Formentera Top Sailing Tour

The best part of this day is the chance to reach S’Espalmador, an unspoiled island beach accessible only by boat. You get two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddle surfing, and taking in water that shifts through several shades of blue. I also like that a drone is included, so you leave with more than sunburn and a phone full of shaky pictures.

I like the freedom of a private boat, especially for a group that wants its own music, pace, and swimming stops. I also like the practical choice of Ses Illetes for lunch, where you can pick from six beach restaurants instead of being locked into a set meal. The main drawback is the price: at $1,565.35 per person, this is a serious splurge, and meals are extra.

Key points at a glance

• S’Espalmador is the day’s wildest stop: Reach this boat-only beach for swimming, snorkeling, and paddle surfing.
• Two hours are set aside at each stop: The schedule gives you time to enjoy the water rather than rush ashore.
• A private outing keeps the day flexible: Only your group participates, which suits families and friends traveling together.
• Drone footage is included: Ask how and when the videos will be delivered before departure.
• Ses Illetes offers a real lunch choice: Six beach restaurants serve island specialties, including rice and fish.
• Diego is a familiar captain’s name: His work with the operator is praised for friendly, calm, professional service, but confirm who will skipper your date.

A full day from Ibiza to Formentera

This is an eight-hour private sailing experience from Ibiza to Formentera, designed around two long stops rather than a string of quick photo calls. The day begins and ends at 07800 Ibiza, with the published operating window running daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

That timing matters. You are not simply being ferried to Formentera and left to find your own way around. The boat carries you to two carefully chosen coastal spots, with water activities supplied and advice available for lunch. The pace should feel leisurely, although the exact sailing time between Ibiza and each stop is not provided.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. Your group alone takes part, so you do not have to adapt to strangers who want a different lunch hour or a quieter boat. For a birthday, family outing, or day with friends, that privacy can make the high price easier to justify.

Still, private does not mean unlimited. The published plan gives you two hours at S’Espalmador and two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes. The remaining time covers the sailing and the general rhythm of the outing. If you want a full day of nonstop swimming or a long shore visit, ask the operator how much flexibility is possible.

S’Espalmador: two hours at a boat-only beach

S’Espalmador is the more remote-feeling stop. The beach is described as unspoiled and reachable only by boat, which gives it a different character from a standard beach outing. You can expect clear water, open views, and a setting made for getting into the sea rather than shopping or sightseeing.

The included snorkeling equipment makes the stop easy. You do not need to arrange a separate rental before boarding, and paddle surfing is also included. That gives you two simple ways to enjoy the water: float above the shallows with a mask or stand on a board and work your way along the coast.

Two hours is a useful amount of time here. You can swim, try both activities, and still have time to dry off before returning to the boat. I would not treat the schedule as a promise of perfect conditions, since wind, waves, and weather can affect water activities.

The drone is a memorable extra. A crew member plans to make videos during the day, giving you a record of the boat, water, and group from above. Ask before departure whether the footage is sent digitally and when to expect it. The supplied details confirm that the drone is included, but do not explain the delivery method or the number of clips.

S’Espalmador may be the least suitable stop for someone who wants a long restaurant lunch or extensive time on land. Its appeal is the water and the unspoiled setting. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a towel, and use the two hours well.

Playa de Ses Illetes: swim first, lunch second

Playa de Ses Illetes offers a different experience. The beach has a more untouched section and a more developed section, so you get both a scenic coastal stop and access to places where you can sit down for food.

This is where the tour’s lunch plan becomes useful. Six beach restaurants are available, and the crew can advise you on their prices, food quality, views, and atmosphere. That is better than being dropped at a beach and left to guess which restaurant fits your budget.

The island’s well-known rice and fish dishes are the natural choice here. Meals are not included, so the restaurant stop will add to your cost. You can also bring your own food and drinks aboard, with fridges available on the boat. That makes it possible to control your spending, pack around dietary needs, or save the restaurant budget for another meal.

I like the two-hour window at Ses Illetes because it gives you a choice. You can spend part of the time swimming and part of it eating, or make lunch the main event. The tradeoff is that the more time you spend at a restaurant, the less time you have in the water.

The more touristic section may feel busier than S’Espalmador. That contrast is part of the point: one stop is about a more natural beach setting, while the other gives you food, advice, and a little more infrastructure. If you want complete solitude all day, Ses Illetes may not match that wish.

The private format and the captain

Only your own group participates. That makes this a better fit for people who want a social day on their own terms, rather than a fixed group excursion with a set atmosphere.

The experience provider is Navega Por Ibiza. Diego is the captain most closely associated with the company’s private boat outings. His reported strengths include friendly communication, a professional manner, and a calm approach with both adults and children. He is also described as willing to adapt plans and explain how the boat works during longer rentals.

You should confirm the assigned skipper when you book. The supplied information does not guarantee that Diego will operate every departure, and a named captain is not listed as a fixed feature of this particular date. If having Diego matters to you, request him directly rather than assuming.

The personal style linked with Diego is useful on a private day. A good skipper can help the group settle into the boat, explain the available equipment, and advise on the best use of the stops. That matters more on a private charter than on a large ferry, where the crew has little time for individual questions.

There is also evidence of a wider range of boat activities from the same operator, including catamaran rentals, sailboat outings, jet ski sessions, and trips to coves around Ibiza and Formentera. Those are not part of this booking, so do not assume a jet ski, sunset cruise, or a particular sailboat will be included here.

What the price really buys you

The listed price is $1,565.35 per person. That places this firmly in the luxury day-out category, not the casual ferry-and-beach category.

You are paying for a private experience lasting about eight hours, along with all fees and taxes, snorkeling equipment, paddle surfing, and drone filming. The privacy has real value if you are splitting the cost across a group and want control over the day. It is less compelling for a solo visitor or a couple who mainly want transport to Formentera.

Meals are the main extra expense. You can bring food and drinks, and fridges are available, which helps keep the total under control. If you choose a restaurant at Ses Illetes, budget separately for rice, fish, drinks, and any other dishes.

The best value comes when your group will actually use the included features. If everyone wants to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and appear in the drone footage, the package offers several activities in one day. If half the group plans to stay seated and skip the water, the per-person cost becomes harder to defend.

I would compare the price with the number of people in your party and the total boat cost before booking. The experience is private, but the supplied information does not state the maximum group size or whether the price changes for different numbers of participants. Ask for the total booking price and capacity in writing.

Food, equipment, and what to bring

The boat has fridges, so you can carry your own lunch, snacks, and drinks. That simple detail is important in Ibiza, where a restaurant meal at a popular beach can quickly raise the cost of a private day.

Snorkeling equipment and paddle surfing are included. You do not need to add separate hire fees for those activities. The information does not list towels, sunscreen, or personal drinks as included, so plan to bring the items you need for a full day outdoors.

For lunch, you have two choices:

• Bring your own food and drinks and use the boat’s fridges.
• Eat at one of the six beach restaurants at Ses Illetes.

The restaurant choice is appealing if you want to try local rice and fish dishes and enjoy a view from the beach. Bringing food is the more predictable choice if you have a strict budget or dietary requirements.

The activity is offered in English. A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives when you book. Service animals are allowed, and the starting point is near public transportation.

Who will enjoy this most

This suits a group that values privacy more than a low price. Families can set their own pace, and friends can combine swimming, paddle surfing, snorkeling, lunch, and drone footage without sharing the boat with an unrelated group.

It is also a good match for anyone who wants to see two different sides of Formentera in one day. S’Espalmador supplies the remote beach feeling, while Ses Illetes adds restaurants and a more developed beach area.

The tour is less suitable for anyone who dislikes boats, wants a cheap way to reach Formentera, or prefers a land-based sightseeing day. The main attractions are water, beaches, and time aboard the boat. There are no museums, historic sites, or inland stops in the published plan.

Most people can participate, according to the available information, but the activities involve swimming and paddle surfing. If someone in your group has mobility or medical concerns, contact the provider before booking so you can confirm that the boat and water activities fit their needs.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

This experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, and if that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Ibiza.

The published hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily, from June 14, 2025, through December 21, 2026. The activity begins and ends at the meeting point in 07800 Ibiza. Confirm the exact boarding instructions before the day, since the supplied information does not name a pier or marina.

The tour is typically booked about five days ahead. That is a useful planning guide, not a guarantee of availability. Private outings and good-weather dates can fill quickly, so I would not leave this until the last minute if you are visiting Ibiza during a busy period.

My verdict on the Formentera sailing day

I would book this if you are a group willing to pay for privacy, water activities, and a full day built around two excellent beach stops. The strongest reasons are the boat-only setting of S’Espalmador, the useful choice of restaurants at Ses Illetes, the included snorkeling and paddle surfing, and the drone footage.

I would skip it if your priority is value on a per-person basis. The $1,565.35 price is hard to defend for a small group that only wants beach time, especially once lunch is added.

Before paying, confirm the total group price, boat capacity, assigned captain, drone delivery, and restaurant plan. If Diego is available and your group wants a relaxed, personal day at sea, this could be one of the more memorable splurges of an Ibiza stay. If not, compare it with a simpler ferry trip or a less expensive shared boat outing.

FAQ

Where does the Formentera Top Sailing Tour start?

It starts at 07800 Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain, and returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing experience lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the activity operate?

The published operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned stops are S’Espalmador and Playa de Ses Illetes.

How long is the stop at S’Espalmador?

The stop at S’Espalmador lasts two hours.

How long is the stop at Playa de Ses Illetes?

The stop at Playa de Ses Illetes lasts two hours.

Is food included?

No. You can bring your own food and drinks, and the boat has fridges. You can also eat at one of the beach restaurants at Ses Illetes.

What water equipment is included?

Snorkeling equipment and paddle surfing are included.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.