Lloret de Mar: Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

The best part of this Costa Brava catamaran cruise is the long stop in a quiet inlet. After sailing past cliffs, caves, fishing villages, and small beaches, you get about two hours to swim from the boat, use the floating mattress, try the trampoline, and watch lunch come together.

I like the mix of real time in the water and an easy onboard meal. I also like the choice of departures: mornings suit families, afternoons bring a younger adult crowd, and Saturday celebration trips are made for groups. The main thing to consider is the size and mood of the boat. This is a social party cruise, not a quiet sailing lesson, and some sailings carry close to 100 people.

Key things to know before you book

• The swim stop lasts about two hours: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, the trampoline, and the floating mattress rather than a quick dip.
• The morning departure is the family option: Evening trips are for adults over 18, while Saturday celebration departures are also adults-only.
• The food is a self-service BBQ: Expect beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and fruit cocktail.
• Drinks are part of the package: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are offered, though some departures may use drink vouchers.
• The boat is large and social: Reports describe enough room even with about 94 people onboard, but this is not an intimate sailing trip.
• Bring your own snorkel: Masks are available with a refundable cash deposit, but the provided equipment may not include snorkels.

A beachside start in Lloret de Mar

You meet at Passeig Agustí Font, 2, on the Lloret de Mar promenade near the town hall. The catamaran boards directly from the beach, so wear sandals or flip-flops that can handle sand and bring your QR code on your phone for the boarding pass.

The lack of hotel transfer is worth noting. You need to make your own way to the promenade, but the central meeting point should be straightforward if you are already staying in Lloret. Arrive with enough time to check in and board without a last-minute rush. One useful point from the experience is that the boat has plenty of room, even when the boarding line looks long. You do not need to fight for a place.

The catamaran includes a covered section, a sun deck, toilets, safety vests, and a broad net at the front. The net is the signature spot while sailing. You can lie above the water, feel the spray, and watch the sea pass below. It is a fine place for photos, though the sun is strong and shade is limited in the most popular areas.

This is a shared boat with music, drinks, and a social atmosphere. The crew helps set the tone, and the experience can become quite lively on the return journey. If you want calm sailing with only the sound of the sea, choose another kind of boat trip. If you like meeting people, music, and a little dancing, the format works well.

The first hour: cliffs, coves, and Costa Brava views

The opening stretch takes you along the Costa Brava for roughly an hour. The scenery is the main event here: steep rocky cliffs, caves, secluded beaches, fishing villages, and clear Mediterranean water.

You see the coast from a useful angle that you cannot get from the road. Small coves that look difficult to reach by land become part of the view, and the catamaran gives you time to sit back with a drink rather than scramble between beach stops. The route can include the direction of Tossa de Mar, with the boat anchoring somewhere along the coast, although the exact route depends on conditions.

The sailing itself is more about the setting than about learning how to sail. A captain and crew operate the boat, but this is not presented as a hands-on sailing course. You are there to enjoy the sun, music, and coastline from the water.

Choose your place carefully. The front net gives you the strongest sense of movement and the best low-angle views, but it is exposed to sun and spray. The covered area is better if you need a break from the heat. A small amount of planning helps here: apply sunscreen before boarding, wear a hat that will not blow away, and keep your phone protected from water.

The sea can also make the boat move. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit somewhere with a clear view of the horizon and avoid drinking too much before you know how the water feels. The trip is subject to weather, rough seas, heavy rain, mechanical problems, or too few participants, so the operator can cancel when conditions are poor.

Two hours at anchor for swimming and water play

The anchor stop is what gives this cruise value. Rather than stopping for a rushed swim, the boat remains in one quiet spot for around two hours. You can jump into the Mediterranean from the boat, swim in a small inlet, float on the water, or use the onboard trampoline.

The water is described as clear enough for swimming and seeing fish, making this the best time to bring a mask and snorkel. Masks are available for a refundable cash deposit of 10 euros. The supplied equipment may be limited, so I would bring your own snorkel if you care about looking beneath the surface.

You need to follow the crew’s safety instructions. Jumping is listed as prohibited, which means you should use the approved access points and follow directions rather than leap from an unsafe part of the boat. Safety vests are included, and the crew keeps an eye on the swimming area. Parents should still stay close to children, especially around the trampoline and boat ladder.

The swimming stop is also when the BBQ is prepared. The stated timing puts the meal around an hour and a half after departure, once the boat has anchored. That arrangement works well because you can swim first, then eat, or take turns with your group while the food is being set out.

The drawback is that this is a shared swimming stop. You are not visiting a private beach or choosing your own cove. Other people will be in the water and using the floating equipment, and the most popular parts of the boat can fill quickly. Still, the long pause gives you enough time to find your own rhythm.

What arrives on the BBQ buffet

The meal is self-service, with no alternate menu. The food listed includes beef hamburgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and sweet fruit cocktail. Bread is also mentioned in the experience feedback. It is a practical buffet rather than a destination meal, but it gives you a proper lunch during a half-day on the water.

The food is described as gluten-free in the tour details, though you should confirm any allergy requirements before booking because there is no optional menu. The meal is served after the boat anchors, not immediately after leaving Lloret.

I would rate the food as useful and adequate for the setting, with the BBQ and chicken likely to be the most satisfying choices. Some people may find it simple, especially if they are expecting restaurant-quality cooking. That is the fair trade-off for a meal served aboard a busy catamaran while the crew is also handling drinks, swimming access, and safety.

The buffet setup keeps things moving. You do not lose a large part of the swimming stop waiting for table service, and there should be enough food for the group. If you have strict dietary needs, bring the question to the operator before you go, not when the plates are already being served.

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and the return-party mood

Drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. The main package description presents drinks as included, while some experience details refer to five drink vouchers, with additional drinks available for 2 euros and water free. Because the arrangement may vary by departure, check the exact drink allowance when booking.

Do not bring your own food or alcohol. Glass objects, coolers, drugs, and arriving intoxicated are not allowed. If you arrive drunk, you can be refused boarding without a refund.

The mood changes on the way back to Lloret. Music is turned up, the crew encourages dancing, and the boat becomes more of a floating party than a sightseeing platform. Some trips feature a DJ, especially the Saturday celebration departure. The atmosphere is aimed at young adults on afternoon and evening trips, though the morning cruise can work well for families.

The crew gets much of the credit for making the experience run smoothly. Julio is named in connection with the energetic party atmosphere, and Silvester is also praised for being friendly. You should expect an outgoing presentation style, music, and encouragement to join in rather than a quiet crew who stays in the background.

The return party is a plus if you enjoy it, but it can be a drawback if you want a peaceful final hour. Select the morning option for a gentler family mood. Choose the afternoon or Saturday celebration sailing if dancing and a louder social scene are part of your plan.

How much value do you get for $59?

At $59 per person, the price covers four hours on the catamaran, the captain and crew, the coastal cruise, the swimming stop, the BBQ meal, listed drinks, music, floating equipment, and safety facilities. You are paying for several separate activities in one outing rather than only transport along the coast.

The strongest value comes from the length of the anchor stop. A short boat ride with one quick swim would be less convincing at this price, but two hours in the water gives you time to swim, snorkel, relax, and eat without watching the clock every few minutes.

The price also makes sense for a group. You do not need to organize a separate meal, find a beach with room for everyone, or arrange water equipment. The shared format means you trade privacy for a broad selection of activities and a social atmosphere.

There are extra costs to remember. Transport to the promenade is not included, nor is a towel. Bring cash for the 10 euro refundable mask deposit, and possibly for extra drinks if your sailing uses the voucher system. The tour does not include a private guide for each group or premium dining, so compare it with your expectations before booking.

Which departure fits your group?

The morning cruise is the clearest choice for families with children under 18. It is designed as the family-friendly option, and the music and swimming still give younger passengers plenty to enjoy. A practical tip: children’s life jackets may not be immediately available if everyone rushes into the water, so ask for one early.

The afternoon cruise is for passengers over 18 and has a younger, livelier mood. It suits couples, adult friends, and groups that want swimming followed by dancing and music on the return.

The Saturday celebration cruise is also adults-only and adds a stronger party focus, with a DJ, BBQ, and five drinks listed in the option. Bachelor groups need to read the restrictions carefully. Groups wearing costumes or carrying sexual objects are not accepted, and bachelor groups are not accepted on the family departure.

The boat can suit older adults too, provided you like the social setting and can manage the beach boarding and swimming access. The catamaran has space, a covered area, toilets, and safety equipment, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What to pack for a better day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, sandals or flip-flops, and a phone with your QR code. A waterproof phone pouch is a sensible addition, though it is not listed as included.

Pack cash for the refundable mask deposit and any extra drinks. Bring your own snorkel if you want to spend time looking at fish, since the included mask arrangement may not provide a full snorkel set.

Do not bring outside food, drinks, alcohol, glass, or a cooler. Costumes are not allowed, and pets cannot come aboard. Comfortable beachwear is the right choice. There is no reason to dress formally for this outing.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows reserve-now, pay-later booking. If you miss the boat by arriving late or do not show up, you do not receive a refund. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, but remember that the operator makes the final call when sea conditions are unsafe.

Should you book the Lloret catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a lively half-day that combines coastal scenery, a long swim stop, a casual BBQ, and included drinks. It is particularly good for adult friend groups, couples who enjoy social activities, families who choose the morning sailing, and anyone who wants more than a standard sightseeing cruise.

Skip it if you want a small, quiet sail, a private cove, a refined meal, or a flexible drinks menu. The food is simple, the boat can be busy, and the afternoon and Saturday departures are deliberately festive.

For most visitors staying in Lloret de Mar, $59 is a fair price for four hours of swimming, food, music, and Costa Brava views. I would choose the morning trip with children, the afternoon sailing for an adult group, and the Saturday celebration only if the party atmosphere is the main reason you are going.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

It departs from Passeig Agustí Font, 2, on the Lloret de Mar promenade near the town hall.

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts four hours. About one hour is spent sailing along the coast, followed by roughly two hours at anchor and the return journey.

What food is served onboard?

The self-service BBQ includes beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and sweet fruit cocktail. The food is prepared after the boat anchors.

Are drinks included?

The experience includes beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. Some departure details refer to five drink vouchers and paid additional drinks, so confirm the exact arrangement for your chosen sailing.

Can children join the cruise?

Children can join the morning departure, which is intended for families. Evening departures and Saturday celebration departures are for adults over 18.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks are available with a refundable 10 euro cash deposit. You should bring your own snorkel if you want to snorkel, as a full snorkel set is not clearly included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sandals or flip-flops, sunscreen, beachwear, and cash. A towel is not provided.

Is the boat accessible for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.