I wanted to share our experience so that other boaters don’t run into the same problem. We were hoping to stay one night in Cabrera in the Balearics. We booked a Permit for Navigation but the website for reserving a buoy was down – the server was ‘not responding’ I physically walked to the office on the island to explain. They agreed the problem was in Mallorca with the government website and server. Never happens, they said. There were 8 empty buoys in the bay, one right beside us. EIGHT! I was with them trying to book from 4-6 pm. At 7 they said you must go. Even though we had tried to book several times throughout the day they said we had to leave. I told them the winds were gusting past 20 knots against us, it wasn’t a good time to leave. Not their problem, they said, leave. So we left in the dark with huge swells and strong winds. They refused to give us their names or their business cards.. Even though they admitted it was their fault because the server was down, they said they were fully booked which they clearly were not, and how would they know since the server was down? We left in the dark at 9 pm and no other boats came in. Rules are rules, but these park officials were ruthless! They couldn’t even look us in the eye. Do NOT go to Cabrera with a Navigation Permit alone, wait until your buoy reservation is confirmed. If something goes wrong as it did with us, you will be forced to leave no matter what the weather is, even if there are buoys available.

Just visited Cabrera as I always do when I’m in Mallorca.

I just want to let others know that 2 ladies are now offering Tapas in addition to the normal drinks and snacks. It would be great to patronise them??!!

This is one of my Top10 places in the Med. Little light pollution at night, nicely sheltered and stunning scenery. Really worth going there.