Ibiza: Formentera Sunset Boat Part with Drinks and Food

The clever part of this 10-hour Formentera cruise is that it gives you both kinds of island day: six unhurried hours on Formentera to rent a bike, visit a market, or find a beach, followed by a floating beach-club evening with paella and sunset views. You are not trapped on the boat all day, and you are not left to arrange separate transport back to Ibiza.

I like the healthy brunch and open bar, which make the long day easy, and I like the generous swim stop with SUP boards and other water toys. Staff members associated with the service include Helena, Lucila, Lu, Raddi, Bo, and Anna, though the crew can change. The main drawback is simple: this is a social party boat, not a quiet private yacht, and the return can feel crowded.

Quick verdict: At $153 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to eat, drink, swim, and enjoy the music. It is less suitable if your ideal Formentera visit means peace, privacy, and a carefully guided island tour.

What makes this Formentera boat day different

• Six hours on Formentera: You have enough time to leave the port, explore independently, and still return for the evening sailing.
• A limited 100-person cruise: The boat can hold 300, but this departure limits numbers to give you more room.
• Brunch, paella, and open-bar drinks: Food is built into the day, including healthy morning choices, local fruit, wine, beer, sangria, Aperol Spritz, and soft drinks.
• Sunbeds for full-day passengers: Beds are first come, first served, and may be shared, but they give you a comfortable place to settle in.
• A sunset swim and cooking show: Dinner is prepared aboard while you watch the paella being made near Formentera.
• Adult party atmosphere: Expect DJ music, dancing, socializing, and a polished beach-club mood rather than a family excursion.

Boarding at Playa d’en Bossa at 10:15

Your day starts at the Ibiza Boat Club counter at the boat pier in Playa d’en Bossa. Look for the black beach flags in front of Pier 69, close to Hotel The Ibiza Twiins and Bar Happiness. Boarding begins at 10:15 am, with departure listed for 10:30.

The meeting point is easy enough if you are staying in Playa d’en Bossa. By bus, take the L14 and get off near Hotel Marenostrum or Hotel Goleta. The pier sits between those stops. If you drive, parking is available about 10 meters from the pier near Carrer de la Punta and Pere Matutes Noguera. Use Carrer de la Punta 7 for navigation.

Arrive ready for sun and salt water. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, and clothes that can get dirty. Large bags and drones are not allowed, so pack lightly. A small beach bag is more useful than a suitcase.

The adult-only rule matters. This is built around drinks, music, and a late return, so the mood suits couples, groups of friends, and solo adults who enjoy meeting people. The recommended dress is boho chic or smart casual, though swimwear is the practical choice once the boat gets moving.

Coffee, brunch, and a first swim

The first sailing stretch lasts about 45 minutes. You can take in the sea views with coffee, tea, or another welcome drink before breakfast is served while the boat is anchored near one of Formentera or Ibiza’s attractive beaches.

The morning meal is more thoughtful than the usual boat buffet. Expect ensaimadas, fresh fruit, artisanal bread, guacamole, organic olive oil, and other light food. A Protein and Matcha Bar gives you another option if you want something less sweet or more filling.

This is one of the tour’s better choices. A full day at sea, followed by hours of walking or cycling on Formentera, calls for more than pastries and alcohol. The fresh fruit and savory items help you pace yourself. You can also take an early swim, which is a fine way to start before the heat builds.

SUP boards and other water toys are available during the swim stop. You should still keep your expectations sensible: this is a shared boat activity, not a private watersports session. Equipment access may depend on timing and demand, but the chance to get into the clear water is a major part of the appeal.

Six independent hours in Formentera

Around noon, you are dropped at La Savina, Formentera’s port. The schedule allows roughly six hours of free time, with the boat trip continuing around 6 pm. There is no island guide, no arranged lunch, and no included scooter, car, or bike rental.

That lack of guiding is both a strength and a weakness. I like the freedom because you can choose your own pace. Rent a scooter or bicycle, browse the hippie market, take a taxi to a beach, or simply walk around the port area. You are not pulled from one photo stop to the next.

The catch is that you need a plan. Formentera is small, but six hours can disappear quickly if you spend too long arranging transport. If you want to see more than La Savina, arrange your rental before the day or have a clear idea of where you want to go. You will also need to buy your own lunch.

This is not a guided cultural tour. You will not receive a detailed explanation of the island, and you are responsible for watching the time and returning to the correct meeting point. For independent visitors, that is liberating. For anyone who wants everything organized on land, it may feel too loose.

The white beaches and clear water are the main reward. The island portion gives you a genuine chance to experience Formentera rather than viewing it only from the boat. Still, the time is not unlimited. Choose one main goal rather than trying to cover every beach and village.

Returning to the boat for the floating beach club

When you rejoin the catamaran, the tone shifts. You can settle onto a sunbed or sofa lounge, order from the open bar, and watch Ibiza and Formentera slide past from the water.

Included drinks cover beer, water, soft drinks, Cava, mimosas, Aperol Spritz, sangria de cava, sangria de vino tinto, and cold brew martinis. The drinks are a major part of the $153 price, especially if you would otherwise spend the evening buying cocktails at a beach club.

There is also a self-service station for local wine tasting. I like that this adds some Balearic character to a format that could otherwise feel like a generic party cruise. Do pace yourself, though. You still have swimming, dinner, dancing, and a two-hour return ride ahead.

The sunbeds deserve a practical warning. They are reserved for full-day and sunset passengers, but they are first come, first served. A bed may need to be shared with another group, with a minimum of four people per bed. Do not book this expecting a private lounger.

The boat is limited to 100 people on this departure, despite having a capacity of 300. That makes a real difference. You should have more room than on a standard ferry, although the return period can still feel busy when everyone is aboard and enjoying the same service.

The evening swim, paella, and sunset

The later stop near Playa de Ses Illetes combines swimming, photos, food, and scenery. This is when the tour feels most like a proper Ibiza party boat, but it does not rely only on loud music. The setting does much of the work.

Dinner is built around homemade Paella Ibicenca, with seafood and vegan, gluten-free options. Bread, aioli, and a fresh garden salad with local vegetables round out the meal. The live cooking element gives dinner some theater, and it is more satisfying than being handed a cold meal from a galley.

Food quality is one of the strongest parts of the experience. I would not book this expecting fine dining, but the combination of fresh ingredients, a hot paella, salad, bread, and plentiful drinks is substantial for a boat trip. If you have specific dietary needs beyond the stated vegan and gluten-free options, confirm them before booking.

As the sun drops, the boat heads toward Sol d’en Sera. A DJ plays melodic music, and the mood can move from relaxed conversation to dancing. Some departures have included a saxophonist alongside the DJ, adding a live touch to the music. Do not expect the quiet of a nature cruise. The soundtrack is central to the evening.

There is an important distinction in the schedule. The full-day experience described here includes breakfast and paella. Other ticket types do not offer the same package. The sunset tour does not include breakfast, and the morning option does not include paella or access to the VIP beds. Standard ferry tickets do not include the food, drinks, DJ, or sunbeds. Read the option names carefully before paying.

Is $153 good value?

Formentera transport alone does not explain the price. The value comes from bundling a ferry-style crossing, brunch, six hours on the island, an evening cruise, swimming, a meal, an open bar, music, and sunset sailing into one day.

If you drink very little and plan to spend most of your time ashore, the value is less obvious. You are still paying for services you may not use. In that case, a basic ferry and an independent Formentera day could cost less and give you more control.

If you would otherwise pay for breakfast, boat transport, beach-club drinks, dinner, and a sunset cruise, the total can quickly approach the ticket price. I see this as good value for a celebration, birthday, couples’ day out, or group trip where convenience matters.

The limited capacity also helps justify the cost. This is not the cheapest way to reach Formentera, but it is designed to make the crossing part of the experience rather than a transfer you endure.

Who will enjoy it most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a full day with a clear structure but enough free time to make the island portion your own. It works especially well for:

• Couples celebrating a special occasion
• Friends who want beach time followed by music and drinks
• Solo adults who enjoy a social atmosphere
• First-time Ibiza visitors who want to see Formentera without arranging every boat and meal separately
• Anyone who likes swimming, open-air dining, and sunset views

I would hesitate if you dislike loud music, shared sunbeds, alcohol-centered activities, or long days in the sun. It is also not ideal if your main goal is a guided Formentera tour, since there is no guide on the island.

Bring a towel and sunscreen, and save room for a light change of clothes. Comfortable shoes matter if you plan to walk or cycle on Formentera. Most of all, set a reminder for the return time. Missing the boat would ruin the strongest feature of this day.

My final call on the Ibiza Boat Club experience

Book it if you want Formentera by day and Ibiza by sunset without managing separate tickets, restaurants, and beach-club reservations. The food, attentive drink service, swim stops, and sunset setting give the day plenty of substance beyond a simple party cruise.

Skip it if you want silence, privacy, or a serious guided look at Formentera. At $153, the trip earns its price when you use the brunch, drinks, paella, sunbeds, and music. For the right kind of visitor, it is an efficient and very enjoyable way to turn one Ibiza day into a full Mediterranean outing.

FAQ

Where does the Formentera boat trip leave from?

It leaves from the Ibiza Boat Club counter at the boat pier in Playa d’en Bossa. The pier is near Hotel The Ibiza Twiins and Bar Happiness, in front of Pier 69.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 10:15 am, and the tour starts at 10:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The full-day experience lasts about 10 hours and returns to the starting point at Carrer de La Punta, 2.

How much free time do I get on Formentera?

You get about six hours of free time. The boat drops you at La Savina around 12:15 pm, with the boat trip continuing at about 6 pm.

Is a guide included on Formentera?

No. You explore Formentera independently, and scooter, car, or bike rental is not included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The full-day experience includes brunch, local seasonal fruit, paella dinner with vegan and gluten-free options, wine tasting, beer, sangria, Cava, Aperol Spritz, mimosas, cold brew martinis, water, and soft drinks.

Are sunbeds included?

VIP sunbeds are included for full-day passengers, but they are first come, first served. Beds may need to be shared with other groups.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

No. This activity is for adults only, and children under 18 are not permitted.