Beach Hopping Cruise with Paddleboard and Lunch Ibiza

San Antonio harbour and its bay

San Antonio, known in Catalan as Sant Antoni de Portmany, lies on a wide, sheltered bay on the west coast of Ibiza. Its harbour front is lined with palm trees and a long promenade, and boats leave from here every morning for the beaches and coves of the west coast. The town is famous for its sunsets over the sea, and its natural harbour has welcomed sailors since Roman times.

Your San Antonio boat trip begins at a wooden check-in kiosk in front of the boat, right on the harbour front. As you sail out of the bay, the guide points out the rocky headlands, the old watchtowers and the small islets offshore. It is an easy place to reach by bus or taxi from most parts of Ibiza, which makes this one of the most convenient things to do in Ibiza for a full day out.

Cala Bassa

Cala Bassa is one of the most loved beaches in Ibiza: a curve of fine, pale sand backed by a pine forest, with shallow turquoise water that stays calm on most summer days. The juniper and pine trees give natural shade, and the clear water is perfect for children and for easy snorkelling along the rocks at each end of the beach.

On this cruise the boat docks so you can walk straight onto the sand and spend about an hour ashore swimming, relaxing or exploring. A Cala Bassa boat trip avoids the busy road and car parks that fill quickly in high season. The best time to visit Cala Bassa is late spring or early autumn, when the water is warm and the beach is quieter.

Cala Comte and Conejera island

A little further north, Cala Comte, also called Cala Conta, is a series of small sandy beaches separated by low rocks, facing a scatter of islets in water that ranges from pale green to deep blue. It is one of the most photographed places on the island, especially at sunset, and the shallow channels between the rocks are ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

From here you have a close view of Conejera, the largest of the western islets, with its lighthouse and protected nature reserve, and on clear days the tall limestone rock of Es Vedrà appears on the southern horizon. The boat spends about an hour at Cala Comte, giving you time to swim, climb the low rocks for photos or simply relax on the sand.

Cala Tarida and the secluded cove

The cruise also passes Cala Tarida, a wide golden beach with rocky islets just offshore, and continues to a secluded cove reachable mainly from the sea. Here the boat anchors and the fun begins: paddleboards, bodyboards, snorkelling masks, floating mats and water toys are handed out, and you can jump from the diving board or race down the slides into the water.

Below the surface, meadows of posidonia seagrass keep the water around Ibiza exceptionally clear; they are part of the island's UNESCO World Heritage listing. Through the glass-bottom deck or with a mask you may see bream, wrasse and starfish. The guide and lifeguard watch over the group, so beginners can try paddleboarding with confidence.

Lunch on board and the return to San Antonio

Between stops a buffet lunch is served on deck, with pasta and potato salads, local bread, savoury pastries, sweets and plenty of fresh fruit, together with unlimited soft drinks and water. Music plays in the background as the boat sails along the cliffs and coves of the west coast.

In the late afternoon the boat returns to San Antonio harbour after about six hours at sea. If you choose the sunset option instead, departure is in the afternoon with snacks on board and the trip ends as the sun sets over the bay. Both options visit the same beaches, so you can pick the time of day that suits your plans.