Ibiza is a party destination like no other and one of the best and most popular things about it, is our wide selection of boat parties.
Sure boat parties can be found at various island and coastal locations around the world, you might say. True. But none have the Mediterranean sea, an up-for-it young crowd and a crop of internationally renowned DJs at their disposal quite like Ibiza does.
Ibiza's surroundings waters are not only some of the most inviting in Europe, but we think they give those found in more exotic places a run for their money.
Boat parties offer the chance to experience this, all whilst partying carefree and living your best life - a double-whammy.
Why choose boat parties?
Ibiza's climate lends itself to daytime partying and with the sea on our doorstep, boat parties are like an enhanced version that make the most of Ibiza's natural features.
No matter if your travelling solo or part of a larger group of friends, boat parties are the ideal way to meet like-minded people of a similar age and taste. Nobody is booking a boat party to get some extra Zzzzzzz in, although some are more laid back than others.
Why else should you go? Let's not mince our words here, for singletons, boat parties are a great place to flirt! Your fellow passengers are going to be in a relaxed, feel-good mood and up for a great time. The drinks will be flowing and so will the banter.
With everybody dressed in their favourite new bikini or designer swim shorts, showing off their tan... well, need we say any more? There's often more exposed flesh than we know where to look.
And for those of you who are coupled-up and lucky enough to be holidaying with your partner, there's also at least one sailing that has a romantic edge. More about that later.
There also a great way to see part of the island you otherwise wouldn't. As much as we love San Antonio and Playa d'en Bossa, there's so much more that Ibiza has to offer.
Her gorgeous coastline and warm, crystal clear waters are demanding to be explored and enjoyed. Yes, there will be swim stops. So get yourself in the water and benefit from the re-energising properties of the sea. We're huge advocates of its healing prowess.
Aside from all that, the sense of freedom you get from dancing on deck in the sun is unbeatable. It's a very liberating experience. Once you try it, you'll understand exactly what we mean.
How do they work?
Boat party operators sail at various times during the week. For all of them, you meet at a designated meeting point, usually a bar or restaurant, a couple of hours before setting-off.
Here you will meet your fellow passengers, collect your wristband and be given any additional information specific to your boat party.
This is your chance to sink a few cheap drinks and get yourselves into a party frame of mind. Sometimes there's even drinks included in price, so you may as well take advantage but please remember to know your limits. Boat parties are fun, but not if you're feeling a bit queasy.
Once everybody has signed-in, organisers will then lead the whole group to the boarding point, usually a short walk away. It's important that you follow instruction and don't go directly to the boat of your own accord. This could affect your booking and you may not be allowed to board.
After your trip has finished, the boat will return to same point for disembarkation. From here, several boat parties offer upgrades to carry on the party elsewhere at one of the clubs.
Make sure you know when and where you need to be for the next leg. This might be at a bus stop or at the club itself, but will almost certainly be time-critical.
San Antonio boat parties
Setting off from the west side of the island, San Antonio's boat parties all share one thing in common: sunsets.
We're sure you will have heard much about Ibiza's legendary sunsets. Boat parties are amongst the best ways to appreciate this natural wonder. After an afternoon of dancing your soul out, the final descent of the sun takes on an even more profound meaning.
You definitely get a sense of main-character-syndrome as you watch the sun disappear below the horizon line, with your arms around the shoulders of friends old and new. Simply magical. It'll feel like it was wrapped up especially for you.
Just like the parties at the clubs, each boat party has its own set of characteristics - some subtle, some big.
Pukka Up
Given its been around over 20 years and throws boat parties all over the world, Pukka Up might be the most well known. Its fun-filled, tri-weekly sailings include the choice of sailing at sunset or an earlier afternoon departure, so you can squeeze in even more partying.
Basically, you get a whole lot of bang for your buck making this one of the best value days out on Ibiza.
Why go?
- experienced sea dogs - Pukka Up knows its onions
- ride at sunset (Tuesdays and Thursdays) or in the afternoon (Saturdays)
- option to upgrade to admission to O Beach the next day or even a club night at Eden too
Float Your Boat
Ibiza, and specifically the sunset spots on its west coast, isn't all fist-pumping, 130 bpm club music. We're also the island of Balearic Beat and Chill Out music. This is electronic music that's slightly more downtempo, maybe even orchestral. It's the stuff that your nan might even find palatable, fit for quiet contemplation. Less obvious; more subtle.
Float Your Boat (FYB) taps into this ambient mindset. Its breezy soundtrack starts off slow and reflective but gradually moves up the gears. By the time the sun has disappeared, the mood has flipped and it's time to find your dancing feet as dusk settles.
This is Ibiza in a nutshell. Calm and relaxing by daylight and vigorously energetic after nightfall. Float Your Boat just manages to condense that dual existence into its own self-styled, three hour sailing.
Why go?
- the musical journey from chill out to energised
- view sunset in front of the world famous Café Mambo and Café del Mar
Playa d'en Bossa boat parties
Okay, so boat parties from Playa d'en Bossa on the east side of the island, might not have the same uninterrupted view of sunset of their San Antonio counterparts. That said, many of them do return to port around sunset and you still get that sense of day turning to dusk.
What they do have, however, is their own USPs that make them very attractive prospects.
Like sister island Formentera. If Formentera isn't on your radar, then it should be. Less famous and less commercial, but what it lacks in reputation it more than makes up for in stunning beauty.
Seasoned boat party operator Ibiza Boat Club (formerly Cirque de la Nuit) has two sailings on offer.
Formentera With Benefits
Remember we said earlier about more leisurely, romantic sailings?
Ibiza Boat Club's all-dayer Formentera With Benefits was definitely at the forefront of our minds. For all intents and purposes, this is a floating beach club. It's spacious with luxury recliners, top service and quality food and drinks.
We haven't got to the best part yet! This eight and a half hour sailing takes you to the most gorgeous spots between Ibiza and Formentera - just Google "Espalmador" and "Ses Illetes" and you'll see what we mean. Instagram-able boat, Instagram-able beaches, Instagram-able people.
This isn't a full-on party boat, so don't expect thumping dance music. Think more chilled beats. A variety of drinks are still inclusive and the food is, well, to die for.
Why go?
- full day's nine-hour excursion
- get to explore our gorgeous sister island of Formentera
- luxury surroundings with capped numbers and really great food - Instagram-ready
Ibiza Sea Party
Doing exactly what it says on the packaging, Ibiza Sea Party doesn't need much explanation. But still, there's some key things you should know.
Let's talk about the juicy stuff: three hour open bar, champagne sprays, live DJ and animation team, swim stops and a mixed chicken and seafood paella and fresh fruit platters to ensure that you eat at least once on your holiday.
All together, amazing value for three hours of entertainment at sea.
Why go?
- 300-person capacity boat
- open bar including two types of cocktail and three types of sangria
- upgrade to VIP beds with the full value available to spend on premium drinks
Oceanbeat
If anybody is attuned to the beat of the ocean, then its the operators behind Oceanbeat. Oceanbeat also run sailings in another boat party hotspot, Miami, so they are as experienced and as reputable as it's possible to get.
Oceanbeat doesn't do half measures, it commits to fully going in. The biggest tunes, at the highest volume to the largest, most frenzied crowds. No wonder this is one of most popular sailings, where you can guarantee hearing the music you know and love.
Why go?
- mainstream EDM and commercial House music - both classics and modern
- podium dancers, champagne showers and swim stop with inflatables
-option to upgrade to all inclusive onboard bar
Lost In Ibiza
Are you proper into your dance music? Do you consider yourself to have real underground tastes? Then Lost In Ibiza is probably the boat party for you. Lost In Ibiza is hugely popular simply because its one of the few boat parties where you can guarantee big name DJs will play.
Past guests have included Alan Fitzpatrick, Richy Ahmed and Max Chapman to give you an idea of the calibre of DJ you can expect.
Oh, and we should say it's a double-decked, 200 person capacity catamaran kitted out with a Void sound system.
Lost In Ibiza also collaborates with Jamie Jones' Paradise night at Amnesia, so you can upgrade tickets and save yourself some money with a package deal. That is unbelievable value.
Why go?
- underground dance music policy with some great guest DJs playing
- lively pre-party to meet your fellow passengers and get in the mood
- great value upgrade to Paradise at Amnesia, including disco bus transfer to the club
Check-list
Things you'll need to remember to bring with you:
- sun cream - there's no mercy from the sun on deck and you're not as clever as you think you are by not lotioning up
- towel
- change of clothes - nobody likes walking around in soggy underwear
- travel tablets - not strictly necessary, but may be useful for anybody with a history of motion sickness. Available to buy from island-wide pharmacies
Read more...
This article is part of our Ibiza Virgins' Guides, packed full of information on how to get the most out of your stay on Ibiza. Check them out.
