Ibiza: Formentera Full-Day Boat Tour with Lunch & Snorkeling

The best part of this outing is the combination of a small-group catamaran and a proper Formentera stop. You get a relaxed day on the water, a live paella lunch, and time ashore instead of spending the whole trip aboard. I especially like the easy access to snorkeling and paddleboards, plus the unlimited drinks that keep the day simple. The main drawback is clear: one swimming stop and three hours in Formentera may feel either too short or too long, depending on what you want from the island.

I also like that every passenger has a seat and that the boat carries no more than 40 people. That is a big improvement over a packed party boat. Still, this is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. There is music throughout, the return time can shift with sea conditions, and the 10:45 morning sailing uses a slightly smaller vessel without Balinese beds.

Key points at a glance

• Live paella on the Mediterranean: Watch the chef cook a traditional seafood and meat paella on board.
• Cala Saona water stop: Use the provided snorkel gear, paddleboards, and inflatables in clear water, weather permitting.
• Three hours in Formentera: Choose between a beach visit, a stop in Es Pujols, or renting a bike or scooter.
• Maximum 40 passengers: You get a seat, more room, and quicker access to drinks and water equipment.
• Open bar included: Wine, beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise.
• Two weekday departures: The 10:45 and 11:30 options follow the same basic plan, but Balinese beds are only offered on the later sailing.

A full day that puts the boat first

This is best understood as a boat day with a Formentera visit built in. You leave from Ibiza, sail across the Mediterranean, stop for swimming and water activities at Cala Saona, eat paella on board, then continue to La Savina for three hours of independent time.

That order matters. You are not simply being ferried to Formentera. The catamaran is part of the experience, with music, drinks, sunbathing, and a social mood from the start. If you want a quiet crossing with a guide explaining every view, this may not be the right fit. If you want a sunny day with a little structure and plenty of free time, it makes good sense.

The boat has a stated limit of 40 passengers. I like that number because it keeps the practical parts manageable. You should not have to fight through a large crowd to reach the bar or wait forever for a paddleboard. You also have a guaranteed seat, though you will want to arrive for check-in 30 minutes before departure if you care about where you sit.

Sailing from Ibiza with drinks and music

The departure point may vary according to the option you book, with Yokubo Club and the Japanese and Thai restaurant Yokubo listed as the possible starting locations. Check your confirmation carefully rather than assuming every sailing leaves from the same spot.

Once aboard, the tone is casual. Chill-out music plays while you cross toward Formentera, and the open bar serves wine, beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks. This is useful in two ways. First, you do not need to budget for each drink. Second, you can settle into the day without planning a stop at a café or shop during the crossing.

The open bar also shapes the mood. A group celebrating a birthday or hen party will likely enjoy the easy social setting. Couples and solo passengers can find a comfortable seat and watch the sea without having to join every activity. I would still pace yourself, especially under the midday sun. Unlimited sangria sounds cheerful until the boat begins moving.

The music is part of the package, not background decoration. Expect a relaxed but lively atmosphere rather than a silent nature cruise. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a towel. Comfortable shoes are useful for moving around the boat and the port.

Cala Saona: the day’s main water stop

The boat reaches Cala Saona for about three hours, including lunch and water activities. This is the busiest part of the day, since you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and use inflatables in the clear water.

Snorkeling equipment and paddleboards are provided, so you do not need to pack your own. That saves space and makes it easier to decide on the spot. If you prefer not to get in the water, you can stay on board, enjoy a drink, and take in the setting.

The stop is weather-dependent. If the sea is rough, the crew may choose another location, and the amount of time spent on Formentera can be reduced. Paddleboarding can also be suspended without notice. These are not minor details if water activities are your main reason for booking. The tour gives you a strong chance of using the equipment, but it cannot promise calm water.

One point to keep in mind is that there is one main swimming stop, not a string of separate coves. That keeps the day from feeling rushed, but it may disappoint you if you want to snorkel in several places. The water stop is designed for a good stretch of swimming and play, not a full snorkel expedition.

Paella cooked right in front of you

Lunch is more than a meal served from a galley. The chef prepares traditional Spanish paella live on the boat, using meat and fresh seafood. This gives the meal a bit of theater and connects it to the food culture you came to Spain to enjoy.

The paella is cooked during the Cala Saona portion of the day, so you can combine lunch with the water stop. You may choose to eat first, then swim, or spend some time in the water before sitting down. The schedule is organized, but you still have room to shape your own afternoon.

A vegetarian or vegan meal is available if you give at least 24 hours notice. Do not wait until boarding to ask. The standard paella includes meat and seafood, so advance notice matters for anyone with dietary needs.

At $100 per person, the meal has real value because it is part of a much larger package. You are paying for the boat, the crossing, drinks, equipment, and time in Formentera as well as lunch. If you would only use the boat as transportation, the price may feel high. If you expect to drink, eat, swim, and spend the full eight hours aboard or ashore, the cost is easier to justify.

Three hours in Formentera at La Savina

After the Cala Saona stop, the catamaran makes the short trip to the port of La Savina. You then have three hours to explore independently. There is no guided walking tour included, which is both a benefit and a limitation.

The benefit is freedom. You can rent a bicycle or scooter, head toward a beach, sit down for lunch or coffee, or keep things simple around the port. The crew can help arrange bike or scooter rental at a discounted rate, but the rental itself costs extra. You need your ID and driving license if you plan to rent a vehicle.

Two suggested targets are Playa de Ses Illetes and Es Pujols. Ses Illetes is known for its beautiful beach, while Es Pujols gives you a seaside village setting with places to walk and stop for refreshments. With only three hours, you should pick one main goal rather than trying to cover the entire island.

This is where personal priorities matter. If you want a beach afternoon, Ses Illetes may be the better use of time. If you prefer a more straightforward village visit, Es Pujols is likely easier. Renting a scooter or bike gives you more reach, but it also adds cost and requires attention to the clock.

The three-hour block splits opinion for a practical reason. Some people find it too short to see much of Formentera, while others find three hours more than enough after the water stop. I would treat it as a taste of the island, not a complete visit. You will see one area well enough, but you will not have time to explore every major sight.

Choosing between the two weekday departures

From Monday through Thursday, there are two departure options: 10:45 AM and 11:30 AM. Both include the same broad services and follow the same route.

The 11:30 AM sailing is the only option with Balinese beds. These are limited, bookable in advance, and designed for two or three people. A reserved bed includes a complimentary bottle of Cava for the return trip.

The 10:45 AM departure uses a similar but slightly smaller catamaran. It remains comfortable and includes the same activities, food, drinks, and free time, but it does not offer the Balinese-bed option. This earlier departure may suit you if you want to reach Formentera sooner or prefer a longer-feeling day.

The beds are not essential for enjoying the cruise. Every passenger has a comfortable seat. I would consider one if you are traveling as a couple or small group and care about a more private place to stretch out. Otherwise, put the extra money toward a scooter rental or simply enjoy the standard seating.

The return crossing and the value of the schedule

After your free time, you return to the catamaran and sail back to Ibiza. The return crossing usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes, but sea conditions can change the timing. Music and drinks continue, giving you a gentle wind-down after the island stop.

The total duration is about eight hours. That is long enough to feel like a full holiday outing, but it also means you should come prepared for sun, movement, and a full day outdoors. Bring sunscreen and reapply it. A camera is useful, but protect it around the water.

The schedule works especially well for people who want several activities in one booking. You get transportation between Ibiza and Formentera, a water stop, lunch, drinks, and independent island time without arranging each part separately. The tradeoff is a fixed day plan. You cannot linger in Formentera if you find a beach you love, and you cannot add a second swimming stop if the group is already moving on.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this outing to couples, groups of friends, solo visitors who enjoy a social setting, and anyone who wants a simple full-day plan. It is particularly useful for people staying in Ibiza who want to see Formentera without arranging separate boat tickets, rentals, meals, and water equipment.

It also suits celebration groups. The combination of music, drinks, paella, and a late morning departure gives a group room to start the day at a reasonable hour. The limit of 40 passengers keeps the boat more personal than a large cruise.

Families and mixed-age groups may also find it workable, provided everyone is comfortable with swimming, sun, and an eight-hour schedule. I would not choose it if your main goal is a formal guided tour, a silent sail, or extensive time on land.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed, so pack lightly and keep your belongings easy to carry.

What to pack and what to arrange ahead

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, a camera, and your ID. If you want to rent a vehicle in Formentera, bring your driving license as well.

Give at least 24 hours notice for a vegetarian or vegan meal. Reserve a Balinese bed ahead of time because there are only a few. If you want a bike or scooter, the crew can assist on arrival, but remember that rental is not included in the tour price.

Check in 30 minutes before departure. Since the meeting point can vary by booking option, confirm the exact location before setting out. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you will need to make your own way to the starting point and back from the listed drop-off location.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is helpful when your Ibiza plans depend on weather or changing schedules.

Should you book the Formentera boat tour?

Book it if you want a complete sea day rather than a simple ferry ride. The live paella, open bar, Cala Saona stop, and three hours in Formentera add up to good value at $100, especially if you will make use of the drinks and water equipment.

Think twice if you want a long, unhurried Formentera visit. Three hours ashore is enough for one focused outing, but not enough to explore the island at a leisurely pace. Also keep in mind that rough seas can change the swimming location, reduce island time, or cancel paddleboarding.

For the best fit, choose the 11:30 departure if a Balinese bed and Cava matter to you. Choose the 10:45 option if you prefer an earlier start and do not need that extra seating. Either way, this is a well-rounded choice for a day of sea views, Spanish food, swimming, and a first look at Formentera.

FAQ

How long is the Ibiza to Formentera boat tour?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including the boat crossings, the Cala Saona stop, lunch, water activities, and three hours of free time in Formentera.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks are included throughout the cruise.

Is paella included?

Yes. A traditional paella with meat and fresh seafood is cooked live on board and included in the tour.

Can I request a vegetarian or vegan meal?

Yes. A vegetarian or vegan option is available if you provide at least 24 hours notice.

How long do I have to explore Formentera?

You have three hours of free time at the port of La Savina. Guided sightseeing is not included.

Are snorkeling and paddleboarding included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and inflatables are included. Paddleboarding may be suspended if conditions are unsuitable.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The crew may choose an alternative swimming location. Sea conditions can also reduce the time spent on Formentera, and the return crossing may take about 45 to 60 minutes.

Are Balinese beds included?

No. Balinese beds are limited and must be booked in advance. They are available only on the 11:30 AM weekday departure and include a complimentary bottle of Cava for the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point may vary according to the option you book, so check the confirmed departure details.