Alicante: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise to Tabarca Island

Tabarca feels best from the water. This six-hour catamaran cruise pairs a pleasant sail from Alicante with swimming and snorkeling in Spain’s first marine reserve, followed by free time on the island. I like the generous setup: unlimited water, soft drinks, and juice, plus a homemade paella lunch and one alcoholic drink are included. I also like the freedom at Tabarca, where you can swim beside the catamaran, take the small shuttle boat to the village, or do both without being locked into a strict timetable.

The main consideration is the sea. The route can be choppy, and the open deck offers little shelter from sun and wind. Very young children may find six hours at sea tiring, and anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare carefully. The snorkeling is unguided, too, although sailor-lifeguards remain present during the activity.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours around Tabarca: Swim, snorkel, eat lunch, and visit the island village at your own pace.
• Paella is part of the $85 price: Choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, with mixed salad and a drink.
• Soft drinks stay free: Water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise.
• The front nets fill quickly: They are excellent for relaxing, but space is limited and popular.
• The snorkel gear is simple: Masks and fins are included, but tubes cost €5 because of hygiene rules.
• A small boat links the catamaran and island: This makes visiting the village easier without giving up swimming time.

Why this Tabarca cruise is worth considering

Alicante has plenty of ways to reach Tabarca, but the catamaran makes the journey part of the day rather than a basic transfer. You spend about 90 minutes sailing from the Port of Alicante, with open views across the Costa Blanca and plenty of room to sit, sunbathe, or stretch out on the nets between the hulls.

At $85 per person, this is not simply a boat ticket. The price covers the return cruise, lunch, a drink, unlimited nonalcoholic beverages, fruit, snorkeling masks and fins, music, and the boat transfer to the island. Extra alcoholic drinks and food cost more, but several people found the additional drink prices reasonable.

I especially like the way the day balances activity and idleness. You can jump into the water, explore Tabarca, or do very little beyond watching the coast slide past. That makes the trip a good fit for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who want a full day at sea without booking several separate activities.

The one thing you should not expect is a formal guided sightseeing tour. The crew handles safety, food, drinks, and transfers, but there is limited commentary about the coastline and Tabarca’s past. If you want a detailed cultural tour, you may find the experience light on information.

Finding the catamaran at Alicante’s port

The meeting point is the Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to Bar Noray and in front of Mundo de los Niños. Arrive 15 minutes early for the pre-departure presentation. This matters because the crew needs to organize boarding and explain the day before the boat leaves.

The location is described as easy to find, but do not cut it close. The tour asks you to be punctual for the sake of everyone on board. Alicante does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the port.

A standard day has a minimum requirement of 15 passengers. If that number is not reached, the operator will contact you about moving the booking or receiving a refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later if your schedule is still shifting.

The catamaran has an onboard restroom, music, and a bar. It is not intended for wheelchair users, and large bags, luggage, coolers, outside food, and outside drinks are not allowed. Bring a small day bag instead of valuables, since the operator accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage.

The 90-minute sail from Alicante to Tabarca

The outbound sail is a relaxed start to the day. From Alicante, the route heads along the Costa Blanca toward Tabarca, with open views over the Mediterranean. You can sit near the edge, find shade when available, or claim a place on the front nets.

The nets are one of the most appealing spots on the catamaran. They let you lie above the water as the boat moves, though there are limits on how many people can use them at once. If that is your preferred seat, arrive promptly and claim it early. They fill quickly.

The crew welcomes you with fruit, and water, juice, and soft drinks remain available. You also receive one alcoholic drink, such as beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Additional alcoholic drinks and food are not included, so it is worth checking the bar prices before ordering several rounds.

Lunch preparation takes place during the journey. The menu offers chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella with mixed salad. Several people especially liked the vegetarian option, and the food received unusually strong praise for a boat excursion. The paella is homemade, though the exact preparation can vary by day.

Sea conditions can change the mood of the crossing. One November trip had a rough outward ride, and summer sailings have also encountered high waves and strong wind. The captain and crew are attentive, but the catamaran cannot control the sea. If you are sensitive to motion, sit in a central area, avoid drinking too much alcohol early, and ask the crew about available motion sickness medicine.

Three hours beside Tabarca’s marine reserve

Tabarca is the main reason to book this trip. It is Spain’s first marine reserve, and the water around the island is known for its clear conditions. The catamaran stops for about three hours, giving you time to choose how active you want the middle part of the day to be.

You can swim straight from the boat and use the provided masks and fins. The snorkeling activity is free but not guided, so you are responsible for staying within your comfort level and following the crew’s safety instructions. Sailor-lifeguards are present during the snorkeling period, which adds a useful layer of supervision.

Tubes are not included for hygiene reasons. You can buy one onboard for €5, or bring your own if permitted by the operator. Masks and fins are supplied, but fit can vary, so test the equipment before jumping in.

The swim stop is also a social part of the day. Several people enjoyed jumping from the catamaran into the sea, while others preferred floating, sunbathing, or watching from the deck. One snorkeler even spotted an octopus, though you should treat that as a lucky possibility rather than a promise.

The water may feel warm in summer, but conditions are not guaranteed. Bring water shoes if you have them, since they are recommended and useful around rocky or uneven shore areas. Jewelry is not allowed, and sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel belong in your small bag.

Visiting Tabarca village without losing swim time

The island visit is loosely organized, which is a strength for many people. A smaller boat runs between the catamaran and Tabarca several times, allowing you to go ashore and return without following a rigid group schedule.

On land, you can walk through the village, see the island’s coastal views, and spend time near the beach. Tabarca is compact, so the visit works best as a change of pace rather than a long sightseeing program. The village has shops, bars, restaurants, and pleasant viewpoints, but the main attraction on this day is the combination of island time and water time.

You can visit the island first, eat lunch, and swim later, or swim before going ashore. This choice makes the three-hour stop feel less rushed. Still, pay attention to the crew’s instructions and the return boat schedule. If you linger on shore too long, you may miss the best time for swimming or lunch.

Food service requires some coordination. The crew needs to tidy the dining area before the catamaran sails, so do not wait until the last moment to eat. One useful tip is to eat as soon as lunch is served if you also want time on the island. You can then return to the water without worrying about missing the meal.

Paella, fruit, and drinks on board

The meal is more substantial than you might expect from a standard boat trip. You get homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, mixed salad, and a drink. Fruit is provided at the start, while water, soft drinks, and juice are available throughout the day.

The paella is one of the strongest reasons the $85 price makes sense. It saves you from having to find lunch on Tabarca, where food and drinks would be an extra expense. It also keeps the schedule simple, since the meal takes place on the boat rather than requiring a restaurant booking.

The fish version may not be loaded with seafood every time. One person found the food good but noted that there was not much seafood in the paella. That is a useful expectation to set: this is a fresh, filling boat lunch, not a specialist seafood tasting.

Vegetarians are catered for with a separate paella option, and the crew has handled special dietary requests when possible. If you have an important allergy or dietary need, tell the operator before the trip rather than relying on an informal request onboard.

The return sail past Santa Pola

After the Tabarca stop, the catamaran returns to Alicante in about 90 minutes. The ride back gives you a different view of the coast and is often the quietest part of the day. The crew may raise the main sail, creating a calmer setting for a nap, a drink, or a final spell on deck.

Look toward Carabassi Beach, known for its white sand, and the Cape of Santa Pola with its lighthouse. These sights are best appreciated from the water, where you get a broad view that you would not have from a road or beach promenade.

The return is also where the lack of detailed commentary is most noticeable. The crew may point out sights, but this is not a narrated coastal tour with a full explanation of every headland. I would enjoy a few more details about the island and coastline, but many people will be happy simply to watch the shore and rest.

Music continues onboard, and the overall feel can range from peaceful to lively depending on the group. That makes the trip less suited to anyone seeking a silent sailing experience. It works better if you like a relaxed social setting with drinks, music, and the option to chat.

Who will enjoy this six-hour outing

This cruise suits you if you want several Alicante experiences in one booking: a coastal sail, a swim stop, snorkeling, an island visit, and lunch. It is also a good choice for groups because the flexible stop lets active swimmers and casual sightseers enjoy the same day.

Older children and teenagers should have plenty to do. Swimming from the catamaran, using the snorkeling gear, and crossing to the island add variety. Very young children may struggle with the length of the trip, the open deck, sun, and possible rough water. One family brought an infant and a toddler, but the boat day was not considered ideal for children that young.

You should also think carefully if you dislike boats, open sun, or informal arrangements. The snorkeling is not guided, the seating is not equally desirable everywhere, and the best net spaces go quickly. The crew is attentive and safety-conscious, but this remains a sea outing rather than a controlled pool activity.

The multilingual crew can assist in Spanish, English, French, and German. That is useful during the safety presentation, meal service, and transfers. Still, the exact level of spoken commentary may depend on the staff working that day.

What to pack for a more comfortable day

Pack light. You need sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and water shoes. A small waterproof pouch for your phone is sensible, although the operator warns against bringing valuables.

Leave high heels, jewelry, coolers, large bags, outside food, and drinks at your accommodation. Pets are not allowed, and minors cannot travel unaccompanied. The catamaran is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Apply sunscreen before boarding and repeat it after swimming. The open deck can make the breeze feel cooler than the sun really is. A light cover-up can also help during lunch or the return sail.

Should you book the Alicante Tabarca catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, full-day sea experience with strong value built into the price. The food, free drinks, snorkeling equipment, island transfer, and return sail make this more than a simple ferry ride. I especially recommend it for couples and groups who want the freedom to mix swimming with a short island visit.

Skip it if you need a fully guided cultural tour, guaranteed calm water, wheelchair access, or a quiet boat with no music. Families with infants and very young children should also think twice about the six-hour duration.

For most able-bodied visitors who enjoy the sea, this is a well-rounded way to see Tabarca. Arrive early for a good seat, prepare for sun and motion, eat lunch promptly, and keep your schedule loose. The biggest pleasure is not just reaching the island. It is having a comfortable catamaran, a meal, and time to enjoy the water along the way.

FAQ

How long does the Alicante catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts six hours, including about 90 minutes sailing from Alicante, three hours at Tabarca, and about 90 minutes sailing back.

What is included in the $85 price?

The price includes the catamaran cruise, welcome fruit, homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, mixed salad, one beer, wine, or tinto de verano, unlimited water, soft drinks and juice, snorkeling masks and fins, music, and use of the onboard restroom.

Are snorkeling tubes included?

No. Masks and fins are included, but tubes are not provided for hygiene reasons. You can buy a tube onboard for €5.

Is the snorkeling guided?

No. The snorkeling activity is free and unguided. Sailor-lifeguards are present during the snorkeling activity.

Can I visit Tabarca village during the stop?

Yes. A smaller boat makes repeated trips between the catamaran and the island, allowing you to visit the village and return to the boat during the three-hour stop.

Is lunch suitable for vegetarians?

Yes. You can choose vegetarian paella, along with chicken or fish paella options.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to Bar Noray and in front of Mundo de los Niños. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users and unaccompanied minors?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.