Reviewed · FORMENTERA & ESPALMADOR TRIPS
Exploring Formentera on Private Sailing Boat
Formentera by sail feels like you’ve upgraded your day. You get a private boat for up to 11 people with a professional skipper, plus serious time in the water with snorkeling, swimming, and even paddle-boarding. I also like that the route is built around real moments, not just moving from point A to B.
One thing to plan around: food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own, and you may also disembark for lunch on Formentera, but you will want a strategy so the day stays relaxed instead of rushed.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll care about
- Why a private Formentera sailing day feels worth it
- The day’s flow: from Platja des Jondal to Formentera and back
- Playa de Ses Illetes: your main water-time block
- S’Espalmador: shorter, but strategically placed
- Lunch on Formentera’s north side without wrecking the schedule
- Es Vedra sunset viewing from the water
- What’s included on board (and what you bring)
- Price and value: $2,358.27 per group up to 11
- Who this private sailing trip suits best
- Quick, honest booking check: should you book it?
- FAQ
- What time does the sailing tour start, and where do we meet?
- How long is the private sailing experience?
- Is this a private tour?
- What activities and equipment are included?
- Are food and drinks included?
- Do I need a passport or photo ID?
- What happens if the weather is rough?
- Can I cancel and get my money back?
- What language is the tour offered in?
Key highlights you’ll care about

- Private sailing for up to 11 with only your group on board
- Snorkel gear and paddle-board included for swim-and-play time
- Formentera north-side lunch option with an extra hour if you disembark for lunch
- Es Vedra sunset viewing from the water
- MegaBoom Bluetooth speaker for your own playlist vibe
- Admission tickets at stops are free, so you are not dealing with add-on fees at the pier
Why a private Formentera sailing day feels worth it

Ibiza is fun, sure. But the best moments often happen just off the island, where the water is the main event. This is built as a full-day sail, starting at 10:00 am from Platja des Jondal and looping back there at the end. The private setup matters because you’re not squeezed into a bigger group schedule or constantly waiting for the slowest person to get ready.
The second big win is the mix of movement and downtime. You’re sailing, then you’re actually in the water. Snorkel time means you get a different view than just looking from the deck. And paddle-boarding gives you a workout-lite option if swimming feels like too much after a couple hours. I also like the practical touch of a Bluetooth speaker (MegaBoom), because music can make a boat day feel more like your vacation and less like a tour checklist.
If you’re a strict planner, there’s one caution. Lunch and drinks aren’t included, and you’ll still want to time meals around the day’s stops. That’s solvable, but you do have to bring your own plan.
More Formentera and Espalmador day trips we have sailed out on
The day’s flow: from Platja des Jondal to Formentera and back
This trip runs about 7 hours and is designed to fit a smooth rhythm: sailing time, water time, then a couple stops on the Formentera side, with time left for the sunset moment near Es Vedra.
You’ll start at Platja des Jondal, Spain at 10:00 am. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not stuck figuring out transport at the end of a long sun-soaked day. The trip is also listed as being near public transportation, which is helpful if you’re coming from Ibiza without a private car.
The route includes two named water stops:
- Playa de Ses Illetes (about 2 hours)
- S’Espalmador (about 1 hour)
Both are listed with free admission tickets, so you’re not paying extra at the pier. That sounds small, but when you’re budgeting a day out on the water, it removes one more annoying “surprise” charge.
Playa de Ses Illetes: your main water-time block

Your first longer stop is at Playa de Ses Illetes, giving you about 2 hours on site. This is where I’d expect you to spend most of your energy, because it’s the longest anchored period and it’s paired with the water activities included in the price.
Here’s what that practically means for you:
- You’ll have time to snorkel without rushing.
- You can swim and re-enter the water as needed, instead of the quick-hit model where you do one lap and get yanked back aboard.
- You can try paddle-boarding if the water conditions feel comfortable.
A private sailing day gives you more control over your pace. If you want calm and quiet, you can take things slow. If you want to play hard, you can squeeze in multiple water sessions while the boat stays put.
One consideration: with any Formentera day, conditions can change. The activity is subject to favorable weather, so bring a bit of flexibility in your expectations. If your plans revolve around perfect calm water, keep your backup mindset on.
S’Espalmador: shorter, but strategically placed

The second stop is S’Espalmador for about 1 hour. Shorter stops can feel like filler on some tours, but on a private boat, that hour often works well as a change of scenery and a second chance at enjoying the water.
Why it’s still worthwhile:
- You get another water session without needing to “commit” to a full stop.
- It breaks up the day so you don’t feel like you’ve been in snorkel mode for hours straight.
- It keeps the pace moving so the timing stays friendly for the later sunset viewing.
If you’re the type who likes to take photos, this is also a good point in the day for that. Even with no extra time on paper, shifting locations usually helps your pictures feel less repetitive.
Lunch on Formentera’s north side without wrecking the schedule
The trip includes time to visit the north side of Formentera for lunch on the island. You also have an option to disembark for lunch at one of the stops. The helpful part is the built-in time comfort: if you disembark for lunch, you’re given an extra hour free of charge so you don’t feel like you’re paying for boat time you didn’t use.
Since food and drinks are not included, you’ll want to think like a local:
- Bring snacks and water so you’re not searching for food while already sun-warmed and hungry.
- If you want a sit-down lunch, plan what you’ll actually eat (quick, filling, and easy to transport if needed).
- Pack something simple to keep you comfortable back on board.
This is also a good moment to remember that a boat day can be dehydrating. Even if you’re not doing a hard workout, you’re in the sun and wind. I’d rather see you over-pack water than under-pack it.
More private Ibiza sailing charters we have taken the wheel on
Es Vedra sunset viewing from the water
The best “boat-day payoff” here is the promise of an iconic sunset in view of Es Vedra. That matters because it turns the trip from a daytime activity into a full-day memory.
From a planning perspective, sunset viewing is where weather and timing matter most. If conditions are good, you’ll get that special stillness that only comes when the sun goes down over open water. If conditions are less cooperative, the skipper will have to adjust. That’s part of sailing life, and it’s why the tour is listed as subject to favorable weather.
My advice: treat the sunset moment as a highlight, but also treat it like something you enjoy without needing it to be perfect. If it’s good, great. If not, you still have the snorkeling and the day on Formentera to hold up the experience.
What’s included on board (and what you bring)
This is where the value shows. You’re not paying extra for the basics of having fun on the water.
Included:
- Professional skipper
- Fuel throughout your time on board
- Snorkel equipment
- Paddle board
- MegaBoom Bluetooth speaker
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
Not included:
- Food and drinks
The “taxes, fees and handling charges” line is worth paying attention to, because boat tours often have add-ons that appear later. Here, the cost is presented as all-in for those items.
What I’d bring if I were going:
- Your own lunch or snacks (or both)
- Water or drinks you like
- Sun protection and a dry-change layer if you get splashed
- A day bag that stays secure on a boat
Also: you’ll need a current valid passport or photo ID on the day of your boat trip. If you forget it, you don’t want the day to get messy.
Price and value: $2,358.27 per group up to 11

The price is $2,358.27 per group for up to 11 people. On the surface, that number looks big. On a boat, though, it’s often the cost of having the experience on your terms.
Here’s the simple value math:
- If you fill the boat close to 11 people, you’re looking at roughly $215 per person.
- If you have fewer people, the per-person cost goes up fast.
So who wins here? Groups. Friends. Family members who genuinely want to spend a whole day together and don’t want to deal with sharing their schedule with strangers. A private sailing trip turns into strong value when you actually use the privacy.
And because the trip includes skipper time, fuel, snorkeling gear, and a paddle-board, you’re not paying extra for the “activity parts.” The only major missing piece is the food and drinks, which you can handle with a quick packing plan.
Who this private sailing trip suits best
This tour is ideal if you want:
- A private day on the water (only your group)
- Real water time: snorkel, swim, paddle-board
- A scenic end point tied to sunset viewing near Es Vedra
- A structured day that still gives you room to relax
It’s also a good fit if you’d rather avoid the bigger-tour feel. With a maximum of 11 people, you usually get a more personal experience on board.
If you’re traveling solo and you just want the cheapest option, this may not make sense. But if you’re coming with a small group and you’re excited about snorkeling and time at sea, it’s a strong match.
One more practical note: service animals are allowed, which can matter for some travelers.
Quick, honest booking check: should you book it?
Book it if you:
- Want a full-day sail with a pro skipper
- Plan to spend real time in the water (snorkel and paddle-board)
- Have a group that can keep the per-person cost reasonable
- Are excited for a sunset moment near Es Vedra
Think twice if you:
- Don’t want to handle your own food and drinks
- Need absolutely guaranteed weather-based conditions (this one is tied to favorable weather)
For most people looking for a memorable Formentera day, this is the type of tour that actually delivers on the promise: water time you can feel, plus a sunset viewing plan that makes the whole day feel like an event.
FAQ
What time does the sailing tour start, and where do we meet?
It starts at 10:00 am at Platja des Jondal, Spain.
How long is the private sailing experience?
The duration is about 7 hours.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates. The group size is up to 11.
What activities and equipment are included?
You get snorkel equipment and a paddle board, plus time to snorkel, swim, and paddle-board with the boat.
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should plan to bring your own.
Do I need a passport or photo ID?
Yes. You need a current valid passport or photo ID on the day of your boat trip.
What happens if the weather is rough?
The experience is subject to favorable weather. If it’s canceled due to rough weather, you can choose rescheduling on an alternative date or a 100% refund.
Can I cancel and get my money back?
This experience is listed as non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel, the amount paid is not refunded.
What language is the tour offered in?
It’s offered in English.
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