Alicante: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise to Tabarca Island

Set sail for a small island escape. This six-hour catamaran trip combines a scenic ride from Alicante, a swim in Spain’s first marine reserve, and a proper paella lunch without the usual ferry crowds. I especially like the three unhurried hours at Tabarca and the fact that unlimited water, soft drinks, fruit, snorkeling gear, and lunch are included.

The main consideration is the sea itself. The ride can feel choppy when the wind picks up, and very young children may find six hours on the water tiring. You also need to arrive early, since the presentation starts 15 minutes before departure and the boat requires at least 15 passengers to operate.

Key things to know before booking

• The boat ride is half the attraction: You get about three hours at sea in each direction, with views of Costa Blanca, Carabassi Beach, and Santa Pola Cape.
• Tabarca time is flexible: Swim from the catamaran, snorkel, eat lunch, and visit the island village in the order that suits you.
• Paella is included: Choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, served with mixed salad and a drink.
• Unlimited nonalcoholic drinks help: Water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip, not just at lunch.
• Snorkeling is unguided: Masks and fins are provided, and sailor-lifeguards watch the swimming area, but there is no guided marine tour.
• The $85 price covers a lot: For a full day on the water with food, drinks, equipment, and transport to Tabarca, this is a strong value if you plan to use the swimming stop.

From Alicante Port to the open sea

The meeting point is easy to identify. The maxi catamaran sits next to Bar Noray, across from Mundo de los Niños at the Port of Alicante. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, when the crew gives a short presentation and gets everyone settled.

The first sailing section takes about 90 minutes. This is not simply a transfer to Tabarca. The boat is wide, with room to sit, move around, and find a sunny or shaded spot. The nets at the front are the prized seats, especially for lying back above the water, but they have limited space and fill quickly.

I would arrive ready to board if you want one of those spots. Otherwise, the edge seating still gives you broad views, and the catamaran’s open design means you do not need to fight for a view.

During the crossing, the crew serves welcome fruit and keeps water, juice, and soft drinks available. You also receive one alcoholic drink, such as beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Extra drinks and food cost more, though the onboard bar prices have been described as reasonable.

Music adds a holiday mood, but this is not a narrated sightseeing cruise. You may hear basic announcements and information in Spanish, French, German, and English, yet there is no detailed coastal commentary. If you want the names and stories behind every headland, you may find the trip light on local interpretation.

That is also part of its appeal. You can simply watch the Costa Blanca slide past, sunbathe, chat, or settle into a sea-view nap.

Seeing Costa Blanca from the catamaran

The views change as the boat leaves Alicante behind. You get a different angle on the coast than you would from a road or beach. The return route can include Carabassi Beach, known for its pale sand, and Cape of Santa Pola with its lighthouse.

The exact sailing feel depends on the weather. On calm days, the ride is gentle and restful. On windy days, the water can be rough on the outward journey. The crew has handled choppy conditions carefully, but you should bring motion sickness medication if you are prone to seasickness. Medication may also be available onboard, according to the supplied details.

This is one reason I would not treat the cruise as a guaranteed quiet boat ride. It is a real outing on open water, not a sheltered harbor trip. Sit near the center of the boat if you are concerned about movement, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid a heavy meal before departure.

The catamaran has an onboard restroom, which matters on a six-hour trip. You should still pack lightly. Large bags, coolers, jewelry, outside food, and outside drinks are not allowed. Keep valuables at home or safely secured, since the operator accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, or breakage.

Three hours around Tabarca Island

Tabarca is small, and the stop gives you enough time to enjoy it without turning the day into a race. The island’s village offers a change from the boat, while the clear water around the catamaran is the main draw for swimming and snorkeling.

A small boat regularly carries passengers between the catamaran and the island. This is useful because you are not locked into one fixed order of activities. You can visit the village first, return for lunch and a swim, or stay aboard for most of the stop and go ashore later.

The island itself is best treated as a compact visit rather than a full-day sightseeing destination. You have time to walk through the village, look around, take in the sea views, and perhaps stop at a local bar or restaurant if you want to buy something extra. The main value of Tabarca is the combination of village, coast, and water in one easy stop.

The flexible arrangement works well for mixed groups. One person can explore while another swims. Teenagers can jump into the sea, while a less active companion can remain aboard. You do not have to choose between the island and the water for the entire three-hour period.

Still, you should watch the time yourself. The relaxed setup does not mean you can wander off indefinitely. Be back at the catamaran before departure, and listen for crew instructions.

Snorkeling in Spain’s first marine reserve

The swimming stop takes place in the marine reserve around Tabarca, described as the first marine reserve in Spain. The water is clear, and the experience is informal: you put on the provided mask and fins, enter the sea from the boat, and explore at your own pace.

The snorkeling is free, but it is not guided. You will not have a marine biologist pointing out fish or leading a structured route. The sailor-lifeguards remain present during the activity, which adds a useful layer of safety, but you are responsible for your own comfort and ability in the water.

Masks and fins are included. Snorkel tubes are not provided for hygiene reasons, but you can buy one onboard for €5. Bring water shoes if you have them. They make climbing in and out of the water easier and protect your feet near rocky areas.

You can also swim without snorkeling. Several people have enjoyed jumping directly from the catamaran, and this is likely to be a favorite part for confident swimmers. If you are not comfortable with open-water swimming, there is no need to force it. Stay aboard, visit the island, or enjoy the sun from the deck.

The stop is especially well suited to families with older children and teenagers. The operator does not allow unaccompanied minors, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. Very young children may struggle with the long crossing, open-water conditions, and lack of a structured children’s program.

Paella lunch with a view

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. You choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, served with mixed salad and a drink. Fresh fruit is also provided during the trip.

The paella is prepared in a homemade style, and the vegetarian option has received particularly warm praise. The fish version may not always be packed with seafood, so set your expectations accordingly. This is a generous boat lunch, not a specialist seafood restaurant.

Timing matters. The crew needs to tidy and prepare the boat before sailing back, so do not wait until the last minute to eat. If you plan to spend most of your stop on Tabarca, return to the boat in good time for lunch.

The food adds real value to the $85 price. A separate ferry ticket only gets you to the island. Here, the cost also covers a large catamaran, the return crossing, a meal, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, and the marine stop.

I would still compare the price with your own plans. If you only want to visit Tabarca and spend a short time ashore, a standard ferry may be cheaper and simpler. If you want swimming, sunbathing, lunch, and a full day at sea, the catamaran package makes more sense.

The return trip to Alicante

The return sailing takes another 90 minutes. This is often the quietest part of the day, especially after lunch and swimming. When the main sail is raised, the ride can feel more like a proper sailing experience than a powered boat transfer.

You get another chance to look back toward Tabarca and see the coast from offshore. Carabassi Beach and Santa Pola Cape may appear along the route, with the lighthouse providing an easy point of interest.

Do not expect a dramatic sunset or a guaranteed sail-powered crossing. Conditions and the captain’s decisions control how much sailing takes place. But even when the motor is used, the wide catamaran and open sea views make the ride enjoyable.

Music continues onboard, and the bar remains available for extra purchases. This is a good time to find a quieter seat, take photos, or stretch out on the deck. Sun protection remains important late in the day. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel belong in your small day bag.

Crew, organization, and the overall mood

The crew is a major reason this outing earns such strong marks. Service is friendly, attentive, and multilingual, with Spanish, French, German, and English support. The sailor-lifeguards take the swimming section seriously, and the captain has managed rougher conditions with care.

The atmosphere is social rather than formal. Music, drinks, open seating, and swimming from the boat make this a good match for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children. One group of eight appreciated that the crew assigned seating on arrival, which helped avoid a scramble for places.

The boat is clean and spacious, but popular features can fill quickly. The front nets have person limits, so you may not get a place there. The catamaran may also feel lively during peak summer dates, even though the layout provides room to spread out.

One weakness is the limited storytelling. If you want a guide explaining Tabarca’s past, marine life, and coastal landmarks in depth, this is not that kind of tour. You get a pleasant host, safety instructions, and practical help, but the day is built around relaxation rather than education.

Who should book this $85 day out?

I would choose this cruise if you want several Alicante activities bundled into one outing. It works particularly well when you want:

• A full six hours on the water
• A comfortable alternative to a basic ferry
• Swimming and snorkeling without arranging equipment yourself
• A flexible visit to Tabarca village
• Paella and drinks included in the price
• A social boat atmosphere with music
• A day that suits both active and relaxed companions

I would look elsewhere if you dislike open-water motion, need wheelchair access, want a quiet luxury cruise, or prefer a tightly guided cultural tour. The boat can be rough in windy weather, and the snorkeling has no guide.

The booking terms are friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. The cruise needs a minimum of 15 passengers, so an undersubscribed departure may be rescheduled or refunded.

Should you book the Alicante Tabarca catamaran?

Yes, if you want the journey itself to be part of the day. The $85 cost is fair because it covers transport, lunch, drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, and several hours of swimming and sailing. The crew adds warmth, and the flexible Tabarca stop lets you set your own pace.

Book it with sensible expectations. This is not a deeply narrated island tour, and it is not ideal for toddlers, wheelchair users, or anyone who gets badly seasick. But for a sunny day of sea views, paella, music, and clear water, it is one of the better-value ways to experience the coast from Alicante.

FAQ

How long is the Alicante to Tabarca catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts six hours. The trip includes about 90 minutes sailing from Alicante to Tabarca, three hours around the island, and another 90 minutes sailing back.

What food is included?

Lunch includes homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, plus mixed salad and one drink. Welcome fruit is also provided.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, and juice are unlimited. One alcoholic drink, such as beer, wine, or tinto de verano, is included. Additional alcoholic drinks and food cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks and fins are provided for the free, unguided snorkeling activity. Snorkel tubes are not included for hygiene reasons, but you can buy one onboard for €5.

Can I visit Tabarca village during the cruise?

Yes. You have free time to visit the village, swim, snorkel, and enjoy the views. A small boat makes repeated trips between the catamaran and the island.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The meeting point is next to Bar Noray at Alicante Port, across from Mundo de los Niños. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Is the experience suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for wheelchair users or unaccompanied minors. Very young children may find the six-hour boat trip difficult. High-heeled shoes, pets, large bags, coolers, jewelry, and outside food or drinks are not allowed.