Clear water beats a beach club.

This north Ibiza catamaran day is interesting because you get unspoiled coastline views plus a real boat-access-only swim stop. I like the included open-bar style setup (beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, water) and the fact the itinerary mixes scenery with actual time in the water. One thing to consider: Cala Salada and Saladeta are beautiful, but the shore and the walkways can be rough underfoot.

You’ll start at San Antonio Harbour on a double-decker catamaran and spend about six hours bouncing between stops that feel worlds away from Ibiza’s club scene. There’s an onboard guide giving commentary as you cruise the north coast, a quick aquarium visit, and then a longer beach block where you can chill, snack, or grab lunch at the beach restaurant (not included). The vibe is relaxed—think chill music, not a party boat.

Key highlights to look forward to

• North Ibiza scenery, not just a single beach: You cruise the coastline and take in islands and viewpoints along the way.
• Included snorkeling setup: Snorkel equipment (and other water toys like bodyboards and donuts) are part of the package.
• A secluded swim bay: You anchor/stop at a spot that feels quiet and “only-by-boat” in practice.
• Cala Salada + Cala Saladeta beach time: You get time to choose between the two, including different textures (rocky vs sandy).
• Aquarium Cap Blanc ticket included: Quick visit with entry included, so you’re not doing extra planning.
• Drinks and snacks onboard: Beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, water, fruit, pastries, and sweets keep the day easy.

A Catamaran Day Across North Ibiza’s Best Swim Spots

This is the kind of Ibiza trip I’d recommend when you want more than “sit on a towel and hope for good vibes.” The north side of the island feels different from the south—less staged, more rugged, and built for sea views.

Your day is built around three moods:

1) Cruise and look (coastline commentary and scenery)

2) Get wet (a swim/snorkel stop with equipment)

3) Slow down (beach time at Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta)

And you don’t have to manage the hardest parts. Drinks and basic snacks are on board, and the water time is organized with equipment ready.

Getting Oriented: Float Your Boat Meeting Point and Check-In

Meet at the Float Your Boat kiosk area in San Antonio: look for the Nemo boat in front of the fountains, next to the Egg roundabout, by the Float Your Boat stand.

Two logistics notes that save stress:

• Check in at the wooden kiosk first to get your boarding card, before you step onto the boat.
• Parking at the harbor is limited (2-hour max). There’s free parking elsewhere in San Antonio, and there’s private parking in front of ITACA that’s under a 5-minute walk.

This matters because the day moves quickly once boarding starts, and you don’t want to be the person jogging with sunscreen in hand.

Aquarium Cap Blanc Stop: Quick, Included, and Easy to Skip-Not-See

The trip includes a stop at Aquarium Cap Blanc, with about 20 minutes on site. The key word here is quick. The aquarium is small, so if you’re the type who reads every label, you can stretch it out. If you just want the highlights, you can see it fast and move on.

Why it’s still worth doing: it breaks up the day so you’re not going straight from sailing to beach. Also, you already have entry covered—no surprise add-on once you’re there.

Ses Balandres Swim Stop: Snorkeling Gear and a Secluded Bay

This is the heart of the day.

After cruising, you get a swim/snorkel stop for about 1 hour at Ses Balandres. The big appeal is that it’s a secluded bay only reached by boat in practice, so it feels calmer than the big public beaches.

What you’ll actually have:

• Snorkeling equipment included
• Bodyboards and water toys like donuts

A couple of practical tips from real-world experience matter here:

• Grab the snorkeling gear early. It can be handed out quickly.
• If you want personal comfort in the water, pick a spot where you can spread out a bit—some departures can feel busy around the same snorkeling area.

Safety vibe: many people like that there’s staff support in the water area. Some departures even include a lifeguard presence, which makes the stop feel more controlled than “free-for-all swimming.”

One more thing to know: eco rules in the area can limit how boats access certain spots. In plain terms, the coast is protected, and you should expect the operator to follow those restrictions.

Cruising North Ibiza: Guide Commentary and Sea Views That Pay Off

Between stops, the catamaran cruises the north coastline with onboard commentary. You’re not just moving from one activity to the next—you’re also getting that “I get it now” view of why people fall for this side of Ibiza.

This part is where the double-decker layout helps. You can pick your mood:

• upper deck for the wide views
• lower areas to cool down or relax

The boat itself is designed for comfort, and it’s not packed to the walls. Boats are filled only about half capacity to keep the ride pleasant.

Cala Salada vs Cala Saladeta: Beach Time, Terrain, and What to Bring

Your beach block is about 3 hours, with time at Cala Salada (rockier, with sunloungers and parasols) and Cala Saladeta (more sandy, with a short path walk).

This is where you should set your expectations.

• Cala Salada is often described as rocky, and the access can be a bit uneven.
• Cala Saladeta is usually easier on the feet, but it’s still part beach, part walkway.

I’d treat this as a shoes situation, not a flip-flops situation. Good walking shoes help a lot if the ground is rough on the approach. In one case, an older guest fell on the uphill path—so don’t assume it’s stroller-smooth.

How you can spend your 3-hour window:

• relax on loungers
• swim from shore
• take a slow walk between the two beaches if you’re comfortable with the paths

Lunch: you can eat at the Cala Salada beach restaurant, but food is not included, and the restaurant needs advance reservation via the number on your voucher. If you don’t want the reservation hassle, you can also bring your own lunch onboard and simply chill on the beaches.

Also, you have a choice at the end of the day: you can get off at the beach and return later, or you can stay on the boat and arrive back around 2 PM instead of the later 4–5 PM ferry window. This can matter if you’ve got dinner plans.

Drinks and Snacks Onboard: Value You Can Feel

For a lot of people, this is the reason the trip makes sense.

You get a drinks setup that’s generous for the price point:

• beer
• sangria
• cava
• soft drinks
• water
• fresh fruit
• pastries and sweets

The vibe reported is relaxed. Music is usually present but not a full-on party sound system. People also talk about the boat atmosphere as friendly and easygoing, with seating upstairs and shaded areas available.

Two onboard details that can make the difference:

• The boat can feel clean and well-kept, with comfortable seating.
• Snacks and fruit are real, not token-sized. People describe the snack spread as enough to keep you going between stops.

One small note: the exact snack variety can vary by day. So if you’re expecting a full meal onboard, plan on beach-time meals instead, and let the onboard snacks be the buffer.

Price and Value: Why $53 Often Feels Like a Deal

At about $53 per person, this tour stacks value in a few specific ways:

1) Aquarium entry included

2) Snorkeling equipment included

3) One full swim stop plus 3 hours beach time

4) Open drinks package (beer/sangria/cava/soft drinks/water)

5) Snacks, fruit, pastries, and sweets included

The smarter way to look at it: you’re paying for a full “day activity bundle.” Without it, you’d likely be cobbling together separate transport, a boat experience, and then paying separately for drinks/snorkel gear and aquarium admission.

Also, this tour is timed well for a day trip. If you only have a limited number of days on Ibiza, six hours is long enough to feel like you got your money’s worth, but short enough to still do dinner afterward.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Day)

This cruise is a great match if you want:

• a relaxing day with water time
• a north-coast view without renting a car
• a plan that works even if your group can’t agree on one beach

It can also work for families. One account specifically mentioned kids (ages 5 to 16) enjoying the day, with staff support and multiple activity points that keep different ages happy.

You might want to choose a different option if:

• you hate rocky shore access and don’t want to deal with shoes on uneven paths
• you’re expecting hours and hours of unbroken beach lounging (this is more active than lazy)
• you strongly prefer the aquarium as the main event (it’s intentionally short)

Possible Drawbacks: Crowds, Equipment, Delays, and the Aquarium’s Size

No day on the water is perfect, so here are the main realistic issues to keep in mind:

• Snorkel gear can be tight at times. If equipment is distributed fast and you’re slow, you may spend part of the hour without gear or with limited options.
• Snorkel activity can bunch up. People may focus in the same area, which can make the water feel crowded compared to the quieter “look from afar” experience.
• The aquarium is small. Even with scheduled time, it can feel quick—good if you want a break, not great if you expect a major attraction.
• On rare occasions, mechanical issues can affect timing. One departure reported an engine problem that caused delay and affected the later beach schedule. This isn’t a “always,” but it’s a real possibility on any boat day.
• Some departures can feel crowded. Seating is improved by the half-capacity approach, but not every seat setup will satisfy everyone.

Should You Book This North Ibiza Cruise?

Book it if your idea of the perfect Ibiza day includes north-coast views, a true swim stop with snorkeling gear, and beach time at Cala Salada and Saladeta—with drinks and snacks handled for you.

Skip it or reconsider if you’re chasing one thing only: a long, quiet beach day with minimal walking and zero “organized tour” feel. This trip gives structure, and you’re trading pure beach sprawl for variety.

If you go, do it with the right mindset:

• bring sunscreen
• wear good shoes
• show up early enough to check in properly for your boarding card

And if you want staff who know how to run the day, keep an eye out for crew members people have specifically praised, like Sergio and Johnny.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

Meet at the Float Your Boat kiosk area in San Antonio. Look for the Nemo boat in front of the fountains next to the Egg roundabout.

How long is the cruise?

The experience runs for about 6 hours. Check availability for the starting times.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the swim/snorkel stop, along with other water toys like bodyboards and donuts.

Is the aquarium admission included?

Yes. Aquarium Cap Blanc entry tickets are included, and the aquarium stop is about 20 minutes.

Is lunch included at Cala Salada?

Food at the Cala Salada beach restaurant is not included. If you want lunch there, you’ll need to reserve in advance using the number on your voucher.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring sunscreen. Also, good walking shoes are a smart idea because the beach access and surrounding paths can be rough.