Ibiza: Formentera Trip with Paddle, Snorkel and Lunch

The best part of this Ibiza to Formentera catamaran trip is its mix of sea time and independent island time. You swim and snorkel from the boat, use paddleboards and inflatables, eat paella on board, then get several hours to explore Formentera at your own pace.

I like the generous drinks package and the practical help from guides such as Damian and Alex, who give useful advice about beaches, scooters, bikes, and Ibiza. The clear water, included equipment, cooked lunch, and return options also make the $81 price attractive. The tradeoff is space: this is a busy group boat, and you may queue for food, drinks, or a paddleboard.

Key points to know before you book

• Two swim stops: Ses Illetes and Espalmador bring clear water, snorkeling, paddleboards, floating mats, and pool noodles.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Choose shrimp or seafood paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella, with salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.
• Five hours in Formentera: You can visit beaches, shop, rent a bike or scooter, or simply stay near the dock.
• The open bar is included: Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are available during the boat trip.
• Protected areas affect the stops: The boat anchors in front of Espalmador and Ses Illetes rather than docking on their beaches.
• Expect a social atmosphere: Music, dancing, and a DJ on the return sailing make this better for an upbeat day than a peaceful small-boat outing.

A full day from Playa d’en Bossa to Formentera

You check in at 8:30 am at the wooden hut on Carrer de Formentera 17, next to Hotel Ibiza Playa. The boat then heads out from the Playa d’en Bossa area, giving you about 45 minutes of coastal views and open-water cruising before the swimming stops.

This is a 10-hour outing, but the day does not feel like one long boat ride. The schedule breaks it into three useful parts: time on the water, lunch and swimming, then a long independent visit to Formentera.

The boat has a social holiday feel. Music plays, drinks are available, and the upper deck is the popular place to sit. If you want a better chance of getting an upstairs seat, arrive early for check-in. The vessel can feel crowded, especially at the busiest point of the summer season, so do not book this expecting the calm of a private charter.

Ses Illetes and Espalmador by boat

The two water stops are the main reason to choose this trip over a simple ferry. At Ses Illetes and Espalmador, you can swim from the boat and use the supplied equipment rather than paying extra for a separate water activity.

You get paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, pool noodles, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets. The water is clear enough for a pleasant look below the surface, though this is a casual group snorkeling stop, not a specialist marine-life excursion.

At one stop, you can paddle along the coast. At the other, you can snorkel and swim. The exact order can vary, but the supplied schedule places Ses Illetes before Espalmador. The published timing allows about 1.5 hours at each location, enough for a proper swim rather than a quick photo stop.

There is one important detail about the geography. The boat stops in front of Ses Illetes and Espalmador but cannot dock directly on their beaches because they are protected areas. You remain on the catamaran and enter the water from there. That works well for swimming, but it is not the right choice if your main aim is to walk ashore on those beaches.

The main practical issue is access to the equipment. On a busy sailing, you may wait for a paddleboard or other popular item. One booking party found there was only one paddleboard available per group, while another noted that queues for drinks, food, and equipment could take time. Treat the water toys as included extras, not guaranteed private equipment for the whole stop.

Paella lunch served on board

Lunch comes between the water stops and is one of the strongest value points. You choose from shrimp or seafood paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella. The meal also includes mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.

The food is not positioned as fine dining, and you should keep expectations at the level of a good boat lunch. Still, a hot cooked meal at sea saves you the cost and trouble of finding lunch during a busy beach day. Paella also suits the setting better than a packed sandwich.

The vegetarian choice is useful, but special dietary coverage is limited in the information provided. If you need gluten-free food, do not assume a suitable option will be available. One person specifically found the lack of gluten-free choices difficult.

Serving food to a large group can also mean waiting. If you want to eat promptly and return to the water, pay attention when the crew announces lunch. The salad, bread, and fruit help round out the meal, while the alioli gives it a distinctly Spanish touch.

The open bar and the return-party mood

Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included in the base price. That matters because drinks can become a surprisingly large part of the cost on a hot day at sea. You still need to bring your own sunscreen, and towels are not supplied.

The mood changes as the day goes on. The outward journey is mainly about views, conversation, and getting to the swimming stops. On the return sailing from Formentera, the boat may have a DJ, music, dancing, and a livelier party atmosphere. Snacks are also provided on the later return.

This is one of the reasons the tour appeals to groups of friends and people looking for a social Ibiza day. It is less suitable if you want quiet reading time or a small group with personal attention. The guide team helps keep the atmosphere friendly, with Damian receiving repeated praise for being attentive, funny, and helpful with local advice.

Guides speak English and Spanish. Damian is particularly useful when you need to understand how to spend your time on Formentera. Alex is also praised for staying involved and helping people during the day. Guide quality can vary by departure, but the staff role is more than simply pointing out the stops.

Five hours to make Formentera your own

After the boat stops near Formentera dock, you get about five hours of free time. This is the part of the day that gives the excursion more value than a standard short cruise.

You can stay near the port, look for a sandy beach, shop, or arrange transport to see more of the island. A bike, scooter, car, or bus gives you more reach, but transport inside Formentera is not included. Rentals and other island expenses are extra.

A scooter or bike can make sense if you want to visit several beaches, beach bars, or hippie markets. You need to arrange that yourself, so do not treat the five-hour break as a guided island tour. The guide can suggest ways to spend the time, but your movements after disembarking are independent.

There are two listed return choices. The first leaves Formentera at 1:15 pm on the same catamaran and reaches Ibiza at 2:15 pm. The later departure is at 6:15 pm, with the open bar and snacks on the return. Check the day’s exact schedule carefully, since the early return gives you far less island time than the later option.

If your goal is a proper Formentera visit, the late return is the obvious choice. If you only want a short look at the island before returning to Ibiza, the early boat offers flexibility. Either way, leave a clear margin before departure. Missing the return boat would create a serious problem, since transportation inside Formentera is your responsibility.

What the $81 price really covers

At $81 per person, this is a strong-value package if you use several of its parts. The price combines a catamaran crossing, two water stops, lunch, an open drinks package, water equipment, and a long period on Formentera.

A ferry ticket may take you to the island, but it will not normally include paella, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, or a full day of organized sea stops. A smaller private boat may offer more space and a quieter setting, but you should expect to pay more.

The value drops if you do not drink, do not swim, and plan to spend the whole day away from the boat. It also drops if you want a relaxed visit to several Formentera beaches, because you will need to pay for transport and possibly beach facilities. One useful cost reminder: beach beds and umbrellas can cost about €20 each at some beaches.

For many people, the best deal is the combination of lunch, drinks, and five hours of island time. You do not need to organize a separate ferry, restaurant booking, and water-sports rental. The price is especially attractive for a group that plans to enjoy the boat atmosphere as much as the island.

Crowds, comfort, and seasickness

The boat is described as large enough for the group, but it can still feel busy. Around 80 people may be in the water at the first stop, and popular equipment can create queues. If personal space matters to you, pay more for a smaller boat or private outing.

The sea can also be choppy. Some people became seasick, so bring motion-sickness medicine if you are sensitive, especially if you have the slightest concern about boat movement. The open-air upper deck may help, but seat availability is not guaranteed.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothing. Sunscreen is not included, and the combination of sun, wind, and salt water can catch you out. Children under three are not accepted, and the experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 70.

Children under 12 must carry identification to prove their age. Everyone should bring a passport or ID card for children as required. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, despite the included beer and sangria.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a lot packed into one day and like a friendly, upbeat group setting. It works particularly well for friends, couples, and families with older children who want swimming, music, lunch, and a taste of Formentera without planning every detail.

You will get the most from it if you are comfortable swimming from a boat, sharing equipment, and moving with a group schedule. You should also be happy making your own plans during the five-hour island stop.

I would think twice if your ideal day means silence, empty decks, or guaranteed access to a paddleboard. The same applies if you want to explore Formentera’s beaches in depth without arranging transport. This is a good-value shared excursion, not a private island charter.

The guide can make a real difference. Damian is repeatedly described as friendly, attentive, and full of useful Ibiza and Formentera suggestions. Alex also receives strong praise for helping people throughout the day. The staff provide much of the tour’s character, while the sea stops and island break provide the scenery.

Should you book the Formentera trip?

Book it if you want a lively, good-value day with lunch, drinks, swimming, water toys, and several hours in Formentera. The clear water and flexible island time give the trip more substance than a simple party cruise.

Skip it if crowds, queues, or a rocking boat would spoil your day. In that case, spend more on a smaller group boat. For everyone else, $81 buys a practical mix of transport, food, recreation, and local advice, with enough free time to make Formentera feel like more than a passing view from the deck.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time and return arrangement when booking, then arrive at the wooden hut by 8:30 am.

FAQ

Where does the Formentera boat trip start?

Check in at the wooden hut stand on Carrer de Formentera 17, next to Hotel Ibiza Playa, at 8:30 am.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts about 10 hours, including the boat journey, water stops, and free time in Formentera.

What food is included?

Lunch includes shrimp or seafood paella, chicken paella, vegan paella, mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included during the boat trip.

What water equipment can I use?

The boat provides paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, pool noodles, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets.

Can the boat dock at Ses Illetes and Espalmador?

No. The boat stops in front of these protected areas and cannot dock directly on their beaches.

How much free time do I get in Formentera?

The schedule allows about five hours on the island. You can visit beaches, shop, sightsee, or arrange your own transport.

Is transport around Formentera included?

No. Transport inside Formentera is not included. Bike, scooter, car rental, bus fares, and other island expenses are extra.

Who should not take this activity?

The experience is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, or people over 70. Children under 12 must bring identification to prove their age.