What to See in Formentera in One Day by Boat
Formentera is just 11 nautical miles south of Ibiza, but it feels like a different world. The water is so clear it looks computer-generated, the beaches consistently rank among Europe's best, and arriving by private boat — instead of the overcrowded ferry — transforms the experience entirely.
We've been running day trips to Formentera from Santa Eulalia for over ten years. This is the itinerary we recommend most, refined over hundreds of trips and adjusted for real-world conditions: wind, tides, lunch timing, and how to avoid the midday crowds at the most popular spots.
Stop 1: S'Espalmador (10:45 – 12:00)
After about 40–45 minutes of open-water sailing from Santa Eulalia, you reach S'Espalmador — a small, privately owned island in the strait between Ibiza and Formentera. The island has a sheltered natural bay on its western side with sandy bottom perfect for anchoring (no posidonia, no fines).
The water here shifts between turquoise and emerald depending on the light, and on a calm morning you can see the bottom at six metres. S'Espalmador is also home to natural mud baths in a small inland lagoon — the mineral-rich clay is said to be great for the skin, and the walk from the beach takes about 10 minutes through low scrubland.
💡 Skipper tip: Arrive before 11:00 if possible. By midday, the catamaran tours from Ibiza Town start filling the bay. Early morning, you might have the entire anchorage to yourselves.
Stop 2: Ses Illetes & Llevant (12:15 – 14:00)
From S'Espalmador, it's a short 10-minute cruise south to the northern tip of Formentera — the famous double beach of Ses Illetes and Playa de Llevant. Ses Illetes faces west and is more sheltered when the typical summer breeze blows; Llevant faces east and catches the morning sun earlier.
This stretch of sand is consistently rated among Europe's top beaches. The water is impossibly clear, the sand white and fine, and the peninsula so narrow you can walk from one beach to the other in under a minute. There are beachfront restaurants along Ses Illetes — Juan y Andrea and Es Ministre are the best known — where you can anchor offshore and swim in for lunch.
💡 Skipper tip: Don't try to anchor right in front of the restaurants — the area gets congested and posidonia regulations are strict. Anchor 100–200 metres north on sandy bottom and swim or paddle in.
Stop 3: Cala Saona (14:30 – 15:45)
After lunch, sail around the western coast to Cala Saona — a horseshoe-shaped cove with red clay cliffs, pine trees, and some of the warmest water on the island. The cliffs create natural shade in the late afternoon, and the sandy bottom extends far from shore, making it ideal for anchoring and swimming.
The approach by boat is spectacular — the rust-coloured cliffs against the turquoise sea create one of Formentera's most photographed scenes, and it's even better from the water than from the shore. This is usually the best time for the Seabob or snorkelling.
Stop 4: Es Caló or Cap de Barbaria Cliffs (16:00 – 16:45)
Option A — Es Caló de Sant Agustí: A tiny fishing village on Formentera's east coast with traditional boat houses and beautiful rocky pools for swimming. Quiet, authentic, and miles from any tourist trail.
Option B — Cap de Barbaria coastal cliffs: Cruise along the southern cliffs toward the famous lighthouse. You can't anchor here (deep and exposed), but sailing along the cliff face at slow speed is dramatic and makes for incredible drone footage.
The Return Crossing (17:00 – 18:00)
The sail back to Santa Eulalia takes about 45–55 minutes. The late afternoon light on the water is beautiful — this is when you'll get the best photos. If conditions are right, a brief detour along the southern Ibiza coast on the way back adds 15 minutes and some spectacular cliff scenery.
Why Formentera by Private Boat Beats the Ferry
The ferry from Ibiza costs €20–€40 per person return, takes 30–60 minutes, and drops you at La Savina — from where you still need wheels to reach any beach. You're on someone else's schedule, in someone else's crowd, following someone else's route.
By private boat, you set the pace. You anchor where you want, leave when you want, and access beaches with no road access at all. You swim off the back of your boat in water that looks like a screensaver. It's not just a different mode of transport — it's a completely different experience.