A day on the water can be the whole point. This one hits the sweet spot: Formentera beach time plus real play in the sea with paddleboards and snorkeling gear, all paired with a cooked lunch and free-flowing drinks. The vibe is relaxed, and the host team (including Damyan) tends to keep things upbeat and helpful while you’re out there.

Two things I really like: the included water toys (snorkeling kit, life jackets, paddleboards, inflatables) mean you’re not stuck just watching waves, and the on-board paella lunch makes the day feel complete instead of rushed. The main drawback to consider is that the boat can’t actually dock at the protected parks—so at Es Palmador and Ses Illetes you’re enjoying the area from the water, not stepping onto land right there.

Key Points Before You Go

• Three return times from Formentera let you choose a shorter or longer island afternoon.
• Ses Illetes and Es Palmador are protected areas, so you’ll swim/snorkel from the boat rather than dock.
• On-board paella lunch is included, with shrimp, chicken, and vegan options.
• Unlimited drinks on board include water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria (no outside alcohol).
• Play-first schedule: paddleboards, inflatables, floating mats, pool noodles, plus snorkeling gear.

Why This Formentera Cruise Feels Like Good Value

At $67 per person for a full day, this tour makes a strong case because a lot is included. You’re not just buying a boat ticket; you’re getting a packed day built around three things that cost extra on most “cheap” trips: food, drinks, and time in the water with gear.

From the start, you’ll be on a comfortable catamaran out of Ibiza, and the day is structured so you’re active more than idle. That matters in Ibiza/Formentera, where you can easily spend your time in transit and still feel like you missed the best part. Here, the schedule keeps the fun moving: cruise views, then water activities, then lunch, then snorkeling, then real beach time.

Also, the inclusion of a live guide (English and Spanish) helps you get more out of the day. In particular, Damyan comes up in feedback as someone who keeps things entertaining and also helps people get oriented during the island portion.

Boarding at Playa d’en Bossa and the Start of Your Day

You check in at the Aquabus stand at 09:45, and the boat departs from the Playa d’en Bossa Pier in Ibiza. If you like clear starts, this setup is straightforward: you show up, check in, then the boat portion begins.

A small but important detail: this tour is built for a specific rhythm. You’ll have set stops timed into the day, so you’re choosing convenience over total freedom. If you love doing things on your own schedule, you might feel slightly tethered. But if you want a smooth day that doesn’t require planning transport, this is exactly the kind of tour that earns its value.

Es Palmador Stop: Paddleboarding, Swimming, and Lunch Set Up

The first big water block is at Es Palmador, where you get about 1.5 hours. This is where the tour’s “play in the water” identity really shows.

Expect paddleboarding along the coast and time to use the included gear. The boat also carries inflatables and floating options, so you can do more than snorkel if you want a slower pace. If you’re traveling with mixed comfort levels—some people want to paddle, others just want to hang out floating—this stop is set up for that.

Then comes the day’s best break: lunch on board. You’ll get a fresh, cooked meal, with seafood paella, chicken paella, and vegan paella, plus mixed salad, bread with alioli, and fruit. I like that the menu gives you actual choice rather than one main dish plus “good luck.” Paella is also a smart pick for a boat day. It’s filling without being fussy, and it lands well after time in the sun.

One thing to remember: the boat stops in front of protected areas. So you’re not stepping out onto a dock there—you’re enjoying it from the sea with swimmers in the mix.

Ses Illetes Snorkeling: Crystal Water Without the Dock Hassle

Next is Ses Illetes for about 1.5 hours. This is the snorkeling-focused portion, and the location is known for impressively clear water. On this tour, the boat stops in front of the area but can’t dock due to the protection status of the park. That means you’ll get in and out from the water, using the included snorkeling equipment and life jackets.

Practically, that’s good news and bad news:

• Good news: you’re not standing around waiting for a landing or shuttle. The time is mostly in the water.
• Consideration: you’ll want to be comfortable with a boat-to-water entry and with snorkeling without firm “step-off” access.

If you’re newer to snorkeling, this is still doable because the gear is included and the tour provides life jackets. The schedule gives you enough time that you can try it, take a breather, and then try again without the pressure of a quick photo stop.

And even if you’re not snorkeling nonstop, Ses Illetes is a place where you’ll often find yourself just looking at the water and sun patterns. It’s one of those “stop pretending you’re busy and just watch” locations.

The Formentera Free Time: Beach Choices and How to Use Your Return Time

Once you head over to Formentera, you get around 5 hours of free time on the island. This is the part that many people remember most, because you’re not constrained to the boat’s schedule.

You can visit sandy beaches, do some sightseeing, and even fit in shopping. The tour doesn’t spoon-feed where to go, so you’ll get more from this part if you go with a plan—or at least a simple idea like beach + food + one viewpoint.

One standout feature here is the three different return times from Formentera to Ibiza:

• First return: leave Formentera at 13:00, arrive Ibiza around 14:00.
• Second return: depart at 18:15, with open bar and snacks on the way back.
• Third return: only in high season (June to August) at 21:15.

That flexibility is genuinely useful. If you love early beach hours, choose the first return. If you want a longer island afternoon and a more relaxed back-on-the-boat experience, the second return makes the most sense. And if you’re in peak season and want to stretch the evening, the late third return is a rare option that lets you avoid feeling like you “wasted” the day.

What You Actually Get On Board (Not Just Promises)

This cruise is built around practical inclusions that make your day easier:

Drinks

You’ll have drinks on board, including water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. That’s a big deal because it removes the constant need to buy beverages once you’re out on the water.

Also note: you can’t bring alcohol or drugs. So while the bar includes beer and sangria, you’re not expected to show up with your own bottles.

Food

Lunch is a real meal: shrimp paella, chicken paella, vegan paella, plus mixed salad, bread and alioli, and fruit. For a boat day, this is the kind of food that actually fills people up without turning the afternoon into a food coma you regret.

Water Gear

You’ll have paddleboards, plus bodyboards, floating mats, and pool noodles. You also get snorkeling equipment and life jackets. This is what turns the trip from “sit and look” into “do something.”

If you’re the type who doesn’t want to fight for equipment at crowded beaches, I like that this is organized around included supplies. Everyone gets a fair shot at the fun.

What to Bring (Because Towels and Sunscreen Aren’t Included)

This is where you can make the difference between a smooth day and a mildly annoying one.

Bring:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear

Towels and sunscreen are not provided, so don’t assume you can improvise. On hot days on Formentera, sun protection isn’t optional. If you forget sunscreen, your best snorkeling memories might also include a painfully red first day in the sun.

Comfort, Pace, and Who This Tour Fits Best

This cruise is a good match for people who want a guided structure but still want time to play. It’s especially nice for:

• Couples who want a day with real beach payoff, not just a transfer
• Friends where some people love snorkeling and others prefer paddleboarding or floating
• Travelers who don’t want to figure out boat logistics or equipment rentals

It’s not a fit if you’re looking for a quiet, purely scenic cruise with no active stops. This tour includes multiple water activity windows, and the boat can’t dock at the protected parks, so you’re in the water experience either way.

There are also clear suitability notes:

• Not suitable for children under 3
• Not suitable for pregnant women
• Not suitable for people over 70

The Staff Vibe: Friendly, Energetic, and Actually Useful

One reason I’d feel comfortable recommending this is the way the crew seems to run the day. The feedback highlights a friendly, entertaining host experience, with Damyan specifically called out for helping guests with orientation and keeping everyone engaged.

That kind of guidance matters on Formentera, where you may arrive expecting it to be easy and then realize you need a quick plan for beaches, walkability, and timing back to the boat.

Should You Book This Formentera Boat Cruise?

Book it if you want:

• A one-day Formentera hit with snorkeling and paddle time
• Included lunch and drinks so you don’t spend the day budgeting
• The flexibility of three return times so you can match your pace

Skip it (or at least reconsider) if you:

• Want to walk onto protected sites from a dock right away (this boat can’t dock there)
• Prefer lots of free time on land with minimal schedule pressure
• Don’t enjoy water-based activities or boat-to-water entries

For most people, the math works. You’re paying for a full day of logistics, gear, food, and drink, and you’re spending that time in the places that matter most: the sea around Formentera and the island beaches afterward.

FAQ

Where do I check in for this cruise?

You check in at the Aquabus stand at 09:45.

What’s the total duration of the tour?

The activity lasts about 7 hours (starting times vary based on availability).

What drinks are included on board?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included.

Is lunch included, and what type of food is served?

Yes. Lunch is included and includes shrimp paella, chicken paella, vegan paella, mixed salad, bread, alioli, and fruits.

Is snorkeling gear and life jacket included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Can the boat dock at Es Palmador or Ses Illetes?

No. The boat stops in front of these protected parks, but it cannot dock into them.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

What return times are available from Formentera to Ibiza?

You have three return options: leave Formentera at 13:00 (arrive Ibiza 14:00), depart at 18:15 (with open bar and snacks), and a late option at 21:15 in high season from June to August.

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