S’Espalmador and Formentera: Snorkeling Trip by RIB Boat

Formentera’s best scenery is often found from the water, and this 3.5-hour RIB trip gives you four chances to swim, snorkel, and see the coast from close range. I like the pink beach and sand bars of S’Espalmador, and I like that the powerful 9-meter boat can reach shallow coves and coast-hugging viewpoints that larger boats may skip. The captain can change the route if weather or sea conditions turn rough.

I also like the practical setup: masks, snorkels, fins, a guide, and a boat awning are included. The main thing to consider is that food, drinks, and fuel cost extra, while the short stop at each site means this is a sampler of Formentera’s coast rather than a long, relaxed beach day.

Key points about the Formentera snorkeling trip

• Four water stops: S’Espalmador, Racó des Moro, Cova Rosa, and Cala Saona each offer a different mix of beaches, caves, cliffs, and marine life.
• A fast 9-meter RIB boat: The 250 HP engine lets the boat travel close to shore and enter shallow water.
• Snorkeling gear included: You receive a diving mask, snorkel, and fins, with floating vests included for people who cannot swim.
• Pink sand and natural pools: S’Espalmador provides the most unusual scenery, with sand bars, a deserted-island feel, and natural pools.
• Three guide languages: Tours are offered in English, Spanish, and Italian.
• Optional hotel pickup: Pickup and drop-off are available for six listed Formentera locations, though the exact pickup time is confirmed within 24 hours of the trip.

Why this RIB trip works well for seeing Formentera

Formentera is famous for pale sand and clear water, but its coastline changes quickly. One minute you are passing a low, sandy island. Soon after, red cliffs rise from the sea, and then the boat noses toward a cove where snorkeling is possible.

That variety is the chief reason I would choose this outing over simply renting beach chairs for the day. You get a short look at several coastal areas without spending hours planning ferry connections, beach transfers, or snorkeling equipment.

The boat matters, too. This is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, measuring 9 meters and powered by a 250 HP engine. It can move quickly between stops, then approach shallow water and tight coastal areas. The boat also has an awning, which gives you some shade during the ride and while you are waiting between swims.

The experience is active, but not demanding in the way a full-day water expedition would be. Each stop lasts roughly 30 to 40 minutes. That is enough time for a swim and a look around, but you will need to keep an eye on the guide and return to the boat on time.

Starting at Mooring Number 2

The main meeting point is Mooring Number 2 near the Panperfocaccia restaurant. The activity returns to this same meeting point after the coastal loop.

If you select pickup, a staff member arrives in a large van marked with the company’s stickers. Pickup is offered from Hotel Club Sunway Punta Prima, Hotel Riu La Mola, Ormeggio Isla Flotante, Insotel Club Maryland, Hotel Sa Volta, and Insotel Hotel Formentera Playa.

The pickup timing is not fixed in advance for that option. The provider confirms the exact time within 24 hours before departure. I would keep your schedule flexible and avoid arranging another activity immediately beforehand.

The transfer plan includes about 15 minutes by van and another 15 minutes by speedboat before the first major stop. These short movements are part of the outing, not wasted time. They give you a quick ride across the water and help connect the departure point with S’Espalmador.

S’Espalmador: pink sand and open shoreline

The first main stop is S’Espalmador, a deserted island known for its pink beach, sand bars, and natural pools. The boat stays for about 40 minutes, giving you time for a guided look, photographs, a swim, or a little snorkeling.

This is probably the most unusual stop on the route. The island setting feels spare and open, with no busy resort strip competing for attention. The color of the sand and the shallow water make it a good place to take photographs, especially if you want something different from the usual white-sand beach picture.

The word deserted should not lead you to expect a long private-island stay. You are visiting as part of a boat route, and the stop is fairly brief. Still, the combination of sand bars and natural pools gives this portion of the trip a character that the rocky coves do not have.

Bring flip-flops or water shoes. Sand is easy enough underfoot, but water shoes are useful if you are moving between a beach, shallow water, and the boat ladder.

Racó des Moro: Formentera’s clearest snorkeling stop

After another short boat ride, the group reaches Racó des Moro for about 30 minutes. This stop focuses on swimming, snorkeling, and viewing marine life.

You receive a mask, snorkel, and fins as part of the tour. The water is described as clear, and the cove is part of a marine park, so this is the stop where I would expect to spend the most time looking below the surface rather than simply taking photographs from the boat.

The sea conditions will shape the experience. On a calm day, you may see colorful fish in the clear water and enjoy an easy swim close to shore. If the sea is choppy, visibility and comfort can change. The captain has the right to alter the route or cancel the trip if the weather or sea conditions are poor.

If you are new to snorkeling, tell the guide before entering the water. The trip suits beginners as well as experienced swimmers, and mandatory floating vests are included for people who cannot swim. You should still be comfortable following instructions and getting in and out of the water from a boat.

Cova Rosa: a choice between swimming and scenery

Cova Rosa is the third stop, with about 30 minutes for a guided visit, photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. The central attraction is the cave area.

If conditions allow and you are comfortable in the water, you may swim through and inside the caves. That option adds a little adventure without turning the trip into a technical activity. You are not expected to bring special cave equipment. The standard snorkeling gear is provided.

You can also remain outside the caves and enjoy the view of the cliffs against the water. I appreciate that the stop offers both choices. Some people want to swim through a natural opening, while others would rather stay near the boat, take photographs, and enjoy the scenery without squeezing into a cave.

Keep in mind that cave access depends on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. A cave entrance can look inviting from the boat but become unsuitable when waves push into the opening. The captain’s ability to adjust the plan is a safety feature, not a disappointment.

Cala Saona: red cliffs beside turquoise water

The final major stop is Cala Saona, one of the most photogenic parts of the route. The boat stays for about 30 minutes and passes near the famous beach, where turquoise water meets fiery red cliffs.

This is a strong finish because it changes the visual mood again. S’Espalmador is low and sandy, Racó des Moro is about underwater life, and Cova Rosa brings you close to rock formations. Cala Saona adds height and color, making it a good place for wide photographs from the boat.

You can swim, snorkel, and take in the cove from the water. The boat’s ability to stay near the coast means you see the cliffs from a useful angle, rather than only from a distant beach viewpoint.

The stop is not a full beach visit. You are sailing near Cala Saona and stopping in the area for roughly 30 minutes. If your main goal is to spend several hours on the sand, book a separate beach outing. If you want to see the cove as part of a coastal circuit, this short stop fits well.

What the guide and boat setup add

A live guide leads the outing in English, Spanish, or Italian. The guide provides information about the marine ecosystem and helps with safety during swimming and snorkeling.

The staff’s friendly, helpful approach is one of the strongest parts of the experience. That matters on a small boat, where clear instructions and a calm attitude make it easier to handle the equipment and move in and out of the water.

The RIB design gives the trip a more direct feel than a large sightseeing vessel. You are closer to the water and can reach shallow sections of the coves. The tradeoff is that a RIB ride can feel more active, particularly during the faster stretches between stops. The awning provides shade, but you should still protect yourself from the sun.

Wear swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and a windbreaker. Bring a towel, water, flip-flops, and water shoes. Cold water, soft drinks, and beer are sold aboard for an additional cost, but food is not included. I would bring your own drinking water unless you plan to buy it on the boat.

Is $108 a fair price?

At $108 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Formentera’s beaches. The value comes from combining transport, a guide, four coastal stops, a fast boat, and snorkeling gear in one half-day outing.

You are paying for access to several places in a short period. That can be worthwhile if you want a broad taste of Formentera and do not want to organize separate boat travel. The inclusion of fins, mask, and snorkel also saves you from renting or packing your own equipment.

The price is less appealing if you want to linger at one beach or spend a long time in the water. The stops are generally 30 to 40 minutes, so the schedule stays active. You also need to budget for drinks and the separate fuel charge noted for the activity.

I see this as good value for someone who wants variety and convenience. It is less suited to someone seeking a quiet, unhurried beach day.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A short boat outing with several different coastal settings
• A first taste of snorkeling around Formentera
• A guided trip in English, Spanish, or Italian
• A faster, more flexible boat than a large tour vessel
• A simple way to visit S’Espalmador and see Cala Saona from the water
• A mixture of swimming, photographs, cliffs, caves, and marine life

Families and mixed groups may also find the format useful because not every stop requires you to snorkel. You can swim, stay aboard, photograph the coast, or watch others use the caves. Non-swimmers can use the included floating vest, though everyone should follow the guide’s instructions carefully.

I would think twice if you dislike speedboat rides, need a long period on dry land, or want guaranteed access to every cave and cove. Weather and sea conditions can change the route, and the captain may cancel when conditions are unsafe.

The activity has a 4.3 rating from 46 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the staff’s friendly, helpful manner. That matches the practical nature of the trip: the equipment is supplied, the route is varied, and the crew helps you get comfortable in the water.

Booking and cancellation details

The trip lasts 3.5 hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking.

The captain can change the route or cancel the excursion because of bad weather or poor sea conditions. That is especially important for a boat trip built around open-water swimming and cave access.

For the smoothest start, arrive at Mooring Number 2 near the Panperfocaccia restaurant with your sunscreen, towel, water, and swimwear ready. If you choose pickup, wait for the marked company van and watch for the confirmed time sent within 24 hours of departure.

Should you book the S’Espalmador and Formentera snorkeling trip?

Book it if you want a lively half-day on the water with four distinct stops and very little planning. The pink beach at S’Espalmador, the fish-filled waters of Racó des Moro, the caves at Cova Rosa, and the red cliffs of Cala Saona give you a good range of Formentera scenery in one outing.

Skip it if your perfect day means claiming one beach and staying there. This tour keeps moving, and the short stops are designed for variety rather than long relaxation. For most people who want to see the coast, swim a little, and let a guide handle the route, the $108 price is reasonable, provided you remember that drinks and fuel cost extra.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling trip last?

The activity lasts 3.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

Where does the tour start?

The main meeting point is Mooring Number 2 near the Panperfocaccia restaurant. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes S’Espalmador, Racó des Moro, Cova Rosa, and Cala Saona. The captain may change the route because of weather or sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a diving mask, snorkel, and fins. Floating vests are included for people who cannot swim.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional pickup and drop-off are available from Hotel Club Sunway Punta Prima, Hotel Riu La Mola, Ormeggio Isla Flotante, Insotel Club Maryland, Hotel Sa Volta, and Insotel Hotel Formentera Playa.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English, Spanish, and Italian.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food is not included. Cold water, soft drinks, and beer are available aboard for an extra charge, and fuel is not included in the listed price.