Formentera: Crystal Waters Cruise with Snorkeling and Lunch

The best part of this Formentera outing is the chance to see the island from the water, then swim in clear sea at two beautiful coastal spots. I like the two swimming stops, and I like that lunch, snacks, and drinks are built into the $81 price. The boat also passes Cap de Barbaria, one of Formentera’s most striking coastal sights.

The main thing to understand is that you do not go ashore at Cala Saona or Ses Illetes. You swim from the boat in open water, so this suits confident swimmers more than anyone hoping for a beach visit. The route can also change, as one September booking followed the opposite side of the island without advance notice.

Key points to know before you book

• Two offshore swim stops: Cala Saona and Ses Illetes are enjoyed from the boat, not by walking onto the beaches.
• A full four-hour outing: Depart at noon from La Savina and return around 4 PM.
• Lunch is included: Expect pasta salad, green salad, potato tortilla, empanadas, fresh fruit, and snacks before the meal.
• Drinks are covered: Sangria, beer, soft drinks, and water are available throughout the cruise.
• Cap de Barbaria comes first: You sail along the west coast to the lighthouse and cliffs before returning toward Cala Saona.
• Practical fit: Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Starting at La Savina at noon

Your meeting point is in front of the Calima bar at the Formentera Maritime Station in La Savina. Look for the boat marked with the Sea Experience logo. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to arrange your own way to the port.

The timing makes this a useful half-day plan. You leave at 12 PM, spend the afternoon at sea, and return at about 4 PM, leaving your evening free. I would still allow some extra time to find the maritime station and identify the boat, especially if you are unfamiliar with La Savina.

The boat type may not be exactly what you picture from the promotional material. One booking specifically noted expecting a different kind of boat, although the trip itself remained enjoyable. If the vessel matters greatly to you, ask the operator for current details before paying.

The guide provides live commentary in English and Spanish. No individual guide names are provided, so you should choose this trip for the route, swimming, food, and easygoing format rather than for a particular guide.

Sailing toward Cap de Barbaria

The first major stretch takes about 40 minutes. You sail along the west coast toward Cap de Barbaria, a dramatic headland marked by its lighthouse. From the water, the cliffs and open coast give you a different view of Formentera than you get from the island’s roads.

This part of the cruise is mainly about scenery and orientation. You are not walking around the lighthouse or stopping for a land visit. Instead, you see the cape as part of a coastal sail, with time for photos and commentary along the way.

I like this order. The boat begins with a proper scenic run before settling into the swimming portion. It also gives you a sense of Formentera as an island of cliffs, beaches, and exposed coastline, rather than reducing the trip to two quick swims.

Bring sunscreen from the start, not just for the stops. You will be out on the water for four hours, and the sun reaches you even when you are sitting still. A towel and swimwear are essential, while a secure place for personal items is useful if you plan to bring a phone or camera.

Cala Saona: the first swim from the boat

After Cap de Barbaria, the boat returns toward Cala Saona and anchors offshore. The stop lasts about 50 minutes and is the first chance to get into the water. You can use the provided masks, snorkels, and swimming noodles.

The water is the star here. The tour is designed around clear Mediterranean conditions, and the stop gives you time to swim rather than simply step in for a quick photo. You can use the boat’s facilities between swims and return aboard when you are ready.

There is an important difference between a Cala Saona beach visit and this experience. The boat does not stop on the sand because stopping at the beach is forbidden. You remain in the middle of the sea, with the coastline visible nearby but no opportunity to walk ashore, browse, or sit on the beach.

That distinction matters for families and less confident swimmers. You should be comfortable entering open water from a boat. The swimming noodles can help, but they do not turn the stop into a shallow-water beach experience.

Before lunch, the crew offers snacks and local-style bites. The exact snack selection can vary, but the supplied meal description includes tortilla with potatoes and empanadas as part of the food service. Drinks are available from the open bar, including water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.

Lunch on board, with simple Mediterranean fare

While you swim at Cala Saona, the crew prepares lunch. The buffet includes three salad options described as pasta salad, green salad, and a potato tortilla selection, along with empanadas and fresh fruit for dessert.

This is not a restaurant meal with a choice of courses. It is a practical boat lunch, served in the middle of a swimming excursion. I see that as a strength: you do not lose time going ashore, and the food is ready while the crew handles the boat and swim stop.

The meal also adds value to the $81 cost. A separate beach visit, lunch, drinks, and a boat ride could quickly cost more, especially if you would otherwise pay for snorkeling equipment. Here, food and basic swim gear are part of the package.

Keep your expectations sensible. The available feedback describes the food as okay rather than exceptional, and the drink selection is similarly straightforward. You are paying for a relaxed day on the water with lunch included, not for a gourmet cruise.

I would eat a light breakfast before departure and treat the buffet as a welcome midday meal. If you have strict dietary needs, the details provided do not confirm special menus, so ask Sea Experience before booking.

Ses Illetes for a second swim

After lunch, the boat continues toward Playa de Ses Illetes. This stop takes about 40 minutes in the itinerary and includes another chance to swim from the anchored boat.

Ses Illetes is one of Formentera’s best-known coastal areas, and seeing it from the sea gives you a strong visual finish to the outing. The water, shoreline, and boats create the classic Formentera setting people usually hope to find on a day near the island.

Again, you do not walk onto the beach. The boat remains offshore, and the activity is swimming, floating, and enjoying the view. If your main goal is to put your feet on Ses Illetes, take beach photos from land, or explore the sand, this is the wrong format. If you want time in the water without arranging your own boat, it works much better.

The two swim stops also give the trip a good rhythm. You get a scenic coastal passage, water time, lunch, then another swim before returning to La Savina. The four-hour length is long enough to feel like a proper outing but short enough to avoid using your entire day.

What the open bar really adds

The open bar includes sangria, beer, soft drinks, and water. Water is especially useful on a sunny four-hour cruise, and you do not need to budget separately for every drink.

The bar helps create the relaxed mood promised by the trip. You can have a drink after swimming, sit back during the coastal passages, and avoid the usual small purchases that add up on boat excursions.

Still, open bar does not mean unlimited premium drinks or a full cocktail menu. The listed choices are simple and suitable for a casual afternoon. If you plan to drink alcohol, remember that you still need to swim safely and manage the heat.

The crew received strong praise for being friendly and attentive, and the boat was described as clean and comfortable on one October departure. Another booking called out the pleasant staff and free drinks. Those details matter because the crew controls much of the mood on a small sea outing.

Route changes and what you should expect

The planned route runs from La Savina to Cap de Barbaria, then Cala Saona, then Ses Illetes, before returning to port. But the actual sailing direction is not guaranteed. One highly positive booking reported that the boat went around the opposite side of the island and that nobody explained the change.

I would treat the published route as a guide rather than a promise. Sea conditions, operations, or other practical reasons can affect the order or direction. That is not necessarily a problem if your priority is swimming and coastal views, but it can disappoint you if you have chosen the cruise mainly to see Cap de Barbaria or a particular beach.

The best approach is to ask the crew at the start what route they expect to follow. If plans change, a clear explanation would make a difference. You should also avoid booking this if you need a tightly controlled schedule for a connection or another fixed activity.

Is $81 a fair price?

At $81 per person, this cruise offers solid value if you plan to use the whole package. You get four hours on the water, live commentary, two swim stops, snorkeling equipment, a buffet lunch, snacks, and an open bar.

The value is strongest for people who want an all-in-one afternoon. You do not need to organize a boat separately from food and drinks, and you do not need to rent a mask or noodle at the swim stops. The cruise also gives you access to coastal views that are hard to duplicate from inland roads.

The value is weaker if you only want a short swim or a beach landing. You cannot step onto Cala Saona or Ses Illetes, and part of the four hours is spent sailing between locations. Someone who dislikes boats, open water, or group meals may prefer a land-based beach day.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option add useful flexibility. These terms can help if your plans around Formentera are still moving, but check the conditions at booking.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A simple half-day on the Mediterranean
• Two substantial swimming stops
• Snorkeling equipment without arranging a rental
• Coastal views of Cap de Barbaria, Cala Saona, and Ses Illetes
• Lunch and drinks included in one price
• A relaxed outing with English or Spanish commentary

It is a particularly good match for confident swimmers who are happy to enter the sea from a boat. Couples, friends, and families with older children may appreciate the easy format, though the information provided does not define a minimum age.

I would be cautious if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also think twice if you want quiet, independent sightseeing. This is a hosted cruise with a shared route, shared food service, and a set timetable.

My verdict on Sea Experience’s Formentera cruise

Book this tour if you want the sea itself to be the main event. The strongest features are the friendly crew, clean and comfortable boat reported on one departure, two swim stops, included snorkel gear, and the practical combination of lunch and drinks.

Skip it if your idea of Formentera means walking along the sand at Cala Saona or Ses Illetes. The no-beach-stop rule is the key limitation, and the route may vary without much explanation. For a relaxed afternoon of swimming, scenery, and simple food, though, $81 is a sensible price.

FAQ

Where does the Formentera cruise depart?

It departs from the Formentera Maritime Station in La Savina, in front of the Calima bar. Look for the boat with the Sea Experience logo.

What time does the cruise start and finish?

The tour begins at 12 PM and returns to La Savina at around 4 PM. The total duration is four hours.

Does the boat stop at Cala Saona and Ses Illetes beaches?

No. The boat anchors offshore because stopping at the beaches is forbidden. You swim from the boat and view the beaches from the water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are available, along with swimming noodles for use during the swim stops.

What food is included?

Lunch includes pasta salad, green salad, potato tortilla, empanadas, and fresh fruit. Snacks are offered before lunch.

Which drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.