Ibiza: Formentera Trip with Paddle, Snorkel and Lunch

Crystal-clear water makes this trip easy to like. This full-day boat outing from Ibiza combines two swim stops, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, floating mats, and a cooked lunch with time to explore Formentera on your own. I especially like the flexible return choices and the friendly guides, with Damien and Alex repeatedly praised for keeping people informed and entertained. The main catch is simple: this is a lively, busy boat, not a quiet little sailing trip.

At $81 per person, you get a lot for the money: transport across the water, drinks, lunch, water equipment, and several hours on Formentera. I also like that you can spend the island time your own way, perhaps renting a scooter, visiting a beach, or staying near the port. But equipment can be in short supply, queues may form, and rough water can bother anyone prone to seasickness.

Quick Take: What Makes This Formentera Trip Worth Considering

• Two long water stops: You get about 1.5 hours at each of the main swimming and activity areas.
• Lunch cooked on board: Choose shrimp, chicken, or vegan paella with salad, bread, alioli, and fruit.
• Drinks included: Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are available during the cruise.
• Five hours on Formentera: You have time for beaches, shopping, sightseeing, or renting a bike, scooter, or car at your own cost.
• A social boat atmosphere: Music, a rooftop area, and dancing on the return trip make this more suited to groups and party-minded couples than solitude seekers.
• Guides add practical help: Damien and Alex receive especially warm praise for advice about Formentera and Ibiza.

Starting at Playa d’en Bossa at 8:30

Your day begins at the wooden hut stand at Carrer de Formentera 17, next to Hotel Ibiza Playa. Check-in is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., so plan to arrive ready for a long day in the sun. The boat returns to the same general starting point.

The first part is a roughly 45-minute sightseeing cruise. This gives you time to settle in, look back toward Ibiza, and start using the included drinks. Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are part of the base price, which helps keep the day affordable once you are on board.

The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, with an upper area that is popular. If sitting upstairs matters to you, arrive early rather than assuming you can claim a preferred place later. One useful warning from the day’s practical side: the boat can feel rocky, and some people have become seasick. If motion affects you, bring suitable anti-nausea medication and avoid treating the open bar as a challenge.

The mood depends partly on the crowd. Some days feel relaxed, while others have more of a floating beach club feel, with music and dancing on the way back. That energy is a big part of the appeal for many people, but it may not suit anyone hoping for a silent crossing.

Ses Illetes and S’Espalmador: Two Swim Stops in Protected Waters

The boat makes two major water stops, at Ses Illetes and S’Espalmador. The order can vary in the supplied schedule, but both stops offer about 1.5 hours for swimming and water activities.

The boat stops in front of these protected areas rather than docking on their beaches. That matters. You will be getting into the sea from the boat, not walking directly ashore at each stop. The water is clear, and the setting is the star, but you should be comfortable using a ladder or entering the water from the boat.

At Ses Illetes, you can use the snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, and pool noodles. Life jackets are available. The stop is a good chance to float, swim, or look beneath the surface without needing to arrange separate equipment.

The practical weakness is supply. One person noted that there was only one paddleboard per group, while another found queues for drinks, food, and boards frustrating. The exact experience will depend on how many people want the same equipment at once. If paddleboarding is your main reason for booking, keep expectations modest. You are getting shared recreational gear, not a private lesson or guaranteed solo board time.

S’Espalmador brings the same mix of swimming and views, with lunch served on board between the stops. The protected setting means you get beautiful water without turning the excursion into a beach-landing tour. You will need to keep your belongings on the boat and accept that the day’s activities happen around a sizeable group.

Paella Lunch Served Between the Stops

Lunch is one of the stronger value points. The menu includes shrimp paella, chicken paella, or vegan paella, along with mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruit. Having a hot meal cooked on board is much easier than arranging food during a busy water excursion.

The meal also breaks up the day at the right moment. After swimming and using the equipment, you can sit down, eat, and enjoy the boat setting before the next stop or the onward trip to Formentera.

Food quality has been described positively overall, though not everyone found it exceptional. A gluten-free choice was specifically wished for, so you should check what is possible if you have a food intolerance. The provided meal options are shrimp, chicken, and vegan, but no gluten-free menu is listed.

Drinks remain available throughout the cruise. Beer and sangria are a major reason the trip feels like good value at $81, especially if you would otherwise buy lunch, refreshments, and a ferry ticket separately. Just remember that the sea may be moving, the sun is strong, and drinking too much can make motion sickness worse.

Five Hours to Make Formentera Your Own

The boat reaches Formentera dock around 1 p.m., followed by up to five hours of free time. This is the part that gives the excursion more than a standard boat-and-swim format. You are not rushed from one organized stop to another for the entire day.

You can stay near the port, shop, find a beach, or arrange your own transport around the island. Bike, scooter, and car rental are not included, and local transportation during your free time is also your responsibility. If you want to see more than the port area, budget for one of those options or plan around available buses.

A scooter or car can make the five-hour window much more useful, especially if you want to reach more distant beaches or combine swimming with a beach bar or market. Several people found that renting a scooter helped them use the island time well. The tradeoff is cost and planning. The tour price covers the boat, but it does not cover your island transport, beach equipment, or personal purchases.

You can also keep things simple. Formentera is a good place to slow down after the activity-heavy first part of the day. Find a nearby stretch of sand, have a drink, and enjoy the pale water without trying to fill every minute. Some beach beds and umbrellas can cost extra, with one reported price of about €20 each, so bring a towel and do not assume a shaded lounger is included.

Choosing the 1:15 or 6:15 Return

The schedule gives you two return possibilities. The first boat leaves Formentera at 1:15 p.m. and reaches Ibiza around 2:15 p.m. The second departs at 6:15 p.m., with the open bar continuing and snacks provided on the way back.

This flexibility is useful, but it needs careful attention when you check in. The early return works for someone who mainly wants a short visit or needs to be back in Ibiza in the afternoon. The later boat is the better choice if you want the full island time and the livelier ride back.

The return crossing can include music and dancing on the upper deck. People who enjoy a social atmosphere may find this the most memorable part of the day. If you want to rest, look for a quieter position on the boat, though a busy excursion cannot promise silence.

The overall duration is listed as 10 hours, but the exact length depends on which return you take and how the schedule runs. Confirm the return option on the day so you do not accidentally choose the wrong departure.

The Guides Matter More Than You Might Expect

A good guide makes a shared boat trip easier to enjoy, and Damien receives especially strong praise for friendly service, practical advice, and steady attention to the group. He has helped people plan their time on Formentera and offered ideas for Ibiza as well.

Alex is also praised for being attentive and helpful. The guide team speaks English and Spanish, and the repeated comments about communication are valuable for an activity with several moving parts. You need to know when lunch starts, where to return, how the water activities work, and which boat leaves at what time.

This is not a history-focused sightseeing tour. The guide’s role is more practical and social: help you get organized, keep the mood up, and point you toward useful island choices. That suits this experience well.

What the $81 Price Really Covers

At $81, the package offers strong value if you plan to use the included features. You receive the boat ride, two water stops, paddleboards and other inflatables, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, fruit, and an open selection of basic drinks. Add the free time on Formentera, and the price compares well with paying separately for transport, food, and water activities.

The value drops if you want a small group or guaranteed access to a paddleboard. This is a shared boat outing, and busy periods can mean queues. You are paying for variety and convenience rather than peace, privacy, or personal attention at every moment.

You should also allow extra money for transport on Formentera, beach rentals, snacks, shopping, and any scooter, bike, or car rental. Still, the included paella and drinks reduce the day’s basic costs, which is why this works well for budget-conscious visitors.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Day Most

I would choose this trip if you want a full day with several kinds of fun rather than one single activity. It suits friends, couples, and families with older children who enjoy swimming, music, casual food, and a little independence.

It is particularly good for you if:

• You want to see Formentera without arranging a separate ferry plan.
• You like having water equipment provided.
• You enjoy a friendly, social boat atmosphere.
• You want several hours to explore the island independently.
• You value included drinks and lunch.
• You are happy sharing boards and swim space with a larger crowd.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet sailing trip, guaranteed paddleboard time, or a small-group beach visit. It is also not suitable for children under 3, pregnant women, or people over 70. Children under 12 must bring identification to prove their age.

Bring your passport or ID as required, plus a towel and sunscreen. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, despite beer and sangria being served by the operator. Wear swimwear, protect yourself from the sun, and keep your expectations realistic about queues.

Should You Book This Ibiza to Formentera Trip?

Book it if you want good value, clear water, included food, and a lively full-day outing. The combination of two swim stops, paella, open-bar drinks, and several hours on Formentera is hard to beat at $81.

Skip it if your perfect day means a calm, uncrowded boat and guaranteed use of every activity. For everyone else, especially first-time visitors who want an easy way to sample Formentera, this is a practical and entertaining choice. Arrive early, prepare for some motion on the sea, and decide in advance how you want to use your five hours on the island.

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 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is listed as lasting 10 hours. The exact return time depends on whether you take the early or later boat back from Formentera.

What food is included?

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

Which drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included during the boat trip. Snacks are also provided on the later return from Formentera.

Can I use paddleboards and snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Paddleboards, bodyboards, floating mats, pool noodles, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets are included. Equipment is shared, so availability may involve waiting.

Does the boat dock at Ses Illetes or S’Espalmador?

No. These areas are protected, so the boat stops in front of them. You enjoy the water activities from the boat rather than walking ashore at those stops.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and the required passport or ID. Children under 12 must carry ID to prove their age.