Private Sailboat Day-Trip from IBIZA to FORMENTERA

Trade ferries for a day on the water. This private eight-hour trip from Ibiza to Formentera gives you a 43-foot sailboat, a professional captain, and room for up to seven people. I especially like the freedom to shape the day around swimming, sailing, paddleboarding, or a long lunch, plus the comfort of having a restroom, fridge, WiFi, and deck space onboard. Captain Gabriel also gets repeated praise for being warm, attentive, and excellent with families.

The main drawback is practical rather than scenic: the pickup point at Cala Porroig can be hard to identify, and one recent booking found the map pin inaccurate. You also need to arrange a Formentera restaurant in advance if you want lunch ashore, especially in high season. Bring your own picnic and drinks, and the day becomes simpler.

Five things to know before booking

• A real 43-foot sailboat: This is larger than many small charter boats, giving a group of six or seven more room to spread out.
• A private group of up to seven: You are not sharing the boat with strangers, so the pace and stops can suit your own group.
• Captain Gabriel is a major part of the experience: He explains sailing, helps with the equipment, and has been especially well received by families.
• Formentera combines beach time and water play: Ses Illetes, Es Pujols, snorkeling, and SUP give the day more variety than a simple boat transfer.
• Bring food or reserve lunch early: The boat has a fridge, but restaurant tables and mooring arrangements need advance planning.
• The price makes most sense for a full group: At $777 for up to seven people, the cost is far more attractive when shared among friends or family.

Why a private boat changes the Ibiza to Formentera day

The usual way to reach Formentera is by ferry, which gets you there efficiently but leaves you tied to a fixed route and timetable. This trip turns the crossing into the main event. You spend about an hour and a half sailing toward Formentera, with the boat itself serving as your swimming platform, sun deck, shaded picnic spot, and moving viewpoint.

I like that the experience is not built around rushing from one photo stop to another. You can sit at the bow, stretch out on deck, learn a few sailing basics, or simply watch Ibiza recede behind you. The captain handles the sailing, but you are invited to understand what is happening rather than being treated like cargo.

The 43-foot size matters. A private boat for seven can feel cramped if it is little more than a floating bench. This one includes a restroom, deck space, WiFi, snorkeling gear, and stand-up paddleboards. Those comforts do not turn it into a luxury yacht, but they make a long day on the water much easier.

The group limit also gives you useful control. If your party wants to swim longer, linger near a beach, or skip a stop, you can discuss it with the captain. The exact route still depends on conditions and timing, but the private setup gives you far more say than a public boat trip.

Meeting at Cala Porroig in Ibiza

Your day begins at Cala Porroig, at the Bora Sailing pickup point. Look for a stone dock. The captain waits nearby in a red tender, or small dinghy, which carries you from the dock out to the sailboat. Parking is available in the area.

Allow extra time to find the meeting point. There is not necessarily a large sign identifying Bora Sailing, and one booking found that the supplied map pin was not accurate. The simplest plan is to contact the operator before departure and confirm the exact spot. A phone with WhatsApp is useful here, especially if you are unfamiliar with Cala Porroig.

This is one of those small details that can affect the mood of the whole morning. Arriving early and knowing to look for the red tender will save you from wandering around the shoreline wondering if you are in the right place.

Once aboard, you can settle into the boat and meet your captain. Captain Gabriel speaks Spanish, English, and Portuguese. He has been praised for his friendly manner, quick help with practical needs, and ability to explain sailing to adults and children without making it feel like a lesson in school.

The 1.5-hour sail toward Formentera

The first long stretch is the crossing from Ibiza to Formentera. At about an hour and a half, this is not a quick hop, so your comfort matters. Sit on deck, watch the water, and let the crossing set the pace for the day.

The captain may explain basic sailing as you go. That is a nice feature for curious families and anyone who wants more than a scenic ride. Children in particular can get a better sense of how the boat moves, rather than simply being transported from one island to another.

The crossing can also be the best time to eat a light breakfast or snack from home. You are welcome to bring food and drinks onboard, and the boat has a fridge. For very cold drinks, bring bags of ice and use the outside cooler as recommended by the operator. This is a small but useful tip in Ibiza’s summer heat.

Do not expect a full meal service. The value here is the freedom to bring what you like and picnic on deck. That can be more relaxed than arranging a restaurant stop, and it lets you keep the day moving at your own pace.

Two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

The first major stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, scheduled for about two hours. This is the postcard part of the trip: white sand, clear water, and wide views across Formentera’s famous beach area.

Two hours gives you time to enjoy the place instead of making a quick stop for photographs. You can swim, sit on the boat, and take in the shoreline from the water. The beach is the natural centerpiece of the Formentera portion, so this is where you will likely want your camera and sunscreen close at hand.

The private boat gives you a better choice of how to use the time. You can stay aboard and avoid carrying beach gear, or make the most of the beach itself if conditions and access allow. Ask the captain about the best way to handle the stop on the day.

There is one practical point to remember: famous beaches are not automatically quiet. A private boat removes the ferry crowd from your journey, but it does not guarantee an empty beach or empty water. The reward is a more personal way to reach the area and the ability to enjoy it from the deck.

Snorkeling and SUP for one active hour

After Ses Illetes, the schedule allows roughly an hour for snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding. Equipment is included, so you do not need to pack masks, fins, or a board.

This part works well because it breaks up the day. Eight hours of sitting in the sun can become tiring, while an hour in the water gives the trip some energy. You can swim around the boat, look below the surface, or try a paddleboard with views of the coast around you.

The boat also makes it easy for different people in the same group to choose different activities. One person can use the SUP, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on deck with a book. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter instead of a tightly timed group excursion.

Bring a towel and plenty of sunscreen. The listing specifically asks you to bring both, and you will want them after swimming. The deck is also a place to be careful with sun exposure. A breezy boat day can feel cooler than it really is, so reapply sunscreen even when the air feels comfortable.

Sailing and an hour in Es Pujols

The route then moves toward Es Pujols, with about an hour of sailing followed by an hour to visit the town. This adds a change of pace after the beach and water activities.

Es Pujols gives you a chance to step away from the boat for a while. You can use the time for a walk, a drink, or a look around before returning to the water. The schedule is useful for groups that do not want a full day made up only of swimming and sunbathing.

Keep your expectations realistic. The supplied details do not promise a long town tour or a specific set of stops in Es Pujols. Think of it as a flexible visit within a sailing day, not a guided cultural tour. The captain acts as your area guide, but the main focus remains the sea, beaches, and time aboard.

This is another point where the private format helps. You can discuss how much time your group wants to spend ashore, depending on the day’s conditions and the rest of the schedule.

Lunch on Formentera, or a picnic from Ibiza

Lunch is not included, and you have two sensible choices. Bring your own food and drinks, or reserve a restaurant on Formentera before the trip.

A deck picnic is the easier option. The fridge gives you a way to keep drinks cool, and the boat provides a pleasant setting for sandwiches, fruit, snacks, or a prepared meal. Bring ice if you want drinks especially cold, since the outside cooler is recommended for that purpose.

A restaurant lunch can be a good choice if your group wants a break from the sun. But do not leave it until the day of the trip in high season. Tables can be difficult to find, and a restaurant pickup from the boat may require coordination with the captain.

One recent group chose Cafe Del Lago and paid a €40 mooring fee. They felt the restaurant was worth it because the menu offered better value and more choices for people who did not eat fish. That is a useful lesson: ask about both the meal price and any mooring charge before you commit.

The operator can suggest restaurants, and food delivery to the boat may also be arranged, including paella. Confirm the details with the captain once onboard, but make the main reservation before you arrive in Ibiza.

The two-hour sunset stop at Platja des Jondal

The final listed stop is Platja des Jondal, scheduled for about two hours around sunset. This gives the day a calm finish after the crossing, beach time, swimming, and Es Pujols.

Sunset from a boat is one of the strongest reasons to choose the later schedule if the starting time allows it. You can sit on deck, watch the light change over the water, and enjoy a final drink or snack before returning to Bora Sailing.

The timing deserves a quick check when booking. The activity lasts eight hours, and the exact departure time depends on availability. Since the itinerary places Platja des Jondal at sunset, ask what time your group will leave and how that lines up with the season.

Platja des Jondal is also a reminder that the day is not only about reaching Formentera. The route connects two islands and several types of coastal scenery. You get an outbound sail, a Formentera beach day, an active water session, time in Es Pujols, and an evening return toward Ibiza.

Captain Gabriel and the human side of the trip

The captain can make or break a private boat day. Here, Captain Gabriel is the clearest strength. He has been singled out for being attentive, friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Families appreciated the way he worked with children and took time to explain the art and pleasure of sailing.

That matters because the boat is not a self-guided rental. You are paying for a captain who manages the route, keeps the group safe, and helps you make good use of the equipment. A friendly captain also makes it easier to ask for a change in pace or clarify the best plan for lunch.

The boat is operated by Bora Sailing, and pre-trip communication is part of the experience. Maria has been praised for responding to questions before boarding. I would still confirm the pickup details directly, since the Cala Porroig meeting point is the one area where the instructions may leave you uncertain.

Is $777 good value for seven people?

The price is $777 per private group of up to seven people. Split seven ways, that is about $111 per person. For six people, it is about $130 each, and for four people, about $194 each.

That makes the trip strongest for a full group of friends or family. You get the private 43-foot sailboat, captain, fuel, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, restroom, WiFi, and use of the deck. Food, drinks, and restaurant costs are extra, but you have the option to keep those costs under control with a picnic.

Compared with buying separate ferry tickets, beach transport, equipment rental, and perhaps a boat trip, the value can be good for a group that wants a full day on the water. It is less compelling for one or two people, since the private-group price does not shrink with a smaller party.

You should also value the time saved from dealing with a shared ferry schedule. If the idea of a private boat, a flexible route, and a captain who handles the sailing appeals to you, the price is easier to justify.

Who should book this sailing day?

This is a strong match for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that want one special day away from Ibiza’s busy beach scene. Children can learn about sailing, swim from the boat, and use the paddleboards, while adults can relax on deck.

It also suits people who prefer a private setting. You control the company, the food, and much of the rhythm of the day. The boat has enough capacity for seven, but a group of six or seven will get the best cost per person.

You may want a different experience if you dislike long periods on the water, need a tightly structured guided tour, or prefer not to plan meals in advance. The trip is also not a cheap single-person excursion. Its value depends heavily on filling the boat.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available departure times carefully, especially if you want the Platja des Jondal sunset portion.

FAQ

Where does the private sailboat trip begin?

The pickup point is Cala Porroig in Ibiza. Look for a stone dock and a red tender, or dinghy, where the captain will meet your group. Parking is available in the area.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts eight hours. The stated schedule includes sailing to Formentera, beach time at Ses Illetes, snorkeling and SUP, Es Pujols, Platja des Jondal, and the return to Bora Sailing.

How many people can join?

The private boat accommodates up to seven passengers.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the captain, private 43-foot sailing boat, fuel, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, restroom, WiFi, and use of the sailing boat deck.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your own food and drinks onboard. The boat has a fridge, and ice bags are recommended for the outside cooler.

Is lunch at a Formentera restaurant included?

No. Restaurant lunch is not included. If you want to eat at a beach restaurant, you need to reserve in advance, particularly during high season.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. You may also bring your own food, drinks, and ice.

What languages does the captain speak?

The activity is offered in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you can fill at least four seats and want a full, private day rather than a simple ferry ride. The strongest reasons are the roomy 43-foot boat, included snorkeling and SUP gear, flexible pacing, and Captain Gabriel’s warm, helpful approach.

Before paying, confirm the Cala Porroig meeting point, decide between a picnic and a restaurant lunch, and check the departure time against sunset at Platja des Jondal. Get those details right, and this is a well-rounded way to connect Ibiza and Formentera by sea, with enough freedom to make the day feel like your own.