Hi, my name is Alin and I live in Ibiza from 2009. I wanted to share you my experience and why not, help you to have better experience renting a boat and enjoying Formentera. I know it's a long text but is worth it, will save you of many troubles. Have a good read .

I’ve worked for years as a captain in Ibiza and now run a boat charter company here.

Every season I see the same patterns: people overpaying, choosing the wrong boat for their group, or booking through brokers without really understanding how the system works.

This is not a promotional post and I’m not trying to convince anyone to book anything with me. I just want to share how things actually work from inside the industry, so you can avoid common mistakes and have a better experience on the water.

The most important thing is simple: choose a boat that fits your group, expectations, and budget comfortably. A relaxed group on the right boat will almost always enjoy the day more than a stressed group overspending on a larger yacht.

1. Choosing the right boat

In Ibiza there are hundreds of different models available, from small 5-meter boats to superyachts over 30 meters. Prices range from around €500 to more than €18,000 per day. Most charters are based on an 8-hour day.

a) Budget

Be realistic with your budget from the beginning. If your group is comfortable around €1,000 total, it usually makes more sense to stay in that range instead of stretching for a larger boat just for appearance.

Many people assume a bigger or more expensive boat automatically means a better experience. In reality, the atmosphere of the group and how relaxed everyone feels about the cost has a much bigger impact on the day.

b) Number of people

Smaller boats (under around 40 feet / 13 meters) usually accommodate 6–12 guests.

In Ibiza, almost all charter boats are legally limited to a maximum of 12 guests, even large yachts. If your group is bigger than 12, you will normally need two boats.

This is often more enjoyable than people expect. On calm days, boats anchor close together so groups can still swim, eat, and spend time together.

c) Boat style: Open vs Classic

One thing many first-time clients underestimate is how much the layout of the boat changes the experience.

OPEN STYLE boats (such as De Antonio, Pardo, or Fjord models) are designed with large exterior spaces and walk-around layouts. They feel more social, more connected to the sea, and more “Ibiza experience” oriented.

CLASSIC SPORT YACHTS (such as Pershing, Sunseeker Predator, or Mangusta models) usually offer more interior comfort, more shade, and more privacy. They are often preferred for quieter or more relaxed groups.

Neither style is better. It depends entirely on the type of day you want.

2. Understanding fuel costs (very important)

Fuel is probably one of the most misunderstood parts of boat rental in Ibiza.

To be completely honest, some companies and brokers present fuel estimates in a way that can be confusing or inflated, while others are very transparent and charge exactly based on real consumption.

The problem is that most first-time clients have no reference point, so they don’t know what is realistic.

Boats genuinely consume a lot of fuel, especially larger yachts. So higher fuel costs are not automatically a problem. The issue appears when estimates are not aligned with the actual route and engine usage.

A simple way to understand fuel is to estimate real engine running time during the day:

• Ses Illetes / Formentera day: ~1.5 hours navigation
• Cala Saona route: ~2 hours navigation
• Es Vedrà route: ~2.5 hours or more depending on conditions

Basic calculation:
Engine hours × average consumption per hour

Example:
If a yacht consumes ~200L/hour and runs for 2 hours, estimated fuel is ~400L.

This is why the exact boat model and engine configuration matters. Two visually similar boats can have completely different consumption.

Always confirm estimated fuel before departure, ask what itinerary it’s based on, and clarify if it’s cruising or max-speed consumption.

If possible, ask for a fuel-included price upfront. In many cases it is actually simpler and sometimes even cheaper.

For smaller boats, “Full-Full” fuel policies are often the most transparent option, even if refueling costs a small extra fee.

Sea conditions, speed, and route changes can also affect real consumption a lot. A relaxed cruising day is very different from a fast, aggressive one.

3. Weather conditions (probably the most important factor)

Many clients focus only on the boat, but weather conditions are what truly determine the quality of the day.

Formentera sits south of Ibiza, and the two main charter areas are:

• East side (Levante)
• West side (Poniente)

In summer, winds often come from the east. When this happens, captains usually choose the west side because it is more protected and calmer.

This is where many well-known beach restaurants are located:
Es Molí de Sal, Beso Beach, El Tiburón, Juan y Andrea, Pirata, Can Carlitos, Duo, Es Ministre.

If the wind shifts and comes from the west, the route moves to the eastern side, where restaurants like Chezz Gerdi, Tanga, Fandango, or Es Caló are better options.

Experienced captains constantly adapt routes based on conditions instead of following fixed itineraries.

For most guests, a comfortable day is usually below ~16–17 knots (25–30 km/h). Above that, even large yachts can become uncomfortable depending on wave direction.

You can check conditions using apps like Windy, or simply ask the captain for a realistic assessment.

If winds are stronger than this, especially with families or inexperienced guests, rescheduling is often the better decision.

Rain in summer is usually short and not a real problem, but in unstable conditions it is always worth discussing rescheduling.

Before booking, always check the cancellation policy for weather:

• who decides
• when rescheduling is possible
• how changes are handled

4. Why the captain matters more than most people realize

One thing many first-time clients underestimate is the role of the skipper.

You are not just renting a boat — you are spending 8 hours with a person who directly shapes the atmosphere of your day.

A good captain is responsible for safety, but also:

• reading the group dynamic
• adapting the day when possible
• being professional but relaxed
• knowing when to interact and when to give space

At the same time, safety always comes first. Some requests cannot be followed, such as entering restricted or unsafe areas.

The best captains balance service and discretion: helping when needed, but not interfering when the group wants privacy.

From experience, the first interaction onboard usually sets the tone for the entire day.

And yes — if a captain genuinely makes your day better, a tip is always appreciated.

5. Understanding pricing and avoiding confusion

Pricing in Ibiza often looks simple at first, but usually includes several components.

Common structure:

• boat rental
• skipper fee
• VAT (21% in Spain)
• fuel

These are all normal parts of the charter industry. The issue is not the costs themselves, but how clearly they are communicated.

A base price can look attractive at first, but the final price depends on how all elements are presented upfront.

This is why it’s important to always ask for a full final price before confirming:

• total including VAT
• skipper included or not
• estimated fuel based on itinerary
• any extras clearly specified

A professional company should always be able to give you a clear final number without ambiguity.

Defining your itinerary before booking also helps make fuel estimates accurate.

Clarity upfront almost always leads to a better experience on both sides.

6. Brokers vs direct companies – how the system actually works

Ibiza has more than 50 charter companies and hundreds of brokers. Many operate professionally, but their roles are often misunderstood.

A common question is: is it better to book through a broker or directly with a company?

The honest answer is: it depends on what you value more — variety or direct control.

How pricing works

In most cases, brokers and companies work with similar base prices. A broker receives a commission from the company, while the company earns the same operational rate either way.

Because of this, prices are usually similar unless there is specific negotiation or availability differences.

Brokers

Brokers can be useful because they:

• offer access to many boats across companies
• help compare options quickly
• provide more variety in size and style
• can suggest alternatives if something is unavailable

Direct companies

Booking directly can offer:

• clearer communication
• direct operational control
• easier adjustments on the day
• sometimes better flexibility or upgrades depending on availability

The key point

There is no “better” option.

What matters most is:

• what boat you are getting
• who operates it
• and what the final total price includes

If helpful, my company website is here for reference:

www.justenjoyibiza.com

I work locally in Ibiza as a captain, so everything is based on real on-the-water experience.

with love, Alin