Ibiza: Formentera Sunset Boat Part with Drinks and Food

Formentera with Benefits turns a day trip into a floating beach-club outing, with six hours to explore Formentera and a sunset sail back toward Ibiza. I like the fresh brunch and live paella cooking, and I like that the $153 price includes drinks, swim gear, wine tasting, and two proper meals. The catch is that you are on an adults-only party boat, not a quiet ferry, and the return leg can feel crowded.

I also like the limited capacity of 100 people, even though the catamaran can hold 300. That gives you more room to find a sofa, dance, or stretch out on a sun bed. Just remember that the beds are first come, first served, and may need to be shared, so VIP access does not mean a private lounger.

What makes this Formentera cruise different

• A full 10-hour day: You get a morning cruise, six hours in Formentera, and a sunset sail back to Ibiza.
• Two meals on board: Start with fruit, pastries, bread, guacamole, olive oil, and healthy choices, then finish with seafood or vegan paella.
• Open bar included: Drinks include Aperol Spritz, cava sangria, red-wine sangria, beer, mimosas, soft drinks, water, and cold brew martinis.
• Formentera is your own afternoon: There is no guide or forced group route, so you can rent a bike or scooter, visit a market, or head for the beach.
• A real swim stop: Use SUP boards and other water toys in clear Formentera waters before dinner.
• The sunset is the finale: A DJ, scenic sailing, and views from Sol d’en Sera give the day a party finish.

The day begins at Playa d’en Bossa

Your meeting point is the Ibiza Boat Club counter at the boat pier in Playa d’en Bossa, near Hotel The Ibiza Twiins and Bar Happiness. Look for the black beach flags in front of Pier 69. Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m., with departure listed for 10:30.

This is a useful location if you are staying near Playa d’en Bossa. The L14 bus stops near Hotel Marenostrum or Hotel Goleta, and the pier sits between those stops. If you drive, parking is listed about 10 meters from the pier at the intersection of Carrer de la Punta and Pere Matutes Noguera. Use Carrer de la Punta 7 in your navigation system.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and beach clothing. Pack light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and drones are prohibited. Clothes that can get dirty are sensible, since you will be eating on a boat and taking part in water activities.

Coffee, brunch, and a first swim

The opening 45 minutes are a gentle introduction to the day. As the catamaran heads toward Formentera, you can have freshly brewed coffee or tea and take in the sea views.

After roughly 45 minutes, the crew serves brunch while the boat is anchored near one of the area’s attractive beaches in Formentera or Ibiza. The food is more thoughtful than a basic boat breakfast: local ensaimadas, fresh fruit, artisanal bread, guacamole, organic olive oil, and other light items are part of the spread.

There is also a Protein and Matcha Bar, which is useful if you want something less sweet or more filling. A morning swim stop gives you a chance to get in the water early, and SUP boards are available for the activity.

The brunch matters because it sets the tone for the price. You are not simply paying for transport to Formentera. Food begins soon after departure, and the open bar and second meal continue later. Still, pace yourself. A long day in the sun, with alcohol available throughout, can catch up with you quickly.

Six unscheduled hours in Formentera

The boat drops you at La Savina, Formentera’s port, around noon or 12:15 p.m. You then have about six hours to make your own plans, with the boat continuing later in the afternoon.

This free time is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You are not tied to a guide, a group lunch, or a fixed sightseeing loop. You can rent a scooter, car, or bicycle at your own expense, look around the shops and hippie market, or spend the afternoon on one of Formentera’s white beaches.

The tradeoff is that the tour does not include transport around the island, lunch, or a guide. You need to arrange your own rental and keep track of the return time. Formentera rewards a little planning, so decide before arrival if you want beach time, shopping, or an island ride. Six hours sounds generous, but it goes fast once you have collected a rental and found your way around.

You should also note the timing carefully. The information gives both a 5 p.m. end to free time and an 6 p.m. continuation of the boat program, so allow time to return to La Savina and board without rushing. The staff will provide the practical instructions on the day.

Back on board for drinks and a local tasting

After the Formentera stop, the catamaran becomes a floating lounge. The included bar serves Aperol Spritz, sangria made with cava, red-wine sangria, beer, cava, mimosas, water, and soft drinks. Cold brew martinis are also listed, adding a stronger cocktail option.

A self-service station offers local wine tasting. This is a nice regional touch, especially if you would rather sample Balearic and Spanish wines than spend the whole afternoon with mixed drinks.

The boat has sun beds and sofa lounges, but the sun beds are not assigned. Full-day and sunset customers have access, with places given first come, first served. A bed may need to be shared with another group, with a minimum of four people per bed. If a lounger is important to you, board early and claim your space. If you are arriving with a small group, expect to spend some time on the regular seating areas.

The catamaran carries up to 300 people, but this particular cruise limits attendance to 100. That is a meaningful difference. You get more breathing room than on a standard ferry, though the return portion can still feel lively and crowded, especially when music, drinks, and sunset photos bring everyone onto the same parts of the boat.

Swimming near Formentera before dinner

The later swim stop is timed well. After several hours on land and on the boat, you can cool off in the sea near Formentera, use the SUP boards, and take photos in the clear water. Snorkeling is also listed as part of the stop, though the tour does not promise specific marine life or equipment beyond the stated water activities.

Dinner is served during this part of the cruise. The main attraction is the paella show cooking, where you watch the dish being prepared fresh. The standard option is Paella Ibicenca with seafood, accompanied by bread, aioli, and a garden salad made with local market vegetables.

Vegetarian and vegan needs are better covered than on many group boat trips. Vegan and gluten-free options are available, but you should confirm your requirements when booking or with the crew. The menu is built around Spanish and Balearic flavors, so this is not simply a buffet of generic party food.

The food received some of the strongest praise in the supplied comments, especially the paella, fresh breakfast, and attentive service. That does not mean you should expect a restaurant kitchen at sea. Portions and service timing can depend on the movement of the boat and the number of people eating, but the live cooking gives dinner a sense of occasion.

Sunset, music, and the party atmosphere

The final stretch heads toward Ibiza with sunset views around Sol d’en Sera. A DJ plays melodic music, and the boat shifts from relaxed afternoon cruise to a more social party setting. You can dance, talk with other adults, or stay on a sun bed and watch the light change over the water.

Some dates include live touches such as a saxophonist playing with the DJ. Music is a major part of the experience, but it is worth understanding where it is and is not used. The boat does not play loud DJ music in Formentera because of nature-reserve rules. The livelier music comes during the sailing portions, especially on the return toward Ibiza.

That makes the day more varied than a nonstop party boat. The morning is food and swimming, the middle is independent island time, and the evening is music, drinks, paella, and sunset. If you want a silent sailing trip, this is not your match. If you want a social day with pauses built in, the structure works well.

The tour may also include dolphin watching while sailing, but this is a chance to look for wildlife, not a guaranteed sighting. Keep your phone and camera ready for the views, but do not book the trip solely for dolphins.

What the $153 price really covers

At $153 per person, the cost is high compared with a basic ferry to Formentera. The comparison is not quite fair, since the ferry does not provide brunch, dinner, an open bar, a swim stop, SUP boards, wine tasting, music, or access to the boat’s sun beds.

You are paying for a full day of meals, drinks, entertainment, and transport, plus the convenience of not having to organize a separate return trip from Formentera. For someone who would otherwise buy several drinks, eat two meals, rent water equipment, and pay for a sunset cruise, the price can be good value.

The price is less attractive if you plan to spend most of the day quietly on Formentera and do not care about the party boat. Lunch on the island is not included, and scooter, car, or bike rental costs extra. You also pay for the atmosphere, service, and hosted schedule, not just the miles traveled.

The large number of positive ratings fits the main strengths of the experience: friendly crew, steady drink service, good food, clear water, music, and a well-organized day. Names singled out in comments include Helena, Lucila, Lu, Anna, Raddi, and Bo, though crew assignments can change. The consistent practical point is that staff are attentive and keep plates cleared and drinks moving.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this cruise for adults who want Formentera and a party atmosphere in the same day. It works especially well for couples celebrating a birthday, friends who want an easy social outing, and first-time Ibiza visitors who want a major day on the water without planning every detail.

It also suits people who like variety. You get island time, swimming, food, cocktails, scenic sailing, and music rather than one long activity. The adults-only rule keeps the mood focused on grown-up socializing.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone seeking a quiet yacht charter, a private sun bed, or a carefully guided tour of Formentera. The island portion is self-guided, the beds are shared when needed, and the return trip can become busy. The boat is limited to 100 for this cruise, but it is still a shared experience with a party element.

There are three ticket types, so read the selection carefully before paying. The full-day option described here includes breakfast and paella. The sunset option does not include breakfast, while the morning option does not include paella or sun-bed access. Standard ferry choices do not include the same food, drinks, DJ, or VIP seating.

Practical details before you book

The experience lasts 10 hours and is offered in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish. It is for adults only, and children under 18 cannot join.

The recommended dress is boho chic or smart casual, but comfort matters more than fashion. Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring sunscreen and a towel, and choose shoes that work on a boat and during time ashore. Avoid bringing anything bulky.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check the date and starting time before booking, since availability can vary.

Should you book Formentera with Benefits?

Book it if you want a polished, social day that combines Formentera’s beaches with Ibiza’s sunset party energy. The six hours on the island give you genuine freedom, while the boat handles the meals, drinks, water stop, and evening entertainment.

Skip it if your main goal is a quiet ferry ride or a private sailing charter. For most people who want food, drinks, swimming, music, and a memorable sunset without arranging each piece separately, $153 is a reasonable all-in price. Claim a lounger early, pace your drinks, and leave enough time to get back to La Savina. That is how to get the most from this long but well-filled day.

FAQ

Where does the Formentera boat trip leave from?

It leaves from the Ibiza Boat Club counter at the pier in Playa d’en Bossa, near Hotel The Ibiza Twiins, Bar Happiness, and Pier 69. Look for the black beach flags.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 10:15 a.m., and the tour starts at 10:30 a.m. Arriving for boarding time gives you a better chance of finding a preferred sun-bed spot.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. This is an adults-only activity, and children under 18 are not allowed.

How long do I have to explore Formentera?

You have about six hours of free time after arriving at La Savina around noon or 12:15 p.m. There is no guide, so you explore independently.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The full-day experience includes a morning brunch, dinner with freshly made paella, seasonal fruit, wine tasting, and an open bar with cava sangria, red-wine sangria, Aperol Spritz, beer, cava, mimosas, cold brew martinis, water, and soft drinks.

Can I use a sun bed?

Yes, full-day and sunset customers have access to the sun beds. They are first come, first served, and may need to be shared with another group. Morning-only tickets do not include sun-bed access.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and clothes that can get dirty. Large bags, luggage, and drones are not allowed.