Lloret de Mar: Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

The best part of this four-hour Costa Brava cruise is the long stop in a quiet cove. After sailing past cliffs, caves, fishing villages, and small beaches, the catamaran anchors for about two hours, giving you real time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and eat lunch rather than rushing from one activity to the next. I especially like the floating mattress and front trampoline, plus the easy beachside meeting point in central Lloret de Mar.

I also like the sensible choice of departure times. The morning trip suits families, while the afternoon and Saturday celebration options lean toward an adult party crowd. The main thing to consider is the size and mood of the boat: it can carry close to 100 people, so this is a social party cruise, not a quiet private sail. Drinks are also fairly limited, mainly beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water, with no wine listed.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours at anchor: You have time to swim, snorkel, use the floating mattress, and enjoy the water before lunch.
• Three different moods: Pick a family-friendly morning, an adults-only afternoon, or a Saturday celebration departure.
• BBQ served onboard: Expect beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, and a sweet fruit cocktail.
• Central Lloret departure: Meet at Passeig Agustí Font 2, near the town hall, on the promenade.
• Party atmosphere on the return: Music usually becomes livelier on the way back, with dancing and DJ entertainment.
• Bring cash for snorkeling equipment: A mask is available with a refundable €10 cash deposit, but snorkels are not clearly guaranteed.

From Lloret beach to open water

You meet at Passeig Agustí Font 2, close to Lloret de Mar’s town hall and the main promenade. The catamaran departs directly from the beach area, so wear sandals or flip-flops that you can remove easily. Show your QR code on your phone to receive your boarding passes.

Boarding can feel busy, especially when a large group is waiting. I would not rush to grab the first seat. The catamaran has enough room for everyone, and one useful tip is to take your time while boarding instead of creating a bottleneck at the entrance.

Once aboard, you can choose between the covered section, the solarium area, or the large net at the front. The net is the classic catamaran spot. You lie above the water with the sea moving below you, though it is exposed to strong sun and spray. If you need shade, claim a place under cover early.

The crew speaks English, Spanish, and French. Their job is part hosting, part safety control, and part entertainment. Crew members including Julio and Silvester have been singled out for their friendly, energetic service, but the exact staff can change from one departure to another.

The first hour along the Costa Brava

The first part is a scenic sail along the Costa Brava. From the water, Lloret’s coast changes character quickly. Cliffs rise from the sea, caves cut into the shoreline, and secluded beaches appear where roads cannot easily reach. You may also pass fishing villages and see the coast from a much better angle than you get from a town beach.

This is not a private sailing lesson or a fast sightseeing boat. The emphasis is on relaxing with music, drinks, and company while the coastline passes by. That makes the front net a good place for photographs, while the side rails offer a steadier position if you are prone to seasickness.

The route can include the stretch between Lloret and Tossa, with the swimming stop set somewhere along the coast. The exact anchorage depends on conditions and the day’s operation, so you should not expect one fixed beach or cove every time.

The sailing portion matters because it gives the outing some shape. You are not simply taken to a swimming platform and left there. You get about an hour of coastal views first, then a long break for water activities, followed by a more musical return.

Two hours anchored for swimming and snorkeling

The main event begins when the catamaran drops anchor in a sheltered spot. You get around two hours here, which is generous by excursion standards. The water is described as clear, and the small inlet provides the setting for swimming and snorkeling.

The boat has a trampoline for entering the water, along with a floating mattress. There is also a solarium area for those who would rather stay dry. Safety vests are supplied, and the crew oversees the swimming area, so listen carefully to instructions before entering the sea.

The activity information says masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit. Bring your own snorkel if seeing fish is important to you, since one family found that goggles were supplied but a snorkel was not clearly provided. You should also bring a towel, as one is not included.

This stop is where the cruise earns much of its price. You are not limited to a quick swim beside the boat while lunch is prepared. You can spend a substantial part of the afternoon in the water, then return to the deck for food and drinks.

There are limits. This is open-water swimming from a large catamaran, not a supervised water park. The rules prohibit uncontrolled jumping, intoxication, alcohol brought from outside, glass objects, and other unsafe behavior. Use the designated trampoline and follow the crew’s directions.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and the practical details of eating onboard

The food is served after the boat anchors, approximately an hour and a half after departure. Expect self-service rather than a restaurant-style meal. The menu includes beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, bread, and a sweet fruit cocktail.

The meal is designed to feed a large group efficiently. I would set your expectations at solid boat buffet food, not a gourmet BBQ. Many people find it tasty and plentiful, while the most common criticism is that the menu is simple. That seems fair. The meal works well after swimming, but food quality is not the main reason to book this cruise.

The stated meal information says the food contains no gluten, but anyone with a serious allergy should confirm details with the operator before booking. No optional menu is offered, so you should not expect to choose a different main course.

Drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. The standard description presents drinks as included, while some departures use drink vouchers. The Saturday celebration option specifically includes five drinks, and extra drinks have been reported at €2 each. The exact arrangement can depend on the departure you choose, so check the option details when booking.

A practical point: the drinks selection does not include wine in the supplied information. If you prefer white wine or spirits, this may feel narrow. You cannot bring your own alcohol, a cooler, or glass containers.

Choosing between the morning, afternoon, and Saturday options

Your departure time changes the character of the experience more than the route does.

The morning cruise is the best fit for families with children under 18. It offers the same basic pattern of sailing, swimming, food, and drinks, but with a calmer family focus. The music is still part of the experience, and there may be dancing on the return, but the mood is intended to suit children and parents.

The afternoon cruise is for people over 18. It has a livelier young-adult atmosphere, with the return trip often turning into a proper boat party. If you want a relaxed family outing, this is the wrong departure. If you want music, dancing, and a social crowd after the swim, it is the better choice.

The Saturday celebration cruise is also adults-only and includes a DJ, BBQ, and five drinks. It is aimed at festive group outings, anniversaries, celebrations, and bachelor groups that follow the rules. Bachelor parties in costumes or with sexual objects are not accepted, and groups arriving intoxicated will be refused entry without a refund.

The wording around bachelor groups matters. The morning family sailing does not accept bachelor groups, while the Saturday celebration departure is designed for adult celebrations. Choose carefully rather than assuming any sailing works for a large party.

The return trip turns up the music

After the meal and swim, the catamaran heads back to Lloret de Mar. The ride home is usually the most animated section, with the DJ or host raising the music and encouraging people to dance.

This can be a lot of fun if you want a holiday party on the water. The crew is described as friendly, funny, and active without losing sight of safety. Music has included familiar dance classics, and the return can feel like a floating nightclub.

It is also the point where the group size becomes most noticeable. With close to 100 people aboard on some departures, you will not get a peaceful sunset sail. You will get a shared social event, with people meeting, dancing, and making the most of the final hour.

The catamaran has toilets, a covered area, and enough seating to make the trip workable for a large crowd. Still, if your ideal boat trip involves silence, personal space, and a small crew, choose a smaller sailing charter instead.

Is $59 good value?

At $59 per person, the cost is reasonable for four hours on the Costa Brava. The price covers round-trip sailing, the captain and crew, the BBQ, the listed drinks, music, toilets, safety vests, and use of the floating mattress and trampoline.

The value improves if you plan to use the swimming stop fully. You are paying for a scenic coastal route, a meal, time in the sea, and entertainment in one booking. A separate meal, beach rental, and coastal boat ride could easily add up, though this cruise is not intended to be a luxury sailing experience.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike loud music, or mainly want quiet sightseeing. Water and soft drinks are available, but the atmosphere still centers on music and group fun. You also need to budget for the €10 cash deposit if you use the provided mask, though that deposit is refundable.

For a family, the morning sailing gives you a full half-day activity without needing separate transport. For a group of friends, the afternoon or Saturday sailing combines celebration and sightseeing in a convenient package.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Friends who want swimming, music, and drinks in one outing
• Couples looking for a playful anniversary or holiday activity
• Families choosing the morning departure
• Groups celebrating a birthday or permitted bachelor event
• People who like meeting others and do not mind a large boat
• Anyone who wants time in the Mediterranean rather than only a coastal sightseeing ride

You should think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also a poor match for anyone who dislikes boats, crowds, loud music, or open-water swimming.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, sandals or flip-flops, and cash. The sun is strong on the open deck, and there is no reason to expect a towel or personal snorkeling gear to be supplied.

Weather can also change the plan. Rough seas, heavy rain, a mechanical problem, or too few bookings can lead to cancellation. If you have a tight schedule, avoid placing this cruise on the same day as an important connection.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want an easy, social Costa Brava day with a proper swimming stop, a simple BBQ, and music on the way home. The strongest parts are the two hours at anchor, the clear water, the coastal views, and the friendly crew.

Choose the morning option for children. Choose the afternoon or Saturday option for an adult party mood. At $59, it is good value for a four-hour package, but only if you are happy sharing a large catamaran and accepting a limited drink menu. For quiet sailing or refined food, look elsewhere. For a sunny, active half-day in Lloret, this is a very practical choice.

FAQ

How long is the Lloret de Mar catamaran cruise?

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

Where does the catamaran depart?

Meet at Passeig Agustí Font 2 on the Lloret de Mar promenade, near the town hall. The boat departs from the beach area.

What food is served on the boat?

The self-service BBQ includes beef burgers, marinated chicken pieces, pasta, salad, bread, and a sweet fruit cocktail. The food is served approximately 1.5 hours after departure, once the boat anchors.

What drinks are included?

The listed drinks are beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. The Saturday celebration option includes five drinks. Some departures may use drink vouchers, so check the details of your selected option.

Can children join the cruise?

Children can join the morning departure, which is intended for families. The afternoon cruise is for people over 18, and Saturday celebration departures are adults-only.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks are available with a refundable €10 cash deposit. Bring your own snorkel if you want to snorkel, since a snorkel is not clearly guaranteed. The boat also has a floating mattress and trampoline.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. You should also bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, sandals or flip-flops, and cash.

Can I bring my own food or alcohol?

No. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, and you cannot bring alcohol, coolers, or glass objects. Anyone who arrives intoxicated will not be admitted and will not receive a refund.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also be canceled because of rough seas, heavy rain, an unexpected catamaran breakdown, or an insufficient number of participants.