7 Hour Private Sailing Tour of Formentera Beaches

Formentera rewards travelers who slow down. This private seven-hour sailing trip from Ibiza takes you to S’Espalmador and Playa de Ses Illetes, where you can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, or simply stretch out on the boat. I like the generous time at each stop, and I like that skipper Baldo has earned praise for his relaxed manner, clear communication, and flexibility.

The main catch is simple: food and drinks are not included, and the trip depends on good weather. You will also spend about an hour and ten minutes sailing to the first stop, so this suits you best if the journey itself sounds enjoyable rather than just a way to reach the beach.

At a Glance

• Two long beach stops: You get about three hours at S’Espalmador and another three hours at Ses Illetes, rather than a rushed series of short photo stops.
• A private boat for your group: You are not sharing the activity with strangers, which makes it easier to set the pace and choose how active or lazy the day feels.
• Water gear is included: Snorkeling equipment, a two-person kayak, two paddle surf boards, ice, and gas are supplied.
• Skipper Baldo gets warm praise: His friendly approach and willingness to help with lunch arrangements are useful touches for a full day on the water.
• Weather shapes the route: The skipper chooses the eastern or western side of the islands according to conditions and safety.
• Bring your own provisions: Lunch, brunch, nonalcoholic drinks, and alcoholic drinks are not included.

Why This Sailing Trip Works

This is not a quick boat transfer with a swim tacked on. The schedule gives you roughly six hours at the two main stops, plus the sailing time between Ibiza and the Formentera area. That creates room for a proper beach day, with time to alternate between activity and doing absolutely nothing.

I especially like the private format. If one person in your group wants to snorkel, another wants to paddleboard, and someone else wants to stay aboard with music and a drink, nobody has to follow a fixed program. You can make the day energetic or wonderfully uneventful.

The boat leaves at 11:00 a.m. from Beso Beach Ibiza at Platja de ses Salines. That late-morning start gives you time to reach the meeting point without an early alarm, but it also means you should think ahead about lunch. Since no food or drinks are supplied, pack what you need or ask the skipper about arrangements before departure.

The activity has a five-star rating from six reviews, with particular praise for the skipper and the relaxed mood aboard. That is a small review sample, so I would not treat it as a guarantee. Still, the repeated comments about Baldo being friendly, flexible, and good with families give you a useful sense of the service style.

Sailing from Ibiza to S’Espalmador

The first leg takes about one hour and ten minutes. That is a meaningful part of the day, not a minor transfer, so consider how you feel about time under sail before booking. If you enjoy the movement of the boat, open views, and the changing color of the sea, this travel time helps set the rhythm for the afternoon.

S’Espalmador is the first major stop, and you have about three hours there. The boat anchors in clear water, giving you a base for several different activities. You can swim around the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, take the two-person kayak out, try a paddle surf board, or walk along the beach.

That much time is valuable. You do not need to sprint from one activity to the next or choose only one thing. I would start with a swim or snorkel while the water feels inviting, then use the kayak or paddle board, and leave room for a beach walk or a quiet spell on deck.

The beach walk is also a good reason not to think of S’Espalmador as only a water-sports stop. You can see the shore at your own pace, then return to the boat when you are ready. The experience is built around freedom rather than a strict list of timed activities.

One important detail is that the skipper decides which side of the island to visit. The eastern or western side may be chosen according to wind and sea conditions. That can change the exact feel of the stop, but it is a sensible safety measure and gives the skipper room to find the more comfortable side on the day.

Three Hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

After S’Espalmador, the boat takes about 20 minutes to reach Playa de Ses Illetes. This shorter transfer keeps the second half of the day moving without eating heavily into your beach time.

You again have about three hours. You can go ashore, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, swim, or remain on board with your own food, drinks, and music. The choice matters because Ses Illetes can serve as either another active stop or a softer finish to the day.

I like the way the two stops work together. S’Espalmador gives you the first long chance to get comfortable with the equipment and the water. At Ses Illetes, you can repeat what you enjoyed most or take things slower. If you spent the first stop paddling and snorkeling, the second may be the right time for a long swim and a meal.

The boat provides two paddle surf boards and a kayak for two people, but the supplied details do not say how many people can use each item at once or how equipment is rotated within your private group. If several people want the same activity, you should expect to share rather than assume every person will have individual gear.

A previous outing also included help arranging lunch on Formentera. That is a useful clue about Baldo’s flexibility, but it should not be treated as part of the standard price. Confirm any meal plan directly before you go, since lunch and all drinks are officially excluded.

A Private Day Means You Set the Pace

The private setup is probably the strongest reason to choose this trip over a shared excursion. Only your group participates, so you do not need to match the mood of a boatload of strangers. That works well for families, couples, and friends with different ideas about what makes a good beach day.

A family can let children try the kayak or paddle board while adults relax nearby. A group of friends can make more use of the water equipment and play music aboard. A couple can keep the schedule calm, with long swims and time on the beach instead of filling every minute with activity.

The private format also makes the skipper’s role more important. Baldo has been praised for creating a friendly, relaxed setting and for communicating clearly. One family found him easy to be around during a day around Formentera and the nearby islands. Another group appreciated his flexibility and his help with lunch.

Those comments point to a host who adapts rather than simply follows a script. That is useful at sea, where wind, waves, and group energy can alter the best plan. Still, remember that the skipper makes the final call on the route when conditions change.

What the Price Includes, and What It Does Not

The listed cost is $154.88 per person. For a private seven-hour boat outing, that can be fair value if your group makes good use of the long time on the water and the included equipment. The value is strongest for a group that wants several hours of swimming and beach time without paying separately for snorkeling gear, a kayak, and paddle boards.

Group discounts are available, though the exact discount is not specified. Since the activity is private, the final value will depend heavily on how many people share the boat and how the discount applies. Check the total price for your group rather than judging the experience only by the per-person figure.

Included equipment covers:

• Snorkeling equipment
• One kayak for two people
• Two paddle surf boards
• Ice
• Gas

Lunch, brunch, and drinks are not included. That means you need to budget for provisions separately. Pack carefully, or contact the operator about arranging lunch, since the skipper has helped with this in the past.

Ice is included, which is a small but practical touch when you are carrying your own refreshments. The lack of included alcohol also keeps the package price clearer, but it means you should not arrive expecting a stocked boat.

The trip is often reserved about 30 days ahead. That booking pattern suggests you should not leave it until the last moment if your Ibiza dates are fixed, especially if you want a particular day for good weather.

Weather, Timing, and Practical Details

The meeting point is Beso Beach Ibiza, at Platja de ses Salines in San Jorge de ses Salines. The activity returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the day’s transport simple. It is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided when you book.

The start time is 11:00 a.m. You should arrive with enough time to find Beso Beach and get organized before departure. The supplied information does not give a separate arrival time, so check your confirmation for the operator’s preferred check-in guidance.

Good weather is required. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This is reassuring, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your Ibiza schedule if possible.

The skipper may choose the eastern or western side of the islands based on conditions. Do not fixate on seeing one exact side of S’Espalmador or Ses Illetes. The safer and more comfortable anchorage is the better choice on the day.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The private format may make the outing easier for a group with mixed abilities, but the information does not provide details about boat accessibility or mobility equipment. If that matters to you, ask the operator before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 11:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses local time.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this for you if you want a full day on the water rather than a short sightseeing cruise. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and beach time, but it also works if your ideal holiday activity is lying back while someone else handles the boat.

Families may appreciate the private setting and the choice of activities. Friends can split their time between the boat and the beaches. Couples who want a relaxed day can use the long stops to avoid rushing.

It is less suitable if you want an organized lunch, a packed schedule, or guaranteed calm conditions. It is also not the best match if you dislike several hours of sailing before reaching the first stop. The boat trip is part of the experience, not dead time.

You should also think about your group’s equipment expectations. There are two paddle boards and a two-person kayak, so a larger group will share. That is perfectly workable for a relaxed outing, but less ideal if everyone wants constant access to water gear.

Should You Book This Formentera Sailing Day?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day with long stops, included water equipment, and a skipper who seems comfortable adapting to the group. The strongest reasons are the generous three-hour blocks at both destinations, the choice between active water time and quiet beach time, and Baldo’s repeated praise for friendly service and clear communication.

Before paying, confirm your group size, the available discount, and any lunch arrangements. Bring your own food and drinks unless you have made another plan, and keep your schedule flexible in case weather affects the route.

I would choose this trip for a family or group of friends who values freedom more than a tightly planned program. If that sounds like you, the combination of S’Espalmador, Ses Illetes, and a private boat makes the $154.88 per-person price worth considering.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

It begins at Beso Beach Ibiza, Platja de ses Salines, in San Jorge de ses Salines, Ibiza.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 11:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Which places does the tour visit?

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

Is food or drink included?

No. Lunch, brunch, alcoholic drinks, and other food or drinks are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.