Lloret de Mar: Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

The Costa Brava looks best from the water. This four-hour catamaran trip combines cliff views, a long swim stop, a BBQ lunch, and music on the return to Lloret de Mar. I like the generous two-hour anchorage, which gives you time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and eat without rushing. I also like the friendly crew and the sensible choice of morning family trips and livelier adult departures.

The main thing to consider is the size and style of the boat. This is a social cruise, not a quiet sailing lesson. The catamaran can carry close to 100 people, and the music gets louder on the way home. The food is simple buffet fare, and the alcohol selection centers on beer and sangria rather than wine or cocktails.

Five useful things to know before boarding

• The swim stop lasts about two hours: You get real water time, not just a quick photo stop.
• The boat leaves directly from Lloret Beach: The meeting point is on Passeig Agustí Font, near the town hall.
• The cruise changes mood by departure: Morning trips suit families, while afternoon and Saturday celebration trips are for adults.
• The return journey becomes a party: Expect a DJ, dancing, games, and a louder soundtrack.
• Bring your own snorkel if you care about seeing fish: Masks are available with a €10 refundable cash deposit, but snorkels are not clearly supplied.
• The value is strongest for active social groups: Swimming, lunch, drinks, and entertainment are all wrapped into the $59 price.

From Lloret Beach to the open Costa Brava

You meet the crew at Passeig Agustí Font, 2, on Lloret de Mar’s promenade, close to the town hall. This is a convenient central point, but transport to the meeting place is not included, so you need to make your own way there.

Boarding takes place from the sand, which is part of the fun and part of the practical challenge. Wear sandals or flip-flops that you can remove easily, and avoid carrying anything fragile. You show the QR code on your phone to receive your boarding pass.

Once aboard, you can choose between the large netted area at the bow, the sun deck, or a covered section. The forward net is the signature spot. Lying there gives you the sensation of floating above the sea as the catamaran moves ahead. It is excellent for photos, but you should keep your belongings secure because spray and movement are part of the deal.

The first hour is mainly about sailing and scenery. The route passes Costa Brava cliffs, caves, small beaches, and fishing villages. You will see the coast from a different angle than you get on a road trip, with rocky headlands and small inlets opening up as the boat moves along.

This is not a sailing course. The crew and captain handle the navigation, while you settle in with a drink and music. If you want quiet conversation or a close look at every coastal feature, the soundtrack and group atmosphere may be a drawback. If you like a holiday boat ride with a social feel, the setup works well.

The anchorage is the heart of the four-hour trip

After roughly an hour, the catamaran anchors at a sheltered spot for about two hours. This long stop is what makes the trip more than a sightseeing ride.

You can jump into the Mediterranean from the boat’s trampoline, swim into a small inlet, use a floating mattress, or stay aboard and sunbathe. The water is described as clear, and several people particularly enjoyed swimming with fish near the boat.

The trampoline is a highlight for confident swimmers, but follow the crew’s instructions. Jumping is not generally permitted outside the designated activity, and intoxication is not allowed. Safety vests are supplied, and the crew keeps an eye on the water activities.

Snorkeling is possible, but plan your equipment carefully. Masks are available for a refundable €10 cash deposit. The supplied equipment may not include a snorkel, so bring your own if you want more than a quick look below the surface. You will also need cash for the deposit.

Two hours sounds generous because it is. You have time to swim, dry off, take photographs, and eat without having to choose just one activity. Families can spread out, while friends can move between the water, the sun deck, and the covered area.

The only catch is that the boat is shared by a large group. One person described a capacity of about 94 people, yet the layout still provided enough room for everyone to find a place. That is useful context: this is a spacious party catamaran, not a private charter.

A simple BBQ served after the swim begins

The food is served once the boat has anchored, with the meal ready about an hour and a half after departure. The timing makes sense because the crew can prepare lunch while you swim, but do not expect to eat immediately after leaving Lloret.

The buffet includes beef burgers, marinated diced chicken, pasta, salad, and a sweet fruit cocktail. The menu is self-service, with no optional menu. It is filling and practical rather than gourmet.

The chicken and burgers are the main attraction, while pasta and salad provide easier choices for people who want a lighter plate. The fruit cocktail is a useful finish on a hot day. The food has received plenty of praise, though some people found it basic and wished for more variety.

The menu is described as no gluten, but anyone with a serious allergy should confirm the preparation details before booking. A boat buffet has limited flexibility, and the information provided does not list vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-specific alternatives.

Bring no outside food or drinks. Alcoholic drinks, coolers, glass objects, and other personal supplies are forbidden onboard. That rule matters because the included food and drink service is designed to cover the outing.

Drinks, music, and the return journey

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are part of the offering. The exact arrangement appears to vary by departure. Standard information describes complimentary drinks, while the Saturday celebration format includes five drinks, with additional drinks available for €2 and water free.

I would confirm the drink allowance for your selected time before paying. If you are hoping for wine, spirits, or cocktails, adjust your expectations. Beer and sangria are the main alcoholic choices, and this was one of the few repeated complaints about the experience.

The return to Lloret is usually the liveliest section. The DJ turns up the music, the crew encourages dancing, and the atmosphere shifts from relaxed afternoon on the sea to open-air party. Games and group participation may be part of the entertainment.

This change of pace makes the cruise appealing to younger adults, birthday groups, anniversary groups, and friends celebrating together. It can also be a little much if you want a peaceful final hour. Morning departures keep things more family-friendly, while afternoon and evening options have a stronger party mood.

Saturday celebration departures are for adults aged 18 and over. Evening departures are also for adults, with a young atmosphere. Morning departures are the best fit for families with children under 18.

The operator does not accept bachelor groups with costumes or sexual objects, and party groups are restricted on certain departures. If you are organizing a hen or bachelor celebration, check the rules carefully before booking. A small group celebrating sensibly may fit the format, but costumes and disruptive behavior can result in refusal.

The crew and safety setup

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The available feedback repeatedly highlights friendly, energetic staff who explain the rules, encourage participation, and pay attention to safety.

Specific crew members praised by name include Julio and Silvester. Julio was singled out for helping create a lively celebration atmosphere, while Silvester was praised for friendly service. Names can vary by sailing, but these comments give you a sense of the staff culture.

The boat has toilets, safety vests, a covered section, a solarium area, a trampoline, and floating mattresses. Masks are available with the refundable cash deposit. These details matter on a four-hour outing, especially when the boat is full and the sun is strong.

One family reported waiting for a child-sized life jacket at a busy moment. I would ask for a child’s vest early if you are traveling with children who want to get into the water quickly. The crew takes safety seriously, but boarding and equipment requests may be more efficient when handled before the swim stop starts.

The catamaran is not suitable for wheelchair users. A beach boarding point and water activity setup can also be awkward for anyone with limited mobility, so consider the physical demands before booking.

Who gets the most from the $59 price?

At $59 per person, the value depends on how much of the package you will use. You are paying for a four-hour round-trip catamaran cruise, captain, crew, food, drinks, music, swimming access, the boat facilities, and water equipment. For an active half-day on the Costa Brava, that is a solid bundle.

The value is particularly strong if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, and a boat ride. You also get roughly two hours anchored in a scenic spot, which is more useful than a cruise that spends the entire time moving.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink, dislike loud music, or plan to stay dry. In that case, much of the entertainment package may not matter to you. A quiet coastal boat trip or a smaller sailing excursion could suit you better, though it may not include lunch and water activities.

The large capacity keeps the experience affordable, but it also means you are sharing the boat with a substantial crowd. I would not book this expecting private space or personal service. I would book it for the combination of scenery, swimming, food, and social energy.

Which departure should you choose?

Choose the morning barbecue cruise if you are traveling with children or want the gentlest version of the day. It still includes swimming, food, drinks, and music, but the mood is more family-friendly. Children should have swimwear, towels, sunscreen, and a hat, and parents should arrange life jackets early.

Choose the afternoon barbecue cruise if you are over 18 and want more music and social energy. The boat still gives you time to relax during the outward journey, but the return tends to feel like a party.

Choose the Saturday celebration cruise if you want the most festive option. It is restricted to adults over 18 and includes a DJ, BBQ, and five drinks. This is the natural pick for an anniversary, birthday, or organized celebration, provided your group follows the rules about costumes and behavior.

High-season sailing times may differ from the standard schedule. Check the available start times for your date rather than assuming every day follows the same timetable.

Practical packing advice for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, sandals or flip-flops, and beachwear. A towel is not provided, and there is no reason to bring valuables you do not need.

Pack cash for the €10 mask deposit and any additional drinks. Keep your phone in a protected case if you plan to use it near the trampoline or netted bow.

Do not bring food, drinks, a cooler, glass, alcohol, drugs, or pets. Arriving intoxicated means you can be refused boarding without a refund. Late arrivals and no-shows also lose the fare, so allow enough time to reach the promenade.

The cruise depends on weather and operating conditions. Rough seas, heavy rain, an unexpected catamaran problem, or too few bookings can lead to cancellation. If your schedule is tight, keep a little flexibility around the trip.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful, but the more important planning point is choosing the correct departure for your group.

Should you book the Lloret catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an easy half-day of Costa Brava scenery, swimming, barbecue food, included drinks, and music without arranging each part yourself. I especially recommend it for couples, families on the morning sailing, and groups of friends who want a social boat day at a reasonable price.

Skip it if you want silence, gourmet food, a small private boat, or a carefully guided coastal tour. The catamaran is large, the meal is straightforward, and the return journey can get loud.

For most people who come to Lloret de Mar for sun and sea, this is a strong-value outing. Pick the morning for children, the afternoon for adult fun, and Saturday for a full celebration mood. Bring a towel, your own snorkel, and realistic expectations about the party atmosphere, and the day should deliver exactly what it promises.

FAQ

How long is the Lloret de Mar catamaran cruise?

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

Where does the catamaran depart?

It departs from Passeig Agustí Font, 2, on the Lloret de Mar promenade near the town hall. You show the QR code on your mobile phone to obtain the boarding pass.

Is food included?

Yes. The onboard self-service BBQ includes beef burgers, marinated diced chicken, pasta, salad, and a sweet fruit cocktail. The food is served after the boat anchors, approximately one and a half hours after departure.

What drinks are included?

The drink selection includes beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. The Saturday celebration option includes five drinks, while additional drinks may be available for €2. Confirm the exact arrangement for your chosen departure.

Can children join the cruise?

Children can join the morning departure, which is designed for families. Saturday celebration departures and evening departures are for adults aged 18 and over.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit. A snorkel may not be provided, so bring your own if snorkeling is important to you.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, sandals or flip-flops, beachwear, and cash. Towels are not included.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.