Ibiza is at its best from the water. Anchor off Cala Comte for sunset, swim in the clear coves around Cala Salada, or sail beneath the towering rock of Es Vedrà — the island's finest spots, from Portinatx in the north to Cala d'Hort in the south-west, all sit within a few miles of the main harbours.
Boat hire in Ibiza covers everything from sailing yachts and catamarans to motorboats and luxury yachts, skippered or bareboat. Bareboat charter requires a licence recognised in Spain (an ICC or equivalent); without one, a local skipper handles the boat and knows which anchorages are sheltered in the day's wind.
The season runs from May to October. June and September combine settled weather with quieter coves; in July and August it pays to book weeks ahead, especially for catamarans and day trips to Formentera.