Ibiza to Formentera: how to do the day trip in 2026

If you only do one thing in Ibiza, make it the day trip to Formentera. The neighbouring island is a half hour away and feels like another world, with water so clear it looks fake and beaches that stay calm even in summer. The trick is planning the logistics so you spend the day swimming, not queuing.

Ferry or private boat?

There are two ways across, and they suit different trips.

The fast ferry

Regular fast ferries run from Ibiza town to La Savina, Formentera's port, in about 30 minutes. It is the budget choice and runs frequently in summer. Once you land you rent a scooter, bike or car to reach the beaches, since the port is not on a beach. Buy your return ticket flexible if you can, so a slow lunch does not become a sprint for the last boat.

The private boat

Charter a boat, with or without skipper, and you skip the port entirely. You anchor straight off Ses Illetes or the Espalmador sandbank, swim off the deck and move on when you feel like it. It costs more but turns the journey into the highlight. For groups it often works out very reasonable per person. We explain the full picture in our boat rental guide.

The ideal timing for the day

• Leave Ibiza by mid morning to beat the midday rush at Illetes
• Anchor or arrive, swim, then have a long lunch at a beach chiringuito
• Explore a second beach or cove in the afternoon when day trippers thin out
• Head back in the early evening, or stay for sunset at Cala Saona if you have the boat

Formentera is small, so you do not need to rush between ten places. Pick two beaches, leave time to do nothing, and you will have done it right.

What to bring

Reef safe sunscreen, water shoes for the seagrass, a hat, cash for the beach bars and a dry bag if you are on a boat. There is little shade on the open beaches, so bring your own umbrella or book a sunbed early at the busier spots. A waterproof phone pouch is worth packing too, since the best photos happen in the shallows.

Where to eat in Formentera

Lunch is half the reason to come. Beach chiringuitos along Migjorn and near Illetes serve fresh fish, paella and cold drinks with your feet almost in the sand. They get busy, so either eat early or reserve a table when you can. If you are on a boat, many spots will let you tie up or send a tender ashore. Tell us where you are headed and we will point you to the ones locals actually rate, not just the ones with the best marketing.

A drink with a view

End the afternoon with a drink at a sunset spot on the west coast before the crossing back. It rounds off the day and times nicely with the calmer evening sea, which makes the return trip smoother for anyone prone to motion sickness.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not arrive at Illetes at noon in August and expect space. Do not leave the return ferry to chance on a busy weekend. Do not try to see the whole island in a day, it is for slowing down. And do not skip the crossing because it sounds like effort, it is genuinely the best day Ibiza has to offer.

The easiest way to get it right is to let a local handle the moving parts. Tell us your date, how many people and whether you lean ferry or boat, and we plan the timing, the pick up and the beaches around you. One message on WhatsApp and your Formentera day is sorted.

Plan it with our local team