Lloret de Mar: Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

The best part of this Costa Brava outing is the long stop in a quiet cove. After sailing past cliffs, caves, fishing villages, and small beaches, you can jump from the catamaran’s trampoline into clear Mediterranean water, swim, snorkel, or stretch out on a floating mattress. The swimming time is generous, not just a quick photo stop.

I like the easy beach boarding in central Lloret de Mar and the fact that lunch and drinks are included in the $59 price. I also like the choice of moods: a calmer morning trip for families, a livelier afternoon sailing for adults, and a Saturday celebration cruise with a DJ. The main consideration is the size and party feel. The catamaran may carry close to 100 people, and the food is a simple self-service buffet rather than a restaurant meal.

Key points to know before booking

• A two-hour swimming stop: The boat anchors after about an hour of sailing, leaving plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, and floating.
• Three departure styles: Morning trips suit families, afternoon trips are for adults over 18, and Saturday celebration sailings are adult-only.
• A simple BBQ lunch: Expect beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and fruit cocktail.
• Drinks are part of the deal: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are available, with the Saturday celebration option offering five drinks.
• A large, social boat: You may share the catamaran with around 90 to 100 people, though there is seating, a covered area, and a sun deck.
• Bring your own snorkel: Masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit, but snorkels are not clearly included.

Sailing from Lloret’s beach promenade

Your meeting point is Passeig Agustí Font 2, near Lloret de Mar’s town hall. This is right on the promenade, and the catamaran boards from the sand, so you do not need a taxi or marina transfer. Show the QR code on your phone to receive your boarding passes.

Arrive with time to spare. The boat is popular in high season, and a crowd waiting at the beach can make boarding look more frantic than it really is. There is enough room onboard for everyone, so do not push to be first. A calmer boarding process is better for the crew and for you.

The boat has a broad bow net where you can lie above the water, plus a solarium area, covered seating, toilets, and safety vests. The net is the classic catamaran perch, but it is also the most exposed place to the sun and spray. Keep your sunglasses secure and use sunscreen before leaving shore.

With a capacity that can approach 100 people, this is not a private sailing trip. I would describe it as a floating beach club with a sightseeing route, meal, and swim stop. That is good news if you like meeting people, music, and a social mood. It is less suitable if you want quiet sailing or personal space.

The first hour along the Costa Brava

The opening part of the cruise is the scenic one. From Lloret, you sail along the Costa Brava past rugged cliffs, caves, small beaches, and fishing villages. The exact view depends on the route and weather, but the coast is best appreciated from the water, where you can see how the coves are tucked into the rocky shore.

Some departures travel toward Tossa de Mar, with the anchorage set somewhere between Lloret and Tossa. The boat moves slowly enough for you to take photographs, but this is not a guided coastal history tour. You are here for the combination of scenery, sun, music, and sea air rather than a detailed commentary at every headland.

I would spend the first hour moving between the bow net and the side deck. The front net gives you the most direct sensation of floating over the Mediterranean, while the covered area is a better choice if the sun is strong. If you are prone to seasickness, stay near the middle of the boat and avoid drinking too much before the anchorage.

The music begins early, but the return trip is usually the more energetic part. The crew may encourage dancing and get people involved, so the tone gradually shifts from sightseeing cruise to party boat.

Two hours anchored for swimming and snorkeling

After roughly an hour of sailing, the catamaran anchors in a quieter spot for about two hours. This is the heart of the experience. You can jump from the boat’s trampoline into the sea, swim around the catamaran, use the floating mattress, or snorkel near the inlet.

The water is described as clear, and several parts of the trip’s appeal come from simply getting in. You are not confined to a short swim with a whistle calling you back after ten minutes. There is time to swim, dry off, return to the water, and repeat the process before lunch and departure.

Masks are available, but you need a €10 refundable cash deposit. Bring cash for this, even though the cruise includes food and drinks. The supplied information mentions masks to dive, while passengers have specifically found it useful to bring their own snorkel. If snorkeling matters to you, pack one rather than relying on the boat’s equipment.

The water activities are not presented as a guided snorkeling excursion. You will not be taken to a formal reef or given an underwater lesson. Think of it as casual Mediterranean snorkeling from a large boat, with fish and clear water if conditions cooperate.

Safety matters here. Follow the crew’s instructions, use the safety equipment provided, and do not jump from places where jumping is not allowed. The rules prohibit jumping in general, while the designated trampoline is intended for entering the water. Do not swim under the boat or near the propellers.

Parents should choose the morning departure, which is intended for families with children under 18. One practical point is worth noting: a May departure had a shortage of children’s life jackets at first, so families with eager young swimmers should ask for a child-sized vest immediately after boarding. The crew does pay attention to safety, but getting equipment early avoids a delay.

A straightforward BBQ after the boat drops anchor

The food is served once the catamaran has anchored, approximately 1.5 hours after departure. That timing makes sense. You get into the water first, then eat while the boat is still in its quiet anchorage.

The meal is self-service, with no optional menu. The listed food includes beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and a sweet fruit cocktail. It is a practical buffet designed for a day at sea, not a carefully plated Costa Brava meal.

I would call the food filling and serviceable. Several passengers have found it tasty and plentiful, while the most consistent criticism is that it feels basic. The burgers and chicken provide something substantial after swimming, and pasta and salad give you lighter choices. If you have a strict diet, check the details before booking. The meal is identified as containing no gluten, but the information does not give a full allergy policy or ingredient list.

The food comes with drinks including beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. You should not expect a full bar. Beer and sangria are the main alcoholic options, and wine is not listed. One useful distinction is that the Saturday celebration cruise includes five drinks, while other formats may use a different drink arrangement. Extra drinks have been reported at €2, but confirm the exact setup for your chosen departure.

You cannot bring your own food or drinks. Alcohol, glass objects, coolers, and drugs are forbidden. Arriving intoxicated can mean refusal of boarding without a refund, so this is not a good place to start the day already drinking.

The ride home turns up the music

After swimming and lunch, the catamaran heads back to Lloret. The return leg is where the atmosphere becomes most lively. Music gets louder, dancing is encouraged, and the crew helps turn the boat into a temporary dance floor.

The DJ and staff are a major part of the appeal, especially on the adult afternoon and Saturday celebration departures. Feedback has repeatedly singled out the friendly, energetic crew, with Julio and Silvester both receiving personal praise. The team mixes entertainment with safety reminders, which is important when people are moving around a wet deck.

The music suits a young adult party setting, with familiar dance classics and an upbeat holiday mood. It can still work for older couples and families on the morning sailing, but choose your departure carefully. A family morning trip is not the same product as a Saturday adult celebration cruise.

This is also a social experience. You may meet other groups, share the swim stop, and dance with people you did not arrive with. That makes it a good fit for birthdays, anniversaries, hen parties, and friends who want more than a quiet boat ride. Bachelor groups need to book the permitted adult celebration format, and costumes or sexual objects are not accepted on any departure.

Is $59 a fair price?

At $59 for four hours, the value is strong if you plan to use the whole package. You are paying for round-trip sailing, crew, the scenic coastal route, a substantial swim stop, floating equipment, a BBQ meal, music, and drinks. Buying a separate boat trip, lunch, and several drinks in Lloret could easily cost a similar amount.

The value is greatest for people who want several holiday activities combined in one block of time. You get sightseeing, swimming, sunbathing, lunch, and entertainment without arranging separate transport or reservations.

The calculation changes if you want a small, peaceful sailing experience. A large catamaran, shared seating, amplified music, and a party atmosphere are part of the product. You are not paying for privacy or gourmet food. You are paying for convenience, access to the water, and an easy social day at sea.

The 3.5-hour sailing and activity time described in the route fits within the advertised four-hour duration, allowing for boarding and return. Check available departure times carefully, since high season may bring additional schedules.

Who should choose which departure?

The morning cruise is the sensible choice for families with children under 18. It offers the same core pleasures, sailing, swimming, food, and drinks, but with a more family-friendly tone. Children who like water activities should have plenty to do, though parents still need to supervise them closely.

The afternoon cruise is for adults over 18 and has a younger, more animated mood. Choose this if dancing, socializing, and music matter as much as the coastal scenery.

The Saturday celebration cruise is the party version. It is adult-only, includes a DJ, BBQ, and five drinks, and suits birthdays, anniversaries, hen groups, and other celebrations. It is not appropriate if your group wants a quiet afternoon or if you plan to wear a costume.

Couples can enjoy the trip, especially if they are comfortable sharing a boat with a large crowd. One couple described it as a strong part of their holiday, but the experience is not romantic in the private-yacht sense. Expect music, people, and group energy.

The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. The beach boarding, wet decks, trampoline, and water access also require a level of mobility, even for people who are not formally using a wheelchair.

What to pack for a better day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals or flip-flops, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and cash. The cash is important for the refundable €10 mask deposit and for any extra purchases.

A phone with a waterproof pouch is wise, though the tour information does not state that waterproof storage is provided. Keep valuables limited. The bow net and swim areas are exposed, and wet hands are not kind to phones.

Bring your own snorkel if you care about seeing fish. Masks are available, but snorkels are not clearly included. You should also carry a cover-up for the ride back if you do not want to sit in wet swimwear.

Do not bring outside meals, drinks, alcohol, a cooler, glass, or pets. Costumes are also prohibited, and intoxicated passengers can be refused boarding. The tour is weather dependent and may be canceled for rough seas, heavy rain, mechanical problems, or too few participants.

Booking advice and final call

I would book this catamaran if you want a good-value Costa Brava outing that gives you a real swim stop rather than only a coastal view. The long anchorage, clear water, simple BBQ, and included drinks make the $59 price easy to justify.

Choose the morning for children, the afternoon for an adult social atmosphere, and Saturday’s celebration cruise for a full party day. Bring cash, your own snorkel, and realistic expectations about the buffet and group size.

Skip it if you want silence, gourmet food, private sailing, or a carefully guided snorkeling tour. For everyone else, this is one of Lloret de Mar’s easiest ways to spend half a day on the Mediterranean, with enough structure to keep things simple and enough free water time to make it feel like a proper sea outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Passeig Agustí Font 2 on the Lloret de Mar promenade, near the town hall. Boarding takes place from the sand at the beach.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts four hours. The route includes about an hour of sailing to the anchorage, around two hours for swimming and onboard activities, and the return trip to Lloret de Mar.

What food is served onboard?

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

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. The Saturday celebration cruise includes five drinks. Extra drinks may be available for purchase.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Yes. Morning departures are intended for families with children under 18. Evening departures are for people over 18, and Saturday celebration departures are adult-only.

Can I snorkel from the catamaran?

Yes. You can snorkel during the anchorage in a small inlet or nearby clear water. Masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit. Bring your own snorkel if you want to be sure you have one.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. You should also bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and sandals or flip-flops.

Can I bring my own food or alcohol?

No. Outside food and drinks are not allowed. Alcohol, glass objects, coolers, drugs, and pets are also prohibited.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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.