Ibiza: Formentera Trip with Paddle, Snorkel and Lunch

For $81, this is a full day of sea time and island exploring in one tidy package. You cruise from Playa d’en Bossa, stop near Espalmador and Ses Illetes for swimming and water toys, eat paella on board, then get several hours to explore Formentera on your own.

I like the generous mix of included extras: beer, sangria, soft drinks, water, lunch, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, floating mats, and inflatables. I also like the flexible return choice from Formentera. The main catch is size. This can be a busy boat, and you may need to queue for drinks or wait your turn for the paddleboards.

Key points to know before booking

• Three different ways to enjoy Formentera: Swim from the boat, play with the water equipment, then spend up to five hours on the island.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Choose shrimp, chicken, or vegan paella with salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.
• The open bar is included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are available during the cruise.
• Protected beaches are viewed from the water: The boat stops in front of Espalmador and Ses Illetes but cannot dock there.
• A guide can make the island stop much easier: Guides including Damian and Alex have helped with beach, transport, and Ibiza suggestions.
• Bring motion-sickness medicine if needed: The boat can feel rough, especially in open water, and some passengers have felt sick.

A full day from Playa d’en Bossa to Formentera

The day begins with check-in at 8:30 am at the wooden hut stand on Carrer de Formentera 17, next to Hotel Ibiza Playa. You board at Playa d’en Bossa Pier, so give yourself enough time to find the stand and get settled before departure.

The boat trip takes about 10 hours from start to finish. That sounds long, but the day is broken into clear sections: a sightseeing cruise, two water stops, lunch, free time in Formentera, and the ride back to Ibiza.

I see this as a good choice if you want one easy booking that covers the main costs of a sea day. You do not need to arrange a separate ferry, beach activity, lunch, or drinks. In exchange, you give up some peace and quiet because this is a social boat outing rather than a private sailing trip.

The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, including an upper area. Arrive early if you want the best chance of getting an upstairs seat. That matters on a sunny day, especially during the cruise between stops.

Cruising toward Espalmador and Ses Illetes

The first part of the trip is a 45-minute sightseeing cruise along the Ibiza and Formentera coast. Included drinks let you settle into the day without paying each time you want water, a soft drink, beer, or sangria.

The two main swimming areas are Espalmador and Ses Illetes. Both are known for clear water and pale sandy shores. The boat stops in front of these protected areas, but it cannot dock on the beaches. You will enter the water from the boat rather than walk straight onto the sand.

That distinction is important. If you picture a quiet beach landing with a towel and umbrella, this is not that kind of stop. You are here to swim, snorkel, paddle, and float. You see the beaches from the water, then return to the boat before moving on.

The water stops last about 1.5 hours each. That gives you enough time to try several activities, though not necessarily enough time to do everything at a leisurely pace if the boat is full.

Water time with paddleboards, floats, and snorkel gear

The included equipment is one of the strongest parts of the outing. You can use paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, pool noodles, inflatables, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets.

At one stop, you can paddle along the coast and use the floating equipment. At the other, you can snorkel in the clear water and swim near the boat or toward the nearby shore. The exact order can vary, but both Espalmador and Ses Illetes are part of the day.

The equipment adds variety. You can paddle for a while, then switch to a floating mat or simply swim. The water is the real attraction, and the activities give you more to do than sit on deck during the stops.

There are limits. The boat may be carrying a large group, and one review notes that there was only one paddleboard per group. Another describes roughly 80 people in the water at one stop. You may need patience, especially for the most popular equipment.

Queues have also been reported for drinks, food, and paddleboards. If you are determined to paddleboard, ask the crew early about how the equipment is shared. If you mainly want to swim, you should have an easier time.

The boat can rock. If you get motion sickness easily, bring your preferred medication and take care with alcohol before the rougher sections. Some people felt unwell during the ride, so this is worth taking seriously rather than treating it as a minor detail.

Paella lunch served on the boat

Lunch is served between the water stops or around the time of the Espalmador visit. The meal includes shrimp paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella, along with mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.

For a boat excursion at this price, the meal is a useful part of the value. You do not need to leave the water area to find lunch, and the food is cooked on board rather than being a basic packed snack.

The shrimp paella is the seafood option, while chicken and vegan choices make the meal workable for different diets. Still, do not expect a restaurant menu. One review praised the food, while another felt the meal and activities could be better. A gluten-free visitor found the choices limited, so you should ask ahead if you have a serious allergy or dietary need.

Lunch works best as practical fuel for a long day outside. You get a proper hot dish, salad, bread, and fruit, but the main reason to book this trip is the sea and Formentera, not gourmet dining.

Five hours to make your own Formentera plan

After the water stops and lunch, the boat reaches Formentera Dock. You then have free time on the island, with a first return option at 1:15 pm or a later departure at 6:15 pm. The later return includes the open bar and snacks on the way back.

The early return is useful if you want a shorter island visit or prefer to be back in Ibiza in the afternoon. The later boat gives you much more time for beaches, shopping, sightseeing, or a ride around the island.

This free time is a major reason I think the tour offers good value. You are not locked into a guide-led walk for the entire day. You can choose how active you want to be, and guides such as Damian have helped people plan their hours with advice about beaches, beach bars, markets, and transport.

There is one practical problem: transportation on Formentera is not included. You must arrange your own way around once you leave the dock. Options mentioned by past participants include renting a bike, moped, car, or using a bus, but the cost is extra. You can also remain near the dock and beaches if you do not want to arrange transport.

If you want to see several parts of the island, plan this before departure. Five hours can pass quickly if you spend part of the time finding a vehicle and deciding where to go. Renting a scooter or car can make the free period more useful, but it adds to your total cost.

Beach services also cost extra. A beach bed or umbrella may cost about €20 each, so budget separately if you want a prepared spot on the sand.

The return ride turns social

The late return is more than a simple trip back to Ibiza. Music plays on board, and the upper deck can take on a party atmosphere. A DJ has been part of the return, with people dancing and enjoying the open bar.

That mood is a good match for Ibiza. The boat can shift from relaxed swimming excursion to floating party, especially on the way home. You can enjoy the music and drinks, or stay in a quieter part of the boat if you need a break.

The crew receives especially strong praise for friendliness and energy. Damian, also referred to as Damiano in some feedback, is often singled out for being warm, funny, helpful, and generous with suggestions for both Formentera and Ibiza. Alex is also praised for looking after people throughout the day.

Guides can change, so do not book solely for one named crew member. Still, the repeated focus on friendly staff tells you what kind of service to expect: social, attentive, and informal rather than formal guiding with long historical talks.

How good is the value at $81?

At $81 per person, the price covers much more than a basic boat transfer. You get the cruise, two water stops, equipment, lunch, drinks, time on Formentera, and a choice of return times.

The open bar is especially useful because drinks can add up quickly on a hot day. Water and soft drinks matter as much as beer and sangria when you are swimming and sitting in the sun. Snacks on the late return add another small benefit.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the water equipment and stay for the later boat. It is also strong if you would otherwise pay separately for a ferry, lunch, drinks, and a beach activity.

The value is less clear if your main goal is a quiet beach day. A smaller boat or private tour will likely give you more personal space, easier access to equipment, and a calmer pace, but you will usually pay more. This excursion keeps the price down by carrying a larger group and sharing resources.

You should also add possible costs for transport around Formentera, a scooter or car, beach beds, umbrellas, and any shopping or food you buy on the island. The advertised price covers the boat day, not every expense once you reach Formentera.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a lively day with several activities built in. It suits people who like to switch between swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, sunbathing, music, and island exploring.

It is also useful for a first visit to Formentera when you want a simple introduction rather than a carefully planned independent trip. The guide can point you toward beaches and transport, while the boat handles the crossing and lunch.

Families should check the age rules carefully. Children under three are not suitable for the activity, and children under 12 must bring identification to prove their age. Pregnant women and people over 70 are listed as unsuitable, so this is not a universal family excursion.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, queues, or loud music. The upper deck can be busy, equipment may need to be shared, and the return trip can feel like a party boat. I would also think twice if you are very prone to seasickness.

What to bring and what to remember

Bring a towel and sunscreen because neither is included. You should also bring identification, particularly for children under 12. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, although beer and sangria supplied by the tour are included.

Wear swimwear under your clothes if you want to get into the water quickly. Keep your belongings simple because you will move between the boat, the water, and Formentera.

The meeting point is Carrer de Formentera 17, next to Hotel Ibiza Playa. Check-in is at 8:30 am at the wooden hut stand. English and Spanish are spoken on the tour.

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time when booking because the full experience lasts about 10 hours.

Should you book this Ibiza to Formentera trip?

Book it if you want a good-value mix of swimming, lunch, drinks, and island time without arranging each part yourself. The two protected-water stops are the highlight, and the long free period in Formentera gives you room to make the day your own.

Skip it if you want a quiet, small-group sailing trip or guaranteed access to paddleboards whenever you want. For everyone else, the combination of clear water, practical food, included drinks, helpful guides, and flexible return times makes this a strong full-day option from Ibiza.

FAQ

Where does the Formentera boat trip start?

Check in at the wooden hut stand at Carrer de Formentera 17, next to Hotel Ibiza Playa. Check-in is at 8:30 am, with boarding at Playa d’en Bossa Pier.

What food is included?

Lunch includes shrimp paella, chicken paella, vegan paella, mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included. The later return also includes snacks on the way back from Formentera.

Can the boat dock at Espalmador and Ses Illetes?

No. The boat stops in front of both protected areas but cannot dock there. You enter the water from the boat for swimming, snorkeling, and other activities.

How long do I have to explore Formentera?

You have up to about five hours of free time on the island. The first return leaves at 1:15 pm and arrives in Ibiza at 2:15 pm. The second return leaves at 6:15 pm.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, pool noodles, inflatables, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets. Equipment is shared among the group, so access may require waiting.