Ibiza & Formentera Private Full-Day Sailing Tour

From Cala Jondal, you sail past Ibiza’s southern cliffs and coves before reaching Formentera’s pale sands. The best part is the private format, which lets your skipper shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or simply lying in the sun. Carlota, Agustin, Thomas, Julien, and other skippers are praised for being warm, flexible hosts.

I like the chance to stop at quieter swimming spots instead of following a fixed group schedule. I also like that the price includes the skipper, fuel, snorkeling gear, two paddleboards, and a restroom. The main catch is time: sailing to Formentera can take about two hours, leaving less beach time than some people expect.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to seven: Your group has the 35-foot sailboat to itself.
• Cala Jondal departure: The day begins and ends at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal.
• Swimming comes first: Ses Salines and Espalmador provide the main water stops.
• Formentera lunch is optional: You can eat ashore or bring food for lunch on board.
• Skippers shape the day: Guides including Carlota, Agustin, Thomas, Victoria, and Julien have adjusted stops to suit each group.
• Plan for a slow crossing: This is a sailing outing, not a fast ferry transfer.

Setting sail from Cala Jondal

You meet at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, on Ibiza’s southern coast. The bay gives you an attractive start, with clear water, steep coastal rock, and a relaxed beach setting before the boat heads west and south.

The sailboat is 35 feet long, a useful size for a private group without the feel of a large excursion vessel. Up to seven people can book together, so this works well for a family group, a few friends, or a couple celebrating a birthday or anniversary.

I would arrive ready for a full day outside. The boat has a restroom, snorkeling equipment, fuel, and two paddleboards. Alcohol is not included, and lunch is not included, so you need to plan your food and drinks in advance.

The schedule is flexible enough for special occasions. A birthday group can spend more time swimming, while an anniversary couple may prefer a quieter route or a late return around sunset. The exact order and length of stops can change with sea conditions and your preferences.

The southern coast, from Jondal to Codolar

The opening stretch takes you along Ibiza’s southern coast. You pass rocky inlets, small beaches, cliffs, and caves that are easier to appreciate from the water than from a road.

At Platja des Jondal, the first listed stop is brief, about 10 minutes. Think of it as your starting point and a chance to settle onto the boat rather than a major activity stop.

Playa des Codolar receives about an hour. Here, the pleasure is the coastline itself. You can sit on deck, feel the wind, and watch the shore change from busy beach areas to rougher rock and small coves.

This is a good time to ask your skipper about the day. Guides such as Agustin and Victoria have been praised for explaining how the sailboat works and for adjusting the route to suit the group. You may get a short introduction to sailing, or simply let the skipper handle the boat while you enjoy the view.

Keep your expectations realistic. The water is often the star, but a sailing boat moves more slowly than a motorboat. If your main goal is to reach Formentera quickly, this is not the most efficient choice.

Swimming and snorkeling in Ses Salines

The next stop is within the Parque Natural de Ses Salines, where the boat anchors near a quieter cove along Ibiza’s southern coast. You can swim from the boat and use the supplied snorkeling gear to look for fish and other sea life.

This stop matters because it breaks up the crossing. Instead of spending the whole morning sitting on deck, you get a proper water stop with time to cool off and explore below the surface.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting gear separately. Still, I would bring a towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for phones and sunglasses. That last item is especially sensible on any boat day, since spray and wet transfers can put personal items at risk.

The cove is described as secluded, but no private access is promised. Conditions, boat traffic, and the day’s route can affect how quiet it feels. The skipper decides where it is safe to anchor.

Espalmador by paddleboard and snorkel

From Ibiza, the boat continues toward S’Espalmador, a small natural reserve between Ibiza and Formentera. This is one of the strongest parts of the day for anyone who wants more than sunbathing.

You have about an hour and 50 minutes here. Two paddleboards are provided, so you can take turns paddling across the calm water. You can also swim and snorkel again, making this a useful stop for an active group.

The water around Espalmador is the sort of place where a boat gives you a better experience than a packed beach. You can move between swimming, sitting on deck, and trying the paddleboards without having to pack up and drive.

Do not assume both boards will be available to everyone at once. With a group of seven, you will need to share them. That is not a serious problem, but it is worth knowing if paddleboarding is a main reason for booking.

Families should also consider the pace. One experience was described as less suitable for small children, partly because of the long sailing time. Older children who enjoy swimming and can manage a full day at sea may have a great time, but this is not a short beach transfer.

Ses Illetes and the choice of lunch ashore

The boat then reaches Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera, the day’s main beach stop. Expect white sand, clear water, and a striking shoreline that feels very different from Ibiza’s rockier southern coast.

You have about two hours here. You can leave the boat, walk along the beach, and eat at a local restaurant, or stay aboard and have lunch while looking toward the beach.

Lunch is not included. Some skippers, including Agustin and German, have helped arrange or recommend restaurants, but you should confirm this before setting out. The practical choice is to decide in advance if you want a proper meal ashore or a simple picnic on the boat.

A shore lunch takes time. You may need a transfer from the boat to land, and the exact arrangement can vary. If your priority is beach time, eating on board may give you more minutes in the water. If your priority is a relaxed meal and a taste of Formentera, going ashore makes more sense.

Do not treat Ses Illetes as a guaranteed long beach day. The route includes several sailing sections, and the crossing from Ibiza can take close to two hours. One person expected more time on the beach and in the water after realizing how much of the day would be spent sailing.

The return to Cala Jondal

The return leg is scheduled for about an hour and 30 minutes. You can stretch out on deck, watch Ibiza’s coast come back into view, and let the day wind down.

A late return can be particularly attractive for a celebration. One family group used the boat during a wedding week and enjoyed the sunset from the water. Sunset timing is not guaranteed by the standard route, so ask about the departure and return schedule if that matters to you.

The boat returns to the original meeting point at Cala Jondal. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer as part of the tour, though you do need to make your own way to the starting point.

The advertised duration is about eight hours. The listed stops add up to roughly seven and a half hours, with the remaining time naturally used for sailing between them. That difference is normal for a boat trip, but it reinforces the key point: you are paying for a day on a sailboat, not simply transportation to Formentera.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The skipper can make or break a private sailing day. Here, individual names come up often, including Carlota, Pablo, Thomas, Agustin, Victoria, Julien, Marcel, Nuria, German, and Lao.

The strongest pattern is personal attention. Skippers have adjusted swimming stops, suggested restaurants, explained sailing basics, helped groups get comfortable, and found calmer places for children to jump from rocks safely. Thomas was also praised for helping people who felt seasick at the start.

That flexibility is a real advantage over a standard group cruise. You can tell the skipper if you prefer more swimming, more beach time, more sailing, or a slower lunch stop.

Still, flexibility is not the same as unlimited choice. The skipper must work around weather, sea conditions, safety, and the distance between Ibiza and Formentera. Ask early in the day what is realistic, especially if your group has one must-see stop.

What the $943.68 group price buys you

The listed cost is $943.68 per group of up to seven people. Split among seven, that is about $135 per person. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises, but you still get exclusive use of the boat rather than joining strangers.

The price includes the skipper, fuel surcharge, snorkeling equipment, two paddleboards, and a restroom. Those inclusions make the cost easier to judge. You are buying privacy, equipment, and a full day of coastal access, not only a seat on a boat.

You still need to budget for lunch, alcoholic drinks, and any food or beverages you want to bring. Since a refrigerator problem was reported on one outing, I would not depend on onboard cooling without confirming it first. Bring supplies that can handle heat, and ask the operator about storage before departure.

For seven people celebrating together, the private format can be good value. For two people who mainly want to reach Formentera and spend hours on the sand, the ferry may be the more sensible option. A ferry is faster and usually better for independent beach time. This boat is better when the sailing itself is part of the holiday.

Who will enjoy this private sailing day

I would choose this trip if you want:

• A private day with your own friends or family
• Swimming and snorkeling from the boat
• Paddleboarding at S’Espalmador
• A flexible route instead of a fixed large-group cruise
• A special setting for a birthday, anniversary, or proposal
• Help choosing a beach or lunch stop
• Coastal views from the water rather than a quick crossing

I would think twice if you dislike long periods at sea, need a very fast trip to Formentera, or are traveling with very young children who may struggle with an eight-hour day. Seasickness is also worth considering. A skipper can help, but nobody can remove the motion of the sea.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is sent when you book. It is near public transportation, and most people can take part. Because the activity depends on good weather, a poor forecast may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

My call: book it for the boat, not just the beach

I would book this Ibiza and Formentera sailing day if you want the journey to be the main event. The private boat, strong skipper involvement, supplied water equipment, and choice of lunch ashore or on board give you more control than a standard excursion.

I would not book it simply as a way to get to Formentera. The sailing can take about two hours, and that may leave less beach time than you expect. In that case, take the ferry and spend the day on land.

For a group of friends, a birthday, or an anniversary, the $943.68 group rate can make sense. Ask in advance about the route, lunch arrangements, cooling for drinks, and the likely return time. If the answer fits your priorities, you get a relaxed day of coves, swimming, paddleboards, and open water with only your own group aboard.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

It starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the Cala Jondal meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private booking is for up to seven people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can eat on Formentera or have lunch on board.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What equipment is provided?

The boat provides snorkeling equipment, two paddle surf boards, fuel, and a restroom.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.