Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour

The best part of this private catamaran day is the freedom to trade busy beaches for open water. From Cala Jondal, you sail past Ibiza’s rocky south coast, stop for swimming and snorkeling, then reach the pale sand and clear water of Ses Illetes in Formentera. I like the small private group and the chance to use paddleboards without paying extra for the basic equipment. I also like that you can bring your own food instead of buying a costly meal on board. The main catch is price: at $1,609.09 for up to 10 people, this is a splurge, and lunch costs extra.

The schedule gives you a full day at sea, but the pace depends on weather, sea conditions, and how long your group wants to linger in the water. You should also be comfortable with a moderate level of activity and happy around the boat’s friendly 10-year-old Border Collie.

Key details before you book

• Cala Jondal is both the start and finish: You meet at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal and return to the same point.
• Formentera is the day’s big prize: Ses Illetes offers white sand, clear water, and time to eat or walk ashore.
• Two paddleboards are included: You can use them around S’Espalmador, along with the supplied snorkeling gear.
• Lunch is your responsibility: Bring food, or arrange the optional catering, but confirm portions and cost for your group.
• The boat is private for up to 10 people: You will not be sharing the catamaran with another booking.
• Plan around the weather: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.

Why a private catamaran day works well here

Ibiza is famous for clubs, beach bars, and late nights, but its southern shore looks very different from the water. A catamaran lets you see cliffs, small coves, rocky shelves, and bright Mediterranean water without spending the day moving between crowded roads and parking areas.

The private setup matters. For a group of friends or family, you can settle into your own rhythm. One person can stay on deck, another can snorkel, and the rest can paddle or swim. You are not tied to the interests of a larger mixed group. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to consider the price.

The cost works out to about $160.91 per person if all 10 spaces are filled, before lunch and drinks. For a couple or a small group, the per-person price rises quickly. I would judge this as a better value for a full family group, birthday gathering, or group of friends than for two people seeking a simple boat ride.

The catamaran has a restroom, Wi-Fi, fuel included in the price, snorkeling equipment, and two paddle surf boards. Those are useful comforts during an eight-hour day. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so you will need to plan for those separately or bring suitable nonalcoholic provisions if allowed by the operator.

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 sailing begins in one of Ibiza’s attractive southern bays, where the water is clear and the shore is framed by rocky cliffs.

The first listed stop is brief, about 10 minutes, so think of it as your introduction to the boat and the bay rather than a long beach visit. You can settle onto the deck, look back toward the coast, and get comfortable before the longer stretch of sailing begins.

You should arrive ready for a day outdoors. The tour is not designed as a short sightseeing cruise with constant access to land. Most of your time is spent on the catamaran or in the sea, so a moderate level of physical fitness is expected.

An hour along Ibiza’s rugged south coast

From Cala Jondal, the route follows the south coast toward Playa des Codolar. This is one of the most scenic parts of the day because you see Ibiza from a low, open-water viewpoint. Rocky coves, cliffs, and small caves pass by while the boat moves through the Mediterranean.

The stop lasts about one hour, though the experience is more about the coast and the sailing than a formal shore visit. You can use this time to relax, take photos, or watch the coastline change from developed bays to rougher rock.

I like this section because it gives the day a proper sense of place. You are not simply being taken to a swimming spot. You get a long look at the southern edge of Ibiza, with the sea breeze and changing views doing much of the work.

If you are prone to motion sickness, keep that in mind. No specific seasickness support is listed, and the day includes several hours on the water. It is sensible to ask the operator about conditions before departure and bring any personal medication you normally use.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ses Salines

The next stop is in the Parque Natural de Ses Salines area, where the catamaran anchors near a secluded cove. This is your chance to get into the water, use the included snorkeling gear, and look for fish and other marine life.

The stop is planned for about one hour. That is enough time for a swim and a relaxed look below the surface, though it is not an all-day snorkeling expedition. The quality of the experience will depend on visibility, wind, and sea conditions on your particular date.

The appeal here is simple: you can move from a comfortable deck to clear water without arranging a separate beach transfer. If you enjoy swimming but do not want a demanding water sport, this should be one of the easier parts of the day.

The catamaran is not described as having specialist instruction, so you should be comfortable managing your own time in the water. Keep track of where the boat is anchored and follow the crew’s safety directions.

S’Espalmador, paddleboards, and more time in the sea

The route continues to S’Espalmador, a protected natural area between Ibiza and Formentera. The scheduled stop is about one hour and 50 minutes, making it one of the longer water breaks.

Two paddle surf boards are included. That is a useful feature for a private group because you can take turns without paying a separate hire fee. You can paddle around the calm water, then return to the catamaran for another swim or snorkeling session.

This is likely to be the most active portion of the day. Paddleboarding requires balance and a little effort, and getting in and out of the water takes some mobility. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness, so it may not suit anyone who needs easy, step-free access or dislikes water-based activity.

S’Espalmador also adds a quieter natural setting to the route. You are not stopping only at a famous beach. You get time around a protected area where the main attractions are open water, clean shorelines, and the sense of being away from Ibiza’s busier resort zones.

Ses Illetes and the two-hour lunch stop

The main destination is Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera. The beach is known for white sand and clear water, and the schedule gives you about two hours here. That is long enough to enjoy the shore without turning the day into a rushed photo stop.

You may go ashore for lunch and a walk, or stay on the catamaran and eat while looking toward the beach. This choice is valuable because not everyone in a group wants the same thing. Some people prefer a proper break on land, while others would rather keep their place on deck and avoid carrying belongings back and forth.

Lunch is not included in the advertised price. You can bring your own food, which is the most predictable option for cost and portion size. Catering may also be available, but you should confirm exactly what is being ordered, how much it costs per person, and how much food your group needs.

There is a useful warning here for larger families and groups. A ham board was priced at €65, and a group of 10 ordered food for seven people after explaining that some members ate lightly. The provider later clarified that the menu is priced per person and suggested that the smaller order may have left too little food, especially for teenagers. My practical advice is simple: do not assume a shared board will feed a whole group. Ask for a per-person menu and portion details before agreeing, or bring your own meal.

Ses Illetes is also the best place to add a little walking. You can stroll along the beach or explore farther on foot, though the available information does not promise a guided island tour or transport beyond the catamaran. Keep your expectations focused on a beach stop with free time, not a full Formentera sightseeing program.

The return to Ibiza and the sunset view

After Ses Illetes, the catamaran begins the return trip to Cala Jondal. The listed sailing time is about one hour and 30 minutes. By then, you will probably appreciate the chance to sit quietly, dry off, and watch the coast slide past.

The timing may give you sunset views, depending on the season and the day’s exact schedule. That is one of the most appealing photo opportunities on the route. The boat provides a moving viewpoint, so you can photograph Ibiza’s coastline from the water rather than from a crowded lookout.

The return is also where the private format earns its keep. Your group can spread out, talk, listen, or simply rest without needing to follow a larger party’s mood. If you have spent the afternoon swimming and paddling, this slower final stretch gives the day a natural ending.

The tour returns to the original meeting point at Cala Jondal. Since the activity lasts about eight hours, you should leave enough room in your evening plans. Do not schedule a tight dinner reservation or airport transfer immediately afterward.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The boat includes fuel, a restroom, Wi-Fi, snorkeling equipment, and two paddle surf boards. These inclusions reduce the number of add-on costs once you are under way, especially if your group wants both swimming and paddleboarding.

Lunch and alcoholic beverages are not included. Food is the item that needs the most attention because the day is long and the optional catering can change the final cost. Bring enough for everyone if you choose the self-catering route, and confirm the operator’s rules about outside food and drinks before departure.

The boat has a resident Border Collie who is described as friendly and 10 years old. That is a charming detail for dog lovers, but it is still worth considering if anyone in your group has allergies, fear of dogs, or discomfort around animals in a confined space.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. The meeting point is near public transportation, though the supplied information does not specify a transfer service from hotels or the airport. You should organize your own route to Cala Jondal.

Weather, cancellation, and practical timing

This is a weather-dependent outing. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

That 24-hour limit matters. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the amount paid will not be refunded. The cut-off follows local time in Ibiza.

The trip is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 54 days. I would not wait until the last minute if you need a particular date, especially during the popular summer period.

Who should book this private sailing day

I would recommend it most strongly to a group that can fill several of the 10 available places. Families, groups of friends, and anyone marking a special occasion will get the best financial value and the most benefit from setting their own pace.

It also suits people who want a full day split between scenery and activity. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, walk on Formentera, and relax on deck without arranging separate bookings.

I would think twice if you want a low-cost cruise, dislike spending long hours at sea, or expect a fully catered day. The base price is high for a small group, lunch is extra, and the physical side of the outing is more than simply sitting on a sightseeing boat.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran if you value privacy, open-water swimming, and a full day linking Ibiza with Formentera. The route has a good mix of coast viewing, swimming stops, S’Espalmador, and a substantial break at Ses Illetes.

Before paying, gather a group large enough to make the $1,609.09 rate sensible. Confirm the lunch price and portions in writing, or bring your own food. If the weather forecast is uncertain, keep your evening flexible and understand the 24-hour cancellation rule.

For the right group, this is a generous day on the water rather than a quick boat excursion. For a couple or a small party, the price may be difficult to justify.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing day lasts about eight hours. The listed stops and return sailing add up to roughly that amount of time.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private activity is for your group only and can accommodate up to 10 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. You may bring your own food or choose an optional meal arrangement, but you should confirm the cost and portions in advance.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What water equipment is provided?

The tour includes two paddle surf boards and snorkeling equipment. You can use them during the stops at sea.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is available on board.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.