Illetas Jet Trasmapi
Illetas Jet
âš“ The Illetas Jet is a high-speed catamaran operated by Trasmapi, the leading passenger operator between Ibiza and Formentera. Designed specifically to cover the 17 km separating the two islands in around 30 minutes, the Illetas Jet is the benchmark ship on the busiest route in the Pitiusas. She is the first ferry in the world to have run a trial on 100% renewable fuel from Repsol in genuine commercial service, a landmark in the decarbonisation of shipping in Spain.
She joined the Trasmapi fleet in 2017, the fourth vessel delivered to the operator by the Rodman Polyships yard in Vigo. She is a Rodman 100, built entirely to the 2000 International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, Category A and classed by Lloyd's Register. Her design is a direct evolution of her predecessor, the Espalmador Jet (Rodman 90), with weight and fuel consumption optimised through the use of latest-generation composite materials and infusion building techniques that produce no emissions during manufacture.
The ship's name is a tribute to Illetes, the most iconic beach on Formentera: a world-famous strip of sand and clear water, part of the Ses Salines Natural Park, a World Heritage Site. The Jet suffix is the hallmark of the whole Trasmapi fleet, an operator with more than 50 years of history in the Pitiusas.
History and background of the ship
The Illetas Jet was built in 2020 at the Spanish Rodman Polyships yard in Vigo as a Rodman 38 HJ, the most modern and technically advanced version of the series. She is the direct twin of the Espalmador Jet and the newest ship in the Trasmapi fleet. Her name refers to ses Illetes, the legendary crystal-clear beach at the northern tip of Formentera, consistently rated one of the finest in Europe.
Since joining the fleet she has worked the Port of Ibiza–La Savina (Formentera) route in tandem with her twin, increasing the number of departures available to passengers and easing the pressure of summer demand in the es Freus channel. She has the most efficient propulsion in the fleet and the lowest environmental impact of any Trasmapi ship, in line with the Pitiusas' Posidonia Oceanica Protection Plan.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Fast ferry catamaran |
| Model | Rodman 100 |
| Length overall | 30 m |
| Beam | 9 m |
| Draught | 1.3 m |
| Maximum speed | 28 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 306 people |
| Vehicle capacity | Passengers only (no vehicles) |
| Freight capacity | 120 tonnes |
| Hull material | Aluminium and composite materials (fibre) |
| Building technique | Infusion lamination (zero construction emissions) |
| Classification | Lloyd's Register · HSC 2000 Category A |
| Shipyard | Rodman Polyships, Vigo (Spain) |
| Year joined the fleet | 2017 |
| Ferry operator | Trasmapi (Sercomisa · Insotel Marine Group) |
| Main route | Port of Ibiza – La Savina (Formentera) |
| Sustainability milestone | First ferry to trial 100% renewable fuel (Repsol, 2024) |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Frequency* |
|---|---|---|
| Ibiza → La Savina (Formentera) | ~30 min | Several sailings a day (up to 11/day) |
| La Savina (Formentera) → Ibiza | ~30 min | Several sailings a day (up to 11/day) |
* Indicative frequency, subject to season and availability. In summer the number of departures increases considerably. Confirm the exact times in our search engine.
The port of La Savina: how to get there and what to bear in mind
The Illetas Jet runs between the Port of Ibiza (in the south of the city) and the Port of La Savina, Formentera's only port, at the northern tip of the island. The crossing covers roughly 17 km through the Es Freus strait, a channel of turquoise water framed by the islet of Espalmador and the Ses Salines beaches.
La Savina is the way in and out of the whole of Formentera. From there you can easily reach any point on the island by bicycle, hired scooter, taxi or bus. Do bear in mind that between 1 June and 30 September vehicle traffic on Formentera is regulated by FormenterEco, and drivers must apply for authorisation in advance to use their vehicle on the island. For travellers without a car, this restriction has no effect on the trip at all.
If you are arriving from mainland Spain (Barcelona, Valencia or Dénia) and want to carry on to Formentera, the Illetas Jet is the perfect connection from Ibiza. You can easily combine your mainland–Ibiza ticket with the ferry to Formentera in our search engine.
Fares, discounts and how to book
A passenger ticket on the Illetas Jet starts at around €15 each way in low season and can top €29 in high season (July and August). We recommend booking online in advance to get the best price.
Available discounts:
- Balearic resident: 75% off the base fare. Formentera residents enjoy an even bigger discount (89%) on this route. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
- Under-14s: 50% off the standard fare.
- Over-60s (senior): a reduced fare is available.
- Large family, general category: 20% off the official fare.
- Large family, special category: 50% off the official fare.
- Children up to 4: they travel free.
- Bicycles and mopeds up to 125cc: they travel free subject to availability.
- Fully electric vehicles: carried free of charge on the Trasmapi ferries that take vehicles.
- Trasmapicard: Trasmapi's free prepaid card, which lets you top up trips, board directly without queuing at the ticket desk and build up benefits.
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 option |
|---|---|
| Alone or as a couple, looking for the best price | Standard indoor seat |
| Making the most of the Mediterranean in the open air | Outside deck (open-air seating) |
| With a pet | Indoors + a booked pet place |
| With reduced mobility | Adapted lounge (ask when boarding) |
| A daytime trip in sunshine and good conditions | Outside deck — views over Ses Salines |
Illetas Jet · Accommodations
Indoor seat · Standard
The Illetas Jet's air-conditioned indoor lounge has comfortable seats with television on board and access to a self-service point for drinks and snacks. Ideal for travellers who prefer the comfort of being inside, especially when the sea is choppy or on windy days.
✓ Air conditioning
✓ TV on board
✓ Self-service drinks and snacks
✓ Indoor toilets
✓ WiFi available on board
Outside deck · Open deck
The Illetas Jet has an outside deck with open-air seating from which you can enjoy views of the Ses Salines Natural Park and the islet of Espalmador during the crossing. Outside seats are limited, so it is worth going up early to make sure you get one.
✓ Open-air seating
✓ Views over Ses Salines and Espalmador
✓ Free access included in your ticket
✓ Ideal on sunny days with a calm sea
Adapted area · Reduced mobility
The Illetas Jet has an area of the indoor lounge adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. The indoor toilets are also adapted for disabled passengers. If you need special assistance, we recommend telling Trasmapi when you book.
✓ Accessible lounge area
✓ Toilets adapted for disabled passengers
✓ Request assistance when booking
Illetas Jet · On-board services
Self-service drinks and snacks
On board the Illetas Jet you will find a self-service point for drinks and snacks where you can pick up a soft drink, a coffee or a bite to eat during the crossing. As the trip lasts only 30 minutes, there is no restaurant service or hot menu, but the choice of drinks and snacks covers everything most passengers need.
Outside deck
One of the best things to do on board the Illetas Jet is to take in the crossing from the outside deck. In barely 30 minutes you sail through the Es Freus strait surrounded by turquoise water, with views over the Ses Salines Natural Park, a World Heritage Site. There are only so many outside seats, so head up on deck early.
Travelling with a dog on board
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Illetas Jet has a dedicated area for passengers with reduced mobility in the indoor lounge and toilets adapted for disabled passengers. If you are travelling in a wheelchair or have other particular requirements, Trasmapi recommends saying so when you book, to make boarding easier and to allocate suitable space.
Sustainability: the most innovative ferry in the Pitiusas
The Illetas Jet sets the standard for sustainability in short-sea shipping in the Mediterranean. Her environmental credentials run from the building stage right through to day-to-day operation:
- Infusion construction: the infusion lamination technique used to build her removes polluting emissions from the hull construction process entirely.
- High-performance engines running on light fuels: the Illetas Jet uses light low-sulphur refinery fuels — the same as those used in road transport — rather than the heavy fuel oil burned by most passenger ships in the Mediterranean.
- 52.95% fuel saving: thanks to optimised hull forms, latest-generation composite materials and more efficient engines, the Illetas Jet achieves a fuel saving of more than 52% compared with equivalent conventional craft.
- The world's first trial with 100% renewable fuel: in June 2024, the Illetas Jet and Repsol carried out the world's first trial of 100% renewable fuel (produced from organic waste such as used cooking oil) in genuine commercial service in the shipping sector. This kind of fuel cuts COâ‚‚ emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional diesel.
- Be Blue · IMG Care Project: as part of the Insotel Marine Group, Trasmapi works with the NGO VellMarí (led by Manu San Félix) on marine conservation, research and education initiatives to protect the natural surroundings of the Pitiusas.
Illetas Jet vs. Espalmador Jet: how Trasmapi's two Rodmans differ
The Illetas Jet is the evolution of the Espalmador Jet. Although they share the same route and look very much alike, these are the key differences:
| Feature | Illetas Jet | Espalmador Jet |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Rodman 100 | Rodman 90 |
| Length overall | 30 m | 28.4 m |
| Beam | 9 m | 9 m |
| Passenger capacity | 306 pax | 300 pax |
| Maximum speed | 28 knots | 26 knots |
| Year joined the fleet | 2017 | 2016 |
| Fuel saving vs. conventional | +52.95% | Higher consumption |
| Renewable fuel trial | Yes (Repsol 2024) | No |
Frequently asked questions about the Illetas Jet
Which route does the Illetas Jet operate?
She works the Ibiza – La Savina (Formentera) route for Trasmapi and nothing else, all year round with several sailings a day. In high season that can reach 11 crossings a day.
How long does the Illetas Jet take from Ibiza to Formentera?
Roughly 30 minutes, covering the 17 km between the Port of Ibiza and the Port of La Savina at a top speed of 28 knots.
Does the Illetas Jet carry cars?
No. The Illetas Jet is a ferry for foot passengers only. If you need to take your car to Formentera, look at the Trasmapi ferries with a car deck (such as the Castaví Jet) in our Ibiza – Formentera ferry search.
How much does a ticket on the Illetas Jet cost?
From ~€15 each way in low season. In July and August prices rise to around €29. Balearic residents get 75% off (Formentera residents up to 89%). Book online in advance to find the best price. Check real-time prices here.
Are pets allowed on the Illetas Jet?
Yes. Small pets must travel in an approved carrier; larger ones with a muzzle and lead. Declare them in your online booking. A valid pet passport, microchip and up-to-date vaccinations are compulsory.
Is there WiFi on the Illetas Jet?
Yes, the Illetas Jet has WiFi on board, although conditions of use or charges may apply. With a crossing of just 30 minutes, most passengers prefer to enjoy the views over the Mediterranean.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. There is an accessible area in the indoor lounge and toilets adapted for disabled passengers. Tell Trasmapi about any particular requirements when you book.
How early should I get to the port?
Foot passengers: arrive at least 30-60 minutes beforehand. In high season (July and August) the ports of Ibiza and La Savina can be extremely busy, so allow extra time. With the Trasmapicard you can board directly without queuing at the ticket desk.
Can I take my bicycle on the Illetas Jet?
Yes. Bicycles and mopeds up to 125cc travel free on Trasmapi ferries, subject to availability. It is the favourite option for cyclists who want to explore Formentera on two wheels.
What are the vehicle rules on Formentera?
From 1 June to 30 September, motor traffic on Formentera is regulated and capped by FormenterEco. Drivers must apply for authorisation in advance and pay a daily charge (between €3 and €9/day depending on the type of vehicle). Electric vehicles are exempt. This restriction does not affect foot passengers.
What environmental milestone does the Illetas Jet hold?
In June 2024, the Illetas Jet and Repsol ran the world's first trial of 100% renewable fuel in genuine commercial service in the shipping sector. This fuel (made from organic waste) cuts COâ‚‚ emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional diesel.
What is the difference between the Illetas Jet and the Espalmador Jet?
The Illetas Jet (Rodman 100, 30 m, 2017) is the evolution of the Espalmador Jet (Rodman 90, 28.4 m, 2016). She is slightly larger and faster, carries more people (306 against 300 passengers), burns 52.95% less fuel than equivalent conventional craft, and is the only one of the two to have taken part in Repsol's historic renewable fuel trial.
What is the Trasmapicard and how does it help me?
The Trasmapicard is Trasmapi's free prepaid card. It lets you top up trips, board the ferry directly without queuing at the ticket desk, and collect points and gifts. It is particularly useful for residents and for frequent travellers between Ibiza and Formentera. Ask for one at the Trasmapi offices or at the port.
