Ibiza & Formentera Private Full-Day Sailing Tour

The best part of this trip is the freedom to shape your day at sea. You can cruise from Cala Jondal to Formentera, stop for swims along Ibiza’s south coast, paddle at Espalmador, and choose between lunch ashore or eating on board. It feels more like borrowing a boat and skipper for the day than joining a fixed group excursion.

I especially like the private format for up to seven people and the easy mix of sailing, snorkeling, sunbathing, and beach time. Skippers such as Carlota, Agustin, Julian, Thomas, and Victoria are repeatedly praised for adjusting the day to suit their groups. The main caution is time: sailing to Formentera can take close to two hours, so you may have less beach time than expected.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 35-foot sailboat: Your group has the boat to itself, with a restroom, snorkeling equipment, and two paddleboards included.
• A flexible route: You can ask to spend more time swimming, snorkeling, sailing, or relaxing at a beach.
• Formentera is the main prize: Ses Illetes offers white sand and clear water, but reaching it takes a good portion of the day.
• Lunch costs extra: You may eat at a restaurant on Formentera or bring food for lunch on board.
• Strong skipper service: Carlota, Agustin, Julian, Thomas, Victoria, Lao, and other captains receive high marks for warmth and personal attention.
• Plan carefully for the sun: Alcohol and lunch are not included, and one report raised concerns about a broken refrigerator and a separate transfer boat used by a restaurant.

Sailing from Cala Jondal on a private boat

Your day begins at Tropicana Eivissa in Cala Jondal, on Ibiza’s southern coast. The setting is a good introduction to the trip: clear water, rocky cliffs, and a bay already known for its beach clubs and polished summer atmosphere.

The boat is a 35-foot sailboat, large enough for a private group of up to seven. That number matters. Seven people can share the cost well, but everyone will spend much of the day in close quarters. For a couple or a family group, the private setup feels spacious. For seven adults, comfort depends on how well your group handles a full day together on a boat.

You are not simply carried from one port to another. The day includes open-water sailing, time at anchor, and stops chosen around your interests and the conditions. If your group wants to swim at several spots, you can say so. If you prefer a slow day with more time lying on deck, tell the skipper early.

The boat includes a restroom, fuel, snorkeling gear, and two paddleboards. Lunch and alcoholic drinks are not included. Bring food and drinks that can handle several hours in the sun, and confirm how they will be kept cool before departure. One group found that the refrigerator was not working, which made storing food and drinks difficult on a hot day.

The south coast, from Platja des Jondal to Playa des Codolar

The first stop is Platja des Jondal, the same southern bay where the boat departs. The initial ten minutes are less about a long beach visit and more about getting settled, taking in the cliffs, and moving away from shore.

Soon you sail along the southern coast toward Playa des Codolar. This is one of the best stretches for simply looking outward. Rocky coves, rough cliffs, and small caves pass by at water level, giving you views that are hard to get from a road or beach.

The listed stop lasts about an hour, though the captain can adjust the pace. If you like taking photographs, this is a useful time to keep your camera ready. The coast changes quickly as the boat moves past one cove after another.

The sailing itself is part of the appeal, but it also explains the main limitation of the day. A sailboat is not a fast ferry. One report noted that reaching Formentera took about two hours, and that the group wished for more time on the beach and in the water. If your first priority is maximum time at Ses Illetes, a faster transport option may suit you better.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ses Salines

The route then reaches the Parque Natural de Ses Salines, where the boat can stop in a quieter cove. Here the day shifts from sightseeing to water time. You can jump in for a swim, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, and look for fish in the clear water below the boat.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features for active groups. You do not need to book separate equipment or spend the day walking between beaches. The boat acts as your base, with the sea right beside you.

The experience is also easy to adjust. You might spend the full hour in the water, or split the time between a short swim and a rest on deck. Skippers have been praised for finding spots that suit different abilities, including calm areas where children can enter the water more comfortably.

Still, remember that this is a boat day, not a guided marine-life tour. The available information promises snorkeling equipment and access to good swimming areas, but it does not promise a particular species or underwater display. Conditions, visibility, and the captain’s choice of anchorage will affect what you see.

Espalmador, paddleboards, and another swim

From Ibiza, the boat continues toward S’Espalmador, a small natural reserve between Ibiza and Formentera. The stop lasts about an hour and 50 minutes, giving you enough time to make proper use of the two paddleboards.

Paddleboarding adds a welcome change of pace. After sitting or lying on the boat, you can move across the calmer water near the anchorage. Two boards are provided, so groups larger than two will need to take turns. That is not a problem for most people, but it is worth knowing if everyone in your group expects to paddle at once.

You can also snorkel again here. This repeated pattern of swimming, paddling, and resting is what makes the trip work well for groups with mixed interests. One person can sunbathe while another paddles, and others can use the snorkeling gear.

S’Espalmador is a natural reserve, so the appeal is the open setting and clear water rather than a busy list of attractions. Do not expect a long program of guided activities. The skipper brings you to the area, and you decide how to use the time.

Ses Illetes, the beach everyone is waiting for

The main destination is Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera. The beach is known for pale sand and clear water, and it is the most scenic land stop on the route.

You have two basic choices. You can go ashore for lunch and spend time walking along the beach, or stay on the boat and eat while looking toward the shore. Restaurant arrangements can be part of the day, and some skippers have helped organize a lunch booking. Ask about this before you set out if eating at a particular restaurant matters to you.

Two hours is scheduled here, which sounds generous until you account for sailing time, anchoring, transfers, lunch, and getting back on board. If you want a slow meal and a long walk, the time may pass quickly. If you care most about swimming, tell your skipper that before the route gets underway.

A practical point deserves attention. One serious account described an overcrowded small transfer boat operated in connection with a restaurant, including a capsize near shore and a lack of life jackets. The company said this transfer was a restaurant service rather than part of its own boat operation and said it was investigating. I would ask in advance how you will reach the beach or restaurant, whether you can swim ashore if conditions allow, and what safety equipment is available on any smaller transfer boat.

That incident appears separate from the main sailboat, but it is still relevant if your plan includes a restaurant transfer. A direct conversation before booking can prevent confusion on an important day.

The return sail to Cala Jondal

The return leg takes about an hour and a half. By this point, you may be ready for a quieter stretch. Sit on deck, watch Ibiza’s coast slide past, and let the day slow down.

Some groups have returned around sunset, which can give the final sail a special feel. Sunset timing depends on your departure time, the season, and the route, so do not assume it is included in every booking. If a sunset return matters to you, ask for a suitable departure time.

The boat returns to the Cala Jondal meeting point. There is no separate end location to arrange, which keeps the day simple. You should still allow time to reach the starting point, especially if you are coming from another part of Ibiza.

What the skippers add to the experience

The crew is a major reason this private trip scores so well. Carlota is praised for being friendly and making people feel comfortable. Agustin is often singled out for local suggestions, explaining how the sailboat works, and adapting the route to the group. Julian, Thomas, Victoria, Lao, German, Marcel, Nuria, Ali, and other skippers are also praised for attentive and personal service.

That range of names suggests that the exact character of your day depends on who is assigned. The common thread is a relaxed style and a willingness to respond to requests. Some groups have tried sailing the boat under supervision, while others have focused on swimming, paddleboarding, or beach time.

This is not the right choice if you want a fully scripted tour with constant commentary. It is better suited to people who enjoy talking with a skipper, asking questions, and making small decisions as the day unfolds.

Communication before departure has also been praised, but one booking went badly after a pickup mix-up. The group waited at the stated meeting point, then had to take a taxi to another location. The company later said it had mistaken the booking for a cancellation and said the taxi refund was processed through the booking platform.

Because the tour costs a significant amount, confirm the meeting point and departure details shortly before the day. Save the company’s contact information, and keep any taxi receipt if the pickup plan changes.

Is $943.68 good value for seven people?

The price is $943.68 per group of up to seven. With seven people, that works out to about $135 per person for eight hours on a private boat. For four people, it is about $236 per person. For two, it becomes a much more expensive outing.

The value is strongest when you fill the boat and care about privacy. A private day gives you control over the swimming stops, the pace, and the balance between Formentera and Ibiza. You are also paying for a skipper, fuel, equipment, and the ability to use the boat as your own base.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to reach Formentera cheaply or quickly. Lunch is extra, alcohol is extra, and the sail can take longer than expected. A ferry may offer more direct transport, though it will not provide the private stops, snorkeling equipment, or personal route planning.

For a birthday, anniversary, proposal, or small family celebration, the price can make sense because the boat gives the occasion a private setting. The company can tailor the day for special events, but confirm exactly what is included before assuming decorations, food, or drinks are part of the package.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would choose this trip for a group that wants a full day outdoors and likes having options. It suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and anyone planning a birthday or anniversary around the sea.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want a private boat rather than a shared cruise.
• You enjoy swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sunbathing.
• You want to combine Ibiza’s coast with Formentera.
• You are happy to spend a large part of the day on the water.
• You prefer a flexible plan to a tightly scheduled tour.

I would think twice if you have very young children, dislike boat motion, or want a fast trip to Formentera. One account specifically questioned the experience for small children, and another described seasickness at the start. Captain Thomas was praised for helping people who felt unwell, but no boat trip can remove the risk of motion sickness.

Bring sun protection, swimwear, a towel, water, and food if you do not plan to eat ashore. Keep phones and sunglasses secure, especially when boarding small boats or moving between the sailboat and shore.

Final verdict: a strong private day, with a few questions to ask first

I would book this Ibiza and Formentera sailing tour if your group can share the cost and values a personal, flexible day more than fast transport. The private boat, several swimming stops, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and skilled skippers offer much more than a simple ride to Formentera.

Before paying, confirm the exact meeting point, the likely skipper, the plan for lunch, the working condition of the refrigerator, and any transfer needed to reach Ses Illetes. Ask how much time you can expect at Formentera, too. If you accept the slower pace of a sailboat and plan for the sun, this can be a memorable way to see the islands from the water.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

The tour starts at Tropicana Eivissa in Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Cala Jondal.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat accommodates a group of up to seven people.

Is the boat a sailboat?

Yes. The experience uses a 35-foot sailboat, and the sailing pace can make the trip to Formentera take close to two hours.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and two paddle surf boards are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may eat at a restaurant on Formentera or have lunch on board.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.