Formentera, served like a floating beach party. This cruise from Ibiza blends open-bar comfort with a VIP floating beach club setup, then gives you real time to explore Formentera on your own. My favorite part is the small-group feel on a big boat, plus the live cooking moments. The main catch: the half-day morning option skips the sun-bed VIP access and the full dinner experience, so read the ticket type carefully.

You start on Ibiza’s side with breakfast and coffee, then you get anchored at famous swimming spots, including SUP boards and even a giant slide on the evening swim stop. After that, you either land on Formentera for hours or return for the sunset-and-paella stretch, depending on your option. Adult-only also means it’s more grown-up relaxation than kid-friendly chaos.

Key highlights worth planning around

• 80-person limit on a 300-capacity boat for a calmer, roomier feel
• VIP sun beds included on full-day (and sunset) options, not morning half-day
• Ses Illetes breakfast anchoring stop plus a first swim and snack fuel
• Five hours on Formentera with no guide, so bring a plan for how you’ll spend it
• Paella show cooking with seafood plus vegan and gluten-free options
• Evening fun features like the giant inflatable water slide and live music atmosphere

Why a floating beach club makes Formentera easier

Formentera is the kind of place you don’t just “visit.” You want sun time. Saltwater time. Photos that look like postcards even when you’re tired. The smart move here is going by boat on a setup designed for hanging out: sun beds, big drink focus, and swim stops built into the day.

This cruise does that with a small-group twist. Even though the boat’s capacity is listed as 300, only 80 people are allowed on this sailing. That matters. You won’t spend your day playing human Tetris on a crowded deck.

And the vibe is built around a simple rhythm: eat well, drink well, swim well, then break it up with real time on the island. If your ideal day includes both comfort and freedom, this one fits.

Choosing the right ticket: full day vs half day morning vs sunset

The schedule depends heavily on which option you book, so don’t treat them as interchangeable.

Full day is the most complete choice. You get the morning anchor-and-breakfast stop, VIP sun beds, five hours on Formentera, and then the evening portion with paella show cooking and the sunset atmosphere. If you want the whole arc of the day, this is it.

Half day morning starts at 10:30h and drops you on Formentera at around 12:15h for your time ashore. But this option has two important limits: you don’t get VIP sun-bed access, and the ticket type is called out as missing the paella. You’re basically buying the trip over and the early island hours, not the full dinner-and-evening boat party.

Half day sunset is its own thing. It begins around 17:30h, with a Formentera swim stop and the late-day onboard food and show-cooking experience. Breakfast is specifically not included on sunset tickets, and VIP bed access is reserved for full-day and sunset clients.

If you’re the kind of person who plans around one big meal, one major swim, and one “wow” moment at sunset, match your ticket to that goal.

Playa d’en Bossa check-in: where the day starts

Boarding is at Playa d’en Bossa, at the pier next to Bar Happiness. Boarding starts at 10:15am, and the cruise kicks off at 10:30h for the morning-based options.

This is the part where being ready matters. You’ll want your swim stuff easy to access because you’re not just sightseeing from a shoreline. You’re moving, getting anchored, then doing water time fairly soon.

Bring what you actually need for beach logistics:

• Towel, sunscreen, swimwear
• Sunglasses and comfortable shoes (useful when you’re walking a pier or moving between areas)
• Clothes that can get a little sandy

Also note two firm rules: no large bags or luggage, and no drones.

The coffee, breakfast, and the Ses Illetes anchor stop

After sailing out, you get the first “settle in” moment on the water: coffee and tea, then breakfast served while anchored at Ses Illetes. It’s about 45 minutes into the cruise when breakfast arrives.

This stop matters because it’s not just a snack break. You’re getting a structured start to the day before you’re off living the Formentera dream. The breakfast is described as fresh and local, with items like pastries (including ensaimadas), fruits, and bread with guacamole and organic olive oil, plus other bites to keep you going.

And then you get your first proper swim time while still in the morning portion. On many islands, your “first swim” is just you jumping in for 20 seconds before you worry about your day plan. Here, the pacing feels built for relaxing.

If you like water gear, this is also where you’ll want to pay attention to what’s available onboard, because SUP boards are included.

Formentera drop-off at La Savina: five hours to make it yours

At around 12:15h, the cruise drops you at the port of La Savina in Formentera. Full day clients then get about five hours of free time to explore. Half day morning clients also use Formentera time, but for a shorter overall experience.

No guide is provided on Formentera, so you’re doing self-guided exploring. That’s not a downside if you like freedom; it’s a downside only if you expect a scripted walking tour.

You can structure your five hours around the basics the day supports:

• White sand beach time at Es Palmador
• Quick photo opportunities around the Far de la Mola lighthouse
• Shopping at the hippie market
• Renting a scooter or a bike (rental isn’t included, but it’s an option)

Practical note: you’ll be dealing with real island time. The more you try to cram, the more you’ll feel rushed. Pick one beach and one viewpoint, not five.

Also, Formentera is a nature-reserve area on this itinerary’s terms. Loud DJ music isn’t part of the Formentera island experience, so the atmosphere is more sea-and-conversation than club volume.

Swim stops in Formentera: where the water time earns its keep

The cruise includes one or two swim stops in Formentera depending on your option, with a morning swim stop and an evening swim stop for the longer versions.

The evening swim stop is the one with the extra “you have to see it” gear: a giant inflatable water slide and SUP boards are part of the included activities. There’s also a chance for snorkel-style water fun during the swim stop.

From a planning standpoint, this is where the cruise beats DIY. If you go the regular ferry route, you might reach Formentera, but you won’t get anchored swim stops with onboard prep, included gear, and a dedicated timeframe to play in the water.

One honest consideration: water conditions can make you rethink how long you want to stay in. A colder swim moment means you’ll focus on brief dips and back-to-beds comfort.

The sunset-and-paella stretch: live cooking, sax, and real sea breeze

On full day and sunset options, the late part of the tour is designed as a show. You keep cruising along the Formentera–Ibiza route with drinks flowing and a proper food moment in the middle.

Dinner is served during the evening swim-stop phase, and it’s a Paella show cooking setup. You can choose seafood paella, and there are vegan options too, with gluten-free options specifically mentioned. Food is served with bread and aioli, plus a fresh garden salad made with local veggies from the market.

After that, you get a second onboard performance moment: a Café Caleta show cooking pairing the cooking with live music. A sax player is called out, and the soundtrack leans into the classic sea-breeze pairing of sound and sunset.

If you’re the type who cares about the “moment” rather than only the meal, this is where the day turns from nice to memorable.

Drinks and the VIP beds: what you actually pay for

At $102 per person (check current availability and exact option price), the value isn’t just that food and alcohol are included. It’s the practical combo of:

• a small-group boat experience,
• time on Formentera,
• swim stops with gear,
• and onboard comfort like VIP sun beds (for the full day and sunset tickets).

Those beds matter because they turn “standing around waiting for your turn” into actual sitting-and-relaxing time. You can watch the sea action instead of negotiating for space.

The open bar list includes:

• Aperol Spritz
• Sangria roja and Sangria de cava
• Sangria de vino tinto
• Cava and beer
• Water and soft drinks

Wine tasting is also included during the appropriate parts of the day. And the way it’s structured, you’re not hunting for drinks between activities.

Also note the cultural pacing: no loud DJ in Formentera, so the party energy is mostly on the boat side rather than on the island.

Group size, comfort, and the crew vibe you want on vacation

This is an adult-only cruise, and that shows in the overall flow: it’s about sun, swim, and laid-back social time, not family logistics.

The boat allows up to 300 people, but this sailing limits it to 80, which usually translates into fewer bottlenecks. You’ll still have a lively atmosphere during the cooking and sunset segments, but it should feel like a day with breathing room rather than a floating queue.

On the crew side, names like Anna, Javi, and Jill appear in strong positive mentions, and the themes are consistent: quick help, smooth service, and keeping the experience moving on time.

For you, that means less stress. When something runs late on a day trip, the whole plan gets messy. Here, the schedule has built-in transitions, and the onboard team is clearly set up to manage them.

What to pack and how to avoid the common mistakes

This isn’t a “formal” tour, but it does have a dress vibe suggested as boho chic, smart casual. Think beach-ready layers, not your best city outfit.

Pack like you’re going to a beach all day, because you basically are:

• Towel
• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Beachwear and clothes that can get dirty
• Comfortable shoes for walking the pier and port areas

Two more small rules that matter:

• No large bags/luggage (bring only what fits your day)
• No drones

If you’re planning to rent a scooter or bike once you land, remember that rental isn’t included, so you’ll want to decide on the spot based on how you feel after the swim and meal timing.

Price and logistics: is it worth it compared to DIY?

Here’s how I’d judge $102 per person without pretending it’s cheap-or-free.

If you try to DIY this day, you’d be paying separately for:

• transportation to/from the island,
• some kind of boat or dedicated swim-plan setup,
• food and drinks,
• and probably some rental costs (chairs, towels, gear, whatever you decide you need).

This cruise packages the whole experience: breakfast, open bar, a paella dinner, and the sun-bed comfort you normally have to hunt for once you’re on a beach.

The practical value is highest if you want less coordination and more time just being on the water. If you love planning every step and you’re comfortable with ferry schedules and island logistics, DIY can work. But for most people, the boat’s comfort and included food-and-drink rhythm is the point.

Should you book the Ibiza Boat Club Formentera cruise?

Book it if you want:

• a small-group feeling on a big boat,
• a built-in beach day with swim stops and included gear,
• live paella show cooking with vegan and gluten-free options,
• and an easy day plan where you’re not constantly figuring out the next step.

Skip or think twice if:

• you’re booking the half day morning option and you really care about VIP sun beds and paella dinner (those benefits are tied to full day and sunset choices),
• you prefer a fully guided island tour on land (there’s no guide on Formentera),
• or you’re traveling with anyone under 18 (this is adult-only).

If your goal is a comfortable, photo-friendly Formentera day with real food and real water time, this is one of the more direct ways to get there.