Menorca Sports and Outdoor Activities

(Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain)

There is an enormous amount of sport available to visitors in the island of Menorca, and being next to the sea and close to the countryside and other towns, it has many activities to tempt all lovers of the outdoors, in particular Menorca watersports.

Sailing

Sailing is the most popular of all watersports in and around Menorca and there are several high-profile events, attracting many of the world's leading sailors. These popular sailing events are held in Mallorca and include the King's Cup and also the Princesa Sofia Trophy. Almost every coastal town has its own marina, full of yachts from all over Europe. In Menorca, boats can be chartered for a period of days or weeks, or can even be rented by the hour on some beaches in this coastal resort.

Windsurfing

The conditions for windsurfing in Menorca are not extreme and therefore this makes them an excellent place for beginners to enjoy this sport and pick up some of the basic techniques. There is also a small school that gives lessons in windsurfing and hires equipment.

Fishing

The waters of Menorca are absolutely full of fish and this is an excellent sport for fishing, although this is not a particularly popular activity in Menorca. There are however several agents that organise fishing trips and these are usually very productive and enjoyable outings.

Beach Activities

The beaches of Menorca are sandy and the water is ideal for swimming and bathing. In the high season, most beaches employ lifeguards and there are also good facilities, including volleyball courts. Menorca beaches can become busy and so it is often worth arriving early to avoid the crowds.

Diving and Snorkelling

The coastal seawaters that surround the island of Menorca are clear and clean, with an enormous variety of sealife just below the surface. Conditions for diving and snorkelling are ideal and this is a popular sport in Menorca. There are scuba diving courses available for beginners and people hoping to dive in the deeper waters must already hold a diving certificate. Snorkelling in Menorca provides a much cheaper option than scuba diving and is an equally exciting alternative.

Other Watersports

There are many other watersports available in and around Menorca and these include high-speed water bikes, paragliding behind speedboats, water-skiing, rubber rafting behind speedboats and also sea-kayaking.

Hiking

Hiking around the island of Menorca and the other Balearic islands nearby is becoming a popular pastime and the mountainous regions of Menorca provide one of the best places for hiking in this area. Menorca offers many excellent hiking trails and many of these lead through the island's numerous nature reserves. In particular, the Cap de Favaritx, Cap de Cavalleria and S'Albufera areas of Menorca provide some of the best hiking trails and many superb views.

Golf Courses

Golf is a major sport in Menorca and there are many golf courses in Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. Set in beautiful surroundings, these golf courses provide excellent facilities and are most popular on Menorca, where there is the highest concentration golf courses. Equipment is available for hire and golf lessons should always be booked in advance.

Horse Riding

There are several riding schools on the Balearic islands and these provide good facilities for both beginners and more experience riders. With scenic riding trails available, all horse riding is done under the supervision of an instructor. Regular horse races are held on the islands of Mallorca and Ibiza and these events are usually very popular and well supported.

Cycling

There are numerous places to hire bicycles on the island of Menorca and these are usually inexpensive. Cycling is very popular and provides an enjoyable way to explore town and travel around Menorca. There are also many interesting trails for mountain bikes through Menorca's more rough terrain areas.