Ibiza Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Which of the Three to Book

The north-east route is the Ibiza kayak and snorkel tour with the most packed into three hours. It starts at Es Figueral, in the marine nature reserve of the quieter north-east coast. Your guide opens with a short route talk and an easy paddling demonstration, and your things ride in a dry bag. The listing calls it suitable for all levels.

You paddle past the fishermen’s shelter of Racó de s’Aubadar to Illot de s’Or, an islet with a sandy beach and natural pools reached only by sea. Then you paddle through the Ses Mayoles sea cave, snorkel at Punta des Llaut over sea grass and weave between islets to Pou des Lleó beach before heading back. Juice, fruit and a snack keep you going.

It costs $56 per person for 3 hours, rated 4.7 from 434 reviews. Instructors speak English, Spanish, French and Italian; a private group is available. In summer, groups go up to 20 with two instructors.

The second Ibiza kayak and snorkel tour starts on the beach at Cala Codolar, on the wild west coast, where your guide waits next to the kayaks. It is the best rated of the three, 4.8 from 334 reviews, and costs $56 per person for 2.5 to 3 hours.

A short safety briefing and time to practise come first. Then it is cliffs, hidden caves and coves, with snorkel gear for the seabed, swimming breaks, and fresh fruit and nuts. The guide shares stories about the island and takes photos of your tour, which are included.

You choose a morning or a sunset tour. The sunset tour ends with a glass of cava as the sun goes down; how much of the sunset you see depends on the sky on the day. Arrive 10 minutes early; the start time can move with the weather.

If you like the idea of an Ibiza kayak and snorkel tour but not of three hours with a paddle, this is the one. A boat takes you along the west coast from the port of Sant Antoni, past small islands, caves and reefs, and stops twice for about 45 minutes. At each stop you snorkel, swim, take out a paddle board or stay on board. Cold drinks are included.

The first stop is off Cala Bassa, about 200 metres from the beach, over rock and sand. The listing suggests looking for octopus in the small hollows of the rocks, rock fish and meadows of Posidonia sea grass. The second, around Cala Conta, is sandier and shallower. The boat also heads for what the listing calls the biggest sea cave on Ibiza; getting in depends on the sea on the day.

It costs $67 per person for 3 hours and has the most reviews of the three: 1,436, rated 4.7. Guides speak Spanish and English. Stops can change at short notice for wind, waves or jellyfish warnings.

Book the north-east route. If you take one Ibiza kayak and snorkel tour, make it Es Figueral at $56 per person: a cave to paddle through, an island beach and a snorkel stop in a marine reserve, open to all levels.

Want the sunset? Cala Codolar, at the same price, ends with cava. Someone in your group would rather not paddle? The snorkel boat trip at $67 per person lets them stay on board.

A three-hour paddle leaves the rest of your week open for a full day on the water. The most booked trip on this site is the full day to Formentera with sun beds, paella and an open bar at $168 per person, rated 4.6 from 2,108 reviews; it is for adults only. With children, look at the catamaran day with paella and a snorkel stop at Cala Saona at $100 per person (check child prices on the listing), or compare all eight in our list of boat trips.