The Adventure Of The Sea And Wellness In Ibiza

My wellness trip to Ibiza, Spain was an overseas adventure travel experience I did not expect. Typically when people hear Ibiza, they think of the endless nightlife scene, amazing DJs, turquoise waters and the trendy Ibiza club Cafe Mambo. But in the off season, Ibiza turns into a perfect place to travel for a wellness and health retreat, offering adventure of the sea, splash adventure, or eating at one of several health restaurants.

However tempting partying Ibiza style seemed, my husband and I knew we wanted a connective health and wellness trip. A trip focusing on wellness activities, healthy foods at restaurants, and most importantly, any adventure outdoor in nature. We did a lot of research beforehand about the best time to go to this captivating and trendy island. We even debated if Ibiza was the best island for our wellness escapades.

Why Ibiza?

Before we booked our tickets to Ibiza, Spain, we couldn’t decide between visiting two different Spain cities: Ibiza or Mallorca. Both islands are highly rated and reviewed which made for a challenging decision. According to US News, Mallorca was number four in the best beaches in Spain to visit. Meanwhile, a trip to Ibiza, Spain would make for a decadent relaxation option according to Lonely Planet’s article about wellness in Ibiza.

And. . . traveling to Ibiza won!

It ended up being a great decision for three reasons. First off, visiting in the fall season after the last summer days meant less tourists and overcrowded places. There were some off-the-beaten-path beaches we practically had to ourselves. The most popular beaches still had a small crowd, but it was far less than the high-season in summer. Having fewer travelers gave the island a slower feel that was perfect for focusing on our wellness being.

Secondly, Ibiza flights are less expensive. I do admit we had an unfair advantage since we flew from Barcelona to Ibiza, but tickets in general are cheaper in the off-season.

Lastly, but best of all, the Ibiza weather in October is still pleasant. There were cloudless skies with the warm tepid sun, perfect for that sunshine health I was craving. We were still able to enjoy those pleasant summery sensations and sunbathe in the balmy climate. I needed a light jacket at night, but the trade off for a less expensive wellness trip was worth it! With all these pros, our Ibiza, Spain vacation was off to a great start.

The adventure of the sea

The first part of our adventure travel began on a boat cruise. Upon boarding the boat, we were greeted by the enthusiastic staffers and energetic music. The music created a lively and cheerful atmosphere. It was a perfect setting for the adventure of the sea.

The first few stops in the itinerary were at a variety of beaches where we could disembark. There we hopped off to explore the sandy white beaches and shiny cobalt water, then tried to find the most remote parts of the beach. We mounted big rock cliffs and roamed around the rocky coast of the blue-green ocean.

For the last part of the itinerary, we parked the boat in the middle of the ocean for some “at sea” time. There you had the option to go swimming by either jumping off the boat or sliding down the bright white slide. There was also stand up paddle boarding or snorkeling amongst the countless fish swimming between your feet. Of course, you could also remain on the boat to lounge in the sun and socialize.

The adventure of the sea jump

I knew hopping on a boat cruise was an adventure of the sea itself, but jumping from the boat into the ocean seemed too picturesque (or “moviesque,” if that’s a word). It reminded me of movie scenes when people boldly leap off of massive cliffs into the serene rushing water.

Take “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” for instance, with the moment when the characters jump off the cliff to escape the motorcyclists chasing them. A death-defying jump at a physically attractive body of water. I could sense their terror and the lure for adventure. That’s exactly how I felt amidst this adventure travel, even though my cliff was tiny in comparison. But a jump is a jump!

The adrenaline rush, the excitement and thrill are so invigorating with adventure travel. All of a sudden your body is fully tense. You contemplate whether you should jump or stay. These feelings take over your mind, and maybe even give you a sense of FOMO if you don’t do it. Getting from the boat into the water was the death-defying jump for me. I’m a big adventurer, but jumping into the middle of the ocean while watching tons of jellyfish float by is scary!

I could feel my body start to tense at the thought of jumping in. I knew I had to do it. Jump from the boat into the crystal clear water, or slide down, or just get in. I hyped myself up saying, “You got this girl!” I took a couple of deep breaths, and leapt in.

The adventure of the mountains

After my adrenaline high, the next day I knew I had to pack more self-care into the itinerary. Because of the micro-climate of the island, it has a plethora of gorgeous hideaway beaches and evergreen spaces ideal for hiking. Since we had an adventure of the sea yesterday, today we decided to go hiking to the highest point on the Ibiza island.

The hike was a perfect introspective escape. Being surrounding by crisp fresh air and lush tropical plants was the perfect self-care for my well-being after my previous high adrenaline day.

Exploring the food scene

Before the hike, we visited the farmers market to find some healthy food ideas for a picnic at the top. We were blown away by all the healthy foods in restaurants to choose from. There were healthy coffee and dessert shops, smoothies for health, and plant based meals. It was perfect for my plant based whole food diet.

From one event to the next, Ibiza was a wellness adventure I didn’t expect. Watching the lively nightlife island transform into a meditative wellness retreat was a perfect touch for our trip. With the healthy food restaurants, pleasing year-round temperatures, sky-blue water, and deep green foliage, Ibiza can be an outdoor adventure travel destination all year round.

Do you want your own adventure of the sea? Here’s some information for you.

Looking for a boat excursion? Here is some information regarding booking so you can have your own Ibiza boat cruise adventure.

Are you trying to hike the tallest mountain in Ibiza? If so, here are directions to hike the Sa Talaia mountain. It’s located in Sant Josep, so you’ll need to take a bus if your staying in Ibiza. You’ll get off at the center near Can Jeroni, the cultural center. Behind this center you will find a beautiful bright white church. This church marks the beginning of the Sa Talaia trail.

Follow all the signs that say trail. At first there won’t be many, however, you’ll know you’re on the right path if you’re winding around a picturesque, flower-filled country trail. There will be a couple homes along this path as it bends around the deep green forest mountainside of Sa Talaia.

Hiking Difficulty: low – medium

Average Time (one-way): 1 hour to 1 1/2 (depends on your speed)

Distance (round-trip): about 3 miles

Once you’ve reached this sign, you’ve reached the official starting point of the trail!

Some people drive up to this spot instead of walking through the countryside if they have a car, but I recommend starting from the church. Walking through the countryside allows you to soak up the vibes of the city and mountainside even more (plus it’s a stunning sight filled with brightly bloomed flowers).

So… Happy Adventuring!

P.S. If you’re making a trip around Spain and Barcelona is on your list, check out my food guide for any diet, including a healthy dose of sweet treats to try.

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