Ibiza: Boat Trip to Formentera with Open Bar and Paella

Formentera looks best from the water. This 10-hour catamaran trip combines three excellent reasons to go: the bright beaches of Ses Illetes, a generous five-hour break to explore Formentera, and a freshly prepared paella lunch with drinks served aboard. I also like the easygoing mix of swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, music, and quiet time in the sun.

The main drawback is comfort in rough weather. The ride can become windy and choppy, and standard seating may feel crowded when many people gather on the upper deck for lunch. You should also arrive 30 minutes early at Happiness Beach Ibiza, since late arrivals may miss the boat.

Five Details That Shape the Day

• Five hours on Formentera: You get enough time to walk around, visit beaches, or arrange a bike or scooter rental independently.
• A real boat-based lunch: The crew serves mixed, seafood, or vegetarian paella, with aioli bread and fresh tropical fruit.
• Water equipment included: Paddleboards, snorkeling masks, and a slide are available, while seabobs operate from the end of May.
• Two beautiful water stops: S’Espalmador offers a shoreline visit, while Ses Illetes brings clear water, swimming, and beach views.
• Music on the return: A DJ, saxophonist, or electronic violinist may provide the soundtrack as the boat heads back toward Ibiza.
• Gold ticket extras: The Gold option adds a four-meat barbecue, including burgers, chicken breast, loin, and German sausages.

What You Get for $102

At $102 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Formentera. A basic ferry crossing costs less, and it gives you more control over your schedule. But this excursion bundles the boat ride, breakfast, open bar, lunch, two scenic stops, water equipment, and five hours on the island into one organized day.

That package makes the price easier to justify. You are paying for a full day on a 25-meter catamaran, not just transportation. The boat is 9 meters wide, with two decks, shaded indoor space, sun areas, and shared Balinese-style beds. The crew also handles the food and drinks, so you do not spend your day arranging every small detail.

I would consider the price fair for visitors who want an active social day rather than a simple ferry transfer. It is less attractive if you plan to spend all five hours independently exploring Formentera and do not care about the onboard food, music, or water toys.

The standard experience includes paella and the open bar. A Gold ticket adds the mixed-meat barbecue, but the details make the regular option sound sufficient for most people. The paella is the central meal, and the barbecue is an extra choice rather than a basic necessity.

Starting at Happiness Beach Ibiza

You meet at Happiness Beach Ibiza, where the hostess checks your ticket and gives you a silver bracelet for boat access. Bring a printed or digital ticket. Without it, you cannot board.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. This is not the sort of outing where arriving at the last minute is worth the risk. The boat leaves from the harbor, and check-in needs to happen before boarding.

Parking near the port can be awkward. A two-hour limit may not cover the full excursion, so driving and leaving your car nearby is not ideal. One practical option mentioned in the trip information is the Mercat Nou area, about 800 meters away, though you should check current parking rules before relying on it.

Once aboard, the day begins with a short cruise of about 30 minutes. This gives you time to settle in, find the shaded lower deck, and get a feel for the boat. The crew includes English, Spanish, and Italian speakers, which helps with basic instructions and meal choices.

Breakfast While Ibiza Fades Behind You

Breakfast comes during the early cruise through the Balearic waters. It includes tropical fruit, packaged pastries, juices, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea.

This is a light breakfast, not a full Spanish meal. Ham, cheese, Spanish omelet, and avocado are not included, so eat accordingly if you need something substantial before a long day at sea. The fruit and pastries are useful, but you should not mistake them for a restaurant-style spread.

A welcome cocktail is also served. The open bar includes beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water while you are on the boat. Wine and cocktails beyond the included selection cost extra.

S’Espalmador, Shoreline and Shallow Water

The first major stop is S’Espalmador, a small island near Formentera. The visit lasts about an hour and includes time for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and looking for marine life.

The stop is handled from the water, with a walk along the shoreline rather than a long inland visit. That makes it a good first taste of Formentera’s clear water and pale sand, but it is not a full island tour.

Snorkeling masks are provided without tubes for hygiene reasons. Paddleboards are available at the crew’s discretion. Kayaks are limited to families with children and people with reduced mobility, so do not assume you can use one simply because it is listed among the equipment.

A slide provides one of the day’s more playful moments. If you like active water stops, this part of the trip gives you plenty to do. If you prefer dry clothes and a quiet deck, S’Espalmador is also short enough that you will not be committed to nonstop activity.

Ses Illetes and the Famous Beach Stop

The catamaran then reaches Playa de Ses Illetes, one of the best-known beaches in the Formentera area. The stop lasts about an hour and combines swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and time to admire the beach from the water.

This is one of the strongest parts of the route. Ses Illetes is famous for its pale sand and clear water, and arriving by boat gives you a broad view without requiring a separate beach transfer. The catamaran can also pass along the coast, giving you a wider sense of the setting.

The water activities depend on weather, sea conditions, and the captain’s decision. Safety comes first, and the route or water sports may change if conditions turn poor. That flexibility is sensible, but you should not book this expecting every listed activity to operate in all weather.

Lunch is usually served around this part of the day. The main choices are mixed paella, seafood paella, or vegetarian paella. If you want the vegetarian meal, select it when booking. Aioli bread and fresh fruit are also included.

The paella is prepared aboard, with the captain involved in cooking. That gives the meal a more personal feel than a prepacked lunch. Still, space can be limited, and seating may be tight when everyone eats at once. Some people may eat on the roof deck in full sun, while the lower deck offers a cooler, shaded room.

Bring a hat and sunscreen. The open deck is part of the appeal, but it offers little protection during the strongest sun.

Five Free Hours on Formentera

The longest part of the day is your five-hour stop on Formentera. This is a major advantage of the trip because you are not rushed through a short beach call.

You can spend the time swimming, walking, relaxing, or exploring on your own. Bike and scooter rental are not included, so arrange those separately if you want to cover more ground. The trip functions as both a guided boat outing and a loose island day, depending on how much independent planning you prefer.

Five hours is enough to create your own plan, but you need to watch the meeting time. The boat will not wait for a late return. Keep your ticket, bracelet, phone, and any rental details safe while you are ashore.

I like this balance. The crew provides the scenic structure, food, and return transport, then gives you a meaningful block of free time. You are not trapped in a fixed walking tour, but you also do not need to solve the logistics of reaching Formentera by yourself.

The tradeoff is that the activity does not explain a detailed history of the island or escort you through its villages. If you want expert commentary at every stop, this is not that kind of outing. It is built around sea views, free time, and easy recreation.

The Catamaran as Your Base

The boat is the heart of the experience. Its two decks create several ways to spend the day, though the most desirable sunbeds are not included in the standard ticket.

The lower deck, called the main room, is shaded and cooler. It works well when you want a break from the sun, a meal away from the wind, or a place to rest during the longer crossings.

The upper areas provide sun and sea views. Fourteen Balinese beds are available for an additional €60, purchased only onboard, with champagne included. These are not free with the standard or advanced ticket, and availability is not guaranteed.

Shared common areas remain available without that extra charge. I would not pay for a bed unless you care strongly about having a dedicated place to stretch out. The boat’s regular spaces are enough for most people, though a full departure can feel busy.

The sound system is supplied by Martin Audio. Music plays during the day, and the return trip may include a DJ, saxophonist, or electronic violinist. The atmosphere can shift from relaxed daytime cruising to a small floating party, especially near sunset.

That change is part of the appeal for couples, friends, and social groups. It may be less appealing if you want a silent boat ride. This is a lively excursion with quiet corners, not a private sailing trip.

Food, Drinks, and the Gold Ticket

The open bar is practical rather than luxurious. You can have beer, sangria, soft drinks, juices, and water throughout the boat portion of the outing. It does not cover wine, cocktails, or every drink on the menu.

The welcome cocktail starts the day, and the afternoon may include another celebratory drink. Do not let the phrase open bar make you forget the sun and the sea. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water, use sunscreen, and pace yourself during the 10-hour day.

The regular paella is the main food highlight. You can choose seafood, mixed, or vegetarian, provided you make the vegetarian request at booking. Breakfast is simple, and a complete breakfast with savory Spanish items is not part of the package.

The Gold ticket adds a barbecue with four meats: hamburgers, loin, chicken breast, and German sausages, plus vegetables. It is a useful option for people who prefer grilled food or want a larger meal, but the core trip does not depend on it.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want:

• A full day combining Ibiza and Formentera
• A social catamaran atmosphere with music
• Swimming and water activities without arranging equipment
• A proper block of free time on Formentera
• Food and drinks bundled into one price
• A boat day that works for couples, friends, and families

Families should note the kayak restriction, since kayaks are reserved for families with children and people with reduced mobility. The slide and paddleboards may still provide plenty of fun, subject to crew approval and sea conditions.

People with motion sickness should think carefully before booking. The ride can be windy and choppy, and one direct account noted that it can feel cold as well. Bring a light layer, even during warm weather, along with a towel, sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, and beachwear.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. If you need a particular form of assistance, confirm details before paying, especially because water activities and the boat’s layout may not suit every mobility need.

Practical Verdict: Book It If You Want a Social Boat Day

I would book this trip if I wanted to see Formentera without spending the day managing ferries, meals, equipment, and return times. The combination of Ses Illetes, S’Espalmador, five hours on the island, paella, and a lively ride home gives you a lot for the price.

I would skip it if I wanted a quiet private cruise, a full cultural tour, or complete freedom over my timetable. You should also avoid it if motion sickness is a serious concern or if sitting in strong sun for part of the day sounds miserable.

For most visitors who want to see the non-party side of Ibiza, this is a well-rounded choice. Arrive early, choose your meal carefully, bring sun protection and a light layer, and treat the open bar as a bonus rather than the main event.

FAQ

How long does the Formentera boat trip last?

The excursion lasts 10 hours, including the boat rides, stops at S’Espalmador and Ses Illetes, and five hours of free time on Formentera.

Where does the trip start?

It starts at Happiness Beach Ibiza. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for check-in.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes tropical fruit, packaged pastries, juices, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Lunch includes mixed, seafood, or vegetarian paella with aioli bread and fresh fruit.

Is a vegetarian meal available?

Yes. Vegetarian paella is available, but you must request it when booking.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes beer, sangria, soft drinks, juices, and water while you are on the boat. Wine and cocktails are not included.

Does the trip include time on Formentera?

Yes. You receive five hours of free time on Formentera to explore independently.

Are water activities included?

Paddleboards and snorkeling masks are included, subject to staff approval and weather conditions. The boat also has a slide. Seabobs are available from the end of May.

Can I use the kayak?

Kayaks are reserved for families with children and people with reduced mobility. Availability also depends on the boat staff and sea conditions.

Are VIP beds included?

No. Balinese VIP beds cost €60, include champagne, and can be purchased only onboard. Standard common areas are available without this extra charge.

What should I bring?

Bring your digital or printed ticket, sunglasses, a sun hat, towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A light layer is also sensible because the ride can be windy.