San Antonio, Ibiza to Formentera Day Trip: Is It Worth It?

I spent 9 days in Ibiza as a solo traveller, and decided to leave Ibiza for a day. Why? Because the paradisiacal island of Formentera was calling me!

The funny thing is that I didn’t even know Formentera existed before very spontaneously booking a last minute flight to Ibiza. After doing some quick research, I noticed it kept appearing on lists of the best day trips from Ibiza.

Formentera, the smallest of Spain’s Balearic islands – only around 19km from top to bottom – is a ‘proper’ island. By that I mean there’s a bustling port, public transport, vibrant towns with supermarkets, cafés, restaurants and many accommodation options. It’s a place you can go as your entire holiday destination.

I actually almost didn’t go. Not because I wasn’t interested, but because everyone I spoke to said the same thing: when you go, you won’t want to leave – one day in Formentera isn’t enough!

I was also trying to keep costs down. The ferry isn’t super cheap, and accommodation on Formentera was more expensive than Ibiza for my travel dates. So I wondered, is it worth going on a day trip to Formentera?

Anyway with one day left of my trip and most of Ibiza’s highlights already ticked off, I decided a day trip from San Antonio (Sant Antoni de Portmany) to Formentera would be the perfect way to finish my solo Ibiza adventure.

And it absolutely was!!

San Antonio to Formentera Day Trip: Quick Verdict

This ended up being a highlight of my Ibiza trip. While six hours won’t let you discover all of Formentera, it’s enough time to experience the island’s stunning beaches, relaxed atmosphere and famously clear water. If you’re staying in San Antonio, I’d happily recommend this day trip.

How to Get from San Antonio to Formentera

I debated how to get to Formentera – take a fast ferry from Ibiza Town, which would allow me the most time flexibility for a day trip, or opt for the round-trip ferry transfer from San Antonio (where I was staying at this point in my trip), which would give me around 6 hours free time on the island.

In the end, I opted for the simplest, most relaxed travel option and hopped on the ferry directly from San Antonio marina, just a 10-minute walk from my accommodation.

I booked the ferry through GetYourGuide (a little over an hour before departure!), and it couldn’t have been easier. Directions to the meeting point were precise, and when I arrived they simply scanned my QR code and handed me a paper ticket.

Note: I was surprised by how busy the boat was in May. I wouldn’t be surprised if this trip sells out during the summer months, so it’s worth booking ahead – even if just a day or two in advance. Don’t leave it as last minute as I did!

How often does the ferry run from San Antonio to Formentera?

During my visit in May, this ferry only ran from San Antonio on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Luckily, my ideal day fell on a Wednesday, which made the decision easier – it seemed I was meant to travel this way!
From the beginning of June to late September the ferry runs 6 days a week (no Sunday service), so if you’re visiting during peak season, it’s very easy to fit this day trip into a stay in San Antonio.

This is a seasonal trip, and generally runs from May to October. Visiting outwith these months, you can reach Formentera directly from Ibiza Town but not San Antonio itself.

What to Expect on the San Antonio to Formentera Ferry

The ferry is operated by Cruceros Portmany. Departure is at 10am, but you need to be on board by 9:45am. I arrived around 9:20am to be safe and was on board shortly after.

The boat is spacious with an upper outside deck and a lower inside one.

I chose to sit up top and got up a few times to stretch my legs and enjoy different views out to sea. Oh and by the way, we even saw dolphins jumping out of the water on both journeys! Definitely a highlight of the crossing!

Toilets are available on board and there is also a drinks + snacks bar (I came prepared, but it’s good to know it’s there if you need it!).

The trip from San Antonio to Formentera takes around 2 hours, which is quite long, but you just have to see it as part of the overall experience. You get a stunning tour of Ibiza’s coastline, which you’d miss on a fast ferry from Ibiza Town!

We had a pretty smooth crossing both ways, so I can say I enjoyed the ride.

Tip: While it was really warm out, it did get a little chilly at times nearing the island as the breeze picked up – so do take an extra layer in case!

Arriving in La Savina, Formentera

Around 12pm, as scheduled, the ferry moored into the port of La Savina. Within minutes, we were stepping off the boat and onto Formentera for an island paradise day trip!

La Savina itself is lovely, with a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. Boats come and go all day, connecting Ibiza and Formentera. There are cafés, small shops, and transport rental stores clustered together, along with the main bus station. Everything you need on arrival is right there.

I hopped off the boat and immediately knew I had made an excellent decision to come on this Formentera day trip from San Antonio. Even at the port, Formentera already felt different from Ibiza.

Then the question was: how should I begin my day here?

I initially headed towards the bus queue for Ses Illetes – Formentera’s most iconic beach. Many others did the same, while some ventured to the transport rental stores to pick up bikes, scooters, or cars.

But as quickly as I joined the bus queue, I changed my mind and turned away again.

I decided to skip transport for my first stretch and do what I always end up doing in new places – walk. So I set off on foot towards Ses Illetes.

Why? Exploring on foot always makes me feel like I get a better feel for a new place. It also meant I didn’t need to wait around in rental store queues or jump straight onto a busy bus without really taking in the area around the port. I wanted to actually experience the island gradually, rather than being quickly transported to the main highlights.

Plus, walking is entirely free – perfect for my budget solo travel style, and it makes it easier to stop and take in any pretty spots! I also knew I could use the bus later in the day if needed (which I did).

I do understand why most people wouldn’t make this choice. It’s around an hour from the port to Ses Illetes, and on a short trip it can feel like it eats into your day. But for me, it felt like part of the adventure on Formentera!

Walking from La Savina to Ses Illetes

It wasn’t long before I left the port behind and was making my way along a quiet path with cyclists passing by and a few other walkers around. Soon it became evident just how much faster cycling is, however even on the initial stretch I kept stopping to take in the scenery that I was happy to be on foot.

The turquoise ocean to my left and Es Cavall d’en Borràs (the closest beach to the port) were already providing desirable scenes. I could easily have stopped for some beach time here, but with not many hours on the island, I decided to keep moving.

En route, I passed by the pink-ish waters of the Estany Pudent lagoon and walked alongside the Salinas de Formentera.

A little further on, I reached the gorgeous and iconic Ses Illetes coastline, which was evident as I cast my eyes upon postcard-worthy scenes. This beach spot is busy, and where you really begin to feel ‘I could spend the whole day just at this beach!’.

At the end of this beach there is some shallow water which leads to Illa des Forn, a small island that offers beautiful views back towards the Formentera coastline. I just had to dip my feet in the water and take a walk over there!

Beach Time at Ses Illetes

After taking in that scenery, I walked a few minutes further and gave in, deciding it was time for some proper Ses Illetes beach time. As much as I wanted to keep exploring, I also wanted to take time to really experience Ses Illetes!

Long stretches of beach run along both sides of the peninsula, meaning that despite being such a popular spot, there’s still plenty of space for everyone to comfortably enjoy the coastline.

I quickly found a spot on the sand and, within minutes, was drawn into the crystal-clear water. Honestly, you could say it was clearer than a swimming pool – I had to go in.

The water here was pretty shallow and calm, and it genuinely felt like being in paradise! Ibiza itself is pretty dreamy, but Ses Illetes on Formentera was giving no words kind of dreamy! Pure turquoise, white sand perfection – the vibes were immaculate!

I had to make this my lunch spot – a packed lunch baguette on this beach did me just fine. No time wasted searching for food, and a good budget option too! But if you prefer, there are beach restaurants along here if you’re looking for a more chic lunch experience.

Afterwards, I carried on along the sand, towards a raised rocky viewpoint overlooking the striking sandbank. I’m so glad I walked this far – it was super cool to see this quieter end of the beach, where the sandbanks stretch out, and it’s even more peaceful compared to the main stretch (since it’s a bit of a further walk).

From Ses Illetes to Es Pujols

I really wanted to take some time on the sandbank beach area, but I also wanted to explore another part of the island and see what else Formentera has to offer.

I easily could’ve spent the remainder of my day at Ses Illetes – some people come on a day trip to Formentera and do just that.

But I let explorer girl win (which I’m glad I did!), and walked to the bus stop ‘Entrada ses Illetes’ (which took me longer than I would’ve liked since I’d walked so far along the beach), and timed it perfectly as a bus was arriving in ten minutes.

A quick note: Buses aren’t super frequent, so if you’re planning to use them, you may need to ‘plan’ a little, at least more than I did (although it did work out for me)!

Luckily, I had some cash on me, as the bus driver only accepted cash. I paid €2.50, enjoyed a short 10-minute ride and a respite from the sun, and arrived in Es Pujols.

Exploring Es Pujols

Es Pujols is one of the main towns and holiday resorts on Formentera.

I didn’t know what to expect – just that it was a coastal town not far from Ses Illetes, and well-connected to the port by bus (perfect for making my return ferry).

It was around 4pm when I arrived, and I was soon pleasantly surprised by Es Pujols. I could easily see myself spending some nights here – it would make an excellent base for a longer stay on the island.

It’s vibrant and has everything you need, from supermarkets and rental stores to cafés, restaurants, hotels, and more. There’s also a lovely waterfront promenade, plus a great beach right in town and others just along the coastline.

After grabbing a pain au chocolat at a supermarket in town for an afternoon snack, I headed down to the waterfront and walked as far as Playa de Ses Canyes. The atmosphere felt very chilled-out and neither overly busy nor quiet.

What I loved along the waterfront from Es Pujols were the wooden the boardwalks running alongside the beaches. The views were lovely, and I just wish I had a little longer to relax on one of the beaches along here (I mean I could have, but I chose to keep exploring along the boardwalks)!

I had just enough time to enjoy a walk and see what was on offer in this area. After around 50 minutes to an hour, it was time to head back through the centre of town and take the bus to the port at La Savina.

This part of the island definitely feels different from Ses Illetes, and adding this stop really topped off my Formentera day trip. As incredible as Ses Illetes is, it felt good to go beyond the most popular spot, and I really enjoyed what Es Pujols had to offer!

Return to La Savina + ferry back

From Es Pujols to La Savina is only around a 15-minute bus ride. I decided to be ‘sensible’ and took the 5pm bus (L1) to the port, just in case the next bus was running late or so! The bus again cost €2.50, payable in cash to the driver.

Arriving at the marina at 5:15pm, I had some time to chill before boarding the ferry back from Formentera to San Antonio at 5:30pm for a 6pm departure. Many other travellers had also started gathering at the port around when I did – remember you need to be on the boat in advance of departure time, so don’t cut it too fine!

On the ferry, I chatted to the Mum and daughter next to me who had spent the whole day at Ses Illetes. It actually made me feel like I’d done well by exploring beyond just that beach area, but it also reinforced something important: you can have an amazing day in Formentera even if you just stay in one place like Ses Illetes, especially if you prefer to not try to fit too much in.

The return journey did feel a bit long, but the sun was still shining, and we got another tour of Ibiza’s gorgeous coastline.

Final Thoughts on the San Antonio to Formentera Day Trip

In the end, I was just very happy I’d taken this day trip from San Antonio to Formentera. I really would have missed out on a standout day of my Ibiza trip had I skipped it!

Even with only 6 hours on the island, the San Antonio to Formentera day trip was a great way to experience what this island has to offer. I’d absolutely recommend it if you’re staying in San Antonio and want an easy way to experience Formentera without staying overnight.

✨ I’d absolutely do this again if I wanted an easy Formentera day. If you want the same trip, you can check availability here: From Sant Antoni: Roundtrip Boat Transfer to Formentera

Pros and Cons of a San Antonio to Formentera Day Trip

Pros

• Easy, direct ferry from San Antonio
• No complicated planning required
• Stunning views during the crossing
• Enough time to see key highlights like Ses Illetes
• Great option for short stays in Ibiza

Cons

• Fixed ferry schedule
• Around 2 hours each way on the ferry
• Limited time on the island (~6 hours total, but this includes return boarding time, so actual exploring time is slightly less)
• Can feel rushed if you try to see too much

Is a Formentera day trip worth it?

Yes, a Formentera day trip from Ibiza is absolutely worth it. Whether you’re travelling solo as I was, as a couple, or with friends or family, it’s a welcoming island that’s hard not to love!

The key is to go with the mindset of enjoying wherever the day takes you, rather than trying to fit everything into a single day.

I didn’t make it to La Mola Lighthouse (Far de la Mola) on the very eastern side of the island, or to the popular town of Sant Francesc Xavier, among other main spots and that was okay! It just means that if I go back again one day, I can hit up those spots! I still had an amazing time at Ses Illetes and Es Pujols!

It’s a small island, but it still takes time to get from A to B however you choose to travel. My recommendation is simple: don’t try to do everything in one day – focus on a few highlights and enjoy them properly.

The only downside of a day trip to Formentera is that you won’t want to leave – but honestly, it’s better to see a little of it than nothing at all! If you do have more time to spare, consider spending a few nights on the island – you won’t regret it.

Who this San Antonio to Formentera day trip is perfect for:
– Solo travellers (low-stress, safe, easy logistics)
– Couples / groups who want a simple “done-for-you” day
– First-time Ibiza visitors who don’t want planning hassle
– People staying in San Antonio
– Anyone who doesn’t want ferry logistics stress
– Short-stay visitors (3–5 days in Ibiza)

It’s one of the easiest ways to visit Formentera without dealing with ferry timetables, transport connections, or organising multiple bookings.

FAQ

How long is the ferry from San Antonio to Formentera?
Around 2 hours each way.

Is one day enough in Formentera?
Yes, you can see highlights like Ses Illetes and Es Pujols, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to see all the main spots unless renting a car or scooter.

Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
It’s recommended in summer as boats can sell out. You can book tickets here.

What is the best way to get around Formentera?
Bus, bike, scooter or car – all are available directly at the port.