Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day

Sea day, without the beach crowds. This private sailing trip links Ibiza’s south coast with Formentera’s finest beaches, and I like the freedom to stop for swimming and snorkeling rather than simply cruise past the coves. I also like the attentive crew, especially Agus, who has helped arrange lunch and taxis for guests. The main drawback is the 41-foot boat: comfortable for a small group, but smaller than some first-time guests expect.

For up to seven people, the $1,088.86 group price can make good sense, especially if you fill every place. You get eight hours on the water, a skipper, fuel, snorkeling gear, two paddleboards, and a restroom. Lunch and alcohol cost extra, and the route can change when wind or sea conditions make Formentera impractical.

Key points to know before booking

• A genuinely private day on the water: Only your group boards, so you can set the tone, from quiet sunbathing to an energetic paddleboard session.
• Two paddleboards and snorkeling gear included: You can swim, paddle, and explore the water without arranging extra equipment.
• Agus is praised for thoughtful service: He has helped with lunch reservations, taxis after the sail, and practical details that make the day easier.
• Ses Illetes is the main beach stop: You can go ashore for lunch and a walk, or eat aboard while looking across the famous white sand and clear water.
• The boat is a modern 41-foot yacht: It is a good size for a private group of seven, but do not picture a huge luxury yacht.
• Weather can change the plan: A trip to Formentera may be replaced by extra stops around Ibiza if conditions are not suitable.

Why this private Ibiza sailing day works so well

Ibiza is often sold through its nightlife, but the island looks very different from the water. The southern coast has rocky coves, steep cliffs, clear shallows, and beaches that are hard to appreciate from a road. This trip gives you a full day to see that side of the island without joining a large boat packed with strangers.

The private format matters most. You can decide how much time to spend swimming, when to use the paddleboards, and how much of the day should be devoted to simply sitting on deck. A mixed public group has to follow one mood. Here, your group can keep things relaxed, social, or somewhere in between.

The boat carries up to seven people. That is a useful limit for families, couples traveling together, or a group of friends who want a special day without chartering a much larger yacht. At the full capacity, the price works out to about $155 per person. For a smaller group, the cost per person rises, but you also get more room and privacy.

The crew is part of the value. Agus receives especially warm praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive without making the day feel formal. He has arranged lunch reservations, helped secure taxis after the sailing, and kept the schedule easy. Carlota, Tom, Nuria, and Marcelo are also named in the feedback, so the exact crew may vary by departure.

Starting at Cala Jondal on Ibiza’s south coast

The meeting point is Tropicana Eivissa at Cala Jondal, in Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The trip begins and ends there, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point or find your way back from Formentera.

Cala Jondal is a handsome opening scene, with clear water and cliffs around the bay. The first stop is brief, about ten minutes, so think of it as the start of the sailing rather than a long beach visit. The boat gets moving, the coast begins to open up, and you settle into the rhythm of the day.

I would arrive ready for sun and sea from the moment you board. The tour lasts about eight hours, and much of that time is spent outside. A swimsuit, sun protection, and a light layer for the return are sensible choices, though only the listed equipment and onboard restroom are specifically included.

WiFi is available, which is useful if you want music streaming or to upload photos during the day. That small feature will please groups who want to manage a shared playlist. It also means you do not have to wait until evening to send pictures from the boat.

Along the coast to Playa des Codolar

The next stretch follows Ibiza’s southern shore toward Playa des Codolar. You will pass rocky inlets, beaches, cliffs, and small caves that are best seen from the sea. The boat is not just taking you from one beach to another. This section gives you time to watch the coastline change.

The listed stop lasts about an hour. Depending on the day’s conditions, you may spend part of it cruising close to the coast and part simply enjoying the water and deck. The point is the view and the movement of the boat, with the sea breeze doing much of the work.

This is also a good reminder that sailing is not always dramatic. There may be long periods of quiet travel, with the engine or wind carrying you onward. If your ideal holiday includes a packed schedule of activities, the slower pace may feel too gentle. If you like a day with room to talk, read, listen to music, and watch the coast, it is a strong fit.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ses Salines

The route then reaches a secluded cove around the Parque Natural de Ses Salines. Here the boat drops anchor for about an hour, giving you a proper chance to get into the water.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not have to rent a mask and fins separately. The water is described as clear, with fish and marine life visible below the surface. Conditions will affect visibility, so you should treat snorkeling as a pleasant part of the day rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

This stop is one of the reasons the tour offers better value than a basic sightseeing cruise. You are not only looking at Ibiza from a boat. You have time to swim, use the equipment, and enjoy a cove that would be difficult to reach by land. You should still have a moderate level of physical fitness, since boarding, swimming, and handling the paddleboards require some effort.

The crew’s role is useful here. On a private trip, you can tell the skipper if your group wants more swimming time or prefers to stay aboard. The exact flexibility will depend on sea conditions and the day’s schedule, but the private setup gives you a better chance of shaping the experience.

Paddleboarding and snorkeling at S’Espalmador

S’Espalmador sits between Ibiza and Formentera and is protected as part of a natural reserve. The stop lasts about one hour and 50 minutes, making it one of the day’s longest water breaks.

Two paddle surf boards are included. For a group of seven, that means not everyone can paddle at once, but people can take turns while others swim, snorkel, or relax on deck. The calm water around the island is suited to an easy paddle, though wind can change that quickly.

This is a lively part of the day without needing a packed activity list. One person can try the board, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay dry with a drink and a view. There is enough time to rotate through the options rather than rushing from one short stop to the next.

Do not assume every group will reach S’Espalmador exactly as planned. Sea conditions can affect the route. On one outing, the crew decided not to continue to Formentera because the weather was not suitable, then took the group to other Ibiza coves instead. That is a sensible safety choice, but it means you should book this as a day on the water, not as a guaranteed checklist of islands.

Ses Illetes, the day’s big beach stop

The boat continues toward Formentera and Playa de Ses Illetes, the most famous beach stop on the route. The beach is known for white sand and clear water, and you have around two hours here.

You can go ashore and have lunch on the island, then walk along the beach or explore farther on foot. Lunch is not included, but Agus has arranged reservations for some groups, which can be a major help in a popular area. I would ask about lunch plans early, since the choice of where to eat may affect how much time you have for walking and swimming.

You can also eat aboard. That option is practical if you want to avoid the cost or time of going ashore, or if your group prefers to keep the day centered on the boat. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so bring your budget for food and beverages into the calculation.

Ses Illetes is beautiful, but it is also the point where the trip may feel least private. Once you step onto a well-known beach, you are sharing the setting with other people. The private boat still gives you a calm base, but do not expect the beach itself to feel like a private cove.

For many people, this is the trip’s defining stop. You get the pleasure of approaching Formentera by boat, seeing the shallow water from offshore, and choosing between a beach walk, lunch, or more time aboard. For others, the quieter Ibiza coves may be more memorable.

The return sail to Cala Jondal

The return leg takes about an hour and 30 minutes. After a full day of swimming and sun, this slower stretch gives you time to sit back and watch the coast recede.

The sailing may be powered by the boat’s engine or shaped by the wind, depending on conditions. One particularly good outing had enough wind for a proper sunset sail back toward Ibiza. That is a bonus rather than something to count on, but it shows why the return can become one of the day’s highlights.

The deck is the place to be for the final stretch. You can listen to music through the onboard WiFi, look back at the coves you visited, and let the day wind down without another transfer or scheduled stop. The boat returns to Cala Jondal, ending where it began.

Some groups have also received drone footage of their time on the water. That was praised as a high-quality extra, but it is not listed among the standard inclusions, so I would not book expecting guaranteed aerial video.

What the $1,088.86 price really buys you

The headline price is for the entire group, up to seven people. That makes this a premium outing for one or two people, but a more reasonable private charter for a full group. At seven participants, the cost is about $155 per person before lunch and drinks.

You are paying for more than transport. The price includes the skipper, fuel surcharge, restroom, snorkeling equipment, two paddleboards, and a modern 41-foot boat. The private setting is the key extra. You do not have to share the schedule with a boatload of unrelated people.

The value is strongest when your group cares about privacy and flexibility. If you mainly want a short boat ride and a quick swim, a cheaper shared cruise may suit you better. If you want a full day that joins Ibiza, S’Espalmador, and Formentera with time to stop, the private charter is easier to justify.

The boat size deserves honest attention. A 41-foot yacht is substantial enough for a private day at sea, but it is not a floating resort. The one less enthusiastic response came from someone expecting a larger boat. Keep your expectations at a comfortable sailing yacht, not a giant luxury vessel with endless indoor space.

Who should book this sailing trip

I would recommend it most strongly to groups of friends, families with older children, and couples traveling together who want the day to feel personal. The moderate fitness requirement means you should be comfortable getting on and off the boat, swimming, and using water equipment.

It also suits people who like a loose schedule. You get a clear route, but the best parts are the unscripted ones: an extra swim, a long lunch, a calm paddle, or a late return under sail. A group that wants every minute fixed may find the pace less predictable.

It is less suitable if you need a large boat, guaranteed access to Formentera, or an all-inclusive food and drink package. Lunch and alcohol are extra, and poor conditions can change the route. Those are not flaws in the concept, but they should shape your expectations.

The trip is offered in English, and confirmation is normally issued at booking. It is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify a shuttle service. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this if you have a small group, want a full day at sea, and value a helpful crew as much as the scenery. The strongest reasons are the private format, the generous time for swimming and snorkeling, the two paddleboards, and the chance to reach Ses Illetes without arranging a separate boat.

Before paying, make sure everyone understands three points: lunch is extra, the boat is 41 feet rather than enormous, and weather may replace Formentera with more Ibiza coves. If those conditions suit you, this is a polished and personal way to see the islands from the water. If your budget is tight or you want a guaranteed island-hopping schedule, choose a simpler shared cruise instead.

FAQ

How long is the sailing experience?

The trip lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza.

Where does the tour end?

It returns to the same meeting point at Cala Jondal.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private group can include up to seven people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though you may eat ashore at Ses Illetes or have lunch aboard.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the price.

Are paddleboards provided?

Yes. Two paddle surf boards are included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for use during the trip.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. The 41-foot modern boat has a restroom onboard.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. If conditions are unsuitable, the crew may replace the Formentera portion with other coves around Ibiza.

Is this a shared sailing trip?

No. It is a private activity, and only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.