Ibiza: Catamaran Cruise to Formentera with Meal and Drinks

Five hours, clear water, and lunch at sea. This catamaran cruise is a pleasant way to see Ibiza’s southeast coast and the bright waters around Formentera without planning several separate activities. I especially like the roomy 22-meter boat, with deck chairs and a broad front net over the water, and I like that the price includes a proper meal, drinks, swimming time, and snorkeling gear. The main catch is simple: you do not go ashore at Formentera, so this is a boat day rather than an island visit.

The route passes Las Salinas and continues toward Playa de Ses Illetes, where the boat anchors for swimming and snorkeling. I also appreciate the bilingual guide service in Spanish and English. Guide Tina received particularly warm praise for explaining the coast clearly in several languages, while the crew earned strong marks for friendly service, barbecue chicken, salad, and a good supply of drinks.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• A 22-meter catamaran: You get sun loungers, deck space, and a large forward net where you can rest above the moving water.
• Playa de Ses Illetes stop: The boat anchors for about two hours, giving you time to swim, snorkel, eat, and relax, but you cannot disembark.
• Food is part of the fare: Expect salad, finger food, roast meat, Spanish sausages, and fresh fruit, with barbecue chicken specifically praised.
• Open bar included: Soft drinks, beer, water, and sangria are available during the cruise.
• Five hours from central Ibiza: The boat leaves from the Botafoch Ferry Terminal area and returns to the same dock.
• Best for swimmers and couples: Children under five and wheelchair users cannot join, and the boat is not designed for a shore visit.

Why This Cruise Works as an Ibiza Day Out

Ibiza can pull you in several directions: beaches, old town streets, nightlife, and boat trips. This outing keeps things easy. You arrive at the dock, step onto the Sun Cat, and spend the next five hours with the sea doing most of the sightseeing.

I like the mix of movement and stillness. During the cruise, you watch Ibiza’s coast slide past from the deck. At anchor, you can stop looking at the coast and get into the water. That change matters. A full day on a boat can become tiring if you are always moving, but this trip gives you a long pause at Illetas.

The experience costs $108 per person. That is not a bargain ferry ride, but the comparison should be with a half-day boat outing that includes lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, crew service, and swimming time. On that basis, the fare offers solid value, especially if you plan to have drinks and a meal anyway.

You should not book this simply because you want to visit Formentera. The boat does not make a shore stop, and no part of the five hours is set aside for walking around the island. Book it for the sailing, the water, the food, and the views.

Finding the Sun Cat at Botafoch

The meeting point is at Carrer de la Mola, 31, beside the Botafoch Ferry Terminal. Look for the Sun Cat floating in the dock just before you reach the terminal.

This detail is worth taking seriously. The boat is in the water, not waiting at a standard street-side tour office. If you arrive by taxi, tell the driver to take you to the Botafoch Ferry Terminal. That is clearer than giving only the street address.

Once onboard, you can settle into a deck chair or find a place on the large front net. The net is one of the boat’s most appealing features. You can lie close to the water, feel the movement of the sea below, and get a wide view ahead. It is also exposed to the sun, so sunscreen is not an optional extra.

The boat is described as a beautiful 22-meter catamaran with a friendly crew. That size gives you more room than a small speedboat and a steadier platform for eating, sitting, and moving around. It also means the trip feels like a social boat outing rather than a private charter.

Sailing Past Las Salinas

The boat sets out along Ibiza’s southeast coast, with views toward Las Salinas and the surrounding shoreline. The first part of the trip is about seeing Ibiza from a different angle. Beaches and coastal areas that can feel busy from land look more open from the water.

This is where the catamaran format earns its place. You are not rushing from one viewpoint to another. You can sit with a drink, listen to the guide, and let the coastline change at a calm pace. The bilingual service in Spanish and English helps if you want some context rather than only music and sun.

Guide Tina was singled out for explaining the coastal sights in multiple languages and for her strong command of the area. If you enjoy learning small details about what you are seeing, pay attention during the cruise. If you prefer quiet, you can also retreat to your seat and let the views do the work.

The sailing portion may be the strongest choice for people who want a relaxed outing. It is less suitable if you need constant activity. There are no scheduled shore explorations, shopping stops, or walking tours. The pleasure comes from the boat itself.

The 20-Minute Welcome Swim

The itinerary includes a 20-minute period for swimming and welcome refreshments. This gives you an early chance to get into the sea rather than waiting until the main anchorage.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes if that makes changing easier, and pack a towel. Sunscreen is essential, as the deck and net offer little relief from direct sun. Swimming noodles are provided, along with snorkeling goggles, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.

The short swim stop is a useful warm-up for the longer break at Illetas. It also gives non-swimmers a chance to watch the action from deck while others use the water. Since the trip is built around swimming, you should feel comfortable with the idea of boarding a boat where the main water access is from the anchored vessel rather than a beach.

Two Hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

The main stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, where the catamaran anchors for around two hours. This is the part of the day that defines the cruise.

The water around Illetas is clear and bright, and the boat provides time to swim, use the snorkeling goggles, or float with a noodle. You might see small marine life while snorkeling, though the supplied information does not promise a particular species or a guided wildlife search. Think of the equipment as a useful extra for casual exploration, not a formal snorkeling excursion.

The boat remains offshore. You cannot step onto the beach or walk around Formentera. That distinction is important because Playa de Ses Illetes is often associated with a land-based beach visit. Here, you experience it from the water and from the catamaran.

I see that as both a benefit and a limitation. You avoid the work of getting ashore, finding a place to sit, or organizing a separate beach day. You also miss the freedom to wander along the sand. If you want a simple swim stop, the arrangement works well. If you want to explore Formentera on foot, choose a different trip.

The two-hour pause gives you enough time to use the water without feeling hurried. You can swim first, eat afterward, then return to the water, or spend the entire stop on deck with a cold drink. The schedule leaves room for your own pace.

What You Eat and Drink Onboard

Food is one of the better reasons to compare this cruise with cheaper sightseeing boats. The included spread features salad, finger food, roast meat, Spanish sausages, and fresh fruit. The meal is described as a buffet brunch or barbecue lunch, depending on the departure arrangement.

Barbecue chicken received specific praise, along with the salad and the overall quality of the meal. Spanish sausages add a local touch, while fresh fruit gives you something light after swimming. This is not a restaurant tasting menu, and you should not expect a long series of courses. It is practical boat food designed to serve people who have been in the sun and water.

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, water, and sangria. That package makes the $108 price easier to justify. Water matters most, since five hours in the sun can catch up with you quickly. Beer and sangria suit the holiday mood, while soft drinks give you a nonalcoholic choice.

I would still bring a sensible approach to drinking. The boat is moving, the sun can be strong, and swimming after too much alcohol is not a good idea. Eat first, drink water throughout the trip, and treat the bar as part of the experience rather than the main event.

Sun, Shade, and Life on the Catamaran

The catamaran offers deck chairs for sunbathing and a large front net for relaxing above the water. These spaces create different moods. The net is the memorable choice if you want to feel close to the sea. A deck chair is better when you want to sit upright, eat, or keep your belongings nearby.

The supplied details do not promise a dedicated shaded area, so plan for strong sun exposure. Bring sunscreen and a towel, and wear swimwear that works for both swimming and sitting on deck. You should also expect a wet environment around the swimming areas.

The boat’s size helps make the five-hour outing comfortable, but comfort is personal. Anyone who dislikes open-water movement, direct sun, or a social boat setting may find the day less relaxing. There is no separate shore stop to break up the experience.

For couples, the cruise offers an easy shared day with views, swimming, and food already arranged. Families with older children may also enjoy it, but the experience is not suitable for children under five. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users either.

What the 4.3 Rating Tells You

The experience holds a 4.3 rating from 302 reviews, which points to a reliably good outing rather than a perfect fit for every person. The strongest praise focuses on the catamaran, the scenery, the food, and the crew.

The crew comes up repeatedly as a strength. Tina was praised for her explanations and language skills, while the service was described as friendly and well organized. Food also receives clear approval, especially the barbecue chicken, salad, and broad selection of drinks.

The most useful criticism is built into the schedule itself: there are no disembarking stops. Some people will see that as a plus because it keeps the day simple. Others will feel that a Formentera cruise should include time on the island. You need to decide which kind of day you want before paying.

The trip also received positive comments about its value compared with other Ibiza boat trips. That comparison makes sense when you count the meal, open bar, snorkeling goggles, swimming noodles, and five hours on the water. It is less compelling if you do not drink, do not swim, or mainly want to explore on land.

Practical Details That Matter

The cruise lasts five hours, with departure times varying by availability. The route begins and ends at the Botafoch area, so you should allow enough time to reach the dock and identify the Sun Cat.

The guide service is available in Spanish and English. Food, drinks, goggles, and noodles are included. Transport to and from the departure point is not included, so you must arrange your own way to the terminal.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Ibiza schedule is still shifting. Check the available departure time before booking because the day’s shape depends on when the boat leaves.

The trip does not suit babies or children under five, and wheelchair users cannot join. Families with older children are welcome, as are couples. The best match is someone who wants an active but easygoing water day and is happy to remain onboard.

Should You Book This Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a five-hour boat day with lunch, drinks, coastal views, and a long swim stop. The 22-meter catamaran, open bar, barbecue meal, and snorkeling gear give the outing more substance than a simple sightseeing ride. Tina and the crew also add a strong human touch, especially if you value clear explanations in Spanish or English.

Skip it if your main goal is to walk on Formentera, visit the beach on foot, or explore the island independently. This cruise shows you Formentera from the water and lets you swim nearby, but it does not take you ashore.

For most couples, groups of friends, and families with older children, the package offers good value at $108. Pack swimwear, a towel, and serious sun protection. Then choose your spot on the deck, order a cold drink, and let the sea provide the day’s entertainment.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is at Carrer de la Mola, 31, near the Botafoch Ferry Terminal. Look for the Sun Cat floating in the dock just before the terminal.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours and returns to the same area where it departs.

Does the boat stop so I can visit Formentera?

No. The boat does not make a stop where you can disembark. It anchors near Playa de Ses Illetes for swimming and snorkeling instead.

Is food included?

Yes. The included food features salad, finger food, roast meat, Spanish sausages, and fresh fruit. The meal may be served as a buffet brunch or barbecue lunch.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, water, and sangria.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling goggles and swimming noodles are provided for use during the swimming stops.

Is the cruise suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

The cruise is not suitable for children under five or wheelchair users. Families with older children and couples are welcome.