BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
Bareboat RIB Charter in Ibiza: Licences, Rules and Itineraries
The self-drive RIB is Ibiza’s signature rental: which licence you need, what the Balearic Posidonia rules impose, and which day trips to aim for between Es Vedrà and Formentera.
By Clément Lacaille, editor of Boat-Comparator · updated
In Ibiza, the bareboat RIB — rented by the day, no skipper — has become the go-to format: fast, seaworthy, reasonably frugal on fuel, it lets you string together the island’s coves and, in calm weather, cross to Formentera. But you need to know what operators will ask for — and what Balearic regulations impose once the anchor is in your hand.
Which licence for a RIB in Ibiza?
Most European boating licences and the ICC are accepted by Spanish operators. With no licence at all, Spain only allows boats under 5 metres and 15 hp, in daylight and within 2 miles of shelter: enough to potter along the nearby coast, not enough to cross to Formentera. For a 6-to-8-metre RIB with the engine to match — the island’s typical format — a licence is therefore unavoidable, or you add a skipper (€150–350/day). Our RIB rental guide covers the handover essentials.
Posidonia: the rule that changes everything in the Balearics
The Balearics protect their seagrass strictly: the Posidonia decree bans anchoring in the meadows, with genuine patrols in season and fines to match. This is no local excess of zeal: long-term scientific monitoring shows Mediterranean Posidonia has lost a substantial share of its extent since the 19th century, with degradation accelerating in recent decades (Marbà, Díaz-Almela & Duarte, Mediterranean seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) loss between 1842 and 2009, Biological Conservation, 2014, see the study). In practice: anchor on pale sand, pick up a buoy where fields exist — notably in the Es Freus natural park between Ibiza and Formentera — and read our guide to Posidonia anchoring rules before the first outing.
Three classic itineraries out of Ibiza
- South-west: Es Vedrà and Cala d’Hort. The most photogenic rock in the Balearics, best at the end of the day as the light drops — a convenient run from San Antonio.
- East: Santa Eulalia and Tagomago. A gentler coast, family coves, ideal in a westerly — see our Santa Eulalia guide.
- South: the crossing to Formentera. The great classic — Espalmador, Ses Illetes and their turquoise water — for calm days and well-powered boats only; our guide to Formentera’s beaches details the anchorages.
Budget and booking
Expect €200–600 per day depending on size and season, fuel on top — in Ibiza, operators almost always charge for refuelling on return, and the bill climbs fast on big engines (see our fuel budget guide). In August, book several weeks ahead: the fleet goes quickly despite its size. Boat-Comparator compares Boataround, SamBoat and Click&Boat live for RIB rental in Ibiza, and across Ibiza and Formentera to widen the search. Our platform comparison guide breaks down fees, deposits and coverage across the three. To widen the search for savings beyond fuel, our ten tips for cheaper boat rental also cover dates and deposits.
Free checklist
Rent a boat with no nasty surprises
Deposit, insurance, check-in inspection, fuel, navigation areas, weather: our checklist covers everything to verify before booking and on departure day. Sign up to access it and receive our tips by email.
Thank you! Your checklist is ready: Rent a boat with no nasty surprises →
Go through a professional
Would you rather go through a professional?
Skipper, local rental company, boating school: describe your plans in a minute. We pass your request on to partner professionals (3 at most), who may get back to you. Free, no commitment.
Your situation:
BOAT-COMPARATOR is neither a rental company nor a skipper: we only put you in touch. Your data and our partners (in French).