Formentera by sail sounds romantic, and this one delivers options. This is a private full-day sailing tour from Cala Jondal, built around calm water time, snorkel stops, and a beach stretch on Formentera you can shape to your pace.

I especially like the private feel. It is only your group up to 7 people, so you can ask questions, linger where you want, and keep the day casual rather than herded.

The two biggest wins for me are the included snorkeling gear plus the paddle surf boards, and the fact that the captain can tailor the route for birthdays, anniversaries, or a surprise proposal. The main thing to weigh is simple: it is an all-day outing on a sailboat, so if you want lots of time on land, plan for the boat ride eating into your beach hours.

Key Things I’d Watch For

• Up to 7 people means you actually control the pace
• Snorkel equipment and 2 paddle surf boards are included
• South-coast anchor stops in places you cannot reach the same way
• Ses Illetes on Formentera has a set time window for swimming and lunch
• Crew guidance shows up in reviews, from safe, smooth sailing to trip tailoring

A 35-Foot Private Sail Day With Real Freedom

This tour is built for small groups, with a 35-foot boat and a private setup that keeps the day flexible. You are not sharing the boat with random strangers, so it feels more like renting the experience than buying a ticket.

The day runs about 8 hours, starting in Ibiza at Cala Jondal. You also get a mobile ticket, the tour operates in English, and it is near public transportation, which matters if you are mixing plans on the island.

What makes this format work is that you can choose what you want to see and how you want to spend the time once you are on the water. If you are celebrating, ask for that tone upfront, because a good skipper will tune the pacing, not just the route.

Cala Jondal to Playa des Codolar: Getting the Best Views Early

The tour kicks off at Platja des Jondal in the Cala Jondal area, with a short stop. Think warm-up vibes: scenic cliffs, turquoise water, and that immediate sense that you are leaving the crowds behind.

Then you sail along Ibiza’s south coast toward Playa des Codolar. This stretch is where you get the big-picture coastline without needing to drive. Expect rugged edges, coves, and rocky scenery that looks dramatic from the water.

My take: cod like this is perfect if you want the day to feel scenic right away. It also sets expectations for what the rest of the itinerary does well: short, targeted stops rather than long, slow sightseeing.

Parque Natural de Ses Salines: The Swim-and-Snorkel Part You’ll Remember

Next comes Parque Natural de Ses Salines, where you drop anchor at a secluded cove along the south coast. This stop is built for getting in the water, with an hour of time to swim and explore.

You are provided snorkeling equipment, so you can go from deck to water without having to arrange anything separately. The point is not a museum-style experience. It is practical: you get to see fish and marine life in clear, calm conditions when the weather cooperates.

What to consider: this is not an unlimited water session. If your group wants long snorkeling sessions every stop, you might wish the day had more time. Still, the itinerary is paced so you are not rushing constantly either.

S’Espalmador Between Ibiza and Formentera: Paddle Time Counts

Then you head to S’Espalmador, the natural reserve sitting between Ibiza and Formentera. This is one of the most interesting stops because you are mixing “quiet water” energy with active gear.

You have about 1 hour 50 minutes here, and this is where the 2 paddle surf boards come into play. If you like slow exploration, paddle around and watch the coastline shift perspective. If you prefer snorkeling again, you can do that too, since the gear is part of what you brought with you for the day.

Practical note: paddle boarding is weather-dependent. If it is windy or choppy, the boards might still be fun, but expect the water experience to feel more “work” than “float.” Either way, this stop is a good balance of doing something and still having time to relax.

Playa de Ses Illetes: Formentera Beach Time and Lunch Choices

Finally, you arrive at Playa de Ses Illetes on Formentera. This is the stop most people picture when they think of a classic Formentera day: pale sand, clear water, and a laid-back beach atmosphere.

You get about 2 hours here. That is enough time for a proper swim and a walk on the sand, but it is not a full-day beach pass. You have two choices: you can disembark and have lunch on the island (lunch is not included), or you can stay onboard and have lunch there while you enjoy the view.

My advice for planning lunch: if you want maximum beach time, choose a lunch option close to where you will be moving through the island. If you prefer minimal logistics, staying onboard for lunch can reduce friction when you are trying to keep a group happy.

The Return to Cala Jondal: Relax Time on the Water

The day loops back toward Platja des Jondal with about 1.5 hours of sailing time. This part matters because it gives you the decompression window. You have enough distance from the earlier stops that you can just sit, talk, and enjoy the sea without planning the next thing.

If you are doing a special occasion, this return segment is often when the mood lands. It is calm, it is scenic, and it is an easy time to enjoy photos without the schedule pressure of a tight shore stop.

Skippers, Comfort, and the Real Practical Stuff That Shows Up

The biggest praise across the experience is about the crew. Names that come up include captains like Carlotta, Julian, Tomas, German, Agustin, Victoria, Ali, Marcel, and Augusto, and in some cases first mates such as Sophia, Pablo, and Nuria. The pattern is consistent: they tend to be friendly, attentive, and ready to tailor the day to what you want.

You also get a restroom on board, which sounds basic until you spend hours on the sea. It saves your group from doing that awkward “who goes now” math mid-trip.

What to bring and expect

• Sun protection, because you are on open water for long stretches.
• Your own snacks or extra drinks if you have preferences, since alcoholic beverages are not included and lunch is not included.
• If anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, bring what helps you. One review specifically praised a skipper’s patience with sea sickness, which suggests they will work with you rather than brushing you off.

The one concern I would plan around

One review raised a concern about a broken refrigerator or lack of ice access, when the listing suggested those amenities. You should assume cold storage might be unreliable. Bring a cooler bag if that matters for your group, and do not count on being able to chill drinks on demand.

A serious safety and logistics note (handle carefully)

One very low rating described a problematic experience involving transfer by dinghy to a restaurant after a pick-up mix-up, including claims about being overloaded and lacking life jackets on that transfer. I cannot confirm details beyond what that reviewer wrote, but I can tell you what you should do: if lunch involves any transfer plan, ask in advance how life jackets are handled during any boat-to-shore step, and consider staying onboard for lunch if your group wants to reduce transfer complexity.

Price and Value: When $943.68 Makes Sense

The price is $943.68 per group for up to 7 people. That is expensive on paper if you compare it to a public cruise. But private sail days work differently.

If you fill all 7 seats, you are roughly in the $135 per person range for an about-8-hour day on the water, with snorkeling gear and paddle boards included. Fuel and skipper time are also part of what you pay for.

You do not get alcohol or lunch included, so plan for food and drinks separately. Still, the bundle makes sense if you care about time on the water, not just a quick sightseeing loop.

When it feels like poor value: if you only have a couple of people and you could instead book a cheaper shared cruise. But if you have 4 to 7 people, or you want a calmer private pace, the math usually looks better.

Who This Tour Fits Best, and Who Might Want Something Different

This sailing day is ideal if you want:

• A private day with a small group
• To swim and snorkel multiple times using included gear
• Paddle boarding, without hunting for rentals
• A Formentera beach stop that feels part of the sailing plan, not an afterthought

It can be a tough fit if:

• You expect long, uninterrupted beach time on Formentera. Even though Ses Illetes is the star, you have a set window.
• You are traveling with very small children. One review suggested it was not ideal for small children, likely because of the sailing time and the nature of on-board movement.

Also, book with the weather mindset. This experience requires good weather, and the operator offers a different date or a full refund if the trip is canceled due to poor conditions.

Should You Book This Ibiza and Formentera Sailing Tour?

If your priority is a private, flexible sailing day with snorkel stops and paddle boarding, this is an easy yes to consider. It gives you a south-coast route, a chance to explore the Formentera side of the water, and enough activity to justify the price.

Before you book, do two things:

1. Decide how you feel about lunch logistics on Formentera, and ask what happens from boat to shore.
2. If you care about chilled drinks, plan as if cold storage might not be reliable.

If those checks work for your group, you will likely love the pacing and the fact that you can shape the day around your group’s mood, not just a fixed schedule.