mjkinch1
Well-Known Member
Onto part two of our trip. We were staying in Santa Eulalia on the east coast of Ibiza, waiting for a change in the rather strong winds to allow us to get away. We had one afternoon in Cala Llonga, which was only a couple of miles out, but a nice stopover. The wind had picked up by late afternoon, so we only stayed a couple of hours, but very nice, with very clear water.
On the way down we stopped in Ibiza port to see what it is like, a little industrial for me, with the leisure marinas on the left and the main port on the right. The enrance with the castle is quite spectacular
There are some shops by the Botofoch marina, but a regular ferry seems to go backwards and forwards across the bay into town. We did try and get a berth here but they were full - and thats out of peak season.
This is the entrance to Ibiza bay
We saw this very interesting colour boat, certainly stood out amongst the rest.
The following day promised a F1-2, so off we went early down to Formentera, the one place I wanted to visit before we returned to Majorca. It was about 15 miles, which at a steady 20knots took no time. The wind was westerly so was blowing into the bay where we wanted to stop, but nature placed a nice crop of rocks just on the edge of the bay which took out most of the swell and wind. Formentera is about 10 miles long, and has one marina - which I am told costs over 200e a night for 12-14 mtr boats, although there plenty of reasonably safe anchorages. (Having said that I remember the article in MBY about the boat that grounded here during a freak storm there last year)
This is the approach through Frue Grande,
We made our way through the biggest of the 3 channels, Freu Grand, which showed a depth of 8 mtrs, and was well marked, and into the bay.
We ended up in a place called Isla Esplamador, effectively the northern part of Formentera, but seperated by a small shallow rocky passage called the Freu Poco. What a wonderful place, clear sea, white sands and no shops or
cafes. There were pre-laid bouys, which after figuring out how they worked, we tied into and settled down for the day.
..and just as we thought great how quiet is this,along came the tourist boats....
We were told that Formentera was famous for its muds, which are meant to cleanse the skin, here is a picture of some of the many people that covered themselves in mud and let it bake before getting in the sea. (yes they are naked, and no - its not me or Heather). Can't see this going down so well in Hayling Island.
Because the island is not that wide, you can see the boats on the other side which looks pretty odd.
After a great afternoon not particularly doing anything worthwhile, we pottered back just as the clouds started to appear.
Anyone who gets out to the Balearics must try to get here if they can, its probably the best place we have been since we started coming to the Med, and with the fixed bouys, staying or stopping over is a doddle. They even come round to your boat fom the restaurants asking if you would like any food or beer.
This is the rocky gap between the islands, you can see where the swells meet
There is always someone with a bigger boat than yours.....
The next day still looked OK, a SW at F2-3, which was the right direction for us, so off to Palma for the next leg of our trip. Bye Bye Ibiza
Nearly there if you havent lost the will to live - I will put the Palma pictures up next inclsuing some detours.
We saw this guy on the rocks on the way back - real shame, I would guess he dragged his anchor perhaps when looking for shelter.
Anyway almost done. From this point we have the return leg to Alcudia, around 85 miles, with maybe a stop or two on the way. I will get part 3 on the forum hopefully in the next day or so.
On the way down we stopped in Ibiza port to see what it is like, a little industrial for me, with the leisure marinas on the left and the main port on the right. The enrance with the castle is quite spectacular
There are some shops by the Botofoch marina, but a regular ferry seems to go backwards and forwards across the bay into town. We did try and get a berth here but they were full - and thats out of peak season.
This is the entrance to Ibiza bay
We saw this very interesting colour boat, certainly stood out amongst the rest.
The following day promised a F1-2, so off we went early down to Formentera, the one place I wanted to visit before we returned to Majorca. It was about 15 miles, which at a steady 20knots took no time. The wind was westerly so was blowing into the bay where we wanted to stop, but nature placed a nice crop of rocks just on the edge of the bay which took out most of the swell and wind. Formentera is about 10 miles long, and has one marina - which I am told costs over 200e a night for 12-14 mtr boats, although there plenty of reasonably safe anchorages. (Having said that I remember the article in MBY about the boat that grounded here during a freak storm there last year)
This is the approach through Frue Grande,
We made our way through the biggest of the 3 channels, Freu Grand, which showed a depth of 8 mtrs, and was well marked, and into the bay.
We ended up in a place called Isla Esplamador, effectively the northern part of Formentera, but seperated by a small shallow rocky passage called the Freu Poco. What a wonderful place, clear sea, white sands and no shops or
cafes. There were pre-laid bouys, which after figuring out how they worked, we tied into and settled down for the day.
..and just as we thought great how quiet is this,along came the tourist boats....
We were told that Formentera was famous for its muds, which are meant to cleanse the skin, here is a picture of some of the many people that covered themselves in mud and let it bake before getting in the sea. (yes they are naked, and no - its not me or Heather). Can't see this going down so well in Hayling Island.
Because the island is not that wide, you can see the boats on the other side which looks pretty odd.
After a great afternoon not particularly doing anything worthwhile, we pottered back just as the clouds started to appear.
Anyone who gets out to the Balearics must try to get here if they can, its probably the best place we have been since we started coming to the Med, and with the fixed bouys, staying or stopping over is a doddle. They even come round to your boat fom the restaurants asking if you would like any food or beer.
This is the rocky gap between the islands, you can see where the swells meet
There is always someone with a bigger boat than yours.....
The next day still looked OK, a SW at F2-3, which was the right direction for us, so off to Palma for the next leg of our trip. Bye Bye Ibiza
Nearly there if you havent lost the will to live - I will put the Palma pictures up next inclsuing some detours.
We saw this guy on the rocks on the way back - real shame, I would guess he dragged his anchor perhaps when looking for shelter.
Anyway almost done. From this point we have the return leg to Alcudia, around 85 miles, with maybe a stop or two on the way. I will get part 3 on the forum hopefully in the next day or so.
