Ibiza & Formentera Private Catamaran Full-Day Sailing Tour

The best part of this private catamaran trip is the freedom to make the Mediterranean your swimming pool for the day. From Cala Jondal, you cruise past Ibiza’s rocky south coast, stop in clear water, and reach Formentera’s pale sands without sharing the boat with another tour group.

I like the private format, since a group of up to 10 can settle into its own rhythm. I also like the useful water gear: two paddleboards and snorkeling equipment are included, so you can swim, paddle, or simply stretch out on deck. The main caution is price. At $1,609.09 per group, this works best when divided among a full party, and lunch is not included. A €65 ham platter purchased by one group was considered poor value, so bringing your own food is worth serious thought.

Key points at a glance

• Cala Jondal is both the starting point and finish, making the day easy to follow and keeping the full outing on the water.
• Formentera’s Ses Illetes and Espalmador are the visual highlights, with white sand, clear water, and a more natural setting than Ibiza’s developed resort areas.
• Two paddleboards and snorkeling equipment are included, giving you more to do than simply sit on the catamaran.
• Lunch is optional and extra, so you can bring your own food instead of ordering the onboard menu.
• The private boat suits families and small groups, but everyone should be comfortable with a full eight-hour day and moderate physical activity.
• A friendly 10-year-old Border Collie lives aboard, an important detail for anyone with allergies, fears, or strong feelings about dogs.

What you are paying for at Cala Jondal

The price is $1,609.09 for the whole group, with up to 10 people allowed. At maximum capacity, that works out to about $161 per person before food and drinks. For a smaller party, the per-person cost rises quickly, so this is not a budget boat trip.

The value comes from having the catamaran to yourselves for roughly eight hours. You are paying for a full day on the coast, fuel, a restroom, Wi-Fi, snorkeling gear, two paddleboards, and a route that links Ibiza with Formentera. If your group would otherwise book several separate activities, the private setup may make sense.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a short boat ride or plan to spend most of the day sitting still. This tour covers a lot of water and includes several stops, so its strength is variety. You get the coastline, swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, an island stop, and the return cruise in one long outing.

The tour is recommended by 99 percent of customers and carries a five-star rating from 242 reviews. That is a strong record, but it does not erase the practical issue of food costs. The clearest warning comes from one dissatisfied group that paid €65 for a platter of cured meats and felt it did not match the price. The operator explained that the group had ordered food for seven people despite having 10 aboard, including teenagers. The lesson is simple: if you order lunch, confirm the quantity and price for every person before the boat leaves.

Starting from Platja des Jondal

The meeting point is Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, at Cala Jondal in Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The trip begins with a short look at the bay before the catamaran heads along Ibiza’s southern coast.

Cala Jondal is a strong place to start because the setting immediately feels like a beach day rather than a harbor transfer. You can settle on deck, look over the turquoise water, and get used to the pace of the boat. The first listed stop is only about 10 minutes, so think of it as an opening stretch rather than a full activity stop.

Bring sun protection and a cover-up. The tour information confirms a restroom, but it does not describe cabins, shaded seating, or the exact onboard layout. If you need a particular type of seating, ask before booking rather than assuming every catamaran has the same arrangement.

Following Ibiza’s rocky south coast

The route continues past Playa des Codolar for about an hour. This is the sightseeing portion of the trip, with rocky coves, cliffs, beaches, and sea caves along the shore.

A boat gives you a different view of Ibiza than a road or beach visit. You see the coast as a sequence of small inlets and rock walls, and the sea breeze keeps the ride from feeling like a simple transfer. It is also a good time to take photographs, since you can frame the coast from the water instead of looking back at it from land.

The drawback is that the exact pace depends on conditions at sea. The experience requires good weather, and a rough day can make an open-water cruise less restful. You should also remember that the itinerary is approximate. The published stop lengths total about seven and a half hours, while the complete tour lasts around eight hours, so the captain may adjust the timing.

Swimming near Ses Salines

The next stop is in the Parque Natural de Ses Salines, where the boat anchors in a secluded cove for about an hour. This is the point to use the snorkeling equipment and look for fish and other sea life in the clear water.

I like this stop because it breaks up the sightseeing with a real chance to get wet. You are not just passing pretty coves from a distance. You can climb into the sea, swim around the boat, and use the included gear to see what is below the surface.

The tour calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. That matters here and at the later water stops. You need to be comfortable moving around a boat, getting into and out of the sea, and handling a paddleboard if you choose to use one. The supplied details do not state that lifeguards are present, so follow the crew’s instructions and stay within the area they set for swimming.

A longer stop at S’Espalmador

The trip then crosses toward S’Espalmador, a protected natural area between Ibiza and Formentera. The planned stop lasts about one hour and 50 minutes, making it the longest water-based pause of the day.

Two paddleboards are provided. That is enough for a small group to take turns, but not enough for all 10 people to paddle at once. If your party is large, agree on a rotation before everyone starts asking for a board. Snorkeling is also available here, giving you another reason to spend time in the water.

S’Espalmador should appeal to you if you prefer natural surroundings and quiet water to organized beach facilities. At the same time, the tour description does not promise a landing, a beach club, or a particular set of amenities. Treat this as a water stop, not a full island excursion.

Lunch and white sand at Ses Illetes

The catamaran continues to Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera, the day’s main land-based stop. You have about two hours here, with the option to get off and eat on the island or remain aboard for lunch while looking toward the beach.

Ses Illetes is known for white sand and clear water. This is likely the most postcard-like part of the route, and you will want time to walk along the shore rather than rush through a meal. The two-hour window is useful because it allows a little flexibility, although the information does not specify how far you may walk or what transport is available beyond the beach area.

Food planning deserves care. Lunch is listed as not included, even though the tour highlights catered meals as an option. In practical terms, you should assume that any meal you want must be arranged and paid for separately. Bringing your own food is explicitly allowed and may be the better value for a family or group with different tastes.

If you order from the operator, ask three questions: Is the food priced per person, what exact items are included, and how much food is being ordered for your group? The earlier €65 ham platter complaint shows why this matters. The operator’s response also makes clear that portions were based on seven people for a group of 10. Clear numbers before departure can prevent a sour note in an otherwise pleasant day.

Alcohol is not included either. You may need to bring your own if permitted, but the supplied information does not state the onboard alcohol policy. Ask the provider before packing drinks.

The return to Cala Jondal

After Ses Illetes, the boat spends about an hour and 30 minutes returning to Platja des Jondal. This is your chance to rest, take more photographs, and watch Ibiza’s coast from the opposite angle.

The route specifically highlights sunset views from the boat. Sunset timing changes with the season, so the exact experience depends on your departure date and the day’s schedule. Still, the final cruise gives the day a calm finish, especially after swimming and walking on Formentera.

You return to the original meeting point. That is convenient if you arranged your own transport to Cala Jondal, since you do not need to coordinate a second drop-off location. The experience information says the meeting point is near public transportation, but it does not provide a private hotel transfer.

What is included, and what you still need

The useful inclusions are practical rather than decorative:

• Two paddle surf boards
• Snorkeling equipment
• Fuel surcharge
• Restroom aboard
• Wi-Fi
• Private use of the activity for your group

Fuel being included helps remove one common surprise from a boat charter. The restroom is especially welcome on an eight-hour trip, though the size and facilities are not described.

You need to arrange food and alcoholic drinks separately. You should also bring the personal basics that make a long day on the sea more comfortable, such as sun protection, swimwear, and any medication you normally carry. Those items are not listed as supplied, so do not expect the boat to provide them.

The dog aboard is worth noting. Nomad Sailing Trips has a friendly 10-year-old Border Collie living on the boat. Many people will enjoy having a canine companion around, but you should ask about this before booking if anyone in your party has allergies, a fear of dogs, or a problem sharing a small space with an animal.

Who will enjoy this private sailing day

This trip is a good match for a family, group of friends, or small celebration where everyone wants the same day on the water. The private format means you do not have to fit your plans around strangers, and you can make better use of the swim and paddleboard stops as a group.

It also suits people who want to combine Ibiza and Formentera in one outing. You see the southern coast of Ibiza, stop near Ses Salines and S’Espalmador, and spend time at Ses Illetes without arranging separate island transport.

I would think twice if you dislike long days at sea, want a guided walking tour of Formentera, or need every meal included in the advertised price. The itinerary gives you time on the beach, but this is primarily a sailing and swimming experience. It is not a detailed cultural tour of the island.

Children can take part if they meet the moderate fitness requirement and are comfortable with boat and water activities. The data does not give a minimum age, child pricing, or specific safety equipment details, so families should confirm those points directly.

Booking and cancellation details

You receive confirmation when you book, and the activity is offered in English with a mobile ticket. It is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead of 54 days. That suggests you should plan early if your Ibiza dates are fixed, especially for a private boat that accepts only one group per departure.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since the trip depends on good weather, poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Ibiza catamaran tour?

Book it if your group values privacy, swimming stops, and a full day linking Ibiza with Formentera. The included paddleboards and snorkeling equipment add real value, and the route offers more variety than a simple coastal cruise.

Before paying, calculate the cost per person for your actual group size. Then settle the food question in advance. For up to 10 people who bring their own lunch and share the charter, the price is easier to defend. For only two or three people, or for anyone expecting an all-inclusive meal, the value is much weaker.

My practical verdict: this is a strong choice for an active group that wants the sea to be the main event. Confirm lunch portions, ask about the dog if needed, and book only when the weather forecast and your group’s energy levels suit a long day aboard.

FAQ

How long is the Ibiza and Formentera catamaran tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The planned route includes coastal sailing, swimming and snorkeling stops, time at S’Espalmador and Ses Illetes, and the return to Cala Jondal.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal, Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private tour accepts up to 10 people per group. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, although you may arrange catered food or bring your own. Alcoholic beverages are also not included.

Are paddleboards and snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The boat includes two paddle surf boards and snorkeling equipment.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at the time of booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.