Formentera is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Europe, and it's not hard to understand why. The smallest of the inhabited Balearic Islands, it sits just 30 minutes south of Ibiza by fast boat and feels like a different world — unhurried, pristine, and extraordinary. But there's a catch: the ferry from Ibiza delivers thousands of day-trippers to the same beach you came to for tranquility.

The solution is simple, and it's the only real way to experience Formentera: arrive by private yacht, anchor directly off Ses Illetes beach, and have the view without the crowd. This guide tells you everything you need to know.

How to Get to Formentera by Yacht

From Ibiza
8nm
~45 min under motor
From Palma
105nm
~10h passage
From Denia
60nm
~6h passage

Most charters combine Formentera with Ibiza as part of a 5–7 day Balearic itinerary: Palma to Ibiza overnight, two days exploring Ibiza's bays and beaches, then a short hop south to Formentera for two nights in the lagoon, before the return passage to Mallorca. It's the most popular itinerary we offer, and with good reason.

The Best Spots in Formentera by Yacht

Ses Illetes — The Main Event

A narrow peninsula of white sand with Caribbean-blue water on both sides — the colour is a result of Posidonia seagrass on an almost fluorescent white sand bottom, and it's unlike anything else in Europe. The private yacht advantage here is total: you anchor directly off the beach in 3–5 metres, step off the swim platform into the water, and you're there. No ferry, no queue, no hour-long walk from the car park. The famous Juan y Andrea restaurant sits at the tip of the peninsula — book a table at least two weeks in advance in July and August.

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Espalmador — The Private Lagoon

The uninhabited island between Ibiza and Formentera has a perfectly sheltered lagoon that's ideal for overnight anchoring. The water is shallow and warm — rarely more than 2 metres in the inner lagoon — and the mud flats on the eastern side have a reputation for natural spa treatments. In July and August the lagoon fills with yachts at anchor, creating one of the most social and glamorous anchorages in the Mediterranean. Arrive by 11am to secure a good position.

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Illetes North — The Quiet Side

The northern end of the Ses Illetes peninsula, where the sand spit narrows to just 50 metres wide. Here the crowds thin out, the water is even calmer, and the views back toward Ibiza are spectacular. The shallow water means you can wade the full width of the peninsula. Best for early morning when the light turns the water gold.

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Cala Saona — The Local's Choice

On the west coast of Formentera, away from the Ses Illetes crowds, Cala Saona is a wide bay with a fine-sand beach and a small hotel. The water is sheltered from the prevailing winds, the snorkelling on the rocky sides of the bay is excellent, and it feels far less visited than the island's headline spots. A good anchorage for a quieter afternoon after a morning at Ses Illetes.

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Charter to Formentera

We plan Ibiza–Formentera itineraries year-round. Contact our Palma team to discuss dates, vessels, and the perfect route through the southern Balearics.

Plan Your Charter

When to Go

Formentera is spectacular from May to October. June and September are the sweet spot: the water temperature reaches 26°C, the wind is light, and the anchorages are far less crowded than the peak July–August period. The famous Ses Illetes lagoon never gets cold — even in May the water is warm enough for swimming from mid-morning.

Avoid August if you value tranquility: the lagoon fills completely from 10am, the restaurants are booked weeks in advance, and the passage south from Ibiza can be choppy with afternoon thermals. If you must go in August, anchor at Espalmador overnight and move to Ses Illetes at dawn before the crowds arrive.

Practical Notes

All anchorages at Ses Illetes and Espalmador use mooring buoys during summer — direct anchoring on Posidonia seagrass is prohibited. Buoys are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis; there is no advance booking system for these specific anchorages. Our crew always departs early to secure a buoy before the main fleet arrives. Inside Espalmador lagoon, direct anchoring on sand is permitted in designated areas.