Bavaria 42 Cruiser · Private sailboat around Ibiza and Formentera

Ibiza looks better from a sailboat bow. This private Bavaria 42 cruiser takes you out of Cala Jondal and threads the sea between Ibiza and Formentera, with a short welcome and safety talk before you settle in. Captains such as Sebastián and Juan Diego get praised for steady, friendly attention, which matters when you want the day to feel easy, not chaotic.

I love the sailing rhythm here, not just the beach time. When the wind behaves, you can hoist the sails and feel the boat move with less engine and more pure motion, and at the swim stops you get included snorkeling equipment and Paddle SUP.

One possible downside: lunch is not included. That said, you can bring your own, eat at a waterfront spot once you’re ashore, or arrange catering as an extra.

Key highlights you will feel right away

• Private Bavaria 42 for up to 8 people, with a fuel tank included
• Wind-dependent sail time, including sail hoisting when conditions allow
• Snorkeling equipment and Paddle SUP included for easy water play
• Ses Illetes in the Ses Salines Natural Park, with calm, clear water and white sand
• S’Espalmador anchoring, where you can swim and get a secret about the island
• Sunset potential at Platja des Jondal, with Es Vedrà as the dramatic backdrop

A private Bavaria 42 day that actually starts with the sea

This is the kind of trip where the main attraction is the time you spend on the water. You are not just hopping from one photo stop to the next. You get a real sailing day, with longer stretches at sea and multiple chances to jump in, snorkel, or paddle.

The boat choice also sets expectations. A Bavaria 42 is a solid size for a small group. That means you are more likely to feel comfortable while moving, and you have room to spread out when the day turns sunny and busy looking from shore.

And since the tour is private for your group up to 8, you can keep the vibe the way you like it. Families with kids can ask for a calmer pace. Couples can prioritize swimming and sunset. A friend group can be more adventurous. The captain controls safety and navigation, but your day is less dictated by a big crowd.

Getting oriented at Tropicana Eivissa, then out of Cala Jondal

Your morning starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Illes Balears. The big practical win is the early start from a place that’s built for beach days.

Once you arrive, you get a welcome and safety talk for about 15 minutes. That short briefing is not meant to slow you down. It just helps you understand how to move around the boat, where to stand during navigation, and how swimming stops work.

Then comes the first feeling of sailing. You head out with about 1 hour 45 minutes of travel time toward Formentera. If the wind is right, you can hoist sails and enjoy a quieter, more natural way of moving across the water.

What I like about this start: you get to settle into the day before the first swim stop. You are not rushing to find your towel while the boat is already in full “tour mode.”

Stop 1, Platja des Jondal to Formentera sailing time you can savor

The first leg is basically your warmup and your preview. The route is paced by the sea, so you feel the day instead of rushing through it.

On a day like this, it helps to think of navigation time as part of the experience. The water in the Ibiza and Formentera stretch is what makes the whole region so addictive. From the deck, you see coastline angles you never get from land. Even if you do not plan to swim right away, you can watch for seabirds, scan the horizon, and get your bearings fast.

Practical tip: plan to be on deck during the sailing segments, not only at stops. That’s where the day feels like a real sail, not just a boat ride between beaches.

Stop 2, Playa de Ses Illetes for SUP, snorkeling, and simple lunch choices

Ses Illetes is one of the main reasons people keep coming back to Formentera. You are in the Ses Salines Natural Park, and the beach is known for white sand and calm, crystal-clear water. The feeling from the water is the most “caribbean” part of the experience, with visibility that makes it easy to spot what’s under the surface.

You get about 2 hours here. That’s enough time to do one active thing and still have time to stretch out. The best plan is simple:

• Start with snorkeling, since the water conditions tend to be friendly.
• If you want to explore farther out, use the included Paddle SUP.
• Then switch to beach time and keep it easy.

Lunch is where the trip lets you choose your style. You can step down to an exclusive waterfront restaurant, eat on board whatever you brought, or opt for catering you arrange ahead.

If you want the smoothest day, bring some snackable food for the boat. You can still choose to upgrade to a restaurant if you feel like it later. Since lunch is not included by default, having a plan prevents the “hangry” moment that can hit right when the water is most tempting.

Stop 3, S’Espalmador for calm anchoring and a story you can’t fake

S’Espalmador is small and uninhabited, and you can only reach it by sea. That access detail matters. It helps keep the vibe quiet compared with the more crowded mainland-like stops.

Here you anchor in one of the island’s quieter coves, then you have about 1 hour to swim, explore the coast, or relax on deck. The water quality in this area is repeatedly part of what makes the day memorable, with very turquoise tones and clean visibility.

The captain will also share a secret about S’Espalmador, something few visitors hear. You will not get that kind of “story layer” on a standard speed itinerary. Even if you are not the type to collect island facts, the small talk can make you look at the coast differently while you’re in the water.

One consideration: because this stop is anchored and the island is uninhabited, you’re relying on the sea conditions and the boat setup. If you are sensitive to small waves, this is still usually fine, but it’s smart to keep your expectations realistic for open water and natural conditions.

Stop 4, Sa Caleta for red rocks, pine green, and Phoenician roots

Sa Caleta is a different mood than Ses Illetes. Instead of bright, postcard-clear beach water, you get a contrast of reddish rocks and surrounding green pines. It’s the kind of setting where the colors look dramatic from the boat and especially from the shoreline angles.

You get about 1 hour here. The time is short enough to keep it exciting, long enough to swim and get a few photos.

This is also the historic stop. Sa Caleta is tied to the first Phoenicians who inhabited Ibiza more than 2,600 years ago. That does not mean you are walking through a museum. It’s more like you get to stand in a place where the timeline is older than people’s resort routines.

How to enjoy it best: take a slow lap along the shore while you still have daylight and calm footing. Then jump in and remember that the area’s beauty is not only modern. You are looking at the same coast that drew people long before Ibiza became a household name.

Stop 5, Platja des Jondal and the Es Vedrà sunset frame

The day closes with a return sail back to Ibiza, aiming for a calm landing at Platja des Jondal. You get about 1 hour of last navigation time.

Heaven permitting, this is where the trip can feel almost cinematic. You may catch one of the Mediterranean’s more magical sunsets, with Es Vedrà appearing in silhouette and framing the moment. Even if the sky is not perfect, you usually still get a softer, calmer version of the coast as the light changes.

This is also a practical moment to manage your comfort. Bring something light for the wind on the open water, and keep your sun protection within reach earlier in the day. The best sunsets happen when you’re not busy fighting sunburn or chasing lost sunglasses.

What you get for the price, and why it can be good value

The price is listed as $1,015.87 per group, up to 8 people, for about 8 hours. The clean way to think about value is per person.

• At full capacity (8 people), you’re roughly at $127 per person for a private 8-hour sail day.
• If you travel as a smaller group, the per-person cost climbs, but you still get private pacing and a set of included gear and fees.

Included items make a noticeable difference:

• Paddle SUP and snorkeling equipment, so you do not have to rent anything on the spot
• A restroom on board, which sounds basic but matters on a long day
• Fuel tank included and all fees and taxes, so there are fewer “surprise” add-ons
• Mobile ticket delivery and English service are also included

Not included: lunch. But you have options, and that flexibility is actually useful. If your group wants a restaurant meal, you can do that. If you want to stay simple, you can eat what you brought.

One more value angle: private tours usually cost more if you compare them to large group catamarans. But those big groups often shorten your actual time on the water. Here, you’re paying for more boat time and more control over the day’s tone.

The real deal on timing, wind, and how flexible the day feels

This is a “conditions matter” style of sailing day. The itinerary includes set stops, but sailing time and sail hoisting depend on wind.

That is not a flaw. It’s the nature of being on the sea instead of on a fixed shuttle schedule. The captain can only work with what the Mediterranean gives you that day. When the wind cooperates, you feel it, because sail hoisting is explicitly part of the experience when possible.

Your best preparation is mindset: come expecting a relaxed flow. If you treat it like a strict checklist, you might be disappointed by the ocean doing ocean things. If you treat it like a day on a boat with great destinations, you will probably love it.

Who this Bavaria 42 cruiser fits best

This tour makes sense if you want:

• A private day with up to 8 people, not a crowded cruise
• Plenty of water time, with snorkeling and SUP built in
• A sunset chance near Es Vedrà
• A boat experience that includes both sailing and swimming, not only land stops

It can be a great match for couples who want romance without the stress of planning every detail. It also works for small families who prefer a calmer group size. If you are traveling with friends, it’s a solid way to share the cost while still getting a tailored day.

One caution: since lunch is not included and you spend hours on the water, bring a simple plan for food and water so everyone stays comfortable.

Should you book this private Ibiza and Formentera sailing day?

I think you should book if your ideal Ibiza trip includes actual sailing time, not just beaches you tick off. The combination of included snorkeling gear and Paddle SUP, plus a private Bavaria 42 setup and the potential for a real Es Vedrà sunset, is exactly the kind of “do it once” experience that still feels worth it when the bill comes.

Skip it or rethink if you only care about one beach and you want everything handled like an all-inclusive resort meal, because lunch is extra. Also consider whether your group prefers lots of walking and land exploring, since the day’s core is water time and brief, high-impact stops.

If you want my simple decision rule: choose this when you want a sailing day that feels personal, and you are happy to bring your own lunch plan (or pay for catering) so the rest stays effortless.

FAQ

Where does this tour start?

It starts at Tropicana Eivissa Cala Jondal, Cala Jundal s/n, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Illes Balears, Spain. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the private cruise?

The duration is approximately 8 hours.

What group size is this for?

It is a private tour/activity for your group only, with up to 8 people per group.

What is included in the tour price?

Included items are snorkeling equipment, Paddle SUP, restroom on board, and fuel tank included. It also includes all fees and taxes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. There are options such as eating onboard what you brought, using waterfront restaurants during the stop, or adding catering as an extra service.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.