Ibiza: Formentera Sunset Boat Part with Drinks and Food

The clever part of this Ibiza to Formentera cruise is that it gives you two very different days in one. You get six hours to explore Formentera independently, then return to a floating beach club for swimming, paella, drinks, music, and sunset views. I like the generous time ashore and the fact that the boat carries only 100 people on this cruise, despite having room for 300.

I also like the food plan: a fresh breakfast after the first 45 minutes, local wine tasting, and dinner with live paella cooking. The main catch is the pace and party setting. You have no guide on Formentera, lunch is not included while you are ashore, and the boat can feel more crowded on the return trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Six hours in Formentera: You are dropped at La Savina around 12:15 and have until about 17:00 to explore on your own.
• Breakfast and paella are included: Start with fruit, ensaimadas, bread, guacamole, olive oil, and more, then finish with seafood or vegan, gluten-free paella.
• The open bar runs through the boat portions: Expect sangria, sangria de cava, Aperol Spritz, beer, cava, mimosas, soft drinks, water, and cold brew martinis.
• VIP sunbeds are limited: They are first come, first served and may need to be shared by groups of at least four people.
• The best swimming comes later: Bring a towel and swimwear for the Formentera stop, SUP boards, and clear-water views near Playa de Ses Illetes.
• This is adults-only: The music, drinks, social mood, and long day suit adults looking for a lively day on the water rather than a quiet ferry ride.

A full Ibiza day built around Formentera

At $153 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Formentera. A standard ferry will cost less and gives you a simpler crossing. But this boat trip includes food, drinks, water activities, music, service, and a sunset return, so the price makes more sense if you plan to spend the day enjoying the boat as much as the island.

I see it as three experiences rolled together: a Formentera visit, an all-inclusive boat day, and an Ibiza sunset party. That combination is the reason to book it. If your goal is to spend every hour exploring beaches and villages on Formentera, the six-hour limit and independent arrangements may feel restrictive.

The boat limits this particular cruise to 100 people. That matters. The vessel can hold 300, but the reduced number is intended to leave more room for sunbeds, sofas, food service, and movement. It does not make the boat private, and the return can still feel busy, but it is a more comfortable setup than a packed public ferry.

Boarding at Playa d’en Bossa

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

The pier is at the far end of the beach, between the Hotel Marenostrum and Hotel Goleta bus stops. If you are taking public transport, use bus L14 and get off at either of those stops. By car, parking is available about 10 meters from the pier near the intersection of Carrer de la Punta and Pere Matutes Noguera. The suggested navigation address is Carrer de la Punta 7.

Leave time to find the counter and walk onto the pier. This is not a hotel pickup service, so you need to arrange your own way to Playa d’en Bossa. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and drones are also prohibited. Pack a small day bag with a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, and comfortable shoes.

The suggested dress is boho chic or smart casual, but practical beach clothing matters more. Bring something that can get dirty, particularly if you want to sit near the paella cooking or spend time around the swim stop.

Coffee, breakfast, and the first swim

Once underway, the first 45 minutes are an easy start. You can take in the sea views with freshly brewed coffee before breakfast is served while the boat is anchored near one of the attractive beaches around Formentera or Ibiza.

The morning food is more substantial than a quick pastry stop. Expect local ensaimadas, fresh fruit, artisanal bread, guacamole, organic olive oil, and other breakfast items. There is also a Protein and Matcha Bar for anyone who wants something beyond the regular spread. A sound bath with crystal bowls is included as part of the morning program, adding a quiet note before the day becomes more social.

A morning swim stop is included, with SUP boards and other water toys available. The water around Formentera is a major reason to bring swimwear rather than treating this as a sightseeing-only cruise. You should still keep expectations practical: the schedule has several moving parts, and time in the water is part of a larger program rather than a long, private beach stop.

Six independent hours in Formentera

The boat drops you at La Savina, Formentera’s port, around 12:15. You then have roughly six hours, with the stated free time lasting until about 17:00 before the boat program continues. This is enough time to make the island feel like more than a quick photo stop, but you need to plan your own day.

There is no guide in Formentera. You can rent a scooter, car, or bicycle, visit a hippie market, browse shops, or make your way toward the island’s white beaches. None of those rentals is included, and lunch on the island is also your responsibility.

That lack of a guide is a plus for independent people. You can choose your own pace and avoid being marched from one stop to another. It is less helpful if you want local history, a planned route, or reassurance about transport. Decide your priorities before leaving the boat, especially if you want to reach a particular beach and return to La Savina on time.

The practical trap is forgetting lunch. Breakfast is included, and dinner comes later on the boat, but there is no midday meal supplied during your time ashore. Use the six hours for a proper Formentera outing rather than assuming the onboard food continues all day.

The return cruise and the open bar

The boat trip continues at about 18:00, with the return portion turning the mood toward a floating beach club. Drinks include Aperol Spritz, sangria de cava, red wine sangria, cava, mimosas, beer, water, soft drinks, and cold brew martinis. The selection gives you more choice than a basic beer-and-wine boat, though the point is still relaxed holiday drinking rather than a formal tasting.

A self-service station offers local wine tasting, which adds a small Balearic touch to the ride. Staff service is a strong part of the experience. The repeated praise for attentive crew members such as Helena, Lucila, Lu, Anna, Raddi, and Bo fits the practical reality of a long day at sea: drinks are kept moving, empty plates are cleared, and the atmosphere stays welcoming.

The party side can be as active or easygoing as you want. There are sofas, sunbeds, views from the deck, and room to dance. Music is part of the return, with DJs and, on some outings, live saxophone. One cruise included a DJ playing alongside a saxophonist, a combination that helped turn the journey home into an event rather than a simple transfer.

There is one important distinction. Loud DJ music is not permitted while the boat is in Formentera’s nature reserve. The louder party atmosphere comes on the return and sunset sections, not during every minute of the route.

Swimming near Ses Illetes and paella at sunset

The later stop near Playa de Ses Illetes is one of the day’s strongest moments. The program includes swimming, snorkeling, a photo stop, dinner, wine tasting, and scenic views. Clear water and the bright beaches around Formentera give this section the classic island appeal, while staying on the boat means you can enjoy it without moving between several beaches by road.

Dinner is prepared in a live paella show cooking session. The featured dish is Paella Ibicenca with seafood, accompanied by bread, aioli, and a fresh garden salad made with local market vegetables. A vegan and gluten-free option is available, which makes the meal workable for more people, though you should still confirm your needs with the crew when boarding.

The cooking show gives the meal a sense of place. You are not simply handed a buffet plate in a cabin. You can watch the dish being prepared while the boat is anchored, then eat with the water and evening light around you.

After dinner, the boat heads toward Ibiza and the sunset at Sol d’en Sera. The final two hours include sailing, views, music, and the possibility of dolphin watching, though no wildlife sighting can be promised. The sunset is the natural finale, with people choosing between dancing, conversation, drinks, and a quieter spot on the sunbeds.

What the VIP sunbeds really mean

The word VIP needs a little translating here. All full-day and sunset passengers have access to the sunbeds, but they are first come, first served. Beds may need to be shared with another group, with a minimum of four people per bed.

That is still useful if you want a place to stretch out during the long return, but do not book this expecting a reserved lounger with your name on it. Arrive on time, settle in early if the bed matters to you, and be prepared to share.

The ticket options also require care. The full-day experience described here includes breakfast, the Formentera time, open bar, swim stops, sunbed access, and paella. The sunset tour does not include breakfast, while the morning option does not include paella. Standard ferry options do not include the food, drinks, DJ, or VIP beds. Compare the exact ticket before paying, because the names can sound similar while the inclusions differ.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for an adult couple, a birthday group, or friends who want a social day without arranging every transfer and meal themselves. The combination of independent island time and a hosted boat party works well if you want both scenery and entertainment.

It also suits people who enjoy food as part of an outing. Breakfast, fruit, paella, salad, bread, wine tasting, and a broad drink selection make the $153 price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a ferry, meals, beach time, and a sunset cruise.

I would be more cautious if you dislike alcohol-focused settings, loud music, shared seating, or fixed schedules. The cruise is not a private yacht charter, and six hours in Formentera is only useful if you are comfortable arranging your own transport and plans.

This is adults-only, so children under 18 cannot join. The day can also be tiring: an early boarding time, time on the island, swimming, dinner, and a late return add up to a long 10-hour outing. Comfortable shoes and sun protection are not optional extras in practice.

Is the $153 price good value?

For a simple boat ride, no. For a full package, it is reasonable.

You are paying for a long day, limited passenger numbers on this departure, two substantial food services, an open bar, local wine, water equipment, sunbed access, entertainment, and the sunset cruise back to Ibiza. The staff attention is another part of the value, especially on a boat where food and drinks need constant handling.

The value drops if you spend the whole day ashore and barely use the boat facilities. In that case, a regular ferry plus your own Formentera plans may be smarter. The best deal comes when you want the island visit and the onboard party, not one or the other.

Should you book the Formentera with Benefits cruise?

Book it if you want a polished, social day that combines Formentera’s beaches with Ibiza’s sunset party mood. The strongest reasons are the six hours of free time, tasty breakfast, live paella cooking, attentive crew, open bar, and the clear-water swim stop.

Skip it if you want a quiet sailing trip, a private sunbed, a guided island tour, or a full day of unstructured beach time. For everyone else, the key is choosing the full-day ticket, arriving early for the best chance at a sunbed, and planning your Formentera transport before you board.

FAQ

How long is the Ibiza to Formentera boat trip?

The full experience lasts about 10 hours, beginning with boarding at Playa d’en Bossa around 10:15 am and returning to the same area after the sunset cruise.

Where does the boat leave from?

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

What time does boarding begin?

Boarding starts at 10:15 am, with the tour scheduled to depart at 10:30 am.

How long do I have in Formentera?

You have about six hours of independent time. The boat drops you at La Savina around 12:15, with the free time lasting until approximately 17:00.

Is there a guide in Formentera?

No. Your time on Formentera is self-guided, and you arrange any scooter, car, or bicycle rental yourself.

Is lunch in Formentera included?

No. Breakfast and the later paella dinner are included, but lunch during your six hours on the island is not.

What food is served on the boat?

Morning food includes ensaimadas, fresh fruit, artisanal bread, guacamole, organic olive oil, and other breakfast items. Dinner includes Paella Ibicenca with seafood or a vegan and gluten-free option, plus bread, aioli, and garden salad.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes Aperol Spritz, sangria de cava, red wine sangria, cava, mimosas, beer, cold brew martinis, water, and soft drinks. A local wine tasting is also included.

Are sunbeds guaranteed?

No. Sunbeds are first come, first served. They may need to be shared with another group, with a minimum of four people per bed.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

No. This activity is for adults only, and children under 18 are not permitted.