Eco Aqua Balearia
Eco Aqua
âš“ The Eco Aqua is the pioneering eco fast ferry of Baleària's Eco Series, the most eco-efficient class of catamarans in the Mediterranean. She runs the Ibiza–Formentera route in just 30 minutes, the fastest way of crossing between the two Pitiusas. She was the first of four identical vessels — Eco Aqua, Eco Lux, Eco Terra and Eco Aire — built specifically for this line, and together they marked a step change in inter-island travel between Ibiza and Formentera.
The Eco Aqua was handed over to Baleària in late 2017, making her the first of the series to enter service. She was built at the Gondán shipyard in Asturias (its composites division, in Castropol), with engineering by Insenaval and naval architecture by Oliver Design. In recognition of that innovation, the Eco Aqua was voted the Most Outstanding Shipbuilding Project of 2017 in Spain, an award granted by the Spanish Association and Institute of Naval and Ocean Engineers (AINE) at the 57th Naval Engineering Congress held in Valencia.
The Eco Aqua was designed with a twin purpose: to give passengers speed and comfort on one of the busiest crossings in the Mediterranean, and to do so with the smallest possible environmental footprint. Her name forms part of Baleària's Pangea project to promote sustainable tourism, which named the four ships after the four classical elements of nature: water (Aqua), earth (Terra), air (Aire) and light (Lux).
History and background of the ship
The Eco Aqua was the first ship of the Eco Series to be delivered, with her keel laid on 10 April 2017 and handover on 12 December 2017. All four ships in the series were built at the Gondán shipyard (Spain), designed by Insenaval in collaboration with Oliver Design. They are glass-reinforced plastic catamarans with a wave-piercing bow and solar panels on deck that supply up to 8 kW of auxiliary power. In 2017 the Eco Aqua was chosen as the most outstanding newbuild from a Spanish shipyard in the public vote run by the Spanish Association of Naval and Ocean Engineers. She works between Ibiza and Formentera under the Spanish flag, with her home port registered in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Eco fast ferry catamaran (passengers only) |
| Length overall | 28 m |
| Beam | 9 m |
| Top speed | 28 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 350 people (270 inside + 80 outside) |
| Vehicle capacity | No vehicles carried (passengers only) |
| Propulsion | 2 diesel engines · 1,450 hp each · propellers |
| Renewable energy | 24 photovoltaic solar panels (up to 8 kW) for onboard services |
| Hull | Glass-fibre reinforced polyester (unpainted) |
| Structure | Composite materials: glass fibre and isophthalic polyester resins |
| Bow | Wave-piercing with side tunnels to channel water away |
| Passenger decks | 2 (inside lounge + open sun deck) |
| Shipyard | Gondán (Castropol, Asturias) · Composites division |
| Engineering | Insenaval |
| Naval architecture | Oliver Design |
| Year built | 2017 |
| Entered the fleet | December 2017 (1st of the series) |
| Flag | Spain |
| IMO number | 9842774 |
| MMSI | 225987874 |
| Award | Most Outstanding Shipbuilding Project of 2017 in Spain (AINE) |
| Position in the series | 1st of 4 (Baleària Eco Series) |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual frequency* |
|---|---|---|
| Ibiza → Formentera (La Savina) | ~30 min | Every 30–60 min · 07:00–00:30 |
| Formentera (La Savina) → Ibiza | ~30 min | Every 30–60 min · 07:00–22:00 |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. In summer there are up to 30 sailings a day in each direction. Confirm the exact time in our search engine.
The port of La Savina (Formentera): getting there and what to bear in mind
The Eco Aqua runs from the port of Ibiza (Eivissa) to the port of La Savina, the only way into Formentera by sea, at the northern tip of the island. Formentera has no airport, so the ferry is the only way to get there. La Savina is well connected with the rest of the island by bus, taxi and bicycle and scooter hire.
The Eco Aqua is a passenger-only ship and carries no vehicles. If you need to take your car or motorbike to Formentera, you will have to board one of the ferries on the route with a vehicle deck (the Cap de Barbaria or another ship in the Baleària fleet). Bear in mind, too, that in July and August there are restrictions on bringing vehicles into Formentera.
Because the crossing is so short (30 minutes) and so frequent, the Eco Aqua does not call for much lead time. Get to the port at least 20–30 minutes before departure. In high season (July and August) it is worth booking your ticket in advance, as the sailings fill up quickly.
Fares, discounts and how to book
Passenger tickets on the Eco Aqua's Ibiza–Formentera route are among the cheapest in the Baleària fleet, thanks to the short distance involved. One-way fares start at about €15 in low season, rising above €29 in high season.
Available discounts:
- Balearic resident: a substantial discount on the base fare for residents of Ibiza, Formentera or the other Balearic Islands. Proof of residency is required. It is the most significant discount on the route.
- Carnet Joven (youth card): reduced fare for passengers aged 14 to 30.
- Children: under-12s get a discount on the ticket price.
- OPEN ticket: valid for a year with no fixed date, ideal for travelling without a vehicle. It lets you board the first available sailing, with no queues and no rush.
- Baleària Club: the operator's points scheme. Collect points on every trip and redeem them against future bookings.
You can compare prices and real-time availability directly on I Love Ferry.
Which accommodation should you choose for your trip?
| If you are travelling... | Recommended area |
|---|---|
| Looking for the best price and maximum comfort | Standard inside seat |
| Wanting to enjoy the scenery and the sun | Open sun deck |
| With a pet | Pet-friendly area (book a place in advance) |
| With a bicycle or moped | Dedicated space for bicycles and mopeds |
| With reduced mobility | Accessible seats (reserved places · book in advance) |
Eco Aqua · Accommodations
Inside seat · Standard
An air-conditioned inside lounge with ergonomic seats and headrests designed specifically for sea crossings. Modern, comfortable and suited to every kind of passenger, from small children to older travellers. The ideal choice for taking the 30-minute crossing in complete comfort.
✓ Ergonomic seat with headrest
✓ Air-conditioned inside lounge
✓ Phone charging on board
✓ WiFi on board
✓ Luggage storage area
Open deck · Solarium
The upper deck offers a sailing experience like no other, out in the open air. Outside seats from which to enjoy the sun, the Mediterranean breeze and the views over the marine nature park that separates Ibiza from Formentera. The perfect choice on a fine day.
✓ Open-air sun deck
✓ Outside seats
✓ Panoramic Mediterranean views
✓ Sailing through the Pitiusas nature park
Accessible places · Reduced mobility
The Eco Aqua has places reserved for passengers with reduced mobility or who find it difficult to get about. The accessible seats are easy to reach and specially adapted. As the number of places is limited, it is best to reserve them in advance when you buy your ticket.
✓ Seats adapted for reduced mobility
✓ Assisted access to the ship
✓ Limited places · book in advance
Eco Aqua · On-board services
On board: snacks and drinks
Given how quick the crossing is (30 minutes), the Eco Aqua has no full restaurant. On board you will find snacks and drinks to buy during the trip. The offering is designed to cover the basics on a short crossing.
Open sun deck — the terrace in the fresh air
One of the hallmarks of the Eco Series ships is the open sun deck. The Eco Aqua's upper terrace offers open-air seats with views over the marine nature park surrounding the Pitiusas. On fine days it is passengers' favourite place to enjoy the trip and the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean.
Travelling with your pet — pet-friendly
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Eco Aqua has places specially adapted for passengers with reduced mobility or who find it difficult to get about. Access to the ship is assisted, and the accessible seats are designed to keep these passengers comfortable throughout the crossing. Given the limited number of such places, we strongly recommend reserving them in advance when you buy your ticket.
Sustainability: the ship that redefined eco-efficiency in the Mediterranean
The Eco Aqua was designed with eco-efficiency as its guiding principle. She brings together a range of technical and material solutions that make her one of the most sustainable vessels of her class in the Mediterranean:
−40%
Energy consumption
8 kW
Solar power on board
0 kg
Paint on the hull
- 24 photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the upper deck, supplying up to 8 kW of electricity for the onboard services.
- A glass-fibre reinforced polyester hull that needs no paint, cutting biocide pollution and maintenance.
- A composite structure (glass fibre and isophthalic polyester resins) that keeps noise and vibration away from passengers and reduces the ship's overall weight.
- A wave-piercing bow with side tunnels to channel water away, improving hydrodynamics, cutting drag and fuel consumption, and giving better stability in rough seas.
- Latest-generation diesel engines that keep polluting emissions well below those of earlier generations.
- Up to 40% less energy used than comparable earlier-generation ships on the same route.
The Eco Aqua also forms part of Baleària's corporate responsibility initiative known as the Pangea project, which turns these vessels into learning centres about the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, encouraging more thoughtful, responsible travel around the Pitiusas.
The Eco Aqua and the Eco Series: the four elements
The Eco Aqua is the first of four identical eco fast ferries built by Gondán for Baleària. All four share the same technical specification and work the Ibiza–Formentera route:
| Ship | Element | Entered service | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eco Aqua | Water | December 2017 | 1st |
| Eco Lux | Light | May 2018 | 2nd |
| Eco Terra | Earth | June 2018 | 3rd |
| Eco Aire | Air | July 2018 | 4th |
Frequently asked questions about the Eco Aqua
Which route does Baleària's Eco Aqua operate?
The Eco Aqua runs the Ibiza–Formentera route (port of Ibiza – port of La Savina), the fastest and most frequent link between the two Pitiusas islands. The crossing takes about 30 minutes.
Does the Eco Aqua carry cars or motorbikes?
No. The Eco Aqua is a passenger-only eco fast ferry with no vehicle deck. If you need to take your car or motorbike to Formentera, choose one of the ferries on the line that does have a vehicle deck.
How often do sailings leave Ibiza for Formentera?
Baleària runs the route with departures every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day. In high season there are up to 30 sailings a day in each direction, from 07:00 until 00:30. The Eco Aqua is one of several ships covering this line.
How much is a ticket on the Eco Aqua?
Fares start at ~€15 each way in low season. Balearic residents get a substantial discount. There is also the OPEN ticket (no fixed date, valid for a year) for foot passengers. Compare real-time prices here.
Are pets allowed on the Eco Aqua?
Yes. Dogs and cats can travel in their own carrier or in cages provided by the company. You must book a pet place when you buy your ticket, as the number of places is very limited.
Can I take my bicycle on the Eco Aqua?
Yes. The Eco Aqua has a dedicated space for bicycles and mopeds. A very popular option for anyone who wants to explore Formentera on two wheels.
Is there free WiFi on the Eco Aqua?
Yes. The Eco Aqua has WiFi on board. As a ship in the Baleària fleet, she also lets you send text messages free over WhatsApp without using your data throughout the crossing.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. The Eco Aqua has seats adapted for reduced mobility with assisted access to the ship. As the number of places is limited, it is best to reserve them in advance.
Why is she called "Eco Aqua"?
The name forms part of Baleària's Pangea project for sustainable tourism. The four ships of the Eco Series are named after the four classical elements of nature as set out by the pre-Socratic philosophers: water (Aqua), earth (Terra), air (Aire) and light (Lux).
Does the Eco Aqua operate all year round?
Yes. The Ibiza–Formentera route with Baleària runs all year round. Frequencies are lower in winter, while in summer there are up to 30 sailings a day in each direction. Check exact timetables in our search engine.
Where does the ferry arrive in Formentera?
The Eco Aqua arrives at the port of La Savina, the only way into Formentera by sea, in the north of the island. From La Savina there are buses, taxis and bicycle and scooter hire to get around the whole island.
When was the Eco Aqua built, and who built her?
The Eco Aqua was built in 2017 at the Gondán shipyard (Castropol, Asturias) for Baleària. Engineering was handled by Insenaval and the naval architecture by Oliver Design. She was handed over to the operator in late 2017 and won the award for the Most Outstanding Shipbuilding Project of 2017 in Spain.
How early should I get to the port?
Arriving 20–30 minutes beforehand is enough in low season. In July and August, get there at least 45 minutes before departure with your ticket already booked, as the sailings fill up quickly.
What is the difference between the Eco Aqua and the rest of the Eco Series?
The four ships of the Eco Series — Eco Aqua, Eco Lux, Eco Terra and Eco Aire — are identical in technical specification: same length overall (28 m), beam (9 m), capacity (350 passengers), speed (28 knots) and fit-out. The Eco Aqua is the first of the series to join the fleet (December 2017) and the only one to have won the Most Outstanding Shipbuilding Project award.
