Formentera by catamaran feels like cheating the calendar. This cruise packs Formentera’s water time with paddleboards and snorkeling, plus a hot paella lunch on board. One thing to know up front: the boat can’t dock at the protected spots, so you’ll swim in from the water instead of strolling onto Espalmador or Ses Illetes.

I like that the day is built around real beach-and-sea time, not just looking at a shoreline from far away. You cruise out of Playa den Bossa, keep snacking on included drinks, then hop into the provided gear during the stops. I also saw how much people appreciate the live guide (Damyan is named in standout feedback), especially for helping everyone make sense of the island during free time.

The one practical caution is that this is a sea day first. If you want maximum time on dry land with a slow, detailed town tour, you might feel a bit rushed with your Formentera free time and your own return planning.

Key things to know before you go

• Paddleboards + snorkeling included: you get the gear and the time to use it, not just a photo stop.
• Paella lunch on board: seafood, chicken, or vegan paella with bread and alioli plus salad and fruit.
• Three Ibiza return options: an earlier return, a later open-bar return with snacks, and a late return in peak season.
• Protected-park swim stops: the boat stops out front, but you’ll enter the water from the boat.
• Drinks keep flowing: water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included during the cruise portion.
• Guide-led vibe, plus island freedom: you get help in real time, then you explore Formentera your way.

The value: one ticket for sea time, lunch, and island freedom

At about $67 per person for a 7-hour experience, the big question is simple: what are you actually paying for? Here, you’re not just buying transportation. You’re getting a day organized around Formentera’s best ingredient—the water—with included paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, and a cooked meal.

What makes this feel like good value is the mix. You spend real time at Es Palmador and Ses Illetes for swimming and gear-based fun, then you get a chunk of free time on Formentera itself. Add in drinks (including beer and sangria) and an actual lunch service on board, and it stops being a bargain boat ride and starts feeling like a complete day.

The downside of a “complete day” is that it moves. You’ll be active, time will be tight at stops, and your Formentera time will be self-directed. If that sounds good to you, you’ll love the flow.

Meeting at Playa den Bossa and getting your day started

You check in at the Aquabus stand at 09:45, and the boat departs from the area near Playa den Bossa Pier. Plan to arrive a little early, because you want your boarding process to be calm. Bring what matters for a sea day: beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen (these aren’t provided).

You’ll have a live guide in English and Spanish, and that matters more than you might think. The guide is there while you’re on the move and while you’re figuring out how to use your free time once you land. In feedback, Damyan is specifically called out for entertaining people and helping them get their bearings.

Once everyone’s aboard, the tone is set quickly. You’re cruising along the coastline with included drinks, and the trip doesn’t feel stiff. It feels social, with a clear agenda: swim stops, gear time, then lunch, then Formentera free time.

The cruise out of Ibiza: pretty views with a purpose

Before the main swim-and-play stops, there’s a sightseeing cruise segment that gives you about 45 minutes to enjoy the shoreline. This isn’t just waiting around. It’s your warm-up: you settle in, grab a drink, and get comfortable with the boat’s rhythm before the water fun begins.

You’re headed toward the zones that make Formentera famous—crystal-clear water and beachy coastlines. The boat stops out in front of Espalmador and Ses Illetes, but it won’t dock into the protected parks. That means you should mentally switch from “walking tours” to “arrival by sea.”

If you’re the type who gets restless on boats, this portion works because it’s short. You’re not stuck staring at a horizon for ages before anything fun happens.

Es Palmador: paddleboards, swimming, and lunch on the water

Es Palmador is where you start turning from sightseeing into action. You’ll have around 1.5 hours at the stop, with paddleboard time along the coast plus other included floating gear like bodyboards, floating mats, and pool noodles.

This is also where the lunch fits. You’ll eat a cooked on-board meal during the stop, which is one of the smartest logistics in the whole day. Instead of finding food after swimming (which often means long waits and bad choices), you’re fed while you’re already in the groove.

The lunch menu is built for variety. You can expect shrimp paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella, plus mixed salad, bread and alioli, and fruit. That matters if your group has different preferences, because you’re not stuck with a single option.

One note that keeps expectations realistic: since the boat can’t dock inside the protected areas, you’ll be in swim mode. Think less about stepping onto the island and more about getting comfortable with water entry and float time.

Ses Illetes: snorkeling with clear-water time

After Es Palmador, the next stop is Ses Illetes for about 1.5 hours. This is the snorkeling-focused part of the day. You get snorkeling equipment and life jackets, and you’ll have time to swim and use the gear at your own pace.

What I like about this stop is that it’s not just a quick dip. You get enough time to do a full try, relax, and do it again if you feel confident. You’ll also likely mix snorkeling with the other water activities, depending on how energetic you feel.

Here again, docking isn’t part of the plan because this area is protected. So you’re relying on the water and the gear rather than shore access. If you’re comfortable with that, the stop becomes a highlight because it’s exactly what you came for: that Formentera water look you’ve seen in photos, minus the postcard fantasy.

Formentera free time: beaches, wandering, and return timing

The big “choose your style” moment is when you disembark at the Formentera dock for free time. You get around 5 hours on the island to explore, shop, and see the sandy beaches at your own pace.

This free time is where the guide support can really help you. In feedback, people mention getting assistance with the guide around Formentera (and even Ibiza), which makes sense. Without a detailed schedule telling you where to walk, you need a few smart orientation pointers to avoid wasting your precious hours.

A practical thing to plan for: transportation inside Formentera isn’t included. If you’re expecting the boat operator to shuttle you around during your island time, you’ll need to adjust your expectations. This tour is best for people who want to wander and enjoy beach time without a complicated logistics setup.

The three Ibiza return options

This tour stands out because you get multiple ways to come back to Ibiza. Your return time changes the feel of the day:

• Early return: you leave Formentera around 13:00 and arrive back in Ibiza around 14:00.
• Later return: depart around 18:15, with open bar plus snacks on the way back.
• Late return in peak season: a third option runs in high season (June to August) with a 21:15 departure.

If you love daylight beach time, pick the earlier return. If you want your day to stretch and you enjoy the idea of an evening drink-and-snack return, the later option is a strong pick. For late return, go for it only if your schedule fits, since it’s tied to peak months.

Drinks and lunch: what’s included (and why it matters)

This is one of those tours where the included items shape the experience. Drinks aren’t a tiny token. You get water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria as part of the cruise experience. That means you can actually settle in during the long stretches of sea time without constantly thinking about cost.

Then there’s lunch, and it earns its place. A lot of budget excursions slap on something edible, but not memorable. Here, people describe the food as delicious, and it’s not a vague snack board. You get shrimp paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella, with bread and alioli, mixed salad, and fruit.

The value angle: when lunch and drinks are already handled, you can spend your energy on the water stops and the island wandering. You’re not negotiating with a lineup or hunting for a menu while the best light of the day is passing.

The fun gear: paddleboards, inflatables, and how active you’ll be

The included equipment list is refreshingly practical. You’ll have paddleboards, plus bodyboards and a floating setup that includes floating mats and pool noodles. You also get life jackets and snorkeling gear.

This matters because it gives you options even if you’re not a confident swimmer or you’re not in the mood to snorkel every minute. You can float, paddle, or swim casually depending on how you feel. And if your group has mixed energy levels, this tour still works because there are multiple ways to have fun.

The best use of your time is simple: don’t treat the stops like brief sightseeing. Treat them like a chance to play hard for a limited window. The gear is yours to use, so you’ll get more enjoyment by jumping in early rather than waiting until you feel like you’re “supposed” to.

Who this cruise fits best (and who might want a different plan)

This experience suits you if you want a lively sea day with water activities and a stress-free meal. It’s also ideal for people who like structure during the cruise but prefer freedom on the island.

You should think twice if you’re someone who needs a fully guided walk on Formentera from beginning to end. This tour gives you free time, but transportation inside the island isn’t included, so you’ll need to be comfortable exploring without a built-in shuttle.

It’s also not suitable for certain groups: children under 3 years, pregnant women, and people over 70 years. If any of these apply, you’ll want to pick a different style of outing.

Practical tips so the day stays smooth

I’d treat this like any other big island water day: show up ready, and you’ll have an easy time.

• Bring towel, sunscreen, and beachwear since neither towels nor sunscreen are included.
• Wear something you’re comfortable in around water and movement, since you’ll be using gear during the stops.
• Use the snorkeling stop intentionally. Give yourself enough time to try the gear, then decide if you want to repeat it.
• Choose your return time based on how you want your day to end. The later return includes more extras on the way back, while the early return gives you more daylight hours to enjoy.

One more expectation-setting detail: the boat stops in front of Espalmador and Ses Illetes, but you won’t dock there. So your plan should assume swimming entry rather than walking onto those locations.

Should you book the Ibiza to Formentera paddle, snorkel, and lunch cruise?

If you want a one-day hit of Formentera—sea time, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and a cooked paella lunch—this is an easy yes. For $67, the value isn’t just the boat ride. It’s the combination of included water gear, drinks, and food plus the chance to actually spend time on the island.

Book it if you’re comfortable with a swim-based format (since the protected areas aren’t docked) and you like the idea of picking one of the three return windows. Pick the early return for a simple, daylight-heavy plan. Pick the later return for an open-bar return with snacks. If you’re traveling in June through August and your schedule allows it, the late return can make the day feel extra special.

Skip it if you need lots of guided land walking, if you want dock-and-stroll access at Espalmador or Ses Illetes, or if the activity level doesn’t match how you like to vacation.

FAQ

How long is the Ibiza to Formentera boat cruise?

The activity is listed as 7 hours. Starting times can vary, so check availability for the exact schedule.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the Aquabus stand at 09:45.

What’s included for food and drinks?

You’ll have drinks including water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Lunch includes shrimp paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella, plus mixed salad, bread and alioli, and fruit.

What water activities are included?

The tour includes paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and inflatables such as floating mats and pool noodles (along with other water gear like bodyboards).

Are there different return times to Ibiza?

Yes. There’s an early return option departing around 13:00 and arriving in Ibiza around 14:00, a later return departing around 18:15 with open bar and snacks, and a late return option at 21:15 in high season (June to August).

Can the boat dock at Espalmador and Ses Illetes?

No. The boat stops in front of those protected areas, but it cannot dock into them.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Towels and sunscreen are not included.