Formentera from Ibiza: VIP Catamaran Cruise with Paella, Open Bar, Water Sports & Es Vedrà Sunset

The VIP Catamaran Cruise — What's Included

This is not a standard ferry day trip. The Ibiza VIP Cruises catamaran is a 12-hour all-inclusive experience on a luxury vessel with 37 sunbeds, 4 jacuzzis, a glass-bottom hull, an onboard chef, a full open bar, a professional photographer, a DJ, and a live saxophonist. The itinerary covers the best of the Ibiza-Formentera channel in one day — and ends with champagne at Es Vedrà.

The Day, Step by Step

• Boarding at Ibiza Port: Sail past the historic castle — dolphin sightings are common on the crossing. VIP sunbeds and jacuzzis available from the start (from €50 / €200 extra, subject to availability).
• Open Bar (5 hours): Mojito, mimosa, cava sangría, tequila sunrise, aperol spritz, strawberry caipiroska, daiquiri, bellini — plus red wine sangría, beer, white/rosé/red wine, soft drinks, and juices.
• Breakfast at Sea: Continental (toast, pastries, tropical fruit, coffee, juice) or Wellness upgrade (avocado / eggs your way, Greek yogurt, oat milk, detox shots, natural juices).
• Espalmador Island (45 min): First swim and snorkel stop in a protected nature reserve — paddleboards, seabobs, snorkel masks, and a water slide on board.
• Ses Illetes Beach (75 min): Second anchor at the 4th best beach in Europe — glass-bottom boat viewing, SUP, snorkeling in crystal-clear Posidonia-filtered water.
• Paella Lunch: Freshly prepared on board by the onboard chef — mixed, seafood, or vegetarian — served with bread and alioli.
• 7 Hours on Formentera: Free time to explore at your own pace using the crew's guide and recommendations. Optional scuba, scooter, or guided bike tour (€25+ extra). Return at 18:00 (5h option) or 20:00 with sunset (7h option).
• BBQ Dinner at Sea: Meats and vegetables, pizza, or hot dogs with toppings — served on the return crossing.
• DJ & Live Saxophonist: The catamaran transforms into a Balearic boat party for the return journey.
• Es Vedrà Sunset: The day's centerpiece — champagne at Ibiza's most iconic viewpoint, with the legendary rock silhouetted against the western sky.
• Professional Photographer: On board throughout the day.
• Club Tickets: Up to 3 free or discounted tickets to Pacha, Ushuaïa, Hï, Amnesia, DC-10, Lío, and more — depending on ticket tier (Plus / Advance / Premium).

Ticket Tiers

The cruise is available in four tiers — Basic, Plus, Advance, and Premium — with the main differences being breakfast and dinner inclusion, and the number of club tickets. All tiers include the open bar, paella lunch, water sports, and Formentera time. The Advance tier (breakfast + lunch + BBQ dinner, up to 2 club tickets) represents the best value for a full day. The Premium tier adds up to 3 tickets to the top Ibiza clubs including Pacha and Ushuaïa.

What Is Formentera?

Formentera is the southernmost of Spain's Balearic Islands — a flat limestone plateau measuring roughly 20 kilometers from end to end, separated from Ibiza by a narrow channel that the ferry crosses in half an hour. It is the smallest permanently inhabited island in the archipelago and the one that has resisted mass development most successfully. There are no airports, no marinas with superyachts, and no high-rise hotel blocks. What there is: some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean, a cycling infrastructure that makes the island genuinely explorable in a day, and a pace of life that Ibiza lost somewhere in the 1990s.

The island's recorded history stretches to the Carthaginians and Romans, who valued its salt production — the saltpans at Ses Salines, shared with southern Ibiza and now a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, have been harvested continuously for more than two millennia. Today Ses Salines doubles as a flamingo habitat and a landmark on any cycling route through the northern part of the island. The contrast between the pink of the flamingos, the white of the salt, and the turquoise of the channel beyond is the kind of image that makes the island's landscape feel composed rather than simply found.

Cycling the Island

Formentera was built for bicycles. The island's vies verdes — a network of green cycling routes established over former agricultural tracks — cover the length and width of the island in a connected system that keeps riders away from the main road for most of their journey. The terrain is flat to gently rolling: the only significant climb is the road to the La Mola plateau in the eastern half, where the island rises to about 190 meters above sea level. Everything else is manageable on a standard bicycle without gears.

Renting at La Savina

Bicycle rental shops cluster immediately around the ferry port at La Savina — you can be on a bike within ten minutes of disembarking. Standard city bikes, electric bikes, tandems, and scooters are all available. Electric bikes are worth the extra cost if the La Mola climb is in the plan, or if the heat of summer mid-afternoon is a concern. Most rental periods are by the half-day or full day; a full day gives comfortable time to reach La Mola, return via Ses Illetes, and stop for lunch without rushing.

A Suggested Day Route

La Savina port → Ses Salines saltpans (flamingos, 20 minutes) → Ses Illetes (swim, 1 hour) → Es Pujols for coffee → inland via green route to Sant Francesc Xavier (the island's small capital, worth 30 minutes) → east along the main road or green route toward La Mola → Far de la Mola lighthouse (views, 20 minutes) → return via Migjorn beach for a late swim → back to La Savina for the evening ferry. Total cycling: approximately 40 kilometers. Total time: a full day, comfortably.

Tips for the Day Trip

When to Go

• Best months: Late May, June, and September — warm enough to swim, not yet overwhelmed with summer traffic
• July–August: Peak season; Ses Illetes fills by 10:00, ferry queues are long at both ends — book the return ferry in advance or queue 45 minutes early
• April & October: Quiet, often beautiful, but some chiringuitos and rental shops operate reduced hours or are closed entirely
• Weather: Southerly wind (tramontana's opposite) can make the crossing choppy and Migjorn beach choppy too — north-facing beaches and coves are sheltered

Practical Notes

• Book the return ferry: In July–August, reserve your return slot in advance — the evening ferries back to Ibiza fill faster than the morning departures to Formentera
• Rent early: Bicycle rental shops at La Savina run out of electric bikes before standard bikes — arrive on the first or second morning ferry if cycling is the priority
• Water shoes: Ses Illetes and the northern coves have rocky entry points — water shoes make a significant difference
• Sunscreen: The shallow, reflective water at Ses Illetes amplifies UV exposure — reapply more than you think you need to
• Cash: Some beach chiringuitos and small vendors prefer or require cash — bring euros alongside your card
• No glass at beaches: Follow the same marine reserve etiquette as Tabarca — transfer drinks to non-glass containers before the beach

Combining with Ibiza

Formentera works best as a standalone full day from Ibiza — morning ferry, full day on the island, evening return. Over a multi-day Ibiza stay, pair it with the Ibiza Old Town (Dalt Vila) for history, a sunset cruise along the western coast for atmosphere, and one of the island's quieter northern beaches (Cala d'en Serra, Cala Xarraca) for swimming without the party-boat crowds. The contrast between Ibiza and Formentera — 30 minutes apart, a universe apart in character — is itself the point.