I'll be honest – San Antonio wasn't on my Ibiza bucket list. Like most people, I'd heard the stories: party central, British tourists, sunset strip madness. But after spending a week exploring the coast by boat last summer, I get why locals have been quietly keeping this part of the island to themselves.
The thing is, San Antonio looks completely different from the water. And I mean completely different.
Here's what surprised me most: you don't need a boating license to rent in San Antonio. I showed up at the port one morning, got a quick briefing, and twenty minutes later I was captaining my own boat.
Charter For You Ibiza and a few other companies operate right from the Port of San Antonio, and they've got everything from small boats you can take out yourself to bigger options with a skipper if you're not confident. Prices start around €190 for a half day, which honestly isn't bad when you split it between friends.
The port itself is pretty straightforward to find – just follow the waterfront west from the main bay. There's parking nearby (though it fills up fast in August), and most rental companies are clustered in the same area.
After talking to a few locals and the boat company, I mapped out some spots. Not all of them are Instagram famous, but that's kind of the point.
This was my first stop, about 15 minutes north by boat. The bay has this incredible turquoise color that looks fake in photos but is somehow even better in person. There are actually two calas here – Salada (the bigger one) and Saladeta (tiny, more secluded).
I anchored in Salada around 10 AM and had the place almost to myself. By noon, more boats showed up, but nothing crazy. The water's shallow near shore, which made it perfect for just floating around with a beer. Saw some people snorkeling near the rocks – apparently there's decent marine life if you're into that.
One tip: bring a proper anchor. The sandy bottom is good, but I watched one guy's boat drift because he didn't set it right.
Yeah, this is the beach everyone posts about. And look, I get why. The water does this gradient thing from pale blue to deep navy, and there are these small islands you can swim to if you're feeling adventurous.
The downside? Cala Comte gets absolutely packed. I'm talking boats everywhere, people everywhere. I went mid-afternoon and couldn't find a decent spot to anchor.
My advice: go early (before 11 AM) or go for sunset. The sunset thing is a whole scene – boats anchor offshore, music playing, people swimming between vessels. It's very Ibiza in a good way. Just don't expect peace and quiet.
This bay is huge compared to the others, and the water stays shallow for ages. I saw families with little kids here, which makes sense – you can wade out pretty far without it getting deep.
There's also a decent beach club (CBbC) if you want to grab lunch without going back to San Antonio. The food's fine, nothing special, but convenient. You can anchor your boat and swim to shore or use the tender if your rental has one.
Pine trees come right down to the beach here, which is unusual for Ibiza. Makes for good shade if you do beach it.
Further south, maybe 30 minutes from San Antonio. Longer beach, still nice and clear, but it feels less dramatic than Comte or Salada.
I stopped here for lunch at one of the restaurants – can't remember the name, something with "beach" in it. Fresh grilled fish, cold beer, job done. The bay's big enough that finding an anchor spot wasn't an issue, even though it was mid-afternoon.
If you're doing a full day, Tarida makes a good turnaround point before heading back up the coast.
Bring way more water than you think. Seriously. Between the sun and the saltwater, you'll go through it fast. I brought one bottle per person and regretted it.
Pack light but smart. Waterproof bag for your phone (trust me), sunscreen (reapply constantly), towels, and snacks. Most boats have some shade, but not enough.
Fuel: It's usually included in the rental up to a certain amount. Ask before you book. I did about 5 hours of cruising and didn't hit the limit, but if you go all the way down to Es Vedrà, you might.
When to go in 2026: May and June are perfect – water's warm enough, but the crowds haven't arrived yet. July and August are peak insanity. September's great if you can swing it.
Weather: Check it properly. The Mediterranean can get choppy with the wrong wind. I went out one day when there were small craft warnings and it was... not fun. The rental company should tell you if conditions are sketchy, but double-check yourself.
Most of the good beach clubs are accessible by boat. Sunset Ashram near Cala Comte is the one everyone talks about – kind of bohemian vibes, decent cocktails, overpriced but you're paying for the location.
I actually preferred Cotton Beach Club at Cala Tarida. Less pretentious, still nice. Good seafood paella.
Okay, so the San Antonio sunset is kind of legendary. Café del Mar, Café Mambo – all that. You can watch from the shore, but from a boat? Different level.
We anchored just offshore around 7:30 PM, close enough to hear the music from the bars drifting over the water. Watched the sun drop into the sea while having some wine on deck. No crowds pushing around us, no €15 cocktails. Just... yeah. It was good.
There are sea caves all along this coast. Most aren't huge, but you can motor right up to them and check them out. Some are big enough to swim into (carefully).
Near Atlantis (the hippie spot with the carved rocks), there are a few decent caves. Didn't see anyone else there, which was refreshing after the packed beaches.
Rent for a full day, not half. I did 4 hours my first time and it wasn't enough. By the time you get to a good spot, anchor, swim, and relax, you need to head back. Eight hours gives you proper time to explore multiple coves.
Bring a cooler with ice. Your drinks will get warm fast in the Ibiza sun. A proper cooler with ice makes a huge difference.
Go with fewer people. I went with six friends on a boat rated for eight. It was crowded. Four people max on those smaller boats is much more comfortable.
Skip Cala Comte entirely on weekends. Just do it. Go literally anywhere else.
Look, renting a boat in San Antonio isn't cheap, but it's not crazy expensive either. If you're doing Ibiza anyway and spending money on beach clubs and taxis and all that, redirecting some budget to a boat makes sense.
It changes the whole experience. You see parts of the island that most tourists miss. You avoid the crowds (mostly). You're not stuck to someone else's schedule.
I've been to Ibiza three times now. The boat day was better than any beach club, any party, any restaurant. And I say that as someone who loves all those things.
If you're going to San Antonio in 2026, block out one day for this. Get a boat early, pack some drinks and snacks, and just explore. You'll figure out your favorite spots as you go. That's half the fun anyway.
Quick note because it matters – the seagrass meadows around Ibiza (Posidonia) are protected. Don't anchor in them. Anchor in sand. The rental company will show you how to tell the difference (darker patches = seagrass, lighter = sand).
Also, bring all your trash back. Sounds obvious, but I saw plenty of bottles and wrappers floating around the popular coves. Don't be that person.
San Antonio's reputation is mostly based on its nightlife, which is fine if that's your thing. But the real magic happens during the day, out on the water, exploring coves that don't have names on Google Maps.
You don't need boating experience. You don't need to spend a fortune. You just need a boat, some curiosity, and ideally a day without strong winds.
The Ibiza I found from a boat – quiet coves, clear water, rocky cliffs, the occasional hidden beach – that's the Ibiza I'll keep coming back for. San Antonio just happens to be the best place to access it all.
Book something for 2026. You won't regret it.
