Four hours in Formentera, and you get the water first. This cruise is built around swimming in crystal-clear spots and a very easy onboard day with lunch and drinks. I also like the open bar with sangria and beer, plus the relaxed pace that keeps things from feeling like a timed race. One thing to consider: the boat doesn’t drop you on a beach for walking—swim stops happen out in the water.

I love that the day mixes big views with simple time in the sea. The crew comes across as friendly, and the boat setup is meant for comfort while you’re anchored and offloading snacks and lunch. If you’re not confident in open-water swimming, this isn’t the best fit, since you’re entering from the boat at two swim stops.

Key things to know before you go

• Two swim anchors out in the open at Cala Saona and Playa de Ses Illetes (no beach landings)
• Cap de Barberia lighthouse cliffs as the scenic spine of the cruise
• Buffet lunch with multiple salads plus fresh fruit dessert onboard
• Open bar all day with sangria, beer, soft drinks, and water
• Masks, snorkels, and noodles provided for swimming time
• 4 hours from La Savina with a friendly live guide in English and Spanish

Cruise Basics: 4 Hours, La Savina Start, and What You Really Get

This is a straightforward sea-day in Formentera, priced at $81 per person for about 4 hours. You’re not just buying a boat ride; you’re paying for two anchored swim sessions, a live guide with commentary, and food and drinks included. That matters, because if you did the same day on your own, you’d likely spend extra on transport, meals, and snacks.

The cruise starts at La Savina port at 12:00 PM, then returns around 4:00 PM. You’ll meet the operator at Sea Experience in front of Calima bar at the Formentera Maritime Station, and you’ll look for a boat with the Sea Experience logo.

You’ll need to plan around the format: it’s a cruise with swim stops, not a beach-hopping walking tour. The pay-off is that you get to spend real time in the water at some of Formentera’s most famous clear-water areas.

Sailing Past Cap de Barberia: The Lighthouse Cliffs Part of the Magic

Right after boarding, the route focuses on the west coast scenery. You’ll sail along cliffs and viewpoints toward Cap de Barberia, including a stretch that’s famous for the dramatic headland feel and the lighthouse at the top.

This portion is about 40 minutes, and it’s the part of the day that helps you understand the coastline. If you like feeling the scale of the shore—the way cliffs fall into the sea and how light changes on pale rocks—this is your warm-up.

A practical note: you’ll likely spend this leg seated on board while taking in views. It’s a nice change of pace from the swimming later, especially if you want a moment to relax before you gear up.

Cala Saona Swim Stop and Lunch: Easy Snorkeling Time with a Real Food Break

Your first big stop is Cala Saona, where the boat anchors and you get time to swim. This is where the water comes into full focus: you’ll jump in and use the masks and snorkels, plus swimming noodles if you want an extra assist. The ship also has facilities, so you’re not stuck out there with no comfort zone.

This stop runs about 50 minutes. That’s enough time to do a couple rounds of swimming and snorkeling without feeling rushed, especially if you’re alternating between looking underwater and just floating in the clear water.

Then lunch happens onboard while you’re still in cruise mode. You’ll eat a buffet with three salad options—pasta salad, green salad, tortillas with potatoes and empanadas—plus fresh fruit for dessert. There are also snacks available before lunch, which is helpful if you’re hungry when the ship shifts back into travel rhythm.

Two things I’d pay attention to here:

• Lunch timing lines up with your energy level, since you’ve already burned a bit of time in the water.
• The salad style is good for sea conditions. It’s filling, but not the kind of heavy meal that always makes you feel off on a moving boat.

Playa de Ses Illetes Anchoring: Second Swim, Same Freedom, New Angle

After lunch, you head to Playa de Ses Illetes. This is your second anchored swim session, about 40 minutes, and it’s where you get to compare water and scenery from a different stop. If your priority is clear water and snorkeling time rather than land sightseeing, this pairing is a strong setup.

Like Cala Saona, this isn’t about stepping onto a beach for photos and a stroll. The tour format keeps you in the water from the boat, so think of it as two separate swim windows where you can reset between them—drink water, grab snacks, and warm up a bit onboard.

Why I like this two-stop approach: you’re not trying to cram everything into one short swim. You get a first taste, then a second chance to enjoy it at a calmer pace. And if one stop feels crowded or wind-shifted, you still have another swim slot to look forward to.

Food and Drinks: Open Bar Drinks Plus a Lunch That Doesn’t Feel Like a Token

The onboard setup includes an open bar with sangria, beer, soft drinks, and water. That’s a big part of the value. In a place like Formentera, where a casual drink by the sea can add up fast, having it included means you can actually relax without doing mental math.

The drinks also make sense with the day’s structure. You’re swimming, then eating, then swimming again. Having water and soft drinks available means you can hydrate without searching for a bar, and sangria/beer makes the afternoon feel like a holiday, not a checklist.

On the food side, the lunch menu is more interesting than the typical “just okay” boat buffet. The mix of pasta, green salad, and a more substantial tortilla/potato/empanada-style component gives you choices. Add fresh fruit, and you get a lighter finish rather than a heavy dessert.

Is it gourmet? Not really the point here. The point is that you’re fed well enough to enjoy the rest of the ride without spending extra money or sacrificing time.

Comfort, Timing, and the No-Beach-Drop Reality

This tour keeps things simple: it starts at noon and returns around 4 PM, with swim anchors in the middle of the sea. The big heads-up is that the boat doesn’t stop at any beach, and it’s described as forbidden to stop and get off on land. So if you’re imagining walking around Ses Illetes or Cala Saona, you won’t get that.

Instead, plan for a floating day:

• Bring swimwear so you can get in and out quickly.
• Pack a towel for drying off after each swim window.
• Use sunscreen, and reapply if you’re in the water a lot.

You should also be comfortable with boarding and reboarding from the boat. That’s one of those small details that can make the difference between a fun day and an annoying one. The good news is the tour provides masks, snorkels, and noodles, which helps most people get over the first hurdle.

One more consideration: this experience isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, so if mobility is an issue, look for a different format.

Value for Money: Is $81 Worth It for This Kind of Sea Day?

At $81 per person, this cruise feels fair when you count the full package. You’re getting:

• A live guide with commentary
• Two swim sessions using masks/snorkels and swimming noodles
• A buffet lunch with multiple salad options and fruit
• An open bar with water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria
• About 4 hours on the water with scenic sailing sections

If you tried to recreate this yourself, you’d likely pay separately for boat access, snacks/lunch, and drinks. And the value is not only in the inclusions—it’s in the structure. You don’t have to manage timing, coordinate transport between stops, or decide where to eat while you’re busy trying to enjoy the water.

The one value trade-off is the “no beach landings” rule. If what you want most is shoreline wandering, this won’t deliver. But if you want clear-water swimming time plus food and drinks without hassle, the price lines up well with the experience.

A small real-world note: conditions can affect the exact flow of a day at sea. If the route order shifts due to wind or other factors, you’ll still be out for the main focus—anchored swimming at standout Formentera spots.

Who This Cruise Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great match if you want:

• Relaxed Mediterranean time without planning logistics
• Snorkeling and swimming rather than walking tours
• Included lunch and drinks as part of the day
• A friendly crew and a comfort-first boat setup

It’s also a good choice for couples and friends who want the day to feel like an easy unwind. One of the strengths that comes up in feedback is the overall friendly vibe—people tend to enjoy the comfort of the boat, how smooth the day feels, and the simple pleasure of swimming in clear water.

You might want to skip it if you:

• Need a beach stop for walking and exploring
• Prefer a fully land-based itinerary
• Have accessibility needs that can’t be met from the boat format

Should You Book This Formentera Crystal Waters Cruise?

If your goal is two anchored swim sessions with snorkeling help, plus lunch and drinks handled for you, I’d book it. The mix of Cap de Barberia lighthouse scenery and the two swim stops at Cala Saona and Playa de Ses Illetes gives you a classic Formentera “water day” without the stress.

If you’re the type who wants beach time on your feet—cabana photos, shoreline strolling, and long land pauses—then this won’t satisfy that craving because the tour doesn’t stop at beaches. But for a simple, good-value sea day where the day’s best moments happen in the water, this cruise is a strong bet.

FAQ

What is the duration of the cruise?

The tour lasts about 4 hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from the port of La Savina. The meeting point is in front of Calima bar at the Formentera Maritime Station, and you should look for the Sea Experience logo on the boat.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What’s included in the price?

You get a live guide and commentary, a buffet lunch, and an open bar with water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.

What food is served on the cruise?

Lunch is a buffet with three salads (pasta, green, tortillas with potatoes and empanadas) and a dessert of fresh fruit. Snacks are offered before lunch.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear or swim equipment?

You’ll be able to use masks and snorkels, and there are swimming noodles available. You should still bring your swimwear.

Does the boat stop on the beach?

No. The tour doesn’t stop at beaches. The swim stops are made in the middle of the sea.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What languages are the guides?

The live guide provides commentary in English and Spanish.