Ibiza & Formentera Private Full-Day Sailing Tour

The best Ibiza views come from offshore. This private sailing day gives you a relaxed way to reach quiet coves, swim in clear water, and see Formentera without sharing the boat with a large crowd. I especially like the flexible route and the personal service from skippers such as Agustin, Carlota, Victoria, and Thomas.

I also like that the 35-foot boat carries snorkeling gear, two paddleboards, and a restroom. The main consideration is time: sailing to Formentera can take close to two hours, so you may have less beach time than expected. If your priority is reaching Ses Illetes quickly, the ferry may be more efficient.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to seven people: Your group controls the mood and can request more swimming, snorkeling, sailing, or beach time.
• A full southern Ibiza route: The day begins at Cala Jondal and includes Playa des Codolar, Ses Salines, Espalmador, and Ses Illetes.
• Sailing takes time: The trip to Formentera may take about two hours, which is part of the experience but reduces time ashore.
• Water gear is included: You get snorkeling equipment, two paddleboards, fuel, and use of the onboard restroom.
• Lunch is flexible but extra: You can eat on Formentera or bring food for lunch on the boat. Alcohol is not included.
• Strong skipper service: Agustin, Carlota, Thomas, Victoria, Julian, and other captains are praised for friendly hosting and tailoring the day.

Why this private sailing day works so well

Ibiza is famous for nightlife, but its southern coast has another personality. From the water, the island becomes a line of pale cliffs, rocky inlets, small beaches, and clear Mediterranean water. This tour lets you enjoy that side of Ibiza at an unhurried pace.

The private format is the biggest advantage. You are not fitted into a fixed group with strangers or forced to follow every stop at the same speed. If your group wants a long swim, a quiet lunch, or more time under sail, your skipper can shape the day around that preference.

That flexibility also makes the trip useful for a special occasion. The operator can tailor the outing for a birthday, anniversary, or sunset proposal. One couple even used a later sailing to finish a wedding week, with the sunset becoming a major part of the day.

At $943.68 for up to seven people, the boat costs about $135 per person if you fill every place. That is not cheap, but it becomes reasonable for a private full-day boat with a skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and a restroom. For two people, the price is a major splurge. For a family or group of friends, it offers better value.

Starting at Cala Jondal and Platja des Jondal

The meeting point is Tropicana Eivissa at Cala Jondal, on Ibiza’s southern coast. The boat returns to this same point at the end of the day, which keeps the logistics simple.

The first portion at Platja des Jondal is brief, about 10 minutes, and works mainly as the departure setting. Cala Jondal is known for clear turquoise water and steep coastal scenery. You can settle onto the deck, get comfortable, and begin the day with views rather than a rushed transfer.

I would arrive ready for the water from the start. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you want close at hand on deck. The supplied details confirm a restroom, but they do not promise a refrigerator, reliable cooling, or a place to buy ice. One outing had a broken refrigerator, so bring chilled drinks in a suitable cooler if keeping food cold matters to you.

Cruising past Playa des Codolar

The next section follows Ibiza’s southern shore toward Playa des Codolar. You spend about an hour passing rocky coves, cliffs, and small stretches of beach that are easier to appreciate from the sea than from a road.

This is a scenic sailing stretch rather than a main swimming stop. It gives you time to feel how different a sailboat is from a fast ferry. The pace is gentler, and the coast reveals itself gradually. If your group enjoys being on the water for its own sake, this part will feel valuable. If you only want to reach Formentera, it may feel slow.

That difference matters. One visitor expected a quicker trip and wished for more time on Formentera. The boat is a sailboat, not a high-speed transfer, so you should book this for the whole day at sea, not simply as transport to Ses Illetes.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ses Salines

The tour then reaches a quiet cove in the Ses Salines Natural Park area. The boat anchors for about an hour, giving you time to swim and use the provided snorkeling equipment.

The attraction here is simple: clear water, a peaceful anchorage, and a chance to see small fish and marine life below the surface. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stop, but you should be comfortable getting into the sea from a boat.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing a mask and fins. Still, equipment fit can vary, so you may prefer to bring your own mask if you already have one you like. The tour does not promise a particular species or underwater sighting. Sea conditions, visibility, and marine life can change from day to day.

This is also a good pause after the first coastal sailing section. You can swim, dry off on deck, and settle into the easy rhythm of the day before continuing toward Formentera.

Paddleboarding around S’Espalmador

The route continues to S’Espalmador, a protected natural area between Ibiza and Formentera. The stop lasts about one hour and 50 minutes, making it one of the longer activity breaks.

Two paddleboards are provided. That means your group can take turns paddling across the calm water while others swim, snorkel, or relax on deck. If everyone in your group wants a board at the same time, the two-board limit is worth noting.

S’Espalmador is a good place to slow down. The water and open setting make it feel more remote than the busy parts of Ibiza. You can choose how active to be. Some people will want to paddle and swim continuously. Others will prefer to lie in the sun and watch the sea.

The skipper can also adjust the day around your comfort. Several captains receive praise for helping families, making children feel safe near the rocks, and changing the plan to suit the group. That personal attention is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat over a standard cruise.

Two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

Ses Illetes is the visual high point for many people. This Formentera beach is known for white sand and clear, shallow-looking water, with a polished postcard appearance that explains its popularity.

You have about two hours here. You may go ashore for lunch, walk along the beach, or explore farther on foot. The other option is to eat on the boat while looking toward the beach.

Lunch is not included, so plan ahead. You can arrange a restaurant meal on the island, and some skippers have helped reserve tables. If you prefer not to leave the boat, bring food for yourself. Alcoholic drinks are also extra.

The two-hour stop is useful, but it may not feel long if your group wants lunch, beach time, and a walk. The sailing itself uses a large part of the day. You should not expect a full afternoon exploring Formentera inland. The main reward is the beach and the chance to spend time in the water.

For families, the beach option may be appealing, but the tour is not designed specifically for very young children. One account considered the long sailing time less suitable for small children. Sea motion can also be tiring, and anyone prone to seasickness should prepare carefully.

The return to Cala Jondal

The return crossing takes about an hour and 30 minutes. By this point, the day usually shifts from active water time to quiet deck time.

You can relax, watch the coastline recede, and enjoy the changing light. Some trips have returned around sunset, which adds a special finish for anniversaries, wedding celebrations, or proposals. The itinerary is planned as an eight-hour outing, though the listed stop times add up to roughly seven and a half hours, so allow for normal changes in sailing time and sea conditions.

This final stretch is another reason to choose the tour only if you enjoy sailing. You are not being rushed from one attraction to another. The boat itself is part of the day.

The skippers make a real difference

The operator uses several captains, so your exact experience depends partly on who is assigned. The most praised names include Agustin, Carlota, Thomas, Victoria, Julian, German, Marcelo, Nuria, Ali, and Lao.

Agustin is repeatedly described as attentive and flexible, with a talent for explaining how the sailboat works and suggesting good places to swim or eat. Carlota is praised for being friendly, reassuring, and fun. Thomas receives strong marks for helping people feel comfortable, including those who became seasick.

Victoria is known for shaping the route around the group’s wishes. German has helped arrange lunch reservations. Marcelo and Nuria are praised for patient, warm hosting, while Lao made a group of five women feel especially comfortable.

The pattern is clear: the skipper is not just steering. You can ask questions about the island, request a different balance of sailing and swimming, and get restaurant suggestions. The exact route remains subject to sea and weather conditions, but the private format gives you a better chance of having your preferences heard.

What is included, and what you should bring

The trip includes:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Two paddleboards
• Onboard restroom
• Fuel surcharge
• Use of the 35-foot boat

Lunch and alcoholic beverages are not included. Bring food and drinks if you want to stay on the boat, and consider bringing a cooler because the refrigerator may not always be available.

I would also pack a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a waterproof phone pouch, and a light layer for the ride back. The boat has a restroom, but space on a sailboat is limited, so soft bags are more practical than hard luggage.

You should receive confirmation when booking. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at Cala Jondal. Most people can participate, but the day includes boat movement, swimming, snorkeling, and getting on and off the boat. Tell the operator about mobility or health concerns before you go.

Weather, safety, and one serious warning

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

There is one serious safety issue to clarify before departure. A past outing included a transfer boat to shore at Formentera that reportedly capsized in rough water while carrying too many people, with no life jackets available. The operator said this transfer was arranged by the restaurant rather than its own sailing boat and said it was investigating the matter.

This account does not describe the normal sailing boat itself, but it is a good reason to ask direct questions before accepting any shore transfer. Confirm who operates the dinghy, how many people it carries, and where the life jackets are. Do not board an overloaded small boat without proper safety equipment.

Who should book this boat day?

I would choose this tour for a group of friends, a family with older children, or a couple celebrating something important. It is especially good for people who value privacy, swimming, scenic sailing, and a flexible day more than a fast route.

You will likely enjoy it if you want to:

• Spend several hours on the water
• Stop at quiet coves
• Swim and snorkel from the boat
• Use paddleboards
• Visit Ses Illetes without booking a separate ferry
• Let a skipper adjust the day to your interests

I would choose another option if you want a quick crossing, a fixed beach day, or a low-cost way to reach Formentera. Small children and people who get seasick may also find the long sailing sections difficult.

Should you book the Ibiza and Formentera sailing tour?

Yes, if you see the sailing as the main attraction. The private boat, helpful skippers, water gear, and ability to adjust the route make this far more personal than a basic ferry ride. The best value comes when six or seven people share the cost.

Book it with realistic expectations. You may spend close to two hours reaching Formentera, lunch costs extra, the two paddleboards must be shared, and the route can change with weather. Ask about cooling for food and drinks, confirm any restaurant transfer arrangements, and check the safety equipment before leaving shore.

If those details suit your group, this is a memorable way to pair Ibiza’s rocky southern coast with Formentera’s famous white-sand beach.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and returns to Cala Jondal. The scheduled stops and sailing sections add up to about seven and a half hours, with timing subject to the route and conditions.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour is for your group only, with space for up to seven people.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Tropicana Eivissa at Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, Sant Josep de sa Talaia. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

No. You can eat at a restaurant on Formentera or bring food and eat on the boat. Alcoholic beverages are also not included.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards provided?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.