Palma de Mallorca Port Guide: Distances, Fuel & Voyage Planning

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Palma de Mallorca is the operational hub of the Western Mediterranean superyacht circuit. Monaco is 337 nautical miles northeast. Barcelona is 130 nautical miles north. Gibraltar — the gateway to the Atlantic — is 530 nautical miles southwest. If your vessel is based in the Med, you will pass through Palma.

130nm

Palma → Barcelona

337nm

Palma → Monaco

530nm

Palma → Gibraltar

Key distances from Palma

All distances are nautical miles, calculated point-to-point using standard sea routing. Actual passage distance may vary depending on waypoints, traffic separation schemes, and weather routing.

Destination	Distance (nm)	Direction	Time at 10 kts	Time at 12 kts
Barcelona	130	North	13.0 hrs	10.8 hrs
Ibiza (Eivissa)	90	Southwest	9.0 hrs	7.5 hrs
Mahón (Menorca)	155	Northeast	15.5 hrs	12.9 hrs
Valencia	180	Northwest	18.0 hrs	15.0 hrs
Antibes	420	Northeast	42.0 hrs	35.0 hrs
Monaco	337	Northeast	33.7 hrs	28.1 hrs
Cannes	395	Northeast	39.5 hrs	32.9 hrs
Genoa	490	Northeast	49.0 hrs	40.8 hrs
Gibraltar	530	Southwest	53.0 hrs	44.2 hrs
Marseille	320	North-northeast	32.0 hrs	26.7 hrs
Sardinia (Cagliari)	310	East-southeast	31.0 hrs	25.8 hrs
Las Palmas (Canaries)	1,030	South-southwest	103.0 hrs	85.8 hrs

Captain's note

Palma to Monaco is one of the most common passages in the Western Med season — 337nm, typically 28–34 hours depending on speed. With current MGO at approximately $820/MT in Palma, a 50m yacht burning 280 L/hr at 12 knots will spend around $8,700–9,400 on fuel alone. Use SeaWise to calculate your vessel's exact figure before departure.

Fuel consumption: Palma to Monaco by vessel size

The following table shows indicative fuel costs for the Palma–Monaco passage (337nm) at 12 knots, using current MGO indicative pricing of $820/MT at Palma.

Vessel size	Burn at 12 kts (L/hr)	Total litres	Total MT	Est. fuel cost
35m motor yacht	160	4,483	3.79	$3,108
45m motor yacht	230	6,444	5.45	$4,469
55m motor yacht	310	8,684	7.34	$6,019
65m motor yacht	420	11,764	9.94	$8,151
75m motor yacht	560	15,685	13.25	$10,868
90m motor yacht	780	21,846	18.46	$15,137

Indicative figures. Actual consumption depends on hull condition, sea state, current, and engine load. Apply a 15% planning buffer for accurate voyage budgets.

Speed vs fuel cost: Palma to Antibes (420nm)

The Palma–Antibes passage is one of the most speed-sensitive routes in the Med. A 50m motor yacht burning 280 L/hr at 12 knots shows a significant cost difference when speed is adjusted:

Speed	Passage time	Fuel burn (L/hr)	Total litres	Fuel cost at $820/MT
10 knots	42.0 hrs	185	7,770	$5,377
12 knots ✓	35.0 hrs	280	9,800	$6,782
13 knots	32.3 hrs	360	11,628	$8,047
14 knots	30.0 hrs	460	13,800	$9,553
15 knots	28.0 hrs	590	16,520	$11,434

Running at 14 knots versus 12 knots saves 5 hours — but costs an additional $2,771 in fuel on this passage. Whether that trade-off is worth it is a decision SeaWise helps you make before you leave the marina rather than when the bunker invoice arrives.

Bunkering at Palma

Palma has well-established bunkering infrastructure suitable for vessels up to 100m+. MGO is available by truck delivery to most marinas and by barge in the commercial port area.

Current indicative MGO price at Palma: ~$820/MT (May 2026). This is $52/MT above Rotterdam, reflecting the southern European distribution premium. For vessels arriving from the north, topping up in Gibraltar ($815/MT) before entering the Med is marginally cheaper than lifting in Palma, though Gibraltar remains a longer detour for Balearics-bound vessels.

Port de Palma marina: truck delivery available, 24h notice typically required
Commercial port area: barge delivery for larger lifts, better for 30MT+ stems
Minimum lift: typically 5–10 MT for truck delivery; 20 MT+ for barge
Grade: MGO (DMA) standard; VLSFO available for larger vessels on request

Seasonal planning notes

Palma's superyacht season runs March through October. Peak traffic is July–August when berth availability in the main marinas becomes limited and advance booking of 4–6 weeks is standard for vessels above 60m.

The dominant weather pattern affecting passages from Palma is the Tramontana — a northerly/northwesterly wind that can build rapidly in the Gulf of Lion and affect passages toward the French Riviera. Departures toward Antibes or Monaco should be timed around Tramontana forecasts. The typical Tramontana event lasts 2–5 days.

For Atlantic-bound vessels heading southwest toward Gibraltar and Las Palmas, the Strait of Gibraltar passage requires attention to the strong tidal flow and heavy commercial traffic. Most yachts transit with the current (east-to-west ebb) in the early morning hours.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Palma de Mallorca from Monaco?

Palma de Mallorca to Monaco is approximately 337 nautical miles by sea. At a cruising speed of 12 knots, that is a 28-hour passage. At 10 knots, the passage takes around 33.7 hours. The route runs northeast from Palma, typically passing north of the Balearic Islands before heading toward the French coastline and the Principality of Monaco. The Mediterranean is an Emission Control Area, so MGO is the required fuel grade for the entire passage.

What is the best route from Palma to Antibes?

The standard route from Palma to Antibes (approximately 420nm) runs northeast, clearing the northern tip of Mallorca and then tracking toward the French Riviera coast. Most vessels pass south of the Rhône delta and approach Antibes from the southwest. The route keeps you clear of the shallow areas around the Camargue. In settled weather, the passage is straightforward. In Mistral or Tramontana conditions, departing early and hugging the Spanish coast before crossing to France can offer more shelter on the first leg. Total passage time is 35 hours at 12 knots.

How much fuel does a superyacht use from Palma to Monaco?

Fuel consumption on the Palma–Monaco passage (337nm) depends on vessel size and speed. At 12 knots, a 45m motor yacht burns approximately 5,400–6,500 litres (4.6–5.5 MT of MGO), costing roughly $3,700–$4,500 at current prices. A 65m yacht burns approximately 10,000–12,500 litres (8.5–10.6 MT), costing $7,000–$8,700. A 90m yacht may consume 18,000–22,000 litres for the same passage. These are indicative figures — your vessel's actual consumption depends on its fuel curve, hull condition, and sea state. Enter your vessel's fuel profile in SeaWise for a precise calculation at current bunker prices.

Where can I bunker near Palma?

Palma itself is a capable bunkering port with MGO available by truck to most marinas and by barge in the commercial port. For vessels transiting between Palma and the mainland, Barcelona (approximately 130nm north) is an alternative with competitive pricing and strong bunkering infrastructure. Gibraltar (530nm southwest) is the most strategically useful bunkering point for vessels heading into the Atlantic — it consistently offers some of the best MGO pricing in the region and can handle large stems efficiently. SeaWise shows live bunker prices at all three ports side by side so you can make the lift decision based on current market data.

What fuel grade do I need in the Mediterranean?

The Mediterranean Sea is designated as an Emission Control Area (MECA/SECA) under MARPOL Annex VI. This means vessels operating in Mediterranean waters must use fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.10% — which in practice means Marine Gas Oil (MGO, grade DMA). VLSFO (0.50% sulphur) is not compliant for Mediterranean passages. Make sure your bunker specifications confirm DMA grade MGO when lifting at any Mediterranean port. All bunker prices shown by SeaWise for Mediterranean ports are MGO DMA unless otherwise noted.

Plan your Palma passage now

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