PUKKA UP IN THE DAILY STAR – WATER WAY TO PARTY!

Welcome to a boat trip in Ibiza, where heading out to party on the water has become the hottest thing to do.

 

We joined a trip with Pukka Up, one of the biggest in the business, with five boats leaving twice a week from San Antonio and one twice a week from Playa d’en Bossa on the other side of the White Isle.

 

Resident DJ Sam Walker says: “We aim to bring the whole clubbing experience to the boat. It’s like being in a nightclub but out on the water.

 

“2012 is shaping up to be our most successful season yet – we’re taking out around 2,000 people a week. We’ve never been busier and we’re loving it.”

 

A trip costs €60 (£47), which might seem a lot, but Pukka Up have partnered with Space super-club where entrance can cost €40 (£31).

 

Taking a Tuesday boat means clubbers can get into Carl DJ Cox’s night – one of the biggest and most popular on the island.

 

And on Friday, they’ve teamed up with Ibiza Rocks to host the We Are Rockstars party with the likes of Mark Ronson and Zane Lowe DJing.

 

Sophie Curteis, 18, from Canterbury in Kent, and pal Hannah Goulding, 18, from Broadstairs in Kent, are planning on hitting the club later that night.

 

Student Sophie says: “There’s 24 of us who’ve come out on holiday to Ibiza. This is the first big thing we’ve done.

 

“We’re really excited about going to the club later and it’s great you get in free after the boat party.

 

“Some of our friends spent €100 on tickets to get in, but we get to do that plus this party for 60. It’s so worth it. This party is like being in a club with the music and everyone dancing but it’s daytime and we’re on a boat.”

 

As we pull out of San Antonio harbour, the tunes start pumping (after a quick safety warning about not jumping over the side) and within minutes, everyone has a drink in their hand and is up dancing on the chairs on the top deck.

 

The boat cruises around Ibiza for around three hours, meaning revellers are at sea to watch the sun set over the water.

 

Drinks cost the equivalent of £5.50 for a spirit and mixer and £4.75 for a beer or cider, normal prices for a drink in an Ibiza bar and much cheaper than in the clubs.

 

And the music and dancing don’t stop until the boat is almost back to San Antonio, where noise laws mean it has to quieten down around 9pm. So then it’s left to punters to sing the boat back home.

 

Buses start leaving an hour later to take people to the club, so there’s time to pop home and get changed or just enjoy more drinks in a bar.

 

The party is glammed up by the Pukka Up dancers, who show off their moves in pink hooded outfits and dance on the roof of the boat as the evening wears on.

 

Sheree Naylor, 25, from Oldham, is in charge of the other girls – Millie Jackson, 19, from Chester, April Jones, 19, from Cheshire and Hannah Godfrey, 21, from Halifax. 

 

April says: “There’s no way anyone can come to Ibiza and not do a boat trip. This one has the best reputation and it’s really fun.”

 

Sheree adds: “We always have a great time, especially when we’re on the roof and have such great views.

 

“It’s a perfect way to see the Ibiza coastline that you might not get around to otherwise.”

 

Millie laughs: “No-one can wander off or lose each other – although that does mean girls can’t escape boys that are on the pull.”

 

Also dancing on the boat is Pukka Up worker Sophie Beck, 24, from Warrington, who’s still partying, despite admitting being knackered.

 

Hannah Wilson, 18, from Clapham, south London – on holiday with friends – doesn’t stop dancing for the whole three hours.

 

She says: “We only got here yesterday and this is the first thing we have done. We can’t wait to go to the club tonight as well. This party is amazing, it’s so, so good. It’s Ibiza and we want to party!.”

 

Lydia Shaw, 21, from Aberystwyth, is celebrating with pals including Kiri Reynolds, 21, after getting her degree results the day before.

 

She says: “I got a first in graphic design so I’m really happy and this is a great way to celebrate.

 

“I’ve been out here working for a month, selling tickets for parties. I’ve been to lots so it’s been fun.” Also on the boat are Kelly Winter, 21, and Brad King, 23, all the way from the Gold Coast in Australia.

 

Kelly says: “We’re travelling all around Europe and Ibiza is our second stop. This is an amazing party. It’s not like anything at home. 

 

“Boat parties back in Australia are not anything like as wild as this.”

 

? 
SEE pukkaup.com for line-ups and tickets.