Ibiza & Formentera Private Deluxe Sailing: Full Day

Sea, sun, and two islands in one day. This private sailing trip pairs quiet coves and clear water with a relaxed route from southern Ibiza to Formentera. I like having two paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and a yacht assistant for food and drinks. The main drawback is that the 41-foot boat may feel smaller than some guests expect, and poor weather can cancel the Formentera portion.

You get the boat to yourself, up to seven people, for about eight hours. That makes the $1,088.86 group price much easier to justify if you fill the boat, especially compared with booking several separate activities. It is less attractive for a small party of two or three.

The day is shaped by the sea, not by a rigid sightseeing schedule. Captain Carlota, Agus, Tom, Nuria, Marcelo, and other members of the Nomad Sailing Trips team have earned praise for warm service, lunch help, transport assistance, humor, and smooth sailing. Still, this is an active day with sun, wind, swimming, and time on a smaller boat, so bring the right expectations.

Key points to know before you book

• A private boat for up to seven people: You will not share the sailing day with another group, which gives you more space and a more personal pace.
• A 41-foot modern sailboat: Comfortable for a day on the water, but not a giant luxury yacht. One less enthusiastic account expected a larger boat.
• Two paddleboards and snorkeling equipment included: You can use the stops for more than swimming and sunbathing.
• Formentera and Ses Illetes are weather dependent: The route may change if conditions make the crossing unwise.
• Lunch is flexible but not included: You can eat ashore at Ses Illetes or have lunch on board, but you pay separately.
• The best value comes with a full group: At seven people, the cost works out to roughly $155 per person before lunch and drinks.

Starting at Cala Jondal on Ibiza’s south coast

The meeting point is Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, at Cala Jondal in Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The boat returns to this same spot at the end of the day, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point.

Cala Jondal is a striking place to begin. The bay has clear turquoise water, rocky sides, and a strong sense that the day is about to leave the shore behind. The first ten minutes are gentle: settle on deck, take in the coast, and get comfortable with the boat.

I like this start because it avoids wasting your morning on a long transfer by land. You arrive at the beach area, board, and quickly shift into sea time. The tradeoff is that the tour does not include lunch, hotel pickup, or alcoholic drinks, so you need to plan those details yourself.

The boat has a restroom, which matters on an eight-hour outing. Fuel and the skipper are included, as are snorkeling equipment and two paddleboards. WiFi is also available, useful if you want music during the trip or need to upload photographs without waiting until shore.

Sailing past Playa des Codolar

From Cala Jondal, the boat follows Ibiza’s south coast toward Playa des Codolar. This part of the route is about the pleasure of moving slowly along the island rather than rushing from one beach to the next.

You will see rocky coves, cliffs, and small stretches of shore that are difficult to reach by road. The boat gives you a better view of the coast’s shape, with sea caves and rugged rock formations appearing from an angle you cannot get from a beach towel.

The scheduled time here is about one hour. Depending on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment, this may be a scenic sailing stretch, a pause near the coast, or a combination of both. The crew’s role is important. Agus has been praised for keeping the day easy, helping with lunch plans, and arranging taxis after the boat returned. That kind of help can be worth a great deal on Ibiza, where a perfect day on the water can still end with a frustrating search for transport.

Do not expect a large cruise vessel with a wide promenade deck. This is a 41-foot sailboat. You get a closer connection to the water, but space is naturally limited when seven people, equipment, food, and personal bags are all aboard.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ses Salines

The next stop takes you toward the Parque Natural de Ses Salines, where the boat anchors at a quieter cove. The plan is simple: swim, use the snorkeling equipment, and look below the surface for fish and other sea life.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day for anyone who prefers active stops to long periods of sitting. You can step into the water directly from the boat and return when you have had enough. The cove setting also gives you a break from the open-water motion of the crossing.

The stop lasts about an hour, but the actual time in the water will depend on conditions and your group. Some people may want to swim continuously. Others may prefer the deck, a shaded rest, or a short snorkel followed by a dry towel and a drink.

Bring sun protection that will stay put in wind and water. The supplied information does not promise towels, so confirm what you need to bring before departure. You should also expect a moderate level of physical activity. Boarding, moving around the boat, using paddleboards, and getting in and out of the sea all require reasonable mobility.

Paddleboarding around S’Espalmador

The boat then heads toward S’Espalmador, a protected natural area between Ibiza and Formentera. The planned stop is about one hour and 50 minutes, giving you more time for water activities than the earlier cove stop.

Two paddleboards are available. This is a useful benefit, but keep the number in mind: with a group of seven, not everyone will use one at once. If paddleboarding is a priority, you may need to take turns. The boards also work well for a group that wants a mix of activities, with some people paddling while others swim or relax.

S’Espalmador is a fine place to slow the day down. The water is described as tranquil, and the protected setting offers a change from Ibiza’s cliff-lined southern coast. The boat can function as your base while you move between the board, the sea, and the deck.

Weather matters here. A sailing day is never just a land itinerary placed on water. Wind, waves, and safety decisions can change the order of stops or remove the crossing to Formentera altogether. On one outing, Nuria and Marcelo took the group to other Ibiza coves when conditions did not favor Formentera. That is a sensible adjustment, though it means you should not book this day solely for a guaranteed Formentera visit.

Ses Illetes, lunch, and the Formentera choice

The main destination is Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera, known for white sand and exceptionally clear water. The scheduled stay is about two hours, making this the longest shore-based part of the day.

You have two choices. You can get off the boat, walk along the beach, and eat at a local restaurant. Or you can stay aboard, bring or arrange food, and enjoy the view from the water. Lunch is not included, so the first option requires paying for your meal separately.

I would choose shore lunch if you want to feel Formentera under your feet rather than simply view it from the boat. I would choose lunch aboard if your group values privacy, wants to keep costs under control, or prefers not to interrupt a relaxed sailing rhythm.

A useful service detail is that Agus has helped make lunch reservations in advance. This can save time, particularly when your group wants a specific restaurant. Do not assume that a reservation, meal, or drink package is included in the price. Treat the lunch help as a possible service from the crew, not as a guaranteed part of the booking terms.

The beach walk is easy to understand and flexible. You can stroll along the sand, stay near the water, or explore farther on foot. The supplied information does not promise bicycles, vehicles, or a guided island tour, so this is best viewed as free time rather than a full Formentera sightseeing program.

The return sail to Cala Jondal

The return leg lasts about an hour and 30 minutes. By this point, you will probably welcome a quiet spell on deck. After swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and walking on the beach, the open sea becomes a place to rest rather than another activity to manage.

If the wind cooperates, the sail back can be the most memorable part of the day. One group particularly enjoyed a proper sunset sail, and the crew’s sense of humor and personal attention added to the mood. Timing and season affect how much sunset you see, so do not treat this as a guaranteed sunset cruise. Still, the return offers a good chance to enjoy Ibiza’s coast from the water as the light changes.

WiFi allows you to stream music and share photos, but I would not let a phone become the main event. The appeal of this trip is the space between destinations: the sound of the boat, the changing coast, and the freedom to choose your own pace. Upload the photos later if the sea looks better without a screen in front of you.

What the $1,088.86 price really buys

The listed rate is $1,088.86 per group of up to seven. With seven people, that is about $155.55 per person. With six, it is about $181.48 each. For a private eight-hour boat with a captain, fuel, snorkeling gear, two paddleboards, a restroom, and an assistant for food and beverages, that can be solid value for a full group.

The value drops quickly for a small party. Two people would pay more than $544 each before lunch and drinks, which is a very different proposition. This is best for families or friends who can share the cost and appreciate having the entire boat to themselves.

Remember the extras. Alcoholic drinks and lunch are excluded. If you plan to eat at Ses Illetes, budget for the meal. If you want drinks beyond what the assistant helps provide, those are also your responsibility.

The private format is the biggest advantage. You can talk normally, choose how long to swim, and avoid adjusting your day around strangers. It also means your group has more responsibility for its own comfort. If some people want active water time and others want a quiet deck, you will need to share the space thoughtfully.

The crew makes the difference

The strongest praise has gone to the human side of the trip. Carlota has been singled out as an excellent captain. Agus is described as friendly, courteous, helpful, and unusually attentive, from lunch reservations to post-trip taxis. His Argentinian welcome and personal style were part of what made one group feel well cared for.

Tom and his team also received top marks from a Spanish-speaking group, which praised the day, food, and overall organization. Nuria and Marcelo handled a weather-related change by showing another side of Ibiza rather than simply treating the altered route as a failure.

Some accounts also mention high-quality drone footage. That sounds like a lovely extra, but it is not listed among the standard inclusions, so ask about it before you count on receiving aerial video.

The occasional weaker reaction focused on boat size. That is a fair caution. A 41-foot modern boat is capable and well suited to a private day, but it is not a floating resort. If you want multiple lounges, large indoor rooms, or extensive space for seven people to spread out, you may feel cramped.

Who should book this sailing day?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or family members who want a private day with a flexible mix of swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach time, and sailing. It also works well for people who value service and would rather have a captain handle the route than rent a boat themselves.

It is less suitable if you dislike boats, need a guaranteed Formentera stop, want all food and drinks included, or expect a large luxury yacht. The moderate fitness requirement is worth taking seriously, particularly if swimming from the boat and climbing back aboard may be difficult.

The experience is also a good match for mixed-age groups, within the limits of the boat and the water activities. One group ranging from age 25 to 56 enjoyed the same day together, with paddleboards becoming an unexpected favorite.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted or refunded. Confirmation is normally provided at booking, although bookings made within one day of departure are confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability.

Should you book it?

Book this sailing day if you can fill most of the seven places and want a private route linking southern Ibiza, S’Espalmador, and Formentera. The combination of a capable captain, useful water equipment, a restroom, and personal help with lunch and transport gives the day real practical value.

Think twice if you are booking for only two people, require a large boat, or care more about guaranteed sightseeing than time on the water. Weather can change the route, and the best moments may be the simple ones: a swim from the stern, a paddle around a quiet cove, or a smooth late sail back to Cala Jondal.

FAQ

How long does the sailing experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the same meeting point at Cala Jondal.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates, with space for up to seven people.

What type of boat is used?

The experience uses a 41-foot modern boat.

Are paddleboards included?

Yes. Two paddle surf boards are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

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.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. Conditions may prevent the boat from going to Formentera, in which case the crew may visit other Ibiza coves instead.