You get turquoise water and a private boat day. I really like the for-the-group small size and the chance to do snorkeling and SUP with the gear already included. The one thing to consider is that the exact boat you’re assigned can vary, and shore pick-ups may get a little wet if conditions are choppy.

This is an 8-hour sail built around multiple beach stops: Sa Caleta from Ibiza, then Formentera’s boat-only corners like S’Espalmador and the famous Ses Illetes area. You’ll spend time on the water, on deck, and on sand, instead of burning the day inside a bus and then calling it an outing.

You’ll also be relying on good weather. This trip needs it, and if the sea turns grumpy, they’ll adjust or refund rather than forcing the plan.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Es Vedrà views early: You start with a classic Ibiza moment as the island rises out of the sea.
• Private group up to 7: More personal pacing and space than shared catamarans.
• Snorkeling + SUP included: You don’t have to plan rentals or wait in line for gear.
• Formentera beach time is the main event: Each stop is timed so you can actually swim and relax.
• Captain Gabriel is a big deal: He’s consistently praised for making the day feel special and easy.

Why This Ibiza-to-Formentera Sail Feels Different

If your idea of the perfect Ibiza day is water, not traffic, this private sailing route hits the sweet spot. You’re not just sightseeing from a viewpoint. You’re moving along the coastline, then dropping anchor (and people) right where the water looks like it belongs on a postcard.

What I like most is how the experience is set up for real time in the sea. With snorkeling equipment and SUP boards included, you can switch between floating, swimming, and paddling without stretching the schedule. And because it’s private for up to 7, you’re not stuck doing the slow shuffle that comes with larger boats.

The trade-off is simple: your day is still at the mercy of the sea. This experience requires good weather, so if wind and waves move in, the operator may change the date.

Price and Value for a Group of Up to 7

The price is $820.62 per group, good for up to 7 people. That sounds steep if you’re thinking per person, but in practice it becomes more reasonable when you split it. You’re paying for a full-day charter-style format with a sailboat deck experience, included gear, and a captain who runs the day for your group.

Also, you’re not paying extra for the “stuff that makes the day work.” Snorkeling gear, SUP boards, and even the on-board comfort items like a restroom and WiFi are included. Lunch is the one big line item that stays flexible: you can bring your own food, or book at a restaurant in Formentera, with details sent after booking.

If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, you’ll want to think of this as a splurge. If you’re a family or small group, it shifts into a smart value play because you’re buying time on the water together.

Entering the Day: Meeting in Sant Josep de sa Talaia

The meeting point is Bora Sailing (Sant Josep de sa Talaia area, Balearic Islands). It’s near public transportation, and you’ll use a mobile ticket.

One practical note: private sailing means you’re showing up as a group. You’ll want to arrive on time because the whole day is built on moving from stop to stop. Plan to be ready to go when your captain is ready to cast off.

The Sailing Rhythm: How You’ll Spend Those 8 Hours

This is an “all-day, not all-at-once” schedule. The plan centers on three main beach-focused stops, each timed for about 2 hours. That adds up to around 6 hours of actual beach time, with the rest of the day made up by sailing between Ibiza and Formentera and getting settled on board.

What that means for you: you won’t feel like you rushed to the beach for a quick photo, then immediately left. Instead, you’ll have enough time to get your bearings, swim, snorkel, and relax without watching the clock the whole time.

Stop 1: Sa Caleta and the Es Vedrà Moment

The early highlight is the view. You’ll be greeted with the scenery of Es Vedrà, which rises out of the sea like a landmark from a dream. Even if you’ve seen photos before, seeing it from the water feels different because the scale is real.

After that, you head to Sa Caleta, a beach along Ibiza’s coast with red cliffs and golden sand. This stop is about 2 hours, and it’s a perfect first swim stop because the mood is relaxed. You can jump in, float, and get comfortable before the day shifts into Formentera mode.

A quick consideration: the water at beaches can be gorgeous but conditions can change. If it’s breezy, you’ll want to keep an eye on how the sea looks before you go too far out.

Stop 2: S’Espalmador for a Boat-Only Feel

Next comes S’Espalmador, a place defined by one big advantage: it’s accessible by boat only. That alone changes the vibe. You’re far more likely to feel like you have space around you compared with beaches where cars drop people in constantly.

This is another 2-hour stop, and it’s built for calm beach time and swimming. The sand and water here are the kind that make you want to take your time getting in and out, because the shoreline is part of the experience.

If your group loves quiet, this is often the moment where the day stops feeling like a tour and starts feeling like a private escape. It’s also an ideal stop to use snorkeling gear if the water is clear.

Stop 3: Playa de Ses Illetes and Snorkel-Ready Water

Then you reach Playa de Ses Illetes in Formentera, one of those beaches that seems designed for long hang-outs. This is the third 2-hour stop, and it’s where you’ll most want to slow down.

Ses Illetes is known for soft sand and turquoise water, and in a sailing format it feels even better because you arrive by boat. That means you’re not dealing with the typical commute feel. You step into the day and then the water does the work.

This is also a strong stop for snorkeling because you’ll already have your gear and you’re on a schedule that gives you time to actually use it. If you’re the type who likes to watch from the edge first, you’ll have time before you decide to go in.

Lunch at a Beach Club: What You Can Control

Lunch is included as an option through a beach club in Formentera, but it’s not treated like one rigid, pre-set meal. That’s good, because you can decide how you want your day to feel.

If you’d rather keep it simple, you can bring your own food for the boat, or book a restaurant in Formentera with details sent after booking. Alcoholic beverages aren’t included, but you can bring your own drinks and ice.

So you get options:

• If you want convenience and atmosphere, choose the beach-club lunch plan.
• If you want control, bring food and eat on your own timing.

Either way, this is the time to refuel without losing the beach flow.

Snorkeling and SUP Gear You Don’t Have to Plan

The included gear list is what makes this sail more than scenic cruising. You get snorkeling equipment and the use of SUP boards, plus restroom access on board and WiFi if you want to stay connected between swim breaks.

Here’s the key: included gear reduces friction. You don’t need to hunt for rentals, negotiate costs, or waste time on logistics. You can just go when the water looks good.

And because it’s a private boat day, you’re not racing to get your spot in the water. You can pace your snorkel time, then paddle, then come back to deck time. That rhythm matters on a hot Mediterranean day.

Deck Time, Music, and the Captain’s Role

A big part of why people love this outing is the boat experience itself. The included deck time makes it feel like you’re part of the ocean, not just passing by it. Sitting at the front of the boat and watching the sun on the water is the kind of moment that doesn’t need a caption.

Captain Gabriel gets special credit for making the day feel smooth and personal. In plain terms: a good captain helps you relax. He’ll handle the route and the timing, so your group can focus on swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the stops.

If you care about the people side of the trip, this one’s built to deliver.

What Might Go Wrong (and How to Prepare)

No trip is perfect, and there’s one realistic issue worth taking seriously. One low rating mentioned that the boat they received looked different than what was shown in photos, and they started the trip soaked because the auxiliary used for shore pickup took on water.

Their explanation is practical: the operator has multiple boats, assigned based on availability and price, and if there’s wave action near the shore, some water can enter the auxiliary. That doesn’t mean it will happen to you, but it does mean you should pack like you might get splashed when boarding from shore.

Your best defense:

• Bring a change of clothes in a bag you can seal.
• Wear water-friendly footwear.
• Plan on sunscreen and sun protection doing their usual work.

Who This Trip Is Best For

This private sail is ideal if you want a day that feels like Ibiza and Formentera as a lived-in place, not a checkbox tour.

It works especially well for:

• Small friend groups who want time together without crowds
• Couples who want privacy and flexibility
• Families who like swimming and a straightforward schedule with multiple beach breaks

It may not be ideal if you need a very structured, indoor-heavy experience. This is weather-and-water dependent, and the value comes from being outside and in motion.

Practical Tips That Make the Day Smoother

A few things will help you enjoy the experience more:

• Bring your own drinks if you want specific choices, since alcoholic beverages aren’t included. Ice is something you can bring.
• Plan for lunch flexibility: beach club, restaurant option, or bringing your own food.
• Use the snorkeling and SUP while the day still feels fresh; don’t save everything for the last hour.
• Arrive at the meeting point with time to spare so boarding doesn’t feel rushed.

Also, this tends to get booked well ahead. It’s commonly reserved about 44 days in advance, so if you’re traveling in peak season, booking earlier usually helps.

Should You Book This Private Sailing Day?

Book it if you want a true water day built around swim-ready beaches, included gear, and a private-group pace. The mix of Sa Caleta for scenery and Formentera stops like S’Espalmador and Ses Illetes makes this feel like a full exploration, not just a single beach outing.

Skip it or think twice if:

• You’re traveling in uncertain weather windows and don’t like plan changes.
• You’re very sensitive to boat appearance and prefer a specific vessel style.

For most people who want Mediterranean sailing with actual beach time, this is one of those plans that turns into a memory you can feel for a while.

FAQ

How many people are in the private group?

This is a private experience for your group, with a maximum of up to 7 people.

What is the duration of the sailing trip?

The experience lasts about 8 hours, including travel time.

What’s included onboard?

You get use of snorkeling equipment, a restroom on board, WiFi on board, and use of SUP boards, plus the enjoyment of the sailing boat deck.

Is lunch included, and can I bring my own food?

Lunch is not included by default. You can bring your own food to the boat or book in a Formentera restaurant with details sent after booking. Lunch at a Formentera beach club is part of the experience options.

Do I need to pay for drinks?

Alcoholic beverages are not included. You can bring your own drinks and ice.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.