Bavaria 42 Cruiser · Private sailboat around Ibiza and Formentera

Ibiza is pretty from the shore. The real magic starts once you’re on the water. This private Bavaria 42 cruiser day mixes classic swim stops in Formentera with a calm sailing pace and the kind of captain-led flexibility that makes the route feel personal. You get snorkeling gear and paddle SUP included, so you can switch from sailing to play without extra hassle. One thing to think about: lunch is not included, so you’ll want to plan ahead if you’re hungry.

What I like most is the structure that still feels relaxed: a short welcome and safety talk, then you’re free to settle in and start enjoying the sea. The second big win is the beach lineup, with time at Ses Illetes and anchoring in quiet spots around S’Espalmador. If your idea of a great day is swimming, photos, and open-water sailing, this fits.

The main drawback is simple logistics. You’re on a boat for most of the day, so if you prefer long, shore-based wandering, you might find the time split into swim and anchor stops a bit short.

Key things you’ll care about

• Private Bavaria 42 cruise for up to 8 people, so the day stays calm and tailored
• Ses Illetes time inside the Ses Salines Natural Park, with snorkel and SUP included
• S’Espalmador anchoring in quiet coves between Ibiza and Formentera
• Sa Caleta photos and swimming with Phoenician roots dating back over 2,600 years
• Sunset return potential near Es Vedrà, if conditions line up with the ride back

Entering the day at Cala Jondal, Tropicana Eivissa to the water

You start at Tropicana Eivissa in Cala Jondal. The meeting point is listed right at Cala Jondal (Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia), and the tour loops back to that same spot when the day ends.

The timing window depends on the month. In May and June, the listed start window is 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM, and in July and August it shifts to 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. That matters if you’re trying to plan other things on land after the cruise, since you want to avoid stacking activities too tightly.

Before you go anywhere, expect a brief welcome plus a safety talk that takes about 15 minutes. After that, the day becomes about comfort and being outside. You’ll be able to relax on the bow, swim when the stops allow it, and keep the pace easy because the sailing segments are built in.

The cruiser setup: why a private boat changes the whole feel

This is a private sailboat experience, meaning only your group is on board. With up to 8 people per group, you avoid the crowded, sit-and-wait feeling you sometimes get on larger tours, and it’s easier to move between lounging, photos, and water time.

Your base includes practical comfort items: there’s a restroom on board, and snorkeling gear is included. Fuel tank is also included, which is great because you are not quietly funding extra sailing miles during the day.

In the feedback, the captain names Sebastian and Juan Diego come up with specific praise for attention and helpfulness. That’s exactly what you want on a day like this, because the best part of a private cruise is how smoothly the crew adapts to what you want to do in the water.

Sailing the 1h45 stretch toward Formentera at sea pace

After the initial welcome, the day’s rhythm starts with a sail of about 1 hour and 45 minutes toward Formentera. When the wind permits, sails are hoisted so you can get that quieter, more natural feel to the navigation.

Why that matters: you’re not just being transported. The pacing is part of the experience, and it gives you time to notice how the light changes as you move away from Ibiza’s shoreline and toward the Formentera side of the water.

This section also sets expectations for how the day will flow. You’ll be out on the open sea early, then the stops become your payoff: swims, a beach break, and a couple of anchor moments where you can slow down on deck.

Platja des Jondal to Ses Illetes: swim time where the water turns clear

Your Formentera adventure includes time at Playa de Ses Illetes, located in the Ses Salines Natural Park. This is one of those places people talk about for a reason: white sand, calm water, and that Caribbean-like clarity that makes snorkeling easier and more fun.

You get about 2 hours here, and the stop is designed for options. You can head in for a swim, use the included snorkeling gear, or try SUP (paddle SUP is included). You can also simply walk along the shore and take photos, then return to the boat without feeling rushed.

The best part for me is the flexibility around lunch. This stop gives you three choices, and you decide what fits your mood:

• Step down to an onshore waterfront restaurant
• Eat whatever you brought
• Choose catering that’s pre-arranged for you (listed as an extra bespoke service)

Lunch isn’t included in the price, but having those options at the beach stop is a big quality-of-life detail. You are not stuck with one plan.

Quick practical note for Ses Illetes

Since the water is clear and the day is built around swimming time, plan for wet weather comfort too. Bring what you need to stay sun-protected and keep your time on the sand enjoyable once you step off the boat.

S’Espalmador: an uninhabited island stop that rewards slow moments

Next comes S’Espalmador, a small uninhabited island reachable only by sea, located between Ibiza and Formentera. This is an anchoring stop rather than a beach walking stop, and the payoff is the quiet.

You’ll anchor in one of the island’s calmer coves for about 1 hour. From there, you can swim, explore along the coast, or just relax on deck. The water quality here is repeatedly described as some of the cleanest and most turquoise in the Mediterranean, which is exactly what makes an anchored swim feel different from a beach dip.

There’s also a unique angle: the crew shares a secret about the island that many people don’t know. Since it’s not spelled out in the schedule details, treat it like bonus storytelling and listen during the anchoring time. That’s when you’ll get the context that turns a stop into a memory, not just a swim.

What can be a drawback at this stop

Anchored time is great, but it’s also time where you don’t have long shore walks. If you’re expecting lots of land exploration, this stop is more about water and slow relaxation than about stepping onto a town or village.

Sa Caleta: red rock, pines, and Phoenician roots over 2,600 years old

Then you’ll head to Sa Caleta, known for the reddish color of its rocks and the green pines around it. It’s also described as historically meaningful, because the first Phoenicians who inhabited Ibiza lived here over 2,600 years ago.

You get about 1 hour at Sa Caleta. That’s usually just enough time for a swim, a few photos from the right angle, and a moment of imagining what life looked like here long before modern beach days.

The historical angle is not heavy-handed in the schedule, but it adds a layer to what could otherwise be only a pretty stop. When you pair reddish stone, surrounding trees, and open sea, you start to understand why people keep coming back to this stretch year after year.

Consideration for your photos

Photo timing matters here, since the stop is short. If you care about getting a good shot, do the water moment first if you want clear-sky water reflections, then switch to dry land photos as the light shifts.

The return sail and sunset near Es Vedrà

The final act brings you back toward Ibiza with a quiet sail. The schedule lists the last navigation as about 1 hour, and it’s designed as a wind-down before the day ends back at the meeting point.

This is the part where the experience can become more cinematic. If the conditions are good, you can enjoy one of the Mediterranean’s most magical sunsets, with the silhouette of Es Vedrà framing the moment.

Even if you are not a strict sunset person, I’d treat the return sail as part of the value. It’s the calmer section of the day, and the lighting tends to make the whole water route feel different than it did earlier.

A small tip

If you want Es Vedrà in the frame, stay aware of where the boat is heading during the last leg. The best viewing position depends on the boat’s angle, and getting comfortable early means less scrambling at the exact moment the sun drops.

What’s included versus what you’ll likely add

Here’s what’s clearly included:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddle SUP
• Use of the boat’s restroom
• All fees and taxes
• Fuel tank included

Lunch is the main item listed as not included. But the good news is you’re not left without options. At Ses Illetes, you can choose:

• a waterfront restaurant stop,
• lunch on board using what you brought,
• or catering that you can arrange in advance as an extra service.

So think of lunch as a choice, not a surprise cost. If you already know what you like to eat, you’ll save time by pre-deciding which lunch style fits your group.

Price and value: $1,015.87 for up to 8

The price is listed as $1,015.87 per group, capped at up to 8 people, for about 8 hours. That sounds pricey at first glance, but private boat days usually work out best when you split the cost among a full group.

Because fuel and key water gear are included, you are paying for the boat day and the time on the water, not for every extra. The private part also matters: your stop timing and your swim choices feel less like a schedule check and more like you’re steering the pace with the crew.

Also, the booking pattern is common for this area. It’s listed as being booked about 60 days in advance on average. If you’re traveling in peak season or you care about the sunset timing, I’d plan earlier rather than later.

Who this sail is best for, and who should consider another option

This works best if you want:

• a private day on the sea
• multiple water stops focused on swimming
• included snorkeling and SUP gear
• a route that strings together Ibiza and Formentera without long, frustrating land transfers

It’s also a solid fit for groups that want to keep things simple. With up to 8 people, you get variety without losing the calm.

If you want long hours on land, a boat-only day might feel short on shore time. You’ll still spend time near beaches, but the core of the experience is sea time plus swim stops.

One more factor: the schedule lists that most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and there’s a restroom on board, which helps on an all-day outing.

Booking, tickets, and the language you’ll hear

You’ll receive a mobile ticket. The tour is offered in English, which is a big practical plus when you want to understand safety talk, route explanations, and the little details the crew shares at stops.

The day is described as private, with only your group participating, so you can expect a quieter feel on board than on shared cruises.

If you want extra flexibility for lunch, you’ll be arranging catering as an extra bespoke service. That’s worth thinking about before you book so you’re not making it up on the day.

Should you book this Ibiza and Formentera sail?

If your ideal Ibiza day includes real sea time plus swim stops at Ses Illetes and S’Espalmador, I think this is an easy yes. The included snorkeling and SUP make it feel like a full water day, not a simple sightseeing cruise. Add the Sa Caleta stop for history and photos, and you get a satisfying mix of nature, water play, and storytelling.

I’d book it especially if you’re traveling with a group of friends or family who can use the private setup to share the cost. If you’re someone who hates boat time or wants hours of shore wandering, you may find the hour-based stop structure less appealing.

If you do book, plan for lunch as a decision in advance. Do that, and the day stays smooth: sun, sailing, swims, and the chance to see Es Vedrà during the return.

FAQ

How long is the private sail around Ibiza and Formentera?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What is the maximum group size?

Up to 8 people per private group.

What is the meeting point for the tour?

The meeting point is Tropicana Eivissa, Cala Jondal (Cala Jundal, s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Illes Balears, Spain).

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with restroom access on board.

Is paddle SUP included?

Yes. Paddle SUP is included.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. You can choose an extra bespoke catering service, or eat on board what you bring, or step into waterfront restaurants during the beach stop.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What are the cancellation rules?

Cancellation is free if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

When does the activity operate during the year?

The listed start window is 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM (May and June, Monday to Sunday), and 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (July and August, Monday to Sunday).