The ferry from Ibiza to Formentera leaves from Ibiza Port and lands at La Savina, Formentera's ferry port. Fast ferries take about 30 minutes, and the alternative is a boat day trip that skips the port and anchors off the beaches.
Formentera is the closest day trip from Ibiza, and there are two very different ways to get there. The ferry is public transport: you buy a ticket, cross in half an hour and organise the island yourself. A boat day trip is a planned day at sea that anchors off the beaches. This guide compares both.
The Ibiza to Formentera ferry in five facts
- Departs Ibiza Port, arrives at La Savina on Formentera.
- About 30 minutes on the fast ferry, according to Baleària.
- Fares change with the date and the company, so check the current price before you buy.
- Departures every 45 minutes by day, almost 30 per port daily in summer.
- Trasmapi recommends being at boarding at least 30 minutes before departure.
Ferry companies and ports
Two companies run the main route between Ibiza Port and La Savina. Baleària quotes a 30 minute crossing, departures every 45 minutes through the day and almost 30 daily departures from each port in summer. Check the current fare on Baleària's route page. Some of its vessels also take cars, motorbikes and bicycles. Trasmapi runs the same route with frequent departures from early morning to late evening and publishes its timetable online. A third option, Aquabus, advertises a cheaper crossing of about 55 minutes. According to its own website it sails from Ibiza Port and runs a separate line from Figueretas and Playa d'en Bossa, and you can only board at the point you booked. It carries no cars and recommends arriving 20 minutes early. Consult the current timetable of each company before you go, because schedules change between summer and winter.
What to know before you board
Trasmapi's passenger page recommends arriving at boarding at least 30 minutes before departure, since a full sailing means waiting for the next one. If you plan to reach Ses Illetes by car, Formentera charges non resident cars 5 to 7 EUR to enter the Ses Illetes area of the Ses Salines Natural Park from 10 May to the first half of October 2026. Most visitors skip the car and take the L3 bus or a bike from La Savina. Our Ses Illetes guide covers that last stretch.
Ferry or boat day trip
The two options solve different problems.
- Ferry: lowest price per person, your own timing, any beach on the island. You pay for buses, bikes or a rental on arrival, and you work around the timetable.
- Boat day trip: no port, no transfers, swim stops off Espalmador and Ses Illetes and drinks on board. You follow the boat's route and spend 7 to 9 hours on it.
Three Formentera trips on Viator, checked on 30 September 2026:
- Sailing catamaran trip to Formentera: 8 hours with 2 to 3 hours at Ses Illetes, from 100 EUR, rated 4.9 from 108 reviews, up to 12 guests.
- Formentera and Ibiza small group trip by catamaran: 8 to 9 hours with Espalmador and Ses Illetes, from 115 EUR, rated 4.7 from 161 reviews.
- Formentera small group day trip by sailboat: 7 hours from Cala Jondal, from 140 EUR, rated 4.9 from 144 reviews.
These trips run on a season. According to Viator on 30 September 2026, the sailboat trip has dates until 15 October, the small group catamaran until 17 October and the sailing catamaran until 25 October 2026. Prices on Viator change with the date. All organised trips are listed in day trips from Ibiza, and for a boat of your own see the private boat charter guide.
Which one to choose
Take the ferry if you want to cycle the island, eat in Es Pujols or Sant Francesc, or stay overnight. Take a boat trip if the day is really about swimming at Ses Illetes and you would rather not deal with ports and buses. For groups of four or more, compare the per person cost of the ferry plus transport with the tour price, because the gap narrows.
Keep reading
For a full itinerary see Formentera day trip by boat and the Formentera day trip guide. Arriving from the mainland first? See ferries from Denia and Valencia.
How we checked this guide: crossing time, frequency and vehicles from Baleària's route page, boarding advice and timetable from Trasmapi, Aquabus crossing time, departure points and boarding rules from its website, park fees from Cadena SER, tour data from the Viator API. All consulted on 30 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Ibiza to Formentera?
The fast ferry from Ibiza Port to La Savina takes about 30 minutes, according to Baleària. Aquabus, a budget operator, advertises 55 minutes on its own website. Check the current timetable because crossing times vary by vessel.
How much is the ferry from Ibiza to Formentera?
The fare for the ferry from Ibiza to Formentera changes with the date, the company and the type of ticket, and residents of the Balearic Islands pay less. Check the current price on Baleària, Trasmapi or Aquabus before you buy. Aquabus lists discounts of up to 45 percent for children aged 4 to 13 on its website.
Which companies run the Ibiza to Formentera ferry?
Baleària and Trasmapi run fast ferries between Ibiza Port and La Savina all day. Aquabus sails from Ibiza Port and runs a separate line from Figueretas and Playa d'en Bossa, according to its own website. Consult each company's current timetable before you travel.
How often does the ferry from Ibiza to Formentera leave?
Baleària states departures every 45 minutes through the day and almost 30 daily departures from each port in summer. Frequency drops outside summer, so consult the timetable for your date.
Can you take a car on the Ibiza to Formentera ferry?
Yes, on selected Baleària vessels you can travel with a car, motorbike or bicycle, according to its route page. Formentera also charges cars a fee to enter the Ses Illetes area of the Ses Salines Natural Park in season, 5 to 7 EUR in 2026.
Is a Formentera boat trip better than the Ibiza to Formentera ferry?
A boat trip is better than the Ibiza to Formentera ferry if you want swim stops and no transfers, and the ferry is better if you want freedom and a lower cost. The catamaran trips cost from 100 EUR for 8 hours with a stop at Ses Illetes.