Ibiza: Formentera Cruise at Ibiza Boat Club

Formentera with Benefits turns a visit to Formentera into a full day on the water, with five hours of free time on the island tucked between breakfast, swim stops, paella, drinks, and a sunset sail. The unusual part is the boat itself: a floating beach club with sun beds and sofa lounges, limited to about 80 people even though it can carry 300.

I especially like the freedom of exploring Formentera without being tied to a guide, and the fact that the food and drinks are built into the day rather than added one bill at a time. The live paella cooking, Café Caleta presentation, paddleboards, and giant slide also give the cruise more character than a simple ferry ride. The main consideration is pace: the full-day option runs from 10:15 in the morning until about 20:45, and the half-day choices offer a much smaller slice of the experience.

Key points at a glance

• Breakfast at Ses Illetes: Start with coffee, pastries, fruit, bread, guacamole, olive oil, and a morning swim near one of Formentera’s best-known beaches.
• Five hours on Formentera: Explore independently from La Savina by scooter, bike, bus, or on foot, with no guide included.
• A small-capacity beach club: Full-day passengers have access to VIP sun beds, while the boat limits this cruise to roughly 80 people for more room.
• Live paella and local drinks: Seafood, vegan, and gluten-free dinner choices are prepared onboard, with wine tasting, sangria, beer, cava, and Aperol Spritz included.
• Water toys at the evening stop: Paddleboards and a giant inflatable slide turn the swim stop into more than a quick photo break.
• Sunset with Café Caleta: Finish with a traditional Ibizan coffee presentation, saxophone, music, and views on the return to Ibiza.

Why this cruise works better than a simple ferry

A standard ferry gets you from Ibiza to Formentera. This cruise makes the journey part of the day.

You board at Playa d’en Bossa, settle into a catamaran, and sail past the Las Salinas nature reserve. Instead of spending the crossing shoulder to shoulder on a transport boat, you can sit in a lounge, order a drink, watch the sea, and let the crew handle the meals and timing.

That matters because Formentera’s best-known pleasures are spread across the island. The port at La Savina is useful, but it is not the whole story. You need time and transport to reach beaches, markets, and the Far de la Mola lighthouse. This cruise gives you a long island stop, then adds a separate sea experience before and after it.

The mood is adult and social, not hushed or formal. Music becomes part of the trip, especially on the sail back to Ibiza, but the boat respects the nature reserve by avoiding loud DJ music while in Formentera. I would describe the atmosphere as a relaxed party cruise rather than a wild nightclub at sea.

Boarding at Playa d’en Bossa

The meeting point is the boat pier at the end of Playa d’en Bossa, beside Bar Happiness and near Hotel The Ibiza Twiins and Bar Albatros. Boarding starts at 10:15 for the full-day and morning options, with departure listed at 10:30.

The location is fairly practical. By bus, use line L14 and get off near Hotel Marenostrum or Hotel Goleta. The pier sits between those stops. By car, parking is listed about 10 meters from the pier, near the intersection of Carrer de la Punta and Pere Matutes Noguera. For navigation, use Carrer de la Punta 7, 07800 Ibiza.

Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and beachwear. Pack clothes that can get dirty because food service and boat life are not always spotless. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and drones are prohibited.

The dress suggestion is boho chic or smart casual. In plain terms, wear something comfortable that still feels suitable for an Ibiza beach club. A light layer is wise, since wind can make the return sail feel cool even on a warm day.

The first 45 minutes: coffee, sea views, and breakfast

Once underway, the boat heads toward Formentera with views of Ibiza’s southern coast and the Las Salinas nature reserve. Fresh coffee and tea help ease you into the morning.

After roughly 45 minutes, the boat anchors near Ses Illetes for breakfast. The spread includes sweet pastries such as ensaimadas, fresh fruit, artisanal bread, guacamole, organic olive oil, and other light foods. It is a useful meal, not just a token snack, since you have several hours ahead of you.

Ses Illetes is one of the prettiest parts of the trip. The water is clear, the beach is famous for its pale sand, and the setting gives you the first strong photo opportunity of the day. Depending on the option you book, this anchorage also includes a morning swim.

The sea can be chilly. One passenger specifically found the water too cold and appreciated blankets when the wind picked up. So bring the towel and swimsuit, but do not feel obliged to swim. The view from the deck is a perfectly good use of the stop.

Five free hours at La Savina

The boat reaches Formentera around 12:00 to 12:15 and drops you at La Savina, the island’s port. From here, you have about five hours to make your own plans before returning to the boat at 17:30.

This is the cruise’s strongest practical feature. You are not marched from one sight to another, and you are not locked into a group lunch. You can rent a scooter, car, or bicycle at your own expense, use local buses, shop at a hippie market, visit a beach, or head toward the Far de la Mola lighthouse.

A bike can be a good low-cost choice for the right person. One reported rental cost was €10 for the full day, but rental prices and availability can change. A scooter or car will make it easier to cover more of the island, while buses offer a simpler option if you prefer not to drive.

You should plan this block before boarding. There is no guide in Formentera, and transport rentals are not included. If you want to see several parts of the island, arrange your priorities early rather than losing an hour deciding at the port.

The free time is also the main tradeoff. You get independence, but not local commentary or door-to-door transport. I like this arrangement because it lets you set your own pace, but it suits confident independent sightseers more than anyone seeking a fully guided island tour.

Returning to the catamaran at 17:30

At 17:30, the full-day cruise continues from Formentera. The boat serves soft drinks, water, beer, sangria roja, sangria de cava, cava, and Aperol Spritz. The open bar is not just a single welcome drink. It is part of the cruise throughout the sailing sections.

Wine tasting adds a local food-and-drink angle. You can try Spanish and Balearic wines while the boat moves along the coast. If you prefer nonalcoholic drinks, water and soft drinks are available.

The seating setup is central to the experience. Full-day passengers have access to reserved VIP sun beds, along with sofa lounges and open deck areas. The limited capacity helps here. A 300-person boat would feel very different, but this particular cruise allows about 80 people, creating more breathing room.

The sun beds are reserved for full-day and sunset passengers. Morning half-day passengers do not have access to them, an important distinction that is easy to miss when comparing ticket types.

The evening swim stop at Ses Illetes

The evening stop takes place near one of Formentera’s well-known beaches. You can swim from the boat, use stand-up paddleboards, take photos, or simply sunbathe on deck.

The giant inflatable water slide is available at this evening swim stop. It changes the tone from sightseeing to playtime, especially for adults who want a bit of harmless silliness between drinks and dinner.

Snorkeling is listed among the activities, but conditions can vary. Wind, water temperature, and sea conditions will affect how much time you actually want to spend in the water. The boat still works if you skip the swim, since the deck, views, food, and drinks remain available.

This is also when the party mood becomes more noticeable. Music accompanies the return sail, and the saxophone is a memorable touch. The cruise does not promise a full nightclub program, and the nature reserve has sound restrictions, but you can expect music and a social atmosphere as Ibiza comes back into view.

Paella, wine, and a Café Caleta finale

Dinner is served during the evening stop, with a live paella show. The main dish is Paella Ibicenca with seafood, plus vegan and gluten-free options. Bread, aioli, and a fresh salad made with local market vegetables round out the meal.

The cooking presentation gives dinner a sense of place. You see the food being prepared rather than receiving an anonymous buffet tray. It also helps set expectations: this is a generous boat meal designed for an active day, not a formal restaurant tasting menu.

Seasonal fruit is included, and the meal is followed by Café Caleta show cooking as the sun begins to glow at Sol d’en Sera. Café Caleta is a traditional Ibizan drink, and watching it prepared onboard adds a local touch to what could otherwise be a standard sunset party.

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Breakfast is described as hearty, the fruit and salad as fresh, and the paella as delicious. Ana, Javi, Jill, and other crew members are singled out for attentive service, so if you need help during the meal or with the activities, staff presence is a notable part of the package.

The return sail to Ibiza

The boat finishes the day with a roughly two-hour sail back toward Ibiza and returns to the Playa d’en Bossa meeting point around 20:45.

This is the time for wide sea views, sunset colors, music, and a final drink. Dolphin watching appears in the route description, but it should be treated as a possibility, not a promise. Wildlife sightings depend on luck and conditions.

The cruise ends where it began, which keeps the transport simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return from Formentera, and the long boat ride back gives you time to settle down after the island stop.

The day is long, though. If you are not comfortable with sun, wind, or boat movement for many hours, the full-day schedule may feel tiring. The crew has provided blankets when the wind creates a chill, but you should still bring a layer and avoid treating the open bar as a substitute for water.

Choosing among the three ticket options

Read the ticket descriptions carefully before paying. The names and inclusions differ in ways that affect the whole day.

Full day: This is the most complete option. You get breakfast, the morning swim stop, five hours of free time in Formentera, VIP sun beds, the evening swim stop, paddleboards, the slide, open drinks, wine tasting, paella, Café Caleta, and the sunset sail.

Half-day morning: This option includes the morning departure, breakfast, and time in Formentera, but you return to Ibiza by standard ferry. It does not include the paella dinner or VIP sun beds. The ferry does not include the cruise’s food, drinks, DJ, or sun-bed access.

Half-day sunset: This starts at 17:30 and focuses on the boat experience, swim stop, drinks, dinner, paella, wine tasting, Café Caleta, and sunset. Breakfast is not included, and it does not provide five hours to explore Formentera.

At $102 per person, the full-day option can be good value if you would otherwise pay separately for ferry transport, breakfast, lunch or dinner, drinks, a beach club bed, and water activities. It is less compelling if you want only a quick crossing or prefer to spend the entire day exploring Formentera on land.

Who should book it

I would recommend this cruise to adults who want Formentera and Ibiza’s social side in one day. It works especially well for couples, birthday groups, friends, and solo passengers who enjoy meeting people without committing to a loud club setting all day.

It is also a smart choice if you want comfort and convenience. Meals, drinks, boat transport, swim equipment, and much of the entertainment are bundled together. The crew’s attentive service, including staff members such as Ana and Javi, helps the day feel organized rather than improvised.

I would hesitate if your main goal is quiet beach time, serious snorkeling, or a guided cultural tour of Formentera. The boat has music, alcohol, and a party feel, while the island portion is self-guided. Children under 18 are not allowed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps, especially when your Ibiza plans depend on weather, but always confirm the exact start time and ticket inclusions before booking.

FAQ

Where does the Ibiza Boat Club cruise depart from?

The meeting point is the boat pier at the end of Playa d’en Bossa, next to Bar Happiness and close to Hotel The Ibiza Twiins and Bar Albatros. Boarding for the full-day and morning options starts at 10:15.

How long is the full-day Formentera cruise?

The full-day option begins around 10:30 and ends at approximately 20:45. You are dropped at La Savina around 12:00 to 12:15 and return to the boat at 17:30.

Is food included?

Yes. The full-day option includes breakfast, seasonal fruit, and dinner with live paella cooking. Seafood, vegan, and gluten-free paella choices are available. The sunset option includes dinner but not breakfast, while the morning option includes breakfast but not paella dinner.

Are drinks included?

The full-day and sunset options include an open bar with water, soft drinks, beer, sangria roja, sangria de cava, cava, Aperol Spritz, and wine tasting. Standard ferry transport used with the morning and sunset options does not include the cruise’s food or drinks.

Can I explore Formentera independently?

Yes. Full-day and morning passengers have about five hours of free time in Formentera, with no guide included. Scooter, car, and bicycle rentals are not included, so you arrange and pay for those separately.

Are sun beds included with every ticket?

No. VIP sun beds are reserved for full-day and sunset passengers. Morning half-day passengers do not have access to the sun beds.

Is this cruise suitable for children?

No. The experience is for adults only, and children under 18 are not permitted.

Should you book this Formentera cruise?

Book it if you want a polished day that combines independent island time with a comfortable boat club, open drinks, strong food service, swim stops, and a sunset finish. The full-day ticket gives you the best value and the fullest experience, especially if the VIP sun beds matter to you.

Choose the morning option if Formentera is your priority and you mainly need transport plus breakfast. Choose sunset if you want the boat party, swim stop, paella, and music without spending all day at sea.

For most adults visiting Ibiza, the full-day cruise is the clearest choice. Just pack lightly, bring a warm layer, read the ticket inclusions closely, and make a plan for your five hours at La Savina.