Formentera Day Trip from Ibiza on Private Luxury Catamaran

Formentera is Ibiza’s calmer counterpoint, and this private catamaran gives you a smart way to reach its best beaches without sharing the boat with a crowd. You sail from the Ibiza coast to Playa de Ses Illetes, then continue to quiet Espalmador for swimming, paddle boarding, and sun time.

I like the freedom to bring your own music and choose your own pace. I also like that the boat carries snorkeling gear and paddle boards, while the captain can take pictures with your camera. The main catch is the high group price, plus food and drinks are not included.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group has the catamaran, captain, deck space, and onboard equipment to itself.
• Two hours at Ses Illetes: Anchor near one of Formentera’s best-known beaches for swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding.
• A second stop at Espalmador: Spend about two hours at an uninhabited sandy island between Ibiza and Formentera.
• Bring your own soundtrack: The Megaboom Bluetooth speakers let you play music from your phone.
• Lunch is flexible: Bring food and drinks, or go ashore to eat at a waterside restaurant near Illetas.
• Check the departure point: Details refer to both Cala Jondal by Blue Marlin and Es Xarcu, so confirm the exact pier before setting out.

A private catamaran day from Ibiza to Formentera

This is not a quick ferry ride with a beach stop tacked on. It is a full day on the water, built around your own group. The catamaran leaves Ibiza at about 10 a.m. and returns to the meeting point after roughly seven hours.

That private setup matters. You do not need to follow a large group from one activity to the next, and you have room to settle into the day. You can listen to your own music, swim when you like, stay on deck, or go ashore for lunch.

The boat accommodates up to 12 people. At the full capacity, the cost works out to about $297 per person. That is a serious price, but it becomes more reasonable for a birthday, family gathering, wedding party, or group of friends that would otherwise need several tickets, meals, and separate activities.

For a smaller group, the value is harder to defend. A party of ten pays about $357 per person, before food and drinks. You are paying for privacy, a captain, a luxury catamaran, and a flexible day, not just transportation between islands.

Finding the boat at Cala Jondal or Es Xarcu

The meeting details need careful attention. The main description places the start at a pier near Blue Marlin beach club in Cala Jondal. The stated meeting point is Es Xarcu, Restaurante Playa, in Cala Es Xarco, Sant Josep de sa Talaia. Es Xarcu is also given as an alternative departure point, described as the more family-friendly option.

Because both locations appear in the arrangements, confirm the exact departure pier after booking. Do not simply assume that the beach club location is the final instruction. The listed start time is 10 a.m., and the activity finishes back at its meeting point.

You will need a current valid passport on the day of the trip. The activity is offered in English, and a driver or guide is included. Public transportation is nearby, though the information does not specify a dedicated transfer from your hotel.

The access point matters if anyone in your group has mobility concerns. You should also be comfortable with a day around water and a moderate level of physical fitness. Life jackets are available if requested.

Cruising toward Formentera with your own music

Once aboard, the boat becomes your base for the day. You can find a comfortable place on deck, open a cold soft drink, and let the crew handle the route. The catamaran has Wi-Fi and a Megaboom Bluetooth speaker system, so you can play your own music during the crossing.

That small detail changes the mood. A private boat feels more personal when your group can choose the soundtrack rather than listen to a standard onboard playlist. Keep the volume sensible, of course, especially near quiet beaches and other boats.

The captain can take as many pictures as you want with your camera. This is useful if your group wants a proper photo together instead of a string of hurried phone selfies. It also means you can keep your own images without depending on a separate photography package.

The tour description does not promise a particular catamaran model or cabin layout. One party was upgraded to a larger boat with a six-meter sofa, which made relaxing on deck especially easy. Treat that as a possible upgrade, not a standard feature included for every departure.

Two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

The first main stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, often called Illetas Beach, on Formentera. The boat anchors offshore for about two hours, giving you time to use the included snorkeling gear, swim, or take a paddle board out over the clear water.

This is the part of the day that best fits the classic Formentera postcard: pale sand, shallow-looking water, and boats spread across a bright bay. You can stay aboard and sunbathe, or get into the water and make the most of the equipment provided.

The snorkeling gear is included, but the activity does not promise a particular marine life viewing area or guided snorkeling session. Think of it as independent water time rather than a formal lesson. If you are new to paddle boarding, ask the captain for basic help before heading out.

You can also go ashore for lunch at one of the glamorous restaurants beside the water. That option adds local atmosphere, but lunch is not part of the price. You will pay separately for anything you eat or drink, and you should not expect the boat fare to cover restaurant reservations.

There is a practical tradeoff here. Two hours passes quickly if you want to swim, paddle board, snorkel, and eat lunch. If your group tries to do everything, you may spend much of the stop watching the clock. I would choose one main water activity and treat lunch as an optional extra.

Two hours at uninhabited Espalmador

After Ses Illetes, the catamaran heads to S’Espalmador, an uninhabited sandy island between Ibiza and Formentera. The stop lasts about two hours, so you get another long stretch for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the boat.

Espalmador offers a different feel from a beach lined with restaurants. There are no stated dining facilities or organized attractions here, and the appeal is the simple setting: sand, sea, and open space. If you want a quiet second swim after the livelier first stop, this is likely the stronger part of the route.

Do not confuse an uninhabited island with a fully serviced beach club. Bring what you need from the boat, including sun protection and drinking water. Food and drinks are your responsibility, either brought from Ibiza or purchased during the lunch stop at Formentera.

The route gives you two separate places to get into the water rather than one long anchorage. That is useful if conditions or your group’s mood change during the day. You can spend more time relaxing on deck if the water is choppy or if someone in your party would rather not swim.

What the private format really adds

The main benefit is control. A private charter lets your group settle into a natural rhythm instead of fitting into a fixed public excursion. You can put on music, use the paddle boards when you want, and decide how much time to spend aboard versus ashore.

It also works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel or paddle board while others remain on the catamaran. Families can request life jackets, and people who mainly want sun and scenery do not have to join every water activity.

Privacy has a social value, too. A group of friends can talk, celebrate, or simply stretch out without strangers nearby. For a family gathering, that may justify the cost more than any single beach stop.

The limitation is that privacy does not remove the weather risk. Sailing depends on suitable conditions, and the experience can be canceled if the weather is poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since the booking is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed, avoid booking this as a casual last-minute option unless your plans are firm.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

You may bring your own food and drinks. That is the simplest approach for a full day on the water, especially if you want to avoid losing beach time while searching for lunch.

The other choice is to eat ashore at a waterside restaurant near Illetas. This adds a polished, glamorous note to the day, but it also adds cost and uses time from the two-hour stop. The price of the catamaran does not include lunch.

Pack items that match the actual setup:

• Passport, which is required
• Food and drinks if you do not plan to eat ashore
• Swimwear and sun protection
• A phone or camera for pictures and music
• Any personal items you need for a moderate day of activity

Snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and requested life jackets are supplied. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers are also aboard. The supplied information does not specify towels, so ask before departure if that matters to your group.

Captain service and the human side of the day

The captain is more than a person steering the boat. You rely on that person to choose anchoring spots, manage the water equipment, and keep the timing on track. The charter includes a driver or guide, and the captain can take pictures with your camera.

Captain Constantin is specifically associated with one especially well-received outing. The group described him as kind and helpful, and appreciated that he anchored near very blue, turquoise water. If Constantin is assigned to your boat, you can expect a captain who has already earned strong praise for his judgment and service.

Still, crew assignments can vary. It is better to value the included captain service as part of the package without assuming a particular person will operate every departure.

The clearest pattern in the available feedback is the quality of the day itself. The experience has a five-star rating from 177 reviews and is recommended by 99 percent of people who rated it. One group of ten went in mid-April and rated the day highly, which suggests the charter can work outside the peak summer months, provided the weather cooperates.

Who should book this catamaran

I would look first at this option if you have a group of friends or family that can share the cost. The private format makes the most sense when you value time together, personal music, flexible swimming stops, and a comfortable deck more than the lowest possible fare.

It is also a good fit for a celebration. A birthday, reunion, anniversary, or pre-wedding day can benefit from having the whole boat to yourselves. The captain’s help with pictures is practical for a group event.

Families may like the control over the schedule and the availability of life jackets. The Es Xarcu departure option is described as family-friendly, though you should still be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity and access around a boat and pier.

I would be more cautious if you are a solo visitor, a couple, or a small group on a tight budget. The price is fixed per group, so a small party absorbs much more of the cost. A public ferry or shared boat may provide a cheaper way to see Formentera, even if it gives you less privacy.

Should you book the Formentera catamaran?

Book it if your priority is a private day on the water with a substantial group. The combination of Ses Illetes, Espalmador, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, onboard music, and a captain gives you more than a simple island transfer.

Before paying, confirm the precise departure point between Cala Jondal near Blue Marlin and Es Xarcu. Check who is bringing food and drinks, and make sure everyone has a current passport. If your group can divide the $3,569.03 cost among eight to twelve people, the private setting may feel worthwhile. If not, the price is difficult to justify.

The best reason to choose this charter is not one particular feature. It is the freedom to make the day your own while visiting two of Formentera’s most appealing water stops.

FAQ

How long is the Formentera catamaran trip?

The activity lasts approximately seven hours, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private group can include up to 12 people.

Where does the tour depart?

The arrangements refer to a pier near Blue Marlin beach club in Cala Jondal and also list Es Xarcu, Restaurante Playa, in Cala Es Xarco. Es Xarcu is available as an alternative departure point, so confirm the exact location before the trip.

What is included in the price?

The price includes taxes and handling charges, local taxes, a driver or guide, snorkeling gear, paddle boarding, life jackets if requested, captain-taken pictures with your camera, and Megaboom Bluetooth speakers.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food and drinks or go ashore for lunch at a waterside restaurant.

Which places does the boat visit?

The planned stops are Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera and S’Espalmador, an uninhabited sandy island between Ibiza and Formentera.

Can I bring and play my own music?

Yes. The catamaran has Bluetooth speakers that allow you to play your own music.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of the trip.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Otherwise, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed.