Santa Eulària Town Hall is organising 14 sailing trips where participants can learn the traditional art of sailing with a Latin sail, a technique that has been closely linked to the maritime history of Ibiza and Formentera for centuries. The workshops will take place between 31 October and 13 December 2026, with each participant paying €46.46.
Called Descobreix la vela llatina (Discover Latin Sailing), the programme offers the chance to board the traditional llaüt Querida Lolita and get hands-on experience of this historic sailing technique. Organised in collaboration with Ibiza Sailing Cutter SL, the workshops aim to introduce participants to the maritime heritage of the Pityusic Islands and the natural and historical surroundings of Santa Eulària.
The trips will take place at weekends and will depend on weather conditions. Each session will have five places for participants aged 16 and over, allowing up to 70 people to take part across the programme. Residents of Santa Eulària des Riu will be given priority when places are allocated. If spaces remain available, residents of other municipalities will also be able to join.
Learn to sail a traditional llaüt using a Latin sail
Rather than a conventional boat excursion, the programme is designed as a practical sailing workshop. Accompanied by an experienced skipper, participants will learn about the characteristics of the llaüt and take part in different sailing tasks.
These will include hoisting and adjusting the sail, changing course and helping to steer the boat. The opportunity to take part in each manoeuvre will depend on sea and wind conditions.
The sessions will also include explanations about the history of Latin sailing, how the boat works and the safety measures required during the activity.
Routes around Santa Eulària Bay, Tagomago and Cala Llonga
The boats will depart from Marina Santa Eulalia and will mainly sail around the bay of Santa Eulària. When sea conditions are favourable, routes may extend towards Tagomago or head south in the direction of Cala Llonga.
Alongside the sailing experience, participants will discover aspects of the municipality’s cultural and natural heritage. The trips will cover the history of coastal defence towers, windmills and traditional uses of the coastline. There will also be explanations about the environmental importance of Posidonia seagrass meadows and the marine wildlife found in the area.
Keeping Ibiza’s traditional sailing heritage alive
Boats fitted with Latin sails were used for centuries in Ibiza and Formentera to transport both goods and people. Sailing them requires an understanding of the vessel, the ability to read the wind and knowledge of a range of traditional manoeuvres.
The gradual disappearance of traditional boats, together with the declining number of people familiar with these sailing techniques, threatens the survival of this knowledge.
Through the workshops, Santa Eulària Town Hall hopes to help preserve and promote this maritime legacy, giving participants the opportunity to experience first-hand an important part of the Pityusic Islands’ seafaring history.
Prices and how to book a Latin sailing workshop
The programme offers up to 70 places across 14 sessions, at a cost of €46.46 per person.
The price includes practical sailing, historical and environmental explanations, educational materials, drinks, a group photograph and a certificate of participation.
All departures are subject to weather conditions. If conditions make sailing impossible, sessions may be rescheduled or cancelled.
Anyone interested in taking part can register through the Latin sailing workshop registration form.
