Nusa Kami Catamaran Tour to Formentera

Formentera’s western shore gives you the classic Balearic boat day: clear water, pale sand, quiet coves, and a long lunch by the sea. The real prize is time on the water around Ses Illetes and Espalmador, not a rushed checklist of sights.

I like the generous private space for up to 12 people, plus the freedom to choose between a restaurant meal and food on board. I also like the practical help from Captain Sergio and skipper Gabriel, who can call a restaurant when tables are hard to find.

The main drawback is the crossing. The catamaran is slower than a speedboat, and the trip can take more than two hours each way, leaving less time around Formentera than the eight-hour duration might suggest.

Key points to know before booking

• Two-hour-plus crossings: Much of your day is spent sailing between Ibiza and Formentera.
• Private group setting: The catamaran is reserved for your party, with room for up to 12 people.
• Ses Illetes and Espalmador: You get two of western Formentera’s best-known swimming stops.
• Lunch choices: Eat at Juan y Andrea, Beso Beach, El Pirata, or El Tiburón, or order rice or fideuá aboard.
• Flexible water time: Swim, snorkel, paddle surf, or relax with an aperitif.
• Best for groups: At $1,632.44 per group, the value improves sharply when 9 to 12 people share the cost.

Why western Formentera makes a fine boat day

The western side of Formentera is the island’s postcard route, but the appeal is more than a pretty view. The water is clear enough for swimming, the shore is low and open, and the boat lets you reach places that can feel harder to enjoy when you are moving between beaches by land.

You start at 12:00 p.m. in Ibiza and return to the same meeting point. The full outing lasts about eight hours, though the crossing can take just over two hours in each direction. That timing matters: this is not a quick transfer to Formentera with a short boat ride attached. It is a full sailing day, with the journey itself part of the plan.

I would think of the catamaran as your base for the day. You can spread out in the table area, sit at the front on the netted section, keep towels and blankets nearby, and use the boat as a comfortable place to eat or rest between swims. You bring your own snacks and drinks, or arrange food through the operator.

The crossing from Ibiza takes patience

A catamaran offers more room than a small boat, but it is not the fast choice. The return journey alone can account for more than four hours, depending on conditions and the exact route. If you want maximum time ashore, a speedboat may suit you better. If you want a private floating lounge for the day, the slower pace is easier to accept.

I like the fact that the long ride can be social. A group of friends can use the table for snacks, sit out on the front netting, and enjoy the views without sharing the boat with strangers. For a birthday, bachelorette outing, or family day, that private setting can matter as much as the beaches.

Still, set realistic expectations. You will not spend eight full hours swimming around Formentera. Once you allow for the outward and return crossings, your time at the stops is more limited. The boat is the attraction, not simply transportation.

Espalmador offers the first clear-water stop

The first stop is S’Espalmador, the small island just off Formentera. The plan is to anchor in front of the island, swim in the clear water, and enjoy an aperitif on board. This is a good early pause after the crossing, since you can cool off without needing to rush straight into a shore excursion.

The appeal here is simple. You get open water, a boat-based swim, and the chance to enjoy the setting without packing up for a land stop. If your group prefers an easy afternoon, staying near the catamaran with drinks and snacks may be exactly right.

An optional brunch with fresh local products can be arranged on the catamaran. Since the food is listed as optional, ask about it when booking rather than assuming it is included in the base price. The same applies to ordering rice or fideuá on board later in the day.

S’Espalmador may be less satisfying if your main goal is walking around a village or spending hours on land. The information provided focuses on anchoring, swimming, and an aperitif, so treat this as a water stop rather than a cultural visit.

Ses Illetes brings the famous beach scenery

The second listed stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, one of Formentera’s best-known beaches. A narrow strip of fine sand reaches into turquoise water, creating the kind of view that explains why this western route attracts yachts and sailboats.

You can expect a classic beach-and-swim setting here, with the catamaran giving you access from the water. The stop is especially appealing if you want photographs, a calm swim, or time to enjoy the beach from offshore.

Ses Illetes is also the main lunch area. You can go ashore to eat at Juan y Andrea, Beso Beach, El Pirata, or El Tiburón. These are well-known beach restaurants, so a reservation may be important. The useful part of having Sergio and Gabriel aboard is that they may be able to call a restaurant and help locate a table. Do not treat that as a guarantee, but it can help when your group has not arranged lunch ahead of time.

You also have the option of staying on the boat and ordering rice or fideuá. That choice saves time and keeps your group together. It may be the better plan if you would rather swim and relax than spend part of the afternoon moving to and from a restaurant.

Coves, caves, and the view back toward Ibiza

The route includes sailing through coves on the western side of Formentera. These quieter stretches help break up the day and give the captain room to adjust the pace around your group’s interests, within the time available.

The outing also includes paddle surfing or snorkeling in the Saona caves. The supplied details do not promise a particular amount of time at the caves, so I would see this as one of the possible water activities rather than a separate guaranteed stop with a fixed schedule.

From wild Cavall d’en Borràs beach, you can look back toward the Ibizan coast and see the islets of Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell in the distance. This gives the day a useful sense of place. You are not only visiting Formentera beaches; you are also seeing how the islands connect across the water.

For me, the strongest parts of the route are the simple ones: anchoring, swimming, eating, and watching the shoreline change. The boat lets you enjoy the coast without trying to force too many stops into one day.

What life on the catamaran is like

The layout suits a social group. There is a table area for eating snacks, and a front netted section where you can sit above the water. Towels and blankets are available, which is helpful after a swim or during the long ride home.

You can bring snacks and drinks. That gives you control over the day’s rhythm, especially if your group does not want a formal restaurant lunch. If you prefer a more organized meal, ask about the optional brunch or the rice and fideuá served aboard.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. Only your group participates, so you do not need to adapt every decision to strangers. A group of nine, for example, can use the boat comfortably, with space to eat, sit, swim, and gather at the same time.

The catamaran is not described as a luxury yacht with a full hotel-style service. Think of it as a private, comfortable sailing platform with useful basics and a crew who can help with the day. That distinction keeps expectations in the right place.

Price, group size, and real value

The price is $1,632.44 per group of up to 12. At full capacity, that works out to about $136 per person. With nine people, it is roughly $181 per person. A smaller group pays more per person, so the number in your party has a major effect on value.

That price includes the private boat experience, but the supplied details do not say that brunch, restaurant meals, rice, or fideuá are included. Plan for food costs separately unless the operator confirms otherwise.

I think the price makes the most sense for a group marking a special occasion. You are paying for privacy, a full day on the water, room for your own food and drinks, and the ability to shape the day around swimming and lunch. For two or three people, the same price is much harder to justify.

The value also depends on what you want from Formentera. If you want a fast ride and many hours on land, the slow catamaran crossing may frustrate you. If you want a shared day with friends, swimming stops, and a private place to sit between beaches, it offers a more relaxed kind of value.

Who should book this private Formentera trip

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Groups of friends sharing the cost
• Families who want a private boat rather than a public excursion
• Bachelorette groups and birthday parties
• Anyone who prefers swimming and lunch to a packed sightseeing schedule
• People who enjoy a slow boat ride as part of the day

It is less suitable if you dislike long crossings, want a quick transfer, or hope to spend most of the day walking around Formentera. The boat moves more slowly than a speedboat, and the return trip can feel long after a full afternoon in the sun.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, but the meeting information only gives the start point as 07800 Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain. Confirm the exact boarding details after booking.

Booking, weather, and timing details

The stated start time is 12:00 p.m., and the activity returns to the meeting point. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. That waiting period is worth remembering if you are arranging a special event with a fixed date.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

I would book early for a group event, then confirm the lunch plan, optional food, exact meeting point, and likely time at each stop. Those details can shape the day more than the general route.

Should you book the Nusa Kami catamaran?

Book it if your group can share the cost and wants a private day built around clear water, beach views, food, and time together. The strongest reasons are the private setting, the flexibility around lunch, and the simple pleasure of swimming off a catamaran near Espalmador and Ses Illetes.

Think twice if your priority is speed or long hours on land. The crossing takes a large part of the outing, and the boat is slower than a speedboat. For the right group, though, that slower pace is part of the appeal: you get a comfortable base, your own company, and a full day linking Ibiza with Formentera’s best-known western shore.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The activity starts in 07800 Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain. The exact meeting point details should be confirmed after booking.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private activity can include up to 12 people in your group.

Which Formentera stops are included?

The listed stops are Playa de Ses Illetes and S’Espalmador.

Can I eat lunch on the boat?

You can order rice or fideuá to enjoy aboard the catamaran. An optional brunch with fresh local products is also available. Confirm food arrangements when booking.

Can I eat at a restaurant on Formentera?

You can go ashore to eat at Juan y Andrea, Beso Beach, El Pirata, or El Tiburón. Restaurant availability is not guaranteed, so arrange or confirm this in advance.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.