Eco Terra Balearia
Eco Terra
âš“ The Eco Terra is one of the most efficient and sustainable eco fast ferries in the Balearic Islands. Operated by Baleària, she covers the Ibiza–Formentera route in just 30 minutes, making her the quickest and most frequent way to hop between the two Pityusic islands. She is the third vessel in the Eco Series, a family of four catamaran eco fast ferries designed from the keel up for this crossing and widely regarded as a benchmark for energy efficiency and eco-friendly sailing in the Mediterranean. Passengers have rated the ships in the series an average of 9 out of 10, the highest score any Baleària vessel has achieved to date.
She was built at the Gondán shipyard in Castropol (Asturias), with the architectural design entrusted to the studio Oliver Design, winner of the design competition run by Baleària. The Eco Terra began working the Ibiza–Formentera route in the summer of 2018, the third of the series to join the line after the Eco Aqua (December 2017) and the Eco Lux (May 2018). The fourth and last, the Eco Aire, completed the series that same summer. The series as a whole has been honoured with awards: the Eco Aqua was named the outstanding Spanish shipbuilding project of 2017 by the Spanish Association of Naval Architects.
The ship's name is part of an environmental concept: Baleària named the four vessels after the four classical elements of nature — Aqua, Terra, Aire and Lux — as a symbol of its commitment to sustainability and to a balanced relationship with the waters they sail.
History and background of the ship
The Eco Terra was the third vessel in the Eco Series to be delivered, with her keel laid on 16 November 2017 and delivery on 4 June 2018. All four ships in the series were built at the Gondán shipyard (Spain) and 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. She works between Ibiza and Formentera under the Spanish flag, with her home port in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Catamaran eco fast ferry (passengers only) |
| Length overall | 28 m |
| Beam | 9 m |
| Top speed | 28 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 350 people |
| Vehicle capacity | No vehicles carried (passengers only) |
| Indoor seats | 270 |
| Outdoor seats | 80 |
| Decks | 2 (one indoors + open sun deck) |
| Bow | Wave-piercing, with side tunnels to channel water away |
| Hull material | Glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) — unpainted |
| Renewable energy | 24 photovoltaic solar panels (up to 8 kW for onboard services) |
| Shipyard | Gondán shipyard, Castropol (Asturias) |
| Architectural design | Oliver Design |
| Year built | 2018 |
| Joined the fleet | Summer 2018 (3rd of the series) |
| Flag | Spain |
| IMO number | 9855288 |
| MMSI | 225988638 |
| Call sign | EAHU |
| Passenger rating | 9 / 10 (Eco Series average) |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual frequency* |
|---|---|---|
| Ibiza → Formentera (La Savina) | 30 min | Every ~30 min in high season |
| Formentera (La Savina) → Ibiza | 30 min | Every ~30 min in high season |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. In high season (July and August) Baleària runs the route with up to 30 daily departures from each port. Confirm the exact time in our search engine.
The ports of Ibiza and La Savina (Formentera): how to get there and what to know
The Eco Terra sails from the Port of Ibiza (Eivissa), right in the heart of the city and barely a five-minute walk from the old town. On the Formentera side, she berths at the Port of La Savina, the island's only sea gateway and the hub from which the buses and scooter hire firms connect with Formentera's beaches and villages.
Formentera has no airport: the ferry is the only way to reach the island. That is why the Ibiza–Formentera route is one of the busiest island links in the Mediterranean, especially in summer. The eco fast ferries carry passengers only: if you need to bring a vehicle, Baleària runs other ships on the same route (the Cap de Barbaria, among others). We recommend arriving at the berth at least 20–30 minutes before departure in high season.
Fares, discounts and how to book
A passenger ticket on the Eco Terra starts at roughly €5 one way on basic low-season fares. In high season (July and August) the price can sit between €12 and €20. We recommend comparing prices well in advance.
Available discounts:
- Balearic resident (Formentera or Ibiza): a substantial discount on the base fare. Residents of Formentera can find special fares from €2. You must prove your residency.
- Carnet Joven youth card: reduced fare for passengers aged 14 to 30. Available at the time of booking.
- Children: 50% off for under-12s.
- Easy Pass: a special fare for frequent travellers on the Ibiza–Formentera route, offering maximum convenience and flexibility.
- Baleària Club: the operator's points scheme. Earn points on every trip and redeem them for discounts on future bookings.
- OPEN ticket: valid for one year from purchase. Ideal for flexible stays with no fixed return date.
You can compare prices and real-time availability directly on I Love Ferry, or book through formenteraexpress.com, Baleària's dedicated portal for this route.
Which accommodation should you choose for your trip?
| If you are travelling... | Recommended accommodation |
|---|---|
| Alone or as a couple, looking for the best price | Standard indoor seat |
| Looking for sunshine and sea views | Outdoor seat (sun deck) |
| With a bicycle or moped | Standard seat + bicycle storage area |
| With a pet | Standard seat + pet place (carrier) |
| With reduced mobility | Reduced-mobility seat (book in advance) |
| Frequent traveller who is a resident | Easy Pass or OPEN ticket |
Eco Terra · Accommodations
Indoor seat · Standard
The main accommodation on the Eco Terra. Ergonomically designed leather seats with headrests, developed specifically for sailing and suited to every kind of passenger. The indoor area is air-conditioned and fitted with television and WiFi access.
✓ Ergonomic leather seat with headrest
✓ Air-conditioned area
✓ Chargers for mobile devices
✓ WiFi on board (paid pass)
✓ Free WhatsApp, no pass needed
✓ Onboard audiovisual content
Outdoor seat · Sun deck
The Eco Terra's upper deck has 80 seats in the open air, perfect for taking in the Mediterranean and the Pityusic scenery during the 30-minute crossing. The best choice for anyone who loves sunshine and views. Do bear in mind that in summer these seats can get hot in direct sun.
✓ Open-air outdoor deck
✓ Panoramic sea views
✓ Sun deck throughout the crossing
✓ A one-of-a-kind sail between Ibiza and Formentera
Accessible seat · Reduced mobility
The Eco Terra has seats specially fitted out for passengers with reduced mobility, with wheelchair anchor points and adapted access for getting on and off the ship easily. Accessible places are limited, so we recommend booking them in advance.
✓ Seats fitted out for reduced mobility
✓ Wheelchair anchor points
✓ Adapted access for boarding and disembarking
Eco Terra · On-board services
Café and sustainable tableware
The Eco Terra has a café on board where you can enjoy a drink or a snack during the 30-minute crossing. For this service Baleària uses biodegradable utensils and tableware, replacing single-use plastics as part of its circular economy and sustainability policy.
Outdoor deck — sun deck
The Eco Terra's upper deck offers an open-air outdoor terrace with 80 seats, perfect for enjoying the sun and the sea views between Ibiza and Formentera. It is one of the most popular spots on the ship, especially in the summer months.
Travelling with pets
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Eco Terra is equipped with seats specially fitted out for passengers with reduced mobility, wheelchair anchor points and adapted access for boarding and disembarking easily. The number of accessible places is limited, so booking in advance is advisable to be sure of availability.
Luggage and bicycle storage
The Eco Terra has a luggage storage area where you can leave your bags during the crossing, as well as a dedicated space for carrying bicycles and mopeds. Do bear in mind that the luggage area is unsupervised, so keep an eye on any valuables.
Sustainability: how the Eco Series makes the difference
The Eco Terra is part of Baleària's most acclaimed push for energy efficiency on short-distance routes. Her main sustainable innovations are:
−36%
COâ‚‚ emissions per mile
−100%
Noise pollution
8 kW
Photovoltaic solar power
- 24 photovoltaic solar panels on the upper deck, supplying up to 8 kW of electricity for onboard services and LED lighting.
- Glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) hull: greener than traditional metal hulls because it needs no paint.
- Latest-generation engines that keep polluting emissions to a minimum and cut noise pollution dramatically (the engines are all but inaudible under way).
- Wave-piercing bow with side tunnels to channel water away: it reduces drag and fuel consumption, improving efficiency by up to 40% compared with conventional catamarans.
- Biodegradable tableware in the café, doing away with single-use plastic on board.
- An educational initiative: the Eco Series ships are part of a social responsibility project that turns them into teaching spaces on the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Bringing the four Eco Series ships onto the Ibiza–Formentera route has cut COâ‚‚ emissions per nautical mile by 36% compared with the Maverick-type catamarans that previously worked the route, and has all but eliminated noise pollution.
Connectivity on board — SmartB
The Eco Terra is part of Baleària's smart ship fleet. On board you have access to the SmartB platform:
- Free WhatsApp (text messages), with no pass or mobile data needed
- WiFi on board by buying an internet pass (€3.95) for full web browsing during the trip
- Audiovisual content through the digital entertainment platform
- Digital boarding card on your phone — no need to print anything or queue at the ticket office
Eco Terra vs the rest of the Eco Series: differences and similarities
The Eco Terra is the third ship in the Eco Series and shares virtually all her technical specifications with her sisters (Eco Aqua, Eco Lux and Eco Aire), as they were built as a class of identical vessels. The differences between them are minimal and purely operational:
| Specification | Eco Series (all) | Eco Terra |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 28 m | 28 m |
| Beam | 9 m | 9 m |
| Capacity | 350 passengers | 350 passengers |
| Top speed | 28 knots | 28 knots |
| Shipyard | Gondán (Asturias) | Gondán (Asturias) |
| Place in the series | 1st to 4th | 3rd of 4 |
| Year joined | 2017–2018 | 2018 |
| Route | Ibiza–Formentera | Ibiza–Formentera |
| IMO | Different for each vessel | 9855288 |
Frequently asked questions about the Eco Terra
Which route does the Eco Terra operate?
She operates the Ibiza–Formentera (La Savina) route for Baleària. She is a passenger-only ferry that carries no vehicles. The crossing takes roughly 30 minutes.
How many times a day does the Eco Terra sail?
In high season, the Ibiza–Formentera route runs with up to 30 daily departures from each port, roughly one every 30 minutes from 7.00 am until 00.30. The Eco Terra shares the route with the rest of the Eco Series and other Baleària vessels.
Does the Eco Terra carry cars or motorbikes?
No. The Eco Terra is a passenger-only ferry: no vehicles are accepted. If you need to take a car or motorbike between Ibiza and Formentera, you will have to book a place on another Baleària ship with a vehicle deck (such as the Cap de Barbaria).
What accommodation does the Eco Terra offer?
The Eco Terra offers standard indoor seats (270 places, air-conditioned) and outdoor seats on the sun deck (80 places in the open air). There are also places adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. There are no cabins or VIP lounges, as the trip lasts only 30 minutes.
Is there free WiFi on the Eco Terra?
WhatsApp (text messages) is completely free on board as part of Baleària's SmartB platform. For full web browsing you need to buy an internet pass (€3.95) through the SmartB platform on board.
Are pets allowed on the Eco Terra?
Yes. The Eco Terra accepts pets in your own carrier or in a cage supplied by the company. Places are very limited: you must book the pet place when you buy your ticket. Remember to print your pet's boarding card too.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has seats fitted out for reduced mobility, wheelchair anchor points and adapted access for boarding and disembarking. Accessible places are limited, so we recommend booking them in advance.
How much does a ticket on the Eco Terra cost?
As a guide, prices start at around €5 one way in low season. In July and August they can sit between €12 and €20. Balearic residents have access to special fares from €2. Compare real-time prices here.
Can I take my bicycle on the Eco Terra?
Yes. The Eco Terra has a dedicated space for carrying bicycles and mopeds. You need to say so when you make your booking.
What is Baleària's Eco Series?
The Eco Series is a family of four identical catamaran eco fast ferries built at the Gondán shipyard in Asturias between 2017 and 2018, designed specifically for the Ibiza–Formentera route. The four ships are: Eco Aqua (1st), Eco Lux (2nd), Eco Terra (3rd) and Eco Aire (4th). Together they have cut COâ‚‚ emissions on the route by 36% compared with the ships that came before them.
How early should I get to the port?
We recommend arriving at the berth at least 20–30 minutes before departure. In high season (July and August) it is worth allowing more time: sailings are at their most frequent, but passenger numbers are very high too.
How can I book a ticket?
You can book on I Love Ferry, at balearia.com or at formenteraexpress.com (Baleària's dedicated portal for the Ibiza–Formentera route). Tickets arrive by email or in your smartphone wallet, so you can board directly without going to the ticket office.
