Ses Illetes Beach Formentera Catamaran Private Tour

Formentera’s Ses Illetes Beach is the star here, but the best part is reaching it by your own catamaran rather than joining a crowded ferry outing. From the deck, you can stop for a swim, try the paddleboard, snorkel from the boat, or simply stretch out on the forward nets while the skipper handles the route.

I like the private format, which gives your group up to 12 people the whole boat and a more relaxed day. I also like the practical extras: snorkel gear, a stand-up paddleboard, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth speakers, and shaded or open-air places to sit. The main drawback is the price, especially for a small group, and lunch is not included. One past booking also raised concerns about the boat’s condition and access, so confirm the exact vessel before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Ses Illetes is the main prize: Expect white sand, clear shallow water, and time to enjoy one of Formentera’s best-known beaches.
• Your group gets a private catamaran: The boat carries up to 12 people, with no unrelated passengers sharing your day.
• Skippers can shape the mood: Martin, Juan, Teo, Ale, Fran, Pedro, Andrés, and other captains have operated similar trips, with past outings including coves, caves, snorkel stops, and sailing instruction.
• Water toys are included: Snorkel equipment and a stand-up paddleboard make the day more active than a simple boat transfer.
• Bring your own lunch: Food is not included, and drinks are only supplied when available.
• The price works best for a full group: At $3,399.57, twelve people pay about $283 each before food and other personal costs.

Why the catamaran is the right way to see Formentera

Formentera sits just south of Ibiza, and its most famous beaches are prized for pale sand and remarkably clear water. A private catamaran lets you enjoy the crossing as part of the holiday, not merely as transportation to the next stop.

You can sit on the bow pulpits, stretch out on the nets, or settle in with music from the Megaboom Bluetooth speakers. The boat also has Wi-Fi, which is useful for a quick message or photo upload, though I would treat the day as a chance to put the phone away for long stretches.

The catamaran format matters for groups. A party of friends or family can spread out without having to negotiate every seat with strangers. Children can use the SUP board and look for fish while adults relax, and a group celebrating a special occasion can set its own pace.

This is not a fully crewed luxury yacht with meals and drinks included. It is a private charter with a skipper and useful equipment. That distinction helps set the right expectation. You are paying for the boat, the route, the captain, and the freedom to enjoy the water your way.

Starting at Es Xarcu at 10 a.m.

The meeting point is Es Xarcu, at Restaurante Playa in Cala Es Xarco, Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The stated start time is 10:00 a.m., and the boat returns to the same meeting point after roughly seven hours.

Plan extra time for reaching Cala Es Xarco. The information provided confirms that pickup is offered, but the designated meeting point remains important, so check the pickup arrangement when booking. You do not want to begin an expensive private charter with a rushed arrival.

At the dock, you meet the skipper and settle aboard. The captain’s personality can shape the whole day. Martin has been praised for being attentive, friendly, and willing to teach some sailing. Juan, sometimes identified as Juan Viking, has taken groups to swimming spots and caves. Teo is associated with friendly service and good stops around Formentera, while Ale has been praised for explaining the plan before departure.

Those names are useful when you book, but captain assignment is not guaranteed in the supplied details. If a particular skipper matters to you, request that person directly and get confirmation.

The crossing from Ibiza to Formentera

The crossing is part of the experience. Instead of watching the sea through a ferry window, you have room to move around and choose your view. The catamaran’s twin hulls provide a broad deck, and the forward nets are made for lying back close to the water.

Conditions will affect the feel of the ride. On a calm day, the trip can be easy and social. On a breezier day, you may prefer the more secure seating areas rather than the bow nets. The exact route and time spent under sail can vary with weather and sea conditions, so think of the day as a flexible boat excursion, not a tightly timed sightseeing bus tour.

Several past outings included more than a straight run to Ses Illetes. Captains have taken groups toward coves, caves, and quiet swimming areas, and one captain even gave a short sailing lesson. These possibilities make the skipper an important part of the value. A good captain can find a pleasant place for a swim and adjust the day to the group’s interests.

Still, the advertised itinerary names Playa de Ses Illetes as the principal stop. Do not assume every cave, cove, or sunset mentioned in an individual account is guaranteed on your date.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the SUP board

The boat comes with snorkel equipment and a stand-up paddleboard. That turns a long day at sea into something more varied. You can swim directly from the catamaran, use the mask and snorkel in a suitable spot, or take the board out for a short paddle.

The gear is included, but the activity is still dependent on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. The skipper decides where it is safe and practical to stop. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for phones or cameras.

I would also pack a light layer. A sunny morning can feel warm at the dock, while the ride back may feel cooler with wind and spray. Water shoes may be useful, though they are not listed as included equipment.

The bow nets are one of the more distinctive features. They give you a low view over the water and are a fine spot for quiet time between swims. If your group includes young children, keep an eye on them around the edges and listen carefully to the skipper’s instructions.

Reaching Ses Illetes Beach

Playa de Ses Illetes is the day’s main destination and the reason many people choose this charter. The beach is famous for pale sand and transparent water, with shallow areas that can make it feel more like a natural swimming pool than an open Mediterranean shore.

You may be able to get off the boat and spend time on the sand, although the exact access and anchoring arrangements depend on conditions and local rules. One useful detail is that the beach area connects with another beach through shallow water. With suitable conditions, you can walk between the two rather than staying in one small patch of sand.

Ses Illetes is beautiful, but it is not a private beach reserved for your group. The catamaran gives you a private base and a better way to arrive, not exclusive control of the shoreline. At busy times, the beach can feel much less solitary than photographs suggest.

That is another reason the boat matters. When you have had enough of the sand, you can return to your own deck, rinse off with a swim, listen to music, or sit on the bow. You are not committed to spending the whole day on the beach.

What is included, and what is not

The price includes taxes, required insurance, the skipper, boarding and return at designated meeting points, final cleaning, Wi-Fi, speakers, bow seating, forward nets, snorkel equipment, and the SUP board.

Lunch is not included. The operator tries to have soft drinks and mineral water aboard, but this is not presented as a firm catering service. Bring what your group needs, especially enough water and food for seven hours.

A simple picnic makes sense. Pack items that are easy to eat on a moving boat, along with napkins and rubbish bags. If you want a restaurant meal at Ses Illetes or elsewhere, ask in advance about the timing and landing arrangements rather than assuming it is part of the charter.

The absence of lunch is not a dealbreaker, but it changes the value calculation. A private boat at this price should be compared with a shared excursion that might include food, not only with other boat rentals.

Is $3,399.57 good value?

The listed price is $3,399.57 for the entire group, up to 12 people. Split twelve ways, that is about $283 per person. For a full group that wants a private boat, water equipment, a skipper, and a full day on the Ibiza and Formentera coast, the figure can make sense.

For six people, the rough share becomes about $567 per person. For two or four, the charter becomes a much more expensive way to reach Ses Illetes. The private format is the value, so it works best when everyone in your party will use the boat for most of the day.

You are also paying for flexibility. A ferry or shared cruise may cost less, but it will not give your group its own captain, bow nets, music system, snorkel gear, or SUP board. On the other hand, the charter does not include lunch, and a specific catamaran model is not guaranteed in the information provided.

One negative account described a boat that did not match the photographs, had maintenance concerns, and offered limited access to parts of the catamaran. That appears to be an isolated warning among otherwise strong feedback, but it deserves attention because the vessel itself is central to the experience.

Before final payment, ask for the exact catamaran model, current photographs, which areas you can use, and what happens if the planned route cannot reach Formentera. The cancellation policy is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

Who will enjoy this private charter most?

This is a strong fit for a family group, a circle of friends, or a small celebration where everyone wants to spend the day together. A group of eight to 12 gets the best price per person and enough people to make the private boat feel worthwhile.

It also suits active groups. The snorkel gear and paddleboard give you something to do between beach stops, while the open deck works for people who mainly want sun and sea views.

If you want a quiet, private day, tell the skipper early. If you prefer swimming, caves, and several stops, say that too. The past captain experiences suggest that the route can be shaped around the group, but Ses Illetes remains the central advertised destination.

This is less suitable if you need a low-cost transfer, a guaranteed meal, a fully specified boat model, or a strict minute-by-minute schedule. It is also not the best match for someone who dislikes sitting in sun or wind for long periods.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, but the practical meeting point is still Cala Es Xarco, so arrange your arrival carefully.

How to prepare for seven hours on the water

Bring a packed lunch, more water than you think you need, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A waterproof pouch is wise for phones and valuables, especially if you plan to use the SUP board or swim from the boat.

Wear clothing that works for both sun and wind. The boat provides places to sit and relax, but it is not a hotel room, so keep luggage compact and avoid bringing items you do not need.

Ask the skipper about the plan at the start. Confirm how long you expect to spend at Ses Illetes, where swimming will be possible, how to use the snorkel gear and board, and whether the group can choose between a longer beach visit and extra time on the water.

The operator confirms bookings at once unless you book within six hours of departure. Last-minute confirmation is then subject to availability, so an early booking is the safer choice for a private charter with a fixed date.

Should you book the Ses Illetes catamaran?

I would book this if you have a large enough group to share the cost and care more about a private day on the water than the lowest possible price. The combination of Ses Illetes, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and your own skipper gives you a fuller experience than simply visiting the beach.

I would pause if your group is small or if the boat itself is a major part of the luxury promise. Confirm the vessel, usable deck areas, pickup details, and food plan before committing to a non-refundable booking.

For the best value, gather close to 12 people, request a skipper such as Martin or Juan if available, bring your own picnic, and treat the route as flexible. If that sounds like your kind of Formentera day, this charter has the ingredients for a memorable outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Es Xarcu, Restaurante Playa, S/N, Cala Es Xarco, 07839 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at Es Xarcu.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

Is Ses Illetes Beach included?

Yes. Playa de Ses Illetes in Formentera is the main listed stop.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should bring food for your group.

Are drinks provided?

The operator tries to have soft drinks and mineral water aboard, but you are welcome to bring your own drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are included.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.