Cambrils: Catamaran Day Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

Cambrils’ Cat Aventure turns a day at the beach into a floating beach club, with a large catamaran, Balinese beds, music, drinks, and two chances to swim from the boat. I like the easy rhythm: settle into your bed, watch Catalonia’s coast slide by, then cool off in the sea without packing up your towel every hour.

I also like that the $77 price includes lunch, BBQ food, drinks, aperitifs, music, and the six-hour cruise. The crew gets strong marks for friendly service, and Captain Marcos and crew members Mario and Enrique have been singled out for making the day enjoyable. The main concern is consistency: the food has pleased some people and disappointed others, while the boat can feel crowded when many of its roughly 60 beds are occupied.

Key points at a glance

• Six hours on a large catamaran: This is a full-day outing, not a quick coastal ride.
• Two swimming stops: You can swim from the boat in clear blue water, though anchoring in deep water may limit snorkeling.
• Balinese beds are assigned: Visit the red ticket office before boarding to collect your bed number.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The package covers BBQ food, aperitifs, and a broad drinks selection.
• Music changes through the day: Expect a calmer start, with a more party-like mood later.
• Cambrils is the base: You can board from Passeig de les Palmeres or the listed Saba Aparcamientos meeting point, depending on your booking.

Six hours as a beach club at sea

Cat Aventure is built for people who want a lazy day on the water rather than a sightseeing cruise packed with commentary. The catamaran is large and stylish, with daybeds spread across its decks. You can lie back, look toward the Catalan coast, listen to music, and let the crew handle the food and drinks.

That format works best if you treat the boat itself as the attraction. The cruise includes sailing around Catalonia and Cambrils, but the schedule does not promise a long list of named coastal sights or a guided history lesson. You stay on the catamaran for the duration, apart from getting into the water at the swimming stops.

The boat has been described as comfortable, but there is a tradeoff. It carries close to 60 yellow beds, so the upper and lower decks may feel tightly arranged when the boat is busy. On a quieter sailing, the same layout feels much more relaxed. If personal space matters to you, try to choose a less crowded departure or ask about the available bed location when booking.

Claiming your Balinese bed in Cambrils

Before you board, go to the red ticket office in front of the catamaran. You need to collect the number of your assigned Balinese bed there. This is an important step, since heading straight to the boat without checking in can leave you unsure where to sit.

The beds are the heart of the experience. They give you a proper place to stretch out instead of forcing you to spend six hours on a narrow bench. Still, bring a towel. The available information specifically recommends one, and it is useful after swimming or if the bed surface is warm from the sun.

Your meeting point can vary depending on the option booked. The listed locations include Passeig de les Palmeres and Saba Aparcamientos, S.A., with the same area used for drop-off. Check the exact choice on your booking before setting out.

If you are coming from Salou in July or August, allow plenty of time. Taxis can be hard to find, so arranging one well ahead is sensible. Public transport from Salou to Cambrils runs about every 20 minutes, and the bus leaves you roughly 300 meters from the boarding area. This is one of those small details that can prevent a rushed start to a six-hour outing.

Sailing the Cambrils coast

Once underway, the cruise settles into a simple pattern: coastal views, time on the beds, food and drinks, music, and a swimming stop later in the day. You get a broad view of the Catalonian coast, but the focus is relaxation rather than sightseeing by commentary.

The advertised languages are English, Catalan, French, Dutch, and Spanish, and a small-group option is available. In practice, the amount of explanation may depend on the crew and departure. One piece of feedback found little or no English guiding and no clear tour guide presence, so I would not book this expecting a narrated coastal tour. Think of the language support as help with the operation of the cruise, not a formal lecture.

The mood starts gently, with background music, then may become more like a small floating club as the hours pass. That can be a plus for a group of friends or a birthday-style outing. It may be less appealing if you want quiet for the entire trip. Music on the upper deck has also been limited at times, so the deck you choose can affect the atmosphere.

Two swimming stops, with realistic snorkeling expectations

The cruise includes two swimming stops, giving you a chance to jump into the blue water and cool off. This is one of the best parts of the day, especially when the sun is strong and you have spent a while stretched out on the deck.

The swimming areas are not necessarily shallow coves. The boat may anchor in water around 12 meters deep. That makes swimming fine for confident swimmers, but it can make snorkeling less rewarding because you may see little beneath the boat. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations modest. The available details describe good places for a swim and some opportunities to snorkel, but they do not promise reefs, abundant fish, or shallow seabeds.

Jellyfish can also be present. One report described a stop with many jellyfish and said the crew did not seem concerned about swimming near them. You should make your own decision before entering the water and ask the crew about current conditions. The experience is better suited to people who are comfortable swimming from a boat than to anyone seeking a carefully supervised snorkeling session.

You should also expect to remove your shoes on board. One complaint concerned shoes being tossed across the concrete during disembarkation, reportedly happening twice on the six-hour cruise. Wear practical footwear rather than anything delicate or expensive, and keep track of your belongings.

Lunch, BBQ food, and the open drinks setup

Food is included, and the package describes BBQ lunch, aperitifs, finger food, and a bar with cava, prosecco, vermouth, Aperol, wine, and other drinks. For $77, that matters. A comparable day on the coast can quickly become expensive once you add a boat ticket, lunch, several drinks, and beach seating.

The meal is also the most uneven part of the experience. Some people have found the BBQ and drinks better than expected, with one particularly positive account praising Enrique’s lunch. Another person felt the food did not resemble a BBQ and considered it closer to leftover hotel food. Those are very different impressions, so do not book this as a gourmet food cruise.

The safest way to view lunch is as convenient included catering rather than the main reason to go. You will have food on board and will not need to leave the boat to find a restaurant. The meal can be a welcome break from swimming and sunbathing, but the exact quality may vary by day or menu.

Vegetarian food is worth raising with the crew. One vegetarian passenger was given a pizza when the expected salad option was not available. That suggests the staff may try to help, but you should still state dietary needs when booking or before departure. No detailed vegetarian menu is provided.

The drinks package is a stronger value point. With wine, cava, prosecco, vermouth, Aperol, aperitifs, and other bar choices included, you do not need to carry cash for purchases on board. The package also says taxes are included. Drink responsibly, especially in the sun and around deep water.

Space, service, and the mood on board

Service can make or break a long boat day, and the crew receives plenty of credit for staying busy and friendly. Mario has been noted for keeping people entertained, Enrique for preparing lunch, and Captain Marcos for helping create a welcoming atmosphere. A crew member was also praised for working steadily throughout the day and keeping things in order.

That human touch is valuable because six hours is a long time to spend on one vessel. You want the crew to keep lunch moving, answer questions, and maintain a pleasant deck. The best accounts describe a well-run day with helpful service and enjoyable swimming.

There are a few practical issues to keep in mind. Upper-deck passengers may not always hear when lunch is ready, and one person felt that the upper deck was forgotten during meal service. If you choose an upper bed for a quieter spot, pay attention to announcements or ask when lunch will be served rather than waiting for someone to find you.

Smoking can also affect comfort. A complaint described smokers gathering near the steps between decks and blocking the way. If you are sensitive to smoke, ask about the smoking arrangement before settling into your bed. The boat’s layout means that a problem in one passage can affect several people.

Is the $77 price good value?

At $77 per person, the cruise is reasonably priced if you want a full day of included extras. You are paying for six hours on a large catamaran, a dedicated bed, two swimming stops, lunch, BBQ food, drinks, aperitifs, and music. The value improves if you would otherwise spend money on a beach chair, a restaurant lunch, and several drinks.

The value drops if you mainly want coastal sightseeing, quiet sailing, or serious snorkeling. The cruise spends the day on the boat rather than taking you through a series of shore stops. The swimming may happen over deep water, and the music can become more nightclub-like later.

I would compare it with the cost of a standard short boat ride plus a separate beach day. Cat Aventure offers more comfort and more included food and drink, but less freedom to explore on land. For a group of friends or family members who want to spend the day together without planning each hour, that tradeoff works well.

You can also reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Starting times depend on availability, so check the departure option carefully before you commit.

Who will enjoy Cat Aventure most?

I would choose this cruise for:

• Friends who want music, drinks, sun, and swimming in one package
• Families who like the convenience of an included lunch
• Couples who prefer a full day on the water to a crowded public beach
• Confident swimmers who are happy entering deep water from a catamaran
• People who value a comfortable daybed and do not want to organize meals or drinks

I would think twice if you want a quiet sailing, a formal guide, a detailed coastal tour, or a strong snorkeling program. It may also be a poor fit if you are uncomfortable around jellyfish, sensitive to smoke, or expect restaurant-quality BBQ.

People with a cold are specifically listed as unsuitable for the activity. That may simply reflect the long day on a boat and the swimming element, but you should follow the operator’s advice.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and practical shoes. You will need to remove your shoes on board, so avoid footwear you would be upset to scuff or misplace.

Arrive with enough time to visit the red ticket office and collect your bed number. If you are traveling from Salou during the busy July and August period, arrange a taxi early or use the bus, which runs about every 20 minutes and stops around 300 meters from the boat.

You do not need money for on-board payments because the listed food and drinks are included. I would still bring a small amount for personal needs on shore, but the cruise itself is presented as an all-included experience.

Should you book this six-hour cruise?

Book it if you want a social day on the water, a comfortable bed, two swims, music, and drinks without managing separate reservations. The staff can be a real strength, and the included package offers good value at $77 when you make use of the lunch and bar.

Skip it if food quality is your top priority, if you want a quiet boat, or if snorkeling is the central goal. Go in expecting a floating beach club, not a guided coastal expedition or a luxury restaurant. Choose your bed carefully, arrive early at the red ticket office, bring a towel, and ask about lunch and swimming conditions. With those expectations, Cat Aventure is a fun, easygoing Cambrils day out.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The starting location depends on the option booked. The listed meeting points are Passeig de les Palmeres and Saba Aparcamientos, S.A. Check your selected meeting point before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours.

What is included in the price?

The package includes the catamaran cruise, Balinese bed, BBQ, lunch, drinks, aperitifs, music, and two swimming stops. Taxes are also included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The included drinks menu features options such as cava, prosecco, vermouth, Aperol, and wine.

How many swimming stops are there?

The cruise includes two stops for swimming.

Is snorkeling available?

Snorkeling is possible at suitable swimming locations, but the boat may anchor in water around 12 meters deep. Snorkeling may therefore be limited, with little to see below the boat.

What languages are available?

The advertised languages are English, Catalan, French, Dutch, and Spanish.

Do I need to bring money for the boat?

No money is needed for payments on board because the listed food and drinks are included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, subject to the booking conditions.