5 Things to Ask About Water Toys on a Menorca Charter

Water toys on a Menorca charter are best handled as a line-by-line conversation with your broker, not a tick-box. Before you book, establish what is physically on board, what the day rate covers, what is billed separately and whether sea conditions at Cala Galdana and the southern coves suit your plan. Get those answers in writing and an active day runs smoothly. Below: five questions to ask, typical extras, and a sample rhythm for the day.

What do water toys on a Menorca charter usually include?

There is no standard package. What sits on deck depends on the individual yacht, its size and how it is equipped, so a list that applies to one boat tells you little about the next. Our fleet runs from the compact Dariel 7.5m to the 40m Oasis 40, and storage space, swim access and crew support differ accordingly.

Name the activities you actually want rather than asking for "all the toys". Paddleboarding, snorkelling, towed inflatables, tender runs to a beach and simple swimming from the platform each need different gear and, in some cases, different crew attention. A broker can then confirm item by item, and anything not on board can be discussed as an extra instead of discovered on the day. Treat any verbal yes as provisional until it appears in the written booking terms.

Which five questions should you ask before booking?

Use these as a checklist when comparing two or three yachts:

1. Which items are on this exact yacht? Ask for a named list for the vessel you are booking, not a general fleet answer.
2. Is each item included or itemised? Some may sit in the day rate while others carry a fee, so have every one marked in the quote.
3. Who operates and supervises them? Confirm whether the charter is crewed or bareboat and what licence applies, since that decides who can drive a tender or tow an inflatable.
4. How is fuel handled? Tender runs and towed activities use fuel, so confirm whether it is in the rate, drawn against an APA or billed at cost afterwards.
5. What is the fallback if the sea is up? Swell and wind can change the plan, so agree in advance which sheltered bay replaces your first choice.

What usually costs extra on a Menorca day charter?

Beyond the toys themselves, the bill typically moves on a handful of lines. Fuel is the main one: depending on the yacht, it is bundled, charged at cost, or drawn against an APA (advance provisioning allowance) on larger crewed yachts. Catering, drinks and any restaurant lunch ashore are generally separate, as are berthing fees if you need a stopover when departing from or returning to Mahón or Ciutadella. Crew gratuity is customary on crewed charters but discretionary.

Ask for a written estimate in three columns: included, extra at cost, and optional. It prevents disagreement later and lets you compare two yachts fairly. We do not quote fixed figures for extras here because they vary by yacht and date; your broker will set them out against the vessel you choose.

How do you plan an active day around Cala Galdana and the southern coves?

Think in three blocks rather than a strict timetable. Start with the activity stop while the water is often calmer. Cala Galdana is a sheltered bay on the south coast with a wide beach, which suits tender runs, paddleboarding and snorkelling. Move to lunch on board at anchor, or ashore if you have booked a table beforehand; reserve early for peak dates in 2026. Finish at the smaller southern coves, Cala Macarella and Cala Mitjana, for a slower swim as the day cools.

Two practical notes. Shallow sandy water suits children and weaker swimmers, but have lifejackets in the right sizes confirmed before departure. And the south coast can pick up swell, so keep one alternative bay in the plan. Our Menorca day-charter itinerary shows how stops can be ordered from Mahón on the east side or Ciutadella on the west.

Which yacht suits a water-focused day?

Size changes the day more than any single accessory. A compact day boat such as the Dariel 7.5m is easy to position near shallow shorelines, while the Wajer 38 steps up to 11.3m for up to 10 guests. The [Riva 56