Lloret de Mar: Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

The best Costa Brava views come from the water. This four-hour catamaran trip from Lloret de Mar combines coastal sightseeing with a long swim stop, an onboard BBQ, drinks, and music. I especially like the chance to jump straight from the boat into clear Mediterranean water and the easy value of having food and drinks included. The main thing to consider is the atmosphere: this is a large, social boat with a DJ, not a quiet sailing trip.

The timing matters. Morning departures are designed for families, while afternoon and evening trips suit adults and younger groups better. Saturday celebration cruises are adults-only and bring a stronger party mood. At about $59 per person, the cruise makes sense if you plan to eat, swim, listen to music, and enjoy the company of a crowd in one outing.

Key things to know before you book

• The boat leaves directly from Lloret beach: The meeting point is Passeig Agustí Font, 2, near the town hall, so you do not need a separate marina transfer.
• Swimming gets a real two-hour window: After sailing along the coast, the catamaran anchors at a quiet inlet for swimming, the floating mattress, snorkeling, and trampoline jumps.
• The meal is a filling self-service BBQ: Expect beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and fruit cocktail, with no menu choices.
• Drinks are built into the experience: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are available, though the exact arrangement depends on the cruise option.
• The return trip becomes the party hour: Music and dancing usually become more prominent on the way back to Lloret.
• Choose your departure carefully: Morning trips welcome children, evening departures are for people over 18, and Saturday celebration sailings are adults-only.

Meeting the catamaran on Lloret beach

You meet the crew at Passeig Agustí Font, 2, on the Lloret de Mar promenade, close to the town hall. The boat boards directly from the beach, which is convenient but means you should expect a beach-style boarding process rather than a formal marina gangway.

Have your reservation QR code ready on your phone. It is exchanged for boarding passes, and arriving late can mean missing the boat without a refund. I would arrive early enough to find the meeting point, apply sunscreen, and organize your towel and sandals before boarding.

The catamaran has a large bow net, a covered section, a sunbathing area, toilets, and safety equipment. It can look crowded while people are waiting to board, especially in high season. Once everyone spreads out, though, the boat has enough room for a large group. One departure carried about 94 people, yet the layout still allowed people to find comfortable places to sit or lie down.

Do not bring outside food, drinks, glass, coolers, costumes, pets, or party props. Bachelor groups are accepted only under the stated conditions, and groups wearing costumes or carrying sexual objects are not accepted. The crew can refuse boarding if you arrive intoxicated, with no refund.

The first hour along the Costa Brava

Once the boat clears Lloret, the first part is the most scenic and relaxed. You sail past rocky cliffs, sea caves, small coves, secluded beaches, and fishing villages. From the water, Lloret’s built-up shoreline gives way to a more open view of the Costa Brava.

The bow net is the classic spot. Stretch out above the water and watch the sea move below you, but remember that the net is exposed to strong sun and spray. A hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen are practical essentials. Bring a towel because one is not supplied.

The music begins early, but the mood depends on the departure. On a morning sailing, you can expect a calmer family atmosphere with children aboard. An afternoon cruise is more social, and evening departures are aimed at adults over 18. Saturday celebration cruises add a DJ and a more organized party feel.

This is not a detailed coastal geography tour. The host or greeter speaks English, Spanish, or French, but the focus is on enjoying the sea rather than hearing a long commentary about every headland. I see that as a fair trade for the swimming time and casual mood.

Anchoring for swimming, snorkeling, and floating

After roughly an hour of coastal sailing, the catamaran anchors in a quiet spot for about two hours. The exact cove depends on conditions, but the goal is a sheltered place where you can swim in clear water and enjoy the boat’s water equipment.

You can enter the sea from the trampoline area, swim in a small inlet, use a floating mattress, or snorkel near the boat. Masks are available with a refundable cash deposit of €10. Bring your own snorkel if you care about seeing fish, since the equipment provided may be limited to masks and goggles rather than a complete personal snorkel set.

The water stop is the heart of the trip. You get enough time to swim without feeling rushed, and the break gives the crew time to prepare lunch. Several people particularly enjoyed the combination of clear water, fish, and jumping directly from the boat. Children can also enjoy it, but parents should collect a suitable life jacket early if needed. A shortage of children’s sizes has caused delays on at least one departure.

Safety vests are included, and the crew keeps watch while people are in the water. Still, jumping is regulated, and the rules matter. You are not allowed to make unsafe jumps, and the boat is not suitable for anyone who needs wheelchair access.

The swim stop is less appealing if you prefer to stay dry or dislike deep water. There is no promise of a beach landing during this part. You are swimming from the boat, with the sea as your only route back.

A simple BBQ served at sea

Food is served once the boat has anchored, approximately an hour and a half after departure. The meal is self-service rather than a restaurant-style lunch, so you should expect practical buffet food designed for a moving boat.

The menu includes:

• Beef burgers
• Marinated chicken pieces
• Pasta
• Salad
• Sweet fruit cocktail

The food is described as gluten-free in the tour details, but there is no optional menu. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask the provider before booking rather than relying on the standard buffet.

The meal is generally considered decent and plentiful, with enough food to support a long afternoon in the sun. I would set expectations correctly: this is a BBQ lunch on a party catamaran, not a carefully prepared Costa Brava restaurant meal. The burgers, chicken, pasta, and salad do the job, while the fruit gives the meal a lighter finish.

Food quality is the most common area I would keep in perspective. Some people find it surprisingly good, while others consider it simple and suggest improvements. The value comes from the complete package: lunch, drinks, swimming, sailing, and entertainment for one price.

Beer, sangria, and the drink setup

Beer and sangria are the main alcoholic choices, along with soft drinks and water. This works well for a sunny boat outing, but it is not a full bar. If you want wine, cocktails, or a wider range of spirits, you may find the selection limited.

The drink arrangement can vary with the booking option. The standard description includes complimentary beer, sangria, soda, and water, while the Saturday celebration cruise includes five drinks. Some departures use drink vouchers, with additional drinks available for about €2. Water is free on the reported sailing.

That detail is worth checking when you reserve. Do not assume the same drink allowance applies to every departure. Also, do not bring your own alcohol, glass, or cooler. Anyone arriving drunk will be refused boarding.

Because you are in strong sun for several hours, pace yourself. The cruise is more enjoyable when you can still swim safely and appreciate the views on the way back.

The return trip turns up the music

The sailing back to Lloret is usually louder and more animated than the outward journey. The DJ plays dance music, and the host encourages people to join in. Dancing often becomes the main activity during the final hour.

This is where the cruise feels most like a party boat. The crew has been praised for being friendly, funny, attentive, and good at keeping children and adults involved. A host on the microphone, including crew member Julio on one well-liked departure, helped create the high-energy mood. Silvester has also been singled out for warm and friendly service.

The music is a key part of the appeal, but it is also the biggest dividing line between this cruise and a quiet sailing charter. You will hear music throughout the day, and the return can become a full dance session. Families should choose the morning trip if they want the gentler version. Couples looking for peace and privacy may prefer a smaller sailing experience elsewhere.

Is $59 good value?

At around $59 per person, the price is reasonable for a four-hour outing that includes the catamaran, captain, crew, BBQ, drinks, music, swimming equipment, and entertainment. You also get access to the trampoline, floating mattress, toilets, covered seating, and sun deck.

The strongest value comes from combining several activities:

• Coastal sightseeing
• A long swimming stop
• An onboard meal
• Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water
• DJ entertainment
• Round-trip sailing from central Lloret

If you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, a boat trip, and drinks, the package adds up well. It is particularly good for groups of friends, birthday outings, anniversaries, and hen parties that want a ready-made activity.

The value is weaker if you want a small boat, quiet sailing, gourmet food, or a flexible drinks menu. You are paying for a shared social experience, and the boat may carry close to 100 people during busy periods. That is not a problem for most people who want music and company, but it is important to know before you book.

Which departure fits your group?

The morning cruise is the best choice for families with children under 18. It offers the same basic mix of sailing, swimming, food, and drinks, but with a more suitable daytime atmosphere. It is also the safest pick if you want a relaxed start and a lighter dance session on the return.

The afternoon cruise is intended for adults over 18 and has a younger, more social mood. Choose it if music, drinks, and meeting other people matter as much as the coast.

The Saturday celebration cruise is for adults aged 18 and over. It includes a DJ, BBQ, and five drinks, making it the strongest party option. Bachelor groups need to follow the provider’s rules, and costumes or sexual props are not accepted.

For an anniversary or birthday, I would choose based on personality. A morning trip gives you sun, food, and swimming without too much noise. An afternoon or Saturday departure works better if dancing is part of the celebration.

What to pack and what to leave behind

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sandals or flip-flops, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and some cash. Water shoes are not listed as required, but sturdy sandals are more practical than bare feet when boarding from the beach.

Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch if you want photographs from the bow or swim stop. The water and sun create excellent picture opportunities, but wet hands and a moving boat are a poor combination for an unprotected phone.

You do not need to bring food or drinks, and outside alcohol is forbidden. Leave glass objects, coolers, costumes, and pets at your accommodation.

The tour can be canceled because of rough seas, heavy rain, an unexpected catamaran breakdown, or too few participants. Bad weather also affects the quality of the swimming stop, so keep your plans flexible. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now-pay-later option may help if your schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Lloret catamaran cruise?

I would book this if you want a lively half-day on the Costa Brava rather than a formal sailing lesson or peaceful private charter. The long swim stop, friendly crew, included meal, and drinks make it easy to enjoy without planning each part yourself.

Families should book a morning departure and sort out children’s life jackets early. Adults who want music and dancing should choose the afternoon or Saturday celebration option. If you dislike crowds, simple buffet food, or beer and sangria as the main alcoholic choices, spend your money on a smaller boat instead.

For most people seeking a social day at sea, $59 is a fair price. The clearest water, the jump from the trampoline, and the lively return to Lloret are the moments that make this more than a simple coastal ride.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

It leaves from Passeig Agustí Font, 2, on the Lloret de Mar promenade near the town hall. Boarding takes place directly from the beach.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts four hours. The sailing portion is listed as about three and a half hours within the overall activity, including the coastal route and return to Lloret.

What food is served on the catamaran?

The self-service BBQ includes beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and sweet fruit cocktail. There is no optional menu.

What drinks are included?

Drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. The exact allowance can depend on the selected cruise. The Saturday celebration cruise includes five drinks, and extra drinks have been available for about €2 on some departures.

Can children join the cruise?

Children can join the morning departure, which is intended for families. Evening departures are for people over 18, and Saturday group celebration departures are adults-only.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit. You may want to bring your own snorkel because the provided equipment may not include a complete snorkel set.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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