Denia: Cova Tallada Catamaran Tour and Swimming Stop

The cave is only half the story. This two-hour catamaran trip links Denia’s harbor with the cliffs, beaches, and Natural Marine Reserve near Cova Tallada. I like the relaxed pace and the chance to see this protected coast from the water, where the cave can be viewed close up without a strenuous walk. I also like the simple price, $21 per person including a drink and a swimming stop. The main catch is that the swim location is chosen by the captain and may be close to Denia’s harbor rather than beside the cave.

You meet at the Boramar ticket office and board a motor catamaran for the coast toward Las Rotas and Javea. Music, a drink, and open-water views make this an easy outing for families and anyone who wants a short break from sightseeing. Just keep your expectations realistic: you cannot enter Cova Tallada from the boat, and the specific ship is not guaranteed.

Key points to know before you sail

• Cova Tallada is a view from the sea: The catamaran gets as close as regulations allow, but you do not go ashore or enter the cave.
• The swimming stop is flexible: The captain chooses the anchoring area, so the stop may be near the harbor rather than at a remote cove.
• The route lasts two hours: You sail from Denia toward Las Rotas and Javea, then return to the harbor.
• Your ticket includes one drink: Choose water, a soft drink, or wine. Extra drinks cost more, and outside food and beverages are not allowed.
• Spanish is the tour language: The host or greeter speaks Spanish, so plan around simple onboard communication if you do not speak it.
• Weather controls the schedule: Sailing depends on sea and weather conditions, and the swimming place can change.

From Denia harbor toward Las Rotas

The trip begins at Denia’s harbor, where you look for the Boramar ticket office. From there, the motor catamaran heads along the coast toward Las Rotas before continuing in the direction of Javea.

This opening stretch is the reason to choose a boat trip rather than simply visiting the coast by road. You get a moving view of the shoreline, with beaches and cliffs appearing from different angles as the boat travels. I like this kind of outing because the ride itself is the main event, not just transport to a single stop.

The route passes the Natural Marine Reserve. That protected status matters to your expectations. This is not a beach shuttle with access everywhere you see. The reserve limits what the boat can do, including where it can approach and anchor. Those rules protect the coast, but they also mean the captain must keep a careful distance from certain areas.

You will want to keep your camera ready as the boat follows the shore. The exact view depends on the day’s weather and sea conditions, but the route is designed to show off the beaches, rock faces, and coastal formations between Denia and Javea.

Seeing Cova Tallada from the catamaran

Cova Tallada is the highlight of the outward journey. The catamaran approaches as closely as allowed, giving you a sea-level view of the cave and its surrounding cliffs.

The important detail is that you only see the cave from the water. You cannot get off the catamaran there, walk into Cova Tallada, or swim directly into it. The cave lies within a Natural Marine Reserve, and access from the boat is restricted.

That limitation can feel disappointing if you expected a cave visit. It is also the reason the tour can offer a short, low-effort look at this dramatic coastal site without turning the outing into a full land excursion. I would think of it as a scenic viewing stop, not a cave-access tour.

The catamaran allows you to see the area from a useful angle. Instead of looking down toward the coast from a path, you look back at the cliffs from the sea. The water gives you a wider sense of the cove and the rock around it.

Do not expect a long pause at the cave. The full trip lasts two hours, including the outward cruise, the viewing stop, the swim, and the return to Denia. The captain’s timing depends on conditions and the needs of the route.

Music, a drink, and time on deck

Once you are aboard, the trip has a simple holiday rhythm. You can listen to relaxing music, take in the coastal views, and enjoy one included drink.

The drink choice is practical rather than elaborate: water, a soft drink, or wine. That small inclusion adds value to a $21 ticket, especially when you want something cold during a warm afternoon on the water. Extra drinks are not included, and you cannot bring your own food or beverages aboard.

The food rule is worth noting before you arrive. If you normally pack snacks for a boat ride, leave them behind. The restriction keeps the boat easier to manage, but it means you should eat before boarding if you need more than one drink.

I would treat the onboard time as a chance to slow down rather than a full meal or party cruise. The music supports a calm mood, while the catamaran offers a comfortable way to watch the coast pass by. Families can appreciate the short length. A two-hour outing is long enough to feel worthwhile and short enough to fit around a day in Denia.

A German family traveling with two small children found the trip easy and entertaining for the youngsters. That fits the format: there is no long hike, no complicated transfer, and no need to spend an entire day at sea. Still, small children should be watched closely around the water, and the swim stop may not be exactly where you hope.

The swimming stop is the tour’s biggest variable

After visiting Cova Tallada, the captain looks for a suitable place to stop for a swim. You can get into the sea, cool off, and then return to the harbor by boat.

This is where the experience can vary most. The captain decides the anchoring area, and no particular swimming site is promised. Several recent outings ended with the boat stopping near the marina, close to the place where it had started. That water may be perfectly usable for a quick swim, but it lacks the feeling of a secluded cove.

I would not book this trip solely for a swim beside Cova Tallada. That is not what the tour promises in practice. The cave viewing and coastal cruise are dependable parts of the plan, while the swimming location depends on safety, sea conditions, and the captain’s judgment.

The difference matters. Some people want a refreshing dip wherever the boat stops. Others want a scenic bay far from the harbor, with clear water and cliffs all around. If you belong to the second group, the flexible swim location could be a real weakness.

At the same time, a captain who changes the stop for conditions is making the sensible choice. Anchoring areas can depend on wind and sea movement. The tour information makes clear that a particular place is not guaranteed, so you should see the swim as an extra pleasure rather than the main reason to pay.

What the $21 price really buys you

At $21 per person, this is a low-cost way to get onto the water near Denia. The ticket covers the catamaran ride, the coastal route, the view of Cova Tallada, a swimming stop, and one drink.

That is good value if you want a short scenic outing. A private boat would cost far more, while a land visit would not give you the same view of the cliffs from offshore. The catamaran also saves you from arranging separate transport to several coastal viewpoints.

The value is less convincing if you want a detailed cave visit or a guaranteed remote swimming bay. You are paying for a shared boat experience with a set two-hour window, not a private charter or an active marine excursion.

The included drink helps keep the price fair. Water is the sensible choice if you are mainly thirsty, while a soft drink or wine adds a small holiday touch. Since extra drinks are not included and outside beverages are banned, factor that into your plans.

I see this as a good add-on to a day in Denia. It is affordable enough for a family or couple, and the short duration leaves room for a meal, beach time, or more sightseeing afterward. It is not the right purchase if you need a full-day sailing trip with several shore stops.

Who will enjoy this Denia boat trip

I would recommend the tour to you if you want:

• A short outing with coastal views
• A simple way to see Cova Tallada from the sea
• A relaxed boat ride with music
• A swim without committing to a full-day cruise
• An activity that can work for families with young children
• A budget-friendly break from city sightseeing

The tour suits people who enjoy scenery more than structured commentary. The host or greeter language is Spanish, and the available information does not promise guided explanations in other languages. If you need detailed interpretation of the reserve or cave, this may feel limited.

It also suits people who are comfortable with a flexible plan. You will know the general route, but not the exact vessel or final swimming location. That uncertainty is normal for a weather-dependent boat trip, but it should be clear before you book.

I would be cautious about recommending it to you if your priority is entering Cova Tallada. You will not do that here. I would also hesitate if you want a quiet, remote swim and would be annoyed by a stop near the harbor.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Check the weather before you go. Sailing depends on conditions, and rough or unsuitable weather can affect the trip. The captain also has the final say on where the boat anchors for swimming.

Arrive at the Boramar ticket office with your booking details and enough time to find the correct departure point in the harbor. The meeting information identifies the ticket office, not a private dock or separate beach location.

Wear clothing suitable for a boat ride and bring only what is allowed. Food and drinks from outside are prohibited, but one water, soft drink, or wine is included. If you expect to be hungry, eat before boarding.

Think about the timing of the swim. The tour lasts two hours in total, so the sea stop is only one part of the trip. It may be brief, and it may happen near the harbor. That is easier to accept if you value the whole coastal ride.

The specific ship is not guaranteed. If the type of catamaran matters to you, keep that in mind when comparing this trip with other options. The essential product is the route and shared boat ride, not a named vessel.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Denia plans depend on the weather.

A fair look at the drawbacks

The most important drawback is the gap between the famous cave and the actual activity. Cova Tallada is visible from the catamaran, but you cannot visit it on foot or swim into it. A person expecting an active cave adventure could leave disappointed.

The second issue is the swimming stop. The official description presents a special place selected by the captain, but that place is not fixed. On some departures, the boat has passed attractive swimming areas and then stopped beside the marina. If a remote swim is essential, you need a different type of tour.

The Spanish-only service may also matter. You can still enjoy the views and follow the basic activity, but the tour is not presented as multilingual. Ask yourself how much explanation you need from the host.

Finally, the experience depends on weather and sea conditions. That is true of nearly every boat trip, but here it affects both the sailing and the swim. A flexible attitude will improve the outing.

Should you book the Cova Tallada catamaran tour?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, two-hour coastal cruise with a close view of Cova Tallada, one included drink, relaxing music, and the chance to swim. The route toward Las Rotas and Javea gives you more than a simple harbor ride, and the price is strong for a short outing.

Skip it if you need to enter the cave, want a guaranteed scenic swimming bay, or expect a detailed guided tour in several languages. The best way to book this experience is to treat Cova Tallada as the main view, the swim as a bonus, and the catamaran ride as the real value.

FAQ

How long does the Cova Tallada catamaran tour last?

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

Can I enter Cova Tallada during the tour?

No. Cova Tallada is within a Natural Marine Reserve and cannot be accessed from the catamaran. You see the cave as closely as regulations allow from the water.

Is the swimming stop beside Cova Tallada?

No specific swimming place is guaranteed. The captain chooses the anchoring area, and the stop may be near Denia’s harbor rather than beside the cave.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes the catamaran boat trip, a sea swimming stop, and one drink. The drink can be water, a soft drink, or wine.

Can I bring food and drinks aboard?

No. Outside food and drinks are not allowed on board. Extra drinks are also not included.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the Boramar ticket office in Denia’s harbor area. The activity information identifies Boramar as the meeting point.