Lloret de Mar: Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

The best Costa Brava views come from the water. This four-hour catamaran trip combines cliff-lined sailing and clear-water swimming with a barbecue, drinks, music, and a lively ride back to Lloret de Mar. I especially like the long swimming stop, which gives you time to jump from the boat, snorkel, and relax instead of rushing through a quick photo stop. I also like the strong value at about $59 per person, since that price covers the boat, meal, drinks, crew, and water activities. The main thing to consider is the party setting: the boat can carry close to 100 people, so this is not a quiet private sailing trip.

For families, the morning departure is the best fit. The afternoon trip is aimed at adults over 18 and usually has a livelier mood, while Saturday celebration departures are for adults only. If you want a peaceful cruise with only a few passengers, choose another kind of boat trip. If you want a social day at sea with swimming, food, dancing, and plenty of company, this one makes good use of four hours.

Key points before you book

• A two-hour swimming stop: The catamaran anchors in a quiet spot where you can swim, snorkel, use a floating mattress, or jump from the boat’s trampoline.
• A full Costa Brava outing: You sail past cliffs, caves, small beaches, fishing villages, and the coast toward the Tossa area before stopping offshore.
• Food served onboard: The self-service barbecue includes beef hamburgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and a sweet fruit cocktail.
• Different moods by departure: Morning trips suit families, afternoon trips suit adults, and Saturday celebration sailings bring a stronger party atmosphere.
• Drinks are part of the price: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are offered, though some departures use five drink vouchers and charge about €2 for extras.
• Beach boarding: You meet at Passeig Agustí Font 2, near Lloret de Mar’s town hall, and board from the promenade and sand.

Boarding from Lloret de Mar’s beach

The meeting point is Passeig Agustí Font 2, near the town hall on Lloret de Mar’s promenade. Bring your reservation QR code on your phone so the crew can issue your boarding pass. You arrange your own way to the meeting point, and there is no hotel transfer included.

Boarding takes place directly from the beach, which is part of the fun but also worth planning for. You may need to walk across sand and get your feet wet before stepping onto the catamaran. Wear sandals or flip-flops you can manage easily, and keep your phone protected from splashes.

The catamaran has a large net at the front, a covered section, a sunbathing area, toilets, and room to move around. The boat may look crowded while people wait to board, but the layout gives passengers several places to sit or stretch out. With close to 100 people onboard on some departures, you should not expect an intimate sailing experience. Still, the size helps create the social atmosphere that many people come for.

I would not rush to board simply to claim a place. One useful practical tip is that the catamaran has enough space for everyone, so frantic early boarding is not necessary. Choose a seat in the covered area if you need shade, or head toward the front net if you want the most open view and the sensation of floating over the sea.

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

Once the boat leaves Lloret de Mar, the first hour is mainly about the coast. From the water, the Costa Brava looks different from the crowded beaches and roads inland. You pass steep cliffs, caves, small coves, secluded beaches, and fishing villages that are difficult to appreciate from the shore.

The catamaran moves at a relaxed pace, giving you time to look outward rather than stare at a single landmark. This is a good part of the trip for photographs. The front net is the prime spot for open views, but it can be sunny and exposed, so sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are essential.

Music plays during the sailing, and drinks are available as the trip gets underway. The mood depends on your departure. Morning sailings tend to be calmer and work well for families with children. Afternoon trips have more of a young adult party feel, with louder music and more dancing.

Do not think of this as a guided sightseeing cruise with a running commentary about every cove. The appeal is the view, the sea air, and the relaxed time on the boat. The host or greeter may speak English, Spanish, or French, but the experience is built around scenery and entertainment rather than detailed coastal interpretation.

The anchor stop: two hours for swimming and play

The strongest part of the trip is the long stop at anchor. After about an hour of sailing, the catamaran pauses at a quieter coastal spot for roughly two hours. This gives you enough time to swim properly rather than simply take one quick jump and climb back aboard.

You can enter the Mediterranean from the boat’s trampoline, swim in a small inlet, use the floating mattress, or snorkel near the catamaran. The water is described as clear, and the setting is particularly appealing when the sun is bright and the sea is calm. You may see fish close to the boat, though this is not a dedicated wildlife excursion.

Masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit. Bring your own snorkel if you want to spend serious time looking underwater, since the included equipment may be limited to masks and goggles. You will also need to bring your own towel. The boat provides safety vests, but you should collect the right size early if you are traveling with children. One family found that children’s life jackets were not immediately available, so this is worth handling before everyone gets excited about jumping in.

The trampoline and floating mattress make the stop more playful than a standard sightseeing cruise. You can swim, sunbathe, chat with other passengers, or simply watch people take turns jumping into the water. The boat’s safety rules matter here. Jumping outside the designated activity, arriving intoxicated, or ignoring crew instructions is not allowed.

Barbecue lunch after the boat drops anchor

The meal is served onboard after the catamaran has been anchored, roughly one and a half hours after departure. The timing works well because you can swim first, then eat once the crew has prepared the food.

The barbecue is self-service. The menu includes beef hamburgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and a sweet fruit cocktail. The food is straightforward rather than gourmet, but it is substantial enough for a half-day on the water. Some people will find the simple buffet perfectly suitable, while others may wish for more variety or a more polished meal.

The menu is stated as containing no gluten, which may be useful if you need to avoid gluten. Still, if you have a serious allergy, speak with the crew before eating because the experience does not offer an optional menu. You cannot bring your own food or drinks onboard, so check the menu before committing if you have strict dietary needs.

The barbecue is also a practical feature of the trip. You do not lose valuable sightseeing time looking for lunch in Lloret de Mar, and the meal arrives during the longest pause in the schedule. Expect a casual buffet, not table service. Bring cash for the refundable mask deposit and any extra drinks, but do not bring glass, a cooler, or alcoholic drinks from outside.

Drinks, music, and the party atmosphere

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are part of the package. The precise system can vary by departure. Some people receive five drink vouchers, with additional drinks available for about €2, while the general description presents drinks as complimentary during the cruise. Water is available, and soft drinks provide an option for children and anyone who does not want alcohol.

Do not book this trip expecting a wide cocktail list or wine selection. Beer and sangria are the main alcoholic choices. That is enough for a casual afternoon at sea, but you may be disappointed if you prefer white wine or mixed drinks.

The return journey is when the music usually becomes more prominent. The DJ turns up the volume, the crew encourages dancing, and the atmosphere shifts from relaxed sailing to a boat party. The music has been described as dance classics, and the crew may use games or microphone announcements to get people involved.

This works especially well for birthdays, anniversaries, hen parties, and groups of friends. It can also work for older couples and families who do not mind being around a younger crowd. Several passengers have found the staff particularly friendly, energetic, and attentive to safety. Names mentioned include Julio and Silvester, although the crew can vary by departure.

If you prefer quiet conversation, the return trip may feel loud. Choose the morning sailing for a gentler family mood, or avoid the celebration departure if you want less emphasis on dancing.

What the $59 price really covers

At around $59 per person, the value is strong if you plan to use the full package. You receive round-trip catamaran transport along the coast, about four hours on the water, a barbecue meal, drinks, crew service, music, access to the trampoline and floating mattress, and a long swimming stop.

The meal alone is not the reason to book. The value comes from combining several activities into one outing. You get coastal sightseeing, transport to a swimming spot, lunch, drinks, and entertainment without arranging each part separately.

The price is less attractive if you want a private sailing experience, a quiet boat, or a carefully prepared restaurant meal. This is a shared excursion with a large group and a social mood. Think of it as a beach club at sea rather than a traditional sailing lesson or luxury yacht cruise.

I also consider the four-hour length sensible. It is long enough to enjoy the coast and swim, but short enough to fit into a larger Lloret de Mar itinerary. You will spend roughly one hour sailing out, around two hours anchored, and the remaining time returning with food, drinks, and music woven into the schedule.

Which departure should you choose?

The morning cruise is the clear choice for families with children under 18. It offers the same basic combination of sailing, food, swimming, and drinks, but the atmosphere is intended to be more family-friendly. Arrive early enough to sort out children’s life jackets before the swimming stop.

The afternoon cruise is for adults over 18. Expect a more energetic crowd, more dancing, and a stronger party mood on the way back. It suits couples, groups of friends, and people who want the social side of the catamaran as much as the scenery.

Saturday celebration departures are for adults over 18 and are designed for group celebrations. They can suit birthdays, anniversaries, hen parties, and bachelor groups, but costumes and sexual objects are not accepted. Bachelor groups are not permitted on the family morning departure, so choose carefully when booking.

The boat does not accept intoxicated passengers, and no refund is offered if you arrive drunk. It also will not wait if you arrive late and miss departure.

What to pack for a better day

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, beachwear, and sandals or flip-flops. A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch is a smart extra, though it is not listed as an included item.

Bring cash for the €10 refundable mask deposit and possible extra drinks. Do not bring outside food, alcohol, a cooler, glass objects, or pets. Wheelchair users cannot take this experience because the beach boarding and catamaran setup are not suitable for wheelchair access.

The cruise depends on sea conditions. Rough water, heavy rain, mechanical trouble, or too few participants can lead to cancellation. If your schedule is tight, leave some flexibility around the booking rather than planning an important connection immediately afterward.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the exact departure time for your date because special high-season times may be added.

Is this Costa Brava cruise right for you?

I would book this catamaran if you want a social half-day with clear-water swimming, a generous stop, and an easy barbecue lunch. It is particularly good for friends, couples who enjoy music, families on the morning departure, and groups celebrating something.

I would skip it if your ideal day means silence, a small boat, gourmet food, or a detailed coastal tour. The scenery is excellent, but the shared boat, DJ, and party atmosphere are just as important as the sailing.

For most visitors staying in Lloret de Mar, the combination is hard to beat at $59. Pick the departure that matches your group, bring a towel and cash, and treat the trip as a lively day at sea rather than a luxury cruise.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Passeig Agustí Font 2 on the Lloret de Mar promenade, near the town hall. You show your reservation QR code on your mobile phone to receive your boarding pass.

How long is the cruise?

The full experience lasts four hours. The sailing route and activities take place along the Costa Brava, with about two hours spent anchored for swimming and water activities.

What food is served onboard?

The self-service meal includes beef hamburgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and a sweet fruit cocktail. The food is served after the boat anchors, about one and a half hours after departure.

Are drinks included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included. Some departures use five drink vouchers, with extra drinks available for about €2. Water is free.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Morning departures are intended for families with children under 18. Afternoon departures are for adults over 18, and Saturday celebration departures are also for adults over 18.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit. The included equipment may not include snorkels, so bring your own snorkel if you want to explore underwater.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise may be canceled because of rough seas, heavy rain, an unexpected catamaran breakdown, or an insufficient number of participants. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.