Ask anyone who lives here what they do on a day off in July, and there is a good chance the answer involves a boat and a 30-minute crossing to Formentera. A Formentera day trip from Ibiza is the island escape locals never get tired of: powder-soft sand, water so clear it looks Photoshopped, and a slower rhythm that feels a world away from the summer crowds. This week the sea is calm, the light is golden, and the ferries are running from dawn — so here is your local's guide to doing it properly between July 6 and 12.
Why Formentera Is Worth the Crossing
Formentera is Ibiza's smaller, quieter sister — a low, flat sliver of an island just south across a stretch of shallow, luminous water that gives it those famous Caribbean-blue tones. There are no big resorts and no airport, which is exactly the point. What you get instead is Ses Illetes, regularly voted one of Europe's most beautiful beaches, plus a string of hidden calas, cycling trails through the salt flats, and long lunches at wooden beach shacks where the fish was swimming that morning.
The whole island sits inside the Ses Salines Natural Park, the same protected marine area that stretches down from southern Ibiza. Beneath those turquoise shallows are meadows of Posidonia seagrass — the reason the water is so astonishingly clear — so you are sailing over a living, UNESCO-listed ecosystem the entire way across. Pack reef-safe sun cream and leave the beaches exactly as you found them.
Fast Ferries: The Quickest Way Across
If your priority is maximum beach time, take a direct fast ferry from Ibiza Town's port. The Balearia fast ferry makes the crossing in around 30 minutes, with the first departures from 07:00 — ideal if you want to claim a patch of Ses Illetes before the midday rush. Fares start from about €25, with return options up to €50.
Prefer to sail from the west? Cruceros Portmany runs a San Antonio to Formentera service from around €22, saving you the trip across to Ibiza Town. And if you are staying up the east coast, the Santa Eulalia–Formentera ferry departs from Santa Eulària's marina at 09:30, from €24. There are even convenient pickups from Figueretes and Playa d'en Bossa with Ulises Cat, from €20 — handy if you are based on the south side.
Slow Boats: Make the Journey the Best Part
For many of us, the crossing itself is half the joy — so this week, consider a leisurely boat trip that lingers in the calas instead of a straight point-to-point ferry.
The Crystal Waters boat trip with Ulises Cat (from €30, with premium options to €79) is built around swim stops in the most jewel-like coves, with time to snorkel over the seagrass and drift in water that barely reaches your waist. For a full day with lunch, the Calas de Formentera trip (around €180) takes its time exploring the island's quietest inlets — a proper treat-yourself option.
Short on time but still want the highlight reel? The Es Vedrà + Formentera excursion combines two of the region's most iconic sights in a single sailing — the mythic rock of Es Vedrà off Ibiza's south-west coast and the turquoise shallows of Formentera — from €69.50 up to €139 for the fuller package.
What to Do Once You Land
Ferries dock at La Savina, Formentera's little port, where you can rent a bike, scooter or e-bike within minutes of stepping off the boat. That is genuinely the best way to see the island — it is small enough to cross in an afternoon.
Point yourself first toward Ses Illetes on the northern spit, where the sandbar narrows until you can see sea on both sides. If it is busy, keep going to Platja de Llevant on the wilder eastern shore, or head south-west to Cala Saona, a horseshoe of ochre cliffs and calm water that is one of the best sunset spots in the Balearics. Cyclists and history lovers should climb up to El Pilar de la Mola, the island's bohemian high point, home to a centuries-old windmill and a long-running hippy market (Wednesdays and Sundays in summer) where local artisans sell leather, jewellery and ceramics.
Come lunchtime, do as the locals do and settle in at a beachfront chiringuito for grilled fish, a plate of ensalada payesa, and a cold glass of something while your toes stay in the sand. There is no need to rush — the last ferries back run into the evening, so you can squeeze every drop out of the day.
Practical Tips for This Week
A few things worth knowing before you go. Book your crossing in advance — this is peak July and popular sailings, especially the early fast ferries, do sell out. Aim for a morning departure to beat both the heat and the crowds at Ses Illetes; the light on the water is also at its most magical before noon. Bring cash as well as cards, plenty of water, a hat and reef-safe sun protection, and remember there is no need to bring a car — bikes and scooters on the island are cheaper and far more fun.
Finally, treat Formentera gently. Anchoring boats, dropped litter and ordinary sun creams all damage the Posidonia meadows that keep this water so clear. Stick to marked beaches, take your rubbish with you, and you will help keep the island exactly as unforgettable as it is right now.
Whether you go for a whistle-stop swim or a slow day of coves and cold drinks, a Formentera day trip is the reset button every Ibiza summer needs. Check the latest ferry times and this week's boat departures on ibiza-calendar.com, pick your crossing, and go chase that impossible blue.