Costa Daurada Cruise with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Costa Daurada cruise is the simple rhythm: sail along the coast, anchor in clear water, swim while the crew cooks, then eat lunch at a real table aboard the Dorimar II. It feels more like a floating lunch outing than a hurried sightseeing boat.

I like the spacious catamaran, with two decks, two sea ladders, four bathrooms, and tables and chairs for the meal. I also like the open drinks bar, which includes beer, sangria, cava, water, and soft drinks. The main drawback is that five hours is a long time if you want constant sightseeing, and one poor seat can mean people walking past you as they reach the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Five hours from Cambrils: You return to the same port after a relaxed coastal cruise.
• Swimming stop included: The boat anchors so you can get into the sea while lunch is prepared.
• Barbecue served onboard: Lunch includes grilled food, salad, fruit, and drinks.
• Four bathrooms and two sea ladders: These practical features matter on a full half-day boat trip.
• English-speaking crew: The crew also speaks Spanish and Catalan.
• Weather can change the plan: The captain may alter the route or cancel if conditions are poor.

Setting out from Cambrils on the Dorimar II

Your meeting point is at Passeig de les Palmeres, 40, in Cambrils. The trip begins and ends at this port, so you do not have to arrange a second pickup point after lunch.

The vessel is the Dorimar II, a motor catamaran designed for comfort rather than a small, fast ride. Its width gives you more room to move around, and the boat has two decks where you can sit, sunbathe, or watch the Costa Daurada coast pass by.

The crew speaks Spanish, Catalan, and English. That makes the basic practical details easy, especially when the crew explains where to sit, how to reach the water, or when lunch is ready.

You need to arrange your own transport to Cambrils. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow time to reach the port before departure. Starting times vary by date, and you should check availability before building the cruise into a larger day plan.

Coastal views are the main sightseeing event

Once the boat leaves Cambrils, the cruise is about enjoying the coast from offshore rather than visiting a series of named towns or attractions. You get wide views of the Costa Daurada, with the water and shoreline providing the scenery as the catamaran moves along.

I would choose a seat early if you care about a particular position. The boat has plenty of room, but the access points to the water are also working areas. One passenger found that sitting on the net near an access point meant people continued walking past for much of the five-hour trip, while another access point was blocked by belongings.

That detail is useful because the net area may look like the most exciting place to sit. It can be a good spot for the sea breeze and close water views, but it may also be a passageway. If you want peace during the meal or cruise, choose a table or a less busy part of one of the decks.

This is a relaxed cruise, not a guided coastal lecture. No guide names or detailed commentary are provided, so you should book it for the time on the water, the swimming break, and lunch rather than for formal sightseeing information.

The swimming stop breaks up the five-hour ride

After sailing for a while, the captain drops anchor in a suitable area so you can swim. This is the point where the cruise becomes more than a boat ride with a meal attached.

The water is described as clear and cool, and two ladders lead down from the boat. You can swim directly from the catamaran instead of walking onto a beach. The ladders also make getting back aboard easier than climbing over the side.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen. A camera is also listed as useful, though you should protect it carefully around the water. Glass objects are not allowed on board.

The swimming time is also when the crew prepares the barbecue. That gives the stop a natural pause: you swim, dry off, find a place at a table, and eat once lunch is ready. Exact swimming and meal times are not specified, so you should expect the captain and crew to set the timing according to the route and conditions.

The boat does not promise a particular cove or named anchorage. The captain may change the route because of weather, and a trip can be canceled if conditions are unsafe. That flexibility is sensible at sea, but it means you should not treat one exact coastal stop as guaranteed.

Barbecue lunch at a proper table

Lunch is cooked by the crew and served onboard. The meal includes barbecue, salad, and fruit. A previous passenger found the barbecue meal quite nice, especially the chicken, while also wishing the salad were better suited to a windy boat setting.

That is a fair point. Salad can be awkward when the boat is moving or when wind catches the serving dish. Still, having tables and chairs is a major advantage over a basic excursion where you eat from your lap.

The catamaran’s layout is built around this kind of meal. A bar counter, two decks, and ample seating make it possible to eat without giving up all comfort. Four bathrooms are another welcome feature, especially on a five-hour outing.

Do not expect a restaurant menu or a choice of several dishes. The experience provides a set barbecue lunch, salad, fruit, and drinks. If you have dietary needs, the supplied details do not confirm special meal arrangements, so ask the provider before booking.

The free bar adds real value to the $63 price. You receive beer, sangria, cava, water, and soft drinks throughout the trip. Coffee is not included, and one passenger specifically missed having it. If coffee matters to you, have it before boarding or bring only what the boat permits. Glass is not allowed.

What the free bar means for the price

At $63 per person, this is not simply a five-hour ferry ride. The price covers the return catamaran journey, the swim stop, barbecue lunch, salad, fruit, and a selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

That makes the outing a reasonable choice if you plan to use the boat for most of the five hours. You are paying for the space, the coastal views, the meal, the crew, and the convenience of not having to find a separate lunch stop during the excursion.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick look at the coast. Five hours is a substantial block of your day, and the route is designed for leisure rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.

I would compare it with the cost of arranging a separate boat ride, beach stop, and lunch in Cambrils. The included drinks and onboard meal help the numbers, especially if you enjoy sangria, beer, or cava. Families and groups may also appreciate having the food and swimming stop handled in one outing.

The cruise is best understood as a social day on the water. You are not buying a private boat or a quiet sailing experience. The vessel can accommodate a large number of passengers, so the mood may be shared and lively, particularly around the ladders, tables, and bar.

The boat facilities make a difference

The Dorimar II has several features that matter more after the first hour than they do in the brochure:

• Two decks: You can change your view or find shade and sun at different points during the trip.
• Two sea ladders: These provide two access points for swimming and reboarding.
• Four bathrooms: This is useful on a five-hour trip with lunch and drinks.
• Tables and chairs: You have a stable place to eat rather than balancing a plate.
• Bar counter: Drinks can be served in one central area.
• Spacious design: There is room for a large number of passengers and for the crew to prepare lunch.

These features do not turn the cruise into a luxury yacht outing. They do make it more practical than a small boat with limited seating and no proper meal area.

Wheelchair accessibility is listed, which is helpful, but the supplied information does not explain the exact boarding arrangements or whether every part of the boat can be reached by wheelchair. If you use a wheelchair, confirm those details with Creuers Costa daurada S.L. before booking.

Choosing the right place to sit

Your seat can shape the experience. The boat has open areas for sunbathing and access points for the sea, but those points also need to remain clear for passengers moving in and out of the water.

I would avoid settling directly beside a ladder or net access point unless you enjoy being near the action. A table or seat farther from the traffic should be more comfortable for lunch and conversation.

You should also bring sun protection from the start. Five hours on the water means more exposure than you may expect, even when the air feels cool. Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are listed essentials, and a towel is needed after the swim.

The information does not promise shade for every passenger. If you prefer to stay out of direct sun, ask the crew where the more sheltered seating is when you board. The two-deck layout gives you some choice, but the best position may depend on how full the boat is.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to people who want a low-effort coastal day with the major pieces already arranged. You can sit, watch the coast, swim, eat, and have drinks without changing locations.

It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy a shared boat atmosphere. The free soft drinks make it workable for people who do not drink alcohol, while the beer, sangria, and cava suit an adult lunch on the water.

It is also a good fit if you want swimming without committing to a full beach day. The catamaran gives you direct access to the sea, and you can return to the boat for lunch instead of carrying food and equipment ashore.

I would be more cautious about booking it if you need a quiet, private setting. A large catamaran with many passengers will not feel secluded. I would also think twice if you want a detailed history of the Costa Daurada or several sightseeing stops, since the available information focuses on views, relaxation, swimming, and lunch.

Weather is part of the decision

The captain may change the route or cancel the trip if meteorological conditions create a problem. That is standard for a coastal cruise, but it matters because the exact route and swimming location are not fixed.

You should keep some flexibility around the booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when your coastal plans depend on the forecast.

Even on a good-weather day, conditions can affect how pleasant the boat feels. Wind may make the sea rougher, and it can affect where you want to sit or how easy it is to manage lunch. The captain’s route choice is there for safety and comfort, not to disappoint you.

Practical packing for five hours aboard

Keep your day bag simple and secure. Bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Any personal medication you need

Do not bring glass objects. You should also keep loose belongings away from the sea ladders and other access points, since passengers need those areas clear.

The onboard drinks include water and soft drinks, so you do not need to pack beverages for the cruise. Beer, sangria, and cava are also included. Coffee is not included, so plan for that before boarding if it is part of your morning routine.

Since hotel transport is not provided, plan your route to Passeig de les Palmeres, 40, in Cambrils separately. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which makes the return simple once you have arranged your onward plans.

My verdict on the Costa Daurada catamaran cruise

I like this cruise for what it is: a comfortable, social half-day on the water with a swim, a cooked lunch, and an unusually useful drinks package. The friendly crew, spacious boat, multiple bathrooms, tables, and two sea ladders all support a relaxed day rather than a rushed excursion.

The tradeoffs are clear. The boat may carry many passengers, seating near the water access points can be busy, coffee is not included, and the barbecue is a set meal rather than a flexible menu. The route can also change with the weather.

Book it if you want the Costa Daurada as a place to relax, swim, and eat. Skip it if you want a private boat, a quiet escape, or a detailed guided tour of coastal sights. For $63, the combination of five hours, lunch, swimming, and free drinks is solid value when you plan to spend the day enjoying the boat itself.

FAQ

Where does the Costa Daurada cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Passeig de les Palmeres, 40, 43850 Cambrils, in Catalonia.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Cambrils.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the return boat trip, barbecue lunch, salad, fruit, free drinks, and swimming in the sea.

Which drinks are included?

The free bar includes beer, sangria, cava, water, and soft drinks.

Is lunch cooked on the boat?

Yes. The motor catamaran crew prepares the barbecue onboard while the boat is anchored for swimming.

Can I swim from the catamaran?

Yes. Swimming in the sea is included, and the boat has two stairs leading to the water.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera, and sunscreen.

Is hotel transport included?

No. Transport from your hotel to the port of Cambrils is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The captain may change the route or cancel the trip if meteorological conditions cause problems. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.