Es Palmador, also written Espalmador or S'Espalmador, is a small private island just north of Formentera. There is no ferry, no road and no bridge: it is only accessible by boat. Because it sits right on the route, it is a natural stop on a day charter from Ibiza to Formentera.
It is a beautiful spot with white sand beaches, turquoise waters and a peaceful atmosphere that will leave you, literally, speechless.
Where is Es Palmador?
The island lies between Ibiza and Formentera, on the southern side of the Es Freus strait. A shallow sandbar separates it from the northern tip of Formentera. From Ibiza Town the crossing is roughly 8 nautical miles, about 15 kilometres, in a straight line. Most of the motor yachts in our fleet cruise at 22 to 24 knots, so the crossing takes around 20 to 25 minutes.
A private island inside a natural park
Es Palmador is privately owned. One family held it from 1932 until 2018, when it was sold for around 18 million euros. It is also part of the Ses Salines Natural Park of Ibiza and Formentera, so it remains a virgin space where new construction is prohibited. You will not find a hotel, a restaurant or a shop. Although the island is private property, the paths and coasts are public.
Where to moor: the bay of S'Alga
Boats stop in the bay of S'Alga, off a long beach of white sand. The seabed here is covered in Posidonia oceanica, the seagrass that keeps the water so clear. Anchoring on posidonia meadows is prohibited throughout the Balearic Islands, so S'Alga has a field of ecological mooring buoys instead, and in season a buoy must be reserved in advance.
The buoys are colour coded by boat length: red for boats under 8 metres, white for 8 to 15 metres, yellow for 15 to 25 metres and green for 25 to 35 metres.
What to do at Es Palmador
Es Palmador is still a wild place frequented mostly by yachtsmen, and one of the most paradisiacal landscapes of Formentera. With a rich biodiversity, including several species of birds, reptiles and marine life, it is an ideal place for snorkeling, kayaking, paddle surfing, a walk in the wilderness or just lazing on the beach after a good swim.
Just north of the main island is the islet of Illa des Porcs, with the En Pou lighthouse. Built in 1861, it marks the southern side of the Es Freus strait and is the landmark you pass on the way in from Ibiza.
Two rules worth knowing
Es Palmador was once famous for the mud baths in its inland lagoon. Bathing in the mud is now expressly prohibited by the natural park, and it can be fined. Enjoy the view of the lagoon from the path and leave it as it is.
The sandbar that separates Es Palmador from Formentera is called "El Pas", which means "the passage". It can be waded at low tide, but visitors are advised to be cautious and to avoid crossing when the tide is coming in or going out. Arriving by boat is the safe way to visit.
Visiting Es Palmador on a yacht charter
Because it lies between the two islands, Es Palmador fits easily into a full day on the water: a morning swim at S'Alga, then on to Ses Illetes and the rest of Formentera. Any boat in our fleet, from a fast sports boat to a large motor yacht, can be chartered for the day, and our 2026 price guide shows what a day costs by boat size.
