PHOTOGRAPHY: LUIS DIAZ DIAZ; ADOBE STOCK; GETTY IMAGES
A tale of
two islands
Ibiza and Formentera may both be Balearic
but they are beguilingly diferent in style.
Risa Merl hops on board 26 metre Lex
to meet the island sistersT
he islands of Ibiza and Formentera are only
three nautical miles apart as the crow flies but
make no mistake, these Spanish siblings have
distinctive personalities all of their own.
Ibiza is the big sister in size – the island is nearly seven
times larger than Formentera – and maturity, having
outgrown her purely hippy ways and evolved into an
efortlessly chic destination. The island is famous for what
happens after sunset, whether that be sand-between-your-
toes parties at stylish beach clubs or glammed-up dancing
to starry DJs at notorious nightclubs. Kid sister Formentera
is the wild child. No matter the age of the residents orvisitors, a youthful spirit pervades all. Heels are traded for
bare feet, designer duds for dreadlocks and disco balls for
dancing under the full moon. Beach clubs are tucked behind
sand dunes and the beaches are mostly untamed. There is
still plenty of style, it is just of a diferent variety – creative,
understated and impossibly cool.
The islands are not complete opposites, of course. They
both aford beautiful protected harbours, fabulous dining
and epic beach bars – all served up with a relaxed attitude.
While landlubbers might feel the pressure to choose one,
those travelling by yacht can have both, their proximity
making it easy to cruise between the two.