Holiday giant, TUI has won the contract, in partnership with a local firm, to operate the new Palma water taxi service which will link key areas of the port and Bay of Palma; it will launch its first service over the coming weeks.
The successful bidder combines the international experience of the TUI tourism group - which operates in over 100 countries and has a significant presence in Mallorca - with the local expertise of MallorcAventura, a company specialising in sustainable maritime activities and the promoter of the “Blue Circle” project, which focuses on electric-powered boat trips.
Three routes and six stations
The service will be organised into three distinct routes, designed to cater for different types of users. The first will connect the West Quay with the Royal Staircase at the Lonja Quay and will be aimed primarily at cruise passengers, with departures every 30 minutes on days when ships are in port.
The second will operate as a regular public service, running every day of the year between the Poniente Norte quays, the Local Transit terminal and the Royal Staircase at the Lonja quay, aimed particularly at residents and workers in the port area.
The third line will be a tourist service connecting to the beaches, linking the centre of Palma with Portitxol, Cala Estancia, Can Pastilla and s'Arenal. Consequently, this line will operate during the tourist season.
In total, the service will have six stations strategically located around the bay, facilitating intermodal connections with other modes of transport and links to the historic centre and the main coastal areas.
The service will offer a range of fare options. In 2026, a single one-way ticket will cost six euros, whilst for regular users the cost per journey will be significantly reduced through travel passes. A 20-journey pass will allow each journey to be made for one euro, whilst with a 100-journey pass the price per journey will be reduced to 50 cents.
These fares, established by the Palma Port Authority in the concession specifications, aim to encourage regular use of the water bus as public transport, particularly among port workers and the citizens of Palma, reinforcing its role as a genuine mobility alternative.
A sustainable project with a local impact
The project involves a total investment of over one million euros, of which more than 55% will be allocated to environmental and sustainability measures. These include the installation of solar panels at stations, rainwater recycling systems, bioluminescent paving and artificial reefs to promote marine regeneration.