Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour

The best Ibiza day may be offshore. This private catamaran tour links Cala Jondal, Ses Salines, Espalmador, and Formentera in one relaxed day on the water. I like the privacy for groups of up to 10, and I like having paddleboards, snorkeling gear, a restroom, and Wi-Fi aboard. The main catch is cost: $1,609.09 per group, with lunch and drinks extra.

I also like the mix of quiet coves and famous beaches. You get time to swim, paddle, snorkel, eat, and simply stretch out on deck instead of racing from one stop to the next. Plan your food carefully, though. One recent complaint focused on a €65 ham platter that felt poor value, especially when ordered for fewer people than were in the group.

Key things to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 10 people: Your group does not share the catamaran with strangers, which makes the day easier for families and friends.
• Cala Jondal departure: The boat starts and ends at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal on Ibiza’s south coast.
• Two water-sports options included: Two paddle surf boards and snorkeling equipment are provided.
• Formentera is the centerpiece: You spend about two hours around Playa de Ses Illetes, with time for lunch and a walk.
• Food is flexible but not included: Bring your own meal or arrange catered food separately. Alcoholic drinks also cost extra.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.

Why this private catamaran day works

Ibiza is famous for clubs, beach bars, and late nights, but the south coast offers a calmer side of the island. From the water, you see cliffs, rocky inlets, pale beaches, and clear Mediterranean water without spending the day behind a steering wheel.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. A group of friends can set its own mood, while a family can spread out without worrying about other people’s schedules. You still follow a planned route, but the day feels less like a sightseeing checklist and more like a floating base for swimming and coastal views.

The boat carries only your group, up to 10 people. That makes the price easier to understand when the catamaran is full. At the listed rate, the cost works out to about $161 per person for 10 people, before lunch and drinks. For a smaller group, the per-person price rises quickly.

Nomad Sailing Trips also has a 10-year-old Border Collie living aboard. The dog is described as very friendly, but this detail matters if someone in your party has allergies, fears dogs, or simply does not want an animal nearby during a full day at sea.

Starting at Cala Jondal on Ibiza’s south coast

The meeting point is Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, at Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The tour returns to the same place at the end of the day, which keeps the day simple from a transport point of view.

Cala Jondal is a strong starting point because it already gives you a good first look at Ibiza’s southern shoreline. The opening stretch is short, listed at about 10 minutes, so do not expect a long sightseeing talk before the boat gets moving. The point is to settle in, enjoy the bay, and get comfortable on deck.

I would arrive ready for sun and sea rather than dressed for a formal boat outing. The tour includes a restroom, Wi-Fi, snorkeling gear, and two paddleboards. Those practical touches matter during an eight-hour day, especially when you are traveling with children or a mixed-age group.

The activity calls for a moderate fitness level. You need to be comfortable moving around a boat and getting into the water for swimming, snorkeling, or paddleboarding. The water activities are optional, so you can stay on deck if you prefer, but this tour makes the most sense if your group wants time in the sea.

Following the rocky coast past Playa des Codolar

The next section follows Ibiza’s south coast for about an hour. You pass beaches, rocky coves, cliffs, and small caves while the boat moves through open Mediterranean water.

This is where a private catamaran earns its keep. You are not only looking at one beach. You are watching the coastline change from bay to rock, from open water to sheltered inlets. The sea breeze and the view do much of the work, so the best plan is to slow down and enjoy the ride.

You may want to keep a camera close, but protect it from spray and sun. The itinerary does not promise a guided historical presentation, so this is mainly a scenic sailing section. If your ideal tour requires constant commentary, this may feel quiet. If you enjoy being on the water without a packed schedule, it is a welcome pause.

The catamaran also gives you more room than a small boat. That does not turn the day into a luxury yacht charter, since food and alcohol are not included, but it does make a long outing more comfortable for a private group.

Swimming near Ses Salines Natural Park

The boat then reaches a secluded cove along the south coast, in the area of Ses Salines Natural Park. The planned stop lasts about an hour and is built around swimming and snorkeling.

This is one of the most useful parts of the day because the boat becomes your changing room, picnic base, and sun platform. You can enter the clear water, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, and look for fish and marine life below the surface. The exact sea conditions will affect visibility, so think of snorkeling here as a chance to explore, not a guaranteed wildlife show.

The water stop also gives you a break from constant movement. Some people will want to swim the whole time. Others will prefer a quick dip and a quiet hour on deck. A private charter lets the group settle into its own rhythm more easily than a shared excursion.

Bring sun protection and drinking water even though the boat has facilities. The supplied information confirms a restroom and Wi-Fi, but it does not specify a full beverage service. Since lunch is not included, you should also avoid assuming that snacks or soft drinks are provided.

Paddleboarding around S’Espalmador

From Ibiza, the route continues to S’Espalmador, a natural reserve between Ibiza and Formentera. The planned visit lasts about one hour and 50 minutes, making it the longest active water stop of the day.

Two paddle surf boards are included. That number is important: in a group of 10, not everyone can paddle at once. You will need to take turns, and the experience works best when your group is happy to share the boards rather than expecting a personal one.

You can also snorkel again in the surrounding water. The combination of paddleboarding and swimming makes S’Espalmador the most active part of the itinerary. If you have never used a paddleboard, you might find the calm water a friendly place to try, but the tour data does not promise formal instruction.

The word natural reserve can make a place sound untouched and silent, but conditions at sea always vary. Wind, current, and boat traffic can shape how peaceful the stop feels. Still, the setting between Ibiza and Formentera gives this part of the route a clear sense of place, rather than making it just another swimming break.

Two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes in Formentera

The tour’s main destination is Playa de Ses Illetes, a famous Formentera beach with white sand and clear water. You have about two hours here, which is enough time to choose between staying aboard, going ashore for lunch, or walking along the beach.

Formentera is the reason many groups will book this trip. Reaching the island by private catamaran turns the crossing into part of the experience instead of a separate transport problem. Once there, you can enjoy the shoreline at a slower pace after the more active water stops.

Lunch requires planning. The tour does not include food, and the supplied information says you can eat on the island or bring food aboard. That flexibility is useful, but do not assume the price includes a meal. If you arrange catered food through the operator, confirm the menu, serving size, and total cost before the day begins.

A past complaint focused on a €65 ham platter and said it did not feel worth the price. The operator replied that the group had ordered food for seven people even though 10 people were aboard, based on the idea that some ate lightly. The lesson is simple: agree on portions in writing and order for the people who will actually eat. Teenagers and active swimmers may want more food than you expect.

You can also bring your own meal, which is likely the clearest way to control cost and quantity. Keep it easy to serve and suitable for a boat. No special onboard kitchen details are provided, so do not plan a complicated meal that needs cooking or extensive preparation.

The return to Cala Jondal at sunset

After Ses Illetes, the catamaran heads back toward Ibiza. The return section takes about an hour and 30 minutes, giving you time to rest after swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and walking.

This is when the day shifts from activity to scenery. The coast looks different in the later light, and the tour highlights the chance to see Ibiza near sunset from the boat. If photography matters to you, keep your phone or camera ready, but remember that the exact sunset view depends on the date, weather, and route conditions.

The return journey can feel long for anyone who dislikes extended time at sea. For most groups, though, it provides a natural wind-down. You can sit on deck, talk through the day, and watch the coastline pass before returning to Cala Jondal.

The full experience lasts about eight hours. The individual stop times add up to most of a full day, but the exact pace may shift with sailing conditions and the group’s activities. Treat the schedule as a useful guide rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

What the $1,609 price really buys

At $1,609.09 per group of up to 10, this is not a budget beach transfer. It is best understood as a private boat day with a route through Ibiza and Formentera.

The value improves when you fill the boat. Ten people bring the cost to roughly $161 each. At five people, the same charter comes to about $322 per person, before food and alcohol. That is a large difference, so count your group carefully before booking.

You are paying for privacy, fuel, the catamaran, the planned route, water equipment, and the convenience of starting and finishing at Cala Jondal. You are not paying for lunch, alcoholic drinks, or a guaranteed set menu. The two paddleboards also need to be shared among the group.

I would recommend this for a birthday, family day, reunion, or group of friends who genuinely want to spend most of a day on the sea. I would not choose it for two people seeking the cheapest way to visit Formentera. A shared boat or ferry may make better financial sense for a small party, though it will not offer the same privacy.

Practical details that can change your day

The activity is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. It is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify routes or travel times, so check your own connection to Cala Jondal.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive another date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund. A later cancellation is not refunded, and changes made within that period are not accepted.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a meal plan. Since the boat includes snorkeling equipment, you do not need to bring your own mask and gear unless you prefer your personal equipment. The supplied facilities include a restroom and Wi-Fi, but no promise is made about showers, drinks, or a full onboard meal service.

Who should book this catamaran tour?

I would choose this tour if you want Ibiza’s coast, a Formentera beach, and several water stops in one day without sharing a boat with strangers. It suits active groups who will actually use the paddleboards and snorkeling equipment, as well as families who value a private setting.

It is less suitable if you want a cheap outing, dislike long periods at sea, or expect all food and drinks to be included. It also deserves extra thought if someone in your group has limited mobility, since the activity calls for moderate fitness and includes boarding, swimming, and water activities.

The dog aboard is another small but important consideration. Many people will find a friendly Border Collie charming. Anyone with allergies or discomfort around dogs should ask questions before committing to eight hours aboard.

Should you book it?

Book it if your group can fill most of the 10 places, wants privacy, and sees the boat itself as part of the holiday. The route gives you a well-rounded day: Cala Jondal, the south coast, Ses Salines, S’Espalmador, Ses Illetes, and a sunset return.

Before paying, settle two things: how many people are coming and what everyone will eat. Bring your own lunch if the catering price or portions are unclear. With those details handled, this is a strong choice for a full day of swimming, scenery, and Formentera time, with far less fuss than arranging each stop separately.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza.

Where does the tour finish?

It returns to the same meeting point at Cala Jondal.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private catamaran accommodates a group of up to 10 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can bring your own food, eat on Formentera, or arrange food separately.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Are snorkeling items provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are paddleboards provided?

Yes. Two paddle surf boards are included for use during the tour.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. The catamaran has a restroom.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.