A day on the water is one of the best ways to experience Formentera, allowing you to reach the island's famous turquoise bays, find quieter swimming spots and stop wherever the conditions and mood take you. Charter a boat with Boats Ibiza or Enjoy Ibiza Charter and make the itinerary your own, from a morning swim at Ses Illetes to lunch at a waterside restaurant and a final dip around Cala Saona.
A private charter gives you much more flexibility than a ferry or organised excursion: you choose the stops and how long you stay, subject of course to the skipper's advice about wind, sea conditions and anchoring. So, always consult him before setting off and, for the most comfortable day, try to head to the leeward side of the island if you can.
Where to stop
Ses Illetes is the obvious first stop, and for good reason. Its fine white sand and shallow turquoise water make it one of Formentera's most spectacular beaches, while the surrounding Ses Salines Natural Park ensures the landscape remains beautifully undeveloped.
Just offshore, Espalmador feels like another world. The privately owned island has no restaurants, bars or beach facilities, leaving its pristine S'Alga beach entirely to nature. Access is most conveniently by boat, although anchoring requires particular care because of the reefs and shallow waters.
For something different, head around to Cala Saona, a sheltered western cove backed by reddish cliffs and particularly attractive for a swim and snorkel. Other worthwhile stops include Es Ram and Caló des Mort, both offering smaller, more secluded corners of the coastline.
Lunch on board or ashore
Many Formentera restaurants can be reached by tender/dinghy from an anchored boat. Some restaurants will also deliver food directly to your boat, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without leaving the water. The charter companies are happy to help out when it comes to booking restaurants in Formentera – just make sure to let them know well in advance before you board.
Chezz Gerdi, one of the furthest restaurants from which to arrive by boat, but also one of the most popular. Its privileged position on Es Pujols beach makes it a natural lunch or late-afternoon stop, with tender access making the journey part of the experience.
Set on the sands of Playa Illetas, Juan y Andrea is a Formentera institution, famed for its fresh seafood, barefoot service and celebrity clientele. Arrive by dinghy from your charter boat, then splash out on the cava sangria and signature lobster stew, Caldereta de Bogavante.
Another standout choice for a long, leisurely lunch in the "Mediterranean Caribbean", Es Ministre is also well suited to the classic Formentera-by-boat experience: anchor offshore, transfer by tender and go straight from the water to lunch.
Right on Ses Illetes beach, El Pirata is one of the easiest Formentera restaurants to reach by boat. Alternatively, its tender will collect you and bring you ashore for Mediterranean fare, particularly rice dishes and fresh fish.
Housed in a beautifully restored former salt mill, Es Molí de Sal offers one of Formentera's more refined lunch settings, with elevated sea views over Ses Illetes and sophisticated Mediterranean cooking.
On Cavall d'en Borràs between Es Molí de Sal and Beso Beach, El Tiburón offers a more relaxed beachside experience, with Mediterranean dishes, seafood and cocktails.
If you're looking for lunch with a party atmosphere, Beso Beach is the lively choice. Situated on Cavall d'en Borràs, close to La Savina, it combines Mediterranean dining with music and a famously energetic beach setting.
For a more traditional Formentera experience, head to Es Caló, a tiny natural harbour on the island's eastern coast. The restaurant specialises in fish, seafood and rice dishes and can arrange boat transfers ashore.
Note: Your boat charter company will be able to recommend a professional on-board caterer that could provide a fully prepared food and drink package, or who could come aboard and prepare your picnic for you.
Make the most of the water
Don't underestimate the appeal of simply staying on the boat. Masks and snorkels, most often also SUP boards, are available on board, so find a quiet stretch of coast, swim straight from the bathing platform and let someone else worry about where you're going next. Formentera's most memorable moments are often found between the headline beaches.
For more information about Formentera, see our dedicated guide.
