Leisure and activities in Formentera

Given its beautiful location and sunny Mediterranean weather, leisure and activities in Formentera are naturally focused on the outdoors. Many people are content with sitting back and relaxing on the beach interspersed with the occasional dip in the clear turquoise water, but there is also a range of activities on offer for the more energetic.

Formentera is an excellent dive location, partly due to the fact that infrastructure development has been kept to a minimum resulting in little pollution, but also because the island is blessed with exquisite reefs, aquatic life, clear waters and underwater caves. The waters off the northern peninsula of the island are protected by the Ses Salinas Nature Reserve and are listed as a World Heritage site due to the unique meadows . It is a popular scuba diving and snorkelling location along with numerous other sites along the coastline. Several companies run organised dives and regular training courses, with most based out of Es Pujols.

Other popular leisure and activities include windsurfing on the two saltwater lakes, waterskiing, sailing, parasailing, canoeing and exploring the calm waters on paddle boats. La Sabina is home to two marinas, which can accommodate up to 300 yachts, while regular boat trips circumnavigate the island. The Municipal Sailing School is situated at La Sabina and conducts regular classes. There are also other sports facilities such as tennis courts, indoor football courts and a swimming pool (open June to September) in the capital, Sant Francesc Xavier.

For a unique experience, check out the guitar building institute in Sant Ferran, an island institution since 1988. Here you can learn how to repair and build electronic guitars and bass guitars on a three-week course. It’s a tradition to go swimming with your half finished guitar to give it that unique Balearic sound.