Frequently asked questions · IATU BOATS
Frequently asked questions about sailing trips in Formentera
Got questions before you book? Here are the answers you’ll actually need — straight to the point, just as Carlos would tell you in person.
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/5 · over 350 trips · From €370 per boat
01
About the CALIU sailing boat
Want to know the CALIU in detail? Visit the CALIU sailing boat page →
The CALIU can accommodate up to 7 passengers plus the skipper. All our trips are private — the boat is reserved exclusively for your group. The price varies depending on how many of you there are.
The CALIU is a 1979 ketch, 12 metres long. A classic fibreglass sailing boat with history — not a speedboat or a generic tourist vessel. Sailing on her has a different rhythm: slower, more Mediterranean.
Yes, the CALIU has an on-board toilet for passengers to use throughout the trip.
Yes. There’s shade across most of the deck. You can spend the day out of the sun if you prefer, or sunbathe freely. There’s enough space for all passengers to stretch out at the same time.
The CALIU carries approved safety equipment for adults and children, emergency signals, rescue gear, and nautical insurance included in the price. We sail with full professional skipper qualifications.
02
About trips and options
Check the trips page → to see what’s included in each option.
The price includes: skipper, fuel, and nautical insurance. Also safety equipment, full snorkelling gear (mask + tube), a paddleboard, drinks (beer, wine, soft drinks) and a Mediterranean aperitif (olives, crisps, tinned classics such as anchovies and mussels). You’ve got a sound system on board — connect your phone and play whatever you like.
Not included: main meals, towels, sun cream, sunglasses, and spirits or high-strength drinks.
Not included: main meals, towels, sun cream, sunglasses, and spirits or high-strength drinks.
We offer four options:
- Full Day: departure at 10:00, back at sunset. Around 8 hours at sea.
- Afternoon + Sunset: departure at 16:00, back at dusk. Between 4 and 6 hours depending on the time of year.
- Half Day: 4 hours. Morning (10:00–14:00) or afternoon (15:00–19:00).
- Sunset: 3 hours focused on the evening light.
They’re two distinct experiences. The Afternoon + Sunset lasts between 4 and 6 hours depending on the month: it includes time for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, and ends with the sunset. The Sunset is a fixed 3-hour trip centred on the evening light. The first is a full afternoon out; the second, a concentrated golden-hour experience.
We sail across four main areas depending on wind and sea conditions: the west coast (Poniente) with Espalmador, Illetes, Cala Saona, Cueva Rosa and Cap de Barbaria; the east coast (Levante) with Cala en Baster, Punta Prima and Es Caló; the north coast (Tramuntana) with the cliffs of La Mola, Es Caló and Racó de sa Pujada; and the south coast (Migjorn) with Migjorn, Caló des Mort, Estufadors and Faro de la Mola. Routes aren’t guaranteed in advance — Carlos decides each day which is the best course based on conditions.
Yes, children are very welcome. We carry life jackets in all sizes. We don’t recommend the experience for children under 2 — do get in touch and we’ll advise. Children under 50 kg must wear their life jacket throughout the sail — let us know their weight when you book so we can have the right one ready.
No. Pets aren’t generally permitted. In very particular cases you’re welcome to ask us directly — each situation is assessed individually.
We operate from May to October. From 7 October onwards, prices are available on request — drop us a message if your date falls outside the season.
Absolutely. We love birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, hen and stag parties, and any other special occasion you can think of. Tell us what you have in mind when you book and we’ll help you make it happen.
03
Bookings and prices
The price varies depending on the trip and the season. As a rough guide:
- Full Day (~8h) and Afternoon + Sunset (6h): from €495 to €980 per boat
- Half Day (4h) and Sunset (3h): from €370 to €600 per boat
For the whole boat. Every trip is private and prices depend on the number of people — you’re paying for the entire boat. The more of you there are, the more the cost is shared. See the full price table →
The deposit is 50% when you confirm your booking. The remaining 50% is paid on the day of the trip. We accept Stripe (card), Bizum, bank transfer, and cash. PayPal is also available with an additional 4% charge.
Yes. If you’ve sailed with IATU BOATS before, you get a 10% discount on your next booking. Just mention it when you book.
We’d recommend booking as early as possible, especially in peak season. There’s usually more availability in the shoulder months, but booking ahead is always a good idea whenever you’re visiting.
The meeting point isn’t fixed — it varies depending on the day’s wind and sea conditions. Carlos will confirm it 2–3 days before your trip. We’ll come and meet you at the agreed spot.
04
Bad weather and cancellations
If we cancel due to weather conditions, the first option is to reschedule for another available date. If that’s not possible, we offer a 100% refund. Carlos won’t set sail if the sea isn’t right. An overcast day doesn’t count as bad weather.
What’s retained depends on when you cancel:
- More than 7 days before: 100% refund, nothing retained.
- Between 3 and 7 days before: 20% of the total amount retained.
- Less than 3 days before: 50% of the total amount retained.
- On the day or no-show: no refund.
Yes, as long as there’s availability. The first date change is free. Message us as early as you can and we’ll sort it out without any fuss.
05
What to bring and what to expect on board
Light summer clothes and a swimsuit. For footwear: no heels or hard soles — best to come barefoot or in flip-flops you can slip off when you step on board. Bring sun cream, sunglasses and a hat, because the sun on the water is intense. And a towel — that’s not included.
Yes, absolutely. There’s a cool box on board for drinks. For food, something simple and easy to manage works best. If you’d like to bring something special to celebrate, or you simply prefer your own food, you’re welcome to — no restrictions.
Yes. We love good music on the water and the CALIU has a sound system for exactly that. Connect your phone via Bluetooth and play whatever playlist you’re feeling.
If someone feels seasick, we’ll do our best to help by suggesting they lie down and applying other techniques to ease the discomfort. Prevention is the best approach: if you know you’re prone to it, speak to your doctor about seasickness tablets before you come.
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About IATU BOATS
Want to know more about who we are? Visit the IATU BOATS about page →
IATU BOATS offers private sailing trips around Formentera. We operate exclusively within Formentera — we don’t do transfers to other islands. The boat is for your group alone: no mixed groups, no strangers, no fixed itinerary forced on you.
Always private. When you book with IATU BOATS, the boat is exclusively for your group. There are no other groups or unknown passengers on board. The price is for the whole boat — not per person.
The quickest way is WhatsApp — we’ll get back to you within minutes. You can also email us at iatu@iatuboats.com or use the form on the booking page.
Haven’t found your answer here?
Message us directly — we’ll get back to you in minutes, straight to the point.
Or if you prefer, drop us an email at iatu@iatuboats.com