PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY; FRANCISCO FONTEYNE; GETTY IMAGES
http://www.boatinternational.com | June 2018The water brightens shade by shade as the yacht nears Formentera. As
if flipping through a book of paint swatches it changes from cerulean to
teal to turquoise, until finally settling on a hue so pale that the golden sand
below is fully revealed. We anchor of Formentera’s Cala Saona beach, on
the western end of the island, to enjoy breakfast al fresco while taking in
the view of the cove framed by sepia rock walls. The clif faces are steep
but not high, the entire island is devoid of hills and the elevation in never
more than 22 metres. No high-rise buildings are allowed to be built and
disrupt Formentera’s humble panorama. She is purposefully low-profile
and entirely laid-back.
The near transparent waters, which have earned Formentera the
moniker “the Spanish Bahamas” make this protected anchorage an ideal
spot to play with the water toys. I let the thrust of a Seabob take me on a
ride beneath the waterline, feeling a thrill as I dare to go faster. Beautiful
as this spot is, there are more secluded anchorages for those in the know.
“Right past Cala Saona is a secret spot – there is a small cave where you
swim inside and snorkel. It doesn’t have an oicial name but the captain of
Lex knows where it is,” says Estrella.FORMENTERA – THE LITTLE SISTERVoyage
Near-transparent waters have earned
Formentera the moniker “the Spanish Bahamas”