Private Sailboat Day-Trip from IBIZA to FORMENTERA

The best part of this outing is the freedom of having a private 43-foot sailboat and a captain who can shape the day around your group. You can sail to Formentera, swim from the boat, use the SUP boards and snorkel gear, or simply stretch out on deck while the Mediterranean rolls by. I especially like the chance to learn a little about sailing from Captain Gabriel, and the fact that fuel, equipment, and a restroom are included.

I also like the easy group math: $777 covers up to seven people, which works out to about $111 per person if you fill the boat. The main consideration is the meeting point at Cala Porroig, where the stone dock can be hard to identify and the supplied map pin may not be exact. Contact the captain before setting out, and allow time to find the red tender waiting by the dock.

Key points at a glance

• A private 43-foot sailboat: You get the whole boat for up to seven people, rather than sharing space with a ferry crowd or a large excursion group.
• Captain Gabriel at the helm: He can explain sailing, help plan the route, and communicate in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
• Ses Illetes and Es Pujols: The day combines Formentera’s famous white-sand beach with time in the lively resort area of Es Pujols.
• Snorkeling and SUP included: You can swim directly from the boat and use the provided paddleboards and snorkeling equipment at no extra charge.
• Bring your own picnic: A fridge is available onboard, and an outside cooler works best with extra bags of ice.
• Lunch takes planning: For a restaurant meal on Formentera, book ahead. High-season tables and mooring arrangements should not be left to chance.

Setting out from Cala Porroig

Your day begins at Cala Porroig, on Ibiza’s southern coast, at the Bora Sailing meeting point. You will see a stone dock, but do not expect a large office or a prominent sign. Captain Gabriel waits in a red tender, or dinghy, and uses it to bring your group out to the sailboat.

This is the one part of the day that deserves extra preparation. A recent booking had trouble finding the exact spot because the map pin was inaccurate and the meeting area had no clear Bora Sailing marker. The problem was quickly solved with a WhatsApp message to Gabriel, but I would still contact him before arrival and save his number.

Parking is available in the area, according to the tour information. Give yourself a little breathing room, especially if you are carrying towels, food, drinks, and sun cream down to the dock. Once aboard, the awkward part is over and the pace changes quickly from roadside logistics to open water.

A larger sailboat with room to spread out

The boat is a 43-foot sailing vessel, which is larger than many of the smaller boats used for day trips around Ibiza and Formentera. The full boat is reserved for your group, with capacity for up to seven passengers plus the captain.

That private setup matters. You can decide how much of the day belongs to swimming, sailing, food, or quiet time. A family with children can keep the mood relaxed, while a group of friends can plan a more active day around the water toys and beach stops.

The deck is yours to use and enjoy throughout the outing. You can sit in the sun, take a leap into the water, or watch the coast from the boat. A restroom is onboard, along with WiFi, though the sea views are likely to be the more memorable connection.

Captain Gabriel is a major part of the experience. He has been praised for being friendly, attentive, and patient with children, and he takes time to explain the art and basics of sailing. That makes this more than a private transfer to Formentera. You have someone at the helm who can help you understand what the boat is doing and adjust the day to suit your group.

The 90-minute crossing to Formentera

The first sailing leg takes about 1.5 hours. This is not a quick ferry hop. You have time to settle into the boat, watch Ibiza recede, and enjoy the simple rhythm of moving under sail.

The exact feel of this crossing depends on the conditions, which are not specified in the tour details. You should be prepared for a proper day at sea rather than a fixed sightseeing ride. Some people will love the open-water time. If anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, pack whatever personal remedy you normally use, although the tour information does not promise a particular sea state or sailing speed.

One advantage of a private boat is that you can ask questions and learn along the way. Captain Gabriel speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese, so groups with different language needs have useful flexibility.

Ses Illetes, Formentera’s headline beach

The main beach visit is Playa de Ses Illetes, with about two hours set aside. This is the classic Formentera stop, known for white sand and clear water. It is the place to swim, take photographs, and enjoy the coastal scenery that draws people across from Ibiza.

Two hours gives you enough time to do more than step ashore for a quick look. You can settle into the beach atmosphere, swim, or return to the boat when you want a break from the sand. The private format also gives you more control than a fixed ferry schedule, though the day still has several planned stages.

Do not treat this as a completely empty beach. Formentera is popular, especially in the high season. The advantage here is reaching the area by private boat and having a captain who can help shape the timing, not a guarantee that the beach will be quiet.

The tour description says you can tailor the outing to your preferences. If your group would rather spend less time on the beach and more time in the water, discuss that with Gabriel early in the day. Clear communication is the key to making the flexible format work.

One hour for snorkeling and paddleboarding

After Ses Illetes, the boat allows about an hour for snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding around Formentera. The snorkeling equipment and SUP boards are included, so you do not need to arrange separate rentals.

This is one of the strongest practical features of the trip. You can swim directly from the boat instead of organizing another activity on shore, and you can switch between floating, paddling, and relaxing on deck. The water is described as crystal clear, which makes this a natural time to look below the surface.

You should bring a towel and sunscreen. A swimsuit is an obvious choice for a day built around swimming, though it is not listed in the official packing advice. The boat has a deck for sunbathing, so apply sunscreen regularly and remember that wind can make strong sun feel less intense than it is.

The activity suits mixed groups well. Children can enjoy the excitement of jumping from the boat when appropriate and supervised, while adults can use the paddleboards or simply watch. If anyone in your party does not want to swim, there is still plenty of value in the sailing and deck time.

Es Pujols: a change of pace

The next sailing leg takes about an hour and leads to Es Pujols, where you have another hour to visit. This gives the day a useful change of pace. After a morning focused on sailing and swimming, Es Pujols offers time on land and a chance to stretch your legs.

The details of the shore visit are not fixed beyond the one-hour stop, so your captain can help you decide how to use it. You might prefer a quick walk, a drink, or a look around before returning to the boat. Keep an eye on the time, since this is one part of a full eight-hour itinerary.

Es Pujols also works as a possible lunch area, but restaurant plans need attention in advance. If you want a proper beach restaurant meal, arrange a booking before the day of the trip. In high season, turning up without a reservation is a poor plan.

One group arranged lunch at Cafe del Lago and found the menu useful for people who did not want fish. That option involved a €40 mooring fee, while other restaurants suggested by Bora Sailing did not charge that particular fee. The lesson is simple: ask about both the meal and the mooring cost before confirming your restaurant.

Lunch onboard or at a beach restaurant

You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks. This is a good way to keep the day casual and control your budget, especially if your group includes different tastes or dietary needs.

The boat has a fridge, but extra bags of ice are recommended for the outside cooler. That small detail matters on a hot day. Bring enough cold drinks for the group and do not assume a nearby shop will be convenient once you are on the water.

You can also arrange restaurant delivery to the boat, including paella, by coordinating with the captain. This sounds convenient, but it should be organized before or early in the trip. The captain can help with the practical side, yet the restaurant still needs to accept the order and arrange delivery.

A beach restaurant lunch adds cost and timing restrictions. A picnic gives you more freedom. I would choose the picnic if the main goal is sailing and swimming, and reserve a restaurant if lunch is a central part of your Formentera day.

The final sunset stop at Platja des Jondal

The itinerary ends with about two hours at Platja des Jondal for sunset before returning to Bora Sailing. This gives you a slower final chapter after the more active parts of the day.

You can use the last stretch to sit on deck, watch the light change, and enjoy the coast without rushing between activities. The timing may be especially attractive to groups that want a full day on the water rather than an early return to Ibiza.

The itinerary includes both Es Pujols and Platja des Jondal, so the day is fairly full. You will spend substantial time sailing between stops, which is part of the point of booking a sailboat. If your ideal outing is mostly stationary beach time, a shorter beach-focused boat rental may suit you better.

For me, the sunset stop is valuable because it rounds out the experience. The day is not only about checking off Formentera beaches. It is also about the movement between them, the changing views, and the relaxed final hours on deck.

What the $777 price really buys

The price is $777 for a private group of up to seven people. Filled to capacity, that comes to roughly $111 per person for eight hours, or about $97 per person per hour for the full group. The cost becomes less attractive if only two or three people are sharing it, but the privacy remains the central benefit.

Fuel is included, as are the captain, the boat, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, the restroom, WiFi, and use of the deck. You are not paying only for transport. You are paying for a full private boat day with equipment and a captain who can guide the outing.

Food and drinks are extra, and a restaurant lunch may involve a separate mooring charge. Ask about those costs before committing to a beach club or restaurant. Bringing your own picnic is the clearest way to keep the final price close to the advertised amount.

The value is strongest for a group of friends or a family of up to seven. You avoid sharing the boat with strangers, set the mood yourself, and get more room than you would on a crowded ferry or large group excursion. For a small party, compare the total cost with other private boat options before booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this outing to people who want a full day at sea rather than a simple ferry ride. It works especially well for groups who want several choices in one day: beach time, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a possible restaurant lunch.

Families should find the private format useful. Captain Gabriel has been praised for working well with children and for explaining sailing in a way that makes the boat part of the experience. Parents still need to supervise children around the water, and the tour details do not list age requirements or specific safety rules.

It also suits friends who want privacy and flexibility. You can bring your own food, play on the water, or spend long stretches doing very little. That freedom is hard to get on a scheduled ferry.

This may not be the best choice if you dislike time on open water, want a guaranteed restaurant meal without advance planning, or prefer a short transfer with most of the day spent on land. It is an active, sea-based outing, and sailing time makes up a large part of the schedule.

Practical details to settle before departure

The tour lasts eight hours, but starting times depend on availability. Confirm your start time when booking and ask Captain Gabriel for the clearest meeting instructions at Cala Porroig.

The activity is private, and the maximum group size is seven passengers. The captain can conduct the outing in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

Bring a towel and sunscreen, plus any food and drinks you want for the day. Ice is recommended for the outside cooler, even though a fridge is available onboard.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Ibiza plans are still shifting.

Should you book this Ibiza to Formentera sailing day?

Book it if you can fill most of the seven-person capacity and want privacy, water activities, and a captain-led day with room for personal choices. Captain Gabriel’s warm approach, the well-equipped boat, and the mix of Ses Illetes, Es Pujols, snorkeling, SUP, and sunset make this more engaging than a basic crossing.

Before booking, sort out the meeting point and lunch plan. Message the captain for exact directions to the stone dock, bring ice if you want very cold drinks, and reserve any restaurant well ahead. If you handle those details, this is a strong-value private day for families and small groups who want to see Formentera from the water rather than simply arrive there.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

The meeting point is Cala Porroig in Ibiza, at the Bora Sailing pickup area. You will see a stone dock, and Captain Gabriel waits there in a red tender or dinghy.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing day lasts eight hours. Check availability for the specific starting time.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The private group can include up to seven passengers.

What languages does the captain speak?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Are stand-up paddleboards available?

Yes. SUP boards are available for use during the outing.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your own food and drinks onboard. A fridge is available, and extra bags of ice are recommended for the outside cooler.

Do I need to reserve a restaurant for lunch?

If you want to eat at a restaurant on Formentera, you should make a reservation in advance, especially in high season. A restaurant lunch may also involve a separate mooring fee.