Ibiza: Formentera Cruise at Ibiza Boat Club

A boat day can cover a lot of ground. This adults-only cruise links Ibiza and Formentera with breakfast, open-bar service, swim stops, five hours of island time, and dinner cooked aboard a floating beach club. I especially like the rare balance between independent time in Formentera and a hosted boat experience, plus the strong food-and-drink package for the price.

The smaller group limit also matters. Although the catamaran can hold 300 people, this cruise limits participation to about 80, giving full-day and sunset passengers room to use the sun beds and sofa lounges. The main drawback is that the three ticket options are quite different, so a careless booking can leave you without breakfast, dinner, or VIP bed access.

I would see this as a social day at sea with a Formentera visit built in, not as a traditional guided island tour. You get no guide on Formentera, and you must arrange your own bike, scooter, car, or bus if you want to travel beyond La Savina.

Key points at a glance

• Five hours in Formentera: You are dropped at La Savina around midday, with time to rent wheels, visit a market, or reach beaches and the Far de la Mola lighthouse independently.
• Only about 80 people aboard: The limited group size is intended to keep the catamaran comfortable, even though the boat itself has room for 300.
• Full-day VIP treatment: Full-day and sunset passengers receive access to sun beds, while morning-only passengers return by standard ferry and do not use the beds.
• Two very different food moments: Morning and full-day departures include breakfast, while full-day and sunset departures include live paella cooking, salad, bread, aioli, and Café Caleta.
• A proper swim stop: You can use stand-up paddleboards and, at the evening stop, a giant inflatable water slide.
• Party mood without forced noise in Formentera: Music and saxophone feature later in the trip, but loud DJ music is avoided near the nature reserve.

Choosing between the three ticket options

The first decision is not simply full day or half day. You are choosing among three distinct experiences.

The full-day option begins boarding around 10:15 a.m. for a 10:30 departure. It includes the morning cruise, breakfast, a swim stop near Ses Illetes, five hours of free time on Formentera, and the afternoon and evening return by boat. You also get the paella dinner, wine tasting, open bar, sunset sailing, and VIP sun-bed access.

The half-day morning option follows the early part of the route. You get the boat ride, breakfast, and morning swim stop, then spend several hours in Formentera. Your return to Ibiza is by standard ferry, not the floating beach club. This option does not include the paella dinner, evening party atmosphere, open-bar boat service, or sun beds.

The half-day sunset option starts at 5:30 p.m. It skips breakfast and the five-hour independent visit, but includes the evening cruise, Formentera swim stop, drinks, wine tasting, paella dinner, Café Caleta preparation, music, and VIP bed access.

For the fullest experience, I would choose the full-day ticket. If you already plan to spend the day on Formentera and only want transport back to Ibiza, the morning option may be enough. The sunset ticket suits you if your priority is food, swimming, drinks, and a few hours on the water rather than island exploration.

Boarding at Playa d’en Bossa

The meeting point is the boat pier at the end of Playa d’en Bossa, beside Bar Happiness and near Hotel The Ibiza Twiins and Bar Albatros. Boarding starts at 10:15 a.m., so I would arrive early enough to find the pier without rushing.

The nearest bus stops are at Hotel Marenostrum or Hotel Goleta on route L14. If you drive, parking is about 10 meters from the pier, near the corner of Carrer de la Punta and Pere Matutes Noguera. The listed navigation address is Carrer de la Punta 7, 07800 Ibiza.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, and beach clothes. Pack light because large bags and luggage are not allowed. Clothes that can get dirty are sensible, especially around the paella and Café Caleta cooking demonstrations.

The first 45 minutes toward Formentera

Once aboard, the catamaran heads toward Formentera, passing views of Ibiza’s Las Salinas nature reserve. The opening stretch is calm and scenic, with freshly brewed coffee and welcome refreshments available.

For full-day and morning passengers, breakfast is served after roughly 45 minutes while the boat is anchored near Ses Illetes. The spread includes ensaimadas, fresh fruit, artisanal bread, guacamole, organic olive oil, and other light items. It is more substantial than a simple pastry and coffee, which helps if you plan to spend the next few hours cycling or walking around Formentera.

This is also the first chance for a swim. The water can feel cold, and wind on the boat may make the morning cooler than expected. One person described being grateful for blankets when the wind picked up, so I would carry a light layer even during warm weather.

Ses Illetes and the morning swim stop

Ses Illetes is one of the most memorable settings on the route. The boat anchors near clear water and a bright beach, giving you a chance to swim, take photographs, or simply sit with coffee and breakfast.

The stop is not a guided beach visit. You are enjoying the area from the boat, with the option to get into the water. That distinction matters because the cruise does not promise a long shore stay at Ses Illetes.

If swimming is central to your plans, pack your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach. The stop can also be windy, and the water may not suit everyone. You can stay aboard and enjoy the views if you prefer not to swim.

Five independent hours in Formentera

Around noon, or about 12:15 p.m. according to the departure information, the boat drops you at La Savina, Formentera’s port. Full-day and morning passengers then have roughly five hours of free time before the full-day boat continues at 5:30 p.m.

This is the cruise’s most useful feature for people who want both comfort and freedom. You are not marched behind a guide or tied to a fixed island bus. You decide how ambitious the afternoon becomes.

A scooter, car, or bicycle makes the most of the time. Bicycles have been available locally for about €10 for the day in one recent account, but rental prices and supply can change. You must pay separately for any rental, and the cruise does not provide a guide in Formentera.

Possible plans include:

• Riding toward the famous beaches around Es Pujols and Ses Illetes
• Shopping at a hippie market
• Visiting the white sands of Es Palmador
• Taking a bus around the island
• Reaching the Far de la Mola lighthouse

Do not try to squeeze every sight into five hours. La Savina is convenient for arrival and departure, but you need to allow time to find transport, return the vehicle, and reach the port before 5:30. I would pick one main goal and one smaller stop rather than spend the whole afternoon watching the clock.

The independent format is a plus for confident planners and a drawback for anyone who wants historical background or local interpretation. You will need to organize the afternoon yourself.

Returning to the floating beach club

At 5:30 p.m., full-day passengers rejoin the Ibiza Boat Club catamaran. The evening half-day option begins at this point, so the atmosphere shifts into a more social, leisure-focused cruise.

The catamaran has sun beds and sofa lounges. Full-day and sunset passengers have reserved access to the VIP beds, which is a meaningful advantage on a long day. Morning-only passengers do not have this access because they return on the standard ferry.

The boat’s capacity is much larger than the group size used for this cruise. Limiting the sailing to around 80 people helps explain why the sun beds, service, and open areas feel more comfortable than they would on a packed party boat. It does not turn the trip into a private yacht, but it should give you more breathing room.

Paddleboards, slide, and the second swim stop

The evening boat stops near one of Formentera’s well-known beaches. Here you can swim from the boat, use stand-up paddleboards, take photos, or relax on the deck. The giant inflatable water slide is available at this evening swim stop.

This is the most active part of the cruise, but you can take it at your own pace. The water, weather, and wind will shape how much you want to do. If you are hoping for a quiet sailing day, the slide, music, and social setting may feel livelier than expected.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, Aperol Spritz, Cava, sangria de cava, and red-wine sangria. The open bar is one of the strongest parts of the package, particularly because the cruise lasts many hours. Drink service can also change the mood quickly, so pace yourself if you want to enjoy the island time and sunset rather than spend the final sail recovering.

Paella, wine, and Café Caleta at sunset

Dinner is cooked during a live paella show while the boat is stopped for the evening swim. The main dish is Paella Ibicenca with seafood, along with bread, aioli, and a fresh garden salad made with local market vegetables.

Vegan and gluten-free options are available, but I would confirm your needs when booking or boarding. This is not a choice of several full restaurant-style entrées. It is a communal boat meal, with the cooking itself forming part of the entertainment.

A local wine tasting adds a regional touch to the meal. Later, the Café Caleta show cooking brings a traditional Balearic drink into the evening, accompanied by sweet bread. That small serving has received particular praise for rounding out the meal, along with the fresh fruit and salad.

As the boat passes Ibiza and Formentera, you may see the sunset glow at Sol d’en Sera. A saxophone player adds live music, and the ride home can develop into a relaxed party, with dancing and a DJ set. The tour ends back at the Playa d’en Bossa meeting point around 8:45 p.m.

The music is part of the appeal, but this is not a loud DJ event throughout the day. Loud DJ music is avoided in Formentera to respect the nature reserve. You get a quieter morning and island stop, followed by a livelier return.

Food, drinks, and service value at $102

At about $102 per person, the cruise is not a bargain ferry ticket. It is priced as a long, hosted day with food, drinks, water activities, island transport, and a reserved place aboard a limited-capacity catamaran.

For the full-day option, the value is strong if you would otherwise pay separately for breakfast, a ferry, drinks, a swim excursion, dinner, and perhaps a beach club chair. The open bar alone can make the package attractive for people who plan to spend the day drinking, though you should not choose the cruise only for alcohol.

Morning passengers receive fewer inclusions, so the lower price should be compared with what you actually want. Sunset passengers receive a more focused evening package with dinner and drinks, but no breakfast or independent Formentera visit.

Food quality appears to be a real strength. The breakfast is filling, the salad and fruit are fresh, and the paella is prepared in front of you rather than brought aboard in trays. Service is another repeated positive, with staff members such as Ana, Javi, Jill, and Anna singled out for attentive and friendly help.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to adults who want several Ibiza experiences folded into one day. It suits you if you like scenic sailing, swimming, casual social contact, music, drinks, and the freedom to make your own plan in Formentera.

It also works well for a birthday or special occasion. The crew’s warm service and the sunset setting give the day a celebratory feel without requiring a private yacht.

You may want another way to visit Formentera if you prefer a quiet boat, a small private group, a guided cultural tour, or a carefully structured island itinerary. The independent hours are valuable, but they require planning. And if you do not drink or enjoy party energy, some of the package may be less useful to you.

The experience is for adults only. Families with children will need to choose a different boat trip.

Practical advice before you book

Read the ticket description slowly before paying. The most important differences are simple:

• Full day includes breakfast, five hours in Formentera, evening dinner, drinks, swim stops, and VIP beds.
• Morning half day includes breakfast and the early Formentera visit, but not paella, evening drinks, or VIP beds.
• Sunset half day includes dinner, drinks, the evening swim stop, and VIP beds, but not breakfast or five hours of island time.

Do not bring a drone or large bag. Wear something that works for both the beach and a smart-casual setting, since the suggested dress code is boho chic or smart casual.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Languages offered by the host or greeter include English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, and Polish.

Should you book Ibiza Boat Club’s Formentera cruise?

I would book the full-day option if you want the best mix of Formentera and boat-club comfort. The five free hours give you genuine island time, while breakfast, the return cruise, paddleboards, dinner, wine, and sunset music keep the day from feeling like simple ferry transport.

Choose the morning ticket only if your main goal is reaching Formentera early and returning by ferry. Choose sunset if you want a shorter evening of swimming, paella, drinks, and music.

At $102, the full package offers solid value for a long day, especially when you use the food, open bar, swim equipment, and sun-bed access. Just remember what you are booking: a polished, social day at sea with self-guided Formentera time, not a quiet private cruise or an escorted island tour.

FAQ

Where does the Formentera cruise depart from?

It departs from the boat pier at Playa d’en Bossa, next to Bar Happiness and near Hotel The Ibiza Twiins and Bar Albatros. The listed navigation address is Carrer de la Punta 7, 07800 Ibiza, Spain.

What time does boarding begin?

Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m. for the full-day and morning half-day options. Those departures start at 10:30 a.m. The sunset half-day cruise starts at 5:30 p.m.

How long do I have to explore Formentera?

Full-day and morning passengers have about five hours of free time in Formentera. You are dropped at La Savina around noon or 12:15 p.m. and return arrangements depend on the ticket you select.

Is there a guide in Formentera?

No. The Formentera portion is self-guided, and scooter, car, and bicycle rentals are not included.

Are food and drinks included?

Breakfast is included with the full-day and morning options. Dinner with paella show cooking, seasonal fruit, wine tasting, Café Caleta show cooking, and the open bar are included with the full-day and sunset options.

Are sun beds included with every ticket?

No. VIP sun-bed access is reserved for full-day and sunset passengers. Morning-only passengers return by standard ferry and do not have access to the sun beds.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

No. This activity is for adults only and is not suitable for anyone under 18.