The best beach clubs Ibiza has to offer are almost impossible to reach properly by road. The south coast clubs at Cala Jondal, Es Cavallet, and Ses Salines sit at the end of narrow tracks, have no real parking, and fill up by midday in summer. Arriving by boat changes everything. You anchor 200 metres offshore, take the tender in, claim your sunbed, eat paella with a glass of wine, and leave when you want. No taxi, no traffic, no scramble for the last space in a dusty car park.
You can hire a RIB for a group of six to ten people from around €300 per day, a skippered sailing yacht from €600, or a private catamaran from €800. Small boats under a certain engine size need no license in Spain. Larger vessels require a skipper or a valid certificate.
This guide covers the south coast beach clubs worth reaching by boat, what they cost, how to hire the right boat, and where to book.
Types of boats you can hire in Ibiza
The most practical boat for a beach club day in Ibiza is a small to mid-size RIB or open motorboat. These are self-drive, carry six to ten passengers, and get you to the south coast bays without any fuss. For larger groups or a longer trip with overnight stays, a sailing yacht or catamaran with a skipper gives you much more space and comfort.
Small RIBs and open motorboats (no license, self-drive)
These are the most popular choice for beach club days. Capacity is usually six to eight people. Most hire companies on the island offer boats in the 40-60hp range, which falls below the Spanish license threshold for certain vessel categories. You collect the boat from Ibiza Town or Sant Antoni, drive yourself, and anchor in the bay of your choice. Best for: groups of friends wanting flexibility, half-day or full-day trips, access to multiple bays.
Larger motorboats and motor yachts (license or skipper required)
Step up to a boat above the no-license threshold and you either need a valid certificate (ICC or Spanish equivalent) or you hire with a skipper included. Capacity goes up to twelve to fifteen people. These boats are faster and more comfortable for longer runs. Best for: families, groups wanting more shade and seating, anyone planning to cover more coastline in a day.
Sailing yachts and catamarans (skipper recommended)
A monohull sailing yacht or catamaran gives you the most space and is the classic way to explore Ibiza over several days. Day charters are available with a skipper included, typically carrying eight to twelve people. Catamarans have the advantage of a large deck and shallow draft, which means anchoring closer to the beach. Best for: multi-day itineraries, families with children, mixed groups who want comfort over speed.
How much does boat hire cost in Ibiza?
Boat hire in Ibiza ranges from around €300 per day for a small self-drive RIB up to €2,000 or more for a private catamaran day charter. Skippered sailing yachts for beach club days typically cost €600 to €1,200. Prices climb sharply in July and August compared to June or September.
| Boat type | Duration | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Small RIB / open motorboat (self-drive) | Half day | €150-300 |
| Small RIB / open motorboat (self-drive) | Full day | €300-600 |
| Skippered sailing yacht | Full day | €600-1,200 |
| Private catamaran (day charter) | Full day | €800-2,000 |
What is usually included:
– Skipper (on crewed charters)
– Basic safety equipment (life jackets, fire extinguisher, flares)
– Snorkelling gear on some boats
– Fuel up to a set distance or hours
What is typically extra:
– Fuel surcharge on self-drive boats if you exceed the included hours or range
– Port fees and mooring dues at any marina you stop at
– Insurance excess (often €500-1,500; some operators offer a buydown)
– Food and drinks on board
Best value option: A self-drive RIB split between six people works out at €50-100 per person for a full day, which is competitive with a shared day-charter tour. You get full flexibility over timing and which bays you visit, which matters when you are trying to beat the crowds to Cala Jondal.
High season vs shoulder season: July and August prices run 30-40% higher than June or September. September is probably the better month overall. The sea is still warm, the clubs are open, and you can actually get an anchor spot without circling for an hour.
Do you need a license to hire a boat in Ibiza?
In Spain, boats up to 6 metres in length with an engine no greater than 40hp can be rented without any license. Most small RIBs available for hire in Ibiza fall just under this threshold. For anything larger, you will need an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), a Spanish Patron de Embarcacion de Recreo, or an equivalent national qualification.
If you do not hold a certificate, all charter companies offer skipper-included options. This is actually the more relaxed way to do the beach club circuit: you concentrate on the clubs and the food, the skipper handles anchoring, navigation, and keeping an eye on the weather.
Practical documents to bring:
– Passport or national ID (required by all hire companies)
– Driving license (used as general ID and sometimes as a deposit reference)
– Your sailing or boating license if you have one
– A credit card for the security deposit, which typically runs €500-1,500
If you have an RYA Powerboat Level 2 or Day Skipper qualification, these are generally accepted by Spanish operators for the vessels they are valid on. Check with the specific company before booking.
Best boat trips from Ibiza Town
The best day out from Ibiza Town combines two or three south coast beach clubs in a single loop: Ses Salines, Es Cavallet, and Cala Jondal. The total circuit covers roughly 25 nautical miles round trip from Puerto Ibiza, which a RIB does comfortably in a day with time to stop at each beach.
Trip 1: Experimental Beach at Ses Salines (12nm from Ibiza Town)
Ses Salines is a long, pine-backed beach with calm, clear water. Experimental Beach sits at the western end with white parasols and an easy-going atmosphere. Anchor in 8-12 metres on a sandy bottom, tender to the wooden jetty, and reserve a sunbed online before you arrive (walk-ins are harder after 10am in August). Sunbeds run €30-50. The cocktails are €15-20 each. This is the best spot for sundowners if you time your arrival for late afternoon.
Trip 2: Tanit Beach at Es Cavallet (13nm from Ibiza Town)
Es Cavallet is a narrow strip of beach between the salt flats and the sea. Tanit Beach is relaxed and plays Balearic music at a volume you can actually talk over. Anchor just off Es Cavallet and either swim in or row the tender to the nearby pontoon. Sunbeds are €40-60 per day. Book ahead in July and August.
Trip 3: Casa Jondal at Cala Jondal (11nm from Ibiza Town)
Cala Jondal is the most famous of the south coast anchorages. Superyachts line up here from June through September. Casa Jondal is the upscale restaurant and beach club at the eastern end of the bay. Expect to pay €50-100 for sunbeds and €200-350 for lunch for two with wine. Use an anchor alarm: the bottom is rocky in parts, and the bay is open to south and southwest swell. If Libeccio (the SW wind) is forecast, pick another day or another bay. Blue Marlin Ibiza is directly adjacent if you prefer a livelier, more party-focused atmosphere.
Multi-day route idea:
If you have a sailing yacht for two or three days, head south from Ibiza Town on day one, anchor off Ses Salines for the afternoon, then pick up the Formentera ferry lane on day two and cross the 15nm channel to Formentera for a night. Return via Cala Jondal on day three.
Where to rent a boat in Ibiza
Most day charter and self-hire boats depart from Puerto Ibiza (Ibiza Town harbour), which is the main base for charter operators on the island. Some operators also run from Sant Antoni Bay on the west coast, which suits groups staying in that area. Marina San Miguel on the north coast is worth knowing about if you are exploring the quieter northern bays rather than the south coast beach club circuit.
Booking in advance vs on the spot:
Walk-up bookings are possible outside July and August, but the best boats go fast. For peak season, book at least three to four weeks ahead. Some operators fill their fleet two to three months in advance for the last two weeks of July.
Before you sign the hire contract, check these things:
– Fuel policy: is it full-to-full, or included up to a set number of engine hours?
– Deposit amount and how it is held (cash vs credit card pre-authorisation)
– What safety equipment is on board: life jackets for all passengers, a working VHF radio, and flares
– Condition of the tender (if you are anchoring off beach clubs, a reliable dinghy or inflatable is not optional)
– Weather clause: can you cancel or reschedule for a refund if conditions are unsafe?
For crewed yacht charters covering the broader Balearics or other parts of Spain, you can browse availability across multiple operators at sailingclick.com/crewed-yachts-spain.
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If you are planning a trip in July or August, book your boat at least four weeks in advance. The best self-drive RIBs and skippered catamarans sell out well before peak season.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a boat in Ibiza without a license?
Yes. In Spain, boats under 6 metres with an engine up to 40hp can be hired without any boating license. Most self-drive RIBs on offer in Ibiza fall into this category. For larger or faster boats, you will need an ICC or Spanish certificate, or you can book a skippered charter where the hire company provides the skipper as part of the package.
What is the best time of year to visit the Ibiza beach clubs by boat?
September is the best overall month for most people. The sea temperature is at its warmest (around 27°C), the beach clubs are still fully open, anchor spots are easier to find, and prices are 20-30% lower than the peak July-August rates. June is also good: the crowds have not fully arrived yet. July and August are the busiest and most expensive weeks, but the atmosphere at clubs like Casa Jondal is at its peak.
Are the south coast beach clubs suitable for families with children?
Ses Salines and Experimental Beach are the best choices for families. The water is calm and clear, the anchoring depth of 8-12 metres means you are not too far from the beach, and the vibe is relaxed enough that children are welcome. Casa Jondal and Blue Marlin are more adult-oriented, particularly from afternoon onward. Bring snorkelling gear for the kids: the water clarity along the south coast is excellent.
Can I stay overnight on a boat near the beach clubs?
Yes, if you are on a sailing yacht or catamaran rather than a day-hire RIB. Most charter companies allow overnight anchoring in the designated areas off Ses Salines and Cala Jondal, subject to weather. Note that both bays are open to south and southwest swell: if a Libeccio wind is forecast, you need to relocate. There are no overnight mooring fees for anchoring in open water, but marinas like Marina San Miguel charge standard berthing rates.
What is the cancellation policy for boat hire in Ibiza?
Policies vary by operator. Most require full payment 7-14 days before departure for high season bookings, with no refund after that point unless the cancellation is due to unsafe weather (verified by the hire company). Some operators offer free rescheduling within the same season if weather prevents departure. Always check the weather clause specifically: it is the most important part of the contract for an Ibiza summer booking, when afternoon thunderstorms and southerly swells can develop quickly.
