Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour

The best part of this private catamaran trip is the freedom to spend a full day moving between Ibiza’s clear-water coves and Formentera’s white-sand beaches without sharing the boat with strangers. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, stretch out on deck, or simply let the skipper handle the route. I especially like the stop at S’Espalmador, where the water is calm and the setting feels far removed from Ibiza’s beach clubs. I also like that the boat carries two paddleboards and snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to rent water gear separately.

The main caution is cost. At $1,609.09 for up to 10 people, the price can be reasonable for a full private boat, but it is a serious outlay for a small group. Lunch is not included, and one dissatisfied customer found a €65 ham board poor value, so I would plan your food carefully and consider bringing your own.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 10: Your group has the catamaran to itself, which makes the day more relaxed and flexible than a shared cruise.
• Cala Jondal departure: You start at Tropicana Eivissa in Cala Jondal, on Ibiza’s south coast.
• Swimming stops are central to the day: Expect time in the water at a quiet cove, S’Espalmador, and Ses Illetes.
• Water equipment is provided: Two paddle surf boards and snorkeling gear are included, along with fuel, Wi-Fi, and a restroom.
• Lunch requires planning: Food and alcohol are not included. You may bring your own food or arrange lunch on board or at Ses Illetes.
• A dog lives aboard: The operator has a friendly 10-year-old Border Collie on the catamaran, worth noting if anyone in your group has allergies or a fear of dogs.

Why a private catamaran works well around Ibiza

Ibiza’s south coast is best appreciated from the water. From a catamaran, you see the pale cliffs, rocky inlets, beaches, and small coves in one long sweep rather than stopping at a single beach and fighting for parking. The private setup also matters. Your group can use the deck at its own pace, and you are not working around a boatload of strangers.

This is not a quick sightseeing ride. The outing lasts about eight hours, with roughly seven and a half hours assigned to sailing and stops. That gives you enough time for several swims and a proper beach stop, but it also means you should be comfortable spending most of a day outdoors.

The published price is $1,609.09 per group of up to 10. At full capacity, that works out to about $161 per person before lunch and drinks. For 10 people, that can compare well with booking separate boat seats, renting water equipment, and arranging transport between Ibiza and Formentera. For two or four people, the same boat becomes much harder to justify unless privacy is your top priority.

You should also know that the price is for the boat experience, not an all-inclusive day. Fuel, Wi-Fi, a restroom, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment are included. Alcohol and lunch are not. That distinction is important because a catered meal may be offered, but you still pay extra for it.

Starting at Cala Jondal and Platja des Jondal

The meeting point is Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, at Cala Jundal in Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The first part of the route gives you a short introduction to Platja des Jondal, a striking bay on Ibiza’s southern coast.

The opening stop is listed at about 10 minutes, so think of it as the point where you settle aboard rather than a full beach visit. You can take in the turquoise water, cliffs, and bay while finding a comfortable place on deck. The catamaran then moves along the coast, with the sea breeze and open views replacing the close-packed feel of a land-based beach day.

Cala Jondal is also a practical starting point because the trip returns here at the end. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer from Formentera or find your way back across the island. Public transportation is nearby, though the supplied information does not specify exact routes or travel times, so check your own connection before the sailing date.

One hour along the coast to Playa des Codolar

The next stretch takes about an hour and follows Ibiza’s southern shoreline toward Playa des Codolar. This is the most scenic sailing portion of the early route, with rocky coves, cliffs, and sea caves appearing from the water.

You are not promised a shore excursion here. The value is the view and the sense of motion. From the deck, you can watch the coastline change without packing up your towel or leaving the boat. If you like photography, this is a good time to keep your camera ready, since the catamaran gives you changing angles on the cliffs and small inlets.

The route is also a reminder that this is a sailing day rather than a series of beach transfers. Some passengers may prefer more time ashore, but the hour on the water helps the day feel spacious. Bring sun protection and a light layer, since open-water conditions can feel different from a sheltered beach.

A quiet cove in Ses Salines Natural Park

After the coastal cruise, the boat heads toward a secluded cove in the Parque Natural de Ses Salines. The catamaran anchors for about an hour, giving you one of the clearest chances to swim and snorkel.

This stop is especially useful for people who want more than a photo stop. You can enter the water directly from the boat and use the supplied snorkeling equipment to look for fish and other marine life. The cove is described as clear and sheltered, though sea conditions and visibility can change with the weather.

The equipment is included, which saves you the trouble of bringing a mask and snorkel or arranging a separate rental. Still, the boat provides only two paddle surf boards, so a large group will need to share them. Snorkeling equipment is available, but the supplied information does not specify how many sets are carried. If every member of a 10-person group wants to snorkel at once, it is sensible to ask the operator about availability before departure.

S’Espalmador and the best water time of the day

The route continues to S’Espalmador, a protected natural area between Ibiza and Formentera. The stop lasts about one hour and 50 minutes, making it the longest water-focused pause of the trip.

This is where the private format earns much of its keep. You can use the two paddleboards, swim, or snorkel without rushing back to the boat after a few minutes. The calm water around the island is well suited to relaxed paddling, while the clear sea gives you another chance to see fish and marine life below the surface.

You should not expect a fully programmed lesson. The paddleboards are provided for your use, but no formal instruction is described. Most people with moderate physical fitness should be able to enjoy the stop, though you need to be comfortable getting in and out of the water and moving around a boat.

The operator also keeps a 10-year-old Border Collie on board. That may add a pleasant, homey touch for dog lovers, but it is not a minor detail for everyone. If anyone in your party has allergies or is uneasy around dogs, ask about the arrangements before booking.

Ses Illetes and a two-hour Formentera stop

The largest shore-based portion comes at Playa de Ses Illetes in Formentera. The catamaran spends about two hours here, and you have a choice: go ashore for lunch and a walk, or stay on board and eat while looking back at the beach.

Ses Illetes is known for pale sand and clear water, and the stop gives you a change of pace after several swims from the boat. You can stroll along the beach or explore nearby areas on foot, though the tour description does not promise a guided island walk or provide transport farther inland.

This is also the most important decision point of the day. If you leave the boat, you gain a closer look at Formentera’s beach and a chance to eat on the island. If you stay aboard, you avoid losing time getting settled on shore and keep the catamaran as your base.

Lunch is the weak spot for careful budgeters. Lunch is not included in the tour price, and alcohol is also excluded. You can bring your own food, which is likely the clearest way to control both cost and quantity. A customer who ordered a €65 ham board complained that it did not justify the price. The operator replied that the group had ordered a menu for seven people despite having 10 people aboard, including teenagers, and that the menu was priced per person.

The practical lesson is simple: confirm the menu, portion size, and total price in writing. Do not assume that a catered board will feed a whole group just because it looks substantial. If your party has children or hungry teenagers, bring extra food or order enough portions for everyone.

The return to Cala Jondal near sunset

The return leg takes about one hour and 30 minutes. You sail back across the Mediterranean toward Cala Jondal, with time to rest on deck and watch the coast from offshore.

The timing is designed to give you sunset views from the boat, although exact light and weather will depend on the day and departure schedule. This final stretch is less active than the earlier stops, which is welcome after swimming, paddling, and walking. You can use it to dry off, take photographs, or simply enjoy the quiet ride back.

Because the return ends at the original meeting point, the day has a clear beginning and end. That is useful if you have dinner plans or a hotel transfer afterward, though you should leave some flexibility since the tour is described as approximately eight hours rather than a tightly guaranteed minute-by-minute schedule.

What is included, and what you still need to bring

The tour includes fuel, a restroom, Wi-Fi, snorkeling equipment, and two paddle surf boards. Those inclusions remove several common boat-day expenses, but they do not cover everything you may want.

I would bring:

• Food and nonalcoholic drinks, unless you have confirmed a suitable paid menu
• Sun protection and a hat
• Swimwear and a dry change of clothes
• A towel, unless the operator confirms that towels are supplied
• A waterproof phone case or small dry bag
• Any personal medication you need during an eight-hour outing

The available information does not state that towels, hotel transfers, or alcoholic drinks are included. Do not count on them unless the operator confirms otherwise.

You also need a moderate level of physical fitness. You will be moving around the catamaran, boarding and leaving the boat, using water equipment, and walking at Ses Illetes if you go ashore. This is not presented as an accessible or low-mobility excursion, so ask specific questions before booking if anyone in your party has mobility concerns.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this trip most strongly for a group of friends or family members who want privacy and can split the cost. It also suits people who prefer a full day on the water to a packed schedule of land attractions.

The tour works well for:

• Groups of up to 10 who want their own boat
• Swimmers and snorkelers who value several water stops
• Families or friends who want control over music, meals, and time on deck
• Couples willing to pay more for a private setting
• People who want to combine Ibiza and Formentera without arranging separate boat transport

It is less suitable if you want a guided history tour, an organized snorkeling lesson, or a cheap way to see the islands. The emphasis is on sea time, scenery, and personal freedom. You should also reconsider it if anyone dislikes boats, strong sun, dogs, or a long day outdoors.

The experience has a 5-star average from 242 ratings, with 99 percent of customers recommending it. That strong overall record suggests that the private boat format and day on the water work well for most groups. The food complaint is still worth taking seriously because lunch is an optional extra and can affect the value of the whole outing.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered in English. It is a private experience, so only your own group participates.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The tour also depends on good weather. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Because the experience is often booked about 54 days in advance, popular dates may fill early. That is especially relevant for larger groups planning a summer visit to Ibiza.

Should you book the Ibiza and Formentera catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $1,609.09 cost, and if your ideal day includes swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach time, and a sunset ride back to Ibiza. The private catamaran, long stop at S’Espalmador, and two-hour visit to Ses Illetes give you more freedom than a standard shared cruise.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget, want lunch included, or prefer a guided cultural tour. Before paying, confirm the food plan, how many snorkeling sets are available, and whether your group is comfortable with the resident Border Collie. For the right group, this is a relaxed way to see both islands from the water. Just treat lunch as a separate purchase, not part of the bargain.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Illes Balears, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Cala Jondal.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private tour is available for a group of up to 10 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. You may bring your own food, eat on board, or choose to have lunch on the island at Ses Illetes.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What water equipment is provided?

The tour includes snorkeling equipment and two paddle surf boards.

Does the boat have a restroom?

Yes. A restroom is available on board.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes. Wi-Fi is included on the catamaran.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.