Lloret de Mar: Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

The best Costa Brava views come from the water. This four-hour catamaran trip from Lloret de Mar combines cliffside scenery, a long swimming stop, a barbecue lunch, and music on the return trip. I like the generous time at anchor for swimming and the friendly, energetic crew. I also like that families can choose a calmer morning departure, while adults can pick a livelier afternoon or Saturday celebration cruise.

The main thing to consider is the size and style of the boat. It can carry close to 100 people, so this is a social party cruise rather than a quiet sailing trip. The menu is simple, and the alcoholic drinks are mainly beer and sangria, with soft drinks and water also available.

Key details before you book

• A four-hour Costa Brava outing: You sail from Lloret de Mar, spend about two hours anchored for swimming and lunch, then return with music.
• A real swimming stop: Jump from the boat’s trampoline, use the floating mattress, swim in a small inlet, or snorkel in clear Mediterranean water.
• Simple BBQ buffet: Expect beef hamburgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and fruit cocktail.
• Different departures suit different groups: Morning trips welcome families, evening trips are for adults over 18, and Saturday celebration departures are adults-only.
• Drinks are included: Beer, sangria, soda, and water are available, though the exact serving system can vary by departure.
• Beachfront meeting point: Board near Lloret’s town hall at Passeig Agustí Font, 2, with your mobile QR code ready.

From Lloret beach to open water

The trip starts directly from the sand near Passeig Agustí Font, 2, on Lloret de Mar’s promenade. You do not need a separate boat transfer, which makes the start easy if you are already staying in town. Show the QR code on your phone to receive your boarding passes.

Boarding can look hectic because many people may be waiting at once. Do not assume you need to rush for a good seat. The catamaran has plenty of room, even when carrying around 90 to 95 people, and the open deck gives you several places to sit or stretch out.

Once aboard, you can choose between the covered section, the solarium area, and the large net at the bow. The net is the most memorable place to sit while sailing. You feel the boat move over the water beneath you, though it is exposed to direct sun and spray. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, and keep your phone secure.

The first hour is mainly about the coast and the feeling of being at sea. You pass rocky cliffs, caves, small beaches, and fishing villages along the Costa Brava. The views are best from the front and sides of the catamaran, while the covered area is more useful if the sun becomes too strong.

Music plays during the journey, and the mood depends on your departure. A morning cruise tends to suit families and those who want a relaxed day out. An afternoon sailing usually has a younger, more energetic feel. Saturday celebration trips are designed for adults over 18 and include a DJ-led party atmosphere.

The two-hour anchor stop

After about an hour of sailing, the catamaran anchors in a quieter coastal spot for roughly two hours. This is the heart of the experience. You are not simply looking at the Mediterranean from the deck. You can get into the water, swim around the boat, and spend a proper stretch of time outside.

The boat has a trampoline for jumping into the sea and a floating mattress for relaxing in the water. You can also swim toward a small inlet or use the provided masks to look for fish. A refundable cash deposit of €10 is required for a mask. The masks are included, but a snorkel is not necessarily provided, so bring your own if snorkeling matters to you.

The water is described as clear and fish-filled, but conditions can change with weather and sea movement. You should be comfortable in open water before jumping from the boat. Safety vests are included, and crew members supervise the activity, but children still need close attention. One practical point from a family sailing is that children’s life jackets were not immediately available for everyone, so get one early if your child needs one.

The swimming stop also gives you time to avoid the busiest part of the boat. You can sit in the shade, use the solarium, swim, or simply watch the coast. The long pause is valuable because it prevents the trip from becoming four hours of constant movement and music.

BBQ lunch on the catamaran

Food is served after the catamaran drops anchor, with the meal ready about an hour and a half after departure. That timing matters. If you board hungry, you may have a while to wait before lunch, so eat something beforehand if you need an early meal.

The food is self-service, with no alternative menu. The stated spread includes:

• Beef hamburgers
• Marinated chicken pieces
• Pasta
• Salad
• Sweet fruit cocktail

The meal is best viewed as a practical boat barbecue, not a restaurant lunch. Several people found it tasty and filling, while others thought the food was basic and suggested it could be improved. I would book this trip for the swimming, scenery, and social atmosphere first, with lunch as a useful extra.

The food is described as containing no gluten, which may help some diners. If you have a serious allergy or a strict medical diet, ask the crew before eating because the information provided does not explain preparation or cross-contact procedures.

Drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. Some departures use a voucher system, with one account describing five drink vouchers and extra drinks available for €2. The standard description presents drinks as included, but the exact arrangement may depend on the chosen cruise option. Do not expect a full wine or cocktail list. If you prefer white wine, this may feel limited.

Music, DJs, and the return to Lloret

The return journey is often the loudest and most playful part of the day. The DJ turns up the music, encourages dancing, and creates a boat-party mood. On some departures, the last hour becomes a proper dance session, with familiar party classics and group games.

This is where choosing the correct departure becomes important. Families with children should select the morning cruise. The evening trip is for people over 18, and the Saturday celebration cruise is also adults-only. The afternoon sailing may suit young adults who want swimming and a social atmosphere without choosing the special Saturday option.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, lively, and attentive to safety. Names are not consistently provided, but Julio and a crew member called Silvester were singled out for making groups feel welcome. The crew also helped older passengers feel comfortable among a younger crowd, so the atmosphere is not limited strictly to people in their twenties.

Still, the party element is not a small detail. If you want peaceful sailing, quiet conversation, or a private romantic boat ride, this is probably the wrong format. The music, crowd, and announcements are part of the product.

Is $59 a fair price?

At $59 per person, the price is reasonable for a four-hour outing if you plan to use the main inclusions. You are paying for a round-trip catamaran cruise, captain, crew, barbecue, drinks, music, toilet facilities, safety equipment, a swimming stop, and access to the trampoline and floating mattress.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, and drinks. You also get a substantial swimming break rather than a short photo stop. The cost is less attractive if you do not drink, dislike loud music, or prefer a small sailing boat.

The catamaran’s capacity is worth remembering. A nearly full boat can sound crowded, but the open design provides more usable space than the boarding line may suggest. You should not expect an exclusive charter. You are buying a shared social day with a broad mix of families, couples, birthday groups, hen parties, and young adults.

The cruise can also be good value for a celebration. Saturday adult departures include a DJ, barbecue, and five drinks, making them suited to birthdays, anniversaries, and organized group outings. Costumes, sexual objects, and disruptive bachelor-party behavior are not accepted, so groups should keep the celebration respectful and within the stated rules.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want several experiences in one half-day:

• You want to see the Costa Brava from offshore.
• You enjoy swimming and jumping from boats.
• You like meeting other people and listening to music.
• You want food and drinks included rather than arranging lunch separately.
• You are traveling with children and can choose the morning sailing.
• You are planning a birthday, anniversary, or adult group outing.

Couples can enjoy the views and the swimming stop, though the boat is not especially private. Families should choose the morning option and bring their own snorkel gear if children want to explore underwater.

This is less suitable for wheelchair users, who are specifically excluded from the activity. It is also a poor match if you need quiet, luxury, a custom menu, premium drinks, or a small-group sailing experience.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack light, but bring the things that make a day in the sun easier:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sandals or flip-flops
• Beachwear
• Cash for the refundable €10 mask deposit and possible extra drinks
• Your own snorkel if you want to snorkel properly

Food and personal drinks are not permitted onboard. Glass items, coolers, alcohol brought from outside, drugs, and pets are also prohibited. Arriving intoxicated means you can be refused boarding without a refund.

Jumping is only allowed in the designated way from the boat’s trampoline. Costumes and sexual props are not accepted, including for bachelor groups. These rules may feel strict, but they help keep a large boat manageable and safe.

The catamaran can be canceled because of rough seas, heavy rain, an unexpected mechanical problem, or too few bookings. If you miss the departure or arrive late, there is no refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later if that option is available for your booking.

Morning, afternoon, or Saturday celebration?

The morning barbecue cruise is the clearest choice for families. It offers the same basic pattern of sailing, swimming, food, and drinks, but with a more suitable atmosphere for children under 18.

The afternoon cruise is aimed at adults over 18 and usually has a younger, livelier feel. Pick this if music, dancing, and social energy matter as much as the scenery.

The Saturday celebration cruise is the party choice. It is for adults over 18 and includes a DJ, barbecue, and five drinks. It works well for birthdays, anniversaries, and group celebrations, but it is not designed as a quiet sightseeing trip.

High season may bring additional departure times. Check the exact time before booking, especially if you are trying to fit the cruise around a beach day, dinner reservation, or another activity in Lloret.

Should you book the Lloret de Mar catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, good-value day on the Mediterranean with strong coastal views, a real swimming stop, simple barbecue food, and a friendly party atmosphere. The crew, swimming time, and music are the strongest parts of the experience, and the $59 price covers enough to make the outing worthwhile for many people.

Think twice if you want silence, space, gourmet food, or a private sail. Choose the morning for children, the afternoon for an adult social outing, and Saturday’s celebration sailing for a full boat-party mood. Bring a towel, your own snorkel, cash, and realistic expectations about the buffet. With those choices made, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to spend four hours in Lloret de Mar.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Passeig Agustí Font, 2, on the Lloret de Mar promenade near the town hall.

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts four hours. The sailing route and activities are listed as taking about three and a half hours, with the remaining time covering boarding and return arrangements.

What food is served onboard?

The self-service barbecue includes beef hamburgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and sweet fruit cocktail. There is no optional menu.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are listed as beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. Some departures may use drink vouchers, and extra drinks may cost €2.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit. A snorkel is not necessarily included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Which departure is best for families?

Morning departures are intended for families with children under 18. Bachelor groups are not permitted on these departures.

Are children allowed on the evening cruise?

No. Evening departures are for people over 18. Saturday group celebration departures are also adults-only.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise may be canceled because of rough seas, heavy rain, an unexpected catamaran breakdown, or insufficient participants. A full refund is available when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance.