We
hadn’t managed to make Formentera in 2009, so we decided to spend a week
‘holidaying’ around its various anchorages. Yes, we decided to have a mini-break
before heading East again!
Formentera is only 10 miles long and 8 miles wide and lies at the most
southernmost tip of Ibiza. It is underdeveloped compared with the rest of the
Balearic Islands and has only one harbour.
After
only being allowed to stay on the official buoy in Sabina bay for one night, we
moved 500 metres nearer Sabina and dropped anchor. The entrance into the harbour involved
an interesting dinghy trip and negotiating a small buoyed channel to avoid a
‘rock/sand bar’. I did notice one
dinghy trying to do a short cut for which they paid the penalty and the crew had
to get out and walk the dinghy to deeper water.
Anchored in Sabina
Bay
Approaching the harbour
Buoyed channel over rock/sand
bar
Inside the harbour
The following night was spent on a buoy in Espalmador
bay, which was the furthest buoy from the beach and very ‘rolley’ Next couple of nights were spent in Cala
Pujois, where the sea was totally clear and a good place for a swim and snorkel
– PERFECT!
All 4
above pictures taken in Cala Pujois
Rounding
the top of Espalmador and Freu Grande North Cardinal buoy
A
really good sail back to Sabina bay where we had been able to book a buoy for
one night, although we soon realised that other yachties seemed to be able to
persuade the nice young official to allow them to stop for another, so we
managed to succeed in doing the same!
Old French
lifeboat joined us in the
bay
I see no ships!!!!
Sabina
Bay
A view of
Nimue
(centre) Merlin
- our dinghy - parked on beach
As we
had being using one of the local hotels (Hotel Sabina) to gain internet access
and had spent many hours drinking the odd coffee or two, we decided to ‘splash
out’ and have an evening meal there.
Michael was desperate for a good steak and ordered an‘Entrecote’ medium
rare. Well, it beat the ‘socks off’
anything he’d previously had in Sant Carles Marina and it was only a few Euros
more. This place is definitely one
to remember.
At
Hotel Sabina - coffee, internet and lovely evening meal!
I
think I’ve mentioned before about the high prices of marinas in the Balearics
and we know that Formentera was expensive, so curiosity got the better of me and
I went in to the harbour office to ask “how much for one night”. The man behind the desk couldn’t or
wouldn’t speak English, so my Spanish came in useful again... Anyway, after hearing ‘dos cientos’
something, I made him write the figure down. I was correct; the figure was €253.73 +
VAT + Water + Electricity, nearly €300 per night. Yes, it’s absolutely ridiculous and no
wonder the marina was empty, but we’ve heard the Spanish would rather keep
prices high and have less people, than to reduce prices to encourage
more!!!
Formentera habour - can't see many boats!!!
Formentera is a lovely island and very laid back and one which we will
definitely return to again one day.
A
trip to the local supermarket to stock up and an early start for our trip East,
possibly first stop Cartagena – 143 nautical miles
(nm).
