Formentera & Espalmador: Full-Day Private Sailboat Trip

Espalmador’s empty shoreline is the great draw here. You reach it only by sea, then spend the day moving between clear swimming spots, rocky coves, and Formentera’s famous Ses Illetes. I like the private boat setup, which gives your group room to set the pace, and I like having both SUP boards and snorkeling gear included.

The trip also covers a lot of coastline in seven hours: Espalmador, Ses Illetes, Cala Saona, Es Pujols, and Es Calo. The main catch is lunch. Brunch and alcoholic drinks cost extra, and Espalmador has no restaurants, bars, or hotels, so you need to plan your food before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• Five very different stops: You move from the protected, undeveloped shore of Espalmador to beach restaurants, rocky caves, and sheltered bays.
• Private for up to seven people: The $941.32 price is for the group, not each person, making the cost easier to justify with a full party.
• A 35-foot boat with useful gear: Two paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, a restroom, WiFi, fuel, and filtered water are included.
• Seven hours on the water: The schedule allows real swimming time instead of a quick photo stop at each place.
• Augustin may be your guide: A recent booking praised his kindness and his choice of beautiful beaches.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellations are free up to 24 hours before departure.

Why this private Formentera sail is different

Formentera is at its best from the water. Roads and beaches can feel busy in high season, but a private boat lets you reach shorelines that are harder to visit on foot. You can swim, paddle, snorkel, or simply sit aboard while the scenery changes.

This is not a formal sightseeing cruise with a packed schedule of monuments. It is a full day of salt water, small bays, red rock, and pale sand. You spend nearly the entire seven hours outdoors, with stops chosen for swimming and coastal scenery rather than land-based sightseeing.

The private format matters. Your group can share the boat without strangers, and you have more flexibility than on a large shared excursion. The boat carries up to seven people, so it works particularly well for a family group or a circle of friends who want the day to feel personal.

At $941.32 per group, the price is high for one or two people. Split among seven, it comes to about $134 per person before lunch and drinks. That includes the boat, fuel surcharge, equipment, and crew service, so the value improves sharply as your group gets larger.

Starting at Ses Illetes

The meeting point is Platja de Ses Illetes in Formentera. The boat returns there at the end, which keeps the day simple: you start and finish in the same place rather than arranging a separate ride home from another bay.

Ses Illetes is also one of the prettiest parts of the trip. From the water, you can look toward Formentera, Ibiza, and Es Vedra, with an unusually broad view around you. The stop is scheduled for two hours, the longest single pause of the day.

You can use this time in several ways. Swim in clear water, snorkel with the supplied equipment, walk along the start of Formentera, or use one of the SUP boards. If you prefer a proper meal, restaurants sit along the beach. You can also eat on board, but you need to arrange the food yourself because brunch is not included.

Ses Illetes can be popular, so this stop may feel less remote than Espalmador or Es Calo. That is part of its appeal and part of its limitation. You get easy access to food and a famous beach, but not the same sense of isolation.

Espalmador, a protected island with no buildings

The first stop is S’Espalmador, a small island reachable only by sea. Its lack of buildings gives the place a quiet, natural feel that is hard to find at more developed beach areas.

There are no bars, restaurants, or hotels here. That means you should not count on buying lunch, a cold drink, or supplies after arriving. Bring what you need, especially water and food if you want to stay comfortable during the stop.

The island is part of a protected natural park, and new buildings are not allowed. You get open shore, clean water, and a setting that feels deliberately left alone. The stop lasts about one hour, enough for a swim or a paddle without making the day feel rushed.

One feature to look for is El Paso, a natural sandbar that acts as a bridge toward Formentera. The exact conditions and access can depend on the sea, so treat it as a natural feature to see from the boat or shore rather than a guaranteed walking route.

This is a strong stop for paddleboarding. The water is described as flat and well suited to the sport, and two boards are included. If you have never used a SUP, the calm conditions may make this a more comfortable place to try than an exposed stretch of coast.

Two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

After Espalmador, the boat spends two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes. This is the trip’s most flexible stop because you can choose between a beach restaurant, lunch aboard, swimming, snorkeling, walking, and paddleboarding.

The water is clear enough for snorkeling, and the broad views make this a good place to take in the setting rather than focus only on the beach in front of you. Ibiza and Es Vedra are visible from the area, giving the stop a wider sense of place.

I like the two-hour allowance here. It gives you time to eat without giving up your swim, though the exact balance depends on your group. If lunch at a beach restaurant matters to you, ask about timing when you board so you do not spend too long waiting for a table and cut into your water time.

You should also remember that the boat is the base for the day. A restroom and WiFi are available, but the supplied water is filtered water, not a full meal service. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a towel, and any food you want for lunch.

Cala Saona and its red rock

Cala Saona shifts the mood. Instead of pale sand and broad beach views, you get rocky coast, reddish tones, and clear water around small caves.

The stop lasts about 90 minutes. You can swim around the area, paddle near the rocks, and look for caves along the shoreline. The setting is well suited to a slower pause, especially if you prefer rock and open water to a wide sandy beach.

Use care around the rocky edges. The supplied information does not promise a particular route into the caves or any special safety equipment beyond the standard boat gear, so follow the crew’s directions and avoid treating the rocks as a playground without guidance.

Cala Saona gives the day useful variety. If all five stops were sandy beaches, the schedule would feel repetitive. Here, the red rock and cave-filled coast offer a different view of Formentera.

Es Pujols, a sheltered bay for paddling

Es Pujols is another one-hour stop, with a mix of rock and sand. The bay is often protected from the wind, which can make it a comfortable place to use the SUP boards.

The sheltered water is the main reason to value this stop. Wind can make paddleboarding tiring or awkward, while a calmer bay lets you move at an easier pace. You can also swim around the shore or choose lunch on board.

Restaurants are available in the bay if you would rather eat on land. This gives you another chance to arrange a meal, though you should remember that food is not part of the tour price.

There are cliff jumps around the corner for the adventurous. This is an optional activity, not a central part of the trip. If you are considering it, ask the crew about the exact spot and current conditions first. Do not assume every visible rock is safe for jumping.

Es Calo for a quieter final swim

The last stop is Es Calo, where you spend about 90 minutes. It is described as less crowded than the better-known beach areas, with rocky scenery and striking water colors.

This makes a good closing stop. After a day of moving from place to place, Es Calo offers time to relax without a long list of activities. You can swim, sit aboard, or enjoy the contrast between the rock and the water.

The location is less about a single famous sight and more about atmosphere. If you like quiet coves and coastal colors, this may become one of your favorite pauses. If you prefer shops, beach facilities, or a long stretch of sand, it may feel more limited.

The schedule gives you enough time to enjoy the bay without making the return feel late. Since the boat finishes back at Ses Illetes, you can plan the rest of your day from the original meeting point.

What the boat includes, and what it does not

The 35-foot sailboat is large enough for a private group of up to seven and includes a restroom. That is useful on a seven-hour outing, especially for families or anyone who does not want to depend only on shore facilities.

Two SUP boards are included, along with snorkeling equipment. This saves you from arranging separate rentals and means you can switch between swimming, paddling, and snorkeling as the day develops.

The fuel surcharge is included in the stated price, which is worth noting when comparing private boat trips. Fuel charges can otherwise appear later as an extra cost. WiFi and filtered bottled water are also provided.

You still need to budget for brunch and alcoholic beverages. The most practical plan is to bring lunch for the boat or choose a restaurant at Ses Illetes or Es Pujols. Since Espalmador has no food businesses, do not wait until that stop to decide what you will eat.

The guide and the pace of the day

Augustin is the guide named in the available booking feedback, and his kindness and beach choices received specific praise. That matters on a private sailing day because the guide helps shape the experience. The value is not only in getting from one bay to another, but in having someone choose sensible swimming and paddling locations.

Still, the route has a stated structure, so you should not expect a completely open-ended charter. The five stops add up to roughly seven hours: one hour at Espalmador, two hours at Ses Illetes, 90 minutes at Cala Saona, one hour at Es Pujols, and 90 minutes at Es Calo.

That is a full day, not a quick coastal outing. You will get more from it if your group is happy to spend most of the day around water. People who want long walks, museums, shopping, or a land-based lunch may find the format too focused on swimming and boating.

Who should book this trip

I would consider this a strong choice for a group of friends, a family, or a small celebration where privacy matters. The boat carries up to seven, and the per-group price becomes more reasonable when shared across several people.

It also suits active groups. You can use the SUP boards, snorkel, swim, and paddle around rock formations and bays. You do not need to take part in every activity, though. The boat, beach, and water offer plenty for someone who prefers a quieter day.

This is less suitable if you want a low-cost excursion for one or two people. It may also disappoint you if you expect meals, drinks, or a large range of onboard amenities. The equipment is useful, but the focus is the coast, not luxury catering.

The trip is weather dependent. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, so watch the local cut-off time.

Practical things to bring

Bring food if you plan to eat on board, since brunch is not included and Espalmador has no places to buy supplies. If you prefer a restaurant, Ses Illetes and Es Pujols offer the clearest options during the route.

Pack swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and comfortable clothing for a long day outside. The supplied snorkeling gear and paddleboards reduce the amount of equipment you need to carry, but personal items still matter.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is normally issued when you book. If you book within one day of departure, confirmation arrives as soon as possible and depends on availability. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Should you book the Formentera and Espalmador sail?

Book it if your ideal Formentera day means clear water, quiet coves, SUP paddling, snorkeling, and a private boat shared with people you know. The route offers good variety, from the undeveloped shores of Espalmador to the red rock of Cala Saona and the calmer bay at Es Calo.

The price makes the most sense for six or seven people. For a small group, compare the cost carefully and remember to add lunch and drinks. If you want the freedom of a private boat and value the time on the water, the cost can be fair. If you mainly want a beach visit, a less expensive land-based option may suit you better.

The strongest reason to choose this trip is the combination of access and flexibility. You reach places that are difficult to cover from land, while still having the option to eat at a restaurant, paddle, snorkel, or simply swim. With Augustin guiding the route, you can expect a personal day built around Formentera’s coast rather than a standard sightseeing circuit.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start?

It starts at Platja de Ses Illetes, 07871 Formentera, Illes Balears, Spain.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the original meeting point at Platja de Ses Illetes.

How long is the trip?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to seven people.

What stops are included?

The route includes S’Espalmador, Playa de Ses Illetes, Cala Saona, Es Pujols, and Es Calo.

Is lunch included?

No. Brunch is not included. You can bring food for the boat or eat at a beach restaurant at Ses Illetes or Es Pujols.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What equipment is provided?

The boat includes two paddle surf boards, snorkeling equipment, a restroom, WiFi, fuel, and filtered bottled water.

Is the trip available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund.