Ibiza: Catamaran Cruise to Formentera with Meal and Drinks

The best part of this cruise is the setting: you sail from Ibiza toward Playa de Ses Illetes, with clear water below, white beaches ahead, and the freedom to stretch out on a 22-meter catamaran. The large front net is the prime spot when you want the sea sliding beneath you.

I like the generous meal and the open bar, which make the $108 price easier to justify. I also like that guide Tina has earned praise for explaining the coast in both Spanish and English. The main catch is simple: you do not go ashore. You swim from the anchored boat, but you will not walk on Formentera.

Key points to know before booking

• A 22-meter catamaran with a front net: Choose the net for a breezy ride close to the water, or use the deck chairs for a steadier place in the sun.
• Playa de Ses Illetes stop: The boat anchors for about two hours, giving you time to swim, use the snorkeling gear, or relax with a drink.
• A full meal on board: Expect salad, finger food, roast meat, Spanish sausages, and fresh fruit, served as brunch or a barbecue-style lunch.
• Open bar included: Soft drinks, beer, water, and sangria are available during the cruise.
• No shore time: This is a boat-and-swimming day, not a visit to Formentera’s beaches.
• Bring the basics: Pack swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The boat supplies goggles and swimming noodles.

What this Ibiza to Formentera cruise really offers

This is a five-hour sailing day built around the water, not a sightseeing tour with a long list of shore stops. You board the Sun Cat near Botafoch Ferry Terminal in Ibiza, settle into a deck chair or the large forward net, and spend the day moving along the southeast coast.

The route takes you past Las Salinas and toward the waters off Formentera. That gives you the views people come for: pale beaches, open sea, bright water, and the sight of yachts passing near Illetas. You will not get a full island visit, but you do get a relaxed way to see the coast from the water.

I see this as a good middle ground between a basic ferry ride and a private yacht charter. You get a proper catamaran, a crew, food, drinks, and swimming equipment without arranging each part yourself. The tradeoff is that the boat follows a set plan, and the experience can feel social rather than quiet or private.

Meeting the Sun Cat at Botafoch

The stated meeting point is Carrer de la Mola, 31, at the Botafoch Ferry Terminal area. Look for the Sun Cat floating in the dock just before you reach the terminal. If you are taking a taxi, tell the driver Botafoch Ferry Terminal rather than relying only on the street number.

Allow enough time to find the boat and get settled. The starting point is at the dock, so you do not need a separate transfer arranged by the operator. Transfers to and from the departure point are not included, and you are responsible for getting yourself there.

Once aboard, the boat gives you several ways to spend the five hours. Deck chairs suit anyone who wants a traditional sunbathing spot. The large net is more exposed and closer to the water, so it is a fun place to sit when the sea is calm. Bring sunscreen and use it early. The deck offers little shade in the information provided, so you should plan for direct sun.

The crew speaks Spanish and English. Tina has been singled out for clear coastal commentary in both languages, which adds something useful during the ride without turning the trip into a formal lecture.

Sailing past Las Salinas and Ibiza’s southeast coast

The first part of the cruise is about the view. As the catamaran leaves Ibiza, you travel along the southeast coast and pass Las Salinas beach. From the boat, you can appreciate the shape of the coastline without dealing with beach parking, crowds, or a long walk carrying your gear.

This part matters most if you enjoy the simple rhythm of a boat ride. You can sit back, watch the shoreline recede, and take photographs from different parts of the deck. The catamaran gives you more room than a small motorboat, and its size makes the ride feel like a full half-day outing rather than a quick transfer.

The route is also a good reason to keep your camera ready, though the appeal is mainly visual rather than historical. This tour does not promise museum stops, island villages, or a narrated walking visit. If your ideal day in Formentera means exploring roads and beaches on foot, this will feel limited.

If you prefer being on the water itself, the lack of shore stops becomes less important. The boat is the destination for much of the day.

The first swim and the open bar

The schedule includes about 20 minutes for swimming and welcome refreshments, followed by the longer stop near Playa de Ses Illetes. Exact timing can change, but the shape of the day is clear: you get an early chance to cool off, then a longer period anchored near Formentera.

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, water, and sangria. That is useful on a sunny boat day, since you do not need to budget separately for every bottle or can. It also makes the cruise easier for a group with mixed tastes. You can keep to water, choose a soft drink, or have a beer or sangria while the boat is anchored.

Drinks are part of the value, but do not treat an open bar as a reason to ignore the heat. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water and use sunscreen throughout the day. The supplied information does not describe a dedicated shade area, so sun protection is part of your own preparation.

The swimming stop is from the boat, not from a beach. You climb or step into the water from the catamaran, swim near the anchored vessel, and return aboard when you are ready. Swimming noodles are provided, which helps if you want to float without using your arms constantly.

Two hours near Playa de Ses Illetes

The main stop is near Playa de Ses Illetes, one of Formentera’s best-known beach areas. You see the beach and its clear water from the boat, but the catamaran does not let you disembark. That point deserves attention because the wording of a Formentera cruise can easily suggest an island visit.

Instead, the boat anchors for about two hours. This is the heart of the trip. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling goggles, float with a noodle, sit on deck, or watch yachts move through the area. The water is the star here, and the long stop gives you time to enjoy it without rushing straight back aboard.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but expectations should stay modest. The tour provides goggles, not a full specialist snorkeling setup, and the listing does not promise a particular reef or a large amount of marine life. You might spot fish and enjoy the clear water, but the main pleasure is swimming in a beautiful anchorage.

For some people, two hours without shore access will be perfect. You can avoid wet sand, beach crowds, and the hassle of carrying bags ashore. For others, it may feel frustrating to sit close to Formentera without setting foot on land. I would book this only if you are happy treating the island as a coastal view and swimming setting.

The meal: more than a light snack

Food is one of the stronger practical points. The included spread features salad, finger food, roast meat, Spanish sausages, and fresh fruit. Depending on the operation that day, it is described as a brunch or barbecue-style meal prepared by the crew.

That makes this more substantial than a cruise that hands you a small snack and leaves you to buy lunch later. You can eat after working up an appetite in the water, then return to swimming or relaxing without having to find a restaurant. Fresh fruit and salad also give the meal some balance beside the meat and finger food.

The meal is served on the boat, so you should expect a casual setting rather than a restaurant experience. Wind, movement, and sun are part of the day. If you need a very specific diet, the supplied details do not promise special menus, so ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet will meet your needs.

The food adds real value to the $108 cost. A separate boat ride, drinks, and lunch near a popular beach can add up quickly. You are paying for a packaged day, not just transport from Ibiza to Formentera.

What the $108 price buys you

At $108 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get near Formentera. A simple ferry or basic boat trip may cost less, especially if you only want transportation. But those options do not necessarily include a five-hour catamaran outing, a meal, an open bar, snorkeling goggles, and swimming time.

I think the price works best for someone who would otherwise pay for several separate pieces: a half-day cruise, lunch, drinks, and access to swimming equipment. The package also saves you from planning the day around reservations and supplies.

The value is weaker if your main goal is to explore Formentera on foot. Since you cannot disembark, you are not using the cruise as island transportation. You are buying a floating day near Formentera.

The experience has a rating of 4.3 from 302 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the catamaran, food, atmosphere, and crew. Tina is specifically appreciated for her multilingual coastal explanations, while the meal and drink service are repeatedly described as generous. That pattern fits the tour’s strongest points: it is designed to be easy, social, and comfortable.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this cruise to couples and groups of friends who want sun, swimming, music or conversation, and a ready-made lunch without arranging the details themselves. It also suits families with older children who can swim and manage a boat day, though children under five are not accepted.

It is a particularly good fit if you like spending time on deck. The boat offers space to sit in the sun, stretch out on the net, and move between swimming and lounging. You do not need to be an expert sailor or snorkeler.

I would be more cautious if you dislike open-water swimming, strong sun, or group excursions. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the supplied information says it is not suitable for babies or small children. The schedule also leaves little room for independent exploration.

If you want a quiet, private yacht experience, this may not be the right match. The catamaran has a crew and shared onboard spaces, and the included meal and open bar create a social feel. If you want a lively half-day at sea with practical extras included, the format makes sense.

What to pack and how to prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Those are not minor suggestions. You will have swimming time, and much of the day takes place in direct sun near reflective water.

Wear something comfortable for moving around the deck. Keep your belongings secure and easy to reach, especially if you plan to switch between the seating areas and the water. The operator supplies snorkeling goggles and swimming noodles, so you do not need to bring those unless you prefer your own equipment.

You should also arrive ready to spend the entire experience aboard the boat. There are no disembarking stops, so do not pack the day around a planned beach walk or a café visit in Formentera. The point is to swim, eat, drink, and enjoy the coastline from the catamaran.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time when booking, since the exact departure schedule is not fixed in the information provided.

My recommendation

Book this cruise if you want a polished, easy half-day on the water, with a proper meal, open bar, swimming, and strong coastal views included in one price. The Sun Cat, the long Illetas anchorage, and the crew support make it more than a simple sightseeing ride.

Skip it if walking on Formentera is essential. You will see the island and swim near Playa de Ses Illetes, but you will not step ashore. For everyone else, especially couples and friends who value comfort and convenience, the $108 package offers a fair deal for five hours at sea.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours, including the sailing time, swimming, refreshments, meal, snorkeling, and return to Ibiza.

Where do I meet the catamaran?

Meet at Carrer de la Mola, 31, near the Botafoch Ferry Terminal. Look for the Sun Cat floating in the dock just before the terminal.

Does the cruise stop so I can visit Formentera?

No. The catamaran anchors near Playa de Ses Illetes, but you cannot disembark. You can swim from the boat and enjoy the coastal views.

Is food included?

Yes. Food includes salad, finger food, roast meat, Spanish sausages, and fresh fruit. The meal may be served as brunch or a barbecue-style lunch.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, water, and sangria.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling goggles and swimming noodles are included.

Is the cruise suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

The cruise is not suitable for children under five or for wheelchair users. Families with older children and couples are welcome.