You get the Formentera feeling fast, not later. This small-group catamaran day links Ibiza and Formentera’s top swimming spots with snorkel and SUP gear already sorted, plus a glass of champagne onboard.

What I like most is the relaxed pace: you’re not just sightseeing from a distance—you’re stopping long enough to actually get in the water, grab shade, and explore.

Second, I really like the practical food setup. There’s a fridge/freezer option so you can bring lunch and snacks without turning the day into a warm, sticky picnic. One thing to consider: you’ll get on and off the boat via dinghy to reach shore, and time can shift a bit if the group is running late at the pickup beach.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Champagne included: one glass during the trip, so you start feeling the holiday mood early.
• Snorkel + SUP (and SUP-to-kayak use): you’re not paying extra just to access the fun parts.
• Long beach windows: anchor time at Espalmador and Ses Illetes makes the day feel like more than a drive-by.
• Small group size: max around a dozen people, so it doesn’t feel like a floating crowd.
• Bring-your-own lunch friendly: cool storage helps, and you also have the option to eat ashore with help from the captain.
• Captain-led routing by conditions: different skippers run the day, and the route tends to match weather and comfort.

Formentera day trips: why this catamaran plan works

Formentera is famous for water that looks edited, but the real win is how you get there and what you do once you land. This trip is built around fewer stops with meaningful time in each place, rather than a checklist of quick plunges.

The boat format helps too. It’s a catamaran setup with space to spread out, plus shade if the sun gets serious. And because the group stays small—around 11 people on board—you usually end up with a comfortable rhythm: swim, snack, sun, repeat.

You also get the right mix of structure and freedom. The captain handles navigation and the logistics of getting you to the beach, but you’re still choosing how you spend time on the water—snorkeling, paddle boarding, walking, or just floating.

Where it starts: Ses Salines pickup and getting to the boat

Your morning begins in the Sant Jordi de ses Salines area, with the tour listing a start at Beso Beach Ibiza / Platja de ses Salines (10:00 am). In practice, the plan is to meet near the beach and then transfer by zodiac/dinghy to the catamaran.

That dinghy detail matters. If you’ve never done a day trip like this, think of it as the norm: the catamaran can’t just pull up to shore like a big motorboat. You’ll step into the dinghy and get carried to the main boat, then later do a similar transfer back at stops.

One of the benefits is that you land close to where you want to be. The tradeoff is that you need to be comfortable with transfers and short waits—especially if the group is late at the pickup point. One review complaint centered on longer-than-expected boarding time, which is a reminder that shared experiences live and die by punctuality.

Sailing along Formentera’s coast: how the boat time feels

After you’re on board, the trip shifts into cruising mode. The plan includes sailing along the Formentera coastline and visiting multiple coves. This is where the catamaran vibe really pays off: you’re not sitting in one place the whole day, but you also aren’t rushed.

If the weather is right, you’ll likely find a sweet spot between movement and lounging. The boat has shade available, and the day is meant to feel calm. Some captains bring a relaxed atmosphere with mellow music onboard, not a party scene.

Practical tip: use this sailing time to get organized. Put your sunscreen where you can reach it, sort your snorkeling gear, and decide whether you’ll do SUP first or after lunch. Once you’re anchored, switching gears is harder.

Stop 1: Ibiza departure coast from Ses Salines

The first listed moment is Ibiza-side departure from Ses Salines via zodiac transfer. The time is short—about 15 minutes—but it sets the tone.

This is basically your setup stop: you confirm you’re on the right boat, get a quick feel for the crew, and start moving toward Formentera. If you’re someone who likes knowing what to expect, use this segment to ask your captain a simple question about the day plan, like whether conditions might change the order or timing.

It’s also a good moment to remember: this is a full day on the water. Wear swim-ready shoes if you don’t love sand transfers, and bring a waterproof bag if you plan to use your phone on deck.

Stop 2: S’Espalmador (2 hours of swims and walking)

One of the best values in this itinerary is the 2-hour anchor time at S’Espalmador. After about 1 hour of sailing, the boat anchors at Espalmador, described as paradisiacal.

On paper, you get options. In real life, it usually comes down to three choices:

• Swim and snorkel right where the water is calm enough to enjoy.
• Walk the beach if you want a break from the water.
• Use the SUP boards (or convert to a kayak-style setup if that’s offered for your gear).

The Espalmador stop works well because it’s flexible. If you want a slower pace—float first, snorkel second—it’s easy to do. And if you’re more active, you can burn through energy quickly with paddle boarding and short water explorations.

Possible drawback: if you’re the type who expects a tightly guided explanation of every coastal point, you may feel short-changed. One critical review complained about not getting coastal commentary. But the captain’s main job here is safety and getting you to the right swim areas. Think of it as a day where you’re the main character, not a classroom.

Stop 3: Playa de Ses Illetes (the big beach block)

Next up is Playa de Ses Illetes, often described as one of the best beaches in the world. The boat sails there in about 15 minutes, then you get the largest beach window of the day—about 4 hours total at the stop.

This is the moment when the itinerary turns from good to great, because you have real time to do things beyond one quick swim. You’ll likely:

• Step onto shore via dinghy and explore on foot.
• Use snorkeling gear and paddle boards again.
• Bring your own food and drinks, with storage help on the boat.

Here’s the practical advantage: you can pack lunch and keep it cold. The trip notes a fridge and also mentions a freezer for keeping food and drinks cold. That means you can avoid the most common day-trip problem—paying for an over-priced lunch on your schedule, not your day.

Eating ashore is also an option. If you want a restaurant lunch on Ses Illetes beach, the captain can help you with a reservation, and you don’t need to pre-book anything yourself.

A helpful caution: Ses Illetes is popular. If you want fewer people around you, use early or later time blocks for your beach-walk and snorkeling.

Stop 4: Beso Beach Ibiza return and wrap-up

After the Formentera portion, the boat returns to Beso Beach Ibiza to finish the tour. The listed time here is about 1 hour.

This final segment is short by design, and that’s normal for a full-day catamaran schedule. It’s your chance to regroup, rinse off if needed, grab your stuff, and head back without a complicated logistics chain.

If you’re organizing your day, plan for this stop to feel like a landing pad, not a second big activity block. The goal is smooth departure from the water, not extending beach time.

Snorkel + SUP gear: included, and actually usable

This trip includes snorkeling equipment and SUP boards. It also notes that the SUP setup can be convertible into kayaks, which is a nice extra if you prefer a lower-impact way to move across calmer water.

This matters for value. Many boat tours sell you the chance to swim but make you pay to rent gear. Here, the gear is included, so you don’t waste time deciding if it’s worth the extra money. You can go snorkeling because it’s already there.

On-board comfort also helps you use the gear effectively. With shade available, you can avoid overheating between water moments. And with fridge/freezer storage, you can keep snacks edible and drinks colder than the average beach picnic.

Practical packing list (based on how these stops work):

• Swimsuit + quick-dry towel or cover-up
• Waterproof phone pouch if you plan to take photos in shallow water
• Reef-safe sunscreen if you use snorkeling a lot (you might already have this)
• Your own lunch if you want control over cost and timing

Small group size: the difference between crowded and comfortable

The tour caps at 12 travelers (and the day often feels like about 11 people plus the captain/crew). That small group limit is not just a marketing line. It affects everything:

• Less waiting at dinghy steps
• More room to spread out on deck
• Less pressure when you want to hop into snorkeling without squeezing past ten people first

You can also feel the difference in how captains operate. Several skippers are referenced with names like Fran, Nacho, Pablo, Ramiro, and Sebastian. While each has their own style, the common theme is being hands-on and making the day run smoothly. One review highlighted help when someone got seasick, which is a reminder that the crew is paying attention beyond just navigation.

One real consideration: since this is a shared experience, you’ll be affected by timing habits of other guests. If you want the cleanest schedule, show up early and be ready to move when the dinghy transfer starts.

Price and value: is $139 worth it?

At $139.08 per person, you’re paying for a full-day water experience with the key add-ons already covered: catamaran transport, zodiac transfers to shore, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, and one included glass of champagne.

Lunch is not included, but you’re not stuck buying food on someone else’s timetable. You can bring your own meals and keep them cold. If you do choose to eat out, that’s a personal decision. Formentera restaurants are often pricey, and the boat’s lunch option is best thought of as convenience and a nice outing, not as a deal.

So the value math looks like this:

• If you’ll swim and want gear without rentals, the included equipment boosts value.
• If you’ll bring lunch or snacks, you control cost.
• If you’re okay with dinghy transfers and a captain-first mindset (safety and routing over long narration), you’ll likely feel the price matches the day.

If your ideal day trip is a guided lecture plus minimal moving around, this might feel a bit too action-oriented and logistically hands-on for your taste.

Who this trip is best for

This is a strong match if you want:

• A relaxed, swimming-focused day in crystal-clear water
• Included snorkel + SUP gear
• Enough time at Espalmador and Ses Illetes to actually enjoy them, not rush through
• A small-group atmosphere where you can find a comfortable spot on deck

It’s also a good fit for couples and friends. One review described a group of two couples enjoying the trip, and another emphasized that the small group kept the boat from feeling crowded.

You might want to rethink it if:

• You dislike dinghy transfers or have mobility concerns around getting on and off smaller boats
• You’re expecting a party vibe or a yacht-like luxury experience (this is a catamaran experience, not a private super-yacht)
• You want deep commentary on every coastal point rather than a safety-first captain running a smooth day

Should you book this Formentera & Ibiza small-group catamaran?

If your goal is a classic Formentera water day—swim time that actually adds up, plus SUP and snorkeling already included—I’d book it. The small group size, the two main swim stops (Espalmador and Ses Illetes), and the ability to cool your own food make this feel like a good-use-of-time kind of trip, not a pricey gamble.

Before you click confirm, do two things:

1) Plan to pack lunch or snacks. With storage on board, it’s the easiest way to protect your budget and timing.

2) Be early at the pickup beach. This is the kind of shared itinerary where one late arrival can ripple into boarding and schedule.

If you’re ready for a calm day on the water with real beach time, this one has a lot going for it. It’s the kind of tour that leaves you thinking about the next swim stop while you’re still on the boat.

FAQ

What is the duration of the trip?

The experience runs about 8 to 9 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10:00 am.

How many people will be on the boat?

The maximum is 12 travelers.

What does the tour include?

It includes a full-day catamaran trip with 1 glass of champagne, use of snorkeling equipment, use of SUP boards (convertible into kayaks), and zodiac boat transfers to shore.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your own food and drinks, and you can use the fridge/freezer on the boat to keep them cool.

Which beaches does the itinerary include?

The trip includes Ses Salines (for the start transfer), sailing along the Formentera coast, S’Espalmador, Playa de Ses Illetes, and finishes at Beso Beach Ibiza.

Do I need to book a restaurant in advance?

No. If you want to eat ashore, your captain will help you with a reservation on the day.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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