Formentera by boat feels like a cheat code. This Tullio Abbate 42 day trip is built for hopping between Ibiza’s out-and-back to Formentera’s best water, fast enough to get you there quickly and laid-back enough to spend real time in the sea. You start at Puerto Marina Ibiza, cruise to protected coves, then come back with that still-salt-on-your-skin feeling.

What I like most is the all-day extras: snacks plus beer and champagne, so the day doesn’t turn into a constant trade-off between fun and spending. I also really like that the boat includes SUPs and snorkeling gear (plus towels), which means you can actually use the crystal-clear water instead of just staring at it.

One thing to consider: not everything is included. If you want extra water toys (like seabobs or flyboard) or if you end up using more fuel than the included amount, you may pay extra.

Key things to know before you go

• Tullio Abbate 42 comfort: lounges, a front cabin space to chill, and a bathroom on board
• Real water time: multiple stops across Formentera with about two hours at each
• Included sea gear: snorkeling equipment and SUPs, plus towels
• Drinks and snacks onboard: chips and olives, beer, and champagne through the day
• Fast hop over: the cruise to S’Espalmador takes around 25 minutes at about 30 knots
• Private group setup: up to 9 people, so your day runs to your crew and your pace

Tullio Abbate 42 and the crew vibe: built for a smooth day at sea

This is a private outing on a Tullio Abbate 42, the kind of boat that keeps the day feeling easy instead of chaotic. You get spaces to lounge—on deck, plus the front cabin area for when you want a bit of shade or just quieter conversation. And yes, there’s a bathroom on board, which sounds small until you’re halfway through a long beach day and grateful it’s there.

The boat is also set up for short, fun bursts in the water. You’re not waiting around for equipment or begging someone to bring fins and masks. Snorkeling gear and SUPs are part of the day, and towels are included too, so you can dry off without making it a whole production.

On the crew side, the operator is Be Charter Ibiza, run by a team with serious local ties. The founder, Sergi Sureda, has known Ibiza for more than 25 years, and the team is described as young and professional with a love for water sports and sailing. In the feedback I saw, captains included Faco, Freddie, and a skipper named Ito—so you’re not just getting a boat drop-off; you’re getting someone who knows where the good water is.

If you’re hoping for a party boat vibe, this is more “relaxed day on the water” than “club on waves.” It’s still fun—just with a bit more chill and a lot more time outside the boat.

Leaving Ibiza Port for S’Espalmador: protected water, white sand, and real snorkel time

Your day starts out at Puerto Marina Ibiza, with the meeting point listed at EWS Enjoy WaterSports Marina Ibiza in the marina area (Passeig Joan Carles I, 15, F49). From there, you head out from Ibiza’s port and get that quick hit of views over the old-town area before the pace shifts toward Formentera.

First major stop: S’Espalmador. This island sits between Ibiza and Formentera and is a natural reserve, which matters because it tends to keep the water feeling cleaner and the beaches more special than the easiest-to-reach tourist strips. The ride is quick—about 25 minutes with a stated cruising speed around 30 knots—so you spend less time “getting there” and more time actually in the good part.

At S’Espalmador, you’ve got the choice: snorkel in the clear water, lie down on the sand, or just stay on the lounge area with a drink in hand. The stop is about two hours, which is a sweet spot. Long enough to swim, short enough that you don’t feel stuck when your favorite spot is already taken.

A nice detail is that you can pair champagne with the sea time. This isn’t one of those tours where drinks are only offered at boarding. Snacks and drinks flow through the day, so you can treat this stop like the first big highlight rather than a “warm-up” before the real fun.

Playa de Ses Illetes: choosing between beach lunch and eating onboard

Next up is Playa de Ses Illetes, which is described as only about five minutes away from S’Espalmador. That quick hop means you can keep your momentum. You’re not burning the middle of the day in transit.

Ses Illetes is the kind of place people come for the water and stay for the vibe. You’ll have around two hours here, and you’re given the option to eat out or keep it simple. Several restaurant options are named (like Beso Beach, El Pirata, Juan y Andrea, and Can Carlitos). You can also decide before arrival, or you can bring your own food and eat onboard if that fits your style.

Here’s the practical angle: if you want a sit-down lunch, you’ll likely need to commit quickly once you arrive because you don’t have an all-day stretch at just one beach. If you’d rather float and snack instead, the onboard setup lets you skip the restaurant planning.

Either way, this stop balances comfort and freedom. You’re on a private boat, so your day isn’t dragged by waiting for strangers to decide whether they want to swim or shop.

Cala Saona: where lunch gives way to snorkel-and-chill

After your first two island/sea zones, the tour heads to Cala Saona, another standout Formentera stop. This is one of the places where the sea color gets attention for a reason: the water is described as having striking shades, and it’s the kind of setting where you’ll want time underwater, not just on the deck.

You get another two hours here. Post-lunch on a boat is a real rhythm—eat something, let it settle, then go back into the water when you’re feeling refreshed. The tour also includes the snorkeling equipment, so you’re set up to make the water time count.

There’s also a bonus option mentioned during the tour: a nearby secret spot close to Cala Saona. The idea is to see cliffs and caves on the rocks, including a small cave that you can only reach by going underwater. If you’re comfortable snorkeling and you like the “how do we get there?” thrill, this is the kind of side moment that makes the day feel more like an adventure than a checklist.

Just keep expectations realistic. You’re doing this in a moving day plan with limited time at each stop, so your best experience comes from being ready to go when the captain offers the moment—snorkel gear on, swim-ready, and willing to follow guidance.

The return stop at S’Espalmador: fewer boats, calmer timing, and sunset energy

On the way back, the itinerary includes a second stop on S’Espalmador—this time on the other side, behind a light house. The description emphasizes that it’s not as many boats there, largely because it’s harder to reach.

This is your “slow down” portion of the day. The tour holds you there until sunset, then you head back to port after the evening light does its thing. The timing matters here. Midday beach stops are about swims and sunbathing. Sunset stops are about atmosphere—warm light on water, calmer energy, and a better sense of what Formentera feels like when you’re not rushed.

If you tend to get tired mid-afternoon on boat days, this is the part that can rescue the energy. You’re back toward shade and cooler air, and the day’s pacing feels complete.

Food, drinks, and what’s actually included (so you can budget fast)

Here’s the onboard basics you can plan around:

Included:

• Snacks like chips and olives
• Alcoholic drinks including beer, plus a bottle of white and rose wine (and the day is described as offering champagne as well)
• Soft drinks like Coke and Fanta
• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment and SUP use
• Towels
• Skipper
• Fuel for 1.5 hours of sailing

Not included:

• Extra fuel
• Extra water toys like seabobs or jetski (and similar options)

Two practical takeaways:

First, plan your food strategy. You can eat at named restaurants on Ses Illetes, or you can choose to bring and eat your own food onboard if you prefer. Second, if you’re the type who wants to add high-energy extras (seabobs and flyboard-style items), treat that as an upgrade with extra cost, not part of the base day.

Also, since the boat includes a bathroom and you’re spending around eight hours, you’ll feel the “comfort factor” more than on short hop-on/hop-off tours.

Itinerary pacing: four stops, about eight hours, and how to get the most out of it

The day runs about eight hours total, with roughly two hours at each major stop. That structure is useful. You get multiple “best-of” water spots instead of one long beach session where you feel bored by hour three.

But it also means your personal success depends on how you handle transitions:

• If you want to snorkel at every stop, you’ll be gearing up and back into the water several times.
• If you prefer lounging, you’ll still get plenty of swim time, but you’ll want to pick one or two stops where you snorkel more seriously.

Since the boat is private for up to 9 people, you can often keep the vibe smoother than bigger shared tours. The captain can also adapt to what the group seems to want that day, within reason.

Weather matters too. The experience runs only when conditions cooperate, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund.

Price and value: $1,922.44 for up to 9 people, not per head

The price listed is $1,922.44 per group (up to 9). That pricing is a big deal, because it changes the value math.

If you’re traveling as a small group—say 2 to 4 people—the cost per person can be higher than a shared boat. But if you have 6 to 9 people splitting the group fee, the effective per-person cost drops fast, and it starts to feel like a smart way to buy time in Formentera properly.

This price also covers a lot of “day-trip friction”:

• You’re paying for the boat, skipper, and sailing time included
• You’re not paying extra for basic drinks and snacks
• You’re not paying extra for snorkeling gear and SUP use
• You’re not paying extra for towels

What could add cost is anything not included: extra fuel and optional water toys. If your day stays on the planned pace, that may stay minimal, but it’s worth keeping a little buffer in mind.

In plain terms: this is usually best value when you fill the group size. Even if you don’t fill all nine spots, it’s still a strong choice for people who want a private schedule and included water equipment.

Who should book this Formentera boat day

This trip fits best if you want:

• A private day on the water with multiple Formentera stops
• Included snorkeling and SUP so you can actually do activities
• A comfortable boat with lounges plus a bathroom
• A mix of swimming and relaxing, without needing to plan every minute

It’s also a solid match for groups who want a shared experience but still want flexibility—like deciding restaurant plans quickly at Ses Illetes or eating onboard instead.

If you’re the kind of person who hates boat time and only wants to be land-based, this might feel like too much sea for your taste. But if you like the idea of moving between the best water spots in a single day, it’s built for exactly that.

Book it or skip it: my take on Living the Dream on the Tullio Abbate 42

I’d book this if your goal is a classic Ibiza-to-Formentera day that feels well-paced and genuinely worth the time. The included drinks, the snorkeling and SUP gear, and the number of meaningful stops turn the day from a scenic cruise into a full water experience. The private size (up to 9) helps keep it relaxed.

I’d reconsider if:

• You know you’ll want add-on water toys that cost extra
• You prefer a longer stay on one beach rather than bouncing between several
• You’re traveling in conditions where weather often disrupts plans, since this trip needs good weather

If your dates are flexible, the best move is to book when the forecast looks stable and keep a little wiggle room in your schedule.

FAQ

How long is the boat experience?

It runs for about 8 hours.

How many people can be in a group?

It’s priced per group up to 9 people, and it’s a private tour/activity for your group.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at EWS Enjoy WaterSports Marina Ibiza in Puerto Marina Ibiza (Passeig Joan Carles I, 15, F49), and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included for snorkeling and water activities?

Snorkeling equipment and SUP (stand up paddle) are included, along with towels.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The day includes beer, and champagne is mentioned throughout the day, plus soft drinks, bottled water, and a bottle of white and rose wine.

What’s not included?

Extra fuel and extra water toys such as seabobs or jetski are not included.

What happens if weather is poor?

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

If you tell me your group size and travel month, I can help you estimate whether this price lands closer to a bargain or a splurge for your situation.