A party boat throwing huge amounts of foam into the sea off the coast of the popular Balearic island of Ibiza has been filmed from a restaurant near Platja d'en Bossa in the municipality of Sant Josep.
“I thought I had seen everything on this destroyed island. It's terrible,” said the former mayor of Ibiza Rafa Ruiz regarding the images.
According to the company's advertising, the foam party inside the party boat is “the only one offered on the island, costing €99 euros (almost £88.40) and is all-inclusive for the three-hour voyage.
The foam is listed in addition to the “open bar of sangria, beer, soft drinks and cava” as well as food, entertainment, an onboard DJ, and a series of games in the sea.
In the video shared by the company that runs the trips, the foam party can be seen from inside, with attendees completely covered in foam. “Probably the best foam cannon on the island,” says one of the companies that sell the excursions.
Residents of Platja d'en Bossa have been complaining about the noise produced from the boats for years, with many of them having to put up with the partying throughout the afternoon.
“At the end of the party, the foam cannon is turned on and the dance floor on deck is transformed into a white sea. Mega fun and the highlight of the Ibiza party on the boat,” reads another description.
Many took to the comments under Ruiz's tweet, raising concerns that the foam may contain chemicals that are being thrown into the sea. One user shared the “regulations for navigation and maritime safety” published in the BOIB on February 14, 2015.
The document reads: “Any type of dumping into the sea from boats, jet skis, and artifacts is prohibited.”
According to esca, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is commonly used to make the foam, a foaming agent that is found in soaps and commercial cleaners and is known to cause severe skin irritation.
Party boats have been causing issues across Spain. In August, officials on the neighboring island of Majorca proposed that party boats which moor by the seafront area filled with yachts known as the Paseo be moved to a more remote location. The boats have been the subject of frequent complaints on this island as well.
In May 2023, officials said that police would be called in to break up parties if too much noise and chaos was caused after the Spanish council said it would crack down on “floating discos” with heavy fines.
Numerous complaints had been filed by residents who argued their peace and quiet was being destroyed by non-stop partying on boats moored by Majorca's beaches.
Diario de Ibiza said they had approached the Ministry of the Sea for comment as to whether it was aware of these excursions and if it is allowed to throw foam into the sea.