Formentera Day Trip from Ibiza on Private Luxury Catamaran

Formentera is Ibiza’s quieter sibling, and this private catamaran gives you a fine way to meet it: by sea, with a cold drink nearby and no strangers crowding your deck. You’ll spend the day between Illetes Beach and the uninhabited islet of Espalmador, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, or simply doing very little.

I like the freedom of a private boat for up to 12 people, especially if you are sharing the cost with family or friends. I also like the practical extras: snorkel gear, paddle boards, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth speakers, and a captain who can take photos with your camera. The main catch is price. At $3,569.03 per group, it makes much more sense for a full party than for two or three people.

Key points to know

• Two beautiful water stops: Spend about two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes, then another two hours around S’Espalmador.
• A genuinely private outing: Only your group takes part, so you can set the mood and pace within the day’s sailing plan.
• Bring your own lunch and drinks: Food and beverages are not included, but you may eat aboard or go ashore to a waterside restaurant.
• A captain-led experience: Captain Constantin was singled out for choosing clear turquoise anchoring spots and being helpful throughout the day.
• Good onboard recreation: Snorkel equipment, paddle boards, optional life jackets, Wi-Fi, and Megaboom Bluetooth speakers are provided.
• Confirm the departure point: The outing may leave from Es Xarcu or Cala Jondal near Blue Marlin, so check the exact location before setting out.

Why a private catamaran makes sense in Formentera

The best feature here is not simply the boat. It is the control that comes with having the whole catamaran to yourself.

You can put on your own music, spread out on deck, and decide how much of the day should involve swimming, sun, food, or quiet time. On a shared boat, the group’s plans are fixed by someone else. Here, your family or friends can enjoy the day together without negotiating with strangers over deck space or speaker volume.

The catamaran is set up for relaxed sailing rather than a tightly packed sightseeing run. Find a comfortable spot, connect your music to the Megaboom Bluetooth speakers, and watch Ibiza recede as you head toward Formentera. Wi-Fi is also available, though I would treat it as a useful extra rather than the reason to book a boat.

This is a seven-hour outing, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and returning to the meeting point. That gives you a full day on the water while still leaving the evening open. If you return to Cala Jondal, you may be well placed for a sunset drink at Blue Marlin, a particularly convenient finish for anyone who wants to continue the evening.

Getting to Es Xarcu or Cala Jondal

The stated meeting point is Es Xarcu, at Restaurante Playa in Cala Es Xarco, Sant Josep de sa Talaia. The sailing description also gives Cala Jondal, by the pier near Blue Marlin, as a possible departure point. Es Xarcu is described as the family-friendly option, while Cala Jondal has the more polished beach-club setting.

Because both locations are provided, confirm your actual departure point before the day. This matters more than it may seem. A private boat cannot wait indefinitely while your group searches for the correct pier, and the two areas are not the same place.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. A current valid passport is required on the day, even though this is a short trip between Ibiza and Formentera. Bring it along rather than assuming a hotel identification card will be enough.

You should also be comfortable moving around a boat and getting in and out of the water. The stated fitness level is moderate. Life jackets are available if requested, which is useful for less confident swimmers and children, though the supplied details do not specify an age policy.

Crossing from Ibiza to Formentera

Once everyone is aboard, the sailing itself becomes part of the pleasure. The private format lets you settle into the day instead of treating the crossing as a simple transfer.

Formentera is known for a slower, more relaxed feel than Ibiza, with sandy beaches and a less party-focused atmosphere. You will not spend the day touring inland villages or visiting a long list of sights. This experience is about the coast, the water, and the pleasure of reaching the island by boat.

The captain acts as driver and guide, handling the route and anchoring. You can ask for photos using your own camera, and the crew will take as many as you want. That small service is worth noting if you want group pictures without handing your phone to another person or relying on a timer.

The sailing time can vary with conditions, and the exact route depends on the captain and the day’s weather. The experience requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. That weather policy is sensible for a boat outing, but the strict booking terms matter: the reservation is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons.

Two hours at Playa de Ses Illetes

The first main stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, one of Formentera’s best-known beaches. The boat anchors offshore for about two hours, giving you time to use the equipment rather than rushing through a short photo stop.

The water is described as clear and suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. You can start with a swim from the catamaran, take a board out for a slower look around, or use the snorkel gear to see what is below the surface. If you prefer dry activities, the deck gives you room to sunbathe and watch the scene from the boat.

This is where the private format earns its keep. One person can paddle board while another listens to music, and others can remain on deck without the entire group having to move at once. You can also ask the captain to take photos while you are in the water.

There is a choice at lunchtime. You may bring your own food and drinks, or go ashore to eat at one of the glamorous restaurants beside the water. The restaurant option adds atmosphere, but it also adds cost and takes time away from swimming. If keeping the day simple matters more than a formal meal, bringing supplies is the practical choice.

Food and drinks are not included, so plan this before boarding. The supplied details specifically allow you to bring your own provisions. That is helpful for groups with different tastes, families with children, or anyone who would rather spend money on the boat than on a beach-club lunch.

The quiet stop at S’Espalmador

After Illetes, the catamaran heads to S’Espalmador, an uninhabited sandy islet between Ibiza and Formentera. The stop lasts about two hours.

S’Espalmador offers a different mood from the beach at Illetes. There is no restaurant or town atmosphere here, and the appeal is the simple setting: sand, open water, and a feeling of being away from the main island. You can swim, relax aboard, or enjoy the view from the deck.

Do not expect a long land excursion with facilities and services. The point is the shore and the water, not a packed schedule of activities. If you need shade, food, or frequent access to amenities, staying on the catamaran may be more comfortable than going ashore.

This second stop also keeps the day from becoming one long beach visit. Illetes gives you the famous Formentera scene and more organized dining choices. S’Espalmador gives you a quieter stretch of the route. Together, they make a better use of seven hours than stopping at only one place.

What the catamaran includes onboard

The boat comes with the equipment needed for a relaxed water day:

• Snorkel gear
• Paddle boards
• Life jackets on request
• Wi-Fi
• Megaboom Bluetooth speakers
• A captain and guide
• Photo help using your camera
• Taxes and local charges

The Bluetooth speakers are a particularly nice touch for a private group. You can create your own soundtrack rather than accepting whatever music is playing on a shared excursion. Keep the volume considerate if you are anchored near other boats, but the option gives the day a personal feel.

The paddle boards and snorkel equipment also reduce the amount you need to pack. You still need swimwear, sun protection, towels, and any personal medication, but you do not need to arrange separate water-sports rentals at the beach.

No meal plan is included. That is not necessarily a weakness. Some groups will prefer the flexibility of bringing food aboard, while others will want lunch at a waterside restaurant. The important thing is to decide before departure, since the day is built around time at anchor rather than a scheduled meal.

How much value do you get for $3,569.03?

The price is $3,569.03 per group, with up to 12 people. Split twelve ways, that comes to about $297.42 per person. That is still a serious day-trip price, but it is more defensible for a full group than for a couple.

For six people, the cost is about $594.84 each. For four people, it is roughly $892.26 per person. Those numbers make the booking best suited to a larger family group, a group of friends, or a special occasion where privacy matters.

You are paying for more than transport to Formentera. The fee covers the private boat, captain, water equipment, speakers, taxes, and the ability to shape the day around your group. You are also avoiding the crowding and fixed rhythm of a shared sailing trip.

Still, private does not mean unlimited. The boat follows a seven-hour schedule, and the listed stops are the core of the day. You are not booking a completely open-ended charter with endless extra hours. If your group mainly wants a transfer to Formentera and a few hours ashore, a cheaper public option may be better value.

The strongest case for booking comes when you can fill most of the 12-person capacity. The weakest case is a small group that does not care about privacy or onboard music. Think of this as a private celebration and water day, not a budget sightseeing excursion.

What past praise tells you about the service

The experience has a 5.0 rating from 177 reviews, with 99 percent recommending it. Those figures suggest a consistently strong experience, though they should not make you ignore the practical limits of weather, price, and the fixed seven-hour duration.

The most useful detail is the praise for captain Constantin. One group described him as kind and helpful, and appreciated that he repeatedly anchored in especially blue, clear water. That points to the captain’s role in shaping the day. A good anchoring choice can make the difference between a memorable swim and a forgettable stop.

Another group of ten went in mid-April and strongly recommended the outing. That is useful for anyone visiting outside the height of summer. The activity can appeal in spring as well, but sea conditions and water temperature may affect how much you want to snorkel or paddle board. The supplied details do not promise warm water, so pack for a day that may include plenty of time on deck.

One party also received an upgrade to a larger boat with a six-meter sofa and considered it an excellent choice. Do not assume that upgrade is standard. If a larger boat or extra lounge space matters to your group, ask Charteralia what is available for your date and whether it changes the price.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would choose this outing for a group that values privacy and wants a flexible day rather than a sightseeing checklist.

It suits:

• Families who want a family-friendly departure option at Es Xarcu
• Groups of friends who want their own music and deck space
• Couples traveling with several friends
• People who want swimming and snorkeling without arranging separate rentals
• Groups celebrating a special day
• Anyone who can share the cost among eight to 12 people

I would think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or on a tight budget. The per-person cost rises quickly when the group is small. I would also reconsider if you want a detailed tour of Formentera’s inland towns, since the focus here is firmly on beaches and the sea.

The moderate fitness requirement is worth taking seriously. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable aboard a catamaran and in the water. Paddle boarding and snorkeling are optional, so you can keep the day gentle if you prefer.

Should you book the Charteralia catamaran?

Book it if you can fill the boat and want a private, easygoing day that combines sailing, swimming, and two distinct Formentera stops. The best parts are the privacy, the clear-water activities at Illetes, the quiet setting at S’Espalmador, and the freedom to bring your own food and music.

Before paying, confirm three things: the exact departure point, the boat size included for your date, and how your group will handle lunch and drinks. Also make sure everyone understands the non-refundable policy and passport requirement.

If twelve people are sharing the cost, this is a strong value for a private charter. If only two or three of you are going, choose a shared sailing option instead. For the right group, Charteralia offers a full and comfortable day on Formentera’s water, with enough freedom to make the outing feel personal rather than packaged.

FAQ

How long is the Formentera catamaran trip?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. It starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The stated meeting point is Es Xarcu Restaurante Playa at Cala Es Xarco in Sant Josep de sa Talaia. Cala Jondal near the Blue Marlin pier is also offered as a possible departure point, so confirm the exact location before the trip.

Is this a private experience?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the catamaran can accommodate up to 12 people.

What can I do at Playa de Ses Illetes?

You can swim, snorkel, paddle board, sunbathe, and relax on the boat. The stop lasts about two hours.

What is S’Espalmador?

S’Espalmador is an uninhabited sandy islet between Ibiza and Formentera. The catamaran stops there for about two hours.

Is lunch included?

No. You may bring your own food and drinks, or go ashore for lunch at a waterside restaurant.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and paddle boards are included. Life jackets are available if requested.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Personal cancellations and changes are non-refundable.