By sea to Mallorca Sea ferries provide a vital link between the Balearic Islands and the Spanish mainland. The three large ferry operators providing a regular service are Acciona Trasmediterránea, Baleària and Iscomar Ferries.

The fastest vessels have been introduced by Acciona Trasmediterránea operating throughout the summer season. Its high-speed catamarans take less than four hours to make the crossing from Palma de Mallorca to Barcelona during average summer weather conditions.

Acciona Trasmediterránea’s ferry operations in the Mediterranean, have in addition to their service between the capital of the Balearic Islands and the capital of Catalonia, services between Palma and Valencia, Palma and Ibiza as well as Palma and Mahón (Menorca). Furthermore, this company, which was established in 1917 and then known as Trasmediterránea, also operates ferries between Ibiza and Barcelona, Ibiza and Denia, Ibiza and Valencia and Menorca and Barcelona. In addition there is an international crossing route connecting the Spanish mainland to Morocco.

A more recent competitor in maritime traffic between the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands and ferry services between the islands of the archipelago is Baleària. Founded in 1998, the company has a fleet of ten vessels and just over a year ago they introduced the fast ferry Pau Casals. This vessel operates a daily service on the Barcelona – Palma crossing, the craft carries up to 400 passengers and takes slightly more than six hours. The most recent acquisition on the part of Baleària is the vessel Meloodia. This ferry was built in 1998 in Germany and prior to its transfer to the Mediterranean it operated in the Gulf of Finland.

In addition to the Palma – Barcelona route, Baleària operates the following services:

• Palma - Ibiza

• Alcúdia - Barcelona

• Alcúdia - Cuitadella

• Mahón - Barcelona

• Sant Antoni (Ibiza) - Barcelona

• Ibiza - Denia

• Ibiza - Formentera

• Formentera - Denia

• Sant Antoni - Denia

The third in the trio is Isleña Marítima de Contenedores S.A. or better known as Iscomar. Founded in 1979, Iscomar started out solely as a freight carrier. Just under 20 years later the company decided to expand its field of operations and enter the passenger transportation business.

Their first sea crossing route was from Alcúdia (Northern Mallorca) to Ciutadella the earlier capital of Menorca. Later the company expanded its routes to include the following scheduled services:

• Barcelona - Palma

• Barcelona - Menorca

• Barcelona - Ibiza

• Denia - Ibiza - Formentera

• Valencia and Palma

The company, based in Palma, has a total of six vessels operating passenger services. Their ships are called Patricia del Mar, Mercedes del Mar or Pitiusa Nova. The most recent addition to the fleet is the super ferry Blanca del Mar, which was brought into service in 2006. This vessel connects the capital of the Balearics with Barcelona and likewise carries up to 400 passengers. A capacity of 230 beds allows passengers to relax during the six-hour voyage. This facility has to be booked in advance. These ships of the ‘white fleet’ plough through the waves at a speedof up to 24 knots.

The number of passengers carried by Iscomar in 2006 was 335.000, Their company spokesman Gabriel Malvido estimates that in 2007 there will be 400.000 passengers travelling with Iscomar Ferries. To encourage travellers, children under the age of two travel free, children between the ages of two and twelve pay half fare and senior citizens over 60 years enjoy a 20 per cent discount.

One should remember it pays to check for special offers on the Internet sites of the the ferry companies. Under ‘Ofertas’ [Special Offers] offers have included such interesting bargains as one’s car travelling free of charge! Alternatively, inquire at your travel agent regarding offers, special terms and conditions.