About this tour
When Mia from our BugBitten team ran this all-day catamaran trip, it ticked the boxes for a proper Ibiza escape without the nightclub chaos. You sail from Ibiza to Formentera on a roomy catamaran, clock four hours exploring the quieter island (rent a bike or scooter if you fancy it), then anchor at Cala Saona for snorkelling in turquoise water. The boat's got a chef cooking paella live onboard, unlimited drinks flowing all day, and loungers that actually fit more than one person. It's eight hours total — enough to feel like you've gone somewhere without eating your whole day.
Highlights
- Live paella prep onboard — chef works fresh ingredients while you watch
- Four unrushed hours on Formentera to explore at your own pace
- Cala Saona's turquoise anchorage — snorkel, paddle board, or just float
- Generous Bali beds that don't feel cramped with other guests
- Open bar all day — wine, beer, sangria, soft drinks covered
- Paddleboard and Seabob gear included, not bolted on as extras
- Mix of chill vibe and actual activities — suits different group moods
What to expect
The boat fills up with a mix of couples, small groups, and families — it's relaxed rather than rammed. The sail to Formentera takes a couple of hours; Mia found the pace unhurried and the onboard chef's paella demo worth watching (vegan and gluten-free options are on if you give 24 hours' notice). Once you dock at Formentera's port, you're loose to wander the village, grab a coffee, or rent a bike — the vibe is low-key and Mediterranean, nothing like Ibiza town.
After that, the boat moves to Cala Saona, where the water's so clear you'll spot fish straight away. Snorkelling gear's available, paddleboards are ready to go, and there's a Seabob (a motorised underwater scooter) if you want to show off. The loungers are decent-sized and shared, so there's actual room to sprawl. The open bar keeps flowing, and the music stays chilled. By late afternoon you're heading back to Ibiza, which means you've had a full day without burning out.
What travellers say
- All-day drinks and paella included — no hidden costs at the bar
- Four-hour Formentera stopover strikes balance between land and sea
- Turquoise Cala Saona anchorage lives up to the hype for snorkelling
- Paddleboards and Seabobs included rather than bolted-on extras
- Roomy communal loungers — doesn't feel cramped or student-party vibes
- Early start and late return eats most of your day
- Peak season crowds at Cala Saona can dilute the escape feel
- Four hours on Formentera feels brief if you want genuine island time
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you're after a day off the island without the madness of Ibiza clubs, this delivers. The all-inclusive angle — paella, drinks, activities — means no surprises at the end. Families will appreciate the range (snorkel or laze about), couples get romance and space, solo travellers find a social but not suffocating crew. Paddleboarding and snorkelling are genuinely included, not upsold.
Eight hours on a boat means early start and late return — not ideal if you're nursing a hangover. The four hours on Formentera feels tight if you want a proper explore; the island's small and charming but you'll feel the clock. Cala Saona can get busy in peak season, especially midday. Sea state varies; if you're prone to seasickness, bring tablets. Excess baggage costs extra. The boat's social so there's no escaping other guests if the vibe's off.
Bring suncream (reapply constantly), a light cover-up, and water shoes for the rocky bits. Snorkelling gear's on board; paddleboards and Seabobs too. Groups are mixed; you're not getting a private charter. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free paella need 24 hours' notice. Service animals are welcome. Suitable for all fitness levels, though clambering on and off the boat requires basic mobility.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.