Guide in case of closure and opening of the ports of Ibiza and the port of Formentera.

Próximo Ferry | March 8, 2024

What to do in case of closure or opening of the ports of Ibiza and La Savina? When situations arise that require the closure of these ports, the conditions established in the Maritime Navigation Law will be applied.

In case of adverse weather conditions, the ports of Ibiza and Formentera La Savina will be closed. Constant winds exceeding 34 knots will trigger this safety measure, except for tankers and vessels carrying explosives, which will have a threshold of 22 knots.

Don’t miss the updates on the status of the ports and sail with caution! On our website/app you have all the info here.

If there is suspicion of boats sailing between the ports of Ibiza and the Port of Formentera La Savina, the closure protocol will be activated. However, if weather conditions permit, docking will be allowed at the destination port, as long as there is space available and it is considered safe by the technical assistance and the captains of the ships in transit.

The manoeuvre of accessing the port and docking will be carefully evaluated to ensure the safety of the operation.

After the announcement of the closure of the port, only ships in transit between Ibiza and La Savina will be allowed to enter, as long as they are considered safe by the Local Port Control and the Captain. These instructions do not affect the mandatory pilotage rules in port.

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, through the “Local Port Control”, will be responsible for communicating to each affected shipping company, through its consignee, which of the two ports is open or which offers better safety conditions. The opening of the port will be subject to a 30-minute observation period, during which continuous measurements will be taken to ensure the necessary safety conditions.

Announcement of port closure.

Once the reasons for the closure have been confirmed, the Chief of Port Police or his delegate will immediately communicate by telephone with the Delegate of the ports of Ibiza and the Port of Formentera La Savina (or their representative) to obtain their approval.

Once approval has been obtained, the Chief of Port Police or their delegate will communicate the closure of the port via email.

Communication of the opening of the port of Ibiza and Formentera.

The information about the causes that led to the closure of the port can come in two ways: through the technical assistance of the port traffic management, coordination, and control service, or by direct observation of the Port Authority staff.

Once the reopening of the port for the ferries operating on the Ibiza and Formentera route is announced, measures will be taken to minimize the impact caused by the closure.

The ferry closest to the opening or closing time of the port will be the first to set sail, as long as it has been coordinated with the port traffic service. This way, trips will resume and schedules will be adjusted as planned.

Remember that at proximoferry, we will keep you informed of ferry cancellations and sea conditions, don’t forget to download our APP to receive all notifications in your hand and not miss anything.

Source: information from the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, more info here

Frequently asked questions

Can a ferry leave if the port is closed?

No. While the port is closed, no vessel can leave without authorisation from the Port Authority. Only boats already sailing between Ibiza and La Savina are allowed in, and only if it is safe. Ignoring the closure leads to penalties and, above all, puts passengers and crew at risk.

How do I find out the port has reopened?

The Port Authority notifies the ferry companies, and they inform passengers using the details on their booking. A reopening can change suddenly if the wind picks up again, so check your email and phone and the status of your ferry before heading to the port.

Will I get a refund if my ferry is cancelled because the port is closed?

Yes. If the ferry company cancels your crossing, you can choose between travelling on another boat at no extra cost or a refund of your ticket, even when the cause is bad weather. This is set out in EU Regulation 1177/2010 on the rights of sea passengers.