Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour

The best part of this private sailing day is the freedom to make the Mediterranean your swimming pool. You leave from Cala Jondal, follow Ibiza’s rugged southern shore, stop in clear water for snorkeling, then reach Formentera’s pale sand and calm shallows. I like the private boat setup and the chance to use paddleboards rather than simply sit and watch the sea.

I also like that the tour gives you nearly eight hours on the water, with a restroom, Wi-Fi, snorkeling equipment, and fuel included. The main caution is the price: $1,609.09 per group, up to 10 people, is reasonable for a full private charter with a full group, but much harder to justify for only two or three people. Lunch is extra, and you should settle the menu and portion count before sailing.

Key details before you book

• Private catamaran for up to 10: Your group has the boat to itself, with no unrelated passengers sharing the day.
• Cala Jondal departure: The meeting point is Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, and the boat returns there.
• Two paddleboards included: You can paddle around Espalmador and other swimming stops without hiring separate equipment.
• Ses Illetes is the main beach stop: You can eat on Formentera or remain aboard for lunch with the beach in view.
• Food needs careful planning: Lunch and alcohol are not included, and one group found a €65 ham board poor value for the amount received.
• A dog lives aboard: A friendly 10-year-old Border Collie is part of the boat’s everyday setting, which matters if anyone in your party has allergies or dislikes dogs.

Setting sail from Cala Jondal

Your day begins at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, on Ibiza’s southern coast. Cala Jondal is known for its clear turquoise water and steep rocky sides, so even the first few minutes give you the right setting for a sailing day.

The planned time at Platja des Jondal is brief, about 10 minutes. Think of it as a boarding and orientation point rather than a full beach visit. You can settle on deck, take in the bay, and get ready for the longer run along the coast.

A private boat changes the mood from the start. You do not need to match the pace of a large group, and your party can spend more time swimming, paddling, or resting as the day moves along. That said, private does not mean luxurious in every detail. The value depends heavily on how many people share the $1,609.09 cost.

With 10 people, the base price works out to about $161 per person. With five people, it is roughly $322 each, before food or alcohol. For a family group or several couples, that can make sense. For a small party, a shared cruise may offer a lower-cost way to see the same coast.

Following Ibiza’s rocky southern shore

From Cala Jondal, the catamaran sails past Playa des Codolar and other beaches and rocky coves. This section lasts about an hour, and the appeal is the view from the water rather than a long stop ashore.

You will see cliffs, small inlets, and caves that are difficult to appreciate from a road. The sea breeze also makes this part feel pleasantly simple: sit on deck, watch the coast slide past, and let the boat do the work.

The itinerary uses the word sailing, but the exact sailing conditions are not specified. The boat may cover ground under power when needed, and fuel is included in the price. Do not book this expecting a full day of quiet, wind-only sailing. Book it for time on a private catamaran with a flexible route and several water stops.

This is also a good time to apply sunscreen, organize your swimwear, and keep a phone or camera secure. The tour provides Wi-Fi, but your connection and signal on the water should not be treated as the main reason to book. The coastline and swimming stops are the real draw.

A quiet cove in Ses Salines

The next scheduled stop is in the Parque Natural de Ses Salines, where the boat anchors in a secluded cove for about an hour. Here, the focus shifts from sightseeing to swimming and snorkeling.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins unless you prefer your own. The clear water may let you see fish and other marine life around the rocky edges. Conditions can change with wind and sea movement, so the quality of the snorkeling will depend on the day.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness for this experience. Getting on and off a catamaran, using a paddleboard, and swimming in open water all require some effort. The boat has a restroom, which is useful during a long day, but this is still a water-based outing rather than a passive sightseeing cruise.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask about staying close to the boat and using the provided equipment safely. The tour description does not specify flotation devices, swimming instruction, or a dedicated lifeguard, so do not assume those services are part of the package.

Paddleboarding around Espalmador

After the Ses Salines stop, the boat continues toward S’Espalmador, a protected natural area between Ibiza and Formentera. The scheduled time here is about one hour and 50 minutes, making it one of the day’s longer water stops.

Two paddle surf boards are included. That is a useful benefit for a private group because you can take turns paddling without paying an extra rental fee at the beach. You can also swim and snorkel again, giving you a second chance if the first cove was crowded, windy, or less clear than expected.

S’Espalmador is best approached as a place for calm water activities, not as a guaranteed shore excursion. The supplied plan emphasizes paddling and snorkeling, and it does not promise a long walk, a guided nature talk, or a particular time ashore. If your priority is active time in the sea, this stop should suit you well.

Bring a dry bag or another way to protect valuables. The tour includes equipment, but it does not list towels, lockers, or waterproof phone cases. Those are small details that can make a big difference when your wallet and phone are sharing a boat with wet swim gear.

Reaching Ses Illetes on Formentera

The main destination is Playa de Ses Illetes, a white-sand beach with clear water on Formentera. The catamaran spends about two hours here, giving you more time than at the earlier swimming coves.

You can get off and have lunch on the island, walk along the beach, or explore farther on foot. You can also stay aboard and eat while looking toward Ses Illetes. That choice matters. If your group wants a proper beach visit, plan to leave the boat. If someone has limited mobility, prefers shade, or simply wants a quiet meal, staying aboard may be easier.

The beach is the visual high point of the route, but do not mistake a two-hour stop for a full Formentera tour. You are not promised transport around the island, a guide, or a long independent exploration period. The time is enough for a walk and a swim, but not for seeing every corner of Formentera.

Lunch deserves special attention here. The overview presents the possibility of a catered meal on the boat, but the inclusions clearly state that lunch is not included. You may bring your own food, arrange a menu, or eat on Formentera. Confirm the cost, quantity, and serving plan before departure.

One complaint described a €65 ham board as too expensive for what it provided. The provider explained that the menu was priced per person, while the group had ordered food for seven people despite having 10 members, including teenagers. The practical lesson is simple: clarify whether the quoted amount is per person or per board, and order enough for the whole group. Bringing your own food is the safer choice if value and portion size matter more than convenience.

Alcohol is also excluded. You can ask the provider about permitted drinks, but do not assume alcoholic beverages will be supplied as part of the charter.

The return to Cala Jondal

After Ses Illetes, the catamaran begins the return trip to Ibiza. The final sailing section takes about an hour and 30 minutes, ending back at Cala Jondal.

This is the time to slow down. You can rest on deck, look back at the coves and beaches, and enjoy the open water without another scheduled activity demanding your attention. If the timing is right, the return also offers a chance to watch the sun lower over the coast.

The itinerary highlights sunset views from the boat, but the exact sunset experience depends on the tour’s departure time and the season. The stated duration is about eight hours, so ask about the planned start time if sunset is especially important to you. Do not assume every booking will end at the same light level.

The return to the original meeting point makes the day straightforward. You do not need to arrange a second pickup location, and the experience ends at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes fuel, a restroom, Wi-Fi, snorkeling equipment, and two paddleboards. Those inclusions matter because water activities can become expensive once equipment hire and fuel surcharges are added separately.

You should still plan to bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a way to protect electronics, since these items are not listed as provided. Food and alcohol are not included. The boat may offer lunch arrangements, but you need to confirm the details before paying.

A friendly 10-year-old Border Collie lives aboard. For many people, that adds a relaxed, personal touch to the day. If anyone in your group has allergies, fear of dogs, or a strict preference for a pet-free boat, this is important information to consider before booking.

The tour is offered in English. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a named specialist or a formal guided lecture. The experience is centered on the boat, coastline, and water time.

How the price measures up

At $1,609.09 for up to 10 people, this is a premium day out, but the group limit changes the calculation. A full group pays about $161 each for roughly eight hours, private use of the catamaran, fuel, equipment, and the route between Ibiza and Formentera.

That can be good value for a family reunion, birthday group, or several couples who would rather control their own day. The private format is especially useful when people have different energy levels. Some can swim or paddle while others remain on deck.

The price is less appealing for a small group. Two people would effectively pay more than $800 each before food, while three people would pay about $536 each. If you have only a few people, compare the total with shared sailing trips before committing.

The separate food cost is the main place where the final bill can surprise you. Get the menu price in writing, confirm whether it is per person, and make sure the amount matches the number of people eating. If you are watching costs, bring your own lunch and skip the extra alcohol.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour for a group that values privacy, swimming, and a full day outdoors more than a low price. Families with older children, groups of friends, and couples traveling together can make good use of the private format.

It suits people who want several chances to get into the water rather than one quick swim. The route includes Ses Salines, S’Espalmador, and Ses Illetes, with paddleboards and snorkeling gear available along the way.

It is less suitable if you want a detailed historical tour of Ibiza, a full guided visit to Formentera, or a quiet luxury charter with every meal and drink included. It may also be a poor fit for anyone who dislikes open-water activities or needs extensive accessibility support, since the tour calls for moderate physical fitness and provides few specific accessibility details.

The experience has a 5 rating from 242 reviews and is recommended by 99 percent of customers, which suggests that the overall format works very well for most bookings. Still, the food complaint shows why you should pay attention to the extras rather than relying on the headline price alone.

Should you book this private catamaran?

Book it if you have enough people to share the cost, want a private boat, and would gladly trade a standard beach day for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a long ride between Ibiza and Formentera. The route gives you a good mix of coast, coves, protected waters, and one major beach stop.

Before you pay, confirm the lunch arrangement, portion count, and start time. Bring your own food if you want firm control over quality and cost. With those details settled, this is a strong choice for an active group that wants a relaxed day on the water rather than a tightly scripted excursion.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The listed stops and return sailing add up to about seven and a half hours, with the remaining time allowing for boarding, movement between locations, and normal timing changes on the water.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Illes Balears, Spain. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private activity is for your group only, with up to 10 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. You can bring your own food, arrange food for the boat, or eat on Formentera at Ses Illetes.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are paddleboards available?

Yes. Two paddle surf boards are included for use during the tour.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is available on board.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another 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.