ZOEA Mallorca

Mediterranean adventure in kayak

After floating on the water for a while to recharge our energies, we start our way back -although we would love to make this moment last forever-.

Author: Aina Coll

Photographer: Jaume Oliver

A July morning at the Club Náutico de Santa Ponça comes hand in hand with a summer bustle. Among the moorings, sailors come and go and finalize their preparations before heading out to sea, workers have breakfast and chat, lively, in the port's cafeterias, and dozens of tourists stroll in search of a sporting adventure that invites them to enjoy Mallorca from the sea.

Among this exciting daily routine is Zoea, guarded by dozens of kayaks, diving equipment and paddle surf boards, awaiting the arrival of the next intrepid visitor, like us, ready to practice water sports in a privileged environment.

After parking outside the port facilities -although it is possible to park inside if you call to reserve as you arrive- we soon find what brought us here: a space full of diving, paddle surfing, snorkeling and kayaking equipment. We have arrived at our destination.

At the counter, a group of young people armed with tanks and ready to dive into the depths of the sea greet us with amusement while we activate our reservation: today is a splendid day to forget about the office and kayak around the southwest of the island.

With twenty-five years of experience, Zoea offers diving courses and guided and unguided tours. Accustomed to going out to sea to practice sports in the company of an expert, today we dare to face this adventure alone and at our own pace, so we keep our belongings in the locker and let the staff, who is super friendly and attentive, give us some recommendations.

After sharing with them what we think is our level and the time we want to be in the water, they provide us with a map and propose different routes and points of interest that are, in fact, mandatory stops for any lover of Mallorca. We have never set foot on the Illes Malgrats - marine reserve of the Balearic Islands - so we can't think of a better destination for today.

Shovels in hand and vests sheathed, we start the adventure: as soon as we leave the port also leave behind the Creu del descobriment which is surrounded by extreme beauty. Bordering the cliffs, today the Mediterranean - quiet and flat - gives us a pleasant crossing that we travel without haste while admiring its immensity.

After about forty-five minutes of travel - which we have taken very calmly - we reach the second island - the largest of the Malgrats - and, among the rocks, we are surprised by a natural pool. Just looking at us is enough to understand that we can not leave here without refreshing ourselves in it, so we tie up the kayaks and take a dip among fish, crabs, sea urchins and starfish, and under the flight of numerous birds that soar through the sky incessantly.

There is absolute silence so we lose track of time for a moment, completely devoted to the enjoyment of the marine environment and the contemplation of the landscape. After floating for a while on the water to recharge our energies, we start the return journey -although we would love to make this moment last until it becomes eternal-.

The return trip to the Club Nautico is a bit more arduous -due to fatigue and some waves that, now, do disrupt the sea a little-, but an effort like this always compensates if you have the privilege of doing sport in such an exceptional setting.

Back at the port we return to Zoea, somewhat exhausted but with our adrenaline pumping, and we leave the kayaks. Here we shower and change - the changing rooms available to users are a plus - and we are grateful for the hospitality and the opportunity we have been able to experience this time.

Two hours of sport - alone and with no other intention than to have a good time in nature - change anyone's mood. Let's take advantage of this gift that is having it within our reach, so close, and let's go out to sea more,' we say to ourselves while in our heads we are already planning the destination of our next adventure.