Bavaria 42 Cruiser · Private sailboat around Ibiza and Formentera

Reviewed · FORMENTERA & ESPALMADOR TRIPS

Bavaria 42 Cruiser · Private sailboat around Ibiza and Formentera

5.0 · 126 reviews 8 hours (approx.) From $1,015 Operated by Holistic Sailing · Bookable on Viator
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Seven hours of salty calm beats any party bus. You’ll spend an 8-hour day on a private Bavaria 42 Cruiser for up to 8 people, with an itinerary built around real water time: sailing stretches, anchor stops, and easy-to-do swims. I especially like the mix of Formentera beach time and sea access to places most people only see from a distance.

Two big wins: snorkeling gear and a Paddle SUP are included, and the day has a classic captain-led rhythm (a short welcome and safety talk, then you’re off). One practical consideration: lunch isn’t included, so if you want convenience you’ll need to add the catering option.

Key Points That Matter

  • Private boat for up to 8: it stays flexible and calmer than typical group tours
  • Stop highlights include Ses Illetes, S’Espalmador, and Sa Caleta for nonstop swimming options
  • Snorkeling gear + Paddle SUP included means you can plan activities without extra costs
  • Your day includes sailing time (including a stretch that depends on wind)
  • Sunset-friendly timing with a sail back toward Ibiza as the sun drops

A Private Sail Day Around Ibiza and Formentera

If your idea of Ibiza is more sea air than club lights, this private cruise is a smart fit. You start in Cala Jondal and spend the day working your way toward Formentera and back, with multiple chances to jump in and swim.

What makes this plan feel good is how it’s paced. You’re not racing from one photo stop to another. You’re getting real time on the water: sailing stretches, anchoring in quieter coves, and a beach break at Playa de Ses Illetes inside the Ses Salines Natural Park.

More Formentera and Espalmador day trips we have sailed out on

What You Pay For: $1,015.87 Up to 8 People

Bavaria 42 Cruiser · Private sailboat around Ibiza and Formentera - What You Pay For: $1,015.87 Up to 8 People
The price is $1,015.87 per group, up to 8 people, for about 8 hours. Do the math: if you fill all 8 seats, you’re paying roughly $127 per person. If you only have a small group, the per-person cost rises fast—so this is best when you’re traveling with friends, family, or a mixed group that can actually share the boat.

In terms of value, the included extras matter:

  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Paddle SUP
  • Fuel tank included
  • Restroom on board
  • All fees and taxes

That’s the kind of package where you’re less likely to add surprise costs once you’re out there.

How the Day Flows in 8 Hours

Bavaria 42 Cruiser · Private sailboat around Ibiza and Formentera - How the Day Flows in 8 Hours
This is an all-day outing with a loop route. Your day begins and ends at the same meeting point in Cala Jondal, so you don’t waste time with transportation from one marina to another.

The itinerary is structured like this:

  • Start at Platja des Jondal / Cala Jondal
  • Sail toward Formentera and make three island-and-cove stops
  • Get a longer beach block for Ses Illetes
  • Return to Ibiza with a calmer sailing leg, ideally timed for sunset views

Also, you’ll get a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English.

Stop 1: Platja des Jondal and the First Swim Start

You begin at Tropicana Eivissa, Cala Jondal (Cala Jondal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia). After a quick welcome and a safety talk lasting about 15 minutes, you can settle in and start enjoying the trip right away.

Then comes the first real movement: you sail for about 1 hour 45 minutes toward Formentera. If wind conditions allow, the crew hoists sails so you get that classic quiet sailing feel—less engine noise, more natural motion.

This first leg is often where you’ll feel the day click into place. You’re not yet thinking about logistics; you’re just enjoying open water, fresh wind, and a sense that you’ve left the shore behind for good.

Tip: Bring swim basics for this early start—when the first chance comes, you’ll want to be ready.

Stop 2: Playa de Ses Illetes in Ses Salines Natural Park

Playa de Ses Illetes is the big beach block on the schedule, and it’s a good one. The area is inside the Ses Salines Natural Park, and the hallmark here is white sand with calm, crystal-clear water.

You get about 2 hours at this stop, which is long enough to do more than one thing:

  • paddleboarding with the included SUP gear
  • snorkel around in easy access water
  • walk along the shoreline and find a quieter stretch (even in a popular place)

Then there’s lunch time, and this part is flexible. You can handle food in three ways:

1) Eat at an exclusive waterfront restaurant (an add-on choice)

2) Eat on board what you brought

3) Add the pre-arranged catering service

That flexibility is a big deal. If you travel with picky eaters or people who want simple, it keeps lunch from turning into a stressful decision.

Possible drawback to consider: because lunch is not included by default, you’ll want to decide ahead of time how you want to handle food—pack it, pay for a restaurant, or add catering.

Stop 3: S’Espalmador and Its Quiet Sea Coves

Next up is S’Espalmador, a small island that’s uninhabited and accessible only by sea. The payoff here is the water quality and the vibe. The schedule gives you about 1 hour to anchor in a quieter cove, swim, explore the coast, or just relax on deck.

This stop is less about a big beach scene and more about feeling like you have the water to yourself for a little while. If you like swimming in cleaner, calmer spots and don’t need nonstop structure, this is the kind of stop that feels worth the effort.

The crew also shares an island secret that few travelers know. That’s the sort of detail that can turn a quick swim into a more memorable hour.

Tip: With only about an hour here, plan your swim first and save time for a slow float after.

Stop 4: Sa Caleta’s Red Rocks and Phoenician Footsteps

Then you move to Sa Caleta, where the visual contrast is the first thing you notice: reddish rocks with green pine surroundings. It’s the kind of place where photos actually make sense because the setting is dramatic even without trying.

This stop is also historic in a very specific way. The area is tied to the first Phoenicians who lived on Ibiza more than 2,600 years ago. You get about 1 hour here to swim, take photos, or just slow down and imagine what the area felt like millennia back.

Even if you’re not a hard-core history person, it helps that the time is short and active. You can take in the story while still enjoying the water.

Tip: If you care about photos, time them around the light angle—this is one of those stops where the color shift can make a difference.

Final Leg: Back to Ibiza and a Sunset Framing Es Vedrà

You finish with a quiet sail back to Ibiza, lasting about 1 hour. The plan is timed so you have a shot at one of the Mediterranean’s best scenery moments: sunset views with the silhouette of Es Vedrà framing the moment.

This final stretch is often where the day feels complete. Earlier stops are more about activity, but the return leg becomes a slower, more reflective float—wind on your face, coolening air, and the sense that you’re not done enjoying the island, just wrapping it up.

If you’re traveling with a group where not everyone wants to snorkel nonstop, this is a great equalizer. Everyone can enjoy the sailing and the sky.

What’s Included on Board (and What You’ll Still Want)

The included items are designed to keep you in the water without extra planning:

  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Paddle SUP
  • Restroom on board
  • Fuel tank included
  • All fees and taxes

That means you can spend your decision energy on the big choices: where you eat lunch, how long you snorkel, and how much time you spend relaxing.

What’s not included is lunch. The good news is that the crew can offer bespoke catering based on your requirements. If you want convenience, this is the easy route. If you prefer budget control, bring simple food for on-board eating.

Meeting Point and Timing You Should Know

Your start and end point is the same: Tropicana Eivissa, Cala Jondal. The tour runs on a seasonal schedule, and the opening hours listed for this period are:

  • May (10:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
  • June (10:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
  • July and August (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

That matters because you’re not just picking a time; you’re picking your chance at that sunset-style payoff on the way back.

Who This Sail Trip Fits Best

This private cruise works best for:

  • couples or small groups who want a calmer, higher-value day at sea
  • families with kids old enough to handle a day on the boat and swimming (most people can participate, as stated)
  • friends who want multiple swim stops without juggling a bunch of different boats or tours
  • anyone who wants sea views as the main event, not a checklist

It’s also a solid option if you care about comfort basics. A private boat with a restroom and included gear makes the day feel less like a mission and more like a proper outing.

If you’re hoping for a very quiet day, you’ll likely like it. If you’re hoping for nonstop party vibes, you’ll feel like you chose the wrong island mood.

A Note on Captains and How the Day Feels

This kind of day lives or dies on crew rhythm. The sailing portion is long enough that you’ll feel the difference between a rigid itinerary and a crew that keeps things calm.

In this case, you’ll get a safety talk, and the day is run with a captain-led approach. Names like Juan Diego and Sebastián show up in past bookings tied to great attention to what people need, including people wanting to shape the day (like choosing a sunset option).

You should still check details at booking, but the overall pattern is clear: the crew aims to make you comfortable and confident early, then give you time to enjoy the water.

Should You Book This Private Cruiser?

I’d book it if you want a day that feels genuinely different from walking streets and standing in heat. The value is strongest when you can fill most of the boat. You’ll get included snorkeling gear, SUP time, and multiple high-impact sea stops.

I would hesitate if you’re traveling solo or as a couple with no way to share the boat, because the per-person cost climbs. And if you hate making food decisions, plan lunch ahead—because lunch isn’t included unless you choose the catering option or bring something on board.

If you want a practical way to decide, ask yourself this: do you want your Ibiza and Formentera memories to be about swimming in clear water and sailing calmly back at sunset? If yes, this one fits.

FAQ

FAQ

How many people can go on this private sailboat?

This is a private tour/activity for up to 8 people per group.

How long is the cruise around Ibiza and Formentera?

The duration is about 8 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What’s included with the sailing day?

Included items are snorkeling equipment, a restroom on board, paddle SUP, fuel tank included, and all fees and taxes.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. A bespoke catering service is available for an added cost.

What stops are included during the itinerary?

The stops include Platja des Jondal, Playa de Ses Illetes, S’Espalmador, and Sa Caleta, with a return sail back to Ibiza.

Are service animals allowed?

Service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.