Sailing Ibiza and Formentera: a 7-day itinerary
Ibiza and Formentera are compact sailing: short legs, sandy bays and clear water. A week lets you sail the whole circle: across the Es Freus strait to Espalmador and Formentera's turquoise shallows, up the west coast past Es Vedrà to Sant Antoni, along the quiet north to Portinatx, and back via Santa Eulària, around 85 nautical miles. The posidonia meadows that make the water so clear are protected, so where you drop the anchor matters here.
Where to charter a yacht for Ibiza and Formentera?
Charter yachts on Ibiza sail from Ibiza town, from Sant Antoni de Portmany on the west coast and from Santa Eulària des Riu in the east; see all of them on our Ibiza yacht charter page. The loop below passes all three bases, so you can start it wherever your boat lies. Charter weeks usually run Saturday to Saturday. To sail bareboat you need a licence the charter company accepts (see boat licence in Spain and the ICC certificate); otherwise hire a skipper or book a crewed yacht.
A 7-day sailing itinerary from Ibiza town
The route goes south to Formentera first, while the crew is fresh, then clockwise round Ibiza. Distances are approximate and estimated from the chart; plan with up-to-date charts and a pilot book, and swap the order if the wind asks for it. Ibiza town's port has several recreational docks with around 1,400 moorings, overlooked by the old walled town of Dalt Vila.
Day 1: Ibiza town to s'Espalmador
Approx. 9 nm south, through Es Freus, the strait of islets between Ibiza and Formentera. It is shallow, with strong currents, and exposed to easterly and westerly winds. Only two passes, the Freu Gros (between Illa des Porcs and Illa des Penjats) and the Freu Petit, are used regularly by ships; the others are for small craft. The ferries between Ibiza town and La Savina run through here all day, so keep a close lookout. Overnight on the Ports IB buoy field in the bay of s'Alga on s'Espalmador, which you book in advance in season. Tip: you may land on s'Espalmador only through the marked entry channels, and the famous mud baths in its lagoon are forbidden.
Day 2: s'Espalmador to Ses Illetes and La Savina
Approx. 4 nm. A short hop south to Ses Illetes, the beaches at the northern tip of Formentera inside the natural park, for a swim from a day buoy on the s'Alga–s'Espalmador buoy field (book it) rather than at anchor, then on to La Savina, Formentera's only port, with more than 150 moorings in two marinas. Formentera has no airport, so everything and everyone arrives through La Savina. Tip: book your berth early, and hire bikes to see the salt pans and lagoons of the natural park ashore.
Day 3: La Savina to Es Vedrà and Sant Antoni
Approx. 23 nm, the longest leg of the week. Head north-west across open water to Es Vedrà, the 382-metre rock island about 1.9 km off Ibiza's south-west coast. With Es Vedranell and the surrounding waters it is a nature reserve: you may sail around it and anchor on sand, but landing on the islets needs an authorisation. Stop for lunch at Cala d'Hort, the white-sand bay facing Es Vedrà, then sail north past Cala Conta (Platges de Comte), which faces due west over the western islets, into the Bay of Sant Antoni. Overnight in Sant Antoni: the Club Nàutic (VHF 9) takes visiting yachts for short stays, and in summer has offered mooring buoys in the bay with a shore shuttle. Tip: the Cala Conta area is fragile; don't anchor outside the designated areas.
Day 4: Sant Antoni to Portinatx
Approx. 18 nm. Leave Sant Antoni early and stop at Cala Bassa, a wide cove with a sandy bottom and rocky edges for snorkelling, before rounding the north-west corner. The north coast is steep and quiet. Portinatx is one of the best shelters on this coast: a narrow, shallow bay protected by the islet of sa Guardiola, with three sandy beaches. Overnight at anchor on sand. Tip: the bay is shallow, so arrive in daylight and watch your depth sounder.
Day 5: Portinatx to Cala de Sant Vicent and Santa Eulària
Approx. 13 nm. Round Punta Grossa to Cala de Sant Vicent, a sandy bay on a steep north-east coast that has few other places to hide. It is a lunch stop in settled weather. Continue south inside Tagomago, the island one mile off the coast, to Santa Eulària. Overnight in the marina, the largest on Ibiza: call on VHF 9 before you enter and follow the harbour master's instructions. Tip: in an easterly (llevant) this coast is exposed; skip the anchorages and go straight to the marina.
Day 6: Santa Eulària to Ses Salines (Ibiza)
Approx. 13 nm south past Ibiza town to the beach of Ses Salines, inside the natural park at the southern tip of Ibiza. Ports IB runs a buoy field here in season; book it online. If none is free, carry on to a marina in Ibiza town rather than anchoring, unless the current park map clearly shows a permitted area. Tip: the dunes and salt pans behind the beach are part of the park; stay on the paths.
Day 7: Ses Salines to Ibiza town
Approx. 6 nm, an easy morning back to base. Tip: starting from Sant Antoni or Santa Eulària, simply shift the loop.
| Leg | Distance | Overnight | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibiza town – s'Espalmador | approx. 9 nm | Buoy field s'Alga (book) | Es Freus, s'Espalmador |
| s'Espalmador – La Savina | approx. 4 nm | Marina, La Savina | Ses Illetes, Formentera ashore |
| La Savina – Sant Antoni | approx. 23 nm | Marina or buoys, Sant Antoni | Es Vedrà, Cala d'Hort, Cala Conta |
| Sant Antoni – Portinatx | approx. 18 nm | Anchorage (sand) | Cala Bassa, the wild north coast |
| Portinatx – Santa Eulària | approx. 13 nm | Marina, Santa Eulària | Cala de Sant Vicent, Tagomago |
| Santa Eulària – Ses Salines | approx. 13 nm | Buoy field (book) | Ses Salines natural park |
| Ses Salines – Ibiza town | approx. 6 nm | Base | Dalt Vila from the sea |
Crossing from Mallorca to Ibiza
Many people ask how long the crossing from Mallorca to Ibiza takes. From Port d'Andratx in south-west Mallorca to Santa Eulària is approx. 52 nm, and to Ibiza town approx. 58 nm; from Palma it is approx. 65 to 70 nm, because you first have to get out of the Bay of Palma. At an average of 5 to 6 knots, that is a 10 to 13-hour day, so leave at first light. Pick a settled day on the AEMET coastal forecast for the Balearics. The tramontana, the strong north wind, is far more common in winter and around the equinoxes than in summer, but a northerly on this open crossing is still not a day to go. In a one-week charter from Mallorca the crossing costs two long days out of seven, so check first that your charter company allows it; many crews prefer to sail Mallorca and the Cabrera national park (see our Palma sailing guide) and charter on Ibiza for a separate week.
Rules and safety in Ibiza and Formentera
- Posidonia: Balearic Decree 25/2018 bans anchoring on posidonia seagrass. It applies everywhere: anchor only on clear sand or use a buoy field, and check the local rules in protected areas. See our guide to anchoring rules and posidonia in the Balearics.
- Ses Salines natural park: covers the south of Ibiza, the north of Formentera and all the sea between them, including Es Freus. Its posidonia meadows, the best preserved in the Mediterranean, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Official sources differ on anchoring here: the Balearic government's park page allows anchoring on sand outside the park's no-anchoring zones, while Formentera's official tourism site says anchoring is forbidden in the Es Freus marine reserve. Anchoring on posidonia is banned everywhere. Use the buoy fields at s'Espalmador (near Ses Illetes) and Ses Salines, or check the current park map and rules on the Ses Salines natural park page (Balearic government) before you drop anchor. You may not land on the islets except s'Espalmador, and jet skis and spearfishing are banned.
- Buoy fields: Ports IB runs buoy fields at Ses Salines (Ibiza), s'Alga on s'Espalmador and Es Caló de s'Oli (Formentera), usually from 1 June to 30 September, sometimes extended into October. Register your boat and book on the Ports IB booking site; there are day and overnight options, and buoys are sized by boat length.
- Es Vedrà reserve: no permit is needed to sail around Es Vedrà, Es Vedranell and the western islets, and anchoring (not on posidonia) and overnighting are allowed, but landing needs authorisation and diving in some zones needs a permit; see the Es Vedrà nature reserve page.
- Ferries: ferries link Ibiza town and La Savina in about 30 minutes, with frequent sailings, more in summer. Expect fast traffic in Es Freus and near both ports.
- Emergencies: Salvamento Marítimo, VHF channel 16, phone 112 or 900 202 202. It also broadcasts weather reports on VHF.
- Licence: from 1 October 2026, anyone driving a rented boat in Spain needs a licence. For a bareboat yacht, your licence must cover its size and the sailing area and be recognised in Spain (the ICC is the safe choice). With a skipper or crew you need none. Details: boat licence in Spain.
Best time to sail Ibiza and Formentera
The Balearic season runs roughly from May to October. The Ports IB buoy fields operate from June to September, the peak of the season, when booking ahead matters most. The tramontana is rare in summer and more frequent in the equinox months and winter, so late spring and early autumn give quieter bays but a greater chance of a windy day.
FAQ
How many days do you need to sail around Ibiza and Formentera?
A week is ideal: about 85 nm in seven legs, none longer than a comfortable day. With only four or five days, stay in the south: Es Freus, s'Espalmador, Formentera and the west coast.
Can you anchor anywhere around Formentera?
No. Anchoring on posidonia is banned everywhere, and for Es Freus official sources differ: the Balearic government allows anchoring on sand outside the park's no-anchoring zones, while Formentera's tourism site says anchoring is forbidden in the marine reserve. Book a Ports IB buoy at s'Espalmador or Ses Salines, or berth in La Savina, and check the current park map before anchoring.
Can you land on s'Espalmador?
Yes, it is the only islet between Ibiza and Formentera where landing is allowed, through the marked entry channels. Bathing in the lagoon mud is forbidden.
Is Es Freus difficult to sail through?
It is shallow with strong currents and busy ferry traffic. In moderate weather it is straightforward if you use the main passes and keep a lookout; in strong westerlies or north-easterlies, wait.
Can I sail from Mallorca to Ibiza in a one-week charter?
It is possible but costs two long days of approx. 52 to 70 nm each. Check that the charter company allows it and wait for a settled forecast.
For more Spanish sailing weeks, read our guide to sailing Mallorca from Palma and Cabrera, or cross from the mainland on a week from Dénia and the Costa Blanca.
