S’Espalmador and Formentera: Snorkeling Trip by RIB Boat

Formentera’s best scenery is often found from the water, and this nine-meter RIB boat gets you close to the island’s shallow coves, sea caves, and pale beaches. In three and a half hours, you visit S’Espalmador, Racó des Moro, Cova Rosa, and Cala Saona, with time to swim and snorkel at each stop.

I like the mix of four distinct stops and the helpful, friendly crew. The boat’s 250-horsepower engine covers the open-water stretches quickly, while the shallow draft lets you reach spots larger boats may skip. The main drawback is that food and drinks cost extra, and rough seas can force a route change or cancellation.

Key points at a glance

• S’Espalmador’s pink beach: Walk along a nearly empty island with sand bars and natural pools.
• Racó des Moro snorkeling: Swim in an emerald-green marine park with mask, snorkel, and fins provided.
• Cova Rosa sea caves: Swim through or near the caves, depending on conditions and your confidence in the water.
• Cala Saona views: See the sharp contrast between turquoise water and red cliffs near one of Formentera’s best-known coves.
• Fast, close-to-shore RIB: The 9-meter boat has a 250 HP engine, an awning, and the ability to stop in shallow water.
• Flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now without paying immediately.

Why this Formentera boat trip works well

This is a compact way to see several of Formentera’s most attractive coastal spots without spending a full day at sea. The route gives you a little of everything: a beach walk, snorkeling, sea-cave scenery, and a classic Cala Saona view.

I especially like the balance between movement and free time. You are not stuck on the boat for the entire outing, but you also do not lose hours to a long shore excursion. The listed stops last about 30 to 40 minutes each, enough time to swim, take photos, and get a good look underwater.

The experience is suitable for beginners as well as confident snorkelers. The guide supplies the mask, snorkel, and fins, and floating vests are included for anyone who cannot swim. Still, you should be comfortable getting into the sea from a boat, and you should bring water shoes if your feet are sensitive around rocky shorelines.

The activity has a 4.3 rating from 46 ratings, and the praise centers on the staff being friendly and helpful. That matters on a small boat trip. A good crew can make the difference between feeling rushed and feeling looked after, particularly when several people are getting in and out of the water.

Starting near the Formentera marina

The main meeting point is mooring number 2, near the PanperFocaccia restaurant. The activity returns to this same meeting point at the end.

If you select pickup, a staff member meets you in a large van marked with the company’s stickers. Pickup and drop-off locations include Hotel Club Sunway Punta Prima, Hotel Riu La Mola, Ormeggio Isla Flotante, Insotel Club Maryland, Hotel Sa Volta, and Insotel Hotel Formentera Playa.

The pickup option adds convenience, but the exact time is confirmed within 24 hours before the activity. I would keep your schedule fairly open around the excursion rather than booking a tight connection immediately afterward.

The transport sequence includes a van ride of about 15 minutes, followed by a short transfer to the RIB. From there, the boat ride begins. The exact arrangement depends on the option you choose, so check the selected departure details carefully when booking.

S’Espalmador and its pale, pink-tinted shore

The first main stop is S’Espalmador, a small deserted island just off Formentera. You get about 40 minutes here for a guided visit, photos, swimming, and snorkeling.

The island is known for its pale sand, pink beach tones, sand bars, and natural pools. I would use this stop for walking and taking in the scenery rather than expecting a long beach day. Forty minutes passes quickly once you account for getting ashore, looking around, and returning to the boat.

S’Espalmador gives the trip a useful change of pace. The other stops focus on swimming and sea views, but here you can stretch your legs on land. The untouched feel is part of the appeal, although there are no listed food or drink services included, so bring your own water.

The boat’s ability to reach shallow water is useful here. A large vessel would be less flexible around sand bars and small coves. You should still follow the guide’s instructions, since the captain may adjust the landing or route if sea conditions change.

Racó des Moro and the first proper snorkel

After another short boat ride, the tour reaches Racó des Moro, a marine park with an emerald-green cove. This is the main underwater stop, with about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and viewing marine life.

Your mask, snorkel, and fins are provided, so you do not need to pack your own equipment. The guide gives information about the marine ecosystem and keeps an eye on the group. For a first-time snorkeler, that support can make the water feel much less intimidating.

The water is described as clear, and the cove is a good place to look for colorful fish close to shore. I would not treat this as a serious wildlife expedition. The attraction is the combination of visibility, sheltered water, and easy access to marine life.

Thirty minutes is enough for a pleasant snorkel, but it is not a long session. If you enjoy spending most of your time underwater, you may find the schedule a little brisk. The upside is that you get three more coastal stops instead of using the whole tour at one cove.

If you cannot swim, a floating vest is included. You should tell the crew early, rather than waiting until you are already at the water. The guide can then make sure you have the right equipment and understand how the stop will work.

Cova Rosa and the sea-cave option

The third coastal stop is Cova Rosa, where you spend about 30 minutes swimming, snorkeling, looking at marine life, and viewing the caves.

The most unusual part of this stop is the choice of how close you want to get. If you are confident in the water and conditions allow, you can swim through and inside the caves. If that sounds like too much, you can stay outside and enjoy the cliffs, water, and cave openings from the boat.

That flexibility is a real strength. Not everyone in a group has the same comfort level, and nobody needs to turn a scenic stop into a test of courage. I would bring water shoes if you plan to get near the rocks, and a windbreaker for the boat rides between coves.

Cave swimming depends on the sea and the captain’s judgment. The captain can change the route or cancel the outing in bad weather or poor sea conditions. That is sensible for a RIB trip, especially around rocky shorelines where water movement can change quickly.

Cala Saona and the final coastal view

The final stop is Cala Saona, one of Formentera’s most recognizable coves. The boat sails near the beach for about 30 minutes, allowing time for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and sightseeing.

The scenery here is all about contrast: turquoise water in front of fiery red cliffs. Even if you are tired from the earlier swims, this is a worthwhile final stop because it gives you a strong coastal panorama from the water.

The boat does not simply drop you at Cala Saona for a long beach stay. This is a coastal viewing and swimming stop, not a replacement for a full afternoon at the beach. If your main goal is to rent a chair, eat lunch, or spend hours on the sand, you should visit Cala Saona separately.

I like ending here. The day moves from a quiet island walk to marine life and caves, then finishes with a broad scenic view. It feels more varied than a basic snorkel trip that spends the whole time circling one bay.

What the RIB boat adds to the experience

The boat is a 9-meter rigid inflatable boat with a 250 HP engine. That combination gives the trip speed between stops and flexibility near shore.

You will feel the boat moving across open water, so this is not the smooth, slow ride of a large sightseeing vessel. The inflatable sides provide a practical design for a small group and help the boat get close to coves. The boat also has an awning, which gives you shade between swims.

The fast engine matters because the tour covers four locations in only three and a half hours. Without a quick boat, much of the outing would disappear into transit. The tradeoff is that the ride may feel lively, especially if the sea is choppy.

I would sit where the crew directs you and keep your belongings secure. Bring only what you need, since wet gear, towels, sunscreen, and personal items can make a small boat feel crowded.

What to bring and what costs extra

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water, flip-flops, and water shoes. A windbreaker is also a smart choice because the boat ride can feel cooler than the beach, even on a warm day.

The snorkeling equipment is included: diving mask, snorkel, and fins. The guide and RIB boat are also included in the price.

Food and drinks are not included. Cold water, soft drinks, and beer are available on board for an additional charge. I would bring your own water if permitted and make sure you have enough for the full outing, since swimming in the sun can leave you thirsty quickly.

Fuel is listed separately from the tour price. Check the final booking terms for how this is handled before you commit, since it affects the true cost of the excursion.

At $108 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Formentera. The value comes from the number of places covered, the included snorkel equipment, the guide, and the flexibility of a small RIB that can reach shallow coves. If you would otherwise book separate transport and boat tours, the price becomes easier to justify.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want to see several Formentera locations in one morning and prefer active sightseeing to a long, stationary beach visit. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and first-time snorkelers who want equipment and guidance provided.

It is also a good choice if you value scenery as much as snorkeling. S’Espalmador and Cala Saona give you memorable views even if you spend less time in the water than planned.

I would think twice if you dislike fast boat rides, need a guaranteed route, or want a full day at one beach. The captain may change the route because of weather or sea conditions, and each stop is fairly short. The tour is also less suitable for anyone who cannot comfortably board a boat or enter the sea, although floating vests are available for non-swimmers.

The live guide speaks English, Spanish, and Italian. That makes the trip accessible to a broad range of visitors, and the crew’s friendly, helpful manner is one of the more important practical benefits of this format.

Should you book the S’Espalmador snorkeling trip?

Book it if you want a fast, varied introduction to Formentera by sea, with snorkeling, caves, a deserted island, and Cala Saona packed into one half-day outing. The included gear and optional pickup keep the planning simple.

Skip it if you want a relaxed beach day, a long snorkel at one location, or complete certainty about the route. For most active visitors, though, the four-stop plan makes good use of three and a half hours, and the RIB’s speed lets you see more than a typical single-cove excursion.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling trip last?

The trip lasts 3.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where does the activity start?

The main meeting point is mooring number 2 near the PanperFocaccia restaurant.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is optional. A staff member collects participants in a large van marked with the company’s stickers.

Which pickup locations are available?

The listed drop-off and pickup locations are Hotel Club Sunway Punta Prima, Hotel Riu La Mola, Ormeggio Isla Flotante, Insotel Club Maryland, Hotel Sa Volta, and Insotel Hotel Formentera Playa.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English, Spanish, and Italian.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a diving mask, snorkel, and fins.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Cold water, soft drinks, and beer are available on board for an extra cost.

What happens if I cannot swim?

Mandatory floating vests for people who cannot swim are included in the price.

Can the route change because of the weather?

Yes. The captain may change the route or cancel the excursion because of bad weather or poor sea conditions.