Formentera to Ibiza Ferry

The crossing from Formentera to Ibiza is the busiest short ferry hop in the Balearics. The two islands are separated only by Es Freus, a channel of roughly 6 km that narrows to about 3.6 km at its tightest, so the boats behave more like a frequent shuttle than a long-distance ferry. All sailings leave from Formentera's single port, La Savina, and arrive at the port of Ibiza (Eivissa) beneath the walls of the old town.

Operators and crossing times

Several companies compete on the route, which keeps departures frequent and fares competitive:

• Baleària and Trasmapi run fast ferries that make the crossing in about 25 to 30 minutes.
• Formentera Lines takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes.
• Aquabus is the slower, generally cheaper option at around 45 minutes.

Frequency

Boats sail daily all year round. At the peak of summer the combined operators run up to around 47 crossings a day, with departures roughly every 30 to 60 minutes from early morning until late at night. Even in the quieter winter months there are regular sailings, though the last boat leaves earlier in the evening.

Tickets and vehicles

One-way fares typically start from around €29, and because tickets are not always interchangeable between companies it pays to note which operator you have booked. Most travellers cross as foot passengers, since Formentera is small and easy to explore by scooter or bicycle; vehicles are carried on some sailings but Formentera restricts non-resident cars between 1 June and 30 September, so check the Formentera Eco permit rules before bringing one. In high summer, book popular late-afternoon and evening return sailings ahead, as day-trippers fill them quickly.