Dénia & Jávea: Portixol Sailing Catamaran Excursion with BBQ

The best part of this Costa Blanca outing is the chance to swim straight from a spacious catamaran in a quiet cove, far from the packed shore. You’ll cruise past Dénia’s rugged coast, coves, clear water, and steep cliffs, then settle in for a generous onboard lunch.

I like the easygoing mix of swimming and sun time, with stairs, side access, and sometimes a front jump point into the water. I also like the good-value meal, which includes grilled chicken, pork fillet, salad, bread, fruit, and one drink for $65.

The main thing to consider is that the exact boat, port, route, meal, and timing can change with sea conditions and the option you book. A planned cove may be replaced, and some departures have used a motorboat or paella instead of the advertised sailing catamaran and BBQ.

Key points to know before you book

• Swimming is from the catamaran: You stay near the boat rather than swimming to a beach or cave.
• The lunch is more than a snack: Expect chicken, pork, salad, bread, fruit, and one included drink.
• Shade is available: The central seating area gives you a break from the strong Costa Blanca sun.
• Net seats may cost extra: On one Jávea departure, wristbands controlled access to the reserved front nets.
• The cruise can be lively: Music, swimming, sunbathing, and dancing may all be part of the return ride.
• Bring your own practical gear: Pack a towel, swimwear, hat, and biodegradable sunscreen. A snorkel can also improve the swim stop.

A relaxed start from Dénia or Jávea

The outing begins in the morning from the port in Dénia, though some booking options leave from Jávea. Check the exact meeting point and duration before paying, since the experience can run from about 3.5 to 5 hours depending on the departure selected.

That difference matters. A 3.5-hour Jávea option gives you a shorter half-day on the water, while a longer Dénia cruise gives you more time to sit, swim, eat, and watch the coast. You do not get hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the port.

Once aboard, the crew handles the practical side while you find a place to sit. The catamaran is described as spacious, with open areas for sunbathing and a central section with tables and seats. That layout makes a real difference on a hot day. You can enjoy the sun for a while, then move into shade without ending the outing.

The experience has a social feel rather than a quiet private-charter mood. Music is part of the atmosphere, and the return trip may turn into a small deck party. If you want total peace and silence, this probably is not your ideal boat trip. If you like a relaxed group outing with a little energy, the format works well.

Coastal views from the catamaran

The route follows the coast around Dénia and Jávea, with views of steep cliffs, small coves, and clear Mediterranean water. You see the shoreline from a useful distance, which gives you a better sense of its shape than you get from a beach or a road.

The scenery is one of the strongest reasons to book. You are not simply being transported to a swim stop. The cruise itself is the attraction, with time to watch the changing coastline and take photographs from the deck.

Sea conditions can affect the route. One departure could not reach its planned cove because the water was rough, so the crew chose another plan. That is worth accepting before you book. The most attractive cove on the schedule is never guaranteed, and a responsible captain should put comfort and safety before a fixed route.

You also should not expect a shore excursion at every stop. The swim break takes place near the catamaran, not at a beach or inside a cave. If you had pictured walking ashore or swimming through a sea cave, adjust that expectation now. This is a boat-based swim stop, not a coastal hiking trip.

The swim stop and what to bring

After cruising, the catamaran drops anchor in an attractive cove for swimming. You can enter the water using stairs, and some boats also allow access from the front or side. Depending on the boat and conditions, there may be a slide or places to jump in.

The stop can last around an hour and a half on some departures, giving you enough time to swim without feeling rushed. You can also stay aboard and sunbathe. That flexibility is useful for families and mixed groups, since not everyone wants to spend the whole break in the water.

The water may be clear enough to see fish, and one family found that bringing snorkeling gear made the stop even better. A snorkel is not listed as an included item, so bring your own if you have one. You should also pack a towel and swimwear, since the boat returns to port with wet passengers and wet decks.

Sun protection is important. The nets are fully exposed to the sun, while the center of the catamaran offers shade. Bring a sun hat and biodegradable sunscreen, and do not assume you will want to stay in the sun for the entire cruise.

Some swimmers may notice jellyfish. A report from one outing described non-stinging jellyfish, but you should still pay attention to crew advice and local conditions. Families with children who are not strong swimmers may prefer to bring their own buoyancy aids, since they are not listed among the included equipment.

One practical point deserves more attention: a past passenger was surprised by the lack of a formal safety briefing and did not notice life jackets. That does not prove every departure handles safety the same way, but I would ask the crew where the safety equipment is before swimming, especially if you have children with you.

Lunch on the open water

The included lunch is one reason the $65 price feels fair. The standard meal includes vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, and fruit, along with one drink. You can choose sangria, a soft drink, or water.

This is a proper midday meal rather than a packet of crisps. The portions have been described as generous, with enough food for some people to take an extra piece of meat. The crew organizes the serving so that lunch does not take over the entire day.

The meal is served aboard, usually around the swim stop or after it. You eat at tables in the central area, which also gives you a shaded place to sit. The food may be especially welcome after swimming in the sea.

You should keep the menu flexible in your mind. One departure changed from BBQ to paella, and another meal was described as limited. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to tell the local provider when booking. Do not wait until you are already on the boat.

Only one drink is included. Extra drinks, crisps, and other purchases are available onboard, but they cost more. If you want to keep spending under control, take advantage of the included water or soft drink and budget separately for anything else.

Seating, sun, and the optional net upgrade

The catamaran has several kinds of space, and your choice affects the day. The front nets are the classic spot for feeling the motion of the boat and taking in unobstructed views. They are also the most exposed to direct sun.

On at least one Jávea departure, the front net seats were reserved for people with wristbands who had paid extra. If those seats matter to you, check the option details before booking rather than assuming every passenger can use them.

The central area is more practical for lunch and shade. It has tables and seats, and it gives you an escape from the heat. For many people, that may be more useful than spending the entire trip on the nets.

A large boat can feel comfortable because there is room to spread out, but it can also become crowded. An older departure was described as packed, while newer accounts praised the amount of space. Group size may vary by day and boat, so expect a shared excursion rather than an intimate sailing trip.

Smoking can also affect comfort. Although a no-smoking sign was noted on one boat, several people were still smoking during the cruise. If you are sensitive to smoke, ask the crew about designated areas as soon as you board.

The crew, music, and mood onboard

The crew speaks Spanish and English, which makes basic instructions and meal arrangements easier for international visitors. The staff have been praised for being friendly, organized, and willing to update passengers when weather or sea conditions force a change.

That flexibility is important on the Mediterranean. The captain may need to change the cove, route, or boat type. You get a better experience if you treat the advertised plan as a guide rather than a promise that every detail will happen exactly as printed.

Music shapes the mood. The soundtrack can make the return trip feel festive, with some departures turning into dancing on deck. The music selection has not pleased everyone, so this is another reason to choose the outing for its sea time and scenery first, not as a guaranteed party.

The strongest praise has gone to the crew’s attitude, the organization of lunch, the cleanliness of the boat, and the overall sense of fun. Those details matter because a boat trip has few places to escape if the operation is disorganized. Here, the practical parts generally appear to run smoothly, even when the route changes.

Is $65 good value?

At $65 per person, you are paying for several hours on the water, a catamaran cruise, a swim stop, lunch, and one drink. You also get access to the coastal views without paying separately for transport to a beach, a restaurant meal, or a boat rental.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole package. Swim, eat onboard, spend time on deck, and enjoy the return ride. If you only want a short scenic cruise and do not care about swimming or lunch, a simpler harbor trip may be a better match.

Extra costs can affect the final price. Net seating may require an additional payment, and drinks beyond the included one are sold onboard. Since hotel transportation is not included, add your own port transfer costs when comparing this with other Costa Blanca excursions.

For a family or group, the included food can make the price easier to justify. You do not need to find a restaurant during the middle of the day, and the meal covers both meat and a vegetarian salad. Just arrange the vegetarian option in advance.

The rating of 4.2 from 288 reviews suggests a solid, generally well-liked experience rather than a flawless one. The common weak points are clear: the route and boat may change, the boat can feel crowded, and the meal may not always match the BBQ description.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would choose this outing if you want a simple day on the sea with scenery, swimming, and lunch in one booking. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who like a shared social atmosphere and do not need a private boat.

It is especially good for people who want to swim away from busy beaches but still have a stable platform, shade, tables, and a meal nearby. Children may enjoy the stairs, slide, fish, and jumping points, though parents should bring suitable buoyancy aids if needed and ask about safety equipment before the swim.

You may want another activity if you use a wheelchair or have significant mobility limitations. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the boat’s ladders, wet surfaces, and water access require a reasonable level of movement.

You should also think twice if your main goal is a quiet sailing lesson, a private cove visit, or a shore-based cave swim. This is a group cruise, and the route can change with weather. The sailing element may also be replaced by a motor-powered boat.

Final call: book it if you want a full half-day on the water

I would book this trip for the combination of a comfortable catamaran, attractive Dénia and Jávea coastline, a long swim stop, and a filling lunch. The crew and organization receive the most consistent praise, and the $65 price is reasonable when you use the full package.

Go in with three clear expectations: you swim near the boat, not at a beach; the exact route and meal can change; and the atmosphere includes music and other passengers. Bring a hat, towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and snorkel gear, then confirm the departure port, seating option, and vegetarian meal when you book.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The main departure is from the port in Dénia, but some options leave from Jávea. Your exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

How long does the excursion last?

The available options last about 3.5 to 5 hours. Check the selected departure for its exact start time and duration.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, and fruit. One drink is included, with a choice of sangria, a soft drink, or water.

Is a vegetarian meal available?

Yes. A vegetarian lunch option is available, but you should tell the local provider when booking.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a cove for swimming. You can enter using the stairs, and some boats also provide other entry points such as side access, a front jump point, or a slide.

Are drinks included?

One drink is included. Additional drinks can be purchased onboard.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.