Formentera & Ibiza Small Group Trip by Catamaran

Formentera’s best moments happen from the water, and this small catamaran trip gives you a full day of them. You sail from Ibiza to Espalmador and Ses Illetes, stopping for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and beach time rather than rushing through a string of photo stops. I like the generous time around Formentera and the small group, capped at 12 people. I also like that captains such as Fran, Pablo, and Nacho adjust the route to the weather and help arrange lunch if you want to eat ashore.

The main thing to understand is that this is a relaxed shared boat outing, not a private luxury yacht charter. You reach the catamaran by zodiac from the beach, lunch costs extra, and the boat carries only one complimentary glass of champagne per person. Bring your own food and drinks if you want to control the cost.

Key points at a glance

• Small group sailing: The catamaran carries no more than 12 people, including the captain, so it feels calmer than a large party boat.
• Two excellent swimming areas: You spend time at S’Espalmador and Playa de Ses Illetes, with snorkeling gear and SUP boards included.
• Flexible lunch plan: Bring your own meal, use the boat’s cold storage, or ask the captain to help arrange a restaurant at Ses Illetes.
• Zodiac shore transfers: The catamaran stays offshore, and a small tender takes you to the beach when you want to go ashore.
• A captain-led day: Fran, Pablo, Nacho, Ramiro, Sebastian, and other captains are praised for friendly service, route choices, and help with lunch.
• Weather matters: Wind and sea conditions can change the sailing time, swimming stops, and exact route.

Why this Formentera sailing day works

At $139.08 per person, this is a strong price for an eight to nine-hour boat day around Ibiza and Formentera. You are paying for a long stretch on the water, a small group, use of snorkeling equipment and paddle boards, the zodiac transfer, and a glass of champagne. You are not paying for lunch, a full drinks package, or the polished service of a private yacht.

That difference matters. Some people picture a sleek charter with drinks constantly available and a crew providing a running commentary. This experience is better suited to someone who wants a comfortable catamaran, pretty coves, music, swimming, and a low-key captain who handles the boat while you relax.

The catamaran has room to spread out, and several people found the maximum group of 11 or 12 comfortable for the boat’s size. Shade is available, which becomes important on an all-day outing. The mood is generally mellow rather than a loud Ibiza party, though music and drinks are part of the atmosphere.

Captains are a big part of the experience. Fran is especially praised for choosing swimming spots according to the weather, keeping the day organized, and helping with restaurant reservations. Pablo is described as attentive and helpful, including when someone felt seasick. Nacho and Ramiro are also praised for friendly, capable hosting.

Do not expect a formal guided tour with detailed narration about every headland. The captain’s main job is to sail safely, manage the boat, and keep the schedule moving. You may get useful local suggestions and friendly conversation, but the value lies more in the places you visit than in historical commentary.

Meeting at Ses Salines and boarding the catamaran

The day begins at 10:00 a.m. at Beso Beach Ibiza, on Platja de ses Salines in Sant Jordi de ses Salines. The captain and stewardess collect you from the beach in a zodiac and take you out to the catamaran.

That short tender ride is part of the setup, not a surprise transfer. A large catamaran cannot pull directly onto the beach, so you should be ready to step into a smaller boat and climb aboard offshore. Wear practical swimwear and shoes you can manage around a wet boarding area.

The transfer is advertised as taking about 15 minutes, although the exact timing can depend on the group and the sea. Shared departures can also be affected if someone arrives late. Arrive with time to spare, since delays at the start reduce time at the beaches even if the captain later tries to make up some of the schedule.

Once aboard, you can settle into the boat’s shaded areas and get ready for the crossing. The catamaran has a refrigerator or freezer for keeping food and drinks cool. You should bring your own supplies, and if you want drinks to stay very cold all day, bring ice as well. The included beverage is one glass of champagne, not an open bar.

Sailing along Ibiza and Formentera

The outward trip takes roughly an hour, depending on conditions. As the boat leaves Ibiza and follows the coast of Formentera, the crossing becomes part of the pleasure of the day. You get open-water views, fresh air, and time to settle into the easy pace.

This is also where sea conditions can affect your comfort. One person described a cloudy, choppy day that was still enjoyable, while another needed help with seasickness. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the ride feels steadier, watch the horizon, and consider bringing your usual remedy.

A captain may adjust the route or order of stops for the wind and waves. That flexibility is useful because the prettiest cove is not always the most comfortable place to anchor on a particular day. It also means the exact rhythm of sailing and beach time may vary.

Two hours at S’Espalmador

After about an hour of sailing, the catamaran anchors at S’Espalmador, a small island near Formentera. The planned stay is around two hours, giving you enough time to choose your own pace.

You can swim from the boat, snorkel, use a SUP board, or take the zodiac to shore and walk on the beach. The equipment is supplied, so you do not need to rent a paddle board or bring your own snorkeling mask unless you prefer your personal gear.

S’Espalmador is a good first stop because it lets you get active before lunch. The water is the main attraction, and the combination of a swim, a little snorkeling, and time on the sand keeps the stop from feeling like a simple photo break.

The shore transfer adds a small practical wrinkle. You cannot simply step from the catamaran onto the beach, so you need to coordinate with the captain or stewardess for the zodiac ride. If you prefer to stay aboard and swim, you can do that instead.

Two hours sounds generous, but it can pass quickly once you account for tender trips, getting settled, and changing activities. If beach walking matters more to you than snorkeling, say so early and make sure you understand how much time remains before the group returns to the boat.

Four hours around Playa de Ses Illetes

The next sail takes about 15 minutes to Playa de Ses Illetes. This is the longer stop, planned for roughly four hours, and it is the heart of the day.

Ses Illetes is famous for clear water, pale sand, and a long, narrow beach setting. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, take the zodiac ashore, or simply stay on the catamaran under the shade. The boat’s SUP boards can be used as paddle boards or converted into kayaks, giving you another way to explore close to the anchorage.

The four-hour window creates welcome freedom. You do not have to jump from one activity to the next. I would use the first part for a swim, then go ashore or have lunch, and save some time for a final quiet stretch on the boat.

Lunch is not included, so plan this part before you leave Ibiza. The simplest and least expensive choice is to bring your own meal and drinks. You can keep them cool in the boat’s storage, though bringing ice is sensible if you want drinks cold for the entire day.

The other option is a restaurant at Ses Illetes. The captain can help arrange a table on the day, and this is useful if you do not want to carry a meal or organize the reservation yourself. Restaurant prices in Formentera can be high, so ask about the expected cost before committing. A restaurant lunch also uses part of your beach time and may require shore transport.

A practical point is that the captain may reserve a table, but the boat does not provide a restaurant meal as part of the tour. You are responsible for the bill, and any restaurant transport arrangement may involve a small extra charge. If value matters most, bring lunch.

The beach can be busy, especially during the main summer season. The captain may know quieter nearby places for swimming, but the schedule and anchorage can change with conditions. You should see the beach as the main scenic stop, not as a promise of complete solitude.

Returning to Beso Beach Ibiza

After the Formentera stops, the boat heads back toward Ibiza and finishes at Beso Beach Ibiza, the same general meeting point at Ses Salines. The listed end stop includes about an hour around the return portion, though the total duration is approximately eight to nine hours and can vary with sailing conditions and group timing.

The return sail is a good time to rest, listen to music, and enjoy the last views. If you have spent the day swimming and sitting in the sun, the calm pace can feel just right. If you hoped for more time ashore, the return crossing may feel long, particularly if the morning boarding or lunch took longer than expected.

This is a shared experience, so the captain has to balance different preferences. One person may want to snorkel longer while another wants a restaurant lunch. The boat’s small size helps, but it cannot offer the total control of a private charter.

What the equipment and service really include

The included equipment is one of the tour’s best features. You get snorkeling gear, SUP boards that can convert into kayaks, and the zodiac for reaching shore. These extras make the boat day more active and save you from arranging separate rentals.

The boat also has shade, cold storage, and space for a group of about 11 people plus the captain. You should still pack carefully. Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, food or money for lunch, and any drink you want beyond the champagne. The supplied information does not promise a full bar or unlimited bottled water.

Service appears to depend partly on the captain and partly on what you want from the day. Fran is known for a warm, organized approach and for selecting spots based on the weather. Pablo is praised for checking on people and helping when the sea felt rough. Other named captains, including Nacho and Ramiro, are associated with friendly hosting and good route choices.

Do not book this expecting a guided coastal lecture. The captain may explain the plan and offer suggestions, but the day is built around sailing and free time. If you want a quiet boat day with a capable skipper, that is a strength. If you want constant interpretation, it may feel limited.

Is $139.08 good value?

For a full day near Formentera, the price is reasonable, especially if you use the included equipment and bring your own lunch. A private boat would cost far more, while a large group cruise might offer fewer activities and less room.

Your final cost depends on your choices. Bring your own food and drinks, and the price stays close to the advertised amount. Eat at a beach restaurant, and your bill can rise quickly. The boat provides one glass of champagne, but not a general drinks service.

The small group is another part of the value. A maximum of 12 people means you are not sharing the boat with a huge crowd, and you have a better chance of finding a comfortable place in the shade. It does not mean private service, but it gives the day a more personal feel.

The main value risk is time. If boarding is delayed or lunch service runs late, you may feel that the beach stops are shorter than expected. The total day still includes sailing, but people who want nearly all their time on land should choose a beach-based plan instead.

Who should book this boat day?

I would choose this trip if you want to see Formentera without arranging a private charter. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy swimming, simple water sports, music, and a relaxed schedule.

It is also a good match if you like having choices. You can snorkel, paddle, walk on the beach, eat aboard, or go to a restaurant. You do not need to fill every minute with organized activities.

I would think twice if you want luxury-yacht service, a stocked bar, detailed guiding, or complete control over the route. The catamaran is described as modern and comfortable, but it is not a high-end private yacht. You also need to be comfortable with a zodiac transfer and the possibility of changing sea conditions.

The experience has a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 121 ratings, with 91 percent recommending it. Those numbers fit the practical picture: it can be an excellent value when expectations match the product, but it is not the right choice for someone expecting a private luxury charter.

Final booking advice

Book this trip for the water time, not for a formal tour narration or a restaurant package. Bring lunch, bring ice for your drinks, arrive early at Ses Salines, and treat the exact route as weather-dependent.

If you want a gentle day of swimming at S’Espalmador and Ses Illetes, with paddle boards, snorkeling gear, shade, and a small group, I think it is worth considering. If your priority is luxury service or long, guaranteed beach hours, spend more on a private charter or stay ashore.

FAQ

How long does the Formentera and Ibiza catamaran trip last?

The experience lasts approximately eight to nine hours and starts at 10:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Beso Beach Ibiza on Platja de ses Salines, in Sant Jordi de ses Salines.

How many people can join the catamaran?

The activity has a maximum of 12 travelers, including the captain. The small group size is intended to keep the boat from feeling crowded.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food and drinks, keep them cool on the boat, or ask the captain to help arrange a restaurant at Ses Illetes. Restaurant costs are extra.

What water equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment and SUP boards are included. The SUP boards can also be converted into kayaks, and a zodiac takes you ashore.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.