Private Sailboat Day-Trip from IBIZA to FORMENTERA

The best part of this day is the freedom to treat the Mediterranean like your own backyard. You sail from Ibiza to Formentera on a private 43-foot boat, then choose how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, eating, or simply lying on deck. Captain Gabriel is frequently praised for being friendly, attentive, and good with both adults and children.

I like the generous boat size for a group of up to seven, and I like that fuel, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, a restroom, WiFi, and the deck are included. The main thing to watch is the meeting point at Cala Porroig, which can be hard to identify, so allow extra time and keep the captain’s WhatsApp contact handy.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 43-foot sailing boat: You share the boat only with your own group, up to seven people.
• A flexible Formentera day: The captain can help shape the day around swimming, beach time, sailing, and lunch.
• Captain Gabriel gets strong praise: He is noted for his warm manner, sailing explanations, and careful attention to families.
• Water gear is included: Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are available at no extra charge.
• Bring your own picnic: The boat has a fridge, and outside ice helps keep drinks cold all day.
• Plan the meeting point carefully: Look for the stone dock and the red tender at Cala Porroig, not a clearly marked Bora Sailing office.

A private boat day from Ibiza to Formentera

This is not a ferry crossing with a fixed seat and a crowd around you. It is a full day on a private sailing boat, with the sea itself serving as your transport, swimming spot, sun terrace, and view.

The price is $777 for the whole group, up to seven people. At full capacity, that works out to about $111 per person, before any lunch or restaurant-related mooring charge. For a small group, the cost per person rises, but you are paying for a private boat, captain, fuel, equipment, and eight hours on the water rather than a simple transfer.

That difference matters. If your main goal is to reach Formentera as cheaply as possible, a ferry will cost less. If you want a private setting, room to spread out, and the ability to stop for a swim or change the pace, this outing makes more sense.

You will be sailing aboard a 43-foot boat, which is larger than many small sailboats used for day trips. That gives your group more usable deck space and makes the day feel less cramped, especially if all seven places are filled. Still, a sailboat is not a resort. You will spend much of the day in open sun and moving water, so bring sunscreen, a towel, and a hat if you use one.

Meeting the boat at Cala Porroig

The pickup point is Cala Porroig in Ibiza. When you arrive, look for a stone dock. The captain waits in a red tender, or small inflatable boat, to bring you out to the sailboat. Parking is available in the area.

This is the one part of the day that deserves extra attention. The pickup point is not presented as a large, obvious marina office, and the supplied map pin has been reported as inaccurate. You may not see a sign saying Bora Sailing. Contacting Captain Gabriel by WhatsApp can help if you are unsure where to stand.

I would arrive early rather than cutting it close. Once you are on the water, the day is designed to feel easy. Before departure, though, you need to find the right dock and the right red tender.

The captain speaks Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Captain Gabriel is the name most closely associated with this outing, and he is described as both a careful skipper and an engaging host. He also takes time to explain the basics of sailing, which adds something for anyone who wants more than a pretty boat ride.

The 1.5-hour sail toward Formentera

The first major stretch is the sail from Ibiza toward Formentera, planned at about an hour and a half. This is when you settle into the rhythm of the boat and get your first long views across the Mediterranean.

You can use the deck for sunbathing or sit back and watch the water change around you. Since the boat is private, you do not need to negotiate every decision with strangers. Your group can talk with the captain, ask questions about the area, or simply enjoy the crossing.

The sailing conditions will shape the mood of this part of the trip. Some days may feel smooth and calm, while others may be more active on the water. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously and prepare before leaving. The tour is built around sailing, so the boat ride is not a short prelude to the main event.

The captain can also explain how the boat works and introduce you to basic sailing ideas. That is especially useful for children and first-time sailors. One family specifically appreciated the way Gabriel explained the art of sailing while keeping the children involved.

Two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

The planned stop at Playa de Ses Illetes gives you about two hours to enjoy one of Formentera’s best-known beach areas. The appeal is easy to understand: pale sand, clear water, and a setting made for swimming and sitting in the sun.

Arriving by private sailboat changes the experience from a simple beach visit. You can appreciate the shoreline from the water, then spend time on deck or in the sea instead of treating the beach as your only base. The boat gives you a comfortable place to return to when you want shade, a drink, or a break from the water.

Do not expect complete solitude. Ses Illetes is a popular part of Formentera, especially in summer. The private boat helps you avoid the feel of a crowded ferry, but it cannot make a famous beach empty. Your captain may help you find a pleasant place to stop, subject to local conditions and the day’s schedule.

This is a good point to use your own food and drinks. You are allowed to bring them aboard, and the boat has a fridge. Ice bags are recommended for the outside cooler if you want drinks to stay very cold throughout the day.

Snorkeling and SUP near Formentera

The next water stop is planned for about an hour and includes snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding. Both are included, so you do not need to arrange separate equipment on Formentera.

This section gives the day some activity without turning it into a formal lesson. You can swim from the boat, look beneath the surface with the provided snorkeling gear, or try the SUP boards. You can also skip the equipment and stay on deck. The point is choice.

I like this setup for mixed groups. One person can paddle, another can snorkel, and someone else can relax with a drink. Families can let children enjoy the water while adults keep the pace relaxed. You should still be comfortable around open water, and children need proper supervision.

The boat also has a restroom, which is a small but important advantage on a long day at sea. WiFi is included as well, though the real value here is having the option to stay connected without needing to leave the boat.

A stop in Es Pujols

The itinerary includes about an hour of sailing to Es Pujols, followed by about an hour to visit. This gives you a change from the quiet water-based routine and lets you see one of Formentera’s better-known resort areas.

Es Pujols is useful as a break in the day. You can stretch your legs, look around, or arrange lunch nearby if that fits your plan. It also creates a little variety. A day spent only offshore can feel wonderfully slow, but some groups will appreciate getting onto land for a while.

Lunch requires planning. You may bring your own food, which is the simplest and most predictable option. If you want a restaurant meal, reserve ahead, particularly during the high season. Finding a table on the same day may be difficult.

One practical example is Cafe del Lago. A group arranged lunch there and paid a €40 mooring fee, but found the menu more flexible and less expensive than other options suggested for the area. That cost is not included in the tour price, and restaurant arrangements can change, so confirm the details before you go.

You can also ask the captain about restaurant delivery to the boat, such as a paella. Arrange this once you are aboard so the timing and location are clear. Do not assume that lunch delivery or a mooring spot is automatic.

The sunset return via Platja des Jondal

The final planned section brings you toward Platja des Jondal for a two-hour sunset period before returning to Bora Sailing. This is the most relaxed part of the day, and it gives you time to enjoy the changing light from the water.

Platja des Jondal is known for its beach-club setting, so this stop may appeal if your group wants a more polished end to the day. You can also keep things simple and enjoy the sunset from the deck. The boat’s deck is included for your use, and there is no need to spend extra money unless you choose a club, restaurant, or drinks ashore.

The timing deserves a small note. The listed route includes several sailing and visit periods that together create a full day, but exact departure and return times depend on availability and conditions. Check the start time when booking, and ask the captain how the stops will be arranged on your date.

A sunset on the return route is a strong finish because it turns the boat into the best seat in the house. You are not rushing from a beach to a parking area. You can stay on the water and let the day wind down at sea.

What Captain Gabriel adds to the day

A private boat is only as good as the person running it. Here, Captain Gabriel is praised for his patience, friendliness, and attention to safety and comfort.

That matters most when your group has different ideas about the day. Some people want to sail. Some want to swim. Others want lunch, a quiet deck, or time in the sun. A captain who listens can help keep the day pleasant instead of forcing everyone into one fixed pattern.

Gabriel is also noted for being good with children and for explaining sailing in a way that makes the activity more than a sightseeing transfer. He has helped with small practical needs too, including sourcing ice before departure.

The captain may not be Gabriel on every booking, so check your confirmation if having a particular skipper is important to you. The listed guide languages are Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

Food, drinks, and what to bring

You can bring your own food and drinks aboard. This is a major value point because a private boat day can become expensive once every snack and drink is purchased separately.

The boat has a fridge, but ice bags are still recommended for the outside cooler. Pack food that is easy to serve on deck, and bring enough water for a long day in the sun. The supplied information specifically asks you to bring a towel and sunscreen.

I would also plan for sun exposure even if you expect to spend much of the day swimming. The deck is a central part of the experience, and you may find yourself staying there longer than planned because the views are so good.

Lunch at a beach restaurant is optional and not included. Reserve ahead if you want a table. Also ask about any mooring charge before confirming the restaurant, since a €40 fee applied to one lunch arrangement.

Who will get the most from this trip

This outing fits friends or family who want a private day and are happy to spend most of it around water. A group of six or seven gets especially good value from the fixed price.

It also suits first-time sailors. You do not need to know how to handle a sailboat because a professional captain operates the boat, but you can learn some basics along the way.

Families may like the mix of swimming, SUP, beach time, and open deck space. Captain Gabriel’s reported patience with children is a useful sign, though each family should judge its own children’s comfort around boats and open water.

This is less suitable if you want a tightly structured sightseeing tour on land, a guaranteed restaurant table without advance planning, or the lowest-cost way to reach Formentera. The day is active, sunny, and shaped by the sea.

Booking details and overall value

The tour lasts eight hours, is offered as a private group experience, and includes fuel, the captain, the 43-foot sailing boat, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, restroom access, WiFi, and use of the deck.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Ibiza plans are still shifting.

At $777 for up to seven people, the value depends heavily on group size. Seven people get a strong per-person rate. Two or three people pay more, but gain a level of privacy and control that a shared boat or ferry cannot provide.

The most important extra costs are optional ones: restaurant meals, beach-club spending, and possible mooring fees. Bring your own picnic if you want to keep the budget predictable.

Should you book this Ibiza to Formentera sailing day?

Book it if you want Formentera as a day on the sea rather than simply a destination reached by ferry. The private setting, large boat, flexible swimming stops, included water equipment, and strong captain-led service make this a good fit for a group that values time together.

I would book well ahead if you want a restaurant lunch, and I would confirm the pickup details before the day arrives. If your group can fill most of the seven places, the $777 price becomes much easier to justify.

Skip it if your priority is the cheapest crossing, extensive time walking around Formentera, or a guaranteed schedule that never changes. For everyone else, this is a polished, active, and personal way to connect Ibiza with Formentera.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip begin?

The pickup point is Cala Porroig in Ibiza. Look for a stone dock where the captain will be waiting in a red tender. Parking is available in the area.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The private group can include up to seven passengers.

What equipment is included?

The boat includes snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards. Fuel, the captain, restroom, WiFi, and use of the sailing deck are also included.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring food and drinks aboard, and the boat has a fridge. Ice bags are recommended for the outside cooler.

Is lunch at a Formentera restaurant included?

No. Restaurant lunch is optional and costs extra. You should reserve ahead during high season, and some restaurants may charge a mooring fee.

What languages does the captain speak?

The activity is offered in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.