Formentera Day Trip from Ibiza on Private Luxury Catamaran

The best part of this day is the freedom of having the boat to yourselves. You sail from Ibiza to Formentera, stop where the water looks clearest, and spend the day swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, or simply stretching out on deck. Ses Illetes Beach is the main prize, with pale sand and clear water that make the crossing worthwhile.

I like the private format and the useful gear included, especially the paddle boards and snorkel equipment. I also like the personal touches: you can play your own music through the Bluetooth speakers, and the captain will take photos with your camera. The main drawback is price. At $3,569.03 for up to 12 people, this makes the most sense for a full group rather than a couple or small party.

Key details before you book

• A full-day private charter: The catamaran is reserved for your group, with no unrelated passengers sharing the boat.
• Two beautiful water stops: Plan on about two hours at Ses Illetes and two hours at S’Espalmador.
• Bring your own meal: Food and drinks are not included, though you can go ashore for lunch at a waterfront restaurant.
• A flexible departure point: The trip may begin near Blue Marlin at Cala Jondal or at family-friendly Es Xarcu. Confirm the exact pier before setting out.
• Good value for a large group: The price works out to about $297 per person if all 12 places are filled.
• Weather matters: The trip needs good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this private Ibiza catamaran day works so well

A shared boat trip can be fun, but it often means matching your day to other people’s plans. This charter gives you a different rhythm. You can settle on deck, play your own music, ask for a longer swim, or choose lunch ashore without worrying about a large mixed group.

The boat carries up to 12 people, which makes it a good fit for a family group, birthday gathering, or several friends traveling together. You get the feel of a private yacht day without having to arrange every part of the outing yourself.

The route also gives you a useful contrast. Ibiza is known for its nightlife and busy beach clubs. Formentera feels calmer and more open, with long sandy beaches and a slower beach-day mood. You get the easygoing side of the Balearic Islands without giving up the comfort of a well-equipped boat.

The seven-hour schedule is long enough to make the crossing worthwhile. You are not racing from one stop to the next, though the actual time spent sailing and swimming will depend on the captain and conditions.

Meeting the captain at Cala Jondal or Es Xarcu

The published start time is 10 a.m. The main description places the meeting near the Blue Marlin beach club at Cala Jondal, while the stated meeting point is Es Xarcu restaurant at Cala Es Xarco. An alternative departure from Es Xarcu is also available, so confirm the exact meeting pier before the morning of your trip.

This detail matters. Cala Jondal and Es Xarcu are different spots, and you do not want to be standing at one beach while your catamaran waits at the other. The meeting point is in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, and the area is near public transportation, though the information provided does not include a hotel pickup service.

At the pier, you meet the captain and board your private catamaran. Find a comfortable place on deck early, especially if your group has a favorite spot in mind. The boat has Wi-Fi and a Megaboom Bluetooth speaker system, so you can supply the soundtrack for the trip.

Bring your own music on a charged phone and pack a cable or power bank if you plan to use your device all day. Wi-Fi is listed as an onboard feature, but no connection details or coverage promises are given, so treat it as a useful extra rather than the main reason to book.

The sail from Ibiza to Formentera

The trip begins with open water, sun, and views back toward Ibiza. For many people, this crossing is as important as the stops. You get time to settle into the catamaran and shift from sightseeing mode to beach-day mode.

A private boat also lets you spread out more naturally. Some people can sit in the sun, others can stay in shade, and the group can use the deck at its own pace. The description mentions cold soft drinks, but drinks are not included in the price. Pack what you want to consume, along with enough water for a warm day.

The boat has life jackets available if requested. Snorkel equipment and paddle boards are included, so you do not need to arrange those separately. You should still expect to handle normal boat access and water activities, since a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

The captain’s role is important here. A particularly good day depends on finding attractive anchoring spots and adjusting the plan to conditions. One standout sailing was led by Constantin, who was praised for choosing exceptionally blue water and for making good use of a larger catamaran with a six-meter sofa. If Constantin is assigned to your trip, you may get that same local touch, though captain assignments and boat upgrades should not be assumed.

Two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

The first major stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, on Formentera. You have about two hours here, with no separate admission charge listed for the beach stop.

This is the place to use the water equipment. Paddle boarding gives you an easy way to move beyond the side of the boat, while snorkeling lets you look below the surface in the clear water. Swimming is the simplest option, and you can also stay aboard and enjoy the view from the deck.

Ses Illetes is known for its bright sand and clear shallows. The water is the main attraction, not a long list of scheduled activities. I like that the stop is long enough to do more than one thing. You can swim first, use a paddle board, then dry off on deck without feeling rushed.

Two hours can pass quickly if your group wants to take turns with the equipment. If you have several strong swimmers or many children, decide early how you will share the paddle boards and snorkel gear. Life jackets are available if requested, which may be useful for less confident swimmers.

You can also go ashore for lunch at one of the restaurants near the water. The meal is not included, and the information does not specify a restaurant reservation or a set menu. That gives you freedom, but it also means you should plan your budget and timing before leaving the boat.

A shore lunch may appeal to you if you want a change of scene and a proper meal. Staying aboard is quieter and keeps the day centered on swimming and sun. Neither choice is wrong, but do not expect the price of the charter to cover food, drinks, or a restaurant meal.

S’Espalmador and the uninhabited island feel

After Ses Illetes, the catamaran continues to S’Espalmador, an uninhabited sandy islet between Ibiza and Formentera. The listed stop is about two hours, again with no admission ticket required.

S’Espalmador gives the day a more natural, less developed pause. There are no restaurants or beach-club services described here, so this is the stop for water time, sand, and a quieter setting. You should bring anything you need from the boat because the stop is not presented as a place to shop or buy lunch.

The open setting makes this a good spot to swim, use the paddle boards, or sit back and enjoy the catamaran. It also gives you a useful break from the restaurant scene around Formentera. The trip is not just a restaurant-to-restaurant outing. Part of its value comes from reaching places that are easier to enjoy by boat.

Conditions can shape this stop more than the clock suggests. Wind, water conditions, and anchoring choices may affect exactly how you spend the two hours. A private charter gives your group more comfort and flexibility, but it does not remove the limits of weather or sea conditions.

The ride back to Ibiza and the end of the day

After S’Espalmador, the catamaran heads back toward Cala Jondal or the agreed return point. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so arrange your onward plans from there.

The timing can work nicely for an evening drink at Blue Marlin after the boat returns. That is an optional idea, not part of the charter, and the end time may shift with conditions. Still, the location makes it possible to continue the day without a long transfer across the island.

You should keep your final plans flexible. A boat day can run a little differently from a land tour, especially when the captain is choosing safe anchoring spots and the sea changes during the afternoon. Do not book an important dinner at a tight time unless you have plenty of room between the boat’s return and the reservation.

What the $3,569.03 price really buys you

The price is $3,569.03 per group of up to 12 people. Filled to capacity, that works out to about $297.42 per person. For 10 people, it is about $356.90 each. With only four people, the cost rises to roughly $892.26 per person.

That calculation tells you who should book this trip. A group of 8 to 12 people can share the cost and get a private boat, captain, equipment, music system, and a full seven hours on the water. For a couple or small family, a shared excursion may offer better value if privacy is not essential.

The charter price includes taxes, fees, local taxes, the driver-guide, snorkeling gear, paddle boarding, and photos taken by the captain with your camera. Those inclusions remove several small charges that can add up on a water day.

Food and drinks are the notable extra. You may bring your own, or you can pay for lunch ashore. Plan for water, snacks, sunscreen, and anything your group needs between meals. Since the boat has space for a long day on deck, packing carefully is more useful than relying on finding supplies during the route.

The private format is where the premium has the most value. You are paying for control over the day and room for your own group, not only for transport to Formentera. If everyone in your party wants a relaxed boat day, the cost can feel reasonable. If some people mainly want to reach the island and spend the day on land, the price is harder to justify.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This trip suits you if you want a private day at sea and are happy to let the water set the pace. It is especially practical for:

• Groups of friends who can fill most of the 12 places
• Families who want their own boat and flexible swim time
• Couples celebrating with a larger group
• People who prefer swimming and paddle boarding to a packed sightseeing schedule
• Visitors who want Formentera’s beaches without arranging a boat, captain, and equipment separately

It may not suit you if you dislike boats, need a tightly timed itinerary, or want every meal and drink included. You should also think carefully if your group includes people with limited mobility, since a moderate fitness level is requested and the activity involves boarding, moving around the catamaran, and using the water equipment.

A current valid passport is required on the day. Confirmation is issued at booking, and the activity is offered in English. The charter is private, so only your own group participates.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel for another reason or request a change, the amount paid is not refundable, so check your plans carefully before booking.

Pack light but thoughtfully. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, a hat, water, snacks, and your own drinks. Add a charged phone or camera if you want the captain to take photos for you.

The captain can take as many pictures as you want with your camera, which is a useful inclusion for groups. It means you do not have to rely on one person staying out of every photo. Still, protect your phone near the water and do not assume that professional photography is included.

Should you book this Formentera catamaran day?

Book it if you can fill much of the catamaran, want privacy, and care more about a relaxed day on the water than a low-cost transfer. The strongest parts are the long stops at Ses Illetes and S’Espalmador, the included paddle boards and snorkeling gear, and the freedom to play your own music and choose between lunch ashore or time aboard.

Think twice if your group is small or if you want a fully catered outing. The price is fixed for the boat, and food, drinks, and any restaurant lunch cost extra. Also confirm whether you will depart from Cala Jondal near Blue Marlin or Es Xarcu, since that detail matters on the morning of the trip.

For a full group, this is a polished and personal way to see Formentera from Ibiza. It gives you the beaches, the clear water, and the freedom to set your own pace, with enough structure to keep the day simple.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran trip?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the trip start?

The published start time is 10 a.m. Departure may be from near Blue Marlin at Cala Jondal or from Es Xarcu restaurant at Cala Es Xarco. Confirm the exact meeting point before the trip.

Which places does the catamaran visit?

The route includes Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera and S’Espalmador. The listed time at each stop is about two hours.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, paddle boarding, and life jackets if requested are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

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