Formentera Day Trip from Ibiza on Private Luxury Catamaran

The best Ibiza day may be offshore. This private catamaran trip trades crowded beach time for seven hours of sailing from Ibiza to Formentera, with snorkeling, paddle boards, and private deck space built into the day. I like the freedom to play your own music through the Megaboom speakers, and I like that the boat can stop at clear-water beaches instead of following a rigid sightseeing script. The main catch is the price: $3,569.03 per group, so it makes much more sense for a full party of up to 12 than for just two or three people.

The route is easy to picture: meet near Cala Jondal, sail to Playa de Ses Illetes, continue to S’Espalmador, then return to Ibiza. You can bring food and drinks, or go ashore for lunch. Just remember that the booking is non-refundable unless poor weather forces the operator to cancel, so this is a trip to reserve with a close eye on the forecast.

Key points to know before you book

• A private boat for up to 12: Your group does not share the catamaran with strangers, giving you control over music, swimming stops, and time on deck.
• Two hours at Ses Illetes: The main beach stop offers time for swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, or simply sunning yourself aboard.
• S’Espalmador adds a quieter second stop: This uninhabited sandy islet gives the day a more remote feel than a standard beach outing.
• Bring your own picnic plan: Food and drinks are not included, but you can pack them or leave the boat for lunch at a waterside restaurant.
• A flexible meeting point: The trip is described around Cala Jondal, with departure also possible from Es Xarcu. Confirm the exact pier before setting out.
• A strong record of satisfaction: The experience is rated 5 out of 5 from 177 reviews, with 99 percent recommending it.

Why a private catamaran changes the Formentera day

Formentera is Ibiza’s calmer neighbor, known for pale beaches, clear water, and a more relaxed feel. The crossing is not just transport. It is part of the pleasure, since you can settle on deck, put on your own playlist, and watch Ibiza recede behind you.

A private charter also solves a common problem with boat excursions: you are not locked into someone else’s mood. If your group wants music and sun, you can make that the theme. If everyone wants to swim, the captain can anchor at a suitable spot. If some people want lunch ashore while others prefer the boat, you have room for both plans.

The catamaran is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers, including Megaboom speakers for your music. Those details matter most on a seven-hour outing. A boat can feel long if you have nowhere to settle, but private deck space, music, and the freedom to bring refreshments make the hours easier.

The captain also takes photographs with your camera if you want. That is a small but useful touch. You can enjoy the day without asking one person in your group to spend half of it documenting everyone else.

Meeting at Cala Jondal or Es Xarcu

The trip begins at 10:00 a.m. The main description places the meeting at a pier by Blue Marlin beach club in Cala Jondal, while the listed meeting point is Es Xarcu, also called Restaurante Playa, in Cala Es Xarco. The information also says you can choose the family-friendly Es Xarcu restaurant as a departure point.

Because those details point to two nearby but different arrangements, confirm your exact departure location before the morning of the trip. That is the most important practical step in the booking process. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and the total sailing time is about seven hours.

You will need a current valid passport on the day of travel. The trip is suitable for people with a moderate level of physical fitness. That makes sense for a boat day involving boarding, swimming, paddle boarding, and moving around the deck, though life jackets are available if requested.

The crossing from Ibiza to Formentera

Once aboard, the day opens at an unhurried pace. Find a comfortable place on deck, connect your music to the Bluetooth system, and settle in with a soft drink or anything you have brought along.

The crossing gives you time to enjoy the boat itself. A private charter is less about a formal commentary and more about the feeling of having your own floating base. You can sit in the sun, find shade, talk with your group, or ask the captain about the best place to stop.

The trip includes a driver and guide, along with the captain. The guide element appears to be practical rather than a long cultural tour, so do not book this expecting a history lecture about the Balearic Islands. Book it for the water, the boat, and the freedom to shape the day.

Playa de Ses Illetes: two hours by clear water

The first main stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, where the catamaran anchors for about two hours. This is the heart of the excursion. The water is described as clear and suited to swimming, paddle boarding, and snorkeling.

Snorkel gear is included, so you do not need to bring your own equipment for the basic water activities. Paddle boarding is also included, giving you a way to explore near the boat without committing to a full swim. Life jackets are available if requested.

You can use these two hours in several ways:

• Swim and snorkel around the anchored boat.
• Take a paddle board onto the water.
• Stay on deck with your own food and music.
• Go ashore for lunch at one of the glamorous restaurants near the beach.

The choice is important because lunch is not included. If you want a restaurant meal, allow time for the shore visit and plan for that expense separately. If you prefer a lower-cost day, pack your own food and drinks.

Ses Illetes is likely to be the most popular stop on the route, so its appeal is not total solitude. You come here for the beautiful water and beach setting, not for an empty island. The private boat gives you a more personal base even when the shoreline has plenty of activity.

S’Espalmador: a sandy island with less structure

The second stop is S’Espalmador, an uninhabited sandy islet between Ibiza and Formentera. The boat spends about two hours here, giving the afternoon a different rhythm from Ses Illetes.

There are no restaurants or built-up facilities described at S’Espalmador, so this is the place to enjoy the setting from the water and your boat. Bring anything you want for the stop, since food and drinks are your responsibility throughout the day.

The lack of development is part of the appeal. You get a more stripped-back stop after the beach restaurant option at Ses Illetes. It also means you should not expect a formal attraction, guided walk, or shopping break. This is a simple sandy islet stop, best suited to swimming, relaxing, and taking photographs.

The two-hour timing gives you enough room to enjoy the stop without making the day feel rushed. Still, conditions at sea and the captain’s judgment can affect how the schedule works. The captain decides where to anchor safely, so the exact feel of each stop may vary.

Life aboard: music, equipment, and personal space

The included equipment makes this more than a sightseeing cruise. Snorkel gear and paddle boards let you get into the water without arranging rentals at each stop. The catamaran also carries life jackets, available if requested.

The Bluetooth speakers are a real advantage for a private group. A personal playlist can make the crossing feel like your own day rather than a generic excursion. Use the music thoughtfully, especially if you are near other boats or beach areas. Privacy does not mean the sea belongs only to your group.

Wi-Fi is listed as an onboard feature, though no details are provided about its reliability or coverage. I would treat it as a useful extra, not the reason to book. The stronger reason is having a boat where your group can spend the day together without strangers.

One especially useful service is the captain taking pictures with your camera. If you want group photos in the water or on deck, ask directly. It saves you from relying only on selfies and helps keep the whole group in the frame.

Food, drinks, and the lunch decision

You can bring your own food and drinks, which is the simplest plan for controlling both cost and timing. Pack enough for a full seven-hour outing, especially if your group prefers to stay aboard during the two beach stops.

The alternative is lunch ashore at Ses Illetes. The restaurants by the water are described as glamorous, so this option may fit a celebratory day better than a budget picnic. It also gives you a break from the boat and a chance to experience the beach from land.

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. That matters when comparing the total cost. A full group that brings provisions can keep additional spending modest, while a group combining a restaurant lunch, drinks, and the charter may spend considerably more.

The boat is equipped with cold soft drinks in the suggested experience, but the included list does not promise a full beverage service. I would confirm what is supplied and bring anything important to you.

The captain can make or break the day

A private boat places more weight on the captain. The captain chooses the anchorage, manages the route, and helps the day run safely. Good judgment matters more than a scripted speech when the trip centers on swimming and beach stops.

One especially praised captain is Constantin. A group of ten described him as very kind and helpful, and said he repeatedly anchored at the bluest, most turquoise spots. Their boat was upgraded to a larger catamaran with a six-meter sofa, which they considered an excellent choice.

That upgrade was specific to their experience and is not something you should assume will be included. Still, it shows how much the boat itself can affect the day. If a larger boat or a particular layout matters to you, ask Charteralia about the vessel assigned to your booking before paying.

The strongest praise focuses on the captain’s attitude, the quality of the stops, and the feeling of having a memorable day rather than simply completing a route. That is exactly where this experience earns its appeal.

Is $3,569.03 good value?

The advertised price is $3,569.03 for a private group of up to 12. At full capacity, that works out to about $297.42 per person before your food, drinks, and any restaurant lunch.

That is expensive for two people. For a group of ten or twelve, it becomes easier to justify, especially if privacy matters and you want a full day built around your own schedule. You are paying for the charter, captain, equipment, deck space, and the ability to avoid a shared excursion.

The value improves if your group would otherwise pay separately for boat transport, snorkel equipment, paddle boards, and a beach excursion. It also improves for birthdays, family celebrations, or a group holiday where the boat is the main event.

The value drops if your priority is simply reaching Formentera cheaply. You can spend less through other transport options, though those will not provide a private catamaran, onboard water equipment, or the same control over the day.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this experience for a group that wants time on the water more than time in museums or towns. It suits families, friends, and celebratory groups who enjoy swimming, music, sun, and a relaxed day together.

It is especially strong for:

• Groups of eight to 12 who can share the high charter cost.
• People who want a private setting instead of a shared boat.
• Swimmers and casual snorkelers who will use the included equipment.
• Families who prefer the option of departing from the family-friendly Es Xarcu restaurant.
• Visitors who want to combine a polished boat day with a laid-back island stop.

I would think twice if you dislike sun, boats, or unstructured time. You should also consider the price carefully if only a few people are joining. This is not a value choice for a solo visitor or a couple unless the private experience itself is the main goal.

Weather, cancellation, and practical cautions

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That protection is useful, but the general booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for other reasons.

I would avoid booking this as the fixed centerpiece of a tightly packed itinerary if your dates cannot move. A weather cancellation may be handled fairly, but it can still disrupt your plans.

Allow time to reach the departure point and confirm whether your boat leaves from Cala Jondal or Es Xarcu. The activity is near public transportation, but the exact transport arrangement is not specified. Your confirmation arrives at booking, and you should keep it available on the day.

Should you book the Formentera catamaran?

Book it if you have a reasonably full group, want a private day at sea, and will actually use the snorkeling, paddle boards, music system, and beach stops. The best version of this trip is simple: bring food and drinks, agree on your playlist, confirm the meeting point, and let the captain handle the route.

Skip it if your budget is tight, you want a structured cultural tour, or your group is too small to share the cost comfortably. For the right group, though, the combination of Ses Illetes, S’Espalmador, and a private catamaran gives you a polished Ibiza day with plenty of room to relax.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran trip?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the trip depart?

The trip is associated with Cala Jondal and a pier near Blue Marlin beach club. Es Xarcu restaurant in Cala Es Xarco is also listed as a meeting point and possible departure location. Confirm the exact point before departure.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Are paddle boards included?

Yes. Paddle boarding is included.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your own food and drinks. You can also leave the boat for lunch at a waterside restaurant.

Is a passport required?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for other reasons.