Catamaran ride -Costa Brava with barbecue and drinks. Familiar.

The best part of this Costa Brava catamaran trip comes after the boat leaves Lloret de Mar. You sail past a long run of rocky coves, then anchor near a sheltered inlet where you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, eat barbecue, and watch the coast from the water. It is part sightseeing cruise, part floating lunch party.

I like the all-inclusive drinks and meal, which make the $60.34 price easier to justify, and I like the friendly, energetic crew. Music, dancing, and multilingual hosting turn the ride back into a social event. The main caution is the sea itself: wind and rough water have caused seasickness, and the barbecue has received mixed marks.

Key points to know before booking

• A four-hour Costa Brava route: Sail north from Lloret de Mar past Sa Caleta, Cala Trons, Canyelles, and other coves toward Tossa.
• Swimming stop in a sheltered cove: After about an hour, the catamaran anchors for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect burgers, marinated gluten-free chicken, pasta, salad, fruit, beer, sangria, and soft drinks.
• A social atmosphere: Music, dancing, and lively hosts are a major part of the experience, especially on the return ride.
• Family-friendly morning departure: Children are welcome, and one four-year-old reportedly enjoyed the catamaran nets.
• Plan for motion sickness: The boat can move sharply in poor weather, so bring appropriate medication if you are sensitive at sea.

Leaving Lloret de Mar for the Costa Brava coves

The catamaran departs from Passeig d’Agustí Font, 5, beside the beach in Lloret de Mar. You board directly from the shore, so wear shoes that you can remove easily. This is not a polished marina departure with a quiet lounge and formal check-in. You should expect a beach-level boarding process, then a quick shift from town to open water.

The listed departure time is 11 a.m., but one passenger found that the boat did not actually leave until noon. I would arrive early and allow extra time to find the meeting point, especially if you want to enjoy Lloret before departure. The trip returns to the same place after roughly four hours.

Once under way, the route heads north toward Tossa. The coast unfolds one cove at a time: Sa Caleta and its castle, Cala Trons, Cala Gran, Sa Goita, Canyelles, Rajols, Morisca, Llorell, and Llevadó are among the named sights. You are not simply being taken from one port to another. The point is to see the rugged shore from a low, open position on the sea.

I like this part because the changing coves give the ride a sense of progress. You can sit back with a drink, watch the cliffs and inlets pass, and take photographs without having to drive the winding coastal roads. The tradeoff is that the exact feel of this first hour depends heavily on weather. Rain and wind made the opening part unpleasant for some passengers, while calm, sunny conditions produced a much smoother ride.

The one-hour sail toward Tossa

The first hour is the scenic portion, but it is also when motion sickness is most likely to become a problem. A catamaran usually feels more stable than a smaller boat, yet no vessel is immune to rough water. One passenger described seasickness across the boat during a windy outing, while another strongly advised taking motion sickness medicine before departure.

That advice is practical. If you know you are sensitive, prepare before boarding rather than waiting for symptoms to begin. Sit where you feel most comfortable, keep water nearby, and do not start the day with the assumption that a large catamaran guarantees calm sailing.

The boat can carry up to 95 people, so this is a shared outing rather than a private cruise. That number sounds large, but the catamaran has enough room for people to spread out, and one large group was surprised by how spacious it felt after seeing the queue at the shore. Still, you should expect other families, couples, friend groups, and people ready to socialize.

The music is part of the design, not background decoration. The crew uses it to build the mood, and on many departures the return turns into singing and dancing. Greg is singled out as a particularly lively host, while the wider crew has been described as friendly and able to communicate in English, French, and Spanish.

Anchoring near the sheltered swimming cove

After about an hour of sailing, the catamaran anchors near the rocks in a sheltered cove. The setting is the real prize: clear water, rocky edges, nearby caves, and a quieter feeling than the crowded beach back in Lloret de Mar.

You can swim from the boat and use the available snorkeling masks with a returnable €10 cash deposit. Fish have been seen around the catamaran, and the water may also contain jellyfish. The latter are described as harmless in one account, but you should still pay attention to your surroundings and follow the crew’s instructions.

The swimming stop can last around an hour and a half, although the exact amount of time in the water appears to vary. Some people wished they had more time to swim, while others found the stop generous. If swimming is your top priority, remember that the four-hour schedule must also include the outward and return sailing, lunch, and the crew’s entertainment.

The catamaran offers several ways to enjoy the stop. You can jump from the front, swim near the boat, sit on the sun net, or use the waterbeds. The front area is especially appealing if you like a little more excitement, while the net gives you a place to lie above the water and feel the movement of the sea beneath you.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. Warm clothes are useful outside the main summer season. Comfortable shoes matter at the start and end because you board from the beach, not through a conventional gangway.

What lunch is really like on board

Lunch is a buffet barbecue served on the catamaran. The published menu includes pasta and salad, beef burgers, marinated gluten-free chicken cubes, and fruit salad. Beer, sangria, and soft drinks are included, so you do not have to keep paying for refreshments throughout the trip.

The meal is designed for convenience, not culinary ambition. The barbecue meat has earned plenty of praise, and some passengers found the food tasty and satisfying. Others found the pasta sauce bland, the portions limited, or the general quality below expectations. I would treat it as a straightforward boat lunch that keeps the day moving, not a reason to book the trip on its own.

If you have a large appetite or specific dietary needs, bring a small snack if permitted, since several people wished they had done so. The listed menu does include gluten-free marinated chicken, but no wider range of special diets is specified. You should not assume that every preference can be accommodated.

The drinks are a stronger part of the value. Unlimited beer, sangria, and soft drinks can add up quickly on a normal beach day, and they help explain the price. The sangria has been described as strong, so pace yourself, especially in the sun and on a moving boat.

A party boat with room for families

This experience has two personalities. During the scenic run and swimming stop, it can feel like a relaxed coastal outing. On the return, the music may turn the catamaran into a dance floor, with passengers singing and joining in across language groups.

That social element is why this trip works so well for groups of friends, birthday outings, work colleagues, and couples who want more than quiet sightseeing. You can meet the people around you, share the water stop, and join the dancing when the mood picks up. A solo passenger also found the atmosphere welcoming rather than isolating.

The morning departure is suitable for families with children. A four-year-old enjoyed walking around and spending time on the catamaran nets, and several families had a good day together. That does not mean the boat is quiet or child-focused. Music, alcohol, dancing, and open water are all part of the outing, so parents should decide if that mix fits their children.

The atmosphere is not guaranteed to be equally lively on every departure. One French-speaking passenger enjoyed the crew but felt the other passengers did not always join the music. If you want a calm cruise with minimal noise, this probably is not the best match. If you like the idea of a casual, open-air party with a swim stop, it is much more promising.

Is $60.34 good value?

At $60.34 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the Costa Brava water. You are paying for a full four-hour outing rather than a short sightseeing boat, and the package includes lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, music, a swimming stop, and the coastal route.

The value is strongest if you plan to use those inclusions. A couple who would otherwise buy lunch, several drinks, and a separate boat ride may find the price fair. A person who does not drink alcohol, dislikes group entertainment, or mainly wants quiet swimming may see less value.

The trip also saves you from arranging separate transport to a secluded cove. The boat handles the route, the anchoring, and the return to Lloret. That matters on a coast where access by road or foot can be less direct.

You should also keep the group size in mind. With a maximum of 95 people, you are not buying privacy. You are buying a shared day on the water with enough space to find a preferred spot, but not a personal charter.

Weather, comfort, and practical preparation

Good weather is essential. The outing can be canceled if conditions are poor, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. That rule is sensible for a sea trip, but it means you should avoid building an overly tight schedule around the departure.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason may lead to a new date, another experience, or a refund.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Pets and companion animals are not allowed. Since you board from the beach, comfortable footwear and easy-to-remove shoes are more useful than formal sandals with complicated straps.

Pack light, but do not forget the basics:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
• Warm layer in the off-season
• Motion sickness medicine if needed
• Cash for the €10 snorkeling-mask deposit
• A small snack if you are concerned about the buffet

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would choose this for a group that wants scenery plus social fun, not a silent cruise. It suits friends, couples, families with older children, and solo passengers who are comfortable joining a shared atmosphere.

It is especially good for a day away from Lloret’s crowded beach. You get open water, rocky coves, a swimming stop, and a meal without having to plan each part yourself. The crew’s energy is a major reason the experience works, with Greg and the other hosts encouraging dancing and participation.

I would think twice if you need a quiet boat, high-end food, guaranteed calm water, or a long snorkeling session. The meal is simple, the water can be cold, and the weather can change the entire tone of the day. You may also prefer another option if seasickness has ruined boat trips for you in the past.

Final call: book it for the atmosphere

Book this catamaran ride if you want an easy, good-value day combining the Costa Brava coast, swimming, barbecue, drinks, and music. The strongest features are the beautiful cove stop, the generous drinks package, and the crew’s ability to turn the return trip into a shared celebration.

Skip it if your priority is refined dining, privacy, or guaranteed smooth sailing. For most people who approach it as a lively four-hour boat party with real coastal scenery, the $60.34 price is reasonable, especially when you take advantage of the meal, drinks, and swimming stop.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

It starts at Passeig d’Agustí Font, 5, 17310 Lloret de Mar, Girona, Spain, beside the beach.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 11 a.m. One departure reportedly left closer to noon, so arriving early is wise.

How long does the catamaran ride last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

Does the tour return to Lloret de Mar?

Yes. The experience ends back at the original meeting point.

What food is included?

The buffet barbecue includes pasta, salad, beef burgers, marinated gluten-free chicken cubes, and fruit salad.

What drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, and soft drinks are included.

Is swimming part of the experience?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a sheltered cove for swimming and snorkeling.

Are snorkeling masks available?

Yes. Masks are available with a returnable cash deposit of €10.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Families with children are welcome on the morning trip.

Are pets allowed on board?

No. Pets and companion animals are not allowed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.