MENORCA (MAÓ/MAHÓN, CIUTADELLA, FORNELLS)

Menorca: boating safety

Last verified: 14 October 2026

Menorca's main yachting bases are the long natural harbour of Maó (Mahón) in the east and Ciutadella in the west. Trips usually go around the island's coves and to Fornells bay on the north coast.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA

Call 112

Call 112 and ask for Salvamento Marítimo. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

Spain: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

The Port of Maó is run by the Balearic Port Authority (Autoritat Portuària de Balears), Moll de Llevant 1, Maó, tel. 971 363 066. The Maó Maritime District (harbour master) is at Costa de Ses Voltes 1, tel. 971 364 107.

Autoritat Portuària de Balears (Port of Maó plan, 2025 edition) ▾

portsdebalears.com (2026-10-14): “Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares Port Authority of the Balearic Islands Moll de Llevant, 1 07701 Maó, Menorca T.971 363 066 Distrito Marítimo de Maó Mahon Maritime District Costa de Ses Voltes, 1 07702 Maó, Menorca T. 971 364 107”

Weather

Salvamento Marítimo's Palma centre broadcasts the coastal weather bulletin on VHF channel 10, announced on channel 16, at 07:35, 10:35, 15:35 and 20:35 UTC. The Menorca coast station broadcasts on VHF channel 85 at 09:10, 14:10 and 21:10 UTC.

AEMET (Spanish State Meteorological Agency) · AEMET (Spanish State Meteorological Agency) ▾

aemet.es (2026-10-14): “CRCS Palma ch 16-10 0735 - 1035 - 1535 - 2035”

aemet.es (2026-10-14): “Menorca 85 0910-1410-2110”

Local rules

Anchoring on Posidonia oceanica seagrass is banned throughout Balearic waters. Anchor on sand or use an authorised buoy field.

Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) ▾

caib.es (2026-10-14): “Queda prohibit, amb caràcter general, l'ancoratge d'embarcacions sobre la planta de Posidonia oceanica.”

Fornells bay has a regulated buoy field: skippers must moor to the buoys provided and may not drop anchor. Illa d'en Colom (s'Albufera des Grau) is also listed as a regulated buoy-field zone.

Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) · Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) · Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) ▾

caib.es (2026-10-14): “Zona LIC Marina Nord de Menorca – Badia de Fornells Zona LIC S’Albufera des Grau – Illa d’En Colom-Cala Tamarells”

caib.es (2026-10-14): “Els camps de Cala Blava, Sant Elm i Cala Fornells queden regulats en els plans de gestió de l’Espais Natura 2000:”

caib.es (2026-10-14): “A les zones, el patró haurà d'amarrar l'embarcació a les boies habilitades i no podrà llançar l'àncora sobre el fons marí.”

Hospital and medical

Mateu Orfila Hospital (IB-Salut public health service), Ronda de Malbúger 1 in Maó, has an emergency department (Urgències).

IB-Salut (Balearic Health Service) · IB-Salut (Balearic Health Service) ▾

ibsalut.es (2026-10-14): “Hospital Mateu Orfila Dades de contacte DIRECCIÓ Ronda de Malbúger, 1 07703, Maó”

ibsalut.es (2026-10-14): “Resta de dies i horaris: Per admissió d'Urgències.”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Menorca?

Call 112 and ask for Salvamento Marítimo. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Menorca?

Where do I get the marine forecast for Menorca?

Read before you sail

Person overboard: what to do Engine failure: what to do when you lose power Chartering in Spain: licence & rules

Nearby destinations

Palma de Mallorca 80 nm Barcelona and the Costa Brava 132 nm Ibiza 145 nm Ajaccio / Bonifacio 236 nm Olbia / Costa Smeralda 250 nm Côte d'Azur (Antibes / Cannes) 252 nm Elba / Tuscan Archipelago 324 nm Naples / Amalfi Coast 458 nm

Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com