Cambrils: Catamaran Cruise with Drinks and BBQ Lunch Option

Three hours, one bed, and blue water. This Cambrils catamaran cruise is a simple, sociable way to spend part of a Costa Daurada holiday, with a reserved Balinese bed, drinks, snacks, music, and a swimming stop built into the price. I especially like the generous drink selection, which includes cava, wine, beer, vermouth, soft drinks, and Aperol, and the fact that you are not left fighting for deck space.

The other strong point is the easy pace. You cruise for roughly 45 minutes to an hour, anchor between Cap Salou and La Pineda or head south toward Mont-roig, then have time to swim and use the snorkeling gear. The main drawback is that the boat may not sail under wind power, so you could spend the trip using the engine. Swimming can also be cancelled when currents or storms make the sea unsafe.

Key points at a glance

• Your own Balinese bed: Collect your assigned bed number at the ticket desk before boarding, with some beds partly shaded.
• A generous drinks menu: Cava, wine, beer, vermouth, Aperol, and soft drinks are included.
• One main swim stop: The catamaran usually anchors after about 45 minutes to an hour of cruising.
• BBQ lunch option: Food can include sausages and chicken kebabs, with halal choices available.
• Good access to the water: Steps are lowered for swimming, and life jackets are available.
• Three hours for $35: The price is strong value if you plan to eat, drink, sunbathe, and swim.

What this Cambrils cruise is really like

This is a relaxed coastal outing rather than a sightseeing cruise packed with landmarks. You leave from Cambrils, settle into your assigned place, and spend the first part watching the Catalan coast slide past from the water.

The catamaran has a wide deck, Balinese beds, beanbags toward the front, and space to sit in the sun or find some shade. Music creates a holiday mood, so this is not the right choice if you want a quiet sailing lesson or a formal nature trip. It feels more like a floating beach club, but with a real swim stop and a better view than you get from the promenade.

The cruise lasts about two to three hours, with the main sailing and sightseeing portion listed as three hours. Check the exact departure time when booking, since start times vary. The experience is also offered in Spanish, English, Catalan, French, German, and Dutch, and a small-group option may be available.

The activity has a current rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 935 reviews, which fits the strongest parts of the experience: friendly staff, included drinks, private seating, and a pleasant stop for swimming.

Finding the boat in Cambrils

The departure points are along the Cambrils promenade, including Passeig de les Palmeres and Passeig de Miramar. Your exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so do not rely on a general map pin alone. Check the confirmation carefully before setting off.

Before boarding, go to the sales point directly in front of the catamaran. This is where you collect the number of your assigned Balinese bed. That step matters because the bed is not simply an unclaimed sun lounger. It is allocated to you, giving you a dependable place to return to during the trip.

If you are coming from Salou in July or August, leave extra time. Taxi availability can be poor, and the activity information advises arranging a taxi well ahead of departure, around two hours before sailing. Public transport from Salou to Cambrils runs about every 20 minutes and leaves you roughly 300 meters from the boarding point. For a summer trip, I would favor the bus over a last-minute taxi gamble.

Bring a towel. You will need it after the swim, and the activity does not list one among the included items.

The first hour: Cambrils to the swimming area

Once aboard, the catamaran travels along the Catalonia coast for approximately 45 minutes to one hour. The first section gives you time to settle in, enjoy a drink, and find out how the deck works.

The route generally heads toward the water between Cap Salou and La Pineda. Depending on wind direction, it may instead continue south toward the Mont-roig area. That flexibility is practical because the crew can look for a suitable place to anchor, rather than forcing one fixed route in poor conditions.

The scenery is the main attraction during this section. You see the coast from offshore, with the water opening around the boat and the busy resort areas becoming less immediate. This is not a guided history tour, so expect general coastal views instead of a steady stream of facts about every headland.

One point is worth understanding before you book: the boat may not use its sails. A positive experience can still feel less romantic if the engine runs for the entire journey. If the image in your head is a silent sailboat cutting through the water, adjust it now. This is a motor-assisted catamaran cruise with the comfort and space of a large boat.

Cap Salou, La Pineda, and the swim stop

The most valuable part of the outing is the anchor stop. After the initial cruise, the catamaran pauses so you can swim in the clear water around Cap Salou or near the Mont-roig area.

The exact color of the sea depends on the day and location, but the description of intense blue water is not hard to understand once you are away from the shore. You can swim from the boat, look for marine life with the provided snorkeling gear, or stay on deck and enjoy the view.

Getting into the water is made easier by lowered steps. Life jackets are available for anyone who feels unsure, which makes the stop more approachable for mixed groups. You do not need to be an experienced swimmer to take part, but you should be comfortable with a boat-based swim setting.

The seabed around Cap Salou offers the chance to see marine life while snorkeling. Keep your expectations sensible. This is a short recreational stop, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition with a marine guide. You might see colorful fish and underwater features, but the main appeal is the combination of a swim, warm sun, and open water.

Weather controls this part of the day. During a local storm, the boat may continue but cancel swimming because of strong currents or unsafe sea conditions. That is disappointing if swimming is your main reason for booking, but it is the correct call. On rough days, the catamaran can still provide the food, drinks, and coastal ride.

You usually have plenty of time in the water before lunch, although the exact length can change with weather and sea conditions. Bring your towel, use the steps carefully, and do not leave your phone loose on the deck if you plan to swim.

Food, BBQ, and the drink selection

The included food makes this outing better value than a basic boat ride. Snacks and drinks are provided, and the BBQ option can include sausages and chicken kebabs. Halal sausages and halal chicken kebabs were available on one recent trip, which is a useful detail for anyone checking food choices in advance.

The food receives mixed but generally positive impressions. Some people consider it tasty and satisfying, while others find it merely acceptable. I would treat lunch as convenient boat food rather than a reason to compare the cruise with a restaurant in Cambrils.

The drinks are a stronger part of the package. You can have soft drinks, beer, vermouth, wine, cava, and Aperol. That is a better range than the usual choice between beer and sparkling wine, especially if you are planning a relaxed afternoon with friends.

Drinks are included throughout the experience, according to the activity details. Do not confuse this with an unlimited party cruise guarantee, though. The real value comes from having the food and main drinks covered in one $35 price, without needing to buy lunch before boarding.

Music is part of the atmosphere. Dance anthems play after the swim and before the return to Cambrils, so you should expect a cheerful holiday soundtrack rather than gentle background music. This suits groups, families with older children, and friends on a beach holiday. It may not suit you if you want a silent afternoon at sea.

Making the most of your Balinese bed

The assigned Balinese bed is one of the experience’s best features. Everyone receives a designated bed number, so you have a clear base for your towel, bag, and downtime.

Some beds are partly in the sun and partly shaded. One reported setup had beds that allowed people to choose between sun and shade, while beanbags at the front offered a fully sunny place to stretch out. Deck space also lets you move around during the cruise, depending on how busy the boat is.

This arrangement solves a common problem on shared boat trips: arriving late and discovering that every comfortable seat has disappeared. You still need to collect your number before boarding, but once that is done, you have a reserved place.

The bed is not a private cabin or enclosed daybed. You share the deck, the swimming area, and the atmosphere with the rest of the group. Think of it as your reserved sun lounger on a floating terrace.

Value at $35 per person

At $35 per person, this is strong value if you use the parts that are included. A basic coastal cruise, a reserved sun bed, food, several drink choices, snorkeling equipment, and a swim stop would each cost something if purchased separately.

The value is highest for people who plan to spend the full three hours aboard. If you do not drink alcohol, do not want the BBQ, and intend to stay dry, the price becomes less compelling. You are then paying mainly for the catamaran, the views, and the reserved deck space.

For a family, the cost can add up, so check the final price for your group before booking. For couples or groups of friends, the combination of lunch, drinks, and a bed makes it easier to budget for the afternoon.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. These terms matter in coastal Spain, where weather can change the quality of a boat trip quickly.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want a low-effort beach day with a little movement and a lot of sitting. You can see the coast, stop for a swim, eat lunch, and return to Cambrils without arranging several separate activities.

It works particularly well for:

• Couples who want an easy afternoon on the water
• Families who appreciate assigned seating and accessible steps
• Friends looking for music, drinks, and a social setting
• Visitors staying in Cambrils or nearby Salou
• Anyone who enjoys swimming but does not need a full snorkeling tour

It is less suitable if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not suitable if you have a cold. Anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking, since the boat spends much of the outing offshore and the information does not promise calm conditions.

The experience is also not ideal for someone seeking a quiet, sail-powered trip. Music, drinks, and a social deck are central to the mood.

Practical ways to improve your day

Arrive early enough to find the ticket desk in front of the boat and collect your bed number without rushing. If you are coming from Salou during peak summer, use the bus or arrange a taxi far ahead.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. Keep valuables secure and pack only what you need for a few hours on deck. If shade matters to you, ask about your bed location when collecting the number, though the exact arrangement depends on availability.

Take advantage of the swimming stop, even if you only use the steps for a short dip. The cruise is pleasant from the deck, but the water stop is what makes it more than a simple coastal sightseeing ride.

If the sea is rough or a storm is nearby, accept that swimming may be cancelled. The safest trip is not always the most complete one, and a cautious crew is a point in the activity’s favor.

Should you book the Cambrils catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want good value, an assigned place to relax, included food and drinks, and a chance to swim off the Catalan coast. The reserved Balinese bed and broad drink menu are the strongest reasons to choose it over a bare sightseeing boat.

Skip it if your priority is quiet sailing, a fully guided coastal tour, or guaranteed swimming in every kind of weather. For most holidaymakers staying around Cambrils or Salou, though, $35 buys an enjoyable three-hour break from the beach and hotel pool, with enough food, music, and sea time to feel like a proper outing.

FAQ

How long does the Cambrils catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two to three hours, with the main sailing and sightseeing portion listed as three hours.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

Departure points are in Cambrils along Passeig de les Palmeres and Passeig de Miramar. The exact meeting point depends on the option booked.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the catamaran cruise, food and drinks, and an assigned Balinese bed.

Is BBQ lunch included?

An onboard BBQ is available during the tour. Food can include sausages and chicken kebabs, including halal choices on some trips.

What drinks are available?

The included drinks can include soft drinks, beer, vermouth, wine, cava, and Aperol.

Can I swim from the catamaran?

Yes. The catamaran normally anchors between Cap Salou and La Pineda or near the Mont-roig area for swimming. Swimming may be cancelled if currents or weather make conditions unsafe.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is available for use during the swimming stop.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. You may also want swimwear and personal items suitable for a few hours on a boat.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also listed as unsuitable for people with a cold.