Hosting two boat parties a week, the UK based company has more competition on the Mediterranean this year with a host of other events all running their own boat parties form San Antonio or Playa D´en Bossa.
So, I was eager to find out whether Pukka Up would stand up to its glowing reputation and still attract a crowd. For the first time in their history both boat parties sold out in record time with Tuesday's event chartering two boats and Fridays needing an impressive three, so I guess Pukka Up still hold the crown and are proving that they are the boat party to beat.
Joining the Friday team I was allocated boat number one, which was the biggest out of the three so I wasn't disappointed. The fact that Pukka Up were hosting several boats heightened the level of excitement and seeing everyone getting onboard each lined up boat in the harbour created a real buzz in the air.
You could pick out the Pukka Up boats a mile off with big pink banners, their infamous lip logo and police like ‘Pukka Up' tape decorating their decks. As ever their team of workers looked Too hot to handle as they gave out free cocktails to the arriving guests, signalling that the party had started. Known for their more glamorous take on boat parties, Pukka Up has transformed a ‘booze cruise' to a more elite clubbing experience on water. With a friendly crew of workers entertaining Ibiza's tourists twice a week this season looks set to be even more successful than their last.
Once out of the harbour Pukka Up resident DJ Sam Walker began his three hour set blasting tunes like Deadmau5's Raise your weapon, Swedish House Mafia's Save the World and even a Michael Jacksons remix. Trying to please all kinds of house revellers isn't always easy, but with a mixture of funky house, vocal and some classic remixes the top deck was buzzing within half an hour. The other two boats saw sets from Pukka Up residents Ed Moore, Chris Wright plus other guest DJs. Tuesday´s boat parties saw sought-after percussionist Fish, as well as a female vocalist perform alongside its resident DJ's adding to the party vibe that Pukka Up are renowned for.
The boats took a different route to other boat parties I have been on in Ibiza, taking a narrower path through high rocks making the party a more unique experience. Constantly seeing the other two Pukka Up boats, either riding alongside us or in the distance made the whole experience more intimate and as if we were all exclusively members of the Pukka Up family.
Pukka Up not only hosts an impressive boat party but the package offered when purchasing one of their tickets makes them stand out from their rivals. Each ticket includes a pre and post party to the boat trip, a free drink, a membership to Pukka Up, and a free bus to the after party venue. This year Pukka Up have teamed up with the World's Number 1 club Space and will host their after parties there twice a week, giving their customers VIP entrance to events such as Carl Cox on a Tuesday and Come together on a Friday.
