There’s something special about leaving Ibiza by wooden sail. This 6-hour classic boat excursion trades crowds for coves, salt air, and time in Formentera’s clear water—with lunch onboard included.

I love that the trip keeps it simple and scenic: you sail the South East Coast of Ibiza first, passing places like Playa de Figueretas, Playa d’En Bossa, and Es Cavallet. I also like that the payoff isn’t just views—Formentera time includes snorkeling gear, paddle surf boards, and a full onboard lunch with seafood paella.

One thing to plan around: there’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll need to get to Ibiza Harbour on your own.

Key Points That Matter (Before You Book)

• Classic wooden boat feel with a small crew setup and a cap of up to 35 people
• Formentera water time plus activities like snorkeling and paddle surfing (boards included)
• Lunch onboard: bread and aioli, mixed salad, seafood paella, and fresh fruit, plus drinks
• Scenic sailing stretch of about 1.5 hours, along Ibiza’s southeast coastline
• English, Spanish, and French live guide support during the trip

The Big Idea: Scenic Sailing Plus Real Time in Formentera

This is the kind of day trip that makes sense when you want a taste of both islands without doing a complicated itinerary. You start in Ibiza Harbour, then spend the morning/early afternoon sailing over to Formentera, with a real stop there rather than a quick pop-off-and-on.

The boat size matters. Up to 35 people is big enough that you’ll never feel “stuck” waiting on a tiny group, but still small enough that the day feels personal. The crew count is also reassuring: you’ll travel with 5 uniformed crew members keeping things smooth and safety-focused.

And the vibe is clear from the included extras. You don’t just watch the sea—you get to use it.

From Ibiza Harbour to Formentera: The Sailing Stretch You’ll Actually Enjoy

The journey begins at Ibiza Harbour. Then you head toward Formentera with about 1.30 hours of sailing along Ibiza’s south and east coast.

During this stretch, the route includes a pass by several well-known spots: Playa de Figueretas, Playa d’En Bossa, and Es Cavallet. Even if you’ve visited Ibiza before, seeing these beaches from the water changes the whole feel. It’s not a museum view; it’s the real rhythm of the coastline—boats, sun, and the constant sense that you’re moving.

Practical note: since the sail time is fixed within a 6-hour day, the boat-to-island part sets your mood. If you like a slower start with time to settle in, this format works well.

Formentera Stop: Crystal Water and Included Play Time

Once you reach Formentera, the trip shifts gears from sailing to staying in the water. This is where the day becomes more than a scenic cruise.

You get time to enjoy the island’s crystal clear waters and take part in water activities. Two of the main ones are:

• Snorkeling (snorkeling equipment is included)
• Paddle surfing (2 paddle surf boards are included)

This is a good setup because snorkeling gives you an easy way to see underwater life without needing special skills, while paddle surf adds more movement. If you’re the type who gets restless sitting still, this stop is exactly what you want in a day trip.

Onboard Lunch: Paella, Bread and Aioli, and Drinks Included

Food on a boat can go one of two ways: either it’s an afterthought, or it’s genuinely part of the experience. Here, lunch is built in and it isn’t light.

You’ll eat onboard with:

• bread and aioli
• mixed salad
• seafood paella
• fresh fruit

Drinks are part of it too. There’s a welcome drink—sangria de cava—plus water and one drink during lunch.

Why this matters for value: at $170 per person, you’re not just paying for transit and coastline views. You’re paying for a guided day with a meal and drinks that keep you from needing to hunt down food on Formentera. That’s time saved, and it’s less decision fatigue when you’re out on the water.

What the Boat and Crew Add to the Day

This excursion is run by cruceros espalmador s.l. and operated with 5 uniformed crew. The size of that crew, relative to the group cap (up to 35), usually means you don’t feel ignored when you want help with snorkeling gear or getting set up for paddle surfing.

The classic wooden sailboat aspect is more than aesthetic. It changes how the day feels—more old-world sailing character, less modern cruise vibe. The best part is that it pairs nicely with the included activities. You’re not just sitting inside a big vessel for hours.

Also, the trip runs with a live guide in English, Spanish, and French. That’s helpful because you’re getting context for where you are and what’s coming next, instead of guessing.

Duration and Timing: Planning a 6-Hour Day Around the Sea

The total time is 6 hours, but starting times depend on availability. That means you should treat this as a half-day commitment—long enough to feel like a real outing, not so long that it becomes a full-day slog.

The sailing time to Formentera is about 1.30 hours, and then you’ll have a stop on Formentera for the water time and lunch before sailing back to Ibiza.

For planning your day: start thinking in terms of sun management and “boat pacing.” You’ll be on a schedule, and the day is structured around the water activities and onboard meal rather than optional add-ons.

Value Check: Is $170 Worth It?

Let’s do the practical math. You’re paying around $170 per person for a guided day from Ibiza to Formentera that includes:

• welcome drink (sangria de cava)
• lunch (bread and aioli, mixed salad, seafood paella, fresh fruit)
• water plus one drink during lunch
• snorkeling equipment
• paddle surf boards
• insurance
• live guide (English/Spanish/French)

If you were to price these pieces separately—especially lunch on the water plus guided time and included gear—you can see why the total isn’t just about the boat ride. The key value is that most of the costs and logistics are handled for you, so you can focus on enjoying the sea.

The main cost you’ll handle yourself is getting to the departure point, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What to Bring (and What Actually Helps)

This trip is water-focused, so keep your packing simple. What you should bring:

• sunscreen
• swimwear

Snorkeling equipment is included, and there are paddle surf boards onboard, so you don’t need to bring that gear. Still, sunscreen is essential because you’ll be out on deck and in the sun while sailing.

Who This Trip Fits Best

I think this works best if you want a day that feels like sailing, not just transportation. It’s also a great match if you like a mix of:

• scenic coastal cruising
• active time in the water
• a proper meal that isn’t fast food

If you’re traveling with people who want different things—someone who loves views, someone who wants to swim and snorkel, and someone who wants a good sit-down meal—this itinerary is built to keep everyone happy.

It may feel less ideal if you’re hoping for zero sun exposure or a very slow, purely relaxing day with minimal activity. You’re going to spend meaningful time outdoors and in the water, by design.

Should You Book This Ibiza Wooden Sailboat to Formentera?

Book it if you want a classic sailing day that includes the parts people usually pay extra for: snorkeling time, paddle surf boards, and a full onboard lunch with paella. The included drinks are also a nice touch, and the sailing stretch along Ibiza’s southeast coast adds real scenery without extra effort on your end.

Skip it or rethink it if getting to Ibiza Harbour is hard for you, since there’s no hotel pickup/drop-off. Also, if you’re looking for a very flexible, stop-anywhere type of tour, this one runs on a set 6-hour schedule.

If your goal is simple: see the islands from the water, play in Formentera’s clear sea, eat well onboard, and go home without planning logistics—this trip is a strong yes.

FAQ

How long is the Ibiza to Formentera wooden sailboat trip?

The duration is 6 hours.

Where does the trip depart from?

It departs from Ibiza Harbour.

How long is the sailing time to Formentera?

The sailing trip is around 1.30 hours along the south east coast of Ibiza before reaching Formentera.

What activities are included in Formentera?

You’ll have time to enjoy the water and you can do snorkeling (with equipment provided) and paddle surfing (paddle surf boards included).

What’s included for lunch and drinks?

Lunch includes bread and aioli, mixed salad, seafood paella, and fresh fruit. You also get water and one drink during lunch, plus a welcome drink of sangria de cava.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is free cancellation available, and is pay later offered?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later (pay nothing today).

What languages is the live guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in English, Spanish, and French.