Cala Xinxell - Las Isletas and bus trip into Palma

Innamorata
Steve & Carol
Fri 6 May 2022 12:47
39:31.039N 002:33.936E
We had a lovely sail from Santa Ponsa, we flew around Cap de Cala Figuera and then sailed fairly close to the shore to see the anchorages we were going past and have a look at the coastline. 
 
There were a couple of unusual properties - probably hotels, with parts carved in the stone - looked better in real life 😬. past Magaluf and Palma Nova on to a little spot called Cala Xinxell or Las Isletas. 
  
A lovely anchorage protected from the NW through to S, there is a small dock with one ring in it to tie the dinghy to, a couple of small beaches, the island to the south is a military zone and it's prohibited to go ashore - not that anyone seemed to take any notice of the many signs - we saw lots of paddle boarders, kayakers and swimmers go to the island and have a walk around. 

The anchorage is a very popular spot and though when we arrived it was pretty quiet and we found a nice large space to anchor in it soon got pretty full - we realised the error of our ways anchoring in shallow water near the beach as we were constantly having day boats come in drop anchor very close to us stay for a few hours then move off! 
     
While we were here we met an American couple Jamie and Niki who had been anchored here a couple of weeks and were joined in the anchorage by our friend on Toodle-oo and Rockhopper - so we had a rather social time which was lovely.
First day here we just went for a walk towards Portals Nous, the second day we got in the water and did a bit more hull cleaning, still have about half the bottom to do but we are getting there! and the third day we got the bus into Palma with Jo and Carl, it was a very easy €2 each trip from a few minutes walk away from the dinghy dock. We spent a bit of time with Jo and Carl before we went our separate ways to explore and have a look around the city. 
Palma was a lovely surprise we really enjoyed walking around the old town, stopped for something to eat wandered some more before heading to a supermarket and then catching a bus back to the boat.