Ibiza: Crystal Waters Formentera, Open Bar and Buffet Lunch

Clear water, open sea, easy island time. This Formentera boat trip combines two excellent swims, a buffet lunch, and an open bar with a guided look at the island’s west coast. I especially like the friendly crew and the chance to see Cala Saona and Illetas from the water. The main catch is simple: the swimming stops are offshore, not on the beaches, and the route can change with sea conditions.

For $93 per person, you get a full day built around transport, food, drinks, and scenery rather than a long stretch of free time ashore. That makes it a good fit if you want Formentera without arranging ferries, taxis, beach gear, and lunch yourself. It is less suitable if your main goal is to spend hours walking around the island or lying on a beach.

Key points to know before you book

• The two swims are offshore: You stay aboard the boat at Cala Saona and Illetas, swimming in a safe area in the sea rather than stepping onto either beach.
• The active tour runs from about noon to 4 p.m.: The remaining time is used for the boat transfers between Ibiza and Formentera.
• The west coast is the scenic star: You sail past cliffs toward Cap de Barberia and its lighthouse before returning toward Cala Saona.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The buffet runs from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria available during that period.
• Arrive early for better seating: The Playa d’en Bossa pickup is the second boarding point, so upper-deck seats and sunbeds may already be taken.
• This is a family-friendly day, not only a party cruise: Families with young children have enjoyed it, though the music and open bar still give the outing a lively holiday feel.

What this Formentera boat day is really like

This is a sea-focused excursion with a little time on land, not a full island tour by coach or car. You board at one of the Sea Experience Ibiza points, either Figueretas or the other listed Sea Experience location, then settle in for the crossing.

The boat is described as spacious and comfortable, with covered lower seating and an upper deck. The choice matters. The top deck gives you more sun and open views, but those seats can go quickly. The lower deck offers shelter, which is useful during the first part of the trip or on a hot day when you want a break from direct sun.

The transfer includes several boat movements and stops. The exact timing can shift, but the useful rule is this: the excursion itself takes roughly four hours, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The rest of the day is travel between Ibiza and Formentera. Do not picture four hours of nonstop sightseeing followed by a separate full island afternoon.

The staff are one of the strongest parts of the outing. They are described as friendly, helpful, and accommodating, which makes a difference on a boat day where meals, drinks, swimming equipment, and boarding all need to run on a schedule.

From Ibiza to Formentera by boat

The ride begins with a short ferry section and then a longer crossing toward Formentera. The listed timings include a 15-minute ferry segment, a 45-minute ferry ride, and a return crossing of about one hour. The schedule also includes short hop-on and hop-off style pauses connected with boarding and disembarking.

These figures should be treated as a working outline rather than a promise of exact minutes. Sea conditions can affect the route, and the captain can alter it without prior notice. One outing even shifted toward the west end of Ibiza because of weather, so keep a little flexibility in your expectations.

That uncertainty is not a flaw unique to this trip. It is part of spending a day on open water. The payoff is the view: instead of sitting inside a vehicle, you get changing perspectives of the coast, cliffs, and water. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear where you can reach them easily. You will not want to unpack your whole bag once the boat is moving.

The west coast and Cap de Barberia

One of the most attractive parts of the route is the sail along Formentera’s west coast toward Cap de Barberia. The cliffs give the trip a strong sense of place, and the lighthouse near the cape provides a clear focal point for the scenic section.

This part is best enjoyed from the outside deck if you can claim a seat. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole crossing staring at a screen. The views are the point, and the boat gives you a perspective that is hard to get from inland roads.

The guided portion lasts about 45 minutes according to the schedule. It is intended to help you understand what you are seeing rather than simply moving from one swim stop to another. The supplied information does not give the guide’s name, but commentary is offered in English and Spanish.

The route may not satisfy someone hoping to tick off every famous sight on Formentera. One four-star assessment felt that the route did not include enough attraction points. That is a fair warning. This is mainly a coastal sightseeing and swimming day, not a detailed tour of monuments or villages.

Cala Saona: first swim and lunch on the water

The first major stop is in the Cala Saona zone. You do not go ashore at Cala Saona. The boat anchors in a safe area offshore, and you swim from the vessel.

This distinction deserves attention because the name of a famous beach can create the wrong impression. You will see the coastal setting from the water, but you will not walk onto the sand. The stop lasts about 50 minutes in the listed plan and includes swimming, scenic views, food, drinks, and time to use the boat’s water equipment.

Snorkeling gear and swimming noodles are included. The clear water is the main attraction, and the stop gives you a chance to see fish beneath the surface. You should be comfortable entering and swimming in open water, since this is not a shallow beach wade.

After the swim, you can eat from the buffet. Lunch is served during the 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. window, with drinks from the open bar. The menu is not described in detail, so I would set your expectations at practical buffet food rather than a special island meal.

Food opinions are mixed. Several people found lunch tasty and welcome, while one assessment called it awful. Another noted that the buffet layout could become a scramble when everyone went to serve themselves. In plain terms, lunch does its job, but food quality should not be the main reason you book this excursion.

Illetas and the second swim

After lunch, the boat continues toward the Illetas zone. This is another offshore swimming stop, not a beach landing. You can use the time to swim, snorkel, and look for fish in the clear water.

The scheduled stop lasts about 40 minutes. That is enough for a refreshing swim, but not enough for a leisurely beach afternoon. You remain on the boat, so pack your expectations around water access and sea views rather than sunbathing on Illetas Beach itself.

The two swimming stops are a major reason this outing receives strong praise. They break up the sightseeing and give you something active to do. They also make the trip more appealing to families and mixed groups, since one person can swim while another stays aboard with a drink.

The boat provides the equipment listed for the activity, but you should still bring your own towel and sunscreen. A cover-up is also sensible, since you may be wet when it is time to eat or sit in the wind.

Free time in La Savina

The final stop is La Savina, Formentera’s port town. Here, you get about 30 minutes of free time. That is enough for a short walk near the port, a look at the lighthouse, or a pause by the water.

The limited duration is both useful and restrictive. It gives you a brief taste of Formentera on land, but it is not enough for a major independent outing. You will need to keep an eye on the meeting time and stay close enough to return to the boat without rushing.

If you want to rent a vehicle, visit several beaches, or explore Formentera’s inland roads, this is not the right format. The free time is a small part of a boat-centered day. If you simply want to stretch your legs and see the port before heading back to Ibiza, it works well.

The return boat may not be the same vessel used in the morning. Sea Experience operates three boats, so look for the Sea Experience logo when it is time to board. This is a small detail, but an important one when several boats are in the port.

Food, drinks, and the open bar

The open bar includes water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. It operates until 4:00 p.m., which matches the main excursion period. The drinks add real value because a day in strong sun can make repeated purchases expensive, especially for a family or group.

There is one practical wrinkle. One four-star assessment found that the bar did not open immediately and was not available during the return journey. Another wished it stayed open from start to finish. The stated inclusion says drinks are available until 4:00 p.m., but you should not assume full bar service during every minute of the entire transfer.

The best approach is to bring water with you at boarding, then use the included bar during the scheduled activity. Do not rely on the open bar as a reason to skip basic sun and hydration planning.

Lunch is included, which helps the $93 price make more sense. You are paying for transport, two swim stops, equipment, a guided coastal segment, buffet food, and drinks in one package. The value is strongest if you plan to eat and have several drinks aboard. It is weaker if you do not drink, do not swim, or mainly want free time on land.

Seating, families, and the overall mood

This is not presented as a hard-party boat. Families with children aged four, six, and eight enjoyed the day, and the presence of other families helped keep the mood comfortable for parents who were concerned about a party atmosphere.

That said, music, sangria, beer, and open upper-deck seating give the trip a social holiday feel. You may find groups celebrating, but the experience also works for couples and families who want an easy day at sea.

Seating is worth planning. The Playa d’en Bossa pickup is the second boarding point, and upper-deck seating may already be partly occupied by then. If you want a sunbed, arrive early at the meeting point. If you board later, the covered lower deck may be your first option.

The boat itself has been described as clean and comfortable. Staff friendliness also comes up repeatedly as a strong point. That matters when the day includes a buffet queue, wet swimmers, changing sea conditions, and several boarding moments.

Who should book this excursion

I would recommend it if you want a simple way to combine Formentera scenery, swimming, lunch, and drinks without planning each part yourself. It is especially suited to:

• Families who want a structured day with swimming and food included
• Couples who prefer coastal scenery to a long shopping or sightseeing program
• Groups looking for a social boat outing with an easy price structure
• Visitors staying in Ibiza who want to see Formentera without arranging separate ferry connections
• Anyone who enjoys swimming from a boat and snorkeling in clear water

I would think twice if you need step-free access, as the excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also skip it if beach time is your top goal. You do not disembark at Cala Saona or Illetas, and the La Savina stop is short.

The day depends on the sea, so it is not ideal for someone who needs a fixed route and exact timing. The captain can change the course without notice. In exchange, you get a relaxed coastal outing with less planning and plenty of time on the water.

Should you book the Formentera Crystal Waters boat day?

Book it if you want two clear-water swims, a scenic coastal cruise, lunch, and drinks in one organized day. The crew, comfortable boat, and easy format are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Do not book it expecting a full tour of Formentera’s beaches or villages. The swimming stops are offshore, the free time in La Savina is brief, and the buffet is convenient rather than a culinary highlight. At $93, the value is good for people who will use the food, drinks, and swimming equipment. Arrive early for the best seating, bring swimwear and sunscreen, and treat the route as weather-dependent. That is the formula for enjoying this trip.

FAQ

Where does the Formentera boat tour depart from?

The listed starting options are Sea Experience Ibiza in Figueretas and another Sea Experience Ibiza location. The exact meeting point depends on the option selected when booking.

How long does the excursion take?

The main excursion runs for approximately four hours, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additional time is used for transfers between Ibiza and Formentera.

Are Cala Saona and Illetas beach stops?

No. The boat stops offshore in the Cala Saona and Illetas zones. You swim from the boat in a safe area, but you do not disembark on either beach.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. The listed bar service runs until 4:00 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included and is served during the 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. activity period.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Snorkeling gear and swimming noodles are included.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guide commentary is available in English and Spanish.