Ibiza to Formentera: Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling Day

Seven hours on a catamaran between two islands, with nothing to arrange but showing up

You sail from Ibiza to Formentera on a spacious catamaran, stopping at three protected beaches and islands (S'Espalmador, Ses Illetes, and Cala Saona) with time to snorkel, paddle, and swim at each one. Lunch happens either ashore at a waterfront restaurant or on board with catering. All snorkeling gear, SUP boards, fuel, and safety equipment are included, and the return journey gives you one last stretch of open water before heading back to Cala Jondal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sailing and exploring Formentera

• Welcome and safety talk at Cala Jondal
• Relax and swim at catamaran bow
• Sail to Formentera (1h 45min)
• Anchor and swim at S’Espalmador island
• Visit Ses Illetes beach and snorkel
• Lunch onboard or at waterfront restaurants
• Explore Cala Saona by paddle or swim
• Sail back to Cala Jondal (1h 30min)
• Final swim and disembark

The experience

You wonder, halfway through booking, whether a day on the water with eleven other people will actually feel like a break or just a different kind of crowded. Then the Lagoon 400 pulls away from Cala Jondal on the south coast of Ibiza, the sails go up if the wind cooperates, and for the next hour and forty-five minutes you're watching the mainland shrink and the water turn from blue to turquoise to something that doesn't have a name. The catamaran is wide enough that you're not packed in. There's a bow net with mats where people spread out, a flybridge with open views, and enough deck space that you can actually move around without bumping elbows. The skipper handles the navigation. You handle the part where you stop thinking about your phone.

The first real stop is S'Espalmador, a protected island you can only reach by boat, and the water is so clear you can see the sand ripples ten feet down. It's the kind of place that makes you understand why people keep coming back to Formentera. After a swim there, you sail to Ses Illetes (one of those beaches that shows up in every European travel magazine), and this is where the day splits. You can take the dinghy to shore and eat at one of the waterfront restaurants (the skipper knows which ones are good), or stay on board with the catering option and keep the view. Either way, snorkeling gear is on board if you want it, and the SUP boards are there too, though honestly most people just float and eat. The last stop is Cala Saona, a smaller cove with reddish cliffs and caves you can paddle into if the weather holds. The return sail back to Ibiza takes about ninety minutes, and by then you've been on the water long enough that stepping onto solid ground feels strange.

What makes this different from renting a boat yourself is that someone else is steering, someone else knows where the good anchorages are, and you don't spend the morning figuring out logistics. The catamaran has a full kitchen, an outdoor shower, WiFi, and enough autonomous power that you're not rationing anything. Snorkeling equipment, the SUP boards, the dinghy. It's all included, which means you're not paying separately for the things that actually make the day work. The group size stays small enough that it doesn't feel like a floating party boat, and the pace is flexible: if you want to linger at one beach longer, the skipper adjusts.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel or port pickup coordination (arrange with the operator), departure from Cala Jondal, snorkeling equipment and SUP paddle boards, dinghy access to beaches, a full kitchen on board, outdoor shower, WiFi, fuel, all safety gear, and the return sail to Ibiza.
• Lunch is either at a waterfront restaurant at Ses Illetes or Cala Saona (your cost), or catering ordered on board.
• Restroom facilities are available throughout the day.

Before you book

Lasts 8h, from € 1,320 per group, with a live guide in English and Spanish, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Holistic Sailing

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants a full day on the water without renting a boat or organizing the stops themselves. The skipper knows the route, the catamaran has everything you need, and the only decision you make is where to eat lunch.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How long is the full day?

Approximately seven hours total, including sailing time (1 hour 45 minutes each way) and stops at three locations.

What's included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, SUP paddle boards, dinghy use, fuel, WiFi, restroom access, and all taxes. Lunch is either at a waterfront restaurant (your cost) or catering ordered on board.

Can I eat lunch on the boat?

Yes. You can either take the dinghy to shore and eat at restaurants like Ses Illetes or Cala Saona, or order catering and stay on board with the view.

Is this suitable for non-swimmers?

Yes. You can enjoy the catamaran, the views, and the stops without entering the water. Life jackets and safety equipment are provided.

What if the weather is bad?

The route is flexible and adapts to conditions. The skipper will adjust stops and pacing based on wind and sea state on the day.

How many people are on the catamaran?

Up to 11 passengers plus the skipper. Groups stay small, so it doesn't feel crowded.

Do I need sailing experience?

No. The skipper handles all navigation and sailing. You just relax and enjoy the day.

Is there a restroom on board?

Yes, there is a restroom on the catamaran.