Ibiza: Cala Salada & North Cruise with Drinks & Snorkeling

Ibiza’s north coast feels far removed from the island’s club scene. This six-hour catamaran trip takes you past the rocky islands of Ses Margalides, into a quiet swim spot, and on to Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta. I like the open bar with beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, and water, plus the simple snacks served along the way. I also like the mix of swimming, snorkeling, scenery, and beach time, so the day never rests on one activity.

The main drawback is that the beach stop can feel busy in high season, and the path between the two beaches is rough. Snorkel gear can also go quickly, so collect yours early. The aquarium is small and the visit is short, but it adds variety to a trip that delivers very good value at $53.

Key points at a glance

• Ses Margalides by boat: See Ibiza’s rugged north coast and offshore rock islands from the water.
• One-hour swim stop: Swim, snorkel, or use the included bodyboards, donuts, and other water toys in a bay reached by boat.
• Aquarium Cap Blanc: Spend about 20 minutes at the small aquarium, with entry included.
• Three hours at Cala Salada: Choose the rocky Cala Salada, sandy Cala Saladeta, or stay aboard.
• Drinks and snacks included: Beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, water, fruit, pastries, and sweets are served on board.
• Good value at $53: The price covers the cruise, guide, aquarium, equipment, refreshments, and beach stop, but not lunch.

San Antonio departure and the double-decker boat

Your day starts in San Antonio at the Float Your Boat kiosk. Look for the Nemo boat in front of the fountains, beside the Egg roundabout. Check in at the wooden kiosk before boarding and collect your Boarding Card. This small step matters, since arriving at the boat without checking in can slow the boarding process.

The excursion uses a large, motorized catamaran with more than one deck. You can sit in the sun, find shade, or move around during the cruise. Several people particularly liked the upstairs seating, while one person found the boat crowded. The operator says boats run at half capacity to keep the ride comfortable, but the exact feel can still depend on the date and demand.

Music plays during the trip, but this is not presented as a loud party cruise. The tone is relaxed, with music kept low enough for families, older passengers, and anyone who wants to watch the coast. The crew includes friendly staff, and guides speak English and Spanish. Crew members Sergio and Johnny have been singled out for their warm approach.

Do not count on parking right at the harbor. The harbor has a two-hour limit. You can look for parking elsewhere in San Antonio, or use the private parking in front of ITACA, less than five minutes on foot from the boats.

Aquarium Cap Blanc takes about 20 minutes

The first stop is Aquarium Cap Blanc, a small sea-life center set in a natural cave. Entry is included, which adds useful value to the ticket. The stop is brief, around 20 minutes, and some visitors found the actual aquarium visit closer to five minutes because the group moved through quickly.

I would treat this as a pleasant extra, not the reason to book the cruise. It gives you a look at local marine life and breaks up the boat ride, but you should not expect a large aquarium or a long, detailed visit. If you have children, the stop may be a welcome change of pace. If you care most about time in the water, you may wish the visit were shorter or skipped.

The boat may also have viewing windows below deck, giving you another way to see the water and marine life. That is useful for children or anyone who prefers not to swim.

Ses Margalides and Ibiza’s quieter north coast

After the aquarium, the boat follows Ibiza’s north coast toward Ses Margalides. The islands are small, rocky outcrops with a raw, open feel. From the water, you get a better sense of the coast than you do from a beach road or resort promenade. The guide provides commentary as the boat moves along.

This is the part of the trip that helps justify choosing the north. Ibiza’s southern resorts are more familiar to many visitors, but the north has a quieter character, with cliffs, coves, and fewer signs of development. You are not simply being ferried to one beach. You are seeing a stretch of coast that is best understood from offshore.

The sea can make the route feel different from one day to the next. If weather conditions are poor, the operator may use a similar alternative route. That protects the day’s main activities, but it means the exact coastline viewed is not guaranteed.

The one-hour swim stop at Ses Balandres

The boat then anchors for about an hour at Ses Balandres, a secluded bay accessible by boat. This is one of the strongest parts of the trip. In calm conditions, you can swim away from the crowded beaches, snorkel around the boat, or simply float and cool off.

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bodyboards, inflatable donuts, and other water toys. The water has been praised for its clarity and marine life. One important tip: collect your snorkel gear early. Equipment can go quickly when everyone enters the water at once, and one person found the number of sets insufficient for the demand.

The swim stop is not a private experience. Several people may be using the same area, and everyone tends to gather near the boat or the available equipment. Still, the location itself can feel wonderfully open, especially when the boat is the only one in the bay.

Bring a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. You will want a dry layer for the return to the boat, especially if the breeze picks up. A waterproof phone pouch is also useful, although it is not listed as an included item.

Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta for three hours

The main beach stop runs from roughly 2 to 5 PM. The boat docks at Cala Salada, where you can get off and spend several hours on land. Cala Salada has a rocky shore, sun loungers, parasols, and a beach restaurant. A short path leads toward Cala Saladeta, which is more sandy and often the preferred choice for a classic beach break.

The walk between the two beaches is not smooth. The ground is rough, and good walking shoes are a smart choice. This is not the easiest section for anyone with limited mobility. Take your time on the path, particularly when it is busy or wet.

You have three sensible choices at this stop:

• Stay at Cala Salada near the boat and restaurant.
• Walk to Cala Saladeta for a sandier beach.
• Remain on board and return to San Antonio earlier.

The restaurant lunch is not included. You must reserve ahead using the phone number on your voucher if you want to eat there. Paella is available as an add-on option, but it is not part of the basic $53 price. You can also bring your own lunch on board.

I would book the restaurant only if a sit-down meal is important to you. Otherwise, bringing food gives you more freedom and avoids relying on a busy beach restaurant. One practical detail: if you stay on the beach until the afternoon ferry, you may return on a smaller boat with fewer drink choices. The crossing is quick, but do not expect the same full service as on the main catamaran.

You can also skip the beach entirely and remain aboard, arriving back around 2 PM. That option suits anyone who prefers open water to a crowded shore, or anyone with another evening plan.

What is included for $53

The price makes more sense when you add up what is covered. You receive:

• The catamaran cruise
• An English and Spanish-speaking guide
• Aquarium Cap Blanc entry
• A one-hour swim stop
• Snorkeling equipment
• Bodyboards, inflatable donuts, and other water toys
• Beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, and water
• Fresh fruit, pastries, and sweets

The drinks are a major part of the value. You can help yourself to beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, and water while aboard. Snacks are modest rather than a full meal, usually fruit and pastries with sweets, but they keep you going between the swim stop and the beach.

If you would normally buy drinks, equipment rental, and a boat ticket separately, $53 is a strong price. It is less compelling if you do not drink alcohol and plan to spend the whole day on the beach, since Cala Salada can be reached by land. The real value comes from combining the coastal cruise, swim stop, aquarium, refreshments, and beach transfer in one outing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a full day on the water without a party-boat atmosphere. The range of activities helps families with different interests. One child can use the viewing windows, another can play with the inflatables, while adults enjoy the coast and a drink.

It also works well if you want a break from Ibiza’s nightlife. The music creates a pleasant mood without turning the boat into a nightclub. The crew, refreshments, and simple timetable make the day easy to follow.

Strong swimmers and casual swimmers can both enjoy it, since the boat provides water toys and the crew has been described as attentive. That said, the swim stop is the center of the water activity, so you should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat or be happy watching from the deck.

You may want a different excursion if you dislike organized group outings, prefer a long quiet beach day, or want serious snorkeling with plenty of room to explore. The swim area can get crowded around the equipment, and the beach itself may feel packed in August.

Timing, weather, and small practical details

The total duration is about six hours. Morning departure times can vary, so check the schedule when booking. Return ferries from Cala Salada generally run around 4 to 5 PM, while staying aboard lets you reach San Antonio around 2 PM.

The trip operates in changing weather, but poor conditions can lead to an alternative route. The exact swim location and views can therefore change. Calm weather will usually give you the most comfortable ride and clearest water, but no boat trip can promise identical conditions every day.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, water-resistant footwear, and comfortable shoes for the beach path. The provided information lists sunscreen as essential, and the rocky ground at Cala Salada and along the route makes sensible footwear especially useful.

For people concerned about space, the half-capacity policy is reassuring, but it does not eliminate crowding at popular moments. Head upstairs early if you want a particular seat, and collect snorkeling gear as soon as the crew makes it available.

Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Ibiza plans depend on weather.

Should you book the Cala Salada cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced mix of sea views, swimming, drinks, and beach time. The north coast scenery, secluded swim stop, and included refreshments are the strongest reasons to go. At $53, the package is hard to beat for a six-hour outing with aquarium entry and water equipment included.

Think twice if you want a peaceful, uncrowded beach or a long snorkeling session. Cala Salada is accessible by land, the aquarium is small, and the snorkeling gear may be in short supply at busy times. For most people, though, the cruise gives you more variety and a better view of Ibiza than simply taking a bus to the beach.

FAQ

Where does the Cala Salada cruise depart from?

It departs from the Float Your Boat kiosk in San Antonio. Look for the Nemo boat in front of the fountains, next to the Egg roundabout.

How long does the experience last?

The main experience lasts about six hours. You can remain on the boat and return to San Antonio around 2 PM, or stay at Cala Salada until the afternoon ferry around 4 to 5 PM.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bodyboards, inflatable donuts, and other water toys are included. Equipment can be limited during busy periods, so collect it early.

Are drinks and food included?

Beer, sangria, cava, soft drinks, water, fresh fruit, pastries, and sweets are included on the boat. Food at the Cala Salada restaurant is not included, and you can bring your own lunch.

Is Aquarium Cap Blanc included?

Yes. Entry to Aquarium Cap Blanc is included, and the visit lasts about 20 minutes.

Can I visit both Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta?

Yes. You can spend time at Cala Salada and walk to Cala Saladeta. The path between them is rough, so wear good walking shoes.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The operator may use a similar alternative route if conditions are unfavorable. The exact coastline and swim stop may therefore change.