Sailing in Formentera, virgin and natural beaches

Blue water, open sails, and one long day. This private sailing trip from Ibiza combines Formentera’s clear bays with stops at Espalmador and Ses Illetes, plus paddleboards, snorkeling gear, an auxiliary boat, and a drone for photos and videos. I especially like the chance to take the helm and the fact that the price covers a full comfort pack rather than charging separately for every water activity.

The main trade-off is timing. The day runs about eight hours, yet the listed operating window is Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Ses Illetes is famous and can feel busy, while the weather can cancel the outing. One booking dispute also points to the need to confirm the exact boat operator, skipper, and vessel before paying.

Key details before you book

• Three memorable water stops: The route includes Formentera, S’Espalmador, and Playa de Ses Illetes, with swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.
• You can practice sailing: This is not only a boat ride. You may get time at the helm under the skipper’s direction.
• A private group of up to 11: Your party has the boat to itself, which suits families, friends, and small celebrations.
• Useful equipment is included: Three paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, inflatable toys, cookware, gas, an auxiliary motorboat, insurance, cleaning, and technical support are part of the package.
• Drone footage is included: The crew can make videos and photographs during the day, a nice extra for a group sharing one special outing.
• The price works best for a full group: At $1,320.26 for up to 11 people, the per-person cost drops sharply when the boat is nearly full.

Why this Ibiza sailing day works so well

Ibiza is famous for clubs and late nights, but the water tells a calmer story. This outing lets you trade packed streets for open sea, with an itinerary built around the beaches and small islands south of Ibiza.

You begin at 07800 Ibiza, then spend roughly eight hours moving between swimming stops and sailing time. Since the activity is private, you do not have to fit your day around strangers or share the boat with a large public crowd. That matters when some people in your group want to swim, others want to paddleboard, and someone else simply wants to sit in the sun.

The sailing element adds more than a scenic ride. You can practice at the helm, which gives the day a hands-on feel. You should not expect a formal sailing course, but you can take part under supervision and get a better sense of how the boat moves.

The crew’s personal service is another strong point. Diego is specifically praised for being attentive, friendly, and able to suggest good beaches and coves around Formentera. The supplied comments also describe him as an experienced captain who shares local anecdotes and adapts when plans change. That kind of flexible guidance is useful in the Balearic Islands, where the best stop can depend on wind, sea conditions, and how crowded a beach feels that day.

Formentera brings the main attraction

Formentera is the heart of the day. Its appeal is simple: bright sand, clean water, and a slower pace than Ibiza. The boat gives you access to coastal spots without making you spend the whole day driving around the island.

You can swim from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, or take one of the three paddleboards for a closer look at the water. The included gear saves you from arranging separate rentals, and having three boards is practical for a group of friends or a family with older children.

The water activities are not just filler between destinations. They shape the day. You can alternate between active time and quiet time without returning to a marina or changing transport. The inflatable toys add another easy option, especially if your group wants something lighter than paddleboarding.

You should bring the usual sun protection, swimwear, and a towel, but the provided details do not specify every personal item supplied on board. Ask before departure if you need clarification about drinking water, food, towels, or music equipment. Cookware and gas are included, which suggests you can prepare something on board, but meals and drinks are not listed in the price.

S’Espalmador is the quieter stop

S’Espalmador is a small island between Ibiza and Formentera, reachable for this outing by boat. It is described as accessible only by boat in this experience, which gives the stop a more remote character than a standard beach visit.

The auxiliary boat with a motor is especially useful here. It can help you reach the shore or beach areas without bringing the main sailing boat directly into shallow water. That means you can enjoy a closer look at the island while the main boat remains offshore.

This stop should appeal to you if you like a little space and a more natural setting. At the same time, do not treat the word natural as a promise of total solitude. The Balearic Islands are popular, and conditions can change by day and season. Your skipper may adjust the stop or length of stay if the weather or sea makes another location more sensible.

Snorkeling and paddleboarding are a good fit here, but the experience is still weather dependent. Wind may make sailing enjoyable while making paddleboarding less comfortable, or the reverse. The captain’s judgment will matter more than a fixed timetable.

Ses Illetes offers beauty and more people

Playa de Ses Illetes is the famous stop. Its pale beach and clear blue water are among the reasons people make the trip to Formentera in the first place. It is also the least secret part of the route.

You can swim, relax, and use the water equipment here, but you should expect a more social setting than at S’Espalmador. Restaurants, celebrities, and heavy summer tourism are all associated with the beach. That gives the stop energy and convenience, yet it also means the beach may not feel private.

For me, the contrast between the stops is one of the itinerary’s strengths. S’Espalmador offers a quieter, more natural break, while Ses Illetes gives you the classic Formentera scene. You get two different versions of the island rather than three similar beach stops.

The precise length of each visit is not stated. Ask the skipper how the time is normally divided, especially if your group cares more about swimming than visiting the restaurant area. With an eight-hour outing, the boat must balance travel time, sailing, both island stops, and the return journey.

Returning with an Es Vedrà sunset

The day ends with a return toward Ibiza and a sunset view of Es Vedrà. This is a strong finish because the light changes the mood of the sea, turning the final part of the trip into something quieter and more scenic.

Es Vedrà is one of Ibiza’s most recognizable coastal sights, and seeing it from the water gives you a different angle than viewing it from land. The tour does not promise a specific sunset time or a guaranteed clear sky, so treat the view as weather dependent rather than fixed.

The return also gives you a chance to slow down after the active stops. If you have been swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, the final sailing stretch can be the most relaxing part of the day.

What the comfort pack really adds

The included extras make this more than a simple boat hire. They reduce the number of small decisions you need to make before setting off.

You get three paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, inflatable toys, cookware and gas, final cleaning, insurance, technical support in Ibiza, and an auxiliary boat with a motor. The drone is a particularly appealing addition for a group. It can create shared footage of the boat, swimming stops, and the open-water setting, rather than leaving everyone with only phone pictures from the deck.

The technical service applies in Ibiza, which is useful if there is a practical issue before or during the charter. Still, you should ask what support covers and who operates the vessel. The equipment list is generous, but it does not state the boat’s exact model, cabin layout, number of toilets, shade arrangement, or food and drink policy.

That missing information matters on an eight-hour private charter. If you are booking for 11 people, ask for the boat’s capacity in comfortable day-use terms, not just its legal maximum. A boat that can carry 11 may feel very different from one designed with generous deck space for 11.

Price and group value at $1,320.26

The total price is $1,320.26 per group of up to 11. Split among 11 people, that is about $120 per person. For eight people, it is about $165 each. With six people, the cost rises to roughly $220 per person.

That structure makes the trip most attractive when you can fill much of the boat. A private sailing day with water equipment, an auxiliary boat, insurance, cleaning, and drone footage can be a sensible choice for a full family group or a circle of friends. A small party of two or three will pay a lot more per person and may want to compare it with a shared excursion.

The price does not include a tip. Food and drinks are also not identified as included, so budget for those unless the operator confirms otherwise. Cookware and gas are supplied, which may allow you to bring provisions or prepare simple food, but do not assume catering is part of the deal.

I also recommend confirming who is actually providing the boat. One serious complaint describes a booking that was passed to another company and led to a dispute about a refund and vessel arrangements. The operator’s response says it too was affected by the other company and that the cancellation came one day before departure. You do not need to take sides, but you should get the boat name, legal provider, skipper details, payment terms, and cancellation contact in writing before the day.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

This outing suits you if you want a private day on the water rather than a fixed group cruise. It is a good match for a family, a birthday group, friends sharing a holiday rental, or a small work group that wants time together away from Ibiza’s busy center.

It also works well for mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, another can practice sailing, and someone else can stay on deck. The three paddleboards are a useful number for a group, though you will still need to share them if everyone wants to use one at once.

You may want another option if you dislike open-water travel, need a highly predictable timetable, or want a completely quiet beach. Ses Illetes is popular, and the experience depends on good weather. People looking for a formal sailing lesson should also clarify what instruction is offered, since the description promises practice at the helm rather than a certified course.

The listed activity dates run from August 25, 2024, through December 8, 2026, with departures shown Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Confirm your specific date because the displayed schedule and the eight-hour duration leave little room for interpretation.

Booking advice, cancellation, and practical checks

Confirmation is provided at booking. The meeting point is in Ibiza at 07800, and the activity returns to that same meeting point. It is near public transportation, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging the outing from another country.

Bad weather can also cancel the trip. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since the route depends on sailing and water stops, this policy is reasonable, but keep a backup plan for your Ibiza day.

Before paying, ask these practical questions:

• Which company owns and operates the boat?
• What is the exact boat model and comfortable day capacity?
• Is a skipper included, and will Diego be the guide?
• Are food, water, towels, and fuel included?
• How much time is normally spent at each stop?
• How are the drone photos and videos delivered?
• Can the route change because of wind, sea conditions, or beach access?

Those answers will tell you more about the day than a glossy photo.

Should you book it?

I would book this sailing experience if your group has six to 11 people and wants a flexible, active day linking Ibiza with Formentera. The private format, three water stops, hands-on sailing, drone footage, and included equipment give it real value when shared across a full group.

I would pause if you are traveling as a couple, need guaranteed calm weather, or want a silent and empty beach. I would also confirm the provider and boat details in writing because of the reported operator dispute.

For the right group, this is a strong way to see Formentera: swim in clear water, paddle near the islands, visit famous Ses Illetes, and finish with Es Vedrà in the evening light.

FAQ

Where does the sailing experience begin?

It begins in Ibiza at 07800, in the Balearic Islands of Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity returns to the meeting point in Ibiza.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately eight hours.

What places are included in the route?

The route includes Formentera, S’Espalmador, and Playa de Ses Illetes.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates, with capacity for up to 11 people.

Is paddleboarding included?

Yes. Three paddleboards are included in the comfort pack.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I practice sailing?

Yes. The experience allows you to practice at the helm.

Is the drone included?

Yes. A drone is included for making videos and photographs.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund.