Top Yacht Routes Around Ibiza For First-Time Visitors

The first-time Ibiza charter is usually a mix of the iconic and the personal — the Formentera photograph and the cove no one else knows about. The five routes below cover both. Use them as building blocks for a week.

1. The Formentera Circuit (full day)

The default first-day route. Depart Marina Botafoch 09:30, head south through the Ibiza-Formentera channel. Anchor at Espalmador 11:00 for a sand-bottom swim. Lunch at Beso or Juan y Andrea on Illetes, or on board. Cruise along Migjorn (south coast of Formentera) for an afternoon swim. Return via Cala Saona for sunset. Arrive Marina Botafoch 21:00.

See our full Formentera anchorage guide.

2. The Tagomago Loop (half-day)

For groups that want to escape the south-coast traffic. North from Botafoch past Es Caná, anchor in the channel between Tagomago island and the mainland. Flat water in most conditions. Lunch on board, swim, return via Pou des Lleó. Total day: 6 hours, perfect for groups easing into the rhythm.

3. The Es Vedrà Sunset (afternoon)

The classic late-afternoon programme. Depart 16:00, cruise to Cala d'Hort, anchor 200m off the south face of Es Vedrà. Watch the rock turn gold for forty-five minutes. Optional dinner on board during the return cruise; arrive Botafoch 22:00. The most photographed afternoon in Ibiza.

4. The North Coast Caves (full day)

The route most first-timers don't know exists. North from Botafoch, past Cala Llonga, Tagomago, the cliff faces of Cala Mastella, Cala Xarraca and the caves at Portinatx. Anchor at Cala Xuclà — flat sand, electric blue water, almost no traffic. Lunch on board. Return via the back of Tagomago. Dramatic coast, cold water, complete privacy.

5. The Mallorca Cliffs (multi-day, 3–4 days)

For week-long charters. Depart Ibiza early morning, cross to Mallorca's south coast (Cala Pi or Es Trenc, 5–6 hours). Overnight at anchor. Day two: cruise west to the Tramuntana cliffs (Sa Calobra, Cala Tuent). Day three: south to Cabrera archipelago. Day four: return to Ibiza via Formentera.

A magnificent week of varied scenery. Best on yachts with range (most 30m+).

Planning a first week

A typical first-time week combines: one Formentera day, one Tagomago day, one Es Vedrà sunset, one north-coast day, and one or two beach-club days. The Aurelius office builds the week around your group's pace.

What first-timers usually miss

• The north coast — most first-time charters never see it.
• Cala Saona at sunset — quieter than Es Vedrà, equally cinematic.
• The Tagomago east side — a private anchorage in plain sight.
• Atlantis (Sa Pedrera de Cala d'Hort) — only by water.