Formentera Day Trip from Ibiza on Private Luxury Catamaran

Formentera is Ibiza’s quieter sibling, and this private catamaran trip gives you a full day to enjoy its best water without sharing the boat with strangers. You sail from the south coast of Ibiza, anchor at Ses Illetes, then continue to sandy Espalmador before returning in time for a drink near Cala Jondal.

I like the freedom here: you can swim, snorkel, paddle board, play your own music, or simply stretch out on deck. I also like the small-group setup, especially for a family or group of friends splitting the cost. The main catch is the price, $3,569.03 for up to 12 people, and the non-refundable booking policy makes weather planning important.

Key points to know before booking

• A full private boat for up to 12: The price covers your group, not individual seats, so the value improves sharply with a larger party.
• Ses Illetes is the main swimming stop: Expect about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, or relaxing at anchor.
• Espalmador adds a quieter second stop: This uninhabited sandy islet gives the day a more open, unbuilt feel.
• You control the soundtrack: Megaboom Bluetooth speakers let you play your own music, while Wi-Fi is available onboard.
• Captain Constantin may be at the helm: One particularly praised departure included an upgrade to a larger boat with a six-meter sofa.
• Bring lunch money or your own supplies: Food and drinks are not included, though you can go ashore for lunch at a waterfront restaurant.

Why this private Formentera charter works so well

The appeal is simple: you get a boat, a captain, clear water, and a day with room to choose your own pace. This is not a packed sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same schedule. Your group can settle on deck, play music, stop for a swim, or go ashore when it suits you.

The catamaran leaves at 10:00 a.m. and runs for about seven hours. That gives you enough time to reach Formentera, spend serious time in the water, visit Espalmador, and return to Ibiza without rushing every stop. The boat is equipped with snorkel gear, paddle boards, life jackets on request, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth speakers.

You should think of this as a relaxed water day rather than a formal guided tour. The captain handles the sailing and takes pictures with your camera if you ask. You decide how social, active, or lazy the day becomes.

The private format matters most when your group is large. At the full price of $3,569.03, twelve people would pay roughly $297 each before any extra lunch or drinks. That is not cheap, but it can compare well with several smaller boat bookings, especially when you value having the entire catamaran to yourselves.

For two or three people, the calculation is much harder to justify. You are paying for the boat, not simply a seat, so this experience makes the most sense for a group of friends, a family gathering, or a celebration.

Starting at Cala Jondal or Es Xarcu

The main meeting arrangement is at a pier by Blue Marlin beach club in Cala Jondal. Another departure option is Es Xarcu, a family-friendly restaurant at Cala Es Xarco. The listed meeting point is Es Xarcu, at Cala Es Xarco in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, with the activity ending back at the meeting point.

Because both locations appear in the arrangements, confirm your exact departure point before setting out. This is a small but important detail. Cala Jondal and Es Xarco are not interchangeable names for the same spot, and a private boat day is not the moment to arrive at the wrong cove.

The 10:00 a.m. start gives you a useful morning window. You can get settled before the hotter part of the day, and the boat has time to reach Formentera without turning the trip into a race. Wear something comfortable for a boat deck and bring anything you want for lunch or snacks, since food and drinks are not included.

The operator provides a driver or guide, but the experience is centered on the captain and the boat rather than a long stream of commentary. A captain named Constantin was praised on one departure for being kind, helpful, and choosing especially blue, clear anchor spots. Captains can vary, so treat that as a useful example rather than a guarantee.

Sailing south from Ibiza to Formentera

Once aboard, you can find a comfortable place on deck, connect your music to the Bluetooth speaker system, and settle in for the crossing. The boat has Wi-Fi, though the real attraction is the open sea and the changing view between Ibiza and Formentera.

The catamaran layout should give your group more room than a standard motorboat. That matters on a seven-hour outing. You are not confined to one seat, and you can shift between sun and shade as the day changes. The exact boat can vary, too. One group of ten traveled in mid-April and received an upgrade to a larger catamaran with a six-meter sofa. That kind of upgrade is not promised, but it shows that the boat arrangement may be adjusted when a larger vessel is available.

The crossing itself is part of the experience, but do not expect a narrated tour of every point along the way. This is best for people who are happy to enjoy the ride, talk with their group, listen to music, and watch the sea.

If you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly. The provided information does not specify the boat’s motion conditions or remedies, so bring anything you normally use. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended, and you should be comfortable moving around a boat and getting in and out of the water if you plan to use the activities.

Two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

The main stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, one of Formentera’s best-known beach areas. The catamaran anchors here for about two hours, giving you time to make the most of the water rather than merely pause for a quick photo.

The water is described as clear and well suited to swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. Snorkel equipment and paddle boards are included, so you do not need to rent those separately. Life jackets are available if requested, which is worth mentioning when you are traveling with children or less confident swimmers.

You can spend the whole stop from the boat. That is often the more peaceful choice. Stretch out on deck, take turns in the water, and let the captain take pictures with your camera. You can also head to shore for lunch at one of the glamorous restaurants beside the water.

That restaurant option adds convenience, but it also adds cost. Since lunch is not included, ask yourself what sort of day you want. If your priority is keeping the price under control, bring your own food and drinks. If you want a more polished beach lunch, budget for dining ashore.

Ses Illetes can be the busiest-feeling part of the route because it is the famous beach stop. Your private catamaran gives you a more personal base, but the shoreline itself is not reserved for your group. If you prefer open sand and fewer facilities, Espalmador later in the day may suit you better.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding from the catamaran

The included water gear is one of the strongest practical advantages of this charter. You can try paddle boarding without arranging a separate rental, and snorkeling gives you a way to look below the surface while the boat is anchored.

You should not expect a structured water-sports lesson. The information promises equipment, not instruction, so you will need to be comfortable using the gear or ask the captain for basic help. The boat crew can provide life jackets on request, but it is wise to speak up early if anyone in your group wants one.

The activities work especially well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can paddle or snorkel while others remain on deck. Children can take part if they are comfortable with the setting and supervised by the adults in the group. The moderate fitness recommendation matters here, since boarding, swimming, and handling a paddle board take some effort.

For many people, this flexibility will be more valuable than a long list of formal stops. You are not forced to choose between sightseeing and free time. You can do a little of everything.

A quieter stop at S’Espalmador

After Ses Illetes, the catamaran continues to S’Espalmador, an uninhabited sandy islet between Ibiza and Formentera. The planned stop lasts about two hours.

The contrast with the restaurant-lined beach area is the point. Espalmador has no permanent settlement, so this part of the day is about sand, sea, and the feeling of being away from developed shorelines. You can use the remaining time for swimming, paddle boarding, snorkeling, or sitting on the boat with your group.

Do not expect a full island tour or a long list of services here. The appeal is the lack of them. Bring what you need from the boat, follow the captain’s instructions, and keep your expectations focused on a simple coastal stop rather than a sightseeing attraction with facilities.

The two-hour allocation is generous enough to make this more than a quick pass. It also means the trip does not treat Formentera as a box to tick. You get a real block of time to enjoy the water and the setting.

Returning to Ibiza before the evening

The boat heads back toward Cala Jondal after Espalmador, with the day ending at the original meeting point. The schedule is designed to finish in time for a sunset drink at Blue Marlin, if your departure and return arrangements use Cala Jondal.

That final option gives the day a pleasant ending, but it is not part of the boat price. You are free to continue elsewhere or make your own plans after returning. If you depart from Es Xarcu, your practical end point is back at the meeting point there.

The return leg is also a good time to use the deck space, finish your music playlist, and ask the captain to take any last photos. Since the crew will take as many pictures as you want with your camera, have it ready rather than leaving the request until the final minute.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $3,569.03 group price includes the catamaran charter, taxes and handling charges, local taxes, a driver or guide, snorkeling gear, paddle boarding, and Bluetooth Megaboom speakers. Wi-Fi is listed as a boat feature. Life jackets are available if requested, and the captain can take photos with your camera.

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own supplies or go ashore for lunch. This is important because a private boat day can become considerably more expensive once you add restaurant meals, drinks, and any other personal spending.

The price is easiest to defend when you have ten to twelve people. A group of ten would pay about $357 per person before food, while a full group of twelve would pay about $297 each. For a smaller party, you are paying a premium for privacy and control.

That premium may still be worthwhile if you dislike group cruises, want your own music, or need a flexible day for a family or friend group. If you mainly want a cheap way to reach Formentera, this is not the right product.

Weather, passports, and booking cautions

A current valid passport is required on the day of the trip. Keep that requirement in mind even though the route stays within the Balearic Islands.

The experience needs good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. However, ordinary cancellation or amendment requests are not refundable, so do not book casually if your plans may change.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Public transportation is available near the meeting area, and the activity is private, with only your group participating. You should still confirm the exact departure point, especially if you are choosing between Cala Jondal and Es Xarcu.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would recommend it for a group that wants a relaxed day on the water and is happy to pay for privacy. Families can spread out, couples can enjoy the boat without a crowd, and groups of friends can shape the day around music, swimming, and lunch.

It is also a strong choice for active groups. The included paddle boards and snorkel gear make it easy to switch between floating, paddling, and relaxing. The captain’s help with photos is a nice touch for a special occasion.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone, as a couple on a tight budget, or mainly looking for a guided history tour. The focus is the boat and the water, not museums, monuments, or detailed island commentary. I would also avoid booking without a weather cushion, given the strict cancellation terms.

Should you book it?

Book this private charter if you can fill most of the twelve places and want control over your day. Ses Illetes gives you clear water and beach access, Espalmador offers a quieter sandy stop, and the boat provides enough gear and space to keep a mixed group happy.

Skip it if the price will strain your budget or if you want an inexpensive transport option to Formentera. For the right group, though, the privacy, flexible schedule, included water equipment, and personal soundtrack can make the cost feel reasonable.

FAQ

How long is the Formentera catamaran trip?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the activity start?

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

Where does the boat depart?

The listed meeting point is Es Xarcu, at Cala Es Xarco in Sant Josep de sa Talaia. Departure from Cala Jondal by the Blue Marlin beach club is also possible, so confirm your exact meeting point before the trip.

How many people can join the private charter?

The catamaran can accommodate a private group of up to 12 people.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food and drinks or disembark for lunch at a waterfront restaurant.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddle boards included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and paddle boarding are included.

Are life jackets available?

Yes. Life jackets are available if requested.

Can I play my own music on the boat?

Yes. The catamaran has Megaboom Bluetooth speakers for your music.

What places does the catamaran visit?

The route includes Playa de Ses Illetes and S’Espalmador, with time at each stop before returning to Ibiza.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The experience is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for another reason.