Denia: Cova Tallada Catamaran Tour and Swimming Stop

The best view is from the water. I like this two-hour catamaran trip for its close look at Cova Tallada and its easy coastal ride past cliffs, beaches, and the Natural Marine Reserve. I also like that the €21 price includes a drink, music, and a swimming stop, giving you a simple way to see Denia’s coast without a full-day commitment.

The main catch is the swimming stop. The captain chooses the anchoring place, and recent departures have stopped close to the marina rather than at a more scenic cove. If you mainly want a beautiful swim, that uncertainty matters. If your priority is a short boat ride and a sea-level view of Cova Tallada, the trip is a better fit.

The tour leaves from Denia harbor, near the Boramar ticket office, and runs in Spanish. Food and personal drinks are not allowed on board, but you receive water, a soft drink, or wine. Weather controls the sailing schedule and route, so keep your plans flexible.

Key points to know before boarding

• Cova Tallada is viewed from the sea: The catamaran gets as close as permitted, but you do not enter the cave or reach it from the boat.
• The route follows Denia’s coast toward Javea: You’ll pass beaches, cliffs, and views of the protected Natural Marine Reserve.
• The swimming stop is not fixed: The captain chooses the anchoring place, and it may be near the harbor rather than beside the cave.
• Your €21 includes one drink: Choose water, a soft drink, or wine, with extra drinks available at additional cost.
• The boat ride lasts two hours: That makes this a manageable outing for families and anyone who wants a short coastal experience.
• Weather can change the plan: Sailing depends on conditions, so check the forecast and keep your schedule loose.

Setting out from Denia harbor

Your starting point is the Boramar ticket office in Denia harbor. Look for the office before departure, since the tour does not begin at a separate beach or remote marina. The experience is designed to be straightforward: arrive at the port, board the motor catamaran, and settle in for the coastal ride.

The exact ship is not guaranteed. That matters if you have seen a particular catamaran in promotional photos or are choosing the trip because of its appearance. The boat type is still a motor catamaran, but the vessel may vary.

The language used by the host or greeter is Spanish. You can still enjoy the scenery without much explanation, but you should not expect a multilingual guided tour. The heart of the experience is the ride, the views, and the chance to see the coast from offshore.

At €21 per person, the outing is priced as a modest half-day add-on rather than a major excursion. You are paying for two hours on the water, one included drink, and a swimming stop. That is fair value if you want a relaxed boat trip without committing to a longer sailing day.

The ride toward Las Rotas and Javea

The catamaran first heads toward Las Rotas, then continues along the coast toward Javea. This stretch is the main sightseeing portion of the trip. From the water, beaches and cliffs appear in a different order and scale than they do from land.

The route also gives you views of the Natural Marine Reserve. Protected coastal water can be appreciated from a boat even when you are not stopping for a formal nature activity. You get a broad look at the rocky shoreline, open sea, and small coastal areas that are difficult to understand from the road.

I like this part because it does not demand much from you. You can sit, listen to music, have your included drink, and watch the coast change. It is a good choice if you want something restful rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.

The ride is also suitable for a family outing in principle. A family traveling with two small children found the staff very kind and the time on board entertaining. The two-hour length helps here. It is long enough to feel like a proper excursion, but short enough that young children are less likely to lose patience.

Still, this is not a silent nature cruise. Music plays on board, and the catamaran is a motor vessel. You should choose it for a casual coastal atmosphere, not for a quiet, highly focused wildlife trip.

Seeing Cova Tallada from the water

Cova Tallada is the visual centerpiece. The captain brings the catamaran as close as allowed so you can see the cave and its rocky setting from offshore. That viewpoint is valuable because the cave is part of a Natural Marine Reserve, and the boat cannot simply pull up to it for swimming or shore access.

This point is easy to misunderstand. You will not enter Cova Tallada, walk inside it, or swim directly beside its entrance as part of this tour. The reserve rules limit access, so the experience is an exterior view from the sea.

For many people, that is still enough. The approach gives you a strong view of the cove’s shape and surrounding cliffs without the effort involved in reaching it over land. You can take in the site while remaining on the catamaran, with no separate hike or cave visit included.

The time spent near the cave may feel brief, especially if you expected a long stop. The tour is built around a coastal route with a look at Cova Tallada, not a full exploration of the site. Think of it as a scenic boat approach, not a cave tour.

This is also the moment to have your camera ready. The best view comes from the sea, and the catamaran can get as close as permitted. Since the ship, weather, and exact timing can vary, you should treat the viewing position as part of the day’s conditions rather than a guaranteed photo setup.

Music, drinks, and the simple onboard rhythm

The pace on board is relaxed. Music plays while you take in the coast, and one drink is included in the price. You can choose water, a soft drink, or wine.

That inclusion adds useful value, especially on a warm afternoon when you want something cold without arranging it separately. It also keeps the tour uncomplicated. You do not need to bring refreshments for the ride, and food and drinks from outside are not allowed on board.

Extra drinks are not included. Since no further details are provided about onboard purchases, plan around the one included drink rather than assuming unlimited service. If you have dietary, medical, or child-specific refreshment needs, check the rules before boarding, because outside food and drinks are prohibited.

I see the onboard service as a pleasant extra, not the reason to book. The coast and Cova Tallada are the main attractions. The drink makes the ride more comfortable, but it does not turn the catamaran into a meal cruise or a full-service sailing experience.

The swimming stop and its biggest uncertainty

After the Cova Tallada viewing, the captain looks for a suitable place to stop for swimming. You can get into the sea and cool off before the boat returns to Denia harbor.

The exact location is not guaranteed. The captain decides where to anchor, based on conditions and judgment. That flexibility is sensible for safety, but it means you should not book this tour expecting a named cove or a swim beside Cova Tallada.

This is the trip’s weakest point. On some departures, the swimming stop has been close to the marina, even though the boat passed other attractive places along the coast. One person described the cave visit as enjoyable but found the swim near the harbor disappointing. Another specifically felt that the location was misleading because swimming at Cova Tallada was not possible.

That does not mean every swimming stop will be poor. The captain is looking for a special and suitable place, and conditions may affect the choice. But you should regard the swim as an optional bonus with an uncertain setting, not as the main reason for paying.

If you care most about swimming in clear, scenic water, look for a tour that guarantees a named cove or a specific anchorage. If you simply want the chance to take a sea swim during a coastal ride, this tour may still work well.

The stop also depends on the weather. Rough seas, wind, or other conditions can alter the route, the anchoring area, or the overall sailing plan. The operator states clearly that sailing depends on weather conditions, so check before you go.

How the €21 price measures up

At $21 per person, this is one of the easier Denia activities to fit into a day. The price includes the boat ride, the swim stop, and one drink. You also receive a coastal view of a protected marine area and a sea-level look at Cova Tallada.

The value is strongest when you compare it with the cost and effort of arranging a private boat. You get a short organized outing without needing to plan navigation, find a safe swimming area, or work out how to approach the coast from the water.

The value is weaker if you measure the trip only by the swimming stop. Since the anchoring place is not fixed and may be near the harbor, the experience does not promise a postcard-perfect swim. You are buying access to the coast and the boat ride first, with swimming included as an uncertain extra.

The two-hour duration helps keep the price reasonable. You can fit the trip around other plans in Denia, and you do not lose an entire day if the swim stop is not your favorite part. For a first look at the coast, that short format is useful.

The published rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 514 reviews, which suggests a generally positive experience with a noticeable point of disagreement around the swim stop. That pattern matches the practical choice here: book for the boat ride and Cova Tallada view, not for a guaranteed swimming location.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple introduction to Denia’s coast. The ride suits couples, families, and anyone who enjoys sitting back while a boat handles the route. The family experience with two small children also suggests the short length and easy pace can work well for younger passengers.

It is a particularly sensible choice if you have only a few hours. You see Las Rotas, coastal cliffs, beaches, the marine reserve, and Cova Tallada without arranging several separate activities.

You should think twice if your main goal is swimming in a dramatic natural cove. The captain chooses the stop, and the boat cannot access Cova Tallada itself. A dedicated swimming cruise with a fixed location would give you more certainty.

You should also check the forecast before committing. A weather-dependent boat trip is never as predictable as a museum visit or a walk through town. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later, which helps if the weather is unsettled.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

Arrive at the Boramar ticket office with enough time to locate the meeting point. The departure is from Denia harbor, so do not assume the boat will be waiting at a beach farther along the coast.

Bring only what you need for the boat ride. Outside food and drinks are not permitted, and one drink is included. Since the swimming stop is part of the plan, wear suitable swim clothing and bring whatever personal items you need for being on the water, while keeping in mind that the available onboard facilities are not described.

Do not build a tightly timed afternoon around the return. The route and swim stop can depend on weather and the captain’s decision. A little spare time makes the day less stressful.

Finally, set your expectations correctly. You are viewing Cova Tallada from the sea, not visiting the cave interior. Once you understand that, the trip makes more sense and the protected setting becomes part of the appeal rather than a source of disappointment.

Should you book the Denia catamaran tour?

Book this trip if you want an affordable, short coastal cruise with a close view of Cova Tallada, a drink, music, and the possibility of a refreshing swim. The scenery and relaxed format are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if a scenic swimming location is essential. The stop may be near the harbor, and no particular anchorage is promised. For the best value, treat the swim as a bonus and judge the tour by its coastal ride and view of the cave.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The tour begins in Denia harbor. Look for the Boramar ticket office as the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The catamaran trip lasts two hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat trip, a stop for swimming in the sea, and one drink. The drink can be water, a soft drink, or wine.

Can I bring food and drinks on board?

No. Food and drinks from outside are not allowed on board. Extra drinks are also not included.

Can I enter Cova Tallada from the catamaran?

No. Cova Tallada is in a Natural Marine Reserve and cannot be accessed from the catamaran. You will see it from as close as the boat is allowed to approach.

Can I swim at Cova Tallada?

No specific swim at Cova Tallada is promised. The captain chooses another suitable anchoring place for the swimming stop.

Is the swimming location guaranteed?

No. The anchoring area is at the captain’s discretion, so a particular swimming place is not guaranteed.

What language is used during the experience?

The host or greeter language is Spanish.

Is a particular catamaran guaranteed?

No. A specific ship is not guaranteed.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately.