Review · IBIZA

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour

5.0 · 242 reviews 8 hours (approx.) Operated by Nomad Sailing Trips · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this outing is the freedom of having a private catamaran for your group of up to 10. You can spend less time waiting and more time swimming, snorkeling, paddling, or stretching out on deck as Ibiza’s southern coast slips by. The route also reaches Formentera’s famous Ses Illetes beach and the quiet reserve of S’Espalmador.

I like the mix of scenic sailing and easy water time, and I like that the boat carries two paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, and a restroom. You can bring your own food, which matters because lunch is not included and one reported €65 ham board received poor value for the price. The main drawback is cost: at $1,609.09 per group, this makes the most sense for a full group rather than a couple.

Key points at a glance

  • Private boat for up to 10 people: You get the catamaran to yourselves, with a route designed around Ibiza’s southern coast and Formentera.
  • Cala Jondal departure: The day begins at a beautiful southern bay with clear water, cliffs, and easy access from the Tropicana Eivissa meeting point.
  • Several swim stops: You can swim and snorkel near secluded coves, S’Espalmador, and the waters around Ses Illetes.
  • Lunch is your choice: Buy food on the island, arrange a catered meal, or bring your own. Alcohol is not included.
  • Two paddleboards are supplied: These add a little activity to the otherwise relaxed day on the water.
  • Return around sunset: The last sailing stretch gives you a calm view of Ibiza from the sea before returning to Cala Jondal.

Why this private Ibiza sailing day works

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - Why this private Ibiza sailing day works

This is not a quick boat ride with a crowded deck and a fixed seat. Nomad Sailing Trips gives your group a private catamaran for roughly eight hours, allowing the day to move at a pleasant pace. You still follow a planned route, but the appeal is the combination of open water, beach time, and room to settle into your own rhythm.

The boat leaves from Cala Jondal, on Ibiza’s south coast. The starting point is the Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, listed at Cala Jundal, s/n, in Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The first moments are simple: board, find your place on deck, and take in the clear water and rocky sides of the bay.

I would choose this outing for a group that wants a full day together without splitting up. It suits families, friends, and groups celebrating something, especially if several people will share the $1,609.09 price. For two or three people, the same price becomes much harder to justify.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book. You need a moderate level of physical fitness, mainly because you will be boarding a boat, using water equipment, and moving between the catamaran, beaches, and sea. A friendly 10-year-old Border Collie lives aboard, so anyone uncomfortable around dogs should know this before booking.

Leaving Cala Jondal for Ibiza’s southern coast

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - Leaving Cala Jondal for Ibiza’s southern coast

Cala Jondal is a strong place to begin. The bay is known for turquoise water and rocky slopes, and it gives you a scenic opening before the catamaran heads west and east along the coast. The first listed stop is short, about 10 minutes, so think of it as your introduction to the boat and the bay rather than a separate activity.

The early sailing is one of the more restful parts of the day. You can sit in the sun, watch the coast, and feel the breeze without having to organize transport between beaches. A private boat also means you can talk with your own group instead of trying to keep track of strangers.

The boat carries a restroom, which is a useful detail on an eight-hour trip. Wi-Fi is also included, although the main reason to take this tour is to spend time looking outward rather than at a phone. Still, it can help with basic contact or sharing photos during the day.

Playa des Codolar and the rocky coast

The next section follows the south coast toward Playa des Codolar and lasts about an hour. Here the attraction is the view from the water: beaches, rocky coves, steep cliffs, and sea caves that are difficult to appreciate from inland roads.

This stretch gives you a useful change of pace. The catamaran is moving, but there is no rush to reach a single landmark. You can watch the shore change while the crew guides the boat through the route.

The coast is the main show here, so keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The itinerary does not promise a shore visit at Playa des Codolar, so plan to enjoy this stop from the boat rather than expecting time on the beach.

A quiet cove in Ses Salines Natural Park

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - A quiet cove in Ses Salines Natural Park

After the coastal cruise, the boat anchors in a secluded cove near Ses Salines Natural Park. You get about an hour here for swimming and snorkeling in clear water. The supplied snorkeling equipment means you do not need to pack a mask and fins, though you may prefer your own gear if fit and comfort matter to you.

This is where the tour becomes more than a sightseeing cruise. You can leave the deck, cool off, and look for fish and other sea life below the surface. The exact conditions depend on the day, but clear water and a sheltered cove make this a good place to use the equipment.

Keep your expectations practical. This is a leisure snorkel stop, not a guided marine excursion, and no specific species or underwater sites are promised. You control how long you swim and how much time you spend on deck.

S’Espalmador with paddleboards and more water time

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - S’Espalmador with paddleboards and more water time

The trip continues to S’Espalmador, a protected natural area between Ibiza and Formentera. The planned stop lasts about one hour and 50 minutes, making it one of the longest chances to get off the boat and into the water.

Two paddleboards are included. That is enough to add a little variety, but a group of 10 will need to take turns. If several people want to paddle at once, you should set expectations before the trip. You can also snorkel again and swim in the calm water around the reserve.

S’Espalmador is a strong point for people who want activity without a hard workout. Paddling takes more effort than floating, but you can keep it gentle and stay close to the boat. The moderate fitness requirement matters here, particularly for anyone who finds climbing a ladder from the water difficult.

Because S’Espalmador is a natural reserve, treat the area with care. The supplied information does not promise a guided walk or a particular landing point, so focus on the water, the quiet setting, and the view of the islands.

Ses Illetes and the two-hour lunch choice

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - Ses Illetes and the two-hour lunch choice

The longest land-based stop is Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera, with about two hours available. This beach is known for white sand and clear water, and it gives you a chance to step off the boat, walk along the shore, and see a different side of the island.

Lunch is the key decision here. You can eat on Formentera, have food brought or arranged for the boat, or bring your own. Lunch is not included in the tour price, and alcoholic drinks are also excluded.

I strongly suggest settling the food plan before departure. One poor experience involved a €65 board of cured meats that was considered poor value. The provider explained that a group of 10 had selected a menu for seven people after saying some members would eat very little, which led to complaints about portion size. The lesson is simple: confirm whether food is priced per person, how much is supplied, and what your group actually needs.

Bringing your own picnic is the safest way to control the budget, assuming you are comfortable carrying it to the meeting point and onto the boat. If you want local food on Formentera, you can instead use the island stop, but the supplied details do not specify a restaurant or menu.

Two hours is enough for a relaxed meal and a beach walk, though it is not a full island tour. Do not book this cruise expecting time to see all of Formentera. The value here is the beach, the water, and a break from the boat.

The return to Ibiza and the sunset view

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - The return to Ibiza and the sunset view

The final sailing section returns to Cala Jondal and lasts about an hour and 30 minutes. After a day of swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and walking, this slower period gives you time to rest on deck.

The route back is also when the sunset promise matters most. If the timing and weather cooperate, Ibiza looks especially good from offshore, with the coast receding behind you and the changing light across the sea. Sunset times vary, so you should not assume a dramatic sunset on every departure, but the return is designed to offer a scenic end to the day.

This is a good time to keep your camera ready and your belongings secure. On a catamaran, the best view may be at the front or along the side, but seating can depend on how your group settles in. The private format gives you more control than a shared cruise, although it does not guarantee perfect weather or a completely calm sea.

What the $1,609.09 price really means

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - What the $1,609.09 price really means

The listed price is per group of up to 10, not per person. At full capacity, it works out to about $161 per person before food and drinks. At five people, it is about $322 per person, and for two people it is a major splurge.

That price buys privacy, fuel, the catamaran, paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, and a restroom for the full day. It does not include lunch or alcohol, so your final bill depends on how you handle food. A private boat is the central value, not an included meal or a packed list of guided activities.

I see the price as fair for a full group that values time together and wants both Ibiza and Formentera in one day. I see it as weak value for a small group that mainly wants a swim and a beach visit. Shared boat trips may cost less, but they will not give you the same control over who is aboard.

The tour is often reserved about 54 days ahead, so planning early is sensible if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this catamaran trip

Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour - Who should book this catamaran trip

I would recommend it to you if your group wants:

  • A private boat rather than a shared cruise
  • A full day on the water
  • Swimming and snorkeling stops
  • Paddleboarding without arranging extra equipment
  • A visit to Ses Illetes and S’Espalmador
  • A flexible lunch plan
  • A relaxed sunset return to Cala Jondal

It is less suitable if you want a guided cultural tour, a detailed visit to Formentera, or a low-cost beach transfer. It also may not suit anyone seeking a completely strenuous water-sports day, since the trip is built around a balance of sailing, rest, swimming, and sightseeing.

The dog aboard is another small but important factor. If you enjoy having a friendly Border Collie around, it may add to the character of the trip. If you have allergies or do not want a dog sharing the boat, choose another outing.

Final call: a strong group splurge with one food warning

I would book this private sailing day for a group of six to 10 people who want a relaxed, scenic day shared entirely with their own companions. The route gives you a good mix of Ibiza’s coast, Ses Salines, S’Espalmador, and Formentera’s Ses Illetes, while the paddleboards and snorkeling gear keep the day from becoming passive.

My main advice is to bring or carefully plan your lunch. Do not assume the meal is included, and do not order a menu without confirming the per-person cost and portion size. With food handled sensibly and good weather on your side, this is a memorable way to link Ibiza and Formentera by sea.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran tour?

The experience lasts about eight hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Illes Balears, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

It returns to the same meeting point at Cala Jondal.

How many people can join the private boat?

The catamaran accommodates one private group of up to 10 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can eat on Formentera, arrange food for the boat, or bring your own.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are paddleboards available?

Yes. Two paddle surf boards are included.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. The catamaran has a restroom.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

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