Bavaria 42 Cruiser · Private sailboat around Ibiza and Formentera

The best part of this day is the freedom of a private sailboat. From Cala Jondal, you head across to Formentera, stop where the water looks most inviting, and have room for your own group rather than sharing the boat with strangers. If the wind cooperates, the engine gives way to quiet sailing.

I like two things in particular: the route mixes Formentera’s famous white sands with quieter coves, and the boat carries both snorkeling gear and a paddleboard. The main point to consider is the price. At $1,015.87 for up to eight people, it can be good value for a full private boat, but it makes less sense for only two or three people.

Key points at a glance

• Cala Jondal departure: Begin and end at Tropicana Eivissa in Cala Jondal, with a short safety briefing before setting out.
• Formentera beach time: Spend about two hours at Ses Illetes for swimming, SUP, snorkeling, a shore walk, and lunch.
• Quiet S’Espalmador stop: Anchor near a calm cove on this small island between Ibiza and Formentera.
• Phoenician Sa Caleta: See Ibiza’s red rock coast and the site linked to the island’s first Phoenician settlers.
• Sunset return: Sail back toward Cala Jondal, with a chance of seeing Es Vedrà in the evening light.
• Private group format: The Bavaria 42 is reserved for your party, with a maximum of eight people.

A full day at sea, not just a quick boat ride

This is an eight-hour sailing day built around swimming, shore time, and the simple pleasure of being offshore. You begin at Cala Jondal, one of Ibiza’s best-known coastal spots, then make the crossing toward Formentera before working your way back through several very different bays and islands.

The boat is a Bavaria 42 Cruiser. That matters because you are booking a proper private sailing platform, not a short transfer boat. There is a restroom aboard, fuel is included, and you have space to sit on deck, swim, or use the supplied equipment.

The group limit is eight people. For a family or a group of friends, that spreads the cost across a useful number of passengers. At the listed price of $1,015.87 per group, eight people pay roughly $127 each before lunch. With four people, the individual cost is about $254. The value depends heavily on group size, but the privacy and flexible feel are the main reasons to choose it.

Leaving Cala Jondal with the wind on your side

Your meeting point is Tropicana Eivissa at Cala Jondal, in Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The day starts with a welcome and a safety talk lasting about 15 minutes. That is a small but important part of the outing, especially when several people may be swimming, using the SUP, or moving around the deck.

The first run toward Formentera takes about one hour and 45 minutes. Do not think of this only as travel time. It is a large part of the experience, giving you a long stretch of open sea, fresh air, and changing views from the bow.

When conditions allow, the crew raises the sails. That can make the crossing feel calm and unhurried, with less engine noise and a better sense of the sea setting the pace. Wind is never guaranteed, so you should book this for the whole boating experience rather than expecting a full day under sail.

Captain names connected with the boat include Sebastian, Juan Diego, and Juan. The available feedback gives special credit to Sebastian’s attention and to Juan Diego’s role on a Formentera trip. One useful detail is the sense of flexibility offered by Juan, who worked with the group’s wishes and allowed them to shape the day. Exact route choices still depend on conditions, but this is not presented as a rigid ferry-style schedule.

Two hours at Ses Illetes in Formentera

Ses Illetes is the major beach stop, and you get about two hours here. It sits inside the Ses Salines Natural Park, with pale sand, clear shallow water, and a long shoreline that makes the stop good for more than a quick swim.

You can use the paddleboard, take the snorkeling equipment into the water, or walk along the beach. If you prefer to stay aboard, the deck gives you a comfortable base while others go ashore or swim. Having several options makes this stop work well for mixed groups, since not everyone has to spend the afternoon in the same way.

Lunch is not included in the base price. You have three practical choices: eat at one of the waterfront restaurants, bring your own food aboard, or arrange the separate catering service. I would decide this before the day begins. A private boat day feels much easier when nobody is trying to solve lunch at the last minute.

The catering option has received particular praise for both convenience and quality. Still, it is an extra service, and the supplied details do not give a price or menu. Ask for those details before booking if food is an important part of your plan.

Ses Illetes is also the stop most likely to feel busy or popular during the high season, although the boat format lets you enjoy the water without being tied to a crowded beach setup. You should not expect complete solitude at one of Formentera’s best-known shores.

S’Espalmador for a quieter swim

After Ses Illetes, the boat heads to S’Espalmador, a small uninhabited island between Ibiza and Formentera. It is accessible only by sea, which gives this stop a more remote feel than the main beach.

The boat anchors in one of the quieter coves for about an hour. This is a good time to swim, explore a little of the coast, or simply stretch out on deck. The water is described as especially clear and turquoise, so bring your mask and make use of the included snorkeling equipment.

The stop is short enough that you should keep your expectations sensible. You get a peaceful swimming break, not a full island expedition. The crew also promises a lesser-known fact about S’Espalmador, which adds a small storytelling element to the stop without turning it into a formal sightseeing tour.

Because the island is uninhabited and reached only by sea, it is one of the more distinctive parts of the route. At the same time, you should follow the captain’s instructions about anchoring and access. The sea and weather decide how long the boat can stay and exactly where it can position itself.

Sa Caleta and Ibiza’s red rock coast

The final major stop before the return is Sa Caleta, on Ibiza. The setting changes sharply here. Red rocks meet green pine trees, creating one of the most recognizable coastal scenes on the island.

Sa Caleta is also linked to the first Phoenicians who settled Ibiza more than 2,600 years ago. You are not visiting a large archaeological site as part of this boat outing, but the historical connection gives the stop more weight than a photo break alone.

You have about an hour for swimming, taking pictures, and looking around the cove. The red stone makes this a good contrast with the pale sand at Ses Illetes. I like that the route does not repeat the same beach experience all day. You get a famous sandy shore, a quiet island cove, and a rocky historical corner.

The stop may appeal most to anyone who wants a little context with their sea day. If your only goal is long hours in the water, you may prefer to spend more time at one of the earlier swimming spots. The private format may help here, since the captain can respond to the group’s priorities when conditions permit.

A sunset return toward Cala Jondal

The final navigation back to Cala Jondal takes about one hour. The timing is intended to bring you home as the sun drops, with a chance to see Es Vedrà on the horizon.

That last stretch is one of the strongest reasons to consider the sunset option. The sea often feels calmer at the end of a long day, and the view from offshore gives you a different angle on Ibiza than you get from land. The return is not just a transfer back to the starting point. It is meant to be the quiet closing chapter of the day.

The exact sunset view depends on the season, weather, and cloud cover. Do not book it expecting a guaranteed postcard sky. Still, the route and timing give you a real chance at a memorable finish, especially if you have already spent the afternoon swimming and the deck has become your group’s base.

What the private format changes

A private boat makes the most sense when your group values control over the day. You can share the outing with family or friends, choose how much time to spend swimming, and avoid adapting every decision to a large mixed party.

The maximum group size is eight. That is large enough to spread the cost but small enough to keep the boat feeling personal. The private setup also suits groups with different energy levels. One person can paddleboard, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on deck without splitting up the entire day.

The limitation is that the route is still shaped by sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. Private does not mean unlimited freedom to stop anywhere or change every detail. Wind, anchoring rules, and timing between Ibiza and Formentera matter. The best approach is to treat the route as a well-planned framework with some room to adjust.

Equipment, lunch, and the small practical details

Snorkeling equipment and a paddle SUP are included, along with fuel, taxes, and a restroom aboard. Those inclusions matter because water activities can otherwise add several extra costs to a private charter.

Lunch is separate. You can bring food, eat at a waterfront restaurant, or arrange catering in advance. If you choose a restaurant, remember that the two-hour Ses Illetes stop is your planned lunch window. If you want a relaxed meal without watching the clock, catering or food brought aboard may be easier.

The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not describe specialized access arrangements for every part of the boat or shore stops. If someone in your group has particular mobility needs, check directly before booking.

The opening schedule shows departures from May through August. In May and June, the listed hours run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. From July through August, they run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Confirm the exact start time when you reserve, since an eight-hour outing and the published booking window need to line up.

Who gets the best value from this sailing day

I would recommend this for a group that wants a relaxed private day and plans to use the water equipment. It is especially suitable for friends, couples traveling together, or a family that wants swimming stops without booking several separate activities.

It also works for people who care about scenery more than a packed schedule. The route gives you long stretches at sea, two hours at Formentera’s best-known beach, a quieter island cove, a historic Ibiza stop, and a sunset return. That is a lot of variety, but the day still has breathing room.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone or as a pair on a tight budget. The group price is easier to justify when divided among six to eight people. I would also look elsewhere if you want a dedicated archaeological tour, a guaranteed sailing day, or lunch included in the quoted price.

The 100 percent recommendation rate and five-star score are strong signals, and the praise centers on the boat, the scenery, and the captains’ attention. Sebastian is singled out for excellent care, while Juan Diego receives warm praise for making a Formentera outing a success. The feedback about Juan is also useful because it points to a captain who listens and adapts the day to the group.

Booking details and cancellation

Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on local time.

Because the experience is often reserved about 60 days ahead, especially for the warmer months, I would not wait too long if you need a particular date. Before paying, confirm the lunch choice, exact departure time, and whether you want the sunset timing included in your plan.

Should you book the Bavaria 42 day?

Book it if you have a group of six to eight, want a full private day, and value swimming, scenery, and flexible time on the water. The combination of Ses Illetes, S’Espalmador, Sa Caleta, and the Es Vedrà sunset view gives you a broad taste of Ibiza and Formentera in one outing.

Think twice if the price will be divided among only a few people, or if you need an all-inclusive package with lunch already covered. For the right group, though, this is a practical way to turn one day into several distinct coastal experiences, with a real boat, useful equipment, and captains who appear to put attention to the group at the center of the day.

FAQ

How long does the private sailing experience last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The route includes time sailing from Cala Jondal to Formentera, stops at Ses Illetes, S’Espalmador, and Sa Caleta, and an approximately one-hour return to Cala Jondal.

Where does the boat depart and return?

The boat departs from Tropicana Eivissa at Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for one group of up to eight people. No other group participates in your booking.

Is lunch included?

No. You can eat at a waterfront restaurant, bring your own food aboard, or arrange catering as an extra service according to your requirements.

Are snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddle SUP are included in the experience.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. The Bavaria 42 Cruiser has a restroom aboard.

Is fuel included in the price?

Yes. The fuel tank is included, along with all fees and taxes.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.