort which specialises, not just in sunshine and beaches, but in offering excellent sporting opportunities. First established in the 1950s, the modern, purpose-built resort of Cala Millor, with its nearby golf courses, long stretch of sandy beach and plentiful sunshine, is a Mecca for sports practitioners. Whether they come for the on-shore golf and tennis opportunities or to enjoy the range of sports available on and under the water, there is no shortage of choice here.
Fun on the Water
With its warm, crystal clear waters Mallorca is the perfect place to indulge your passion for all kinds of water sports. From the high-speed, high-octane excitement of surfing, wind surfing, water skiing and kite surfing to the more sedate kayaking and paddle boarding, Cala Millor has it all.
Water Skiing
When the waters are calm there is nothing better to get your heart pumping than being towed by a speedboat on a pair of water skis (or wake boarding if that’s more your thing). The beaches along the eastern shore make an ideal setting for this fast-paced sport and many of the water sports centres which line the shore offer trips and rental.
Windsurfing
Keen windsurfers won’t need telling that Mallorca is one of the best destinations for the sport in the Mediterranean – there’s even a local legend of a 13th-century monk who used his robes to catch the wind and surfed across to Barcelona. The legend may or may not be true, but thanks to those same winds, today the sport is legendary here. Most of the resorts on the island will have their own water sports centre where you can hire equipment and find out where the best local spots are.
Kite Surfing
Where there’s water and wind you are always going to find the hard-core kite surfing crowd and Mallorca is no exception. If you want to give it a go the best place to head is to one of the surf centres, many of which now offer kite surfing lessons and equipment.
Sailing
Of course, windsurfers aren’t the only ones making the most out of the strong winds here, there is a long sailing tradition on the island and plenty of sailing clubs ready to rent out boats or escort you on day trips.
Scuba Diving
The diving around Mallorca is spectacular so if you’re looking for experiences to keep you active, a visit to one of the island’s many dive centres is a must. With qualified dive instructors in charge, you’ll be able to do a variety of PADI courses, or just enjoy a range of excellent dives at sites including drop offs, wrecks, walls and caverns.
Anyone For Tennis
It is hardly surprising that tennis is a national pastime on Mallorca, after all it is the island which gave us Rafael Nadal who was born in nearby Manacor. Whether the island is tennis-mad because of Nadal or Nadal is tennis-mad because he came from the island, the fact remains that the sport takes a central place in most of the towns and resorts here. In Cala Millor, there are a range of tennis clubs and academies for you to choose from if you’re looking for a game.
Fun on the Fairways
Just up the coast from Cala Millor is the stunning Canyamel 18-hole Golf Course. Set beside the Mediterranean with stunning sea views across the greens, the course designer (José Gancedo) worked hard to retain the natural environment of the area in the course. Expect to encounter the stone buildings, dry stone walls, olive, palm and fig trees that all play a part in this challenging course.
If you’re looking to improve your game while you’re here then you should make use of the driving range, pitching green, putting green and practice bunker; that way you’ll be able to wow your golf buddies when you get home.
How to Get to Cala Millor
With a range of daily flights from the likes of British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair, to Mallorca’s Palma Airport, getting to Cala Millor to take part in all this sporting activity couldn’t be easier. Save yourself the trouble of having to sort out your transport when you land by booking yourself onto a Shuttle Direct shared group transfer online before you leave home. If you’re bringing sporting equipment with you then just let the company know when you book, and the driver will take it to your accommodation free of charge.
Where to Stay
Hotel Voramar – Put yourself right on the beachfront with the three-star Hotel Voramar. The rooms are contemporary and spacious, there’s a great buffet restaurant downstairs, and a free sauna and Haman, what more could you want? Oh yes, free wifi!
Hipotels Hipocampo Playa – For something a little more luxurious – but just as close to the beach – try the four star Hipotels Hipocampo Playa. With indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and wellness centre, as well as a range of sports offered for an additional charge, this is a great choice for sports fans.
Villa Miel – Just a three-minute walk from the beach is the economical and colourful Villa Miel. The hotel has free wifi and a bar/restaurant with its own terrace, and for an additional charge will rent out bicycles to guests to explore the local area.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is the leading airport transfer provider in Europe with a wide range of travel options to suit all budgets. Choose from an economical, standard or premium private car service or group and shared transfers.
