A leisure boat being transported on a trailer caused major traffic disruption on the road between Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni on Wednesday evening, 14 October, as commuters returned home during the island’s evening rush hour.

The incident began at approximately 18:38, when a special transport carrying the boat approached the roundabout near the Ibiza fairground. With traffic already busy, the oversized load slowed vehicles along a busy stretch of the route towards Sant Antoni.

Guardia Civil Temporarily Closes Fairground Roundabout

The Guardia Civil temporarily closed the roundabout near the fairground for safety reasons while the transport manoeuvred through the area.

The resulting congestion extended from the roundabout towards at least the Sant Rafel tunnel, with vehicles reportedly moving at approximately 25–30 km/h.

The slow-moving transport dictated the pace of traffic along the road, leaving commuters travelling behind it with limited opportunity to make progress during one of the busiest periods of the day.

Further Delay Near the Sant Rafel Tunnel

The situation continued near the Sant Rafel tunnel, where the special transport diverted from its route.

Before it could proceed, height-clearance structures in the area had to be moved, requiring another stop and adding to the delays experienced by drivers travelling towards Sant Antoni.

The available account does not specify how long the overall disruption lasted or how many vehicles were affected.

Questions Over the Timing of Exceptional Transports

The incident has renewed attention on the practical impact that transporting oversized loads can have on Ibiza’s already busy roads, particularly during the evening commute.

Special transports can require additional manoeuvring and safety measures, depending on the size of the load and the route. In this case, the temporary closure of the roundabout and the need to move height-clearance structures contributed to delays.

However, no details have been confirmed about the transport’s authorisation, the conditions attached to any permit or whether its timing breached any restrictions.

The incident illustrates the potential for a single exceptional transport to create a bottleneck when it coincides with peak traffic, especially on an important route connecting Ibiza Town with Sant Antoni.

Incident Details

• Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026

• Approximate time: 18:38

• Location: Road between Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni

• Main locations affected: Roundabout near the Ibiza fairground and the approach to the Sant Rafel tunnel

• Vehicle involved: Special transport carrying a leisure boat on a trailer

• Traffic measures: Temporary closure of the fairground roundabout by the Guardia Civil

• Reported traffic speed: Approximately 25–30 km/h along the affected stretch

The incident highlights the challenges of moving large loads across Ibiza during busy periods, particularly on key roads used by commuters travelling between the island’s main towns.