Ibiza and Balearics Yacht Charter: Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca
Quick answer
An Ibiza yacht charter typically costs from about €50,000 per week for a 30m crewed yacht to €95,000 or more for a 40m yacht, plus Spain's 21% VAT on the base fee (with no reduction for time in international waters), an APA of roughly 30–40% and a 10–15% crew tip. A week from Ibiza usually pairs Ibiza's coves with Formentera's beaches, about 80–100 nautical miles in short hops. June and September are the best months.
Why charter a yacht in Ibiza and the Balearics?
Ibiza and Formentera offer some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean, a famous beach-club and nightlife scene, and dozens of coves within an hour or two of each other. A yacht turns the island inside out: instead of fighting traffic to a crowded beach, you anchor off it, swim, and tender in for lunch.
Beyond Ibiza, the Balearics give you two very different add-ons. Mallorca has Palma's world-class superyacht marinas, the dramatic cliffs of the Serra de Tramuntana and the protected Cabrera archipelago. Menorca is quieter and greener, with a UNESCO biosphere designation and some of the prettiest small calas in Spain.
The trade-offs are cost and regulation. Spain's 21% VAT is high and offers no reduction for time in international waters, peak-summer berths are expensive, and strict anchoring rules protect the seagrass meadows that keep the water so clear.
Where should you go on a Balearics yacht charter?
Most Ibiza charters focus on Ibiza and Formentera, the Pityusic Islands. Longer trips add Mallorca and Menorca, which sit roughly 50–75 nautical miles to the northeast.
Ibiza
- Ibiza Town (Eivissa): the UNESCO-listed old town of Dalt Vila and the main marinas. Best for a first or last night and dinner ashore.
- Cala d'Hort and Es Vedrà: the island's most famous view, a dramatic rock islet off the southwest coast. Best for sunset at anchor.
- Cala Bassa and Cala Conta: turquoise water and beach clubs on the west coast. Best for a social afternoon.
- Sant Antoni: sunset bars and a lively harbour.
- North coast (Portinatx, Cala Xarraca, Benirràs): wilder, greener and quieter. Best for swimming away from crowds.
- Santa Eulària and Tagomago: a relaxed east-coast town, its marina and the private islet of Tagomago offshore.
Formentera
- Ses Illetes and Espalmador: white sand and shallow, Caribbean-colored water at Formentera's northern tip, among the most photographed anchorages in Europe. Buoy fields here are popular and may need booking.
- Cala Saona: a sheltered west-coast bay with a famous sunset.
- South coast (Migjorn and Caló des Mort): long beaches and small coves, best in calm conditions.
- La Savina: the island's port, handy for provisioning or a dinner ashore.
Mallorca
- Palma: a major superyacht hub with marinas such as Club de Mar and Real Club Náutico, plus Port Adriano and Puerto Portals nearby. Best for embarkation and dining.
- Port d'Andratx and Dragonera: a polished harbour and a protected island at Mallorca's western tip.
- Serra de Tramuntana coast: Sóller and dramatic cliffs on the northwest coast, best in calm weather.
- Cabrera National Park: a protected archipelago south of Mallorca that requires a permit to navigate and moor; your crew arranges it.
- East coast calas: Cala Mondragó and other small coves between Portocolom and Cala d'Or.
Menorca
- Mahón (Maó): one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean.
- Ciutadella: an elegant old town on the west coast.
- South coast calas: Cala Macarella, Cala Turqueta and Cala Mitjana, with pine-fringed, turquoise bays.
- Fornells: a north-coast fishing village famous for lobster stew.
When is the best time for an Ibiza yacht charter?
June and September are the best months for most charterers: warm water, long days, and the club season in full swing without August's crowds. The Balearic season runs roughly May to October, with peak demand in July and August. Our best time to charter a yacht guide compares this with other regions.
| Month | Conditions | Typical wind | Crowds and pricing | Our view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Mild, sea cool | Variable; afternoon sea breezes | Low; shoulder rates | Quiet; club season starting |
| June | Warm, long days | Light to moderate sea breezes | Rising | One of the best months |
| July | Hot | Mostly light; occasional levante (easterly) | Peak | Busy anchorages and beach clubs |
| August | Hottest, busiest | Light; thunderstorms possible late month | Peak; Spanish holidays | Book berths and buoys early |
| September | Warmest sea | Mostly settled | Falling | Our top pick |
| October | Cooling | More northerly tramontana and fronts | Low | Closing parties; season ends mid-month |
Summer winds in the Balearics are generally light, but direction matters for choosing anchorages. A northerly tramontana mainly affects Mallorca's north coast and Menorca, while easterlies or southerlies can make Formentera's south coast or Ibiza's east-coast bays uncomfortable. With so many coves facing different directions, captains can nearly always find shelter.
How much does an Ibiza yacht charter cost?
Expect base weekly rates of roughly €50,000 for a 30m crewed yacht and about €95,000 for a 40m yacht, with superyachts well above that. Rates exclude APA, VAT and tips and vary by season and yacht.
| Yacht type and size | Typical weekly base rate | Rough USD |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed catamaran, 45–70 ft | Roughly €15,000–€60,000 (guide range only) | US$17,000–$69,000 |
| Motor or sailing yacht, 27–33m | About €51,000 typical | US$59,000 |
| Motor yacht, 37–43m | About €95,000 typical | US$109,000 |
| Superyacht, 46–55m | About €167,500 typical | US$193,000 |
| Superyacht, 55–75m | About €350,000 typical | US$400,000 |
Shallow Formentera anchorages favor catamarans and smaller yachts, which can tuck in closer to the beach. Our yacht charter cost guide breaks down every line of the budget.
What taxes and fees apply in the Balearics?
Charters starting in Spain, including the Balearics, pay 21% VAT on the base fee, and Spain gives no reduction for time spent in international waters. The Canary Islands use a separate tax (IGIC, 7%), but that does not apply to the Balearics. Berthing in Ibiza and Palma in peak season is expensive, and buoy-field fees where they apply come out of the APA.
The Balearic government protects posidonia seagrass, and anchoring on it is prohibited, with fines for breaches. Yachts drop anchor on sand or use regulated buoy fields, so expect your captain to plan around this. Rules change; confirm the VAT treatment and local fees with your broker at booking. Our yacht charter VAT guide compares Spain with France and Italy.
Example: a week on a 40m motor yacht
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Base charter fee | €95,000 |
| APA at roughly 35% | €33,250 |
| VAT at 21% of base | €19,950 |
| Crew tip at 10–15% | €9,500–€14,250 |
| Rough total | €158,700–€163,450 (roughly US$182,000–$188,000) |
The APA covers fuel, food, drink and berthing; any unused balance is refunded at the end, as our APA guide explains.
How do you get to your yacht in Ibiza or Mallorca?
Fly into Ibiza (IBZ) for Ibiza and Formentera charters, or Palma de Mallorca (PMI) for Mallorca and Menorca, usually via a European hub such as Madrid, Barcelona or London.
- Ibiza Town: most yachts embark at Marina Ibiza, Ibiza Magna or Marina Botafoch, about 15–20 minutes from the airport.
- Santa Eulària and Sant Antoni: alternative embarkation points, roughly 25–30 minutes from the airport.
- Palma: marinas along the city waterfront are about 15–20 minutes from Palma airport; Port Adriano and Puerto Portals are slightly farther west.
- Menorca: flights land at Mahón (MAH), close to the port.
Many charters run Saturday to Saturday, but crewed yachts are often flexible. A one-way Ibiza to Palma charter is common and usually carries a delivery fee.
What does a 7-night Ibiza and Formentera itinerary look like?
A classic week loops around Ibiza and Formentera, covering roughly 80–100 nautical miles in hops of 6–25 nautical miles. The captain will reorder days for wind and buoy-field availability.
| Day | Route | Rough distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ibiza Town to Espalmador and Ses Illetes | About 8 nm | First swim in the shallows |
| 2 | Formentera: Ses Illetes to Cala Saona | About 10 nm | Lunch ashore, sunset at anchor |
| 3 | Cala Saona to Cala d'Hort and Es Vedrà | About 15 nm | Sunset view of Es Vedrà |
| 4 | Cala d'Hort to Cala Bassa | About 10 nm | Beach club afternoon, Sant Antoni sunset |
| 5 | Cala Bassa to Portinatx or Cala Xarraca | About 25 nm | Quiet north-coast swimming |
| 6 | North coast to Tagomago and Santa Eulària | About 12 nm | Snorkeling, relaxed evening |
| 7 | Santa Eulària to Ibiza Town | About 10 nm | Dalt Vila dinner, nightlife |
| 8 | Disembark Ibiza Town | — | Airport transfer |
On a 40m motor yacht most days need one to two hours underway.
Alternative: a 7-night Ibiza to Mallorca one-way
Spend three nights around Ibiza and Formentera, cross to Port d'Andratx (about 50 nautical miles), then visit Dragonera, the Tramuntana coast or the Cabrera National Park, and finish in Palma. It suits families and travelers who want a mix of beach clubs and quieter coves, as covered in our family yacht charter guide.
Who is an Ibiza yacht charter right for?
Ibiza suits groups of friends, couples and families who want clear water, beach clubs and short hops. It suits fewer travelers on a tight budget or those wanting remote, unregulated anchorages.
| Traveler | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Excellent | Beach clubs, nightlife, compact area |
| Couples | Very good | Sunsets, quiet coves, September calm |
| Families | Very good | Shallow Formentera water; add Mallorca or Menorca |
| Superyacht charterers | Good | Palma's facilities; limited Ibiza berths in August |
| Value seekers | Fair | 21% VAT and high summer berthing |
Who should choose elsewhere? If you want the lowest VAT for the same yacht, look at Montenegro or Croatia. If you want a broader island chain with more variety, Greece offers far more. And if you are deciding between a Med summer and a Caribbean winter, our Mediterranean vs Caribbean comparison lays out the trade-offs.
Can you combine Ibiza with other charter areas?
Yes. The Balearics combine easily among themselves, and larger yachts can link them with the French Riviera or mainland Spain.
- Ibiza plus Mallorca: the most popular combination, either as a one-way week or a two-week loop.
- Mallorca plus Menorca: the channel between Mallorca's northeast tip and Ciutadella is roughly 20–25 nautical miles, an easy hop.
- All four islands: two weeks covers Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca comfortably.
- Balearics plus the French Riviera: a longer repositioning, roughly 200 nautical miles or more from Mallorca to the Riviera, best on a larger yacht or as two separate charters. See our French Riviera guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Ibiza yacht charter cost per week?
A crewed 27–33m yacht typically asks around €51,000 per week and a 37–43m yacht around €95,000, with wide variation by season and yacht. Spain adds 21% VAT on the base fee, plus an APA of roughly 30–40% and a 10–15% crew tip. A 40m motor yacht week often lands around €160,000 all-in.
What is the VAT on a yacht charter in Spain and the Balearics?
Charters starting in Spain, including the Balearics, pay 21% VAT on the base fee, and Spain gives no reduction for time spent in international waters. The Canary Islands use IGIC at 7% instead. Rules change, so confirm the rate in your contract.
How far is Formentera from Ibiza by yacht?
Formentera's northern tip at Espalmador and Ses Illetes is about 8–10 nautical miles from Ibiza Town, well under an hour on most motor yachts. That short hop makes Formentera an easy daily or overnight stop on any Ibiza charter.
Is Ibiza or Mallorca better for a yacht charter?
Ibiza and Formentera are better for beach clubs, turquoise water and nightlife over a compact area. Mallorca is larger and more varied, with the dramatic Tramuntana coast, the Cabrera national park and Palma's superyacht marinas, and suits families and travelers wanting a slower pace. Two weeks lets you do both.
Can yachts anchor anywhere in Ibiza and Formentera?
No. The Balearic government protects posidonia seagrass, and anchoring on it is banned and fined. Yachts must drop anchor on sand or use designated buoy fields, some of which, such as those around Espalmador, need booking in advance in summer. Your captain will handle this.
When is the best time for an Ibiza yacht charter?
June and September give warm water, long days and the club season in full swing without August's peak crowds and prices. July and August are the busiest months. May and early October are quieter and cheaper, with the season winding down by mid-October.
Charter rates, APA, VAT and fees quoted are approximate, vary by yacht and season, and change often. Confirm current figures with your broker at booking.