Almost everyone planning the Formentera crossing hits the same fork. Take the cheap, frequent ferry, or pay more for a private boat that drops you at the beach. Both are good answers, they just suit different people. This is the honest comparison we give visitors who ask, with no spin toward the pricier option, so you can decide what fits your trip.
The comparison at a glance
| Factor | Fast ferry | Private boat |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lowest per person | Higher, but drops per head in a group |
| Time | About 30 min crossing | 45 to 90 min, but the time is yours |
| Drops you at | La Savina port | Anchored off the beach |
| Comfort | Seated, scheduled, shared | Open deck, swim platform, private |
| Flexibility | Fixed timetable | Leave and return when you like |
| On arrival | Rent scooter, bike or car | Reach coves straight from the water |
Price
No contest on raw price. The ferry is the cheapest way across, full stop, and for a couple watching the budget it is the sensible call. A private boat costs more, but the gap narrows fast with group size, since you are splitting one boat rather than buying tickets each. For a group of eight to ten, a Formentera day tour from Ibiza or a shared private charter can land surprisingly close to ferry tickets plus scooter rental.
Time
On paper the ferry wins, at around 30 minutes versus 45 to 90 for a boat. But the ferry drops you at the port, not the beach, so you then rent transport and ride to the sand. A private boat takes longer to cross but delivers you straight to the swimming, and the extra time on the water is part of the day rather than dead time. Counted door to sand, the gap is much smaller than it looks.
Comfort
Different worlds. The ferry is a quick, seated, shared crossing, fine but functional. A private boat is open deck, sun, a swim platform off the back and no strangers. If the journey is part of the holiday for you, the boat wins easily. A crewed Ibiza and Formentera sailing charter adds shade, space and someone handling everything while you relax.
Flexibility
This is where the private boat pulls ahead. The ferry runs to a timetable, so your day is shaped around catching the last boat back, which can turn a slow lunch into a rush. A private boat leaves and returns when you want, stops where you fancy and waits while you swim. For anyone who hates watching the clock on holiday, that freedom is the whole point.
So which should you take?
- Take the ferry if: you are a couple or solo, on a budget, happy to rent transport and stick to a timetable
- Take a private boat if: you are a group or family, want to anchor at the beach, value flexibility and treat the crossing as part of the day
There is no wrong answer, only the one that fits your group. If you want the full day plan whichever way you cross, our complete day trip plan covers timing and beaches, and to weigh up every boat type beyond just these two, see our master boat comparison. Tell us your date, group size and budget on WhatsApp and we will give you an honest steer, ferry or boat, with a real person who knows the crossing.
We usually reply in minutes
Book direct online
Prefer to lock it in right now? These are vetted Ibiza to Formentera trips you can book instantly. WhatsApp us first if you want a hand picking the right one for your group.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ferry or a private boat better to Formentera?
The ferry is cheaper, faster on paper and frequent, ideal for couples on a budget who are happy to rent transport on arrival. A private boat costs more but drops you at the beach, sets its own pace and suits groups, families and anyone who treats the crossing as part of the day.
How much cheaper is the ferry than a private boat?
The ferry is the lowest cost per person by some margin for individuals. But the gap narrows fast with group size, since a private boat splits one cost across everyone. For a group of eight to ten the difference can be surprisingly small once you add scooter rental to the ferry.
Is the ferry faster than a private boat?
In pure crossing time, yes, about 30 minutes versus 45 to 90. But the ferry drops you at the port, so once you rent transport and travel to the beach, the real door to sand difference is much smaller.
Can you anchor at the beach with a private boat?
Yes, that is the main advantage. A private boat anchors straight off beaches like Ses Illetes and the Espalmador sandbank, so you swim ashore and skip the port and the queues entirely.
Which is better for a group, ferry or private boat?
Usually a private boat. Splitting one boat across a group drops the per person cost, and you get the deck, the flexibility and the beach anchorages to yourselves, which the ferry cannot match.
Prefer to book instantly?
If you would rather not wait for a reply, these verified Ibiza experiences can be booked online right now.
Browse Formentera boat trips online