Review · IBIZA

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day

★ 5.0 · 262 reviews 8 hours (approx.) Run by Nomad Sailing Trips · Book through Viator
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This private sailing day links Ibiza’s south coast with Formentera’s best-known beaches, but the real pleasure is having the boat to yourself. You can swim when the water looks right, paddle at S’Espalmador, and spend less time watching a schedule. The private setup is my first big plus, especially for a group of friends or family.

I also like the practical touches: two SUP boards, snorkeling gear, WiFi, and a yacht assistant who can help with food and drinks. A possible drawback is the boat’s size. At 41 feet, it is modern and comfortable, but one person found it smaller than expected. Weather can also change the plan, including the run to Formentera.

Key points to know before you book

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day - Key points to know before you book

  • A true private charter: The price covers your group, up to seven people, rather than a seat on a shared boat.
  • Cala Jondal start: You meet at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal on Ibiza’s south coast and return there after about eight hours.
  • Swimming time matters: You get stops near Playa des Codolar, Ses Salines, S’Espalmador, and Ses Illetes for swimming and snorkeling.
  • Two SUP boards are included: They are especially useful at calm S’Espalmador, where you can paddle away from the boat.
  • Lunch is flexible but not included: You can eat ashore at Ses Illetes or bring lunch aboard, but food and alcohol cost extra.
  • The crew can shape the day: Agus, Carlota, Tom, Nuria, and Marcelo are among the names connected with this experience, though your skipper depends on the date.

Why a private day on the water works so well

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day - Why a private day on the water works so well

Ibiza can be noisy and crowded, particularly around its famous beach clubs. A sailing trip gives you a different view of the island: cliffs, small coves, clear water, and the steady hush of the sea. You are not simply being taken to one beach and sent back. The day moves between open water, rocky coast, swimming spots, and Formentera.

The private format is important here. With up to seven people in your group, you can agree on how much time to spend swimming, paddling, eating, or lying on deck. That is a much better fit than a large excursion with fixed stops and a crowd competing for space near the rail.

The crew’s personal service is another strong point. Agus, in particular, is praised for arranging lunch, helping with taxis after the sail, and using humor to keep the day easy. Another guide, Carlota, is singled out as an excellent skipper. Tom, Nuria, and Marcelo are also named in the feedback, so the exact character of the trip may depend on who is working your departure.

The service goes beyond steering the boat. A yacht assistant is available for food and drinks, and the crew can help with practical arrangements. That can matter in Ibiza, where getting a table or finding a taxi at the end of a long beach day is not always simple.

Leaving Cala Jondal for Ibiza’s south coast

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day - Leaving Cala Jondal for Ibiza’s south coast

Your day starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, at Cala Jondal on the south coast. The first ten minutes are a gentle start, with time to settle on deck and look back at the bay before the boat follows the coast.

Cala Jondal is a good place to begin because it immediately gives you the setting this tour is built around: clear water, steep coastal edges, and a polished beach-club atmosphere nearby. You can shift from that busy resort feel to open water within minutes.

The boat is a modern 41-foot sailboat with a restroom on board. That is not a minor detail on an eight-hour outing. You still need to be comfortable spending much of the day at sea, but you are not dependent on finding facilities at every beach stop.

WiFi is also provided. It may seem odd to mention internet on a sailing trip, but it is useful if you want to stream music or upload photos while the boat is moving. Just do not let the connection turn the day into another screen-based activity. The best parts happen when you put the phone down.

Playa des Codolar and the rocky coast

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day - Playa des Codolar and the rocky coast

The next stretch follows Ibiza’s southern shore toward Playa des Codolar. This is less about a long beach visit and more about seeing the coast from the water. You pass rocky coves, cliffs, and small openings that are easy to miss from a road.

The boat spends about an hour in this part of the route. You can sit on deck, feel the sea air, and watch the coastline slide past without needing to hike, drive, or search for parking. That alone gives the day a relaxed pace.

Do not expect every minute to be full of activity. Sailing trips have quiet stretches, and that is part of the appeal. If you want a nonstop program, this may feel slow. If you like time to talk, listen to music, and watch the water, it is a welcome change from Ibiza’s louder side.

A swimming stop near Ses Salines

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day - A swimming stop near Ses Salines

The route then reaches a secluded cove near the Ses Salines Natural Park. The boat anchors for roughly an hour, giving you time to swim and use the snorkeling equipment provided.

This is one of the most useful parts of the day because you are not limited to looking at the sea from the deck. You can get in, cool off, and look for fish in the clear water. The exact conditions will depend on wind and sea state, so treat the stop as a chance rather than a guarantee of perfect visibility.

You should be comfortable climbing in and out of the water from the boat. The tour asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, and that is worth taking seriously. Snorkeling, swimming, and handling a paddleboard are easy for many people, but they still require confidence around open water.

If someone in your group prefers not to swim, the deck provides a simple alternative. You can sunbathe, take photos, or enjoy the coastline while others are in the water. A private boat makes this easier because nobody has to follow a shared group timetable.

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S’Espalmador by paddleboard and snorkel

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day - S’Espalmador by paddleboard and snorkel

S’Espalmador is the day’s most active stop. This small natural reserve lies between Ibiza and Formentera, and the boat spends about one hour and 50 minutes in the area.

Two paddleboards are included. With only two boards, your whole group cannot paddle at once, but they are enough to let people take turns. On calm water, this is a pleasant way to look back at the boat and explore the nearby shallows at your own pace.

You can also snorkel here. The appeal is the combination of clear water, a protected setting, and time to do more than take a quick swim. If your group enjoys water sports, this may become the favorite stop.

It is worth noting the limits. The tour does not promise a full collection of water toys, and there are only two SUP boards. You should also expect conditions to affect how much time you spend paddling. Wind and waves may make the boards less practical on a particular day.

The crew’s local judgment matters at this point. They can decide where anchoring and swimming make the most sense, rather than treating the route as a rigid checklist. On a previous outing, poor weather prevented the trip to Formentera, and the crew instead visited other coves around Ibiza. That is a sensible safety tradeoff, but you should book this with an open mind about the exact route.

Ses Illetes, the long lunch stop

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day - Ses Illetes, the long lunch stop

The boat then heads toward Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera. You get about two hours here, which is the longest stop of the day and gives you time to make a real choice.

You can go ashore for lunch and enjoy the beach, or eat on board while looking toward the white sand and clear water. Lunch is not included, so allow for that cost when comparing the total price. Alcohol is also excluded. The yacht assistant can help with food and beverages, but you will need to pay for what you consume.

If you want to eat ashore, tell the crew early. Agus has arranged lunch reservations for past groups, and that kind of help can save time. It also lets you spend the stop enjoying Ses Illetes instead of trying to solve logistics from your phone.

The two-hour window is long enough for more than a rushed meal. You can walk along the beach or explore farther on foot, although the tour does not provide a detailed land itinerary. The stop works best if your group agrees in advance on its priorities. Some people may want a proper lunch, while others may prefer swimming and sun.

Ses Illetes is likely to be the most recognizable beach on the route, but it may also be the busiest feeling stop. The boat gives you a way to enjoy the setting without spending the whole day on shore. Still, do not expect a deserted beach experience in a famous part of Formentera.

The return to Cala Jondal

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day - The return to Cala Jondal

After Ses Illetes, you return to Ibiza by sea. The listed return stretch takes about an hour and 30 minutes, so this is your chance to slow down after the active stops.

If the wind cooperates, the return can become a proper sailing run rather than a simple motor back to port. One group had a memorable sunset sail, with enough wind to make the final leg feel like a special part of the trip rather than transport.

The timing of sunset depends on your departure date, so do not assume every booking will include the same light. What you can count on is a long final period on deck, with coastal views and open water.

Some outings include drone footage, which can give you a strong record of the day. This is not listed as a standard inclusion, so ask about it before booking if aerial photos matter to you. The same goes for any special media service.

What the $1,088.86 group price really means

Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day - What the $1,088.86 group price really means

The price is $1,088.86 for a private group of up to seven people. Full, that works out to about $155 per person. With six people, it is about $181 each. For two people, the cost is much harder to justify unless privacy and flexibility matter more to you than low cost.

The value improves when you use the boat for the full day. You are paying for about eight hours, a skipper, fuel, the boat, snorkeling equipment, two SUP boards, a restroom, and a private experience. You also avoid the uncertainty of a shared excursion where the group’s preferences control the pace.

The price does not cover lunch or alcohol. Add those costs before comparing this with other boat trips. You may also want to budget for transport to Cala Jondal, although the meeting point is near public transportation.

For a group of friends celebrating together, the private rate can be reasonable. For a couple or a small family, compare it with a shared boat before committing. The main thing you are buying is not just a seat. It is control over the day and direct attention from the crew.

Who will enjoy this sailing day most

I would choose this trip for a group that wants a relaxed day with a few active breaks. You should enjoy swimming, sitting in the sun, and spending long periods on a boat. The SUP boards and snorkeling gear add variety, but this is not a high-speed adventure tour.

It suits friends aged across a wide range, as shown by one successful group ranging from 25 to 56. It can also work for families and couples who value privacy, provided everyone is comfortable at sea and has a moderate fitness level.

This is less suitable if you want a large yacht, a fixed guarantee of reaching Formentera, or a fully catered day. The 41-foot boat is modern, but one person expected something bigger. Lunch is optional and separate, and the weather can change the route.

You should also be ready for the boat to feel personal. One guide described the boat as his home, which hints at the informal, human character of the experience. That can make the day warm and memorable. It may not suit someone looking for a formal, anonymous luxury charter.

Booking details worth knowing

You receive confirmation at booking unless you reserve within one day of departure. In that case, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability.

The trip begins and ends at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, Sant Josep de sa Talaia. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the meeting point. The listed activity lasts about eight hours.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Local time controls the cutoff.

Because weather can affect the route, keep your schedule flexible. A safe alternative may mean visiting different Ibiza coves instead of crossing to Formentera. That is a practical reason not to place a major dinner reservation or airport connection immediately after the sail.

Should you book it?

Book this sailing day if you have five to seven people, want a private boat, and care more about a flexible day on the water than a bargain price. The strongest reasons are the private format, the calm mix of swimming and sailing, the two SUP boards, and the crew’s hands-on help with lunch and transport.

Think twice if your group expects a large yacht, included meals, or a guaranteed Formentera visit. Weather can change the route, and the boat may feel compact to anyone imagining a full-size luxury vessel.

For the right group, this is a smart way to see Ibiza and Formentera without rushing between beaches. You get time to swim, paddle, eat, and simply sit on deck. That balance, plus the possibility of a beautiful wind-powered return, makes the price easier to accept when shared across a full group.

FAQ

How long does the private sailing experience last?

The trip lasts approximately eight hours, including the coastal stops, time near Formentera, and the return to Cala Jondal.

Where does the boat depart and return?

You meet at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, 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 price covers one group of up to seven people. Only your group participates in the sailing activity.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can eat at Ses Illetes or have lunch on board, and the yacht assistant can help with food and drinks. Alcoholic beverages are also not included.

Are snorkeling gear and paddleboards provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and two paddle surf boards are included. The boat also has a restroom and WiFi.

Can bad weather change the route?

Yes. Weather conditions can make a Formentera crossing unsuitable. In that case, the crew may take you to other coves around Ibiza instead.

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