Ses Illetes Beach Formentera Catamaran Private Tour

Formentera is best seen from the water. This private catamaran trip gives you seven hours to sail from Ibiza toward Formentera, swim in clear coves, use the onboard paddleboard and snorkel gear, and spend time at famous Ses Illetes Beach. I especially like the privacy of having the boat to your own group and the relaxed setup, with nets at the bow, onboard WiFi, speakers, and room to spread out.

I also like the human touch. Captains including Martin, Juan, Teo, Ale, Pedro, Andrés, and Fran have been praised for being attentive, friendly, and flexible. The main drawback is the price: $3,399.57 for up to 12 people is a serious outlay, and the final experience can depend on the boat assigned, sea conditions, and your skipper.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 12 people: You will not share the catamaran with another group, which matters for families, couples traveling together, and celebrations.
• Ses Illetes is the main prize: Expect white sand and transparent water, with time to swim or walk between connected shallow beach areas.
• The boat is set up for water time: Snorkel equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, bow pulpits, and front nets are included.
• The skipper shapes the day: Martin, Juan, Teo, Ale, Pedro, Andrés, and Fran have all received warm praise for their care and good humor.
• Lunch is your responsibility: Soft drinks and mineral water are usually available, but you may bring your own food and drinks.
• The meeting point is in Sant Josep: The listed start is 10:00 a.m. at Es Xarcu, not in central Ibiza.

Setting sail from Es Xarcu at 10:00 a.m.

Your day begins at Es Xarcu, Restaurante Playa, in Cala Es Xarco, Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The listed start time is 10:00 a.m., and the boat returns to the same meeting point after roughly seven hours.

That location is important. This is not simply a hotel pickup followed by a ready-made sightseeing ride. Pickup is offered, but the confirmed embarkation and disembarkation points matter, so check the arrangements carefully before you set out. The meeting point is on the southwest side of Ibiza, and your group needs to arrive ready for a full day on the water.

Once aboard, the private format changes the mood immediately. You can settle into the day at your own pace rather than fitting into a large excursion group. If one person wants to paddleboard, another wants to sit in the shade, and someone else wants music on the speakers, the skipper can usually work around the group’s wishes, subject to the route and conditions.

The catamaran has bow nets where you can stretch out close to the water. There are also pulpit seats at the bows, useful when you want a breezy ride rather than a stationary swim. The boat includes WiFi and Megaboom Bluetooth speakers, practical touches for a long day at sea, though you should still treat the day as an outdoor experience rather than a floating lounge with every home comfort.

The crossing to Formentera

The central pleasure here is not just reaching Formentera. It is the change in viewpoint as Ibiza recedes and the sea becomes the main feature around you.

The route is designed around Formentera and Ses Illetes, but the exact order of stops can vary. Several accounts describe captains taking groups to coves, caves, and quiet swimming areas. One family outing included secret grottos and snorkeling spots, while another included a beautiful cave visited with children. You should see those reports as a useful indication of the skipper’s flexibility, not as a guaranteed list of stops.

That flexibility is one of the better reasons to book privately. A good skipper can judge the wind, sea conditions, and the interests of your group. Captains Martin and Juan are repeatedly singled out for finding attractive swimming places and taking care with families. Teo is praised for bringing groups to good spots around Formentera, while Ale reportedly took time to explain the sailing arrangements before departure.

The trip is also a good fit if your group values time together more than a rigid sightseeing schedule. You might spend part of the crossing on the bow nets, then stop for a swim, paddleboard for a while, and continue toward the beach. You are paying for a day with room to adapt, not only for transport from Ibiza to one beach.

Ses Illetes, the main reward

Ses Illetes is the star of the outing, and it is easy to understand why. The beach is known for bright white sand and transparent water, giving the area a clean, open feel that is very different from a standard urban beach day.

The water is shallow in places, and one account describes being able to move between two connected beaches on foot through the shallows. That makes Ses Illetes especially appealing for groups that want more than a quick look from the boat. You can swim, walk along the sand, or simply take in the unusual meeting of pale beach and clear sea.

The boat gives you a useful alternative to spending the entire day on land. You can reach the beach by catamaran, enjoy the view from offshore, then return to the vessel for swimming and lounging. That combination helps you avoid making the day only about sitting on a crowded strip of sand.

Still, do not expect exclusive use of Ses Illetes itself. The beach is the destination, but the water and sand are public. The private element belongs to your catamaran, your skipper, and your group, not to the beach.

Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and time in the water

The included equipment adds real value because it gives you things to do between sailing and beach time. Snorkel equipment is provided, along with a stand-up paddleboard. You can use the boat as a base, swim from it, and take turns with the gear.

This matters most for mixed groups. A person who does not want to snorkel can relax on the bow nets. Children can enjoy the water under adult supervision, while stronger swimmers can paddleboard. The boat’s layout gives you several ways to spend the afternoon without everyone following the same plan.

The accounts of the trip place strong emphasis on swimming. Martin is praised for locating good snorkeling spots, and several captains are credited with showing groups attractive coves. One family even described a cave visit, while another group spent time swimming and using the paddleboard before heading to the beach.

The practical point is to bring the basics you personally need for a day outside. Lunch is not included, and although the company tries to keep soft drinks and mineral water aboard, you are welcome to bring your own. Pack food, drinks, sun protection, and anything your group needs for several hours on a boat and beach.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The skipper is more than the person steering the catamaran. On a private charter, that person largely determines whether the day feels smooth and relaxed.

Martin receives the strongest pattern of praise. He is described as attentive, friendly, safe, and willing to teach some sailing. Juan is also noted for looking after families and showing children a cave. Teo is praised for his easygoing manner and for choosing good places around Formentera. Ale is remembered for explaining the plan clearly before sailing.

Those details matter because a private boat day requires a little judgment. The skipper must balance swimming, sailing, beach time, and the needs of up to 12 people. You should tell the crew what matters most to your group at the start. If you want more swimming, more beach time, or a gentler pace, say so early.

The high overall score of 4.9 from 41 ratings and the 98 percent recommendation figure point to very strong satisfaction. Still, one account raises an important caution: the boat received did not match the photographs, the maintenance was described as poor, and access to the entire catamaran was questioned. That is a minority complaint among very positive accounts, but it is worth asking which boat is assigned and what areas your booking includes.

Is $3,399.57 good value?

The price is $3,399.57 per group, with up to 12 people aboard. At full capacity, that works out to about $283 per person. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly.

At 12 people, the price can make sense for a special occasion or a large family group. You are paying for a private catamaran, a skipper, equipment, taxes, required insurance, final cleaning, and roughly seven hours of use. You also avoid sharing the boat with strangers and gain more control over the day.

For six people, the cost is about $567 per person. For four people, it is about $850 per person. At those numbers, I would book only if the private setting is central to your plans and you place a high value on comfort and flexibility.

The value is strongest when you fill most of the available places. It is also stronger for a group that will use the equipment and spend much of the day aboard, rather than treating the catamaran as a short ride to Ses Illetes. If your only goal is to reach the beach, a less expensive transport option may serve you better.

Who should book this private charter?

This trip suits a group that wants privacy, water activities, and a relaxed day with a skipper who can adjust the outing. Families are a natural match, especially since the accounts describe captains taking care with children and showing them interesting coastal spots.

It also fits groups of friends celebrating a birthday, reunion, or holiday. The Bluetooth speakers, bow nets, WiFi, and private layout support a social day without forcing your music, conversation, or schedule on another group.

Couples can enjoy it too, but the price is hard to justify for only two people unless you are looking for a high-end private charter. With a large group, the cost divides more favorably.

I would think twice if your group dislikes boats, wants a fixed restaurant lunch included, or needs a guaranteed specific vessel. Lunch is not part of the package, and the assigned boat may not always match the promotional photographs. Ask clear questions before paying, especially because the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

Practical details that affect your day

Confirmation is normally issued at booking. If you reserve within six hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is listed as suitable for most participants. It is near public transportation, but the exact meeting arrangement still deserves attention because the start and end point are at Es Xarcu in Cala Es Xarco.

The experience is private, so only your group participates. That is one of the biggest differences between this and a standard Formentera boat trip.

The tour includes taxes, required insurance, the skipper, designated embarkation and disembarkation, snorkel equipment, the stand-up paddleboard, speakers, WiFi, and final cleaning. It does not include lunch. Bring what you want to eat and drink, even though soft drinks and mineral water are usually available.

Should you book the Ses Illetes catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want Formentera by water, not just a beach transfer. The best parts are the private setting, the swimming stops, the included water gear, and the chance to work with a friendly skipper such as Martin, Juan, or Teo.

I would make two checks before committing. Confirm the exact catamaran and ask what areas you can use, then settle the food and drink plan. If those details are clear and your group values time on the sea, this can be a memorable full-day outing. If you are traveling as only two or three people, compare the per-person cost with other boat options before locking in a non-refundable booking.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The listed meeting point is Es Xarcu, Restaurante Playa, S/N, Cala Es Xarco, 07839 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza. The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of 12 people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The company tries to have soft drinks and mineral water aboard, and you may bring your own food and drinks.

What equipment is included?

The catamaran includes snorkel equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, Megaboom Bluetooth speakers, bow nets, pulpit seating, onboard WiFi, and final cleaning.