From Ibiza: Sailing Tour to Formentera with Beach Stops

A classic sailboat, two turquoise-water stops, and a private group of up to 11 make this one of the more personal ways to see Formentera from Ibiza. I like the mix of quiet sailing and active beach time, especially the chance to swim at Espalmador and use a paddleboard or snorkeling gear at Ses Illetes.

I also like that Alberto and Irene leave room for you to choose your pace rather than pushing you from one activity to the next. The main consideration is the price: $1,472 per group is good value for 8 to 11 people, but costly for a small party. You will also need to bring lunch, towels, and a plan for reaching Cala Jondal.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different beach stops: Swim near privately owned Espalmador, then go ashore at Ses Illetes on Formentera.
• A genuinely private outing: The sailboat is reserved for your group, with space for up to 11 people.
• Hosts who stay involved: Alberto and Irene handle the sailing, shore transfers, snacks, drinks, and practical details.
• Useful equipment included: Snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, a dinghy, a toilet, and onboard music are all provided.
• A full seven-hour day: Allow about one hour to sail from Ibiza to Formentera, with the return arriving in the late afternoon.
• Best value with a group: At full capacity, the cost works out to about $134 per person before any lunch or transport costs.

Why this Formentera sailing trip works

Formentera is famous for pale sand and clear water, but getting there is only half the story. This trip makes the crossing part of the day instead of treating it as a basic transfer. You spend time on a classic sailboat, with the Spanish sun, open sea, and Ibiza fading behind you.

I like the balance here. You get a proper outing on the water, but you are not expected to spend seven hours actively sailing, swimming, or paddling. There is room to sit back with a drink, listen to music, and enjoy the boat.

The private format matters. A group of 11 is the maximum, and if you book with family or friends, the boat becomes your shared space for the day. A smaller party should feel even more relaxed, although the per-person price rises quickly when fewer people share the cost.

Alberto and Irene operate the boat and speak Spanish, English, and Italian. Their role goes beyond handling the boat. They provide snacks and drinks, explain the plan, take you ashore by dinghy, and stay flexible around your preferences. That personal approach is a major part of the appeal.

Leaving Cala Jondal for the open sea

The meeting point is on Cala Jondal beach, in front of Tropicana. You do not get hotel pickup, so getting there is your responsibility. This is worth planning early because parking near the boarding point can be difficult, especially during the busy summer months.

One useful tip is to check the information Alberto sends before the day of the trip. A recommended car park may be easier than trying to find a space beside the beach. Build in extra time so you are not beginning a relaxed sailing day with a rushed arrival.

Once everyone is aboard, the sail to Formentera takes about an hour. That first stretch is valuable because it lets you settle into the boat before the swimming stops begin. You can enjoy the views, take photographs, listen to Spotify through the onboard speaker, or simply sit in the sun.

The boat has a toilet, which is a practical comfort on a full-day sea outing. Water, other drinks, fuel, and the skipper are included. The supplied information does not promise a particular sailing route or a certain amount of time under sail, so the exact experience can depend on wind and sea conditions.

The activity only runs in suitable weather. If the sea turns rough or conditions become unsafe, the plan can change or the outing may not go ahead. That is normal for a sailing trip, but it is worth keeping in mind when arranging other fixed plans for the same day.

Espalmador: clear water and a quieter first stop

The first stop is Espalmador, the small privately owned island next to Formentera. The attraction is the water. This is the place for a swim in bright, clear sea, with the boat providing a comfortable base between dips.

You may choose to swim from the boat rather than go ashore. One couple used the stop mainly for swimming and photographs from the boat, while the later Formentera stop provided beach time. That choice shows how flexible the day can be. If you prefer not to scramble onto a beach at every stop, Espalmador can be a calm pause on the water.

The word private should not be read as completely secluded. The area is popular because it is beautiful, and conditions, wind, and the wider boating scene can affect how peaceful it feels. Still, it offers a different mood from a larger public beach, and the stop gives you an early chance to swim before settling in at Ses Illetes.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Towels are not included, and the sun can feel strong on the boat even when the breeze makes the temperature pleasant. You should also have swimwear on from the start, since the first stop is built around getting into the water.

Ses Illetes: the main beach stop

After Espalmador, the boat continues to Ses Illetes on Formentera. This is the longer, more flexible stop and the one most likely to feel like a classic Formentera beach day.

The beach is known for pale sand and clear water. You can go ashore to walk and relax, or stay closer to the water with the provided snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboard. A dinghy takes you between the sailboat and shore, so you do not need to swim the entire way to the beach.

I like that Ses Illetes is not presented as a rushed photo stop. You get free time to choose what suits you. Some people will want a swim, others will prefer to lie on the sand, and active members of the group can use the paddleboard or look beneath the surface with the snorkeling gear.

The tradeoff is that beach conditions can vary. The sand and water are the stars, but a famous beach can feel less private than a quiet cove. Also, lunch is not included, and the provided food is described as snacks and appetizers rather than a full meal. For seven hours, I would bring something more substantial unless you plan to eat before or after the trip.

What is included on the boat

The inclusions are well chosen for a day that focuses on swimming and beach time:

• Skipper and private sailing tour
• Fuel
• Water, drinks, and snacks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Dinghy for reaching shore
• Toilet
• Speaker and Spotify

The drinks and light food are useful because they save you from packing a full cooler. The onboard service also adds to the easygoing feel of the day. Still, the distinction between snacks and lunch matters. If you need a proper midday meal, bring one yourself. A past suggestion was to offer sandwiches, which tells you exactly where this trip may fall short for hungry swimmers.

Towels are not provided, so pack your own. Sunscreen is essential, as is an ID card, with a copy accepted. The practical packing list is short: swimwear, towel, sunscreen, ID, and lunch if you want more than light snacks.

Is $1,472 a fair price?

The headline cost is $1,472 for the whole group, up to 11 people. At full capacity, that is roughly $134 per person for seven hours, including the skipper, fuel, equipment, drinks, snacks, and shore transfers.

That is reasonable for a private boat day, particularly if you are traveling with a larger family or group of friends. You are not paying separately for a ferry, a beach transfer, paddleboard hire, and snorkeling equipment. The private format also gives you more control than a large shared excursion.

For two or three people, the calculation changes. The same total price becomes much harder to justify unless the privacy and personal attention are central to what you want. A smaller group will have more room on the boat, but it will not receive a smaller bill.

You should also budget for travel to Cala Jondal, lunch, and a towel if you need to buy one. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. The overall value is strongest when you can fill most of the available places and want a relaxed day rather than the cheapest possible route to Formentera.

The human touch from Alberto and Irene

The most consistent strength of this outing is the way Alberto and Irene host the day. Their welcome, care, and flexibility matter because a private boat experience can feel either warm or overly formal. Here, the focus is on making the group comfortable.

They send practical details in advance, which is especially helpful for the meeting point and parking. They also help with the dinghy transfer to shore and collect you at the agreed time. One group even received help arranging a taxi at the end of the day, though that should not be treated as a standard hotel transfer service.

Their approach suits people who want guidance without a rigid schedule. You can ask about the best place to swim, spend time on the beach, or use the water equipment when it suits you. The guide languages are Spanish, English, and Italian, so communication is straightforward for many international visitors.

There is no promise of a formal historical talk or a lengthy lesson about the islands. The value is in local handling of the day, practical help, and access to attractive swimming spots. If you want a heavily narrated sightseeing cruise, this may feel light on commentary. If you want a friendly boat day with plenty of time to relax, that is a strength.

How this compares with a standard beach transfer

A regular ferry gets you from Ibiza to Formentera, but it does not give you a private base between beaches. Here, the boat is part of the experience. You can return to it for a drink, change your activity, or rest in the shade of your own group.

That convenience also makes the day more social. Friends can swim, paddleboard, take photographs, and relax without splitting up to rent equipment at different places. Families may appreciate the toilet and dinghy, while couples may value the smaller setting.

The boat is not a luxury yacht experience based on the information provided. It is a classic sailboat with practical equipment and a friendly hosting style. Keep your expectations in that lane and you are more likely to be pleased.

Sea conditions are another difference. A ferry follows its scheduled route, while a sailing trip depends on favorable weather and sea conditions. The reward is a more personal day on the water, but you accept more uncertainty in the exact plan.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Friends or families who can share the private-group price
• Couples wanting a quiet day with personal hosting
• Swimmers who want beach time without arranging several rentals
• Visitors who prefer a flexible schedule to a tightly timed group excursion
• People who want both Espalmador and Ses Illetes in one day
• Anyone who enjoys the journey as much as the destination

It is less suitable if you need hotel pickup, want a full included lunch, dislike being dependent on weather, or are looking for the lowest-cost way to reach Formentera. It is also not the best match for someone who wants a formal sightseeing program with constant commentary.

The seven-hour length is another point in its favor. You are not trying to squeeze a quick swim into a short cruise. There is enough time for the crossing, two stops, food and drinks, and a relaxed return to Ibiza in the late afternoon.

Practical details before you reserve

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Ibiza plans are still moving around, though the weather rule remains important.

Check availability for the exact starting time. The activity lasts seven hours, but the supplied details do not give one fixed departure hour. Plan around a late-afternoon return rather than assuming you will be back at midday.

Bring an ID card, with a copy accepted, as well as swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Add lunch or a sandwich if you prefer a proper meal. Contact the operator before the day if you need clear parking guidance at Cala Jondal.

Most important, leave your day open enough to handle a weather change. This is a boat trip, not a guaranteed land itinerary. Good sea conditions are part of what makes the day work.

Should you book the Mas Que Nada Sailing trip?

I would book this tour if you are traveling with enough people to make the private price comfortable and you want Formentera as a full day out, not just a ferry destination. The strongest reasons are the two-stop route, the included water equipment, the flexible beach time, and the personal care from Alberto and Irene.

I would pause if your group is very small, your budget is tight, or you expect a restaurant lunch and hotel transport to be included. Pack your own towel and lunch, sort out parking in advance, and keep your plans flexible for the weather.

For the right group, this is a well-rounded Ibiza day: one hour of sailing, clear water at Espalmador, white sand at Ses Illetes, and plenty of time to set your own pace.

FAQ

How long is the sailing trip?

The activity lasts seven hours, with the return to Ibiza planned for the late afternoon.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet on Cala Jondal beach in front of Tropicana.

How long does it take to sail from Ibiza to Formentera?

The sailing trip from Cala Jondal to Formentera takes approximately one hour.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Espalmador Island and Ses Illetes beach on Formentera.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The activity is for a private group of up to 11 people.

Are snorkeling gear and a paddleboard included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are provided.

Is lunch included?

No. Drinks, water, snacks, and appetizers are included, but lunch is not.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and an ID card. A copy of the ID is accepted.