Alicante: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise to Tabarca Island

The best part is the journey. This six-hour catamaran trip links Alicante with Tabarca Island, giving you plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, a homemade paella lunch, and a short island visit. I especially like the unlimited soft drinks and water, plus the choice of chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella. I also like that you are not trapped on a strict island timetable, since a small boat carries passengers ashore during the three-hour stop. The main consideration is that the sea can get choppy, and very young children may find the long crossing tiring.

At $85 per person, this is more than a simple ferry ride, but you get a full day on the water, lunch, snorkeling gear, fruit, one alcoholic drink, and the return crossing. The catamaran has room to spread out, though the popular front nets fill quickly. Arrive early if lying above the waves is high on your list.

Six things to know before sailing

• Three hours at Tabarca: You have time for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and a look around the village.
• Paella is part of the price: Choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, served with mixed salad.
• Free drinks keep coming: Water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip.
• The snorkeling is unguided: Masks and fins are included, but tubes are not provided. You can buy one onboard for €5.
• The catamaran has a social holiday feel: Expect music, sunbathing, a bar, and a friendly crew rather than a quiet sailing lesson.
• The crossing takes three hours total: The trip runs about 1.5 hours each way, so bring sun protection and plan for open-sea time.

Leaving Alicante Port for the White Coast

You meet the Adventurer Catamaran Alicante beside the Noray bar, in front of Mundo de los Niños. Get there at least 15 minutes early. There is a short presentation before departure, and punctuality matters because the boat is carrying a full group.

Once underway, the city slips behind you and the Costa Blanca opens out. The 1.5-hour crossing is not just transport to Tabarca. It is a major part of the outing, with wide sea views, music, sunbathing areas, and the chance to sit at the bow or along the sides of the boat.

The catamaran is spacious and has an onboard restroom. The two hulls also make it feel less cramped than a standard ferry, though the best lounging positions go quickly. The nets at the front are the prized seats. They let you lie close to the water, but space and capacity are limited, so you may need to move fast after boarding.

The crew serves welcome fruit, and non-alcoholic drinks are available throughout the trip. Your included drink can be beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Additional food and alcoholic drinks cost extra, but the bar prices have been described as reasonable.

If you are prone to seasickness, take the crossing seriously. One sailing can be calm and another can be rough, especially with wind. The crew has sailor-lifeguards present for the water activities, and seasickness medication may be available onboard, but it is still smart to bring anything you normally use.

Three hours between the boat and Tabarca

The Tabarca stop is flexible rather than tightly scripted. You can stay on the catamaran for the swimming area, use the masks and fins, and then take the small shuttle boat ashore. The shuttle makes repeated journeys, so you can split your time between the sea and the island.

That freedom is one of the strongest features of the trip. You are not forced to choose between Tabarca village and swimming. Start with the island, eat lunch, then return to the catamaran. Or swim first while the water is calling, then go ashore later.

Tabarca is Spain’s first marine reserve. The clear water around the boat is the main attraction for swimmers and snorkelers, with the chance to look below the surface without joining a formal guided excursion. The activity is free, but it is unguided. Sailor-lifeguards are present, which adds reassurance, yet you remain responsible for judging your own swimming ability.

The snorkeling equipment includes masks and fins. Tubes are not included for hygiene reasons, although you can buy one for €5. Bring water shoes if you have them, since they are specifically recommended and useful around rocky or uneven seaside areas.

You can also jump from the boat into the sea, an activity that has become a favorite part of the outing for many adults and teenagers. The crew supervises the swimming area, but this is not a gentle, shallow-water beach session. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay within your comfort zone and use the available equipment.

Paella lunch with a choice of three versions

Lunch is a genuine strength of this cruise. The meal includes homemade paella, mixed salad, and a drink. You can choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, which makes the outing easier for mixed groups and vegetarians.

The food is prepared during the crossing and served during the Tabarca stop. Several people have singled out the paella as one of the best parts of their day in Alicante, and that matters because a six-hour boat trip creates a real appetite. The meal is not an afterthought added to a sightseeing ticket.

One practical tip: listen for the lunch timing. The crew may need to tidy the serving area before the catamaran sails again, and one group nearly arrived too late after spending time on the island. If you want a relaxed meal, eat when it is served rather than waiting until the last moment.

Fresh fruit and salad help round out the meal. The included drinks are also useful in the sun, especially since water, juices, and soft drinks are available without an additional charge. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, since the sea reflects plenty of light and shade may be limited.

Exploring Tabarca village at your own pace

Tabarca is a small island, so the visit is more about atmosphere and views than checking off a long list of sights. You can walk through the village, look out across the water, and enjoy a change of scene from the catamaran.

The island stop lasts about three hours, but that time includes lunch and swimming. If your priority is exploring every corner of Tabarca, you may find the schedule short. If you want a pleasant taste of the island combined with a proper swim, the timing works well.

The flexible shuttle boat is important. You do not have to remain ashore until a fixed departure time, and you do not have to give up the island completely to enjoy the water. This arrangement suits couples and families with different ideas about the perfect afternoon.

The trade-off is that you are not getting a guided historical tour of Tabarca. The crew does not provide a detailed commentary on the island or the coast. If local history and interpretation are your main goals, you may want to read about Tabarca before boarding or plan a separate visit by ferry.

The return sail past Carabassi Beach and Santa Pola

The journey back to Alicante takes another 1.5 hours. Depending on conditions, the crew may raise the main sail, giving the return a calmer, more classic sailing feel. It is a good time to settle into a seat, listen to the music, and watch the coast from offshore.

You may see Carabassi Beach, known for its white sand, and Cape Santa Pola with its lighthouse. These views are best appreciated from the water, where the coast takes on a different shape than it does from a road or beach.

One improvement would be more commentary about these sights. The experience provides scenery, but not a detailed narration of coastal landmarks or Tabarca’s history. That is not a serious flaw if you want a relaxed day, though it matters if you prefer a tour packed with facts.

The return ride can also be a welcome quiet stretch after swimming and lunch. The boat has music and a holiday mood, so do not expect a silent sailing trip. Still, the open deck gives you room to find a slower corner and enjoy the final views.

What the $85 price really covers

At $85, this is good value if you plan to use the full package. A basic boat transfer would not give you the same combination of sailing time, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, swimming access, fruit, and time on Tabarca.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, and water activities. One included alcoholic drink is a small extra, while unlimited water, juice, and soft drinks are more useful during a long day in the sun.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to visit Tabarca and spend hours walking around. A ferry-style journey may suit you better if the catamaran’s music, swimming stop, and onboard meal are not important.

The experience has a 4.7 rating from 879 bookings, and the most consistent praise focuses on the crew, food, organization, space, and friendly atmosphere. Those elements make the price easier to justify. The boat is not simply a way to reach the island. It is the main event.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most

I would recommend this trip to couples, groups of friends, older children, teenagers, and anyone who wants a full day by the sea without planning every detail. It is especially good for groups with mixed interests because one person can snorkel while another visits the village.

Vegetarians should find the included meal straightforward, since a vegetarian paella is available. The multilingual host or greeter may speak Spanish, French, German, or English, and the crew has been praised for making international groups feel welcome.

Families should think carefully about the six-hour length and open-water conditions. Small children can enjoy the boat, but the long crossing, sun, waves, and swimming setup may be demanding. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and water shoes. Leave high heels, jewelry, coolers, large bags, food, and personal drinks at home. Valuables are best left behind because the operator does not accept responsibility for loss, theft, or breakage.

Small details that make the day easier

The front nets are popular, but they are not guaranteed. If you want that spot, arrive early and accept that there are person limits.

Bring a light cover-up if you do not want to remain in wet swimwear after the water stop. You should also keep your belongings compact, since large bags and luggage are not allowed.

The snorkeling is free and equipment is supplied, but there is no guide. You get the freedom to swim independently, not a lesson in marine life. Sailor-lifeguards are on hand, which is helpful, but you should still be comfortable in open water.

The minimum number for the cruise is 15 people. If that number is not reached, the operator may reschedule the trip or offer a refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Should you book the Tabarca catamaran?

Book it if you want the crossing to be part of your Alicante holiday, not just a way to reach an island. The combination of open-sea views, paella, free drinks, snorkeling, swimming, and flexible time ashore makes this a strong full-day outing at $85.

Think twice if you dislike boat motion, need a quiet guided tour, use a wheelchair, or mainly want a long historical visit to Tabarca. For everyone else, especially couples, groups, and active families with older children, this is one of the more complete ways to see the island. Arrive early, claim a good seat, pack for sun and water, and let the crew handle the timetable.

FAQ

How long is the Alicante to Tabarca catamaran trip?

The full experience lasts six hours. The sailing takes about 1.5 hours each way, with roughly three hours at Tabarca Island for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and free time.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The meeting point is the Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, beside the Noray bar and in front of Mundo de los Niños at Alicante Port.

What food is included?

The lunch includes homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, along with mixed salad. Welcome fruit is also included.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. You receive one beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Water, soft drinks, and juice are available without limit during the experience.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks and fins are provided for the free, unguided snorkeling activity. Snorkel tubes are not included, but you can buy one onboard for €5.

Can I visit Tabarca village during the stop?

Yes. A small boat carries passengers between the catamaran and the island, allowing you to visit the village and return to the boat during the three-hour stop.

Is the experience suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Unaccompanied minors are also not allowed.