There is a short list of places around Ibiza and Formentera that you can technically glimpse from shore but only truly experience from the water. Es Vedra, the Espalmador sandbank and the sheltered bay of Cala Saona are the three that come up most. This guide explains what each one is, why a boat is the way to see them, and how to fold them into a single trip.
Es Vedra
Es Vedra is the dramatic limestone rock that rises straight out of the sea off the south west coast of Ibiza. It is wrapped in legend, photographed endlessly and genuinely arresting up close. You cannot land on it, which is exactly why a boat is the only way to feel its scale, anchoring nearby for a swim with the rock towering above you. It is a favourite on sunset trips, when the light turns gold behind it.
When to see it
Late afternoon into sunset is the magic window, both for the light and the calmer evening sea. Morning trips are quieter and good for swimming, but the sunset is the version people remember.
Espalmador
Espalmador is the small uninhabited island just north of Formentera, famous for a shallow sandbank where the water is warm, waist deep and impossibly clear. You can wade across it, float in it and feel like you have found a private lagoon. Because it is uninhabited and protected, the only practical way to reach it is by boat, and it makes a perfect mid crossing stop between Ibiza and Formentera.
It is a protected area, so anchoring is regulated. A local skipper will know exactly where mooring is allowed, which is one more reason to go with someone who knows the water rather than guessing.
Cala Saona
On the west coast of Formentera, Cala Saona is a sheltered bay framed by low red cliffs and pine trees. It is reachable by road, but by boat you anchor in the calm, clear water just off the sand and stay for one of the best sunsets in the islands. It is the natural place to end a day on the water before the crossing back.
How to do all three in one trip
These three are spread between the south west of Ibiza and the west of Formentera, so a single well planned day can take them in. A sailboat or catamaran day trip is the natural fit, with the deck space to relax between stops. A Full day private Ibiza and Formentera trip by sailboat covers the Ibiza and Formentera coast in one go, while a Formentera and Ibiza day trip by sailboat with champagne leans into the relaxed, swim and snorkel version with refreshments aboard.
| Spot | Why by boat | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Es Vedra | No landing, only seen up close from the water | Sunset |
| Espalmador | Uninhabited, protected, reachable only by boat | Midday for the sandbank |
| Cala Saona | Calm anchor and the best sunset on Formentera | Late afternoon |
Planning the day
Timing is everything with these three, since the light at Es Vedra and the sunset at Cala Saona both want the late afternoon. A skipper who knows the route will sequence them so you are in the right place at the right time. For the fuller hour by hour picture of a private day, see our what to expect guide, and to compare every boat type for the trip, our master boat comparison lays it out. When you are ready, tell us your date and group size on WhatsApp and we will plan the route around the light.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Es Vedra by boat?
Yes, and it is the best way to see it. You cannot land on Es Vedra, so a boat that anchors nearby for a swim is the only way to feel its scale. It is a favourite stop on sunset trips when the light turns gold behind the rock.
How do you get to Espalmador?
Only by boat. Espalmador is an uninhabited, protected island just north of Formentera with a famous shallow sandbank. It makes a perfect mid crossing stop, and a local skipper will know where anchoring is allowed.
Is Cala Saona worth visiting by boat?
Yes. While it is reachable by road, anchoring off Cala Saona in calm, clear water and staying for the sunset is one of the highlights of a day on the water around Formentera.
Can you see Es Vedra, Espalmador and Cala Saona in one trip?
Yes, a well planned full day by sailboat or catamaran can take in all three. They sit between the south west of Ibiza and the west of Formentera, so a skipper sequences them around the light, ending with the Cala Saona sunset.
What is the best time to see Es Vedra?
Late afternoon into sunset, both for the golden light behind the rock and the calmer evening sea. Mornings are quieter and good for swimming, but sunset is the standout.
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