Tag: Menorca

December 19, 2019 Spain 2 Comments

Exploring Menorca from the water…

*This post is part of a paid campaign to promote the Balearic and Canary Islands, as part of their #SpanishIslands Campaign. Although all views are my own and I have not been instructed what to include.

 

Exploring Menorca from the water is a fantastic way to see this Spanish gem from a different viewpoint. UNESCO named Menorca a Biosphere Reserve in 1993 and with 160 km of pristine coastline to explore it’s easy to see why. There are more than 70 beaches on the island, white sand and crystal clear waters in the south and beautiful deep golden sandy beaches to the north. Not only that but there are many caves, gullies and secret beaches only accessible by the water, so jump in to gain a unique perspective of this popular holiday destination. From kayaking to snorkelling or just a gentle swim in the Mediterranean Ocean there are plenty of watersports in Menorca to be discovered.

 

Kayaking
If you’ve not kayaked before then Menorca is the place to give it a go, warm waters and sparkling ocean make it a very welcoming sport. Double kayaks are a fun way to explore with someone else. I recommend booking onto an organised tour, especially if you want to adventure into caves along the coastline. I went on a kayaking tour from Cala Galdana in the south of the island; the Atrium Audax Hotel has an exciting 3-hour trip along the dramatic coastline. Heading east there are some incredible caves to explore, Dragon’s Cave being one of them, this trip is definitely for the adventurous, you get to paddle right inside this incredible cave. Equipped with head torches you will kayak through the entrance and once inside get to turn off your torch. How often can you say you’ve kayaked into the eerie darkness of a cave? The other stop off on this tour included a very narrow cave, kayaking through Pont de n’Ali, a limestone tunnel and further along at the final stop we go the chance to moor up and swim out of for a spot of snorkelling. The tour guide provided us with beers and snacks too; it was such a novelty to be perched on a rock, towering cliff edges behind, a cave to my right and a beer in my hand! On this trip the scenery is just beautiful, hidden coves and beaches, imposing cliffs and a bit of cave exploration too; all of which are only accessible via the sea.
Another place I recommend hiring a kayak is Punta Prima in the southeast. SUPaire have kayaks, paddle boards and windsurfers for hire. Around a mile from the beach is Illa de l’Aire an uninhabited island just right for exploring. Also known as Black Lizard Island as its only inhabitants are, you guessed it black lizards. The lighthouse on Illa de l’Aire is the tallest in Menorca standing at 38 metres high. Once you’ve navigated over, park up and explore the footpath leading right to the lighthouse, keep an eye out for the lizards on your way. This stop is even better if you find yourself to be the only ones there, a proper Robinson Crusoe moment! Check the conditions before going out as it can be a bit of a struggle in strong winds; the guys at SUPaire are the best ones to chat to.

 

 

Snorkelling
The incredibly clear waters surrounding Menorca are ideal for discovering underwater life. Grab a mask and snorkel and explore a whole other world. Snorkelling has to be one of the most popular watersports in Menorca and it’s easy to see why. From octopus to starfish and barracuda, there are plenty of beautiful creatures to be discovered. Don’t forget to take a GoPro to capture those underwater memories.
S’Algar and Cala Alcaufar are nearby each other on the south coast; both have rocky shorelines with an abundance of marine life. There is a dive school at S’Algar who offer snorkelling boat excursions too.
The beach at Es Grau is part of the S’Albufera des Grau Nature Reserve; shallow waters make it a great spot for everyone including children to have a go at this very relaxing activity.
Fornells is another protected area with an abundance of under water life.
Cala Morell in the north has a rocky seabed home to all sorts of sea creatures, making it the perfect place to snorkel. The small beach is pebbly so take protective footwear.

 

 

Stand Up Paddle Boarding
I love paddle boarding, perfect for adventuring out onto the water on a calm day. It is one of my favourite watersports to do in Menorca; it’s also good exercise for engaging your core muscles! Menorca is the perfect place to learn to paddle board as well as taking organised tours to explore the coastline. WindFornells offer rental and combined paddle board and snorkelling trips from Fornells Bay. While SUPaire in Punta Prima have paddle boards to hire and excursions along the coastline to hidden caves.

 

 

Boat Trips
It’s not all about exploring the open seas, a boat trip around the harbour in the capital Mahon is a great opportunity to see this pretty city from a different viewpoint and learn more about the history of the island. Climb aboard Yellow Catamarans for a one- hour tour on a glass bottom boat. Cruise along the largest natural harbour in the Mediterranean, past forts, hidden coves, islets and pretty architecture. Enjoy spotting the marine life from the glass bottom viewing area and hear all about Menorca’s rich history with the historical commentary. Out of all of the watersports in Menorca this is best for those who more keen on staying dry.
If history is your thing, another trip you shouldn’t miss is the short boat ride from the quaint fishing village of Cales Fonts in Es Castello to Lazareto. It was once used as a quarantine island; from 1817 to 1917 all ships entering Mahon and Europe were required to stop at Lazareto. Passengers were checked for diseases such as the plague and yellow fever and quarantined on the small island. Its buildings and heritage can now be discovered on a two hour guided tour. Tours run throughout the summer, choose an evening one to watch the sunset, it is magnificent from Lazareto.

 

 

Beaches
Watersports in Menorca aren’t the only way to enjoy the coastline; this blog post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the beaches. With more than 70 to choose from it would be a crime not to spend some time on at least one of them and take in this Balearic Island’s laid-back vibes.
Arenal d’en Castell is a huge crescent shaped bay with a sheltered shoreline. The sparkling, shallow waters are picture perfect and just right for a refreshing dip or a spot of sunbathing. Cafes and bars are dotted between the wooden raised walkway, which is nice for a stroll too.
Punta Prima, located right in the centre of the tiny town this is a lovely small beach with views out over towards the lighthouse on Illa de l’Aire. There are rock pools to explore and crystal clear waters to dive into.
Cala Alcaufar is a gorgeous spot, there isn’t much of a sandy beach as such but it is beautiful. White washed authentic buildings and fishing huts line the rugged shoreline of this tiny bay.
The beach at Calas Mitjana has shallow, turquoise water backed by cliff tops of pine forests and is very popular. There are no facilities at this spot so pack a picnic and supplies for the day. In the height of the summer the car park fills up quickly, plan to arrive early to beat the crowds or reach it by boat.
The beaches in the north are quite different from the white sand beaches of the south. Full of natural beauty the sand is darker and rugged green cliffs back the shoreline. Pregonda Beach is one of my favourites with golden sand and glistening waters. There aren’t any facilities here, which is nice if you want total relaxation.

 

 

From caves to beaches there are many hidden spots only reach via the sea, making watersports in Menorca an adventurous was to discover some incredible locations you might etherise miss out on. Even if you’ve not had a go at any of them before choose a qualified instructor to help you, there’s so much waiting to be discovered. So jump in a kayak or climb aboard a boat, you won’t be disappointed.

 

I’ve written some other posts that maybe helpful if you are planning a trip to Menorca, read them here:
9 Things to do in Menorca: From visiting a bar in a clifftop cave to exploring the capital Mahon, this post is all about the tings you should add to your Menorca bucket list.
Kayaking Adventures in Menorca: One of my favourite watersports in Menorca, read in more detail about my kayaking adventures. There’s also a short video of my experiences of paddling through caves and exploring the coastline.
December 24, 2017 Baby Travel, Bali, Published Work, UK, USA 3 Comments

Bali, Cornwall & California, my 2017 travel roundup…

I’m writing this from a campervan in California overlooking the Pacific Ocean, I’m working with the lovely folks at Jucy campers and spending some time with Matt and Emily exploring a small part of the west coast of America.  2017 has been an exciting year for me in terms of blogging and travel.  I’ve collaborated with some awesome travel brands and taken on some new freelance clients.  I have also returned to my day job as a flight attendant after being on maternity leave.  Emily was born in 2016 and has become our mini travel buddy, she’s been away with Matt and I on a few trips and has already racked up quite a lot of airmiles in her 20 months of being on this planet.  From Cornwall to Bali she is lucky to have experienced some beautiful parts of the world so far.  Read on for my round-up of 2017 and travel plans for 2018….

 

January:  Cheddar, Somerset
Matt surprised me on Christmas day with a trip to Cheddar in Somerset for New Years Eve.  We stayed in a tiny chocolate box cottage with an open fire and lots of old worldy character.  Three days of exploring Cheddar including a trip to the famous gorge and caves, long scenic walks and a cosy evening in by fire the with a bottle of Champagne on New Years Eve made it the perfect way to see in 2017.  Read more on my Cheddar adventure here: A lovely long weekend in Cheddar, Somerset.

 

March: France
In March, Matt, Emily and I went to France with our lovely friends Sam and Graham and Emily’s bestest baby buddy Heidi.  We travelled by ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, I loved the ferry it made a nice change to flying.  Once in France we made our way to the gorgeous harbour town of Port en Bessin and stayed in a three-storey cottage right on the harbour front.  The 5 days saw us going on sunny strolls around the harbour and cliff tops and learning about the D-Day landings the beaches in this area are so famous for.  Eating fresh seafood from the local fish market, enjoying typical French breakfasts in traditional cafes and of course enjoying plenty of bread, wine and cheese; a must do when in this part of the world!  This trip was quite different as working around Emily and Heidi’s nap times often saw us spending time apart from Sam and Graham as the girls’ snoozing patterns didn’t always happen at the same time…but we would always come together in the evenings for a gin and tonic just outside on the harbour wall with the baby monitor by our side and dinner and wine while watching the tide come in from the lounge window.  I loved waking up in the morning to the sounds of the sea, you could view it from pretty much all the rooms in the house.

 

May: London and Menorca
A trip to London for two nights for the Traverse travel blogging conference was awesome.  I was a little nervous about attending by myself, although I needn’t have worried as I met some lovely people and had an amazing two days at the event.  I learnt so much and even got some work from it.  After pitching an idea to the Spanish tourist board I also got invited on a week-long press trip to Menorca, pretty exciting stuff!
A couple of weeks after Traverse, I attended a seven-day press trip in Menorca with a group of bloggers, vloggers and Instagrammers.  It was organised by Traverse Events, the Spanish tourist board and Jet2 Holidays, I had the best week.  There was a one day conference with some really interesting sessions and workshops focussing on a whole range of skills from SEO to using a drone.  There were activities and evening events running all week with the opportunity to explore the island.  One of my favourites was a kayaking trip, we paddled along picture perfect coastline and explored caves, which was pretty cool.  The evening events were wonderful too, from tapas at a vineyard to drinks in a cave at sunset overlooking the ocean.  I had such a blast and met so many interesting people, some of which I’m still in contact with, it’s so nice to have friends in the blogging world!

 

June: Beach time and returning to work
June involved lots of sunny beach time and my maternity leave coming to an end.  I really loved being on maternity leave, getting to spend so much time with Emily and Matt and being able to go on some fantastic trips.  I was petrified of returning to my day job as a flight attendant but knowing I was going back on a part-time basis made it feel a little bit easier to handle and by the end of the 8 day training course I was ready to return to the skies!

 

July: Jersey, New York and Cornwall
My first flying roster consisted of a New York and a Jersey nightstop along with some other shorthaul flights.  In New York I explored the West side of Manhattan, took a stroll along the High Line and visited Chelsea Market.  In Jersey there was just enough time for a walk along the seafront and dinner with the crew.
Matt, Emily and I also went on a mini road trip down to Cornwall for a few nights as Matt had some work in Newquay.  We enjoyed a couple of pub lunches, breakfast at Fistral Beach, a walk at Watergate Bay, a bit of shopping in the town and I got to surf at Fistral too.

 

August: New York and Midhurst, West Sussex
I went back to New York twice again in August, which was definitely not a hardship!  On one of the trips I went to see the views from Top of the Rock, the viewing platforms on top of the Rockefeller Center.  I went up years ago but couldn’t resist another visit.  I love the views of the Manhattan skyline and from the Rockefeller Center you can see Central Park, the Empire State Building and pretty much all of Manhattan including the One World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty.  It’s such a breathtaking view.  I also explored Central Park with a lovely crew and visited Times Square.  It’s been hard getting used to leaving Emily when I go away, some days I feel really emotional about it.  It’s so nice to be able to see her on FaceTime, it makes me feel not so far away.  Its been great working with other parents too, to know I’m not the only one who struggles with my emotions sometimes!
It was my birthday in August and to celebrate Matt surprised me with a night away while Emily spent the night with hr grandparents.  We stayed at the Spread Eagle Hotel in Midhurst, it has the most gorgeous spa and pool area which we loved relaxing in.  We also enjoyed a G & T or two in the cosy bar area and dinner was just divine.  We finished off our very relaxing 24 hours with a crab salad and a glass of rose at Seven Fish, just so tasty.

 

August & September: Bali
At the end of September we flew out to Bali, via Kuala Lumpur, Matt and I were pretty apprehensive about flying with Emily.  Although we had already done a fair few flights with her, this was the first one with her as a toddler who loves nothing more than running around and exploring!  The flights were full of ups and downs but in general she was such a good girl, after a traumatic beginning to our flight home we did decide we wouldn’t be flying again with her until she was about ten!  Having reflected on it we made a pact that we would only do night flights in the hope that she would sleep for some of it!  Anyway, Bali was just beautiful, we stayed in a private villa with Matt’s parents In Sanur where we enjoyed leisurely mornings by the pool, afternoon strolls along the beach and cocktails while Emily snoozed or played in the sand.  We had a night glamping in Ubud at Sandat Glamping Resort and then a few nights in Canggu.  Seeing the rice terraces and temples was a great experience but I was surprised at just how touristy some of these sights were.  Bali is such a family friendly place so if you are thinking about an adventurous family trip away, I would definitely recommend Indonesia.  For more check out my blog post: Bali with a Baby.

 

October: MSC Cruises and Mallorca
I got an invite to attend #BlogCampOnBoard in October, a blogging event onboard a cruise ship, I of course accepted the invite and found myself climbing aboard the very impressive MSC Preziosa.  The day consisted of a tour of the ship, some interesting blogging sessions, lunch and a Q and A with the MD of MSC UK and Ireland and the marketing team.  I throughly enjoyed exploring the ship and made some lovely new blogging friends, everyone was so friendly and it was great to meet others from different blogging niches from cruising to food and parent bloggers onboard.

 

November: Mallorca and London
I jetted of to Mallorca for some winter sun in November as part of the Spanish and Balearic tourist boards #betterinwinter campaign.  The Balearic Islands are well-known to the British as summer holiday destinations but they are just as lovely in the winter.  There was sunshine everyday in Mallorca while I was there, it was definitely warm enough to sit on the beach.  I spent four days exploring this gorgeous island with four lovely Instagrammers.  We enjoyed tapas in some delightful locations, visited some stunning hotels, strolled around Mallorca’s capital Palma and took in glorious views of the city from the top of Palma Cathedral.  One of my favourite things was a trip to Flor de Sal where salt is produced.  It was such a different thing to do and standing next to 10ft salt mountains was a unique experience.  I loved strolling around the market in Santanyi, it was hard to believe it was November with all the sunshine we had.
I landed from Mallorca and headed straight to London for a few days of sightseeing and shopping with my Mum.  We checked in to the Premier Inn Hub Hotel on Brick Lane in East London.  Our cosy and compact room was perfect for our two night stay and I loved exploring this very cool part of London.  We had breakfast at Spitalfields market, shopped on Oxford Street and took in the views of the city from the Shard.  Earlier on in the year I won tickets at Traverse to visit the Shard, so Mum and I made the most of it by going up at sunset and enjoying the views with a few glasses of champagne.  We also had the best curry back on Brick Lane, if you find yourself in that part of London head to The Monsoon for Thali, so, so good.

 

December: California
As I mentioned in the first few lines, Matt, Emily and I are currently in America.  We are here to spend Christmas with family, it’s so strange to celebrate Christmas in the sunshine compared to the cold, frosty December days in the UK.  I’m not complaining though it’s a very nice change and I also love seeing how Americans embrace Christmas, people definitely decorate the outside of their houses in a much more exciting way than in the UK!  We have also spent ten days roadtripping along the west coast of California within a very cool Jucy campervan.  Its been slightly different to normal as it’s the first road trip we’ve done with Emily.  Picking up our van in San Francisco we travelled up to Point Reyes National Sea Shore, followed by a few nights in Monterey, Morro Bay, Carpinteria and now Carlsbad near San Diego.  More blog posts to come on our adventures soon…It’s safe to say 2017 has been an awesome year and finishing up with Christmas in California is a wonderful way to round it all up.
Travel plans for 2018 so far include a break away with friends to The forest of Dean in February and a family holiday with my parents in Menorca in June.  Matt and I are hoping to explore somewhere far-flung at some point in the year while Emily holidays with her Grandparents…thanks in advance Nana, Grandad, Nanny and Pops!

 

June 29, 2017 Spain 4 Comments

9 Things to do in Menorca…

Menorca sits in the Mediterranean and can be reached in around two hours flying time from London. One of the Balearic Islands, Menorca is perhaps a little lesser known than its sister islands Ibiza and Majorca but don’t overlook it as this little gem has something for everyone. For adventure seekers there are a whole host of activities from kayaking to horse riding and paragliding. Outdoor enthusiasts will love adventuring along Cami de Cavalls, 180 kms of walking routes that cover the whole of the island. For history buffs there are forts and megalithic monuments and lets not forget the beach lovers, Menorca’s 160km of coastline is covered in white sand beaches with turquoise waters just right for kicking back and relaxing on. Families will also love this idyllic island. A Biosphere Reserve, Menorca proudly preserves its natural environment and I can see why. After being invited on a weeklong press trip with Spain, Menorca and Traverse Events I am now desperate to get back there! The trip consisted of dinner and drinks at some of Menorca’s best bars and restaurants and the days were jam packed with boat trips, exploring pretty towns and historical landmarks, gin tasting, (right up my street!) a visit to a shoe factory and the opportunity to see some of Menorca’s finest beaches. I also managed to squeeze in a bit of pool time in honour of the hashtag #MenorcaSlow! Read on for my 9 must do’s in Menorca…
Explore Mahon
Mahon, the capital of Menorca is full of beautiful architecture, white washed buildings and tiny lanes, which are great for exploring. Steeped in history and home to one of the world’s largest natural harbours there is plenty to see and do in this pretty city. For a different view take a boat tour around the harbour, Yellow Catamarans have glass bottom boats, great for spotting marine life. The one-hour trip cruises around the harbour, past fortifications, the pretty fishing village of Es Castells and hidden beaches. A stop in a gorgeous cove with the opportunity to pop below deck to the glass bottom for a bit of sea life spotting is a fun extra. Back on dry land stroll around the quaint streets, pick up a frozen Pomada (I’ll talk more about this below) and people watch. Mahon is great for shopping; visit the fish market and Mercat del Claustre del Carme which is full of local produce, the famous Mahon cheese, clothes and jewellery. Shoe shopping is a must here, Menorca is famous for its sandals, they come in all sorts of colours and can be found in many shops around the city. I’ve never seen such beautiful leather sandals in so many different colours!
Visit a gin distillery
If like me you love a drop of gin then this place is a must visit! The Xoriguer gin distillery in Mahon is a fun and interesting visit, sample Menorca’s favourite tipple in the tasting room, also try the other flavours, chocolate, peppermint and chamomile to name just a few. The distillery can be viewed through glass windows, I was lucky enough to step foot behind inside and marvel at the gin making process. The gin is distilled using water from the harbour and infused with juniper berries. It can be purchased in glass and ceramic bottles; the latter were supposedly used by pirates and can be kept and refilled. I have added Xoriguer to my own gin collection and now only drink it with lemon…
Drink Pomada in a cave
Still on the gin theme, Pomada is a local creation; gin mixed with cloudy lemonade, or Lemon Fanta, its delicious and is now my new favourite drink! Order it frozen or straight up as it is. The best place to drink this fabulous gin concoction has to be at Cova D‘En Xoroi a bar in a cave on the edge of the ocean. A unique setting to watch the sunset this place was originally used by pirates for smuggling. Today the caves have cosy corners with awesome sea views, a decked area out on a breezy edge and plenty of Pomada! This has to be one of the best bars on the island and an unforgettable place to have a drink.
Jump into the ocean
There are a lot of rocky outcrops dotted along the coast just right for jumping into the crystal clear Mediterranean ocean. The tiny fishing community of Alcaufar was my favourite place to do this. A gorgeous inlet of turquoise water and a good snorkelling spot. Take care to check out where you are jumping, be sure the water is deep enough and there is enough clearance away from rocks. I stayed in S’Algar, a 15-minute walk across the rocks from Alcaufar, although it has no beach there are ladders on the rocks to swim in the sea and some good spots for jumping in. Check out Brendan Van Son’s Menorca Vlog, 3 minutes in I join him and his GoPro for some awesome saltwater jumps!

 

Have dinner with incredible views at Cap Roig
Plan to get to Cap Roig before sunset, high up on a bluff overlooking the town of Sa Mesquida and the ocean the views are stunning, especially if you get to see the sun go down. It’s picture perfect setting with fantastic service, gorgeous food and great wine. I sampled some great seafood here; small starter plates included squid, cuttlefish, cured ham and sea anemone. This was the first time I had tried sea anemone and I’ve got to say I’m not much of a fan, I’m glad I tried it though! For my main I had hake with chips and it did not disappoint, washed down with a crisp white wine and taking in the spectacular sunset was a wonderful way to spend a Friday evening.

 

Visit a winery
For a special evening out Binifadet winery is the one, take a stroll around the vines in the evening light and sample one of the many wines produced here along with tapas dishes or a main meal. The setting is gorgeous with tables outside overlooking the vines.
Relax on a beach
Menorca has 160 km of coastline and over 100 beaches, so relaxing on a beach is not hard to do. Find your own unspoilt bay such as Cala Binidali or Trebalúger, only reached on foot or by boat they are often very quiet. In the north the beaches are quite different with red sand, try Cavalleria, a lovely bay perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The water temperature is an average of 18°c and very inviting in the heat of the day. I know I’ve mentioned it more than once but the sparkling turquoise sea and perfectly white sand is just such a dreamy combination!
Kayak
Kayaking is a must do in Menorca, join an organised trip with an instructor and see the island from a different angle. Hiring a double kayak is a lot of fun and a good way to start off if you’ve not kayaked before. Discover caves and hidden beaches that you wouldn’t get to see from the land. I kayaked with a guide from Cala Galdana and got to explore some incredible caves as well as snorkel in the crystal clear Mediterranean, check out my blog post for more information: Kayaking Adventures in Menorca.  Thanks to Steve from Biggsy Travels for the gorgeous image of me kayaking through the cliffs.
Eat like a local
Menorcans are seafood lovers, I am too so I got to sample a lot of the local seafood. Menorca is all about long lazy lunches with many different courses. Famous for its cheese this is often served up during the starter courses with cured meats. Tomato bread is a favourite of mine too. Be wary though not to fill up too much on the starter plates, as there are always some good main dishes to follow! Head to the waterfront in Mahon for tapas with gorgeous views.  Thanks to the lovely Nienke Krook from The Travel Tester for the images.
Visit Fort Marlborough
If you are interested in learning a little bit of history while in Menorca then Fort Marlborough is definitely worth a visit. Built by the British during the 1700s to protect the entrance of Mahon Harbour it is an impressive structure. Walk through tunnels carved out of rock and up on to the roof of the fort where there are views of the sea and surrounding countryside. A self-guided, audio tour takes around one hour and brings the fort to life. Park up and walk through the quaint waterside dwelling of Cala de Sant Esteve or walk the 2km from Es Castell.
Thanks to Jet2 for getting me to Menorca and to Visit Spain, Turismo Menorca and Traverse Events for inviting me.

 

June 3, 2017 Spain 3 Comments

Kayaking adventures in Menorca…

Menorca is found in the Mediterranean and is the perfect place for getting out on the water, crystal clear, oh so warm and 160 km of coastline; perfect for saltwater adventures. One of the Balearic Islands, Menorca is a Biosphere Reserve, the balance between tourism and nature is very clear to see.  This small, calm and charming island is the place to visit not just for a beach holiday but for an active one too.
Water sports are my thing so while in Menorca kayaking sounded like a lot of fun. Leaving from Cala Galdana I clambered into my double kayak for the morning with my paddle buddy and we were off. Following the rocky cliff edges and gullies, we passed some beautiful hidden coves, views of towering cliff tops covered in dense pine forests and sparkling turquoise waters.  This wasn’t just any old kayaking trip though, no, no, this was a very adventurous one! As we followed the other kayakers in our group we headed towards Dragons Cave, when you are inside the noise of the water pushing in and out of the entrance sounds like a dragon breathing. Our guide handed out head torches and we paddled in through a narrow opening. The further we paddled in, the darker it got and once in the belly of the cave we turned our lights off. It was pitch black, very eerie and like nothing I have experienced before. The next cave was a bit of a challenge; we paddled through an extremely narrow opening. In fact it was so tight we had to rest our paddles in the kayak and use our hands to pull us through into the next cave. Potentially nerve-wracking but ultimately a lot of fun! Continuing back out in the ocean we paddled further east and through Pont de n’Ali, an incredible tunnel in the cliffs. We ‘parked up’ our kayaks in the final cave and snorkelled out. The water was clear and so refreshing, a beer and crisps perched on a rock was a fabulous pit stop and felt like such a novelty, it’s not everyday you get to cheers on a rock! It was such an awesome experience, if you are looking for something a bit adventurous to do on your trip to Menorca I would definitely recommend kayaking. It’s a completely different way to see the coastline and kayaking into the darkness of a cave or stepping on a secret beach are unique adventures. I’d recommend going with a kayaking company if you don’t have much kayaking experience, especially for exploring the caves. An instructor can teach you the basic techniques and keep you safe on the water. Sea kayaking in Menorca is perfect for all abilities from beginners to pros and families too, so take a break from the pool and go have an adventure!
I visited Menorca on a press trip as part of the #MustSeeMenorca campaign, thanks to Visit Spain and Traverse Events for having me!