Denia: Cova Tallada Catamaran Tour and Swimming Stop

The best view of Cova Tallada comes from offshore. I like the easy two-hour cruise from Denia and the fine coastal views toward Las Rotas and Jávea. I also like that the price includes one drink and a swimming stop, though the swim may happen beside the harbor rather than at a scenic cove.

This is a simple, good-value boat outing rather than a cave-access tour. You will see Cova Tallada from the catamaran, not enter it, and the exact swimming place depends on the captain, weather, and sea conditions. That matters, especially if swimming in a beautiful natural setting is your main reason for booking.

Key points to know before boarding

• Cova Tallada is viewed from the sea: The catamaran gets as close as permitted, but you cannot reach the cave from the boat.
• The route follows the Natural Marine Reserve: You sail along the coast from Denia toward Las Rotas and Jávea, passing beaches and cliffs.
• The swim stop is not fixed: The captain chooses the anchoring point, and it may be near the marina rather than near the cave.
• The fare includes one drink: Choose water, a soft drink, or wine. Additional drinks cost extra.
• The tour lasts two hours: That gives you a short coastal cruise, time near Cova Tallada, a swim, and the return to Denia.
• Spanish is the listed language: The host or greeter and onboard information are provided in Spanish.

What this Denia catamaran trip really offers

This trip is best understood as a scenic coastal cruise with a swim, not as a full Cova Tallada excursion. You board a motor catamaran in Denia’s harbor, head along the coast, pause near the famous cave, and later stop somewhere suitable for swimming.

That distinction prevents the most common disappointment. Cova Tallada is inside a Natural Marine Reserve. The boat cannot access the cave itself, so you will see it from as close as regulations and conditions allow. If you want to walk into the cave, this is not the right activity.

At about $21 per person, the outing offers a fair amount for a short trip. You get the boat ride, the coastal scenery, one included drink, and time in the water. The value is strongest if you want an uncomplicated way to see the coast without arranging a private boat or a longer excursion.

The weak point is the swimming stop. It is described as a refreshing sea break, but there is no guaranteed cove or exact anchorage. Some recent departures have stopped very close to the harbor after passing more attractive spots along the coast. If you picture a swim beneath dramatic cliffs, keep your expectations flexible.

Meeting the catamaran at Denia harbor

The meeting point is the Boramar ticket office. Give yourself enough time to locate the office before departure, since the harbor area can have several boat operators and ticket counters.

The experience begins aboard a motor catamaran. A specific ship is not guaranteed, so do not book this expecting a particular boat design, seating plan, or deck arrangement. The core experience is the route and the time on the water, not a named vessel.

The listed host language is Spanish. That may be perfectly comfortable for you, especially on a straightforward cruise, but it is worth noting if you need detailed commentary in another language. This is not presented as a multilingual guided history tour.

Food and personal drinks are not allowed onboard. The operator provides one drink, which can be water, a soft drink, or wine. You can buy extra drinks if available, but they are not part of the basic fare. Plan around that rule rather than arriving with a picnic or a bottle for the ride.

Sailing from Denia toward Las Rotas

Once underway, the catamaran follows the coast toward Las Rotas and then in the direction of Jávea. This is the main sightseeing portion, and it gives you a different view of the Valencian coast than you get from a beach or road.

You will see beaches, rocky cliffs, and the waters of the Natural Marine Reserve. The pleasure here is not a long list of formal stops. It is the changing coastal view as the boat moves along, with music playing and a drink in hand.

The catamaran format makes this easygoing. You can relax onboard rather than manage a route, read a map, or search for access points along the shore. The two-hour length also keeps the outing manageable for families and for anyone who wants a short break from town sightseeing.

I especially like this part for people who want scenery without committing a full day. You get a taste of the coast, but you are not locked into a lengthy sailing program. The tradeoff is that the time passes quickly. The route is scenic, but it does not allow for extended exploration of each beach or cliff.

Seeing Cova Tallada from the water

Cova Tallada is the focal point of the cruise. The boat approaches as closely as allowed, giving you a sea-level view of the cave and the surrounding rocky shore.

That offshore perspective is valuable because it lets you appreciate the cave’s setting without dealing with a land approach. You can look back toward the cliffs, watch the water meet the rock, and understand why this place is a popular coastal sight.

Still, you should be clear about what you are not getting. The catamaran does not land at Cova Tallada, and you cannot swim directly into the cave as part of this tour. The cave sits within a protected Natural Marine Reserve, so access from the boat is restricted.

The approach may also be brief. The captain’s job is to bring the boat close enough for a good view while respecting the reserve and sea conditions. If you want time for detailed photography, seating on the outer deck, if available, may be useful, but no particular seating arrangement is promised.

For many people, that will be enough. You get to see the cave without arranging a separate hike or shore visit. For others, especially those who want to enter Cova Tallada, the visit will feel incomplete. Know which type of experience you want before paying.

The swimming stop depends on the captain

After the cave visit, the captain looks for a suitable place to stop for a swim. You can get into the sea, cool off, and spend a little time in the water before returning to Denia.

The key phrase is suitable place. The anchoring point is at the captain’s discretion, and a particular swimming location is not guaranteed. Weather, waves, traffic, and safety conditions can all affect the decision. Sailing itself depends on the weather as well.

This flexibility makes sense from a safety point of view, but it affects the experience. You may stop in a pleasant coastal area, or you may end up close to the marina. Several recent departures have had the swim beside the harbor, even after passing more appealing places farther along the coast. That is the clearest drawback in the available feedback.

If your priority is simply getting into the sea, the stop does the job. If your priority is swimming beneath cliffs or near Cova Tallada, this trip may disappoint. The boat does not promise either location.

The swim is also not the same as a beach visit. You will be stepping from the catamaran into the sea, not walking onto sand. The description does not specify how long the stop lasts, so treat it as one part of a two-hour outing rather than the central event.

Music, drinks, and the pace onboard

The onboard mood is relaxed. Music plays during the cruise, and your included drink gives you something to enjoy while looking out at the coast.

The drink choice is practical: water, a soft drink, or wine. That small inclusion improves the value of a $21 fare, although it should not be mistaken for a meal or open bar. Extra drinks are not included, and you cannot bring your own food or beverages.

I would choose this trip for its easy pace. You do not need to prepare a packed lunch, organize equipment, or plan several coastal stops. You simply show up at the Boramar office, board, and let the crew handle the route.

Families may find the two-hour length helpful. One recent booking included two small children, and the parent described the trip as pleasant and engaging. That does not guarantee every child will enjoy the ride, but the short format is less demanding than a full-day boat tour.

The Spanish-only hosting is worth keeping in mind. If you mainly want views, music, and a swim, language may not matter much. If you want detailed explanations about the reserve or the cave, the language limitation may be more noticeable.

Is $21 a good price for two hours?

At $21, this is a modestly priced introduction to Denia’s coast. The fare covers the catamaran ride, the route toward Cova Tallada, the swimming stop, and one drink. For a short outing, that is reasonable.

The value depends on how you rank the individual parts. If the coastal cruise is your main goal, the price is attractive. You are paying for a simple boat ride with views that would be difficult to reproduce from the harbor alone.

If Cova Tallada access is your main goal, the value is weaker because you only see it from offshore. If a scenic swim is essential, the value also depends on the day’s anchoring choice. A stop beside the marina can make the experience feel less special, even though the boat ride itself remains enjoyable.

You also need to remember that the fare does not include extra drinks. Food and personal drinks are prohibited onboard, so budget accordingly. The trip is inexpensive enough that these limits are not unreasonable, but they are useful to know in advance.

The free cancellation policy gives you some protection if plans change. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those policies are useful when the weather forecast is uncertain.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a short, low-cost look at Denia’s coast. It fits well between other plans, and the two-hour format avoids taking over your day.

It also suits you if you like seeing a famous coastal feature without committing to a land route. The approach to Cova Tallada gives you a clear sense of the cave and its cliffs, even though you cannot enter.

Families with young children may appreciate the limited duration. A boat ride, music, a drink, and a swim offer enough variety to keep the outing moving. The experience is also suitable for people who prefer a relaxed cruise over a strenuous coastal activity.

I would be more cautious if you want any of the following:

• Entry into Cova Tallada
• A guaranteed swim near the cave
• A guaranteed scenic anchorage
• Commentary in a language other than Spanish
• A particular catamaran
• A long swimming session

In those cases, the fixed parts of the program may not match what you have in mind. The boat goes near the cave, but the captain controls the route and swim point.

Weather, timing, and practical expectations

Weather is not a minor detail here. Sailing depends on conditions, and the captain also chooses the swimming area based on what is suitable that day. A clear forecast can improve the views, but it still cannot guarantee a particular anchorage.

Check the available departure times when booking because the exact starting time is not listed here. The full activity lasts two hours, including the outward cruise, the cave viewing, the swim, and the return to the harbor.

Bring only what is allowed onboard. Food and drinks from outside are prohibited, while the operator provides one drink. Since no detailed equipment list is provided, you should not assume that special swimming gear, towels, or other extras are included.

The boat is not guaranteed to be a specific ship. Focus on the route and general catamaran experience rather than expecting a named vessel or exact layout.

Final verdict: book it for the coast, not the cave swim

Book this Denia catamaran tour if you want an affordable two-hour coastal cruise, a sea view of Cova Tallada, one included drink, and a chance to swim if conditions allow. The coastal route toward Las Rotas and Jávea is the strongest part, and the short format works well for families and tight schedules.

Skip it if you need to enter the cave or want a guaranteed swim in a dramatic spot. The most important practical warning is simple: the swimming stop may be near the harbor, not at the scenic place you imagined.

At around $21, I see this as a pleasant, uncomplicated boat outing with fair value and one real uncertainty. Go for the views and the change of pace. Treat the swim as a bonus, and you are more likely to enjoy the ride.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour meet?

The meeting point is the Boramar ticket office in Denia’s harbor.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts two hours, including the coastal cruise, the view of Cova Tallada, the swimming stop, and the return to the harbor.

Is Cova Tallada open for access from the boat?

No. Cova Tallada is located in a Natural Marine Reserve and cannot be accessed from the catamaran. You will see it from as close as the boat is allowed to approach.

Does the tour include a swimming stop?

Yes. The boat includes a stop for swimming in the sea, but the exact location is chosen by the captain and is not guaranteed.

Can I swim at Cova Tallada?

No specific swim at Cova Tallada is included. The swimming stop may be elsewhere, and the anchoring point is at the captain’s discretion.

What drink is included?

One drink is included. You can choose water, a soft drink, or wine.

Can I bring food or drinks onboard?

No. Food and drinks are not allowed onboard. Extra drinks are also not included in the basic price.

Is a specific catamaran guaranteed?

No. A specific ship is not guaranteed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Sailing depends on weather conditions. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.