Review · IBIZA

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour

★ 5.0 · 242 reviews 8 hours (approx.) Run by Nomad Sailing Trips · Book through Viator
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The best part of this trip is having a catamaran for your own group of up to 10 people, rather than sharing a boat with strangers. You sail from Cala Jondal toward Formentera, stopping for swims, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and time at Ses Illetes.

I like the relaxed mix of open-water time and beach time. I also like that the boat carries two paddleboards, snorkeling gear, Wi-Fi, and a restroom. The main caution is food: lunch is not included, and one reported order cost €65 for a ham board that did not provide enough food for a group. Bring provisions or confirm the menu and portions carefully.

Key points to know

  • Private boat for up to 10: Your party has the catamaran to itself, which makes the day easier for families and groups of friends.
  • Cala Jondal departure: The tour starts and ends at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal on Ibiza’s south coast.
  • Formentera is the main prize: You reach Ses Illetes, known for pale sand and clear water, with time to eat or walk ashore.
  • Water gear is supplied: Two paddleboards and snorkeling equipment are included, along with fuel, Wi-Fi, and a restroom.
  • Plan your lunch: Alcohol and lunch cost extra, and you can bring your own food instead.
  • Allow for active time: You should be comfortable swimming, getting on and off the boat, and using paddleboards or snorkeling gear.

A private day from Cala Jondal to Formentera

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - A private day from Cala Jondal to Formentera

This is an eight-hour sailing day built around the water. You meet at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, at Cala Jondal in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, then return to the same spot at the end.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. If you are booking for a family, a birthday group, or friends who want to set their own pace, you avoid the fixed mood and seating arrangements of a larger shared cruise. You can relax on deck, swim when the boat anchors, and make better use of the supplied water equipment with only your own group aboard.

The boat is home to a friendly 10-year-old Border Collie. That is a pleasant detail for dog lovers, but it is worth knowing in advance if anyone in your party has allergies or is uncomfortable around dogs.

The listed price is $1,609.09 per group of up to 10 people. That works out to about $161 per person if you fill every place, though the total cost rises on a per-person basis with a smaller party. Fuel, equipment, Wi-Fi, and the private boat are included. Lunch and alcoholic drinks are not, so add those expenses before comparing this trip with a shared sailing excursion.

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Leaving Ibiza at Platja des Jondal

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - Leaving Ibiza at Platja des Jondal

Cala Jondal is both the starting point and the finish. The first stretch is short, about 10 minutes, and gives you time to settle on deck and take in the bay’s clear turquoise water and rocky sides.

The appeal here is not a long sightseeing stop. It is the gentle start to the day. You can find a place in the sun, get familiar with the boat, and enjoy the first views before the route follows Ibiza’s southern shoreline.

Bring sun protection, a hat that will not blow away, and a layer for the return ride. Eight hours on the water can feel different from eight hours on land, especially when the boat is moving and the afternoon breeze picks up.

Following the rocky south coast to Playa des Codolar

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - Following the rocky south coast to Playa des Codolar

The next section lasts about an hour and follows the south coast toward Playa des Codolar. You pass beaches, rocky coves, cliffs, and sea caves from the water.

This is a good part of the trip for simple sightseeing. From a catamaran, you get a broad view of the shore without needing to stop at every beach. The coast appears at its best from the sea, where the cliffs and small coves form a continuous scene rather than a series of separate road stops.

I would treat this portion as a scenic cruise rather than a formal guided tour. The available information does not promise a detailed commentary about the coast, so the value comes from the setting, the boat, and the freedom to sit where you like.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking your usual precautions before departure. The route includes time on open water, and the day is not limited to a sheltered bay.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ses Salines

The boat then reaches a secluded cove near the Parque Natural de Ses Salines. The stop lasts about an hour, with time to swim and use the snorkeling equipment provided on board.

The clear water is the main draw. You can get in directly from the catamaran and look for fish and other marine life below the surface. This is a better fit for confident swimmers than for anyone who wants to remain dry, since the water activities are a central part of the day.

Snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from packing a mask and fins. Still, equipment included does not mean every item will suit every face or foot perfectly, so anyone particular about fit may prefer to bring personal gear.

The boat also has a restroom, a small but important comfort on a full day away from shore. You will not need to plan the day around finding a beach facility after every swim.

Paddleboarding and snorkeling at S’Espalmador

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - Paddleboarding and snorkeling at S’Espalmador

The route continues to S’Espalmador, a protected natural area between Ibiza and Formentera. You have roughly one hour and 50 minutes here, making it one of the longest water stops.

Two paddleboards are supplied. That means your group can take turns paddling over the calm water, then return to the boat for snorkeling or a swim. With only two boards for as many as 10 people, you should not expect everyone to paddle at once. The equipment is a welcome extra, but larger groups will need to share it.

This stop works best for a group that enjoys an active day. You can swim, snorkel, and paddle instead of spending every hour stretched out on the deck. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness, as the day involves repeated movement between the boat, the water, and the shore.

Because S’Espalmador is a natural area, the atmosphere is more about open water and quiet surroundings than shops or organized attractions. Pack a dry bag if you have one for phones and cameras, even though the boat provides Wi-Fi. Water, salt, and electronics are not good companions.

Two hours at Ses Illetes on Formentera

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - Two hours at Ses Illetes on Formentera

The longest shore-based stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, where you spend about two hours. This beach is known for white sand and clear water, and it gives the day a change of rhythm after several swim stops.

You can stay aboard and eat while looking toward the beach, or get off and spend time on Formentera. The itinerary allows for a meal on the island and a walk along the shore, though any food purchase is your responsibility.

Two hours is enough for a relaxed visit, but it is not an all-day exploration of Formentera. If you want to see more of the island beyond Ses Illetes, the timing may feel limited. On the other hand, the short visit keeps the focus on the beach and the boat rather than turning the trip into a rushed island tour.

Ses Illetes is likely to be the most memorable stop for anyone who values sand and shallow clear water. I would save some energy for it instead of treating every earlier swim as a must-do. The day has many water opportunities, and you do not need to take every one.

The lunch decision can change the value

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - The lunch decision can change the value

Lunch deserves careful attention before you book. The advertised highlights refer to catered food, but the included features list lunch as not included. In practical terms, assume that food is extra unless you have confirmed a specific package.

You may bring your own food, which is the safest choice for controlling cost, portions, and dietary needs. You can also arrange food through the operator, but ask exactly what is included, how many people it serves, and whether drinks are separate.

A useful warning comes from a reported booking involving 10 people and a menu ordered for seven. The party felt that a €65 ham board was poor value and too small, while the operator explained that the menu had been requested for seven people even though the group contained 10, including teenagers. The lesson is simple: order by the number of people who will eat, not by an estimate that some will eat only a little.

This is especially important on a private boat because there are no easy alternatives once you are offshore. Pack sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and plenty of water if you prefer a straightforward plan. Alcoholic drinks are also excluded, so bring or budget for those only if the operator permits them.

The return to Cala Jondal at sunset

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - The return to Cala Jondal at sunset

After Ses Illetes, the catamaran turns back toward Ibiza. The return takes about an hour and 30 minutes, giving you a final stretch on deck and a chance to watch the coast change in the late-day light.

The sunset is one of the trip’s stated highlights. Exact conditions will depend on the season, weather, and timing, but the boat gives you a clear position for photographs as the day fades. Keep your phone or camera charged, and bring a small dry pouch if you want to take it near the water.

The return is also when the boat’s comfort features matter most. After swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, having a restroom and somewhere to sit makes the final crossing easier. Wi-Fi is included, although I would treat it as a convenience rather than the reason to choose a sailing trip.

You finish back at the Cala Jondal meeting point. There is no separate drop-off listed, so arrange your own onward transport from the same location.

Who will get the most from this private sailing day?

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - Who will get the most from this private sailing day?

I would recommend this trip to a group that wants privacy, open-water time, and control over the pace. It fits families with older children, couples booking together with friends, and active groups who want to combine swimming with a Formentera beach stop.

It is also a strong choice if the group values the boat itself as much as the destinations. You spend substantial time sailing, not just being carried from one short stop to another. The route includes about an hour and a half on the return leg alone, plus the coast cruise and transfers between anchorages.

I would think twice if your group wants a fully catered day, a detailed cultural tour, or lots of time exploring towns on Formentera. This is primarily a sea-and-beach outing. The natural setting is the focus, and lunch planning is left partly to you.

The private price makes the most sense when you can fill most of the 10 available places. A smaller group may still value the privacy, but the per-person cost becomes harder to justify compared with a shared boat. Since the trip is often booked well ahead, planning roughly 54 days in advance is sensible during busy periods.

The tour requires good weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book this Ibiza catamaran tour?

Book it if you want a private boat, several chances to swim, paddleboard and snorkel, and a proper visit to Ses Illetes. The route gives you a satisfying view of Ibiza’s south coast before shifting to the clear water and pale sand of Formentera.

Before paying, settle three things: the final passenger count, the lunch plan, and how the two paddleboards will be shared. If you bring your own food and fill most of the places, the price can be reasonable for a private full-day boat. If you expect lunch, alcohol, extensive island sightseeing, or a low per-person cost for a small group, this may not be the right fit.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?

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

How long does the sailing tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. This is a private activity for your group only, with space for up to 10 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may bring your own food or arrange food separately, and alcoholic beverages are also excluded.

What equipment is provided?

The boat provides two paddle surf boards, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, and a restroom. Fuel is included as well.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

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