Cambrils: Catamaran Day Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

Sun, sea, food, and a floating daybed. This six-hour cruise from Cambrils turns the Costa Daurada coast into a relaxed day at sea, with two swimming stops, lunch, drinks, music, and a stylish catamaran built more like a beach club than a basic boat. I especially like the comfortable Balinese beds and the chance to swim from the boat in open Mediterranean water. The $77 price also covers the cruise, BBQ, aperitifs, and drinks, which makes budgeting easy. The main catch is that the quality of the food and service can vary, and the boat may feel crowded when most of its beds are occupied.

The experience suits you best if you want a social day on the water rather than a sightseeing cruise packed with coastal commentary. I like that the crew includes English, Catalan, French, Dutch, and Spanish speakers, and Captain Marcos and crew members such as Mario and Enrique have received warm praise for their work. Still, you should not expect a formal guided tour or a long list of different ports. The point is simple: settle in, eat, drink, swim, and let the boat do the moving.

Key things to know before booking

• The boat works like a beach club at sea: Balinese beds, music, a bar, and open-air lounging are the central attractions.
• Two swimming stops are included: You can get into the sea or stay aboard, but the catamaran may anchor in water around 12 metres deep.
• Food opinions are mixed: Some meals have been described as delicious and generous, while one strong complaint said the food did not feel like a true BBQ.
• The six-hour option stays on the boat: You get a longer version of the sailing experience, not a series of shore visits.
• Cambrils is the practical departure point: From Salou, public transport may be easier than finding a taxi in July and August.
• Your bed number matters: Before boarding, visit the red ticket office in front of the catamaran to collect your assigned Balinese bed number.

What the six-hour cruise is really like

The Cat Aventure concept is best understood as a floating beach club. You are not signing up for a quiet sailing lesson or a guided coastal history trip. You are booking a day of lounging, swimming, food, drinks, and music on a large catamaran.

The boat has Balinese beds arranged across its decks. These are the main reason to book this experience instead of a standard boat trip. You can stretch out in front of the sea, read, nap, talk with friends, or simply watch the coastline pass. Bring a towel, since the beds are comfortable but are not described as being supplied with towels.

The atmosphere begins fairly gently, with background music, then can become more like a party as the hours pass. That change matters. If you want a calm morning followed by a livelier afternoon, the rhythm may suit you. If you want silence throughout, this is probably not the right boat.

The cruise has a small-group option, but the catamaran can still carry a substantial number of people. One account described nearly 60 yellow loungers on board, with the boat feeling comfortable when only about half were occupied. This means the day can feel spacious or fairly packed depending on how full your sailing is.

Leaving Cambrils and finding your place

The departure and return point is around Passeig de les Palmeres, near Saba Aparcamientos, S.A. The exact meeting point can vary according to the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully.

There is one small but important boarding step. Before you go onto the boat, you need to visit the red ticket office in front of the catamaran and collect the number of your assigned Balinese bed. Do not rush straight to the gangway and assume someone will sort this out later. Getting the number first should make the boarding process much easier.

If you are coming from Salou in July or August, allow plenty of time. Finding a taxi can be difficult during the busy summer months, and the local advice is to try arranging one well ahead of departure, potentially two hours before sailing. Public transport may be the simpler choice: the bus from Salou runs about every 20 minutes and leaves you roughly 300 metres from the boarding point.

You remove your shoes on board, as is common on many boat trips. One piece of practical advice is to wear simple footwear that you will not mind handing over at disembarkation. One account described shoes being tossed across the concrete when people got off the boat, so expensive or delicate shoes are a poor match for this outing.

Six hours of coast, not six hours of sightseeing stops

The cruise follows the Catalonia coast for six hours and returns to Cambrils. The boat may pass different coastal views and bays, but the schedule is built around time at sea rather than shore visits.

This is worth making clear because the long cruise is not a hop-on, hop-off coastal tour. You do not spend the day visiting several villages or stepping ashore at different beaches. You stay on the catamaran, with the boat itself serving as your base.

That arrangement is a plus if you want to settle in without packing and unpacking all day. You can leave your belongings by your bed, return to the same place after swimming, and spend the day at your own pace. It is less appealing if you want constant new scenery or a strong sense of moving from one destination to another.

The catamaran provides a broad view of the shore, but the focus is relaxation rather than narration. The activity advertises live guides in English, Catalan, French, Dutch, and Spanish. In practice, the level of spoken guidance may vary. One account found no clear English-speaking guide, so do not book this mainly for detailed commentary.

The swimming stops and what to bring

Two swimming stops are included, giving you a chance to climb into the sea from the catamaran. The water can look wonderfully clear and blue, and several people particularly enjoyed getting in for a swim.

The boat may anchor in fairly deep water. One account put the depth at about 12 metres and found that there was little to see while snorkeling. That does not make the stops pointless, but it changes the expectation. Think of them as swimming breaks, not guaranteed reef snorkeling or a guided underwater visit.

You should also be prepared for normal sea conditions. One account encountered a group of jellyfish at a swimming stop and felt that the crew did not respond strongly to concerns about entering the water. If you are uneasy about jellyfish, ask about conditions before getting in and remember that swimming is optional. You can stay on the boat and use the stop as a chance to enjoy the view from the deck.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and clothing that is comfortable for several hours in the sun. A towel is especially useful because it is not listed among the included items. You may also want a light layer if the wind picks up later in the day.

Lunch, BBQ, aperitifs, and the drinks menu

The price includes lunch, BBQ food, aperitifs, and drinks from the onboard bar. The drink selection is described as including cava, prosecco, vermouth, Aperol, and wine, along with other options. This is a strong part of the value if you plan to enjoy several drinks during the day.

Food is the less predictable part of the experience. Some people found the BBQ and drinks better than expected, and Enrique received praise for producing a delicious lunch. Another account described a vegetarian pizza being prepared quickly for a passenger who had expected to eat salads. That suggests the crew may try to help with a dietary need when asked.

At the same time, one particularly negative account said the food did not resemble a BBQ and seemed more like leftover hotel food. That criticism is important because the meal is a major part of the $77 price. You should book this for the whole package, not because you expect a destination restaurant meal served at sea.

The safest approach is to tell the crew about dietary needs as soon as you board. Vegetarian food is not clearly listed as a standard menu item, and one passenger received pizza rather than a planned vegetarian dish. The advertised food is Western-style finger food and BBQ lunch, but the exact selection can vary.

For many people, the drinks make the package feel worthwhile. Since the cost includes the bar service and there is no need to carry money for onboard payments, you can settle in without keeping track of every glass. Drink responsibly, especially when combining alcohol, bright sun, swimming, and six hours on a moving boat.

Upper deck, lower deck, and the question of space

The boat offers different places to lounge, and an upper-deck bed may cost more depending on the option you choose. One account found the upper deck slightly quieter than the main deck, which could make it attractive if you want more rest.

There are tradeoffs. Smoking was reported around the steps between decks, and this made moving downstairs unpleasant for one passenger. Another account noted that the upper deck did not always receive timely information about lunch. The lesson is simple: a premium bed may offer a better position, but it does not guarantee perfect service or complete separation from the main deck.

The boat’s capacity also affects the mood. When many beds are occupied, personal space may feel limited. When the boat is only partly full, the arrangement can feel much more comfortable. If you value room to stretch out, ask about the boat’s expected capacity or choose an option that clearly identifies the bed location.

Music is part of the design. The main deck may feel more active, while the upper deck can be quieter, though one account wanted more music there. Pick your position based on the mood you want rather than assuming every deck offers the same atmosphere.

The crew can shape the whole day

Service appears to be one of the strongest parts of the experience when the crew is attentive. Mario was praised for keeping people entertained, Enrique for preparing lunch, and another crew member for working constantly to keep things in order. Captain Marcos was also singled out for looking after the group.

That personal attention can turn a basic boat trip into a genuinely pleasant day. A good crew member can explain when food is served, help with drinks, respond to questions, and keep the mood moving without making the day feel forced.

Service may not be equally consistent everywhere on the boat. One person on the upper deck said nobody told them that lunch was ready, while another felt the advertised language support was not evident. I would keep an eye on the meal service time and ask a crew member directly if you are unsure.

The overall mood can move from relaxed to more disco-like as the day continues. Families and groups of friends can enjoy it, but the atmosphere may become less quiet in the afternoon.

Is $77 good value?

At $77 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the main inclusions: six hours on the water, a Balinese bed, two swimming stops, lunch, BBQ food, aperitifs, drinks, and music. Buying a boat trip, lunch, and multiple drinks separately could easily approach the same total, though the quality of the meal and the amount you drink will determine how good the deal feels.

The value is strongest for people who want an all-day social outing. You pay once and do not need money for onboard payments. That makes the day easy to manage for families and groups who prefer a clear total cost.

The value is weaker if you want serious snorkeling, a quiet sailing experience, or several shore excursions. You are paying for comfort and atmosphere more than for active sightseeing. The food uncertainty also means you should keep your expectations realistic.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option add useful flexibility. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date and departure time carefully before arranging transport from Salou.

Who should book this Cambrils sailing?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A relaxed day with friends or family
• A comfortable place to lie down beside the sea
• Swimming breaks without organizing your own beach transport
• Music, drinks, and a social atmosphere
• A package price that includes lunch and onboard drinks
• A simple day where you return to the same port

I would be more cautious if you want:

• A detailed coastal tour with a strong guide
• Guaranteed high-quality BBQ food
• Quiet conditions for all six hours
• Clear snorkeling sites with plenty to see
• A spacious boat when it is close to full
• A completely smoke-free environment

The cruise is also not suitable for people with a cold, according to the activity information. If you have any concern about swimming conditions, jellyfish, or spending six hours at sea, ask the crew before entering the water and use the boat’s deck as your alternative.

Should you book the Cat Aventure cruise?

Book it if your ideal Costa Daurada day includes a padded bed, cold drinks, music, a swim from the boat, and no need to plan lunch. The combination of a six-hour schedule and an all-in price gives you a relaxed outing that is easy to share with friends and family.

Skip it if the phrase BBQ lunch is the main reason you are interested, or if you want a true snorkeling trip and detailed sightseeing. The food has received mixed reactions, the boat can feel crowded, and the swimming stops may be in deep water with little underwater activity.

For the best chance of enjoying it, arrive early, collect your bed number at the red ticket office, wear practical footwear, bring a towel, and use public transport from Salou if summer taxis are scarce. With those details handled, you can focus on what this cruise does best: a long, sunny day on the Mediterranean with a comfortable place to sit and plenty of time to swim.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The departure area is around Passeig de les Palmeres near Saba Aparcamientos, S.A. The exact meeting point may vary according to the option booked.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours, including sailing, the swimming stops, lunch, drinks, and time spent relaxing on the catamaran.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes lunch, BBQ food, aperitifs, and drinks.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Drinks are included, with options described as including cava, prosecco, vermouth, Aperol, and wine.

How many swimming stops are included?

Two swimming stops are included.

Is snorkeling available?

You can snorkel at the swimming stops, but the catamaran may anchor in deep water, around 12 metres in one reported location. Underwater sights are not guaranteed.

Do I need to bring money for onboard payments?

No. The activity information says you do not need money for payments during the cruise.

How do I find my Balinese bed?

Before boarding, visit the red ticket office in front of the catamaran to collect the number assigned to your Balinese bed.

Can I reach the boat from Salou by public transport?

Yes. Public transport from Salou to Cambrils is recommended during July and August, with buses running about every 20 minutes. The bus stop is around 300 metres from the boarding location.

What languages are available?

The listed languages are English, Catalan, French, Dutch, and Spanish. The level of spoken guidance may vary during the cruise.