Ibiza and Formentera yacht charter from Mallorca
A yacht charter to Ibiza and Formentera takes you south-west from Mallorca to the Pityusic Islands, where white sand, water kept clear by seagrass meadows and the silhouette of Es Vedrà reward a crossing best planned over several days.
Ibiza and Formentera, the Pityusic Islands, lie south-west of Mallorca across open water. That crossing is why a charter from Palma to the two islands usually runs over several days rather than one: your captain picks the weather window, and the islands then unfold at an easy pace. Formentera has no airport, so most visitors arrive by ferry from Ibiza. Arriving aboard your own yacht, with the anchor down off a white beach, is the most natural way to meet it.
Much of what you will see sits inside the Ses Salines natural park, declared by Balearic law in 2001. It stretches from the south of Ibiza across the strait to the north of Formentera, and most of it is sea. The reason for the colour of the water lies on the seabed: meadows of Posidonia oceanica, part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Ibiza since 1999, keep the water clear and protect the beaches from erosion. In return, the rules are strict. Yachts drop anchor only on sand or use the regulated buoy fields at Badia de s'Alga on s'Espalmador, Es Caló de s'Oli and Platja de ses Salines, overnight anchoring in the park requires a permit, and jet skis are not allowed.
The rewards are worth the planning. Ses Illetes faces west along the Es Trucadors peninsula, with fine white sand, shallow turquoise water and a scatter of islets offshore. Cala Saona, a sandy bay among Formentera's south-western cliffs, is one of the island's best places to watch the sun go down. Off Ibiza's west coast, Es Vedrà rises 382 metres from the sea, a nature reserve where Eleonora's falcons breed. Then there is Dalt Vila, the walled old town of Ibiza, for an evening ashore. A superyacht or a motor yacht with cabins suits the trip best, and every charter runs with a professional captain.
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Ses Illetes
A west-facing beach of fine white sand on the Es Trucadors peninsula, with calm, shallow, turquoise water and a scatter of small islets offshore, among them Illa de Tramuntana and Illa Redona.
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Es Vedrà
The islet off Ibiza's west coast rises 382 metres straight from the sea. A nature reserve since 2002, it is best seen from the water at sunset, when its outline turns dark against the sky.
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Ses Salines natural park
Salt pans, dunes and some of the best-preserved Posidonia meadows in the Mediterranean, between the two islands. Salt is still harvested here, and flamingos can be seen for much of the year, especially from late summer into autumn.
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Ses Illetes, Formentera
The famous west-facing beach on Es Trucadors, inside the park. Yachts anchor off the beach on sandy patches clear of the Posidonia and outside the regulated buoy field at Es Caló de s'Oli, and guests go ashore by tender for a swim or lunch at one of the restaurants along this coast. The beach is long, and visitors tend to spread out towards the northern end and Trucadors.
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Badia de s'Alga, s'Espalmador
A bay on the islet of s'Espalmador with a regulated buoy field, bookable through the Ports IB reservation system, where yachts moor to the buoys instead of anchoring. It is the only islet in the park where landing is allowed, through the marked access channels. Bathing in the mud of its lagoon is banned, and walking across from Trucadors is forbidden because of strong currents.
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Cala Saona, Formentera
A small bay between Punta Rasa to the south and Caló d'en Trull to the north, the only sandy beach among the cliffs of Formentera's south-west. Its sandy seabed and turquoise water make an inviting swim stop, there are caves near Punta Rasa worth exploring by tender, and the sunset here is one of the island's finest.
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Cala d'Hort, Ibiza
A south-west-facing beach on Ibiza's west coast with a shallow, mostly sandy seabed and a direct view of Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell. Yachts anchor on sand outside any marked swimming area and clear of the Posidonia, which makes it a classic place to wait for the sunset.
Ashore
- Walk up through the Portal de ses Taules, the main gate of Dalt Vila, into Ibiza's old town, enclosed by 16th-century walls and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, with the cathedral at the top.
- Visit the park's interpretation centre beside the church of Sant Francesc de s'Estany in Ibiza, then look out over the salt pans, where salt is still harvested and flamingos can often be seen.
- Walk or cycle the Can Marroig estate in Formentera, home to the park's other interpretation centre: cars stay at the car park, and the estate is explored on foot or by bike.
- Walk up to the Cala Saona viewpoint, a short stroll from the beach, to watch the sun set over the sea.
Questions Ibiza and Formentera
/ 01Can we reach Ibiza and Formentera by yacht from Mallorca?
Yes. The islands lie south-west of Mallorca across open water, so the crossing is planned around the forecast and its length depends on the yacht and the sea. That is why we usually suggest them as part of a charter of several days aboard a superyacht or a motor yacht with cabins, always with a professional captain. Prices are on request.
/ 02Can a yacht anchor at Ses Illetes and s'Espalmador?
Yes, within the rules of Ses Salines natural park. Off Ses Illetes the yacht anchors only on clear sand, never on Posidonia. In Badia de s'Alga on s'Espalmador there is a regulated buoy field, bookable through Ports IB, and staying overnight at anchor in the park requires a permit. Your captain plans each stop accordingly.
/ 03Can we go ashore on Es Vedrà?
No. Es Vedrà is part of a nature reserve declared in 2002, and landing on its islets is not allowed without authorisation. The best way to see it is from the water, either cruising slowly past its cliffs or at anchor off Cala d'Hort as the sun goes down behind it.
Let's plan your day at sea
Tell us your dates, your group and the kind of day you have in mind. We reply with yacht options and a route idea.