Majorca has long been a favourite family holiday destination with the Brits – and it’s not for nothing. It’s the perfect place to kick back on the beach, soak up the sun and let your kids do what kids do best – run rampant. I mean, enjoy themselves.
Joking aside, the best thing about Majorca really is the number of safe, picture-perfect beaches from which to choose. Of course, you’ve heard it all before – “white sand, clear skies, crystal-clear turquoise ocean” – but it really is true, and it’s an outstanding place for a family break. Cala Ratjada, in the north-east of the island, is particularly popular with families, and its stunning beaches make it very easy to keep children entertained – and if yours are a little older (congratulations, you’re nearly there!) there’s even more good news.
Endless Water Fun for Teens
Ross and Rachel, Kate and Wills, Shaggy and Scooby Doo, teenagers and water. Know what I mean? Keep your teens about 95% waterlogged while you’re in Cala Ratjada and you might actually feel like you’ve had a holiday too!
Jump on a Jet Ski
The great thing about teenagers is their willingness to have a go, and there are not many who would say no to the opportunity to get in control of a jet ski. Of course, if they’re not quite old enough to ride on their own, there’s room for two – and this is one time you won’t mind the title of ‘mum and dad’s taxi’!
Jet skis can be rented off several of the beaches around Cala Ratjada. You don’t need a licence, and as long as everyone adheres to the rules (there are regulations about keeping your distance) and wears the obligatory life jacket it’s about as much fun as you can have in the water.
You can rent a jet ski from 30 minutes up to a few hours and the price includes an introductory safety session. Prices for a guided safari start at around €60.
Slip on a Snorkel
On a short break it might be asking just a little too much of a teenage attention span to commit to scuba diving, but learning to snorkel is far easier and it opens up a door to an entrancing world. You’re never too old or too young to snorkel and for teens, especially, it’s an excellent way to get the confidence to progress to diving at a later stage.
All you need to get up close and pretty personal with some of Cala Ratjada’s fabulous marine life is a mask, snorkel and set of flippers – all of which can be hired from any dive centre. There are untold opportunities for the kids to snorkel off the beaches, but you can also book a boat tour to take you up or down the coast to the best locations – including deserted beaches and spectacular marine reserves teeming with sea life.
A snorkelling boat tour with Mallorca Adventure Sports is €45 for a two-hour trip from Cala Ratjada, which includes guide, transportation, equipment and insurance. Ph: +34 629 472 268
Kayaking
A very exciting and energetic way to explore the coastline of the island is by kayak – and the best news is your teens are finally old enough to help out with the paddling! You don’t need any experience and the qualified guides will teach you how to kayak in a safe and fun way. Once you’re ready to go, you’ll paddle along the stunning east coast (two to a sea kayak) through crystal clear waters on a four-hour sea safari.
Kayaking really is one of the best family bonding experiences I know and, as you’ll be travelling at a pretty leisurely pace, it’s easy for everyone to keep up.
A four-hour East Mallorca kayak safari costs from €47 per person. Transport to and from the marine park from Cala Ratjada is included, along with a guide, insurance and snorkelling equipment. Karakorum Adventure, C/ Neptú, 40. Ph: +34 610 344 702
All the Thrills of a Water Park
In Spain, it seems the rule of thumb is: when all else fails, build a water park! And when it comes to holidaying with teens, a water park is a failsafe way to get on their good side.
Hidropark, in Alcudia, is the only water park in the north of the island and it takes its responsibility seriously. You can spend an action-packed day (or two) exploring the watery delights of the 40,000sqm park, which is jam-packed with waterslides of varying sizes and speeds.
With names like Slice, Kamikaze and Spiral, you get the gist of what the park has to offer thrill-seeking teens. As well as the slides, there’s a wave pool, water balls (a little different to normal as kids get inside the huge inflatables), mini golf and the bonus of restaurants, a sun terrace and a BBQ area for patient parents.
Hidropark is located at Avenida Tucan, s/n, 07410 Port d’Alcudia. It’s open daily 10am-5pm May through October. Entry is €22.90 for adults and children over 12.
Tip: If you want to spend a little more time in Alcudia, this blog post might be of interest.
With a host of ways to keep them entertained in the water and out, Cala Ratjada is the perfect place for a holiday with teens – and it’s pretty perfect for parents as well!
How to get to Cala Ratjada from Palma Airport
If you’ve decided on a family break to Cala Ratjada, you’ll need to book your flights into Palma Airport. As the third busiest airport in Spain, it’s serviced by all the budget carriers and it’s not hard to get some decent, budget-friendly flights. If you’re travelling with teens, the good news is the short flight time, which is around 2.5 hours from the UK – long enough for a movie but short enough so they won’t get restless.
Once you land in Majorca, the best way to get to your accommodation at Cala Ratjada is with the speedy Palma Airport transfers. There’ll be no messing around with luggage or testy teens on public transport, and your driver will have you checking in to your accommodation in just over an hour, door-to-door. With a fixed price and a fast, convenient service, this is the easiest, most reliable way of getting directly to the resort.
Where to Stay
Hotel Diamant – How many ways can you enjoy the sun on a family holiday at Hotel Diamant? Apart from its location right next to Cala Agulla beach, the hotel has multiple pools (indoor and outdoor) with superb sun decks, an open-air bar and lush gardens where teens can stretch their legs. With spacious rooms, tennis, mini-golf and free Wi-Fi everyone gets to holiday their way at this fantastic family hotel.
Hotel Bella Mar – The ideal base for an active family holiday, the Hotel Bella Mar sets you in a prime position to enjoy hiking, cycling, golf, swimming, snorkelling and sailing. Even fussy teens will appreciate the spacious, air conditioned suites, the games room with billiard tables and the hotel’s fabulous, sociable pool area. With the added bonus of free Wi-Fi, your kids will be happy even before they get to try out the beach!
Hotel Amoros – In an unbeatable position just a 10-minute walk from the beach, Hotel Amoros offers a friendly family vibe and access to everything in the local area at your fingertips. Your family can lap up the sun around the huge pool, enjoy the delights of the buffet restaurant, surf the free Wi-Fi on your private balcony and enjoy the fun of the water sports on the nearby beaches.
About Shuttle Direct
At Shuttle Direct we know how important peace of mind is for your holiday arrangements. We’ve been providing airport transfers to our clients in Europe and North Africa for a many years, and our fast, friendly and cost-effective services are second to none. With a choice of shared or private services, you can make a booking with our easy to navigate online system and receive an instant confirmation of all your travel arrangements. Wherever you’re going, we can get you there.
“Cala de s’Aguila (Cala Ratjada)” by Bartłomiej Marzec is licensed under CC BY 2.0
