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Boat hire in Ibiza with a skipper, and the licence rule from 1 October 2026

By Es Vedra Tours ·

Quick answer: The skippered sunset motorboat on the west coast is the pick for most groups, from €650 for three hours, rated 5.0 across 106 reviews. For a full day to Formentera, the sailboat charter starts at €400, with the skipper paid separately.

From 1 October 2026 Spain requires a licence on every rental boat, including the small 15 hp boats that used to go out without one. You can take the six-hour navigation licence course and keep driving yourself, or hire the boat with its skipper. This page compares the skippered boats.

Compare the options

Skippered sunset motorboat, from 3 hours

3 h · From €650 · 5.0 · 106

Best forGroups of up to 8 who want the west coast at golden hour

Not forAnyone set on a Formentera crossing

Check availability

Traditional llaüt, half day, captain and fuel included

4 h · From €935 · 5.0 · 43

Best forCouples and families who want a slow wooden boat and one fixed price

Not forSpeed. A llaüt covers less coast in four hours than a motorboat

Check availability

Full-day sailboat to Formentera

8 h · From €400 · 5.0 · 62

Best forGroups who want eight hours at the lowest starting price

Not forAnyone who wants one all-in price, the skipper costs €180 in cash at check-in

Check availability

Sea Ray motorboat to Formentera, full day

8 h · From €810 · 4.9 · 16

Best forGroups of up to 10 who want the fastest route to Ses Illetes

Not forBudgets that need certainty, captain and fuel are extra

Check availability

What only applies in Ibiza

  • Royal Decree 1188/2025 ends the licence exemption for commercial rental from 1 October 2026. It covers the motorboats up to 5 metres and 15 hp that Ibiza companies used to rent without a licence. Private owners keep the exemption.
  • The Spanish navigation licence (licencia de navegación) is issued after 2 hours of theory and 4 of practice, with no exam. It covers boats up to 6 metres and jet skis, in daylight and within 2 nautical miles of port.
  • Anchoring on Posidonia seagrass is banned in Balearic waters under Decree 25/2018. The skipper anchors on sand or on an authorised buoy.
  • The regulated buoy fields at Ses Salines beach, Es Caló de S'Oli and S'Espalmador bay are run by the Balearic environment department, with bookings through Ports IB.
  • Inside 200 metres of an unmarked beach the speed limit is 3 knots, and marked swimming zones are closed to boats. At most coves the boat anchors offshore and you swim in.

Who this is not for

Not for anyone planning to drive a rental boat without any licence from 1 October 2026. A poor fit for solo travellers too, since the price is per boat.

What to bring

  • Passport or ID for the rental contract
  • Cash for a skipper or fuel paid on board
  • Reef-safe sun cream and a hat
  • Soft bag, hard suitcases do not fit on small boats
  • Food if the listing does not include it

Best time

June and September. The sea is at 22.5°C in June and 25.3°C in September, close to the August peak. Book the evening slot in June if you want the sunset, which falls around 21:20.

Frequently asked questions

Can you hire a boat without a licence in Ibiza?

Not from a rental company from 1 October 2026. Spanish rules then require a licence or a skipper on every rental boat, including the small 15 hp ones. The navigation licence takes a six-hour course with no exam.

How much does skippered boat hire in Ibiza cost?

In this catalogue it starts at €400 for a full-day sailboat plus €180 for the skipper, and €650 for a three-hour motorboat with the captain included. Prices are per boat.

Does boat hire in Ibiza include fuel and the skipper?

It depends on the boat. The llaüt includes captain, deckhand and fuel. The Sea Ray to Formentera does not include captain or fuel. Read the inclusions before you book.

Can a hired boat in Ibiza anchor anywhere?

No. Anchoring on Posidonia seagrass is banned in the Balearics, and marked swimming zones are closed to boats. The skipper anchors on sand or on an authorised buoy.

Is a hired boat in Ibiza worth it for a group?

For six to ten people the cost per head gets close to a shared cruise, with your own route and timing. For two people a shared boat trip costs less.

Can boat hire in Ibiza reach Formentera?

Yes, on the full-day options. Ses Illetes and S'Espalmador are the usual stops, both inside the Ses Salines Natural Park.

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