Ibiza: Formentera Cruise w/Breakfast, Paella, and Open Bar

A full day on a 25-meter catamaran, with breakfast in the morning, paella at lunch, a BBQ later, and an open bar throughout, gives this Ibiza excursion its appeal. You also get time at Ses Illetes and s’Espalmador, plus eight hours to explore Formentera at your own pace.

I like the mix of included food and water equipment, since you are not constantly paying for another drink or beach activity. I also like the generous Formentera stop, which gives you more than a quick swim and a photo before rushing back to Ibiza. The trade-off is that eight hours on the island can feel less organized, especially if you arrive without a plan for transport.

Key points to know

• Three Formentera-area stops: Visit Ses Illetes, s’Espalmador, and Formentera in one long day.
• Meals are part of the deal: Breakfast, paella, grilled food, fruit, pastries, and drinks are included.
• Water gear is available: Use snorkel masks, paddleboards, and seabobs, subject to crew direction and sea conditions.
• Formentera time is substantial: You get about eight hours ashore, but bikes, scooters, food, and drinks there cost extra.
• Sunset depends on the month: June may bring views of Es Vedrà from the boat, while other months may allow sunset time at a cove or beach bar.
• Plan for a long day: The excursion lasts 13 hours, and the captain can alter the route or suspend water sports for safety.

A full Ibiza day built around the sea

This is not simply a ferry ride to Formentera. It is a day at sea with meals, drinks, swimming stops, music, and a long block of free time on the island. The catamaran leaves from Happiness Beach Ibiza, and the crew checks you in with a wristband that identifies your access and inclusions.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. You need your digital or printed ticket and your ID. Without the ticket, you cannot board, so this is not the morning to rely on a fading screenshot or a phone with no battery.

The vessel is 25 meters long and 9 meters wide. That gives you several places to settle in, from open areas in the sun to the shaded lower deck, called the Main Room. Common areas are included, while 14 Balinese beds on the upper level cost from €60, with a bottle of cava included. You purchase those beds only on board.

At $160 per person, the price is easiest to judge as a full-day package rather than as transportation. Breakfast, lunch, BBQ food, an open bar, towels according to the main inclusion list, and water equipment all add value. You still need to pay for any bike or scooter, food and drinks in Formentera, and the optional Balinese bed.

Breakfast begins the crossing

After the short transfer to the catamaran, the morning starts with a welcome cocktail and breakfast. The spread includes tropical fruit, pastries, coffee, tea, juices, toast, croissants, scrambled eggs, turkey, vegetables, cheese, and pancakes with different toppings. Fresh orange juice and pancakes made on board give the meal a more substantial feel than a basic continental snack.

This matters because the day is long. You may spend hours in the sun, and a light pastry alone would not carry you through the morning. Eat before the first swim, especially if you plan to use the paddleboards or seabobs.

The early cruise takes about 30 minutes through the Balearic waters. It is a gentle start, with time to look back toward Ibiza and settle into the rhythm of the boat. The open bar includes soft drinks, water, beer, sangria, cava, white wine, red wine sangria, juices, and selected cocktails.

Cocktail choices include mojitos, caipiroskas, Aperol spritzes, bellinis, daiquiris, tequila sunrise drinks, and mimosas. The sensible approach is to pace yourself. A 13-hour boat day in strong sun is much more enjoyable when you treat the bar as a convenience, not a challenge.

Ses Illetes brings the first swim

The first major stop is Playa de Ses Illetes, one of the best-known beach areas in Formentera. Here, the emphasis is on clear water and time off the boat. You can swim, snorkel, use a paddleboard, or try a seabob if the crew makes the equipment available.

The water gear is included, but it is not a guarantee that every item will operate at every stop. The crew decides how equipment is distributed, and poor sea conditions can cancel water activities. Kayaks are reserved for families with children, older people, and people with reduced mobility, rather than being open to everyone.

That restriction is worth understanding before you book. If kayaking is the main reason you are interested, this may not be the right outing. If you are happy with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and possibly using a seabob, the equipment selection is much broader.

The scheduled stop is about an hour. That is enough for a brisk swim or a short session with the gear, but not enough for a slow beach day. You are visiting Ses Illetes as part of a moving cruise, not settling in for the afternoon.

S’Espalmador adds a quieter pause

The next stop is s’Espalmador, a small island near Formentera. The program allows another hour for swimming, snorkeling, photos, drinks, and water activities. The stop gives the day a second change of scene instead of keeping you anchored in one place.

You can use this time to stay on the boat, take pictures, or get into the water. An aperitif is also part of the service, and the bar remains available. The pace is informal, but the stop is short enough that you should listen for crew instructions and keep your belongings close.

The captain may change anchoring points because of wind, waves, or other safety concerns. That can mean a different swimming location than expected, or no water sports at all. There is no refund for these changes, so book this with flexibility rather than with one exact beach in mind.

Paella makes lunch the centerpiece

Paella is the main lunch, prepared as a show cooking service on the boat. You can choose mixed, vegetarian, or seafood paella, served with bread and alioli. It is a fitting meal for a day between Ibiza and Formentera, and it gives the midday schedule a clear center.

The food is one of the stronger reasons to compare this cruise with a basic boat transfer. You are not left to find a restaurant during the busiest part of the day, and you can eat without interrupting your time on the water. The open bar also covers drinks with lunch.

Later, the BBQ includes hamburgers, chicken breast, sausages, loin, and vegetables. The supplied schedule places dinner and the BBQ during the return portion, along with dessert and drinks. Do not expect one continuous restaurant-style service. Meals are part of the activity and are shaped around sailing, anchoring, and the return schedule.

Eight hours in Formentera changes the value

After the water stops, the catamaran reaches Formentera for about eight hours. This is the most important part of the day for deciding if the tour suits you. You are not limited to a quick landing, a short walk, and a forced return to the boat. You have a long window to explore independently.

The drawback is that the excursion does not provide a complete plan for those eight hours. Bikes and scooters are available at your own expense, but transport is not included. If you want to visit more than the immediate arrival area, arrange your plan and budget before leaving Ibiza.

A practical approach is to decide in advance if you want to rent a bike, hire a scooter, find a beach, or simply enjoy the local area on foot. Food and drinks during this stop also cost extra. The cruise provides plenty earlier in the day, but your island hours are your own responsibility.

That freedom suits independent people. You can set your own pace instead of following another guided loop. It also means you should not expect a host to organize every movement across Formentera. One useful improvement would be clearer guidance on how to make the most of the island stop, since arriving in a remote area with only bike and car hire available can be inconvenient.

The eight-hour stop is also a good reason not to overdo the breakfast, paella, and bar service. Leave room for a meal or snack on Formentera if you want to experience more than the boat’s included menu.

The sunset depends on your month

The return is designed as the atmospheric part of the day. In June, the boat may catch the sunset behind Es Vedrà, the striking rock formation off Ibiza. That is a special way to end a day that began with a crossing and moved through several island stops.

In other months, the sunset may be enjoyed from a cove or beach bar of your choice in Formentera. The exact setting depends on the season and the route. This is another point where flexibility matters. You may get the best view from the water, or you may have more time on land before returning.

Live saxophone or electronic violin is scheduled during the return. Combined with cocktails, the BBQ, and the changing light, this shifts the mood from active daytime outing to evening cruise. The music is an added feature, not the main reason to book, but it helps give the return leg its own identity.

The boat returns to Happiness Beach Ibiza, the same place where you check in. The advertised duration is 13 hours, though departure and return times can change with sea and weather conditions.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes a host, the cruise, breakfast, paella, BBQ food, selected drinks, a welcome cocktail, a glass of champagne, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, seabobs, and towels according to the inclusion details. One later note says towels are not included, so confirm this point before departure rather than assuming you will receive one.

The open bar covers beer, soft drinks, water, cava, sangria, wine, juices, and cocktails. It is a real part of the package value, especially if you would otherwise buy drinks during a long boat day.

Extra costs include:

• Bike or scooter rental in Formentera
• Food and drinks purchased during the island stop
• Balinese beds, from €60, with a bottle of cava
• Any personal purchases not included in the cruise

The optional bed may suit you if you want a reserved sunbathing spot and a bottle of cava. It is not necessary for enjoying the catamaran, since common areas are available without an added charge.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would recommend this for you if you want a social, activity-filled day and prefer one booking to cover most meals and drinks. Families can make use of the swimming, paddleboards, and the special kayak policy, while couples and groups may prefer the cocktails, music, and sunset setting.

It also suits people who want both a boat experience and real time on Formentera. Many short island cruises offer only a few hours ashore. Here, the eight-hour stop gives you room to explore, provided you are comfortable arranging your own transport.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, small-boat outing or a tightly guided day. The catamaran is designed for a broad mix of people, and the open bar, live music, water sports, and 13-hour schedule create an energetic atmosphere. It may also be a poor match if you need guaranteed access to every water activity or a fixed route.

The 4.3 rating from 41 submitted ratings suggests a generally strong experience with some room for better organization. The praise centers on polite service, a helpful and funny crew, and the fun of the full day. The useful criticism is practical: arriving in a remote part of Formentera without a clear transport plan can make the long free period less rewarding.

Practical advice before you book

Wear comfortable shoes for the island stop, and bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and your ID. Keep your ticket available in digital or printed form. Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in and your wristband.

Pack with a long day in mind. You will move between sun, shade, water, meals, and the island, so a small bag with dry clothing and personal sun protection is sensible. The supplied information lists towels as both included and not included, so bring your own if you have room.

Remember that the captain can modify the route, anchoring points, departure time, return time, and water activities for safety. Bad weather can mean no paddleboards, snorkeling, seabobs, or kayaking, with no compensation. That is standard for a sea outing, but it is especially important here because the water activities are a major selling point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the exact starting time for your date, since a 13-hour excursion can shape your entire day and evening.

Should you book this Ibiza to Formentera cruise?

Book it if you want a value-packed sea day with meals, drinks, swimming stops, music, and a long independent visit to Formentera. At $160, the package makes sense when you would otherwise spend separately on transport, breakfast, lunch, drinks, and water activities.

Skip it if you want a quiet ferry crossing, a small group, or a carefully organized Formentera tour with transport included. The best way to enjoy this excursion is to accept the changing sea route, pace yourself at the bar, and make a clear plan for your eight hours on the island.

FAQ

How long does the Ibiza to Formentera cruise last?

The excursion lasts 13 hours. Departure and return times can vary because of sea and weather conditions.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes fruit, pastries, hot items, coffee, tea, juices, toast, croissants, cheese, vegetables, turkey, scrambled eggs, and pancakes. Lunch includes mixed, vegetarian, or seafood paella with bread and alioli. A later BBQ includes grilled meats and vegetables.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes beer, soft drinks, water, cava, sangria, wine, juices, and selected cocktails such as mojitos, caipiroskas, Aperol spritzes, bellinis, daiquiris, tequila sunrise drinks, and mimosas.

Are water sports included?

Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and seabobs are included. Equipment is provided at the crew’s discretion, and activities can be stopped because of weather or sea conditions. Kayaks are reserved for families with children, older people, and people with reduced mobility.

Do I have free time in Formentera?

Yes. The schedule provides about eight hours in Formentera. Bike or scooter rental, food, and drinks on the island are not included.

Can I reserve a Balinese bed?

Yes. The 14 Balinese beds are available to purchase only on board, from €60, and include a bottle of cava. Common areas are available without this extra purchase.