Ibiza: Formentera Sunset Boat Part with Drinks and Food

Formentera looks even better from the water. I like the fresh brunch and paella show cooking, and I like having six full hours to explore Formentera instead of being rushed through a short beach stop. The main consideration is the long day: ten hours on a boat, with drinks, music, sun, and a late return, may feel like too much if you prefer a quiet island visit.

This is part ferry ride, part floating beach club, and part sunset party. The limited capacity of 100 people on a boat built for 300 helps keep the day more comfortable, though the return sailing can still feel crowded, and the first-come, first-served sun beds may need to be shared.

Five things to know before booking

• Six hours on Formentera: You are dropped at La Savina around 12:15 and have time to rent a bike or scooter, visit a market, or find a beach independently.
• Food is a major part of the day: Breakfast includes fruit, ensaimadas, bread, guacamole, olive oil, and a Protein and Matcha Bar. Dinner brings freshly made Paella Ibicenca.
• The open bar is genuinely central to the experience: Drinks include sangria, cava, Aperol Spritz, beer, mimosas, wine, soft drinks, and water.
• The atmosphere changes as the day goes on: Morning sailing is relaxed, the return becomes livelier, and sunset brings music, dancing, and a DJ.
• This is for adults only: Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, and clothes that can get messy.

What kind of day is this?

The Formentera with Benefits cruise is designed for people who want the island and the boat party in one outing. You board the Ibiza Boat Club catamaran at Playa d’en Bossa, spend the middle of the day on Formentera, then return by boat for swimming, dinner, drinks, music, and sunset.

I would not treat this as a traditional sightseeing cruise with a guide explaining every stop. Once you arrive at La Savina, you are on your own. That freedom is useful if you already know what you want to do, but you need to plan your own transport and beach time.

The boat limits this particular cruise to 100 people, even though it can carry 300. That smaller number matters. You have more room to move between sun beds, sofa lounges, dining areas, and open deck space than you would on a standard ferry.

Still, the word VIP needs a little context. Sun beds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and you may have to share a bed with your group or another group. Arrive early if having a particular place to lie down matters to you.

Boarding at Playa d’en Bossa

Check-in is at the Ibiza Boat Club counter by the boat pier at the end of Playa d’en Bossa. Look for the black beach flags in front of Pier 69, close to Hotel The Ibiza Twiins and Bar Happiness.

Boarding starts at 10:15 am, with departure scheduled for 10:30. The nearest bus stops are by Hotel Marenostrum or Hotel Goleta on route L14. If you drive, parking is listed near the intersection of Carrer de la Punta and Pere Matutes Noguera, with Carrer de la Punta 7 suggested for navigation.

You should arrive ready for a full day outdoors. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and drones are prohibited. Comfortable shoes are useful for the port and your time ashore, while swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of beach clothes belong in your small bag.

The recommended dress code is boho chic or smart casual, though practicality wins once you start swimming and eating on deck. Bring something that can get dirty. Paella, aioli, fruit, drinks, and boat movement are not always friends with pale clothing.

The first 45 minutes: coffee, views, and breakfast

The opening sailing gives you time to settle into the boat. Fresh coffee, tea, and welcome drinks are available as Ibiza recedes and the route turns toward Formentera.

After about 45 minutes, the boat anchors near one of the area’s attractive beaches, in Formentera or Ibiza, and breakfast is served. The spread is more substantial than a basic pastry and coffee stop. Expect sweet ensaimadas, fresh fruit, artisanal bread, guacamole, organic olive oil, and other fresh items.

The Protein and Matcha Bar gives the morning meal a slightly modern, health-focused touch. You can also take an early swim, which is a good idea before the day gets hotter and before the boat becomes more social and active.

I like this start because it gives the cruise a clear rhythm. You are not simply sitting on a boat waiting for the island to appear. You eat, swim, take photographs, and enjoy the sea before reaching La Savina.

A sound bath with crystal bowls is also included. That is an unusual addition to a party boat and may appeal to you if you want a calmer moment before the drinks and music pick up.

Six free hours in Formentera

The boat drops you at La Savina, Formentera’s port, at about 12:15 pm. You have free time until roughly 5:00 pm, with the boat trip continuing around 6:00 pm. The precise timing means you should watch your return instructions carefully and avoid treating the island like an open-ended day trip.

You are responsible for your own plans on Formentera. There is no guide, and rental costs for a scooter, car, or bicycle are not included. Lunch is also not included, so you need to budget for food or plan around the boat’s breakfast and evening meal.

The good news is that six hours is enough time to do more than glance at the port. You might rent a bike or scooter, visit a hippie market, browse shops, or head toward one of Formentera’s white beaches. The island is famous for clear water and bright sandy shores, and the independent format lets you choose the pace.

The tradeoff is that transport planning becomes your job. A scooter or bike can make the island easier to cover, but neither is part of the $153 ticket. If you want a guided tour with organized sightseeing, this is not the right format. If you like making your own island plan, the long stop is one of the strongest features.

Remember that the boat’s different ticket options are not interchangeable. The full-day option described here includes breakfast and paella. A sunset-only ticket does not include breakfast, a morning ticket does not include paella, and the standard ferry option does not include food, drinks, a DJ, or VIP sun beds.

Returning to the boat at La Savina

After your independent time, you return to the boat for the second part of the cruise. This is when the day changes character.

Drinks are available as you sail, including sangria de cava, red wine sangria, beer, Aperol Spritz, cava, mimosas, cold brew martinis, water, and soft drinks. A self-service station also offers local wine tasting, giving you a chance to try Balearic wines without turning the experience into a formal wine tour.

The strongest praise for this cruise centers on the crew. Staff members repeatedly receive credit for keeping drinks topped up, removing empty plates, and making people feel looked after. Guests specifically singled out Helena, Lucila, Lu, Anna, Raddi, and Bo at different points, though the broader impression is that the whole team keeps the service friendly and attentive.

That service is valuable on a long boat day. You do not need to spend the afternoon searching for a bar or standing in line every time you want water or a drink. The downside is obvious: with an open bar and a party atmosphere, the trip can become more about drinking than Formentera if you are not careful.

Swimming near Formentera and the paella dinner

The swim stop is one of the most memorable parts of the afternoon. At Playa de Ses Illetes, you have time to get into the water, use SUP boards and other water toys, take photographs, or simply sit back with a drink.

The water around Formentera is the visual star of the trip. Several people praised the clear swimming spots, and this stop gives you the chance to see that water from inside it rather than only from the deck.

Dinner is prepared during a live cooking show. The main dish is Paella Ibicenca with seafood, with vegan and gluten-free options available. It comes with bread, aioli, and a garden salad made with local market vegetables.

The show cooking adds some theater, but it also makes the meal feel connected to the islands rather than like anonymous catering. Food quality is praised again and again, especially the paella. I would still keep expectations realistic: this is a large boat meal served outdoors, not a quiet restaurant dinner with individual table service.

If you have dietary needs, the vegan and gluten-free choices are a useful advantage. I would still confirm your requirements when booking or boarding, since the supplied details do not explain how those alternatives are prepared or served.

Sunset at Sol d’en Sera

As the boat returns toward Ibiza, the final act takes place around sunset at Sol d’en Sera. The sea, fading light, and views back toward Ibiza and Formentera give you the best setting for photographs.

Music becomes more important here. A DJ plays melodic tunes, and some departures include live saxophone alongside the decks. You can dance, chat, relax on a sofa, or claim a sun bed if one is available.

The atmosphere is lively but not presented as a nonstop nightclub. Formentera is a protected natural area, so loud DJ music is not used there. That distinction helps the day work for people who want both quiet scenery and a party later.

The return sailing lasts roughly two hours, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy the sunset. It is also the point when the boat may feel busiest. One useful expectation to set is that the limited 100-person capacity improves comfort, but it does not guarantee a private or silent experience.

The music receives especially strong praise, with specific approval for the DJ and saxophone performances. If you want to dance in a swimsuit with a sangria in hand, this is likely the part you will remember. If you want to watch the sunset in silence, move away from the main music area and use the outer deck or a quieter lounge space.

Is $153 good value?

At $153 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Formentera. A standard ferry will cost less, and it will give you simple transport without an open bar, meals, or entertainment.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for several extras. The price includes the return boat trip, breakfast, dinner, wine tasting, open bar, a morning swim stop, SUP boards, six hours on Formentera, and access to the boat’s sun beds. It also includes the atmosphere, crew service, and sunset program.

For a full ten-hour day, the price is reasonable for someone who will use most of those inclusions. The strongest value comes from treating it as an all-day package rather than as a ferry ticket.

You should think twice if you do not drink, dislike party settings, or plan to spend most of your time exploring Formentera on land. In that case, a cheaper ferry may leave more money for a scooter, lunch, and beach time.

Who will enjoy it most?

I would recommend this for adults celebrating a birthday, traveling with friends, or looking for a social day that does not require nightclub planning. The combination of island time and a sunset boat party gives you a lot of variety in one booking.

It also suits couples who want something more active than a restaurant evening. The morning can be relaxed, the afternoon is independent, and the sunset return creates a natural celebration.

I would not choose it for children, since the experience is adults only. It is also a poor match if your main goal is a quiet, guided visit to Formentera or a private yacht atmosphere.

The crowd appears international, with hosts able to assist in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish. That makes it easier to meet people, though you should expect a social setting rather than a personal guide assigned to your group.

Practical verdict: book it if you want the whole day

Book this Formentera sunset boat trip if you want a full package with good food, constant drink service, swimming, island freedom, and music on the ride home. The six-hour Formentera stop is the feature that separates it from a short boat-party outing, while the paella, open bar, and sunset give the return journey a real purpose.

Skip it if you want a low-cost ferry, a silent sunset, or a guided tour of the island. Also skip the morning-only option if paella and the sunset party are the parts that attract you. For the full experience described here, choose the full-day ticket, arrive early for the best chance at a sun bed, and keep your belongings light.

FAQ

How long does the Ibiza to Formentera cruise last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours. It starts with boarding at Playa d’en Bossa around 10:15 am for a 10:30 am departure and returns to the same area later in the evening.

How much free time do I have in Formentera?

You have about six hours. The boat drops you at La Savina around 12:15 pm, with free time until approximately 5:00 pm before the boat program continues.

Is a guide included on Formentera?

No. Your time on Formentera is self-guided, and you arrange your own sightseeing and transport. Scooter, car, and bicycle rentals are not included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes, on the full-day experience. Breakfast, paella dinner, fruit, wine tasting, beer, sangria, cava, Aperol Spritz, mimosas, cold brew martinis, water, soft drinks, and other listed refreshments are included.

Are sun beds guaranteed?

No. Sun beds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You may need to share one with another group, with a minimum of four people per bed noted in the tour details.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and clothes that can get dirty. Large bags, luggage, and drones are not allowed.