The Formentera beaches worth a boat
The day tour visits Espalmador and Ses Illetes; the private boat can add more stops as time allows. Day tour from €112 per person, private boat from €750.
The sand is the point, the queue is not
Formentera’s north shore is a long, shallow shelf of white sand. From land it is a bus, a parking search and a walk. From a sailboat it is a slow approach over water you can see through, then a swim where the beach is the horizon.
A day from Ibiza is built around that. About seven hours, a small group of up to eight, and time in the water instead of time in a transfer. The small-group Formentera day tour leaves from Ibiza and uses the hours on the two stops that justify the crossing.
Ses Illetes
Ses Illetes is the white tongue of sand on the north of Formentera. On the sheltered side the water stays pale for a long way out. It is the picture most people mean when they say Formentera, and it is a swim stop on the day tour.
The sailboat does not need to sit on the beach. When the water is too thin, the dinghy covers the last stretch. Bring reef shoes if you like them. Much of the bottom here is soft sand.
How the stop works
On the day tour we stay at Ses Illetes from approximately 2:15 pm to 4:15 pm. The sailboat stays off the beach and the dinghy takes you ashore.
You can bring your own food, as there is a fridge on board, or eat at one of the Ses Illetes restaurants, such as Es Ministre or Juan y Andrea. The private tour is more flexible with the timing, and we can also take you to Es Moli de Sal.
What else is close enough for one day
Espalmador sits in the channel before Ses Illetes. It is the other stop on the same sail: a long beach, fewer people, and water that goes from glass to deep blue in a few strokes. Doing both on one departure is the reason to take the boat.
Snorkel gear and a paddleboard are already on board, with snacks and drinks. You bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a towel. Starting rates are seasonal — the price you pay is the one confirmed in the booking.
Starting seasonal rates. The price is confirmed when you book.