Playa de Ses Illetes Sailboat Full Day Private Trip

The best part of this private sailing day is the freedom to enjoy Formentera from the water, then stop when the sea looks too good to resist. Your skipper takes care of the boat and navigation while you swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or head ashore by dinghy. Ses Illetes gets three hours, so you have time for lunch rather than a rushed photo stop.

I like the generous gear package, especially the paddleboards, snorkel equipment, cool box, and Bluetooth speaker. I also like the small private-group setup, which lets up to nine friends or family members share one boat instead of splitting up. The main catch is cost: at $1,621.89 per group, it makes the most sense with a full group, and you must bring your own food and drinks.

Key points to know before you book

• Two famous Formentera stops: Spend about three hours at Playa de Ses Illetes and two hours at S’Espalmador.
• A skipper handles the work: You can relax while the skipper sails and navigates.
• Water gear is included: Snorkels, paddleboards, and an auxiliary dinghy are provided.
• A private day for up to nine: You share the boat only with your own group.
• Bring lunch and drinks: Food and beverages are not included, though a large cool box is available.
• Skipper quality matters: Guides named in past outings include Tincho, also called Martin, Rolan, Jose, Diego, Alejandro, Carlos, and Ale.

Setting out from Es Molí de Sal at 10 a.m.

Your day begins at Es Molí de Sal, on Calle Afores in Formentera, at 10 a.m. The trip returns to this same meeting point after roughly seven hours. That fixed start makes planning easier, especially if you are arranging the day around other time-sensitive plans on the island.

The private format is the real logistical advantage. Up to nine people can travel together, and only your own group takes part. That gives you a more relaxed setting than a large shared boat, with no need to match your pace to strangers.

Your skipper takes care of sailing and navigation. That matters even more on a full day at sea, since you can focus on swimming and enjoying the coast instead of watching the route or worrying about the boat. The skipper also brings local knowledge of the stops and restaurant choices. Past outings have featured Tincho, also known as Martin, along with Rolan, Jose, Diego, Alejandro, Carlos, and Ale.

The names vary by departure, so you should not assume a particular skipper will be assigned to your group. Still, the repeated pattern is useful: the skipper is not just there to steer. You can ask for help choosing where to swim, where to eat, and how to make the most of the time ashore.

Three hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

The longest stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, with about three hours available. That is enough time to enjoy the beach at a human pace. You can go ashore for lunch, swim near the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, or take a paddleboard out for a closer look at the water.

A major practical detail is the auxiliary dinghy. It can take you between the sailboat and the beach, so you do not have to swim ashore with your belongings. It also makes the stop more flexible if some people want to eat at a restaurant while others prefer to stay on board.

Lunch is not included. You can eat at one of the restaurants on the beach, but the tour price does not cover the meal or drinks. If you prefer to keep the day moving at your own pace, bring provisions and store them in the large cool box provided on board.

I would plan the food question before departure. A private boat day feels wonderfully easy once you are on the water, but nobody wants to lose swimming time while sorting out lunch. Ask your skipper about the beach restaurant options, and pack extra water if you expect to spend a lot of time in the sun.

Ses Illetes is likely to be the social center of the day. Some people in your group may want a proper restaurant meal, while others may want to stay wet, salty, and on the water. The three-hour stop gives you room to split up briefly and regroup without turning the day into a strict parade of timed stops.

Two hours around S’Espalmador

The second stop is S’Espalmador, with about two hours planned. The experience here is more about the island setting and time on the water than a long meal stop. You can use the boat as a base for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, then return to the sailboat when you are ready.

The schedule gives S’Espalmador less time than Ses Illetes, so I would treat it as a shorter water-and-shore visit. If your group wants a long restaurant lunch, Ses Illetes is the better place to use that time. If you prefer quiet time on the water, S’Espalmador may become the favorite stop.

The trip does not promise a particular beach activity beyond access to the stop, so keep your plans flexible. Conditions at sea and the skipper’s judgment can shape how long you spend in one spot. The important point is that you have both destinations in one day, rather than choosing between them.

Snorkeling, paddleboards, and music on board

The included equipment turns the boat from simple transport into your base for the day. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring a full kit. The stand-up paddleboard gives you another way to explore the water, with a slower pace than swimming and more freedom than staying on the boat.

You also get a Megaboom Bluetooth speaker. If your group likes to build a soundtrack for the day, connect your phone and play your own music. Keep the volume sensible, especially when the boat is near beaches or other boats. The speaker is a nice touch, but the sea, wind, and conversation should still get their share of the day.

The large cool box is particularly useful because food and drinks are not included. Use it for picnic supplies, chilled drinks, and anything you want close at hand between stops. The boat also includes fuel, final cleaning, taxes, required insurance, and the dinghy, so you are not facing a string of extra charges for the basic operation of the day.

I like this all-in setup. You pay for the charter, skipper, fuel, insurance, equipment, and cleaning in one price. You still need to budget for lunch and drinks, but the main boating costs are already covered.

What the $1,621.89 price really means

The price is $1,621.89 for the entire group, not per person, with a maximum of nine people. Split nine ways, that works out to about $180 per person. With seven people, the figure is roughly $232 per person. A smaller group pays more per head, so group size changes the value considerably.

For nine people, the price can be reasonable for a full private day at sea, especially since it includes fuel, insurance, a skipper, cleaning, water equipment, the dinghy, and the cool box. You are also buying control over the company you keep and the pace of the day.

For two or three people, I would think harder. The private setting remains attractive, but the per-person price rises quickly. This is not the choice for a budget beach outing. It is aimed at a group that values privacy, a dedicated boat, and several hours moving between Formentera’s best-known coastal stops.

Food and drinks add to the total. You can eat at Ses Illetes restaurants or bring your own supplies, but neither option is part of the advertised price. I would compare the full cost of this charter with the cost of separate boat transport, beach time, meals, and water activities before deciding.

A skipper who shapes the day

The boat and route matter, but the skipper can make the biggest difference. You are not simply being dropped at a beach and collected later. The skipper sails, navigates, handles the dinghy, and helps the group use the day well.

Past trips have included skippers called Tincho, or Martin, Rolan, Jose, Diego, Alejandro, Carlos, and Ale. Tincho is especially associated with a full day that included sailing across to Formentera, swimming, paddleboarding, lunch, and a return with sunset views. Other outings describe a skipper making the group comfortable, sharing restaurant suggestions, and helping everyone enjoy both S’Espalmador and Formentera.

That does not guarantee the same person or the same conditions for your departure. It does show why communication matters. Tell the skipper early whether your group cares most about swimming, lunch, paddleboarding, snorkeling, shore time, or simply sailing.

Some past outings have run longer into the day and included a sunset on the return. The stated schedule here begins at 10 a.m. and lasts about seven hours, so you should not book it solely for a sunset. Ask about the day’s timing if that view is important to you.

Who will enjoy this private sailing day

I would recommend this trip most strongly for friends, families, and couples traveling together who want one shared day rather than a string of separate activities. It works especially well for a group of six to nine, since the fixed price becomes easier to justify.

It also suits mixed-interest groups. One person can snorkel while another paddleboards, someone else listens to music, and others go ashore for lunch. A large shared boat often forces everyone into the same rhythm. This private setup gives your group more say.

Families should note that the activity is described as suitable for most people, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. The dinghy helps with getting to the beach, yet boarding a sailboat and auxiliary boat still requires care. Ask the provider about your group’s specific needs before booking.

This is less ideal for someone who wants a tightly packaged sightseeing tour with a guide explaining every stop. The appeal is time on the water, personal choice, and the skipper’s practical help. If you would rather spend the whole day walking, touring landmarks, or eating at fixed venues, this may feel too open-ended.

Weather, cancellation, and small practical matters

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Under normal circumstances, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so check your group’s plans carefully before committing.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the tour is offered in English. Mobile tickets are accepted. The activity returns to Es Molí de Sal, which keeps the arrival and departure point simple.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and any food or drinks you want for the day. Those items are not listed as included, and the cool box is there for your supplies. I would also keep your phone protected from spray, even if you plan to use it with the Bluetooth speaker.

The boat includes final cleaning, so you do not need to worry about leaving the vessel spotless after a day of swimming and eating. That small detail helps the final hour feel less like a chore.

Should you book the Formentera charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the fixed price and you want a full day built around swimming, beach time, and sailing. The combination of Ses Illetes, S’Espalmador, a private skipper, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and a dinghy gives you a lot to do without forcing you into a rigid schedule.

I would be more cautious if your group is small, budget-minded, or hoping for a guaranteed sunset. The price rises per person, lunch and drinks are extra, and the weather can change the plan. For a group of seven to nine that values privacy, this is a strong way to spend a Formentera day. For fewer people, compare the numbers carefully before you reserve.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start?

The trip starts at Es Molí de Sal, Calle Afores, s/n, 07871 Formentera, Illes Balears, Spain.

What time does the boat leave?

The stated start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the activity last?

The sailing day lasts approximately seven hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the private trip?

The boat can take a private group of up to nine people.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can eat at restaurants on Playa de Ses Illetes or bring your own supplies for the large cool box.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

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