From Ibiza: Sailing Tour to Formentera with Beach Stops

Formentera is at its best from the water, and this private sailing trip gives you a full day to enjoy its famous beaches without rushing from one shore to the next. Alberto and Irene sail from Cala Jondal, stopping at Espalmador and Ses Illetes for swimming, beach time, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.

I like the intimate setup, with one private group of up to 11 people, and I like the generous selection of included equipment, drinks, and snacks. The main thing to consider is the price: $1,472 per group is good value for a larger party, but expensive for only two or three people. You also need to bring lunch if snacks will not be enough for your group.

Key points to know

• Two beautiful island stops: Swim near privately owned Espalmador, then spend time at Ses Illetes on Formentera.
• A private group of up to 11: You get the boat to yourselves instead of sharing space with a large excursion crowd.
• Alberto and Irene host the day: They speak Spanish, English, and Italian, and can adjust the pace to your group.
• Water gear is included: Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and a dinghy for reaching shore are provided.
• Seven hours on the sea: The trip includes roughly one hour sailing each way from Ibiza, with several hours for swimming and beach time.
• Plan your arrival carefully: Meet on Cala Jondal beach in front of Tropicana, and use the recommended car park because parking near the meeting point can be difficult.

Sailing from Cala Jondal to Formentera

This trip begins on the beach at Cala Jondal, in front of Tropicana. You are not being collected from your hotel, so allow time to reach the beach and find the meeting point. Parking can be hard near the launch area, and Alberto has recommended a car park to some groups in advance. I would follow those instructions rather than count on finding a space beside the beach.

Once aboard, you have a classic sailing boat for your private group. The boat includes a toilet, a speaker with Spotify, fuel, and a dinghy for getting ashore. That combination matters on a seven-hour outing. You can settle in for the crossing, listen to music, and avoid the discomfort of having no basic facilities once you are away from Ibiza.

The crossing to Formentera takes about an hour. That is long enough to make the sailing itself part of the day, but not so long that you spend most of your booking simply getting there. I like this balance. You get views across the water and time to relax, while the main focus remains the beaches and swimming stops.

The boat provides water, other drinks, and snacks. These are useful for keeping everyone going, especially in the sun, but lunch is not included. One person specifically wished for sandwiches instead of snacks on an all-day trip, and that is a fair point. If you have children, a large appetite, or a group that wants a proper midday meal, bring something suitable or clarify the food plan before departure.

Espalmador brings the first swim

The first stop is Espalmador, the privately owned island beside Formentera. Its clear water is the main draw. You can swim from the boat and enjoy the sense of space around you, away from the built-up parts of Ibiza.

This stop is especially good if your idea of a holiday is simple: jump into clean water, float for a while, and let the boat do the work. The water equipment gives you more ways to enjoy the stop, and the paddleboard is a nice option if you want to move around rather than only swim.

Do not assume every stop means a long walk on land. At Espalmador, your group may prefer to stay aboard, swim, or take photographs from the boat. That flexibility is useful because the best choice depends on the sea, the weather, and how much beach time you want later at Ses Illetes.

The trip is subject to favorable weather and sea conditions. That is standard for a sailing day, but it matters here because the pleasures of Espalmador depend on being able to use the water comfortably. If conditions change, the skipper may need to alter the timing or stops. A little flexibility is part of booking a boat trip rather than a fixed bus tour.

Ses Illetes offers the classic Formentera scene

The main beach stop is Ses Illetes on Formentera. This is where you can go ashore using the dinghy, walk along the sand, swim, or simply find a comfortable spot and slow down.

Ses Illetes is known for white sand and clear, shallow-looking water, and the setting gives you the postcard view many people hope for from a Formentera excursion. I like that the schedule leaves free time here instead of turning the beach into a quick photo stop. You can use the snorkeling equipment, try the stand-up paddleboard, or leave the gear behind and enjoy the shore.

The dinghy is an important practical detail. The sailboat does not need to pull directly onto the beach, and you can still reach the sand without swimming with all your belongings. Alberto takes groups ashore and returns at an agreed time, so listen carefully to the pickup plan before leaving the boat.

You should bring a towel, since one is not provided. Pack swimwear, sunscreen, and an ID card, or a copy of it. A waterproof bag for your phone and valuables would also be sensible, though it is not listed as supplied equipment. Keep anything you take ashore organized, since the beach stop involves moving between the sailboat, dinghy, and sand.

Free time makes this feel like a private day

The best feature of the itinerary is its unhurried rhythm. You sail for about an hour, stop for water time at Espalmador, continue to Ses Illetes, and then return to Ibiza in the late afternoon. You are not trying to squeeze five attractions into seven hours.

A private group changes the mood. If you book with family or friends, you can spend more time swimming or ask for a little more time on the beach, depending on conditions and the skipper’s judgment. Alberto and Irene are described as friendly, attentive hosts who listen to what the group wants, while still keeping the day practical and safe.

This is not the right choice if you want a tightly scripted sightseeing tour with constant commentary. The focus is on sailing, swimming, beaches, music, and relaxed company. You may get local information about the area, but the supplied details do not promise a formal history talk or a full guided tour of Formentera.

I see that as a strength for the right group. If you have already spent time in Ibiza and want a day outside the usual beach clubs, this gives you a change of pace. You are still enjoying the islands, but from the sea and at a slower speed.

What is included on the boat

The included equipment is generous for a beach and sailing outing:

• Skipper and private sailboat
• Water, drinks, and snacks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Fuel and a dinghy for reaching shore
• Toilet onboard
• Speaker and Spotify

You do not need to rent snorkeling gear or a paddleboard separately. That saves both money and time, and it means you can decide on the day whether you feel like using them.

The speaker and Spotify may appeal to groups who want music during the crossing. If your ideal boat trip is quiet, you can ask about the music setup before departure. The available information confirms the equipment is there, but it does not specify the music volume or how much of the day is spent with music playing.

The toilet is another small but valuable feature. Seven hours on the water is a long stretch, and having a facility onboard is more comfortable than relying entirely on shore stops.

Lunch and towels are the two clear omissions. Bring both if you want a fuller day. Snacks and drinks cover part of your needs, but do not treat them as a restaurant lunch.

Is $1,472 good value?

The price is $1,472 per group of up to 11 people. That sounds high until you divide it among a full party. At 11 people, the cost works out to about $134 per person. At six people, it is roughly $245 each. For two people, it is about $736 each, which makes the same trip much harder to justify.

The value comes from having the boat privately, with a skipper, fuel, equipment, drinks, snacks, and a dinghy included. You are paying for a full seven-hour outing rather than a short transfer to Formentera. A larger family or group of friends can share the fixed cost and enjoy more privacy than on a standard shared cruise.

I would compare the price against what your group wants from the day. If everyone wants to swim, use the board, relax on the beach, and spend time together, the private format has a clear benefit. If only one or two people care about sailing and the rest of the group would be just as happy on a public ferry, the price may not make sense.

There is also a time value. A ferry can get you to Formentera, but this trip adds Espalmador, a sailing experience, water equipment, drinks, and a skipper who manages the boat and shore transfers. You are buying the day as one package.

Alberto and Irene set the tone

Alberto and Irene operate the boat together. Their style, based on the details available, is warm and personal rather than formal. They prepare drinks and snacks, send practical information before the trip, and help coordinate the beach transfers.

That preparation can make a real difference. You know where to meet, what to bring, and where parking may be easier. One group even received help arranging a taxi after returning, though you should not treat that as a guaranteed part of the service.

The hosts speak Spanish, English, and Italian. That makes the trip easier for mixed-language groups and gives you a reasonable chance of discussing preferences before setting off.

I would tell the hosts in advance if your group has strong preferences about swimming, paddleboarding, beach time, music, or food. The itinerary has room for flexibility, but the day still depends on sea conditions, timing, and the needs of everyone onboard.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this outing for:

• Families who want a private day with a toilet, snacks, and easy water access
• Couples or friends who value a boat to themselves
• Groups of six to 11 who can share the fixed price
• Swimmers and beach lovers who want time at Espalmador and Ses Illetes
• Visitors who want snorkeling and paddleboarding without arranging separate rentals
• People who prefer an easygoing day to a packed sightseeing schedule

You may want another option if you dislike boats, get uncomfortable in open water, or want a full meal included. The tour also may not suit someone who wants extensive sightseeing on foot, since the main activities are sailing, swimming, beach time, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.

The trip runs for seven hours and usually returns to Ibiza in the late afternoon. That makes it a substantial part of your day, not a short add-on. Plan the rest of your schedule with enough breathing room, especially if you have evening dinner reservations or transport plans.

Practical tips before you leave Ibiza

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and an ID card or copy. Pack lunch if your group needs more than snacks, and bring a secure way to protect your phone from water.

Arrive at Cala Jondal beach in front of Tropicana with time to spare. The meeting point is on the beach, and parking near the embarkation area can be difficult. Use the parking advice sent by Alberto rather than improvising at the last minute.

Check the weather forecast, but remember that the final call depends on actual sea conditions. A sailing trip can be changed by wind and waves, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are helpful if your Ibiza schedule is still moving around, though they do not remove the weather factor.

Should you book this Formentera sailing tour?

I would book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a relaxed, private day built around beautiful water rather than formal sightseeing. The combination of Espalmador, Ses Illetes, snorkeling, paddleboarding, snacks, and personal hosting gives you plenty to do without making the day feel crowded.

The main caution is simple: $1,472 is a group price, not a bargain for a small party. Bring lunch and a towel, prepare for difficult parking at Cala Jondal, and accept that weather may affect the plan.

For a family or group of friends, this is one of the more comfortable ways to see Formentera from Ibiza. You get time to swim, time to sit on the sand, and time to enjoy the crossing itself. That balance is the reason I would put this near the top of an Ibiza itinerary for a private group.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour meet?

Meet on Cala Jondal beach in Ibiza, in front of Tropicana.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts seven hours and returns to Ibiza in the late afternoon.

How long is the sail from Ibiza to Formentera?

The sailing time from Ibiza to Formentera is approximately one hour.

Which places does the tour visit?

The tour stops near Espalmador Island and continues to Ses Illetes beach on Formentera.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private group experience for up to 11 people.

Who operates the sailing trip?

Alberto and Irene operate the boat and host the experience.

Which languages are available?

The hosts provide the experience in Spanish, English, and Italian.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is a stand-up paddleboard available?

Yes. A stand-up paddleboard is provided for use during the trip.

Are food and drinks included?

Water, drinks, and snacks are included. Lunch is not included, so bring additional food if your group wants a full meal.

Is a towel provided?

No. You should bring your own towel, along with swimwear and sunscreen.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I pay later?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.

Does the tour operate in all weather?

The activity is subject to favorable weather and sea conditions.