Formentera by ferry and bus
A Formentera bus tour from Ibiza takes care of the whole day: a ferry over to La Savina, an air-conditioned bus round the island with a live guide, a beach stop for a swim and the ferry back. Here is every stop in order, what the price covers, what you pay for yourself, and how it compares with crossing alone or cycling the island.
Quick answer
The short answer. Book the Formentera bus tour from Ibiza if you want the capital, the La Mola lighthouse and the salt flats in one day without renting anything: $121 per person, 9 hours, rated 4.5 from 152 reviews. If you would rather swim and roam at your own pace, the round-trip boat from Sant Antoni at $49 per person is the lower price.
How the day works
The Formentera bus tour from Ibiza is built for people who want to see the island rather than settle on one beach. The listing is clear about the shape of the day: you cross by ferry, board a spacious, air-conditioned bus at the port, and a guide takes the group round the main sights before the ferry home. It runs for 9 hours and costs $121 per person, rated 4.5 from 152 reviews.
You choose how to start. One option includes transfers from selected hotels; the other has you meet the boat at the port yourself. Which hotels are covered, and at what time, is set on the listing, so check availability with your dates before you book.
The guide is live, not a recording, and the listing names seven languages: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Dutch and Portuguese. That makes the bus an easy choice for a mixed group, or for anyone who would rather not plan scooter hire around a ferry.
Stop by stop
In the order the listing gives them. Times depend on the departure you pick.
Take the hotel transfer from selected locations, or meet the boat at the port in Ibiza.
A short sea crossing by ferry to La Savina, the port of Formentera, where you board the bus.
The capital of the island, with time to look at its old architecture.
A lookout with a panoramic view across the whole island.
A stop for photos at the lighthouse.
A swim, and time on your own to buy a local lunch.
A look at the salt flats before the bus heads back.
The bus returns you to the port for the crossing back to Ibiza.
From the road
The strength of the bus is reach. In one day you see the capital, a view over the whole island from the Mirador, the lighthouse at La Mola and the salt flats at Las Salinas, with a swim in the middle. Doing that alone means hiring a scooter or a car on arrival and finding your own way between them.
What it leaves out is just as clear. The route on the listing does not name Ses Illetes or Espalmador, the beaches several boat days on this site stop at, and it does not include lunch. The beach stop at Es Pujols or Mitjorn is your one long swim of the day.
If the shallow water of Ses Illetes is the reason you are going, a boat day suits you better than the bus; both options are further down this page.
What the price covers
Read off the listing. Anything it does not name, plan to pay for yourself.
The crossing to La Savina and back to Ibiza is part of the day.
An air-conditioned bus round the island, with a guide in one of seven languages.
One option includes pick-up from selected locations; the other meets at the port.
You get time on your own to buy a local lunch near the beach stop.
Three ways to see Formentera
All three prices are per person. Lengths and ratings are the live listing figures.
| Trip | Price | Length | How you see the island | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry and guided bus | $121 per person | 9 hours | By bus, with a live guide | 4.5 · 152 |
| Ferry from Sant Antoni | $49 per person | 10 hours | On your own, about six hours | 4.5 · 744 |
| Catamaran and bike tour | $151 per person | 12 hours | Guided bike tour on the Adventure option | 4.2 · 24 |
Going alone
The lowest price of the three is the round-trip boat from Sant Antoni, at $49 per person. It passes Es Vedrà on the way out and gives you about six hours on Formentera. What you do with them is up to you: Ses Illetes, La Mola and Cap de Barbaria are all within reach, but the bike, scooter or car to get there is at your own cost.
It is rated 4.5 from 744 reviews, and travellers mention a bar on board selling drinks and snacks. Susannah from the United Kingdom summed up her day: «It was nice to take in the coastline and go past Es Vedra. Formentera stunning and loved the use of the moped whilst there to get around.»
Against the Formentera bus tour from Ibiza, the trade is simple: you pay less and get more time and freedom, but you plan the route, rent the wheels and find the sights yourself.
Before you book
Times depend on the departure, and on pick-up if you take it. Check availability first.
Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Dutch or Portuguese: the listing names all seven.
The beach stop at Es Pujols or Mitjorn is the swim of the day.
By bike
The third way is the long one: $151 per person for 12 hours, rated 4.2 from 24 reviews. A two-deck catamaran for about 150 guests brings breakfast, an open bar, paella, swims near Espalmador and Ses Illetes, and paddle boards. On the Adventure option a local guide leads a bike tour of Formentera for groups of up to 15, and a sunset party with a DJ plays on the way back.
Our verdict
Book the bus for the sights. If you want the capital, the Mirador, La Mola and the salt flats in one day without hiring anything, the Formentera bus tour from Ibiza at $121 per person is the easy choice, with a live guide in your language.
On a budget, or here to swim? The boat from Sant Antoni at $49 per person gives you more time on the island. Want to ride and dance? The bike day at $151 per person does both.
Book direct
Three ways onto the island, priced per person, and our top pick for a day at sea.
★ 4.5 · 152 reviews
★ 4.5 · 744 reviews
★ 4.2 · 24 reviews
★ 4.6 · 2,108 reviews
Pair it with a boat trip
The bus shows you Formentera from the road; a boat shows you its coast. Our top pick is the all-inclusive boat day with sun beds at $168 per person, about ten hours, rated 4.6 from 2,108 reviews, and it is for adults only. With children, look at the catamaran with lunch and snorkelling at $100 per person, and compare all eight in our list of boat trips.
Common questions
The listing gives 9 hours in all, from the ferry out to the ferry back. Start times depend on the departure you choose, so check availability for your date. The crossing itself is described as short.
No. The day includes time on your own to buy a local lunch around the beach stop at Es Pujols or Mitjorn beach, so bring money for it.
It can. One option includes transfers from selected locations; the other has you meet the boat at the port. Check on the listing whether your hotel is covered before you book.
Yes. The listing describes a swim at Es Pujols or Mitjorn beach, and its highlights also mention a swim at Las Salinas. Pack swimwear and a towel.
Yes, on price. The round-trip boat from Sant Antoni is $49 per person, against $121 for the bus tour. But you pay for your own bike, scooter or car on the island and plan the route yourself, with no guide.
Go deeper
Ferries and boat transfers from Ibiza to Formentera compared: where they leave from, how long they take and what a return costs.
Formentera day tripsAll-inclusive day trips from Ibiza to Formentera compared: food, drinks, swim stops and time on the island.
Sailing to FormenteraThe sailing day from Ibiza to Formentera with beach stops: what the price covers and how long it takes.
Private boat to FormenteraPrivate boats from Ibiza to Formentera: group size, hours, where they leave from and what each price covers.
Beach hopping cruiseThe Ibiza beach hopping cruise with paddle boards, food and drinks: route, length and price.
Sunset cruisesSunset boat trips in Ibiza: sailing with an open bar, live saxophone and the Formentera day with a sunset party.
Ibiza: Full day boat trip to Formentera incl VIP beds & more
★ 4.6 · 2,108 reviews · 10 hours