Formentera Day Trip from Ibiza on Private Luxury Catamaran

The best part of this private catamaran day is the freedom to enjoy Formentera without sharing the boat with strangers. You can stretch out on deck, play your own music, swim at Playa de Ses Illetes, and let the captain choose a good anchorage near the clearest water.

I like the generous seven-hour schedule and the choice of bringing your own food and drinks. I also like the practical water gear, especially the paddle boards and snorkels. The main drawback is the price: $3,569.03 is a serious outlay unless you fill the boat with a large group.

Key points to know

• A true private charter: Your group of up to 12 people has the catamaran to itself.
• Two long water stops: Plan on about two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes and two hours near S’Espalmador.
• Captain Constantin may be your skipper: A larger-boat upgrade with a six-meter sofa was especially popular with one group of ten.
• Bring your own picnic: Food and drinks are not included, but you may also go ashore for lunch.
• Choose your departure point: The usual meeting point is Cala Jondal, with an alternative departure from family-friendly Es Xarcu.
• Weather matters: The charter needs good conditions, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this Ibiza to Formentera charter works so well

Formentera is Ibiza’s quieter neighbor, known for open beaches, pale sand, clear water, and a more relaxed feel. A private boat lets you reach its best coastal spots without giving up your own space or schedule.

You meet the captain at a pier near Blue Marlin beach club in Cala Jondal, unless you arrange the alternative departure from Es Xarcu restaurant. From there, the catamaran heads toward Formentera, giving you a full day on the water rather than a rushed island visit.

I like this format for groups who want different things. One person can sunbathe, another can paddle board, and someone else can swim or snorkel. You are not tied to a large group’s pace, though the captain still controls the safe route and anchoring decisions.

The boat has Wi-Fi and Megaboom Bluetooth speakers, so you can connect your own music. That detail matters more than it may seem. On a long private charter, your playlist can make the boat feel like your own floating day room.

The group size and the real cost

The listed price is $3,569.03 for the whole group, with a maximum of 12 people. That works out to about $298 per person if you fill every place. For a party of six, the cost rises to roughly $595 per person, and for a couple it becomes a very expensive day.

This is not a budget boat trip. You are paying for privacy, a luxury catamaran, a dedicated captain, water equipment, and control over the day. You are also paying for the chance to avoid sharing deck space with strangers during one of Ibiza’s busiest coastal outings.

The price makes the most sense for a family group, birthday party, wedding party, or circle of friends. If you can fill most of the 12 spaces, the private format becomes much easier to justify. If you are a small group, compare it with a shared sailing trip before booking.

One useful detail is the possible larger-boat upgrade. A group of ten in mid-April received a boat with a six-meter sofa and considered it the right choice. You should ask about the vessel assigned to your date and confirm what an upgrade costs before you commit.

Leaving Cala Jondal for Formentera

The standard start time is 10:00 am. At Cala Jondal, you meet your captain near the Blue Marlin beach club and board at the pier. The other stated departure option is Es Xarcu, a family-friendly restaurant at Cala Es Xarco.

Your captain handles the sailing and anchoring, while you settle into the deck space. The boat has cold soft drinks available according to the tour description, but lunch and other food are not included. You may bring your own supplies, which is often the simplest way to keep the day flexible.

You can also plan to eat ashore at one of the waterside restaurants near Illetas. That gives you a more polished lunch stop, but it also means leaving the calm of the boat and paying restaurant prices. If food matters to your group, decide early if you want a picnic, a restaurant meal, or a mix of both.

A current valid passport is required on the day. Keep it with you rather than leaving it at your accommodation. The activity is close to public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify a particular bus route or transfer service.

Playa de Ses Illetes, the main swimming stop

The first listed stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, where the boat remains for about two hours. This is the main event for people who want to swim, paddle board, or use the snorkeling gear.

The water is described as especially clear, making it a good place to get in rather than simply admire the coast from the deck. You can use the provided snorkel equipment and paddle boards, and life jackets are available if requested.

Two hours gives you enough time to try more than one activity. You might start with a swim, take a paddle board out, then return to the boat for a drink and a stretch in the sun. If you prefer a slower day, you can stay on deck and watch the shoreline.

There are tradeoffs. Ses Illetes is one of Formentera’s best-known beach areas, so the setting may feel social rather than secluded. A private boat gives you privacy onboard, but it does not guarantee an empty beach or an empty sea.

The water stop also depends on conditions. The captain will choose a safe anchorage, and the precise place may change with wind and sea conditions. That is a useful reminder not to treat the schedule as a promise of exact positioning.

Lunch on shore or a long afternoon on deck

At Illetas, you can go ashore for lunch at a waterside restaurant. This is the right choice if your group wants a proper meal and a look at the beach scene.

The alternative is to stay aboard with food and drinks you brought yourself. I like that flexibility because a private charter should not force you into a restaurant stop. Families may find it easier to pack familiar food, while a group celebrating a special occasion may prefer the restaurant experience.

Food is not included, so plan this part before departure. The boat includes taxes, local taxes, the captain or driver-guide, snorkeling gear, paddle boarding, and the sound system, but not lunch or drinks as a formal meal package.

The deck is also part of the attraction. Put on your own music through the Bluetooth speakers, take pictures with help from the captain, and use the time between swims to enjoy the ride. Captains will take as many pictures as you want with your camera, a useful service when the whole group wants to appear in the same shot.

S’Espalmador, a quieter second stop

The next destination is S’Espalmador, an uninhabited sandy islet between Ibiza and Formentera. The planned stop lasts about two hours, giving you another stretch of water time before the return to Ibiza.

Its appeal is different from Illetas. Ses Illetes is the better-known beach stop with restaurant access and a lively coastal setting. S’Espalmador is uninhabited, so the focus is on sand, sea, and a less developed shoreline.

Do not expect a full island sightseeing program here. The value is the setting and the pause. You can swim, use the water equipment, or remain on the catamaran while the captain anchors nearby.

An uninhabited islet also means fewer services. There is no stated restaurant or shop stop at S’Espalmador, so carry what you need from the boat. Since the stop is weather-dependent, conditions may also shape how long you spend in the water.

One particularly useful part of the experience is the captain’s local judgment. The trip’s appeal depends heavily on finding attractive, safe anchorages. Captain Constantin was praised for choosing very blue, turquoise water and anchoring in a prime position. That is exactly the sort of small decision that can improve a boat day.

The boat, music, and water equipment

The catamaran is designed for a relaxed day rather than a short transfer. You have deck space, Bluetooth speakers, Wi-Fi, paddle boards, and snorkel gear. Life jackets are available if requested.

The speakers are Megaboom units, and you can play your own music. If you have strong preferences, prepare a playlist before boarding. Keep the volume considerate near beaches and other boats, since private does not mean isolated from everyone else.

The paddle boards give you a way to explore the water without committing to a long swim. Snorkel gear adds another option, though the visibility and marine life you see will depend on the day’s conditions and anchorage.

The crew also takes pictures with your camera. Bring a charged phone or camera and enough storage space. This can be especially helpful for groups, since getting a proper picture of everyone on deck is otherwise difficult.

The exact boat layout matters. The group of ten that used a larger vessel with a six-meter sofa found the extra space worthwhile. If comfort and lounging are central to your plans, ask about the boat size before the day rather than assuming every departure uses the same layout.

What the captain adds to the day

This is not a self-guided rental. A captain or driver-guide operates the boat, manages the route, and handles the anchorages. You get the freedom of a private group without needing to know how to sail.

Captain Constantin received especially strong praise from one group, which described him as kind and helpful. He also chose attractive turquoise-water anchorages and positioned the boat well. Those details point to the captain’s role in shaping the day.

You should still tell the skipper what your group wants. Some parties care most about swimming, others about music and lounging, and others about reaching shore for lunch. A private charter gives the captain more room to respond to those preferences than a fixed group excursion usually allows.

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You will need to board the catamaran, move around the deck, and manage water activities if you choose them. Life jackets can be requested, but the description does not provide detailed accessibility information, so ask the operator about your specific needs before booking.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The trip lasts about seven hours, starting at 10:00 am and returning to the meeting point. The stated plan includes roughly two hours at Ses Illetes and two hours at S’Espalmador, with sailing time between Ibiza, Formentera, and the return to Cala Jondal.

That schedule leaves little room for a late start. Arrive ready to board and confirm which departure point applies to your booking. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so plan your evening from Cala Jondal or Es Xarcu rather than from Formentera.

The day requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The standard cancellation policy is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment.

That policy makes travel insurance or careful date planning worth considering, especially at this price. Check the forecast before your final booking decision, but remember that conditions can shift on the water.

After returning toward Cala Jondal, you may be perfectly placed for a sunset drink at Blue Marlin. That is not part of the tour, but it gives the day a natural finish if your group wants to continue nearby.

Who should book this private sailing day?

This charter suits you best if privacy matters and you can share the cost among a large group. Families, groups of friends, and celebrations will get the most from the boat’s space, music system, water toys, and flexible meal plans.

It is also a good choice if your group dislikes fixed sightseeing schedules. You can spend more time in the water, stay onboard for lunch, or ask the captain to focus on scenic anchorages within the available route.

You may want another option if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with only a few people. The total price remains high even when the boat is not full. A shared trip could offer better value if privacy is not essential.

The seven-hour length also calls for a full day commitment. You are not simply taking a quick ferry to Formentera. You are spending much of the day on the water, with sun, swimming, and deck time at the center of the experience.

Should you book it?

Book this private catamaran if you have a group of six to 12, want control over the day, and value comfortable time on the water more than a low price. The strongest reasons are the private setting, two substantial swimming stops, paddle boards, snorkel gear, personal music, and the captain’s ability to choose good anchorages.

Before paying, confirm the departure point, boat size, possible upgrade cost, food plan, and weather terms. If you fill the catamaran and bring your own lunch, the value improves sharply. For a small group on a tight budget, the price is hard to defend, but for a full party seeking a polished Formentera day, it can be a memorable splurge.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart?

The usual departure is from a pier near Blue Marlin beach club in Cala Jondal. You may also be able to depart from Es Xarcu restaurant at Cala Es Xarco.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 10:00 am.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

Which islands and beaches does the trip visit?

The route includes Formentera, Playa de Ses Illetes, and S’Espalmador, an uninhabited sandy islet between Ibiza and Formentera.

How long do you spend at each main stop?

The planned time is about two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes and about two hours at S’Espalmador.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.