Formentera Day Trip from Ibiza on Private Luxury Catamaran

The best part of this private catamaran charter is simple: you get a full day on the water without sharing the boat with strangers. From Cala Jondal, you sail toward Formentera, stop at clear water off Playa de Ses Illetes, and have room to set the pace for your own group.

I like the freedom to bring your own food and drinks, and I like that snorkeling gear, paddle boards, Bluetooth speakers, and photo help from the captain are included. The main drawback is the high group price, especially for a small party, and the non-refundable booking policy means you need to be sure of your date and the weather.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 12: The entire catamaran is reserved for your group, which makes the day far more personal than a shared cruise.
• Two strong swimming stops: You spend about two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes and another two hours around S’Espalmador.
• Music and your own supplies: Use the Megaboom Bluetooth speakers and bring your own lunch, snacks, and drinks.
• Flexible departure points: You can meet at Cala Jondal by Blue Marlin or, if preferred, depart from the family-friendly Es Xarcu restaurant.
• A good group-value option: At $3,569.03 per group, the price makes more sense when split among several people.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, but you’ll be offered another date or a full refund in that case.

A private route from Ibiza to Formentera

This is not a quick sightseeing boat with a fixed seat and a crowded schedule. It is a seven-hour private sailing day built around your group. You meet the captain at 10:00 a.m., settle onto the catamaran, and head from the southern coast of Ibiza toward Formentera.

The stated meeting choices are useful. The main setting is the pier by Blue Marlin at Cala Jondal, one of Ibiza’s better-known beach club areas. You can also arrange to depart from Es Xarcu, a family-friendly restaurant at Cala Es Xarco. Check your final meeting instructions carefully, since these are different coves and you do not want to arrive at the wrong one.

Once aboard, the mood is up to you. Find a place on deck, connect your music to the Megaboom Bluetooth speakers, and use the boat’s Wi-Fi if needed. A cold drink, a good playlist, and a view of the water may be all you want for the first part of the trip.

The captain is there to run the boat and guide the day, but this remains a private charter rather than a formal lecture tour. One especially well-regarded outing included a skipper named Constantin, who adjusted the anchoring spots to reach very clear turquoise water and helped with photographs. Captains can take as many pictures as you want with your own camera, a small but useful touch when everyone in the group wants to be in the frame.

Playa de Ses Illetes: two hours at Formentera’s famous beach

The first major stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, where the catamaran anchors for about two hours. This is the main swimming and beach time, so bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep sunscreen within reach.

The water here is suited to the activities included with the charter. You can use the paddle boards, swim from the boat, or put on the provided snorkeling equipment and look below the surface. Life jackets are available if requested, which is helpful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer or simply wants extra support while using the equipment.

You can choose to stay on the catamaran for the whole stop. That gives you shade or deck space, easy access to your belongings, and a private place to relax while looking out over the water. If you prefer a change of scene, you can head ashore for lunch at one of the restaurants by the beach.

Lunch is not included, so plan this part ahead. You may bring your own food and drinks, or pay for a meal ashore. Bringing supplies is likely the more relaxed choice if your group wants to keep swimming and avoid fitting the day around restaurant service. Eating ashore may suit you better if you want a proper meal and a look at Formentera from land.

The two-hour stop sounds generous, but it can pass quickly. Allow time to get everyone into the water, try the paddle boards, dry off, and decide if you want lunch. If your group includes children or people who prefer a slower pace, staying aboard and enjoying the stop from the deck may work better than trying to do every activity.

S’Espalmador: a quieter second stop

The next stop is S’Espalmador, an uninhabited sandy islet between Ibiza and Formentera. The charter allows about two hours here as well. With no permanent settlement, the setting feels more stripped back than the restaurant-lined parts of Formentera.

This stop gives the day a useful change of rhythm. After swimming and beach time at Ses Illetes, you can spend the second half of the water portion on or near a sandy islet, with the catamaran as your base. Paddle boarding and swimming remain the main options, and you can also stay on deck with your own music.

Do not expect a full island tour. The experience centers on the water, the beaches, and the boat. There is no listed guided walk, cultural program, or included meal. That is a plus if you want a carefree day with your own group, but a weakness if you are looking for detailed history or a packed sightseeing schedule.

The uninhabited setting also means you should bring what you need from the start. Pack water, sun protection, a towel, and food if you do not plan to eat at a restaurant. The supplied information does not list a shower, changing room, or beach service, so keep your expectations focused on a sailing and swimming day rather than a resort outing.

The return to Cala Jondal

After S’Espalmador, the catamaran turns back toward Ibiza and Cala Jondal. The activity ends at the meeting point, with the full day lasting about seven hours. A 10:00 a.m. departure puts you back in the area around late afternoon, depending on the exact route and conditions.

That timing works well if you want dinner or a drink afterward. The boat returns close to Blue Marlin, making a sunset drink there a natural follow-on for an adult group. If you started at Es Xarcu, you return to that meeting point instead.

The return trip is also when the private format matters. A shared excursion may keep everyone on a strict timetable, while a private charter gives your group a more comfortable place to wind down. You can play music, sit together, and enjoy the final run without needing to make conversation with people you have never met.

What the private format is really worth

The price is $3,569.03 for the group, with up to 12 people included. That works out to about $297 per person if twelve people share the cost. A group of six would pay roughly $595 per person, while two people would carry the full cost between them.

That calculation is the key to judging value. For a large family group, birthday party, or group of friends, a private catamaran can be a sensible splurge because the boat, captain, equipment, and day are all reserved for you. For a couple or small party, the cost is much harder to justify unless privacy is your main reason for booking.

You are paying for space and control as much as transport. The boat is not simply taking you to Formentera. It gives you a private deck, your own music, access to water equipment, and the freedom to decide how much time to spend swimming, eating, or sitting in the sun.

There are limits. Food and drinks are not included, and you should not read the word luxury as meaning every onboard service is covered. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers are provided, but the core value is the boat day itself, not a package of meals or entertainment.

What to pack for seven hours on the water

A little preparation will make the day much easier. I would bring:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Towel
• High-factor sunscreen and a hat
• Sunglasses with a secure strap
• Water and any food you want aboard
• Phone or camera with enough battery
• A passport, since a current valid passport is required on the day
• Light clothing for the ride back

The captain can take photos with your camera, so you do not need to ask a stranger to photograph the whole group. Still, make sure your device is charged before departure. Your own music is welcome through the Bluetooth speakers, so prepare a playlist if that matters to your group.

The tour calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to manage the boat, swimming, snorkeling, or paddle boarding, depending on what you choose. Life jackets are available on request, but you should tell the captain if anyone in your party needs one.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a strong match for a group that wants a full day outdoors without a fixed public-tour atmosphere. Families can use the private space to set an easier pace, while friends can bring food, play music, swim, and make the boat the center of the day.

It also suits people who care more about clear water and deck time than about formal sightseeing. The main rewards are the route, the swimming stops, and the privacy. You get an authentic taste of Ibiza and Formentera from the sea, not a checklist of monuments.

A large group will get the best financial value. At the maximum size of 12, the per-person price becomes much more manageable. A smaller group should compare it with a shared sailing trip before booking, unless a private boat is the main goal.

This may not suit you if you dislike open-water activity, want a detailed cultural guide, or need an included lunch. It is also a poor choice for anyone who cannot commit to the date, since the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

Weather, meeting points, and the practical details

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That protection applies to a weather cancellation, not to a change of mind or a personal cancellation.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity is offered in English. The tour is private, meaning only your group participates. Public transportation is nearby, but the supplied details do not specify a transfer service, so plan your own route to Cala Jondal or Es Xarcu.

The starting time is 10:00 a.m. and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Make sure you confirm which departure point applies to your reservation. Cala Jondal and Es Xarcu are not interchangeable names for the same pier.

My take: book it for the boat, not just the beach

I would book this if I had a group of eight to 12 people and wanted a relaxed, private day built around swimming, music, and good water. The two long stops at Ses Illetes and S’Espalmador give you enough time to enjoy the catamaran rather than spend the day rushing between sights.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the private setting, the included paddle boards and snorkeling gear, and the ability to bring your own food and playlist. The captain’s photo help is another practical bonus, especially for a large group.

I would hesitate if my group were small, if the price felt tight, or if I needed flexible cancellation. For the right party, though, this is a polished way to see Formentera from the water, with enough freedom to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

How long is the Formentera catamaran trip?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the tour depart?

You can meet at Es Xarcu, Restaurante Playa, at Cala Es Xarco. The experience information also says departure can take place from Cala Jondal near the Blue Marlin beach club if you prefer.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food and drinks or disembark for lunch at a restaurant by the water.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddle boards included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and paddle boarding are included.

Are life jackets available?

Yes. Life jackets are available if requested.

Can I play my own music on the boat?

Yes. The catamaran has Megaboom Bluetooth speakers so you can play your own music.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience itself is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.