Puerto de La Sabina - The Bohemian Port of Formentera
Summer retreat to many young neo-hippies but also to many rich yacht sailors who come here for the isolated atmosphere and lovely sailing conditions, La Sabina can only be reached by boat which only enhances its charm as an isolated location within the Balearic islands.
General Info
Puerto La Sabina is the entry point to the Spanish island of La Formentera, part of the Balearic archipelago in the western Mediterranean. Apart from being the island’s only port and the only means of entry since there is no local airport, La Sabina is also a bustling marina which attracts many Yacht Charter regulars who come here for the fine weather and the scenery.
Just 3km from the town of Sant Francisc which is the island’s capital city, La Sabina is the first village you see when coming to Formentera. The history of this location starts with a mooring area for fishing boats which has today expanded into a modern marina which during the summer months turns into a gathering of Yacht Charter enthusiasts from all corners of the world.
Travel & Arrival
As mentioned, the only way to get to Formentera is by water and most of the Yacht Charter crowds come by ferry from Ibiza. Of course, many choose this port as their base for exploring the Balearic islands just because it’s less crowded and out of the way of the party crowds that fill up kilometers of beaches on the other islands.
Of course, if you wish it, you can fly to any of the other islands and then take the ferry from Ibiza to Formentera which leaves at the rate of about three or four times a day, but other than that, there’s really only one option, that of arriving here in your own boat, and there are some serious yachts mooring here with wealthy crew though the village is considered a hangout for the neo-hippies.
Avant & Apres Sail
Though not a Yacht Charter resort in the normal sense, La Savina does have its unmistakable charm. Just a few buildings stretched along the marina make up the resort. However, there are some attractions, like the salt lakes just off of La Sabina, Estany Pudent and Estany des Peix. Though the sulphur fumes leave a heavy odor, your Yacht Charter group could be lucky to see flamingos. There’s also the old concentration camp, Es Campanment, where the prisoners of the Spanish Civil War were held.
Eating here is strictly a Spanish business, with the restaurants along the waterfront serving great tapas and other fish dishes. Other restaurants can be found around the inland lagoons and they cater to British, German and even French Yacht Charter gourmets.
The nightlife can be best described by one word: colorful. At night, the quiet village suddently comes to life with the Yacht Charter crowds of tourists and young party-seekers who gather around the impromptu beach parties with live music and plenty of drinking. There are also some quieter places along the waterfront where you can have a more private good time.
Actions & Events
Not much goes on in this small resort outside the Yacht Charter summer season. However, during the summer months, La Sabina is animated with the loud tourists. If you plan of taking a trip down here, make sure you arrive around July 16th when the locals celebrate the village patron saint, Virgen del Carmen with lots of colorful fiestas.
Apart from the sailing and the generally bohemian atmosphere, long lost on the French and Italian rivieras, there are plenty nice beaches when you can work on you tan and also the mud from the salt lakes is said to be quite therapeutic, which is why you’ll find Yacht Charter sailors painted in black mud from head to toe drying out in the sun.