Playa Es Arenals Catamaran Private Full Day Trip

Clear water, calm coves, and your own boat. This private Formentera catamaran trip gives your group a relaxed day along the coast, with time at Playa Es Arenals for swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. I like that a skipper handles the sailing and that the boat includes water gear, fuel, insurance, and a large cool box.

I also like the freedom of a private booking for up to 12 people. You can play your own music through the Megaboom speaker, use the auxiliary dinghy to reach the beach, and spend much of the day at your own pace. The main drawback is the price: at $3,498.20 per group, it makes the most sense for a larger party rather than one or two people.

Key points

• Playa Es Arenals is the main event: You get around five hours anchored near the end of Migjorn Beach for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and relaxing.
• A skipper does the work: You do not need to navigate or handle the boat yourself.
• Bring your own picnic: Food and drinks are not included, but a large cool box is provided.
• Good setup for a group: The catamaran is private and can hold up to 12 people, making the cost easier to share.
• Water equipment is included: Snorkel gear and stand-up paddleboards are ready to use.
• The crew gets strong praise: Captains including Tincho, Alejandro, Teo, Martin, Francisco, and Rolando are repeatedly described as friendly, attentive, and professional.

A full day on Formentera’s southern coast

This is a seven-hour private boat outing built around one main stop rather than a packed list of attractions. You meet at Es Molí de Sal on Calle Afores in Formentera at 10:00 a.m., then head out along the coastline and past Migjorn Beach toward Playa Es Arenals.

That slower design is part of the appeal. You are not being hurried from one cove to the next or asked to leave the water after a short swim. The plan gives you time to settle into the rhythm of a day at sea: cruise, anchor, swim, eat, listen to music, and use the boat as your floating base.

I like this setup for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups celebrating something together. You get the scenery and water time of a charter without having to plan every turn yourself. The skipper takes care of navigation, while you decide how much of the day should be active or lazy.

The advertised itinerary lists about five hours at Playa Es Arenals, within the roughly seven-hour outing. That leaves time for the coastal cruise and moving into position, but the exact sailing pattern may depend on conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

Leaving from Es Molí de Sal at 10:00 a.m.

Your starting point is Es Molí de Sal, at Calle Afores, s/n, 07871 Formentera. The activity also finishes back at this meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another part of the island.

The 10:00 a.m. start is useful for making a full day of the trip. It gives you plenty of time on the water before the outing ends, and it fits the idea of bringing food and drinks for a long lunch afloat. You should arrive ready for a boat day, with swimwear, sun protection, and anything personal you want close at hand.

The booking is private, so only your group joins the boat. That matters more than it may sound. You can keep the music, conversation, swimming breaks, and meal schedule within your own circle instead of matching the habits of strangers.

The boat has an auxiliary dinghy for getting on and off. If you want to reach the beach, the dinghy gives you that option without requiring you to swim all the way in. It is also useful for anyone who prefers an easier transfer between the catamaran and shore.

Cruising past Migjorn Beach to Playa Es Arenals

The route follows Formentera’s coast and Migjorn Beach before reaching Playa Es Arenals at the end of the beach. From the water, you get a different view of the island than you would from a road or beach path. The coast becomes the main scenery, and the catamaran gives you space to sit back while the skipper manages the route.

The stop itself is designed for water time. Once anchored, you can swim in the clear water, put on the supplied snorkel equipment, or take out a stand-up paddleboard. If you would rather do nothing at all, the boat becomes a quiet place to sunbathe, talk, eat, or listen to your playlist.

The five-hour stay is generous. Many boat outings offer only a short swim break, but this one gives you enough time to try several activities without turning the day into a race. You might swim first, paddle later, have lunch, then return to the water when you feel like it.

Keep your expectations sensible. The description centers on Playa Es Arenals, not a guided tour of every part of Formentera. The itinerary says the boat cruises by the coast and Migjorn Beach, but it does not promise a set number of coves, beaches, or swimming stops. If seeing many different places is your top priority, ask the operator how flexible the route will be before booking.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding at the anchor

The included water equipment is one of the strongest practical features. You get snorkel gear and stand-up paddleboards, so you do not need to hire those items separately for the main stop.

Snorkeling here is a simple, self-directed activity rather than a formal lesson or guided marine tour. You can enter the water from the boat and look around at your own pace. The provided information does not promise specific marine life or underwater sights, so I would treat snorkeling as a pleasant extra, not the sole reason to book.

The paddleboards add another option for active groups. They are especially useful when some people want to keep moving while others remain on board. You can paddle near the anchored boat, then return for a swim or a break.

The water equipment also helps groups with mixed energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can stay on deck with a drink. That flexibility is a major advantage of a private catamaran compared with a tightly scheduled group cruise.

Basic care still matters. Listen to the skipper’s instructions, especially about entering and leaving the water, using the equipment, and staying close to the boat. The experience includes gear, but it does not include a dedicated instructor or lifeguard service.

Bring a proper picnic for the cool box

Food and drinks are not included. The boat does provide a large cool box, which is a useful arrangement because you can choose what you actually want to eat and drink during a long day outside.

I would plan this part carefully. A five-hour anchor stop is a long time if you bring only a few snacks. Pack enough for lunch, plenty of water, and drinks for the whole group. Since the boat has a cool box, chilled food and cold drinks are practical choices.

This is also where the cost can feel more or less reasonable. The charter price does not cover catering, so a group must organize provisions separately. Some people will appreciate that control. Others may prefer a boat trip with meals handled for them.

The cool box is not a minor detail. On a private day, your food schedule is your own. You can eat early, wait until after swimming, or spread snacks across the afternoon. Just remember to bring what you need, since food and drink are specifically excluded.

The skipper makes the private format work

You are not booking a bare boat and taking responsibility for the route. An enthusiastic skipper handles the sailing and navigation, allowing you to focus on your group and the setting.

The crew feedback is especially strong on friendliness and care. Tincho is praised for responsibility, good energy, and helping create a memorable day. Alejandro is repeatedly described as welcoming, professional, attentive, and a strong sailor. Teo is noted for his humor, attention to detail, and distinctive pirate style.

Martin is praised for taking a group from cove to cove and stopping for views or paddleboarding. Francisco receives warm comments for his charisma, while Rolando is described as professional, young, and fun. One longer charter also mentions a helpful hostess named Noelia, though a hostess is not listed as a standard inclusion for this particular trip.

Names and staffing can change, so you should not assume you can request a certain captain unless the company confirms it. Still, the pattern is clear: the human side of the experience is a major reason this outing works. A good skipper can adjust the mood, explain what you are seeing, and help the day feel personal rather than mechanical.

Music, space, and the value of going private

The Megaboom Bluetooth speaker lets you play your own music. That can make a difference on a long private outing, especially for a group that wants to set its own mood.

The speaker is best seen as a bonus, not the core reason to pay for the charter. The real value comes from having the boat to yourself, using the included water gear, and spending several hours at one beautiful coastal stop without sharing the schedule with anyone else.

At $3,498.20 per group of up to 12, the headline price is high. Split evenly among 12 people, it works out to about $291.52 per person. For six people, it is about $583.03 each. For two people, the full group price makes the trip a very expensive private day.

That math tells you who should book. A full group of friends or a large family can get meaningful value from the space, privacy, skipper, fuel, insurance, dinghy, equipment, cleaning, and seven hours on the water. A couple may find a smaller boat or shared cruise easier on the budget, unless privacy is the main goal.

Fuel, taxes, required insurance, final cleaning, and the skipper are included. Those inclusions reduce the chance of surprise operating costs, but you still need to budget for your own meals and drinks.

What the day feels like for different groups

For a group of friends, this is an easygoing choice. You can bring a shared playlist, stock the cool box, take turns on the paddleboards, and use the private boat as your own base for the day.

Families may also like the mix of activity and rest. The dinghy can make beach access easier, while the catamaran lets non-swimmers remain on board. The supplied snorkel gear and paddleboards provide options, though adults should supervise children in and around the water.

Couples can enjoy the privacy, but the price deserves a hard look. Unless you are comfortable paying the full group rate for two people, this is likely better value when shared with a larger party.

This trip suits you if you want a calm day centered on the sea. It is less suitable if you want a formal guided tour, a detailed cultural explanation of Formentera, guaranteed stops at many beaches, or included meals.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The available information does not provide detailed mobility guidance for the catamaran, dinghy, or water activities, so contact CharterAlia Boat Hire Formentera if you have specific access needs.

Weather, cancellation, and what to pack

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

If you cancel for another reason or request a change, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended. That makes weather coverage helpful, but it also means you should be certain about your date before paying.

For the day itself, plan to bring:

• Food and drinks for the group
• Swimwear and sun protection
• A personal towel, unless the operator confirms one is provided
• Any medication or personal items you need
• A phone or camera, kept secure around water

The boat includes the major shared equipment: snorkels, paddleboards, a cool box, the speaker, and the dinghy. You should not need to arrange fuel, insurance, or final cleaning separately.

Should you book this Formentera catamaran trip?

I would book it for a group that values privacy, a skipper-led day, and plenty of time in the water. The long stop at Playa Es Arenals, included snorkel gear and paddleboards, and flexible private schedule give the experience a clear purpose.

I would hesitate if you are booking for only two people or if the price already feels uncomfortable. You also need to be happy organizing your own food and accepting that Playa Es Arenals is the main focus rather than one stop among many.

For a full group of up to 12, this can be a memorable and practical way to see Formentera from the sea. Bring a generous picnic, choose your music, and let the skipper handle the complicated parts.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

It starts at Es Molí de Sal, Calle Afores, s/n, 07871 Formentera, Illes Balears, Spain.

What time does the experience begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the boat return?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Es Molí de Sal.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private booking accommodates up to 12 people in your group.

What happens at Playa Es Arenals?

The boat anchors near Playa Es Arenals, at the end of Migjorn Beach. You can swim, snorkel, use the stand-up paddleboards, and relax there.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included for use during the outing.

Is food or drink included?

No. You need to provide your own food and drinks. A large cool box is available on board.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.