Ibiza: Formentera Trip with Paddle, Snorkel and Lunch

Formentera is the star here, but the route gives you more than a ferry ride. You cruise from Playa den Bossa to clear-water swimming spots, use paddleboards and snorkel gear, eat paella cooked on board, then get several hours to explore the island on your own. I like the mix of active stops and free time, and I like that beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included.

The main tradeoff is size. This is a busy boat excursion, not a quiet sailing trip. You may queue for paddleboards or drinks, and the boat can roll enough to bother anyone prone to seasickness. Arrive early if you want a seat upstairs, and pack motion-sickness medicine if you need it.

Key points to know before you book

• Two kinds of Formentera day in one: Swim and play from the boat, then spend several hours exploring the island independently.
• Paella is cooked on board: Choose shrimp, chicken, or vegan paella with salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.
• The boat stops offshore: S’Espalmador and Ses Illetes are protected areas, so the boat cannot dock directly on their beaches.
• Guides make a difference: Damian and Alex are often praised for their friendly help, island advice, and upbeat approach.
• The late return feels like a floating party: The 18:15 boat includes the open bar, snacks, music, and dancing on the way back.
• Bring the basics: Towels and sunscreen are not supplied, and transport, bikes, scooters, and other costs on Formentera are extra.

Why this Ibiza to Formentera trip works

At $81 per person, this is a useful middle ground between a basic ferry ticket and a private boat charter. You get transport from Ibiza, two water stops, equipment, lunch, drinks, and the chance to spend time on Formentera without arranging every part yourself.

I especially like the balance. The morning is social and active, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, inflatables, floating mats, bodyboards, and pool noodles. Later, you have independent time on Formentera, which means you are not tied to a guide for the whole day.

The atmosphere leans lively. Music plays during parts of the cruise, and the return boat can turn into a casual floating party. That suits friends, couples, and groups looking for sun, water, drinks, and a bit of dancing. It is less suitable if your dream day is a silent sail with plenty of personal space.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 797 bookings, and the most consistent praise goes to the crew, especially guides called Damian and Alex. Damian is repeatedly described as friendly, funny, attentive, and helpful with suggestions for beaches, bars, transport, and places to visit in Ibiza. That matters because the Formentera stop is largely self-guided.

Starting at Playa den Bossa at 8:30

Check in at the wooden hut at Carrer de Formentera 17, beside Hotel Ibiza Playa, at 8:30 in the morning. The meeting point is in the Playa den Bossa area, so allow time to get there without rushing.

Once aboard, the first 45 minutes are a sightseeing cruise toward the Formentera area. The boat provides water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Since the day lasts around 10 hours, the included drinks are a real part of the value rather than a minor extra.

The boat has upper and lower areas, and arriving early may give you a better choice of seats. An upper-deck place can be worthwhile for views and fresh air, but remember that the boat may move more there. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where you feel most stable and consider bringing medication.

This is not an adults-only outing, but the pace and water activities require sensible supervision. Children under 3 are not accepted, and children under 12 must carry identification to prove their age. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women or people over 70.

Ses Illetes: clear water and shared water toys

The first listed water stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, where you have about 1.5 hours for swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. Ses Illetes is known for its pale sand and transparent water, and the setting is the kind that makes the boat ride worthwhile.

You should understand the setup before you arrive. The boat stops in front of the protected area rather than docking on the beach. You access the water from the boat, so this is mainly a swim stop, not a beach visit with a towel and sunbed.

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. Paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, and pool noodles are also available. The equipment adds plenty of fun, but demand can be high. One booking noted that there may be only one paddleboard per group, while another pointed out queues for boards, food, and drinks.

I would treat the water equipment as a bonus, not a guarantee of uninterrupted paddleboarding. If you mainly want to swim, float, and enjoy the view, the stop should work well. If you are booking specifically for long paddleboard sessions, a smaller specialist water-sports trip may suit you better.

S’Espalmador: lunch after the water time

The next stop is S’Espalmador, with another 1.5 hours for sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and water activities. This is another protected area, so the boat remains offshore. You get the beauty of the setting without stepping onto the island itself.

Lunch is served on board and includes shrimp paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella, along with mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruit. Having several main choices is helpful for mixed groups. The food is part of the base price, so you are not forced to buy an expensive meal at a beach restaurant during the active part of the day.

The paella has received plenty of praise, though one booking described the food and activities as areas that could improve. That is a fair way to view it: this is a casual cooked-on-board meal for a boat excursion, not a restaurant lunch. Expect a practical, filling meal rather than a carefully tailored dining experience.

If you have a specific dietary need, check the food arrangements before booking. Shrimp, chicken, and vegan paella are listed, but no gluten-free choice is listed. Bread and alioli are part of the meal, so anyone with an allergy or intolerance should ask the operator directly.

The order of the two water stops can be important for how your day feels. The listed schedule places Ses Illetes before S’Espalmador, with lunch at the second stop. In the supplied timing, the tour description also refers to S’Espalmador as a water-activity stop with lunch. Either way, expect two offshore stops and a meal between the water sessions and your independent time on Formentera.

Five hours on Formentera, with choices to make

The boat takes you to the Formentera dock at about 13:00. This is the point when the tour changes character. Instead of staying with the group, you get free time to shop, walk, visit a beach, or arrange your own transport.

You can take the first return at 13:15 on the same catamaran, arriving back in Ibiza at about 14:15. That option gives you only a short time on the island, so it makes sense mainly if you want the water stops and lunch more than an afternoon on Formentera.

The second return leaves at 18:15. That gives you several hours, close to the advertised five-hour window, and is the better choice if you want to see more of the island. The late return includes the open bar, and snacks are provided on the way back.

Your biggest decision is transport. Getting around Formentera is not included. You can arrange a bike, scooter, car, or bus at your own expense, but the tour does not provide an island transfer. Guides such as Damian have been especially useful here, giving practical suggestions about beaches and how to spend the free time.

Do not assume that stepping off the boat puts every beach within an easy walk. If you want to visit more than the dock area, budget for transport and allow time to return. Bike or scooter rental can turn the afternoon into a real island outing, but it is an extra cost and requires you to manage the timing yourself.

Beach facilities can also add to the bill. One booking noted that beach beds and umbrellas cost about €20 each. You should bring your own towel and sunscreen, since neither is included, and consider buying or carrying anything else you need before leaving the boat.

The 18:15 return is part of the fun

The late crossing back to Ibiza is not simply a transfer. Music and, at times, a DJ create a livelier mood on the upper deck, with dancing and drinks available. Several bookings highlighted the music, crew energy, and party feel on the way back.

This is where the tour feels different from a standard ferry. You have already spent the day swimming and exploring, so the return can feel like a relaxed final gathering rather than another scheduled ride. The open bar includes beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks, and snacks are provided on the late return.

Still, the party mood is not guaranteed to suit everyone. If you want to sit quietly after a long day in the sun, choose your seat carefully or take the early return. The boat can be crowded, and music may be loud during the return journey.

What the crew adds

A good guide matters on a day with a large boat and free time. Damian receives especially warm praise for meeting people promptly, checking that everyone is comfortable, explaining the plan, and offering useful ideas for Formentera and Ibiza. Alex is also praised for being helpful and attentive throughout the day.

The guides speak English and Spanish. Their role is less about formal historical commentary and more about keeping the day moving, explaining the stops, helping with practical choices, and creating a friendly mood on board.

That personal help is most valuable once you reach Formentera. You are free to do your own thing, but a quick suggestion about beaches, a scooter, a bike ride, or island transport can save time. I would listen carefully during the transfer briefing so you know exactly when and where to return.

Who should choose this tour?

You are likely to enjoy this experience if you want several elements in one day:

• Swimming in clear water without arranging separate boat rentals
• Paddleboards, inflatables, floating mats, and snorkeling gear included
• A cooked lunch and drinks covered by the ticket
• A few hours to explore Formentera independently
• Music and a social mood, especially on the late crossing
• Helpful English or Spanish-speaking guides

It is a particularly easy choice for a group with mixed interests. One person can swim, another can paddleboard, and someone else can simply sit on the boat. Later, you can choose whether to rent a scooter, visit a beach, shop, or return early.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, intimate boat day. The boat can be busy, queues can form, and equipment may need to be shared. Anyone prone to seasickness should prepare carefully, since the boat has been described as rocky at times and some people became ill.

The age limits also matter. Children under 3 cannot join, children under 12 need ID, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 70. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, despite the included beer and sangria.

Is $81 good value?

For a full day, $81 is strong value if you plan to use the included features. A ferry ticket alone would not give you the two swimming stops, water equipment, lunch, or open bar. The free time on Formentera also lets you shape the afternoon without paying for a fully guided island program.

The value drops if you only want a short ferry crossing or a peaceful beach day. You may pay extra for transport around Formentera, bike or scooter hire, beach beds, umbrellas, and other purchases. You also need to accept a large-group format and the possibility of waiting for popular equipment.

I would see the price as paying for variety. You get a morning of water activities, a casual meal, drinks, a flexible island stop, and an entertaining return. It is not the cheapest way to reach Formentera, but it is a practical way to pack several Ibiza holiday activities into one day.

Should you book the Formentera boat trip?

Book it if you want a lively, social day with water activities, paella, drinks, and island free time. Arrive early, bring a towel and sunscreen, prepare for the boat to be busy, and set aside money for transport on Formentera.

Skip it if you want a small boat, guaranteed paddleboard time, or a quiet beach escape. For most people who want to see Formentera while keeping the day simple, the combination of included gear, lunch, drinks, and helpful guides such as Damian or Alex makes this a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the Ibiza to Formentera boat trip start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about 10 hours. The day includes the boat journey, two water stops, free time on Formentera, and the return to Ibiza.

What drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included. The late return at 18:15 also includes the open bar.

What food is served on the boat?

The meal includes shrimp paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella, along with mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Is paddleboarding included?

Yes. Paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, and pool noodles are available. The equipment is shared, so you may need to wait for a turn.

Can the boat dock at Ses Illetes and S’Espalmador?

No. Both areas are protected, so the boat stops offshore rather than docking on their beaches.

How long do I have on Formentera?

The tour reaches the Formentera dock at about 13:00. You can take the first return at 13:15, or the second return at 18:15, giving you several hours on the island.

Is transport around Formentera included?

No. Transport inside Formentera is not included. Bike, scooter, car rental, bus travel, and other island expenses are extra.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, especially for children under 12, as well as a towel and sunscreen. These items are not provided.