San Antonio: Es Vedrà, Formentera Tour with Food & Drinks

The best Ibiza days happen offshore. This 12-hour boat trip packs Es Vedrà, Espalmador, and Formentera into one long Mediterranean outing, with breakfast, paella, dinner, drinks, swimming gear, and a sunset cava toast included. I especially like the mix of famous scenery and free time, plus the lively crew, with Auxi, Luci, Pablo, Tanit, and Maria all praised for making the day friendly and fun.

The main drawback is the pace. You cover a lot of water in one day, and some people wished the Espalmador stop had been shorter so they could have more time in Formentera. You should also prepare for possible seasickness, especially if the water is rough, and tell the crew about vegetarian needs before departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops in one day: See Es Vedrà, swim near S’Espalmador, and spend four to five hours exploring Formentera.
• Meals are included: Breakfast, traditional paella lunch, a light dinner, drinks, and a cava toast are part of the package.
• The crew is a major strength: Auxi, Luci, Pablo, Tanit, and Maria have all been singled out for warm, helpful service.
• Formentera time is flexible: You can use the free hours for a beach visit, a local meal, or discounted bike, scooter, or car hire.
• Sea conditions matter: Rough water can make the long crossing uncomfortable, so bring seasickness tablets if you are prone to motion sickness.
• The price is strong for a full day: At $104 per person, the package covers transport, food, drinks, equipment, and several major sights.

What $104 buys you on the Balearic Sea

At $104, this is not simply a boat ride to one beach. You are paying for nearly a full day at sea, three major stops, three meals, unlimited beer, sangria, and soft drinks, plus snorkel and paddleboard equipment.

That makes the price attractive if you would otherwise pay separately for a Formentera crossing, lunch, drinks, and water equipment. The value is strongest for people who want a social day with plenty provided for them. You do not need to plan every ferry connection, find a beach restaurant, or arrange a separate return trip.

The trade-off is that this is a packed excursion rather than a quiet private charter. The boat serves a full group, the schedule covers a wide area, and the day depends on sea conditions. If you want long, unhurried time on one beach, a shorter Formentera trip may suit you better.

The advertised experience lasts 12 hours, from a 10:00 a.m. departure to roughly 9:00 p.m. return. Unlimited drinks are described as available for 11 hours, which covers almost the entire outing. Drink service includes beer, sangria, and soft drinks, while the sunset toast adds cava.

Leaving San Antonio with breakfast on board

You meet at the Excursiones Ibiza ticket office in the harbour of San Antonio. The crew welcomes you on board, then breakfast is served as the boat heads along Ibiza’s west coast.

The early cruise gives you views of Cala Comte and Cala Tarida from the water. That is a useful start because you get a different angle on some of Ibiza’s best-known coastal spots without spending part of the day arranging transport between them. Dolphins may appear, though that is a lucky extra rather than something you should expect.

Breakfast is included, but the quality and selection have not pleased everyone. I would treat it as a useful morning bite, not the reason to book the trip. If you need a specific breakfast, bring a small backup snack.

This is also the right time to tell the crew about dietary needs. One vegetarian passenger felt the alternative to the main paella was disappointing, and another older account described limited food choices for people who did not eat seafood or burgers. The crew generally receives strong marks for looking after people, but special meal arrangements should be raised before the boat leaves.

Es Vedrà, Ibiza’s legendary rock

Es Vedrà is the first major sight, and it is one of the reasons this route feels different from a standard beach cruise. The rock rises sharply from the sea off Ibiza’s southwest coast, wrapped in local myths and legends.

The boat passes close enough for photographs and a clear look at the dramatic profile. The schedule describes a walk and pass-by, while one passenger was especially pleased to be able to touch the rock. Exact access can depend on the boat’s route and conditions, so you should think of Es Vedrà mainly as a scenic stop rather than a guaranteed shore visit.

The crew shares stories about the rock, which gives the stop more character than a quick photo pause. You get the folklore, the sea views, and the chance to see one of Ibiza’s most recognizable landmarks from an unusual position.

Es Vedrà appears again on the return journey. That second pass is timed near sunset and gives you another chance for photographs, now with softer light and a cava toast ahead.

Swimming at S’Espalmador

The boat next anchors at S’Espalmador, a small natural island reached by boat. This is the most active part of the day, with about 1.5 hours set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the stop gives you a welcome break from sitting on the boat. Snorkeling masks and equipment are included, as is paddle surf equipment, so you do not need to arrange gear separately. You can swim, try the board, or remain on deck and enjoy the setting.

This stop also provides the yacht-style atmosphere promised by the tour. The boat anchors among luxury catamarans and yachts, so the setting feels more polished than a basic ferry crossing. That said, the word premium should not make you expect a private experience. You are sharing the anchorage and facilities with the rest of the group.

The main scheduling question is how much time you want here compared with Formentera. Some people loved the swim stop, while others felt it ran too long and reduced their time on the larger island. If you are mainly booking this for Formentera’s beaches, you may wish the schedule leaned more heavily toward the afternoon.

Bring sun protection, a towel, and something secure for personal items. The provided equipment covers snorkeling and paddleboarding, but the tour details do not specify towels or personal storage.

Paella lunch and the social side of the boat

After the S’Espalmador stop, lunch is served on board. The main meal is traditional paella, and it receives some of the strongest food praise. One passenger called it delicious and noted that the portion was large, while another specifically highlighted the cooking by Pablo.

This is a good example of how the tour works best. You are not merely being transported between islands. Meals and drink service turn the crossing into part of the day, and the crew keeps the atmosphere lively. Several people praised Auxi and her colleagues for being cheerful, accommodating, and attentive.

The social mood will suit you if you like music, sangria, and meeting people while you travel. It may be less appealing if you want a silent cruise with long stretches of peace. The boat mixes sightseeing with a party-friendly holiday atmosphere, though the supplied information does not give a group size or music schedule.

Vegetarians should be careful here. The standard meal is paella, but the alternative has not impressed everyone. Contacting the operator in advance is the sensible move, and you should repeat your dietary needs at the start of the day.

Four to five hours to make Formentera your own

Formentera is the longest stop, with four to five hours of free time. That is enough time to do more than take a quick photograph, although your exact plans should stay modest because the island visit is only one part of a very full day.

The obvious choice is a white-sand beach and a swim in the clear Mediterranean water. You could also use the time to find a local spot for a drink or meal, walk around, or arrange a short ride to see more of the island.

The tour has local partnerships offering discounted bike, scooter, and car rentals. This can help you cover more ground, but the discount does not guarantee a fast pickup. One passenger paid for a moped through the boat yet still had to wait in the same queue as people arranging rentals on arrival. Treat the partnership as a possible saving, not a skip-the-line service.

You should decide before reaching Formentera how active you want to be. If you want a relaxed beach stop, avoid spending too much time arranging transport. If you want to explore farther, allow for rental queues and return time. The boat will have a fixed departure, so keep a careful eye on the meeting time.

Four hours felt like a good amount of time for some people, while others wanted more. That difference comes down to expectations. For a day that also includes S’Espalmador, Es Vedrà, meals, and a sunset cruise, the Formentera stop is generous. For a full island tour, it is not.

The return ride, cava, and Café Mambo views

The return begins in the afternoon and passes Es Vedrà again. As the sun drops, the crew gathers everyone on deck for a cava toast. This is one of the most memorable parts of the route because you get a clear closing moment rather than simply sailing back to port.

The boat then passes Ibiza’s famous Sunset Strip near Café Mambo. From the water, you can look toward the shore as people gather for the sunset. The schedule allows about 30 minutes for this atmosphere, so it is a scenic passage rather than a stop at the venue.

Dinner follows sunset. It is described as a light meal served on board, giving you something to eat during the final cruise back toward San Antonio. Do not expect a second large feast after the paella. The useful point is that you are not left to fend for yourself after a long day in the sun.

Arrival is planned for about 9:00 p.m. at the same San Antonio harbour area. With the length of the day, you should leave your evening free rather than booking a tight dinner reservation or late activity.

Seasickness, comfort, and practical preparation

The biggest practical warning is motion sickness. One passenger reported rough water and widespread sickness on the boat. That does not mean every departure will be uncomfortable, but the route spends many hours at sea, so you should take the risk seriously if you are sensitive.

Consider bringing seasickness tablets, water, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light layer for the evening. The information does not specify the boat’s seating layout or comfort level, and one earlier account found the seating uncomfortable for resting. You should expect an excursion boat rather than a hotel lounge.

The day is also physically active in small bursts. You may climb on and off for swimming, use paddle equipment, walk around Formentera, and spend much of the day in the sun. The long period at sea can feel tiring even when the schedule is enjoyable.

The crew receives the strongest praise in the available feedback. Auxi is repeatedly noted for her energy and kindness, while Luci, Pablo, Tanit, and Maria are also named for helping create a welcoming atmosphere. Service can vary by departure, but the staff is clearly an important part of the experience.

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when sea conditions or your Ibiza plans are not yet settled.

Who should book this Ibiza boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several Balearic highlights without planning separate ferry rides, rentals, meals, and beach stops. It works especially well for first-time Ibiza visitors, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who enjoys a sociable boat day with drinks and music.

It also suits you if value matters. The $104 price includes a great deal, especially when you count the paella, breakfast, dinner, unlimited drinks, equipment, and return transport. The crew’s warm service adds real value rather than leaving the day feeling like a bare transfer.

I would hesitate if your priority is a quiet boat, a private atmosphere, or many hours on one beach. I would also think twice if you are highly prone to seasickness or need a carefully planned vegetarian menu. The route is ambitious, and ambitious boat days always involve some compromise.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a big, social day at sea with three major island sights, solid inclusions, and a memorable sunset finish. The combination of Es Vedrà, S’Espalmador, and Formentera is hard to match at $104 when meals and drinks are included.

Skip it in favor of a shorter, more focused excursion if you dislike long crossings or want complete control over your time on Formentera. If you do book, pack seasickness medicine, confirm dietary needs early, and keep your Formentera plans simple. That preparation lets you enjoy the scenery, the paella, the swimming stop, and the cava toast without spending the day watching the clock.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and finishes at the Excursiones Ibiza ticket office in the harbour of San Antonio, Ibiza.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about 12 hours. Departure is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., with arrival back in San Antonio around 9:00 p.m.

Which islands or landmarks does the boat visit?

The route includes Es Vedrà, S’Espalmador, and Formentera. Es Vedrà is passed on the outward and return journeys, S’Espalmador includes a swim stop, and Formentera includes four to five hours of free time.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Breakfast, paella lunch, dinner, beer, sangria, soft drinks, and a sunset cava toast are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and masks are included, along with paddle surf equipment.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve your place and pay later.