Ibiza: Private SpeedBoat to Es Vedra & Atlantis + Snorkel

Es Vedrà is the star here: a dark, dramatic islet rising from the sea off Ibiza’s southwest coast. A private speedboat lets you see it from the water, then reach the rocky cove of Atlantis and two clear-water swimming spots without spending the day driving between beaches. I especially like the small private-group format and the mix of fast cruising, scenery, and time in the water.

I also like the route itself. You pass Cala Bassa, Cala Tarida, secret coves, and Cala Comte rather than sitting in one bay all afternoon. The main caution is value: at $806 per boat, the price works well for a full group of 11 but feels steep for a small party, especially if the promised drinks or snorkeling gear are not fully supplied.

Key points to know before booking

• Es Vedrà and Atlantis are the main event: You get about 30 minutes around Es Vedrà for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and views of marine life, followed by a look at Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort, known as Atlantis.
• Cala Comte adds a second swim: The return route includes another 30-minute stop at one of Ibiza’s most famous coves.
• The boat is private for up to 11 people: A full group brings the cost down to about $73 per person.
• The outing is fast and tightly timed: Expect roughly one hour to reach Es Vedrà, then a return journey with several short sightseeing passes.
• Snorkeling supplies may be basic: Equipment is included in the booking details, but one reported experience had only simple goggles and no fins or snorkels.
• Check in early: Meet at the Yamaha-flagged office on Carrer del Far, 6, 30 minutes before departure. The boat is about two minutes away at San Antonio port.

Why this west coast boat trip works

Ibiza’s west coast is best understood from the water. Roads lead you to individual coves, but a boat shows you the whole chain of cliffs, beaches, caves, and offshore rocks in one sweep. You can sit back for the scenic stretches, then jump in when the skipper finds a suitable place to swim.

This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. The Capelli RIB is a rigid inflatable boat built for speed, and the route includes fast runs between stops. That makes the ride part of the attraction, though it also means you should expect wind, spray, and a firm ride across open water.

The private format matters. Your group does not have to share the boat with strangers, and you can spend the swim stops together instead of being spread around a large vessel. Up to 11 people can join, making this a sensible choice for a family group, wedding party, or group of friends already sharing Ibiza costs.

The skipper speaks English or Spanish. One booking described a captain who added enjoyable stories and background about the sites. Another found the English limited and the captain quiet. I would treat the guide service as a variable rather than the main reason to book. The scenery and boat route are the reliable parts; the amount of commentary may depend on the skipper assigned that day.

Starting at San Antonio port

The meeting point is the office at Carrer del Far, 6, San Antonio de Portmany, beneath Hotel Es Mitjorn. Look for the large Yamaha flag at the door. The staff is inside, and you should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

The office and boat are not in the exact same spot. You check in at the office, then walk about two minutes to the port. This is easy once you know it, but allow extra time because the process may include paperwork and a second check at the harbor stand.

You can leave a small backpack per person at the office if you prefer not to carry it aboard. Bring only what you need on the boat: swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Glass objects are not allowed.

The boat departs from the bay of San Antonio. The opening section gives you a broad view of the bay before the trip turns toward Ibiza’s west coast. I would apply sunscreen before boarding, keep loose items secured, and avoid bringing anything you would be unhappy to get wet.

Passing Cala Bassa and Cala Tarida

The first sightseeing section includes a boat cruise of about 25 minutes, followed by a photo stop at Cala Bassa. This beach is known for clear water and pale sand, and seeing it from offshore gives you a different angle than a land visit. The stop is listed at about 10 minutes, so think of it as a quick look and photo opportunity, not a beach visit.

The boat then passes Cala Tarida for around five minutes. You will not have time to settle on the beach here, but the pass helps place Es Vedrà in context. Ibiza’s west coast is a succession of coves, headlands, and small inlets, and the speedboat lets you cover a lot of it without parking, walking, or moving beach gear.

A short secret stop follows. The details are not specified, so do not build your expectations around a particular cove or activity. It is best understood as a brief scenic pause before the main stop.

This part of the ride is valuable because it keeps the outing from becoming a simple transfer to Es Vedrà. You get several coastal views before reaching the famous rock, although the limited time at each point means the route favors variety over a relaxed pace.

Reaching Es Vedrà after about an hour

After roughly one hour, the boat reaches Es Vedrà and the waters around it. This is the emotional high point of the trip. Es Vedrà is a steep, rocky islet with a strong presence from the sea, and the boat gives you changing views as you approach and pass it.

The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes. You can take photos, swim, and snorkel, with time set aside for marine-life viewing. The actual balance is up to the skipper and conditions, so you may need to choose between lingering with the camera and getting into the water.

This is where the private setup earns its keep. A group that wants to swim can do so without waiting for a large boatload of people. A group more interested in photos can remain aboard longer, though you should not expect unlimited time because the full route fits into three hours.

One particularly unusual detail from a booking was the chance to touch the so-called dragon rock. That is not guaranteed, but it shows how close the boat may get to some of the distinctive rock formations when sea conditions and the route allow it. Treat such moments as a bonus, not a promised feature.

Snorkeling here should be approached sensibly. The water may be clear, but this is still a rocky offshore setting, not a supervised swimming pool. Follow the skipper’s instructions, use the supplied equipment only where appropriate, and keep track of your group in the water.

Seeing Atlantis from the boat

After Es Vedrà, the route continues toward Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort, widely known as Atlantis. The stop is listed at about 10 minutes and focuses on photos, scenic views, and passing by rather than a long landing.

Atlantis is a quarry cut into the rock near Cala d’Hort. Its unusual shapes and weathered stone make it one of Ibiza’s most talked-about coastal sights. From a boat, you see the rock walls and sea-facing formations without committing to a land walk.

That distinction matters. The experience described here is a water-based visit, not a hike into the quarry. If you are hoping to spend a long time exploring every corner of Atlantis on foot, this trip may feel too brief. If you want an efficient look from the sea, the stop fits the overall design well.

The skipper’s commentary can add real value at this point. One booking praised the captain for explaining the sites and sharing stories along the route. Since the route passes places with local legends and memorable names, a talkative English-speaking skipper can make the scenery more meaningful. Still, the supplied information does not identify individual captains, so you cannot request a named guide in advance based on the details provided.

The second swim at Cala Comte

The return route stops at Cala Comte for about 30 minutes. This is the second main swim and snorkel stop, and it gives you another chance to get in the water after the more dramatic rock scenery around Es Vedrà.

Cala Comte is famous for clear water and offshore views. From the boat, you avoid spending time finding a parking space or walking down to the beach. You also get a coastal perspective that is difficult to match from shore.

The two-stop design is one of the strongest parts of this excursion. You are not asked to choose between sightseeing and swimming. Es Vedrà provides the major landmark and first water stop, while Cala Comte gives you a more relaxed final chance to swim before the boat turns back toward San Antonio.

Thirty minutes goes quickly once you have taken photos, put on snorkeling gear, and entered the water. If your group needs a slow, unhurried beach afternoon, book a separate beach day. If you want two well-placed swims within a short outing, this timing is practical.

The included paddle board may also be available here, depending on how the skipper organizes the stop. It gives your group another way to use the calm water, but the supplied information does not promise a particular amount of paddle-board time.

What the three-hour timing really means

The published duration is three hours, but the route contains several moving parts: a 25-minute opening cruise, short passes at Cala Bassa and Cala Tarida, a secret stop, about an hour to Es Vedrà, the Atlantis viewing section, a 30-minute Cala Comte stop, and roughly 45 minutes of cruising back.

That makes the outing efficient, but not leisurely. You will see a lot of the west coast in a short time. The tradeoff is that the photo stops are brief and the two swim breaks are fixed at around 30 minutes each.

I like this timing for a first look at the coast or for a day when you have other plans in San Antonio. It is less suitable if your main goal is a long snorkeling session. The boat covers territory, and the speed helps you reach the far side of the route, but you should not confuse it with a full-day charter.

The itinerary can also change. One booking reported that the actual route did not match the advertised description. Weather and sea conditions can affect the exact path, and the skipper may adjust the order or omit a stop for safety. Ask at check-in what route is planned that day, especially if one specific location matters most to you.

Snorkeling gear, drinks, and what to confirm

The booking details include snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, beer, fuel, a professional skipper, and a paddle board. On paper, that makes the price easier to understand because you are not paying extra for the boat fuel or basic refreshments.

There is a practical warning here. One booking reported that the drinks were not available at the port or aboard and that the snorkeling setup amounted to cheap goggles, without fins or snorkels. That does not prove every departure will be the same, but it is enough reason to confirm the equipment and refreshments before leaving the office.

Ask three simple questions:

• Are masks and snorkels provided, or only goggles?
• Are fins available?
• Are bottled water, soda, and beer already loaded on the boat?

If you have your own well-fitting mask or snorkel, bring it if possible. Sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and comfortable shoes are specifically recommended. Do not bring glass.

These details matter because a private speedboat is only good value if the basics match what you expect. A missing drink is minor. Missing snorkeling gear matters more if swimming is one of your main reasons for booking.

Is $806 a fair price?

The full boat price is $806 for up to 11 people. With 11 people, that works out to about $73 per person. With eight people, it is about $101 each. With four people, the cost rises to about $202 each.

That is the key value calculation. For a full group, you get a private boat, skipper, fuel, two water stops, coastal sightseeing, drinks listed as included, and a paddle board. The private format also means your group controls the mood and does not share the boat with strangers.

For a couple or small family, the math is harder. You are still paying for the entire boat, even if only two or three people use it. At that point, a shared cruise or a shorter boat outing may offer better value, although it will not give you the same privacy.

I would book this for a group already planning to spend the day together. The price becomes reasonable when divided among eight to 11 people, especially if you value speed and want several west coast sights in one trip. I would be more cautious with a small party, and I would confirm the drinks and snorkeling equipment before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies provide useful flexibility, particularly when your Ibiza schedule or sea conditions are uncertain.

Who should book this Es Vedrà trip?

This outing fits active groups who want a lot in three hours. You should enjoy speedboat travel, swimming, short sightseeing stops, and a fairly brisk schedule. It is also a good match for people who want Es Vedrà without organizing transport to several separate coastal viewpoints.

A private group of friends will get the most from it. You can share the cost, use the swim stops together, and make the boat ride part of the social occasion. Families with older children may also like it, but children under five are not accepted, and the trip is not suitable for people with back problems.

I would not choose it for a quiet, slow cruise or a long, equipment-heavy snorkeling session. The boat moves quickly, the stops are timed, and the quality of the snorkeling gear may vary. You also need to be comfortable with a possible change in route.

My booking recommendation

Book this private speedboat if you have a group of at least six people, want Es Vedrà and Atlantis in one compact outing, and value a private boat more than a long stay at any one beach. The coastal route is the strongest feature, and the two swim stops give the trip more substance than a simple photo cruise.

Before confirming, ask the operator to verify the day’s route, the captain’s language, the snorkeling equipment, and the promised drinks. If those points are clear, this can be a lively and efficient way to see Ibiza’s west coast from the water.

For a small group, compare the per-person cost carefully. At full capacity, the price is much easier to justify. With only two or three people aboard, you are paying a premium for privacy, speed, and flexibility.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip meet?

Meet at the Jet Ski Ibiza Es Vedrà Tours & Boat Rentals office at Carrer del Far, 6, San Antonio de Portmany. The office is under Hotel Es Mitjorn and has a large Yamaha flag at the door.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in 30 minutes before the departure time. The office is about two minutes from the boat at San Antonio port.

How long is the experience?

The speedboat trip lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Which languages are available?

The skipper service is offered in English and Spanish.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is listed as included. However, the equipment may be basic, so confirm whether masks, snorkels, and fins are available before departure.

Can young children or people with back problems join?

Children under five are not accepted, and the experience is not suitable for people with back problems.