Lloret de Mar: Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

The Costa Brava looks best from the water. This four-hour catamaran trip from Lloret de Mar combines cliff-lined sailing and a long swim stop with a BBQ, drinks, music, and room to stretch out on the front nets. I like the generous two-hour anchor break, and I like that the crew keeps the boat lively without forgetting basic safety. The main catch is the size and mood: this can be a busy party boat, not a quiet sailing escape, and the food is simple rather than gourmet.

Choose your departure carefully. The morning trip is aimed at families, while afternoon departures are for adults over 18 and usually have a younger, louder feel. Saturday celebration sailings are adults-only. Bring your own towel and snorkel if you have one, since masks are available with a refundable cash deposit, but snorkels may not be supplied.

What makes this Costa Brava cruise worth considering

• A two-hour swim stop: The catamaran anchors in a quiet coastal spot, giving you time to jump from the trampoline, use the floating mattress, swim, and snorkel.
• A real meal at sea: Expect beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and fruit cocktail served buffet-style.
• The front nets are the best seats: Lie above the water as the catamaran moves along the Costa Brava.
• Different departures suit different groups: Morning trips welcome families, while afternoon and Saturday options focus on adults and music.
• Drinks are part of the package: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are available, though the exact serving system can vary by departure.
• A social, music-led atmosphere: The return trip often becomes a dance session with a DJ and crew-led entertainment.

Leaving Lloret de Mar from the beach promenade

The meeting point is at Passeig Agustí Font, 2, near Lloret de Mar’s town hall. The catamaran boards directly from the sand, so wear sandals or flip-flops and be ready for a beach-style start rather than a formal marina boarding.

Have the QR code on your phone ready. You exchange it for your boarding passes before getting on. Arrive with enough time to find the meeting point and board calmly, especially during the busy summer months. One useful point from the boat experience is that early boarding is not essential for finding space. The catamaran has carried close to 100 people, yet the layout gives everyone somewhere to sit or stand.

Still, seating is not the same as solitude. You will share the boat with a large group, and the front nets can fill quickly. If lying over the water is important to you, get aboard promptly. If you prefer a shaded or less exposed spot, look for space in the covered area.

The catamaran has toilets, a solarium area, a covered section, safety vests, and plenty of open deck space. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the beach boarding arrangement may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.

The first hour, cliffs, caves, and fishing villages

The cruise begins with roughly an hour of sailing along the Costa Brava. This is the quieter part of the day, though music and drinks are already part of the setting.

From the water, Lloret’s busy resort feel quickly gives way to a more open view of the coast. You pass cliffs, caves, small beaches, and fishing villages. The catamaran gives you a wide view that is hard to get from a crowded beach, especially when you are stretched out on the forward net with the sea below.

I would use this first hour for photographs and a slow look at the coastline. The front net is fun, but it is exposed to strong sun and spray. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and water-resistant protection for your phone are sensible choices. The boat includes music, so this is not a silent sightseeing cruise. Expect a holiday soundtrack rather than a guide explaining every cove.

The route can include the coast toward Tossa de Mar, with the anchorage set between Lloret and Tossa. Exact conditions and direction depend on the day. The attraction is less about reaching one famous landmark and more about seeing the Costa Brava from a moving platform, with time built in for swimming.

Two hours at anchor for swimming and water play

The long anchor stop is the heart of the trip. After about an hour of sailing, the catamaran settles in a quiet spot for around two hours. The crew prepares the meal while you use the water.

You can jump from the boat’s trampoline, swim in a small inlet, relax on a floating mattress, or use the supplied masks to look for fish. The Mediterranean water is described as clear, and several departures have offered excellent swimming conditions. This is the kind of stop that makes the cruise more than a coastal sightseeing loop.

There are a few practical points. The supplied masks require a €10 refundable cash deposit. The masks may let you look beneath the surface, but snorkels are not necessarily provided, so bring your own if snorkeling matters to you. You also need cash for the deposit, and possibly for extra drinks depending on your departure arrangement.

Jumping from the boat is allowed only in the designated way and under the crew’s rules. The information for the cruise specifically forbids casual jumping, so listen carefully to instructions. Life jackets are available, and the crew pays attention to safety, particularly around children. If you are bringing young swimmers, collect a properly sized life jacket early.

The water stop is long enough for several rounds of swimming, but it may feel different depending on your group. Families can spread the activities across the morning. Adults on an afternoon sailing may spend more time dancing, drinking, and socializing between swims. If you want a peaceful personal swim, the number of people around the boat may be the main limitation.

What arrives for lunch on the boat

The BBQ meal is served after the catamaran anchors, with food ready about an hour and a half after departure. It is self-service, with no alternative menu listed.

The meal includes beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and a sweet fruit cocktail. It is a practical boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. You get enough variety to make a plate, and the timing works well because the swim stop gives you something to do while the crew prepares everything.

The food has received plenty of praise for taste and quantity, though some people found it basic and wished for a better selection. That is a fair expectation to set. If food is the main reason you book a cruise, this is not the right product. If you want lunch included so you can spend the day on the water without arranging a separate meal, it offers good value.

The meal is listed as containing no gluten, but anyone with a serious allergy should confirm the handling arrangements before booking. There is no optional menu, so picky eaters should plan accordingly. You cannot bring your own food or drinks onto the catamaran.

Beer, sangria, music, and the return trip

Drinks are a major part of the package. Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included according to the cruise information. Some departures use a system of five drink vouchers, with additional drinks available for €2. Since the details can differ by sailing option, check the exact arrangement when you book.

The drink selection is fairly narrow. Beer and sangria suit the party-boat format, and soft drinks cover non-drinkers, but wine is not listed. If you prefer white wine or cocktails, you may be disappointed. Alcohol is not unlimited in every version of the experience, despite the broad wording about included drinks.

The return to Lloret is usually louder than the outward journey. The DJ turns up the music, and the crew may encourage dancing, games, and group participation. Some staff members are especially energetic on the microphone, and the crew has earned praise for being friendly, funny, and attentive.

This is where the trip earns its party-cruise identity. You can enjoy the coast, swim, eat, and then dance on the way home. The trade-off is obvious: if you want a quiet sail with only the sound of the water, this is not your boat.

Choosing between morning, afternoon, and Saturday

The departure time changes the experience more than you might expect.

The morning cruise is the best fit for families with children. It offers the same basic pattern of sailing, swimming, BBQ, and drinks, but the mood is more suitable for a mixed-age group. Family groups have enjoyed the relaxed start and the small amount of dancing on the return.

The afternoon cruise is for people aged 18 and over. It has a younger atmosphere, with more emphasis on music, drinks, socializing, and dancing. Couples and friend groups who want a holiday party at sea will likely prefer this version.

The Saturday celebration cruise is adults-only and includes a DJ, BBQ, and five drinks. It is designed for festive group outings and celebrations. Bachelor groups need to read the rules carefully: costumes and sexual objects are not accepted, and intoxicated passengers can be refused boarding without a refund. The morning departure also excludes bachelor groups.

The information presents the cruise as suitable for anniversaries and celebrations, but the rules are strict about costumes and inappropriate party behavior. You can bring a fun group without turning the boat into a private costume party.

Is $59 good value for four hours?

At $59 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the main inclusions. You receive a four-hour round-trip catamaran ride, a coastal sightseeing route, a substantial pause for swimming, a BBQ lunch, drinks, music, crew service, toilets, and access to the floating mattress and trampoline.

The strongest value comes from the time at anchor. A shorter boat ride with a quick photo stop would feel expensive at this price. Here, you get roughly two hours in the water plus sailing time, food, and entertainment.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike loud music, or would rather have a small sailing group. The food is straightforward, the boat can carry a large crowd, and the drink choices are limited. You are paying for a complete social day on the sea, not for a private yacht or a polished culinary event.

There is no transfer to the meeting point, so you must reach the promenade yourself. A towel is also not included. Pack sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, hat, sunglasses, sandals, flip-flops, beachwear, and cash. Do not bring glass, coolers, alcohol, drugs, pets, or outside food and drinks.

Weather, safety, and small details that matter

The cruise can be canceled because of rough seas, heavy rain, an unexpected catamaran problem, or too few participants. If weather affects your plans, cancellation up to 24 hours before departure is allowed for a full refund under the stated policy.

Do not arrive intoxicated. You may be refused boarding and lose your payment. Arriving late and missing the departure also means no refund, so allow time to find the promenade meeting point.

The crew provides safety vests and keeps an eye on passengers in the water. The equipment list includes masks with a €10 refundable cash deposit, but not personal snorkels. Bring a towel, since the boat does not supply one, and keep valuables to a minimum while swimming.

The languages offered by the host or greeter are English, Spanish, and French. The crew’s friendly, active approach is one of the strongest parts of the experience, particularly for people who enjoy being encouraged to join in rather than left entirely on their own.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want swimming, sun, food, and music in one half-day outing. It works especially well for couples, families on the morning departure, birthday groups, anniversary celebrations, and friends who want a social day out.

It also suits people who are unsure how to plan a Costa Brava beach day. The boat handles the route, meal, drinks, swimming stop, and entertainment. You only need to show up prepared for sun and water.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, refined sailing trip, have strict dietary needs, dislike crowds, or need step-free access. The cruise is also a poor choice for anyone expecting unlimited premium drinks or restaurant-quality food.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want the Costa Brava with a party-boat twist. The best reasons are the clear-water swim stop, the generous time at anchor, the coastal views, and the helpful crew. At $59, the package is good value for a four-hour outing that includes lunch and drinks.

Choose the morning for children and a calmer family mood. Choose the afternoon or Saturday celebration sailing for music, dancing, and an adult crowd. Bring your own snorkel and towel, arrive sober and on time, and treat the BBQ as convenient fuel rather than the star meal. With those expectations, this is one of Lloret de Mar’s easier ways to spend a sunny day away from the beach.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave 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.

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts four hours. About one hour is spent sailing along the coast, followed by around two hours at anchor for swimming and activities, with the remaining time used for the return journey and onboard entertainment.

What food is included?

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

What drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included in the cruise information. Some departures provide five drink vouchers, with additional drinks available for €2. Check the arrangement for your chosen departure.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit. Snorkels are not necessarily supplied, so bringing your own snorkel is useful if you want to look for fish.

Can children join the cruise?

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

Is the cruise suitable for bachelor groups?

Bachelor groups with costumes or sexual objects are not accepted. Morning departures do not accept bachelor groups, so check the rules carefully before booking a celebration trip.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, sandals or flip-flops, beachwear, and cash. A towel is not included, and cash is needed for the refundable mask deposit.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise may be canceled because of rough seas, heavy rain, an unexpected catamaran breakdown, or too few participants. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund under the stated policy.