Alicante: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise to Tabarca Island

Tabarca is best reached by sea. This six-hour catamaran trip combines a pleasant cruise from Alicante with time to swim, snorkel, eat paella, and explore Spain’s first marine reserve. I like the spacious catamaran and the freedom to split your three hours at Tabarca between the island and the water. I also like that chicken, fish, and vegetarian paella are included, along with unlimited soft drinks, juice, and water.

The main drawback is that this is a full half-day on the sea, and the ride can feel rough in high winds. You also need to be quick if you want a place on the front nets, and very young children may find the long crossing tiring.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours at Tabarca: You have time for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and a look around the village without being rushed.
• Homemade paella included: Choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, with mixed salad and one beer, wine, or tinto de verano.
• Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks: Water, soft drinks, and juice are available throughout the trip.
• Snorkeling from the boat: Masks and fins are supplied, with sailor-lifeguards nearby, but tubes cost €5 if you want one.
• Small boat transfers to the island: The crew can shuttle you between the catamaran and Tabarca’s village during the stop.
• A real sailing finish: On the return, the main sail may be raised, giving you a quiet way to watch the Costa Blanca from the water.

From Alicante Port to the open sea

Your meeting point is the Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, beside Bar Noray and opposite Mundo de los Niños. Arrive 15 minutes early. There is a short presentation before departure, and punctuality matters because the boat is working to a set schedule.

The catamaran leaves Alicante Port and spends about 1.5 hours heading toward Tabarca. That sounds like a long crossing, but the boat gives you several ways to use the time. You can sit along the sides for wide views, stretch out in the nets between the hulls, listen to music, or simply sunbathe with a drink in hand.

I like the catamaran format here. Compared with a basic ferry crossing, it gives the trip a holiday feel from the first minute. The wide deck offers more room to move around, and the front nets are a fine place to watch the water pass below you. They are popular, though, and the spaces have limits, so do not assume you can claim one whenever you like.

The crew provides welcome fruit, and the bar has unlimited water, juice, and soft drinks. One alcoholic drink is included: beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Extra alcoholic drinks and food cost more, but the available prices were described as reasonable.

The catamaran also has an onboard restroom, which matters on a six-hour outing. You will want sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and water shoes. High heels, coolers, large bags, jewelry, outside food, and outside drinks are not allowed.

The sea crossing and what the ride feels like

The first crossing is a major part of the experience, not just transport to Tabarca. You get views back toward Alicante and along the Costa Blanca, with the sea opening up around you as the port recedes.

Conditions can change. In calm weather, the trip is easy and restful. In stronger wind, the catamaran can move sharply, especially on the way out. One November trip had a rough start, and other trips faced choppy water, but the crew kept a close eye on safety and helped people who felt unwell. Sea sickness medication may be available onboard, though you should not rely on that instead of preparing sensibly.

If you are prone to motion sickness, sit in a more stable part of the boat, watch the horizon, and avoid beginning the day with a heavy meal. The crew’s friendly manner helps, but no boat can promise perfectly smooth water.

The tone onboard is relaxed and social. Music plays, drinks are easy to get, and the crew often adds humor to the journey. The two crew members called Alex were singled out for being funny and helpful on one trip, while the captain was praised for calm handling in rough waves. The captain’s name is not provided, so I would not expect a formal guided commentary about every coastal feature.

That lack of narration is worth noting. You see Carabassi Beach, with its pale sand, and Cape Santa Pola with its lighthouse on the route, but the trip is more about enjoying the view than learning a detailed story about it. If you want a history lesson, bring your own guidebook or read about Tabarca before you go.

Three hours at Tabarca Island

The catamaran spends roughly three hours near Tabarca. This is enough time to make the stop feel substantial rather than symbolic.

Tabarca is a small island with a village, shops, bars, restaurants, and sea views. You are not forced into one fixed order of activities. You can swim first, eat lunch, visit the village afterward, or reverse the plan.

The crew runs a small boat between the catamaran and the island. It makes repeated trips, so you are not tied to a single quick visit. This is a useful arrangement because the best part of Tabarca depends on your mood. You might prefer to spend most of the stop in the water, or you might want to walk around and get a feel for the island.

The island itself is worth seeing, but set your expectations correctly. It is small, and the cruise gives you a taste of the village rather than a full island tour. The catamaran and the swimming stop are likely to be the main attractions for many people.

The water around Tabarca is the star. This is Spain’s first marine reserve, and the sea is described as clear enough for enjoyable snorkeling and swimming. Masks and fins are supplied free of charge. Tubes are not supplied for hygiene reasons, but you can buy one onboard for €5.

Snorkeling is unguided. Sailor-lifeguards are present during the activity, which gives the stop a useful safety net, but nobody leads you around the reserve or identifies marine life. You may see fish or other sea life, but specific sightings are never guaranteed. One swimmer reported seeing an octopus, which gives you an idea of what might appear beneath the boat.

You can also jump directly from the catamaran into the sea. This was a favorite part for many people, especially teenagers and adults who enjoy a little splash and excitement. If you prefer a quiet swim, there is no need to jump. You can use the equipment and enter the water at your own pace.

Water shoes are a smart item to pack. They help when moving around a boat deck and are useful near rocky or uneven edges. Remove jewelry before swimming, both for safety and because losing it in the reserve would be a costly mistake.

Paella lunch with practical timing

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the value here. The included meal is homemade paella with a mixed salad, and you choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian. A drink is included as well, with beer, wine, or tinto de verano available alongside the unlimited non-alcoholic choices.

The paella received especially warm praise, including from people who had eaten paella elsewhere in Alicante. Vegetarian diners also found the meat-free version satisfying, so this is not an afterthought for anyone avoiding meat or fish.

The crew prepares the salad and fruit during the journey, and the meal is served onboard around the Tabarca stop. Pay attention to the timing. The crew needs to clear and tidy the dining area before sailing back, so do not assume you can wait until the final minutes to eat.

One useful strategy is to eat soon after lunch is served, then choose between swimming and visiting the island. If you are traveling with children or a group, deciding this early saves time. The free shuttle boat makes it easier to split up, but you still need to keep an eye on the return schedule.

The food is not a restaurant tasting menu, and the fish paella may not be loaded with seafood. One diner found the food good but noted that it did not contain much seafood. Still, for an €85 day on the water that includes a cooked lunch, salad, fruit, drinks, and equipment, it is a solid part of the package.

The return journey along the Costa Blanca

After the Tabarca stop, the catamaran takes about 1.5 hours to return to Alicante. This is when the outing often becomes quiet and restful. When the main sail is raised, you can settle into a slower ride and watch the coast from offshore.

You see the shore from a different angle than you would from a road or beach. Carabassi Beach and the Cape of Santa Pola lighthouse are among the named sights along the route. The boat’s position gives you broad sea views, while the deck offers room for a nap or a final drink.

The return leg is also when the length of the trip becomes clear. Six hours is generous enough to include all the main activities, but it can feel long if you do not enjoy open water, sun, or sitting around between activities. I would choose this trip for the pleasure of the cruise itself, not just as a way to reach Tabarca.

What the €85 price really includes

At $85 per person, the cost is not simply a boat ticket. You are paying for a round-trip catamaran cruise, welcome fruit, a homemade paella lunch, salad, one alcoholic drink, unlimited water, juice and soft drinks, snorkeling masks and fins, a lifeguard presence during the water activity, music, and restroom access.

That makes the price good for people who plan to use the full package. A basic ferry may get you to Tabarca for less, but it will not provide the same combination of sailing time, open-deck space, lunch, and drinks. If you mainly want several hours on the island, compare ferry prices before booking. If you want the boat day as much as the island, this cruise offers stronger value.

Extra alcoholic drinks and food are not included. Bring a payment method for the bar, but do not bring your own snacks or drinks because outside food and beverages are prohibited.

The operation needs at least 15 people to run. If that minimum is not reached, the company will contact you about rescheduling or a refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, groups of friends, families with older children, and anyone who wants a full day at sea rather than a quick island transfer. It works especially well for people who like to choose their own pace. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, eat, or visit the village without being pushed through a tightly managed program.

Teenagers and confident swimmers will enjoy jumping from the boat and using the snorkeling gear. Vegetarians have a clear lunch choice, and the multilingual host or greeter may speak Spanish, French, German, or English.

Very young children require more thought. One family brought an infant and a child around two or three years old, but the long boat ride and open sea may not suit every small child. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

You should also skip it if you dislike sun, wind, motion, or informal group activities. The snorkeling is free but unguided, and the island visit has no detailed walking tour built in.

Small details that make the day easier

Arrive early enough for the presentation and boarding process. The meeting point is next to Bar Noray, in front of Mundo de los Niños, but finding it is easier when you use those landmarks rather than relying only on the boat name.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and water shoes. Keep valuables at home. The company is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage, and large bags are not permitted onboard.

If you want the front nets, board promptly and claim a place according to the crew’s instructions. These areas have capacity limits, and they fill quickly. For the best mix of activities, I would use the crossing to settle in, eat when lunch begins, swim while the water is inviting, and leave enough time for the village shuttle.

The cruise has earned a 4.7 rating from 879 reviews, with particularly strong praise for the crew, food, organization, safety, and value. That matches the design of the outing: it is not a silent luxury sail, but a friendly, well-stocked day trip with plenty to do.

Should you book the Tabarca catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want Tabarca plus a comfortable day on the water. The included paella, drinks, snorkeling equipment, flexible island time, and roomy catamaran make this a good-value choice at $85, especially when you treat the crossing as part of the attraction.

Choose a regular ferry instead if your priority is spending as much time as possible on Tabarca or exploring independently. Choose another activity if you are sensitive to motion, need wheelchair access, or are traveling with a very young child who may struggle with six hours at sea.

For most active couples, families with older children, and groups of friends, I would book this cruise. Come prepared for sun and possible waves, arrive early, eat before the lunch area closes, and think of the trip as a sailing day with an island stop, not simply transport to Tabarca.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

It leaves from Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to Bar Noray and opposite Mundo de los Niños at Alicante Port.

How long is the cruise?

The full experience lasts six hours. The outward journey takes about 1.5 hours, the Tabarca stop lasts about three hours, and the return takes about 1.5 hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Homemade paella, mixed salad, and a welcome serving of fruit are included. You can choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella.

What drinks are included?

One beer, wine, or tinto de verano is included. Water, soft drinks, and juice are available without an additional charge during the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and fins are provided for the unguided snorkeling activity. Snorkel tubes are not supplied, but you can buy one onboard for €5.

Is snorkeling guided?

No. The snorkeling activity is free and unguided, but sailor-lifeguards are present during the activity.

Can I visit Tabarca village?

Yes. You have free time to visit the village, and a small boat makes repeated transfers between the catamaran and the island during the stop.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water shoes.

Are children allowed?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The activity may not suit very young children because of the long time at sea.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.