Sail to Formentera with Catamaran Cruise Tour

The best part of this day is the route itself: you sail away from Ibiza’s party scene and spend the day among clear waters and beautiful beaches. The stops at S’Espalmador and Platja de Ses Illetes give you two very different tastes of the Formentera area, from a quiet island walk to a long beach break.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which keeps the catamaran from feeling crowded. I also like the freedom built into the plan: you can snorkel, swim, paddle surf, nap, or simply stay onboard while skipper Toni keeps the day moving. The main drawback is that food is not included, and lunch at Ses Illetes can be expensive.

• S’Espalmador stop: Walk, swim, snorkel, or paddle surf on a small island reached only by boat.
• Ses Illetes beach break: Spend about two and a half hours near one of the area’s best-known beaches.
• Quiet northern Formentera beach: A slower final stop for swimming, paddle surfing, or resting.
• Toni at the helm: Expect a skipper who mixes clear explanations with humor and a relaxed manner.
• Small-group sailing: The boat carries no more than 12 people, with snorkeling equipment and bottled water supplied.

A Full Day Beyond Ibiza’s Party Image

This is a sea day for people who want Ibiza without spending the whole holiday in clubs. You meet in the south of Ibiza at 10:00 a.m., receive a short briefing, and then head toward the waters around Formentera.

The schedule gives you about eight hours on and around the water. The route includes roughly an hour and a half of sailing at the beginning, an hour and a half at S’Espalmador, two and a half hours at Ses Illetes, an hour at another Formentera beach, and an hour and a half sailing back to Ibiza.

That is enough time to make the day feel like an outing rather than a quick boat transfer. You get several proper stops, yet you also spend a good part of the day sailing. If you enjoy being on a boat, that balance is a major part of the appeal. If you want to be on the sand all day, the sailing time may feel long.

Skipper Toni is central to the experience. He is described as professional, funny, helpful, and good at explaining what to do at each stop. That matters on a small boat. A good skipper helps nervous sailors relax, keeps the timing under control, and makes sure the group knows its options without turning the trip into a rigid guided tour.

Sailing South From the 10 a.m. Meeting Point

The meeting point is listed at Diseminado Poligono 32, 11055, 07839, Illes Balears, Spain. The activity begins at 10:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day.

The first leg takes about 90 minutes. This is your chance to settle in, get used to the boat, and enjoy the change from Ibiza shore life to open water. The initial briefing is short, so you should arrive ready to listen for practical instructions about swimming, snorkeling, paddle surfing, and moving around the catamaran.

One useful detail is the group limit. With no more than 12 people, the boat has enough room for the day to feel social without becoming a packed excursion. A full departure can still feel busy, especially when everyone wants equipment or access to the water at once, but the catamaran is described as spacious enough that the maximum group does not feel cramped.

The boat also has a small refrigerator, according to one detailed account, which is handy if you bring food or drinks. Bottled water is included. Towels are not, so pack one if you plan to swim.

S’Espalmador: An Island Stop With Real Choice

After the first sailing period, the catamaran stops at S’Espalmador. This small island lies between Ibiza and Formentera and is accessible only by boat, giving the stop a more remote feel than a beach reached by road.

You have about 90 minutes here. The plan is flexible: walk on the island, swim, snorkel, or use a paddleboard. That range makes S’Espalmador a good early stop because you can choose your own pace. You might get into the water right away, or you might prefer to stretch your legs and see the shore before settling into a swim.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and fins. Still, equipment availability is shared among the group, so do not expect a private set of gear for every activity at every moment. If snorkeling matters to you, ask Toni how the equipment will be handled once you arrive.

The hour and a half is long enough for a proper visit, but it is not an open-ended beach day. Keep an eye on the return time. Boats cannot wait indefinitely for one person, and the remaining route still includes the main beach stop and the return crossing.

Ses Illetes and the Longest Break of the Day

From S’Espalmador, you sail to Platja de Ses Illetes on Formentera. This is the longest stop, lasting about two and a half hours, and it is the part of the trip most likely to shape your impression of the day.

Ses Illetes is famous for pale sand and clear water. The catamaran’s schedule gives you time to swim, walk along the beach, or settle into a slower lunch break. This is not a quick photo stop. You have enough time to enjoy the setting without immediately needing to return to the boat.

Lunch is handled separately. You can eat at one of the beach restaurants, or bring your own food and eat onboard. The restaurant option is convenient, but it adds to the cost of the day, and one account found the food expensive. If you want to keep the total price under control, bring a packed lunch.

Bringing your own food also suits anyone with a particular diet or a strong preference for eating on the water. The tour includes bottled water, but no meal, and dinner is not part of the experience. In practical terms, plan this as a bring-your-own-lunch excursion unless you are happy to buy food at the beach.

Ses Illetes can be the busiest-feeling stop simply because it is the best-known beach on the route. The catamaran gives you access to the area without asking you to arrange a separate boat or beach transfer, but you should not expect complete solitude. The quieter mood comes later.

A Narrow Beach in Northern Formentera

After lunch, the boat sails to a narrow beach in the north of Formentera. This final stop lasts about an hour and is deliberately less structured. You can visit the beach, paddle surf, swim, or take a nap on the boat.

I like this part of the plan because it prevents the day from becoming a string of identical swim stops. After the longer break at Ses Illetes, you may want something easy. A quiet hour gives you space to enjoy the sea without feeling obliged to take part in another activity.

It is also a good option for people in the group who do not want to swim at every stop. One person can paddleboard, another can rest onboard, and someone else can walk along the beach. That flexibility is especially useful for families or mixed-age groups.

The tradeoff is that one hour passes quickly. You will need to choose between exploring the shore, getting into the water, and relaxing. If you want a long walk or a full beach afternoon, this stop will feel brief. Its value is in the change of pace, not in covering a large area.

Toni’s Style and the Feel of a Small Boat

The skipper is named Toni, though some descriptions spell it Tony. He is presented as both a guide and captain, explaining the stops, suggesting activities, and keeping the atmosphere light.

That combination is important for a sailing day. You want clear instructions around swimming and paddleboarding, but you also want room to enjoy yourself. Toni’s reported style is friendly and humorous without losing the professional side of running the boat.

The trip is also suitable for people who feel unsure about sailing. It is not described as a high-speed or adrenaline-focused outing. The relaxed pace and attentive skipper make it a reasonable first boat excursion, provided the weather is good and you are comfortable being on the sea for most of the day.

A small group can make it easier to meet the people around you. One detailed account described a mix of adults in their late 20s to early 40s, but the group will vary by departure. Families are also welcome, and children aged 9 and 12 were said to enjoy the day. The boat has room for different moods, from lively conversation to quiet time on deck.

You can bring your own music, but it is wise to keep the volume respectful. On a boat this size, everyone shares the same space. The best atmosphere comes when the group has some energy but also allows people to rest.

What the $144.49 Price Really Covers

At $144.49 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a beach near Ibiza. Its value comes from combining transport between islands, several stops, a skipper, a small group, snorkeling equipment, and bottled water in one full-day outing.

You are paying for the route as much as for the boat. Reaching S’Espalmador and the northern beaches by yourself would require arranging water transport, and you would still need to coordinate your time between Ibiza and Formentera. Here, the day has already been organized around the sea journey.

The price looks stronger if you want several activities in one day. You can swim, snorkel, paddle surf, walk, eat by the beach, and relax onboard without booking separate outings. It is less attractive if you mainly want to lie on one beach or if you expect meals, towels, and drinks beyond the supplied water to be included.

Budget for lunch separately. Restaurant prices at Ses Illetes may feel high, so a packed meal is the simplest way to control spending. Also bring any other drinks you want, along with sun protection and a towel. These small extras affect the final cost and comfort more than you might expect.

Practical Details Before You Book

The experience uses a mobile ticket, and booking confirmation is normally received within 48 hours, subject to availability. It is recommended that you book ahead, since the average booking is made 17 days before the departure and the boat holds no more than 12 people.

The activity ends where it starts. This simplifies the day, but allow time for your return after the boat docks. One detailed account found taxis difficult to get on the way back and waited about 20 minutes in a hot taxi queue. That is not a guaranteed problem, but it is a useful reason not to schedule an important evening booking immediately afterward.

The trip requires suitable weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, and if that minimum is not met, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The supplied information does not describe specific boat accessibility features, so contact the provider if you need details beyond general participation.

Who Will Enjoy This Formentera Day Most

I would choose this tour if you want an easy island-hopping day and do not want to organize several separate boat connections. It suits couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who like a social setting but do not want a large party boat.

It is especially good for anyone who wants to escape Ibiza’s nightlife for a day. The focus is beaches, water, and time outside, with enough flexibility to keep the mood relaxed.

You may want another option if your priority is a fully catered cruise, a private boat, or a very quiet sailing experience with no other people. You should also think twice if you dislike spending hours at sea, since the crossing to and from Formentera takes a substantial part of the day.

The strongest reason to book is the mix of places. S’Espalmador offers an island stop, Ses Illetes gives you a long beach break, and the final northern Formentera beach slows things down before the return. With Toni guiding the route and a 12-person limit, the day feels personal without requiring a private charter.

Should You Book the Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a full, well-paced day on the water for about $144.49, and you are happy to bring or buy your own lunch. The itinerary gives you more than a single beach visit, while the small group and Toni’s friendly, professional manner add comfort to the long day.

I would not book it expecting meals, towels, or complete solitude. But if swimming, snorkeling, paddle surfing, beach time, and easy island access sound like your ideal Ibiza break, this is a strong choice. Pack lunch, a towel, and patience for the return taxi, then enjoy the sea.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin and end?

The tour begins at Diseminado Poligono 32, 11055, 07839, Illes Balears, Spain, at 10:00 a.m. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. The listed schedule includes sailing from Ibiza, stops at S’Espalmador, Ses Illetes, and northern Formentera, followed by the return to Ibiza.

Is lunch included?

No. You can eat at a beach restaurant at Ses Illetes, or bring your own food and eat onboard. Dinner is not included either.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and bottled water are included. Towels are not included, so you should bring one if you plan to swim.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.