Ibiza: Cala Salada & North Cruise with Drinks & Snorkeling

The best part of this trip is the change of pace. Instead of Ibiza clubs and crowded streets, you get a full day of open water, rocky coves, and the quieter north coast. The boat passes the Ses Margalides islands, stops at a bay reached only by sea, and leaves you with several hours for Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta.

I like the one-hour swim stop, where snorkeling gear, bodyboards, and floating toys are included. I also like the simple value: at $53, you get the boat, aquarium entry, snacks, and beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, and water. The main catch is that the aquarium visit can feel rushed, and Cala Salada is not an easy beach for anyone who struggles on rough paths.

Key points to know before booking

• Six hours from San Antonio: The morning cruise returns around 4 to 5 PM if you leave the boat at Cala Salada, or around 2 PM if you stay onboard.
• A proper swim stop: You get about one hour for swimming and snorkeling, with equipment and water toys included.
• Three hours at the beaches: Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta offer different settings, but the walk between them includes a rough, uneven path.
• Food and drinks are covered onboard: Beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, water, fresh fruit, pastries, and sweets are included.
• Cap Blanc aquarium entry is included: Allow about 20 minutes in the planned schedule, though some visitors find the visit very brief.
• Best for relaxed families and groups: Music plays, but this is not a loud party boat. Children, older adults, and non-club visitors can fit in well, subject to the beach path.

A north-coast boat day instead of a club day

Ibiza is easy to reduce to nightlife, but the island’s north coast offers a different kind of pleasure. From the water, you see pale rock, small inlets, pine-covered slopes, and clear swimming spots that feel far removed from the busy center of San Antonio.

Float Ibiza runs this trip on a double-decker motorized catamaran. You can sit upstairs in the sun, find shade, or look through the lower viewing areas when the boat is moving. The boat is large enough to offer several seating areas, although one departure was described as crowded and some people had trouble finding proper seats.

The mood is social but not wild. Music plays at a moderate level, and the crew serves drinks throughout the main cruise. That balance matters if you want a pleasant day at sea without signing up for a foam party. The trip also works for families, with younger children able to watch through the viewing windows while older children and adults use the swimming equipment.

The crew has received especially warm praise for being friendly and helpful. Sergio and Johnny are two names associated with the service, and the captain has also been singled out for a calm, welcoming approach. Service can vary on any busy boat, but the general setup is informal and easygoing.

Boarding at the Nemo boat in San Antonio

Your meeting point is the Float Your Boat kiosk, in front of the fountains beside the Egg roundabout. Look for the Nemo boat. Before boarding, check in at the wooden kiosk directly in front of the vessel and collect your boarding card.

Give yourself time to find the pier. Parking right at the harbor is limited to two hours, so it is not a good choice for a six-hour excursion. The rest of San Antonio has free parking, and private parking in front of ITACA is less than a five-minute walk from the boats.

The exact departure time can change, so check the time shown for your date. One departure left at 11 AM rather than the 10:30 AM time some people expected. Arriving early is still sensible, since it gives you time to check in and buy or prepare lunch if you do not plan to eat at the beach restaurant.

The boat is only filled to half capacity according to the operating information, but the experience may still feel busy in the high season. If having a particular seat matters to you, arrive early and board promptly. Upstairs is the place for sun and views. Lower areas offer shade and shelter.

Cap Blanc Aquarium: a short first stop

The first stop is Aquarium Cap Blanc, a small sea-life center built into a natural setting near San Antonio. Entry is included, so you do not need to pay extra for the visit.

The planned stop lasts about 20 minutes, but the actual look around may feel closer to five minutes if the group moves quickly. That is the main limitation. I would treat the aquarium as a pleasant extra, not the reason to book the day.

It does add variety to the morning. You begin with a short look at local sea life, then return to the boat for the open-water part of the trip. Families may appreciate the change of pace, while serious aquarium fans may wish the stop were longer.

Ses Margalides and the open-water swim stop

After the aquarium, the catamaran heads north along the coast toward Ses Margalides. These small islands are one of the visual highlights of the route. Your guide provides commentary as the boat passes the rocky coast and nearby islets, giving you a better sense of the area than you would get from a beach lounger.

The boat then stops near Ses Balandres for about an hour. This is the most active part of the day. You can swim, snorkel, use a bodyboard, or float on one of the water toys. Snorkeling masks and other basic equipment are included, though supplies can go quickly. If snorkeling matters to you, collect your equipment as soon as the crew makes it available.

The water is the main attraction here. Several people have described the swim stop as the high point of the day, especially when the boat is alone in the bay and there are no buildings or roads in sight. You might see marine life close to the rocks, but conditions can change with wind, water clarity, and the number of people in the water.

The stop is not a private excursion. Everyone using the boat enters the same area, so the water can feel crowded when many people head for the snorkeling spot at once. If you prefer quiet swimming, wait a few minutes after the first rush or move away from the main group, where conditions allow.

A lifeguard is present, which adds reassurance for families and less confident swimmers. Still, you should watch children closely and use the flotation gear sensibly. Bring a towel, since one is not listed among the inclusions, and use plenty of sunscreen.

Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta from 2 to 5 PM

The catamaran reaches Cala Salada for the longest stop, scheduled for about three hours. This gives you enough time to eat, swim from shore, sit in the sun, or walk over to Cala Saladeta.

The two beaches feel different. Cala Salada has a more developed feel, with a beach restaurant, sun loungers, and parasols. Cala Saladeta is the more sandy, simple option, reached by a short walk along a rough path. If you want a soft patch of sand, Cala Saladeta may be your first choice. If you want easier access to food and facilities, Cala Salada is more practical.

The path between the beaches deserves serious attention. It is rocky and uneven, and one older person reportedly fell while making the climb. Good walking shoes are a better choice than flip-flops. The area is not well suited to wheelchairs or anyone who needs smooth, level access.

Cala Salada can also feel crowded in the middle of summer. It is a beautiful stop, but do not picture an empty cove all afternoon. New environmental restrictions have limited road access and changed where boats can anchor, which helps protect the coast but can also alter the exact way the visit works.

If you plan to eat at the beach restaurant, reserve ahead using the phone number on your voucher. A paella menu may be available as an extra option, but food at the restaurant is not included in the $53 price. You can also bring your own lunch onboard and eat it at the beach, though you should check any instructions from the crew before doing so.

The lunch decision affects the day. A restaurant meal keeps things easy, but a reservation is important. Bringing your own food gives you more control and saves money. The boat supplies fruit, pastries, sweets, and drinks, but those snacks are not a replacement for a full lunch.

Drinks, snacks, and what the $53 price really covers

At $53 per person, this is a strong value if you expect to use the onboard service. Beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, and water are included, along with fresh fruit, pastries, and sweets. The drink selection is a major part of the appeal, especially compared with paying separately for each drink at an Ibiza beach bar.

The sangria receives particular praise, and the onboard atmosphere is helped by music that is usually described as fun without being too loud. You can sit with a drink, watch the coast, and let the boat handle the movement between stops.

The value is less clear if you do not drink and plan to spend most of the day at Cala Salada. The beaches are close enough to San Antonio to reach by bus or road in roughly 15 minutes, according to one detailed assessment. In that case, you are paying for the boat ride, swim stop, aquarium, snacks, guide, and water toys rather than simply paying for access to the beach.

That is still a useful package. You would have to arrange your own transport, snorkeling gear, and drinks if you visited independently. The boat combines those pieces in one half-day outing, with the north-coast views as the part you cannot reproduce from a beach chair.

One point to watch is the return service. If you leave the boat at the beach, the ferry back is expected around 4 to 5 PM. The return boat may be smaller and may not offer the full range of complimentary drinks available on the main catamaran. If you stay onboard instead, you can return to San Antonio at about 2 PM, but you give up the long beach break.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip for a family, couple, or mixed-age group that wants several activities in one day. The schedule gives you sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, a short aquarium visit, beach time, food options, and drinks without requiring much planning.

It also suits people who want Ibiza’s natural side but do not want a strenuous excursion. You are not hiking the coast or carrying equipment between beaches. The main physical challenge is the uneven walk around Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta.

The trip may not suit you if you want complete quiet, a serious snorkeling session, or a long, uncrowded beach day. The snorkeling equipment can be in short supply at the start of the stop, and everyone uses the same swimming area. The aquarium is also too brief for anyone seeking a major marine-life attraction.

You should also think about the music and group setting. This is not a silent nature cruise. It has a friendly holiday atmosphere, open drinks, and background music. That makes it fun for many people, but less appealing if you want a private charter or a calm, secluded sailing trip.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and sturdy shoes. The sun is exposed on the upper deck, while the beach path can be rough underfoot.

If you want to snorkel, get your equipment early. The masks can disappear quickly when everyone heads into the water at once.

Decide how you will handle lunch before boarding. Reserve the Cala Salada restaurant in advance if you want a table and plan to pay for a meal. Otherwise, bring food with you and keep the beach stop simple.

Arrive early for check-in at the wooden kiosk, especially if you want a seat upstairs or with shade. Keep your boarding card safe, since you need it after checking in.

Weather can alter the route. In poor conditions, the operator uses a similar alternative route rather than following the advertised course exactly.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are helpful if your Ibiza plans depend on weather, but you still need to check availability for your chosen date.

Should you book the Cala Salada cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, active day on the water with drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, a beach stop, and a short aquarium visit included. The swim stop and north-coast scenery are the strongest reasons to go, while the friendly crew and moderate music make it suitable for more than just a party crowd.

Skip it if you want a quiet private boat, a long aquarium visit, or a perfectly easy beach accessible without rough ground. Also skip the beach portion if you dislike crowded coves and uneven paths, though you can remain onboard and return to San Antonio earlier.

For most people staying in San Antonio, $53 buys a lot: a six-hour outing, open drinks, several snacks, a guided coastal cruise, and time in the water. I would book it for a first look at Ibiza’s north coast, then treat Cala Saladeta and the swim stop as the day’s main prizes.

FAQ

Where does the Ibiza north cruise depart from?

It departs from the Float Your Boat kiosk in San Antonio, in front of the fountains beside the Egg roundabout. Look for the Nemo boat and check in at the wooden kiosk before boarding.

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts about six hours. If you leave the boat at Cala Salada, the return ferry is scheduled for around 4 to 5 PM. If you stay onboard instead of visiting the beach, you can return to San Antonio at about 2 PM.

What drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, and water are included onboard. Fresh fruit, pastries, and sweets are also provided.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bodyboards, donuts, and other water toys are included for the one-hour swim stop. Equipment can be limited when many people collect it at the same time.

Is food included?

Light snacks such as fruit, pastries, and sweets are included. Food at the Cala Salada beach restaurant is not included, and the restaurant should be booked in advance. You may also bring your own lunch onboard.

Is aquarium admission included?

Yes. Entry to Aquarium Cap Blanc is included. The planned visit lasts about 20 minutes, though the actual time inside may feel shorter.

Is the walk between Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta easy?

The path is short but rough and uneven. Good walking shoes are recommended, and the route is not ideal for people who need smooth, accessible ground.