Boat hire in Fornells

Fornells is the enclosed bay of northern Menorca: 4 km of sheltered water, no waves, a sandy bottom, and therefore the best place on the island to take a boat out for the first time. The municipality of Es Mercadal has 27 rental companies split between Fornells harbour, with 11 within 500 m, and the harbour of Addaia, another enclosed inlet further east, with 8. Four companies advertise skippered hire and three no-licence boats; the rest are day motorboats. Inside the bay you cruise to the coves on the eastern shore and to Ses Sargantanes island; outside, with a licence and a calm sea, to Cala Pregonda and Cavalleria to the west or Arenal d'en Castell and Addaia to the east. Ciutadella, 17 km away, has 32 more companies; Maó, 48.

The season runs from April to October. In a tramontana the bay mouths close but the bays themselves stay navigable, which is the advantage of Fornells and Addaia over the rest of the north coast. There are scheduled boat trips along the north coast for those who would rather not charter.

Indicative high-season prices from the directory's reference table, reviewed September 2026: a no-licence motorboat costs €120–250 a day; a RIB of 6–8 m, €250–650; a 10–12 m sailing yacht, €400–900 bareboat or €600–1,500 skippered; a catamaran, €1,000–2,500; a skippered motor yacht, from €900. Expect 20–40% less outside July and August. Deposits run from €300 to €2,000 and fuel is extra. Each company sets its own prices.