Ibiza: Formentera Trip with Paddle, Snorkel and Lunch

Formentera is the star here, but the trip begins with a floating day of swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, paella, and drinks. You board near Playa d’en Bossa and spend much of the morning on clear water before reaching the island itself.

I like the five hours of free time in Formentera, which gives you room to rent a scooter, find a beach, or browse shops instead of being rushed through a short stop. I also like the easy value: lunch, soft drinks, beer, sangria, water, and water toys are covered in the $81 price.

The catch is size and pace. This is a busy catamaran, not a quiet private cruise. Queues can form for drinks and paddleboards, and the boat may feel rough in open water, so bring motion-sickness medicine if you are sensitive.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim stops at Ses Illetes and Espalmador: Expect clear water, snorkeling, paddleboards, floating mats, bodyboards, and pool noodles.
• Paella cooked for the group: Choose shrimp, chicken, or vegan paella with salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.
• An open bar is included: Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are available during the cruise.
• Free time in Formentera matters: You can stay on the island for about five hours, but transport, bikes, scooters, and beach rentals cost extra.
• Guides add practical help: Damian and Alex are often praised for friendly service, island advice, and keeping the boat lively.
• The boat is social and busy: The ride back may feature a DJ and dancing, while the water activities can involve waiting your turn.

A full day from Ibiza to Formentera

This excursion works best if you want more than a ferry crossing. You get the island, two water stops, lunch, drinks, and a party-boat atmosphere on the way back.

The day starts with check-in at 8:30 am at the wooden hut on Carrer de Formentera 17, next to Hotel Ibiza Playa. The departure point is convenient for anyone staying around Playa d’en Bossa or Ibiza Town, but you should allow enough time to find the stand and board without rushing.

The total duration is about 10 hours. That sounds long, and it is, but the day is divided into short activities rather than one long stretch at sea. You cruise for roughly 45 minutes, stop for water activities, eat on board, continue to Formentera, and then choose how much island time you want.

The tone is casual and social. Guides such as Damian and Alex are repeatedly praised for checking on people, offering advice about Ibiza and Formentera, and keeping the mood light. You will get useful help with planning your island hours, especially if you want to rent a scooter or bike and see more than one beach.

Ses Illetes and Espalmador from the water

The two protected areas are the visual high points of the morning. The boat stops in front of Ses Illetes and Espalmador, but it cannot dock directly on either one because they are protected park areas. You stay on the catamaran and use the water around it for swimming and activities.

At Ses Illetes, the focus is clear water, snorkeling, and floating around the boat. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, so you do not need to pack your own gear. Paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, and pool noodles are also available.

At Espalmador, you can paddle along the coast and swim near the boat. The schedule allows roughly 1.5 hours at each water stop, giving you time to try more than one activity if the group is not too crowded.

The exact order can vary in the practical running of the day. The important point is that both stops are part of the morning program before or around lunch, not separate beach landings. If your dream is to walk alone along Ses Illetes or spend an afternoon on Espalmador, this is not that kind of visit. You see these places from the sea and enjoy their water.

The water toys are a genuine plus for the price. You can jump or slide from the boat, swim, use a floating mat, or try a paddleboard. Still, bring patience. Paddleboards may be shared by groups, and busy departures can mean waiting for a turn. One past passenger found there was only one paddleboard per group, while another noted queues for food, drinks, and equipment.

Paella lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is served on board between the water stops. The choices are shrimp paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella, with a mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.

For an excursion at this price, the meal does useful work. You do not need to leave the boat to find lunch, carry food on a ferry, or lose valuable island time at a restaurant. You can eat with the sea around you and get back to swimming or relaxing.

The food is not the reason to book this trip, and you should keep expectations sensible. Several people liked the paella, while one assessment found the food and activities could be better. The supplied choices are also important for dietary planning. A gluten-free option is not listed, so contact the operator before booking if that is a serious requirement.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. The open bar adds real value, especially on a long sunny day when buying every drink separately would quickly increase your costs. Alcohol is included, but alcohol and drugs are not allowed as personal items on the activity, so use the boat’s rules rather than bringing your own supply.

Five hours to make your own Formentera plan

The boat reaches Formentera Dock at about 1:00 pm. This is where the excursion changes character. The morning is organized around the boat and its schedule, but the island portion is yours.

Five hours is enough time to do something useful with Formentera rather than simply step ashore, take a photo, and return. You could look for a beach, shop, rent a bicycle or scooter, or arrange transport around the island. Bikes, scooters, cars, beach beds, umbrellas, and other personal expenses are not included.

This free time is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a simple short cruise. You can use the guide’s suggestions, then decide how active or lazy you want the afternoon to be. Several guides are praised for explaining how to get around, and that advice can save time when you have only a few hours.

There is one major planning point: you need your own way to move around after leaving the dock. Transportation inside Formentera is not included. If you want to reach beaches away from the port, budget separately for a bus, bike, scooter, or car. One practical tip from the experience is to arrange this early, since five hours can disappear quickly if you spend too long deciding what to do.

Beach furniture also costs extra. One account put beach beds and umbrellas at about 20 euros each, though prices can vary. If you are keeping the day inexpensive, bring your own towel and sunscreen and plan to sit on the sand rather than rent a setup.

Choosing the early or late return

The schedule offers two different ways back to Ibiza. The first return leaves Formentera at 1:15 pm and reaches Ibiza at about 2:15 pm. That option is useful if you want a shorter island stop or need to return to Ibiza earlier.

The second departure leaves at 6:15 pm. This gives you the full island stay and includes the open bar on the boat, with snacks provided on the way back. The later crossing is also the more social part of the day, with music and, at times, a DJ on the upper deck.

People who enjoy a floating beach-club mood will likely prefer the late return. Music, dancing, drinks, and sunset or late-afternoon sea views can make the final crossing memorable. If you want a quiet trip, this may not be your ideal finish.

Check the day’s exact schedule at booking and listen carefully to the guide. Missing the return boat is not a small mistake, and the two options serve very different travel plans.

What the boat atmosphere is really like

The boat is large enough to handle a busy group, but it is not a small-group sailing trip. On popular dates, the deck can feel crowded, particularly when people line up for drinks, lunch, or the water equipment.

I would arrive early if you care about seating, especially an upstairs spot. One account specifically recommends getting to the boat early for upper-deck seats. Those places give you better views and a more open feel, but they may also expose you to more sun and wind.

The boat can rock in open water. A few people felt sick, so I would pack anti-nausea medication if you have even a slight motion problem. Stay near the center of the boat if that is possible, avoid drinking heavily before the crossing, and use the handrails when moving around.

The atmosphere shifts during the day. The morning is a mix of sightseeing and water play. Lunch is practical and social. The return can turn into a party, with music and dancing on the rooftop. You can enjoy the scenery, join the fun, or simply find a place to sit and watch the sea.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full-value day with several activities included. It suits friends, couples, and families with older children who like swimming, music, and a relaxed group setting.

It is also useful for a first visit to Formentera. You get a taste of the island without arranging a separate ferry, lunch, and water excursion. The free time lets you decide if you want beaches, shopping, or a short ride around the island.

This is less suitable if you want silence, personal space, or a carefully guided visit to one beach. A smaller boat will be better for that, though it will likely cost more. The activity is not suitable for children under 3, pregnant women, or people over 70. Children under 12 must bring identification to prove their age.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Wear swimwear under your clothes, protect yourself from the sun, and carry identification for children. The supplied information specifically requires a passport or ID card for children, so do not leave it at the hotel.

Is $81 a fair price?

At $81 per person, the value is strong if you use the included parts. You receive the boat ride, two water stops, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards and floats, lunch, unlimited listed drinks, and several hours in Formentera.

The price becomes less impressive if you want to spend the whole day quietly on a beach. You will still need to pay for transport around Formentera and any rental equipment or beach furniture. A scooter or bike can make the island time much more rewarding, but it changes your total budget.

I see this as a packed day rather than a luxury day. You are paying for variety and convenience, not personal service or a private cove. The food and drinks help keep extra spending down, while the free island hours give you control over the afternoon.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make it easier to fit into a changing Ibiza schedule. Still, check availability and the exact starting time before you commit.

Should you book this Formentera cruise?

Book it if you want to combine a boat party, swimming stops, a simple lunch, and independent time on Formentera for one price. The best parts are the clear water around Ses Illetes and Espalmador, the range of included water toys, the open bar, and the unusually generous island stop.

You should think twice if crowds, queues, or boat motion bother you. Bring motion-sickness medicine, arrive early for better seating, and plan your Formentera transport before you leave the dock.

For most visitors who want an active and social day from Ibiza, this is a sensible choice. You get a lot for $81, and the guides, especially Damian and Alex, add the kind of practical island advice that can make five free hours count.

FAQ

Where does the Formentera boat trip start?

Check in at the wooden hut at Carrer de Formentera 17, next to Hotel Ibiza Playa. Check-in is at 8:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about 10 hours, including the boat ride, water stops, lunch, free time in Formentera, and the return to Ibiza.

What food is included?

Lunch includes shrimp paella, chicken paella, vegan paella, mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.

What drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included during the cruise.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Are paddleboards and floats included?

Yes. Paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, and pool noodles are available. Equipment may be shared, and queues can occur on busy trips.

Can the boat dock at Ses Illetes and Espalmador?

No. The boat stops in front of these protected areas but cannot dock directly there. You use the water around the boat for swimming and activities.

How much free time do I get in Formentera?

The schedule provides about five hours of free time on the island, with arrival at Formentera Dock around 1:00 pm.

Are transport and rentals in Formentera included?

No. Transport around the island, bike or scooter rental, beach beds, umbrellas, and other personal expenses cost extra.

Is the trip suitable for children?

Children under 3 are not permitted. Children under 12 must bring identification to prove their age, and children must bring a passport or ID card.