Solar Eclipse in Formentera

August 2026

Formentera, August 12, 2025

The skies over Formentera are getting ready to offer us one of the most breathtaking shows nature can provide: a total solar eclipse. On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Moon will completely cover the Sun’s disk for 1 minute and 3 seconds, plunging the island into a magical twilight right at sunset. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime moment that will remain in the memory of those lucky enough to witness it.

This kind of event doesn’t happen very often. In fact, a total eclipse of this magnitude is extremely rare in Formentera, and the 2026 one will be the only one visible from the island throughout the entire 21st century. That’s why thousands of people will travel to the Balearic Islands to watch it from a privileged location, with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop.

Daylight will turn golden, then greyish; the temperature will drop, and the horizon will be painted with strange colors as the Sun momentarily disappears.

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know: what exactly a total eclipse is, the key times in Formentera, the best spots to watch it from, safety tips, and historical curiosities. Get ready to enjoy nature’s spectacle in all its splendor in Formentera.

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun in such a way that it completely covers the solar disk. For a few seconds or minutes, direct sunlight vanishes, and the day turns into a fleeting dusk.
Not all eclipses are total:
• Partial: the Moon only covers part of the Sun.
• Annular: the Moon is farther from Earth and doesn’t cover the Sun completely, leaving a bright ring around it.
• Total: the Moon blocks the entire solar disk, and the corona (the Sun’s outer atmosphere) becomes visible.

In Formentera, on August 12, 2026, the alignment will be perfect for a total eclipse lasting 1 minute and 3 seconds.

Details of the total eclipse in Formentera

Wednesday, August 12, 2026, will be marked by a very special sunset. Here are the key moments of the eclipse on the island, with the Sun very close to the west-northwest (WNW) horizon, making it essential to find a location with an unobstructed view in that direction:
• 7:39:15 pm – Partial eclipse begins (First contact)
The Moon’s edge starts to “bite” into the Sun’s disk. The change is subtle at first, but as minutes pass you’ll notice the Sun losing its shape.
• 8:32:46 pm – Totality begins (Second contact)
At this moment, the Moon completely covers the Sun. Day turns into a strange, magical dusk. The colors on the horizon may be spectacular, with the sea and sky shifting from orange to violet tones.
• 8:33:18 pm– Maximum eclipse
This is the peak: the Sun is fully hidden and the solar corona appears as an ethereal halo around the Moon. It lasts only a few seconds, so don’t let yourself get distracted.
• 8:33:49 pm – Totality ends (Third contact)
The first ray of sunlight reappears, breaking the darkness. This is the famous “diamond ring” moment, when light shines intensely at one edge of the Sun before becoming partially visible again. In total, the phase of totality will have lasted 1 minute and 3 seconds.
• 8:53:05 pm – Sunset
The Sun disappears completely below the Mediterranean horizon, ending a sunset that, this time, will have had a touch of science fiction.

Tips for safe viewing

Even though it’s tempting to look directly at the Sun, doing so without protection can cause irreversible eye damage. Only during the 1 minute and 3 seconds of totality is it safe to look at it directly, as the Sun’s light is completely blocked.
For the rest of the eclipse (initial and final partial phases), use certified eclipse glasses meeting the ISO 12312-2 standard. Homemade filters, regular sunglasses, or smoked glass are not safe.
If you’re using a camera or telescope, place a dedicated solar filter on the front of the lens. Never look through a viewfinder without a filter, even if totality is imminent.

Where to watch the solar eclipse in Formentera

Since the Sun will be very low, almost touching the WNW horizon, it’s important to choose a spot with an unobstructed sea view in that direction.
Some recommendations:
• Ses Illetes Beach: clear horizon and wide views, with the Sun’s reflection on the water.
• Cala Saona Beach: either from the beach or the cliffs between Punta Gavina and Punta Rasa.
• Cap de Barbaria: an elevated and symbolic point, though you’ll need to arrive well in advance due to vehicle access controls and limited parking space.
• La Mola: any spot along the cliffs with a clear view toward sunset.

Phenomena to observe during totality

A total eclipse is more than just a change in light:
• Solar corona: a halo of soft white light around the Moon, formed by the Sun’s atmosphere.
• Diamond ring: right at the end of totality, a brilliant flash marking the return of sunlight.
• Baily’s beads: points of light that appear through lunar valleys seconds before or after totality.
• Temperature drop: the air cools, and you can feel it on your skin.
• Planets and stars: Venus and Jupiter may be easily visible.

Other eclipses in Formentera

In Formentera, a total solar eclipse is a very rare event. The one in 2026 will be the only one to cross the island in the entire 21st century. Before this, current generations have not had the chance to witness one here, as the last total solar eclipse took place on August 30, 1905
After 2026, the next total solar eclipse visible from Formentera will be on November 17, 2180. This makes the 2026 event literally a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, so if you have the chance, start planning your trip to the island for this extraordinary moment. And remember, through this website I can offer you a series of discounts when booking directly on the official site of each of our partner companies, using the promo code 4MENTERA and clicking here.

Let’s hope we can all enjoy a beautiful solar eclipse together on the island of Formentera!