Valencia: Catamaran Cruise, Paella Lunch and Swim Stop

This is a simple, sunny Valencia outing built around two pleasures: fresh paella at sea and a jump into the Mediterranean near Port Saplaya. I like the easy combination of coastal views, a comfortable catamaran, a meal, and one included drink. Recent sailings have featured friendly hosts including Ulysses, Javi, Álvaro, Marco, and Captain Pepe.

I also like the relaxed scale. Boats have carried about 30 people, enough for a social feel without turning the deck into a packed city bus. The main catch is the short swim stop, which comes after lunch and may feel rushed, especially if you would rather swim before eating.

Key points at a glance

• Chicken paella served onboard: Lunch includes salad, Valencian paella, fruit, and one drink.
• A sea swim near Port Saplaya: You can jump from the catamaran into the Mediterranean if conditions allow.
• About 2.5 hours on the water: The sailing itself is described as roughly two hours, so check the exact departure time.
• A comfortable boat for about 30 people: Recent sailings used a modern catamaran with music at a moderate volume.
• Good value at $41 per person: The price covers the cruise, crew, fuel, lunch, swimming, and one drink.
• Not suited to everyone: Mobility impairments may make this activity unsuitable, and weather can affect the outing.

Valencia’s paella arrives with a sea view

Valencia is the home of paella, and eating it on a catamaran gives the dish a very different setting from a restaurant table. You receive a meal of salad, chicken paella, and fresh fruit, with one drink included. Recent menus have included bread and watermelon, while drink choices have included sangria, beer, and soft drinks.

I like that lunch is substantial enough to make the cruise feel like more than a short boat ride. The paella is the center of the experience, not an afterthought served in a plastic box. Several recent departures received especially strong praise for the food, and the combination of tender rice, chicken, salad, fruit, and sangria fits the warm Mediterranean setting well.

Do keep your expectations sensible. This is a group lunch on a moving boat, not a long restaurant meal with a choice of several dishes. The stated main course is chicken paella, so anyone seeking seafood paella or a broad menu should check before booking.

The usual order appears to be lunch first, followed by the swim. That makes practical sense for the crew, but it is not ideal for every stomach. One recent departure found the swim less appealing because it came right after eating. If you know you prefer swimming before a meal, this timing is worth considering.

Sailing from the coast to the open water

Once aboard, you get a broad view from the catamaran’s deck as it moves along Valencia’s Mediterranean coast. The appeal is not a packed sightseeing schedule. Instead, you spend time feeling the breeze, watching the shoreline, and enjoying open water without needing to manage a route yourself.

The catamaran is described as modern and comfortable, with enough room for a group of around 30 people. That size matters. You can move around, sit with your group, or find a place to take in the views without the cramped feeling found on some smaller boats.

Music forms part of the atmosphere. Recent sailings had music that was enjoyable and not too loud, though tastes varied. This is not a silent nature cruise. You should expect a casual social setting, with a soundtrack, a drinks service, and people settling into a holiday mood.

The crew is another important part of the outing. Ulysses and the team have hosted recent trips, while Javi, Álvaro, Marco, and Pepe the captain have also been singled out for warm, friendly service. The available host languages are Spanish and English, so you should be able to receive the basic information and instructions in either language.

One thing is less developed: this is not presented as a detailed coastal history tour. You may hear practical instructions from the crew, but do not book it expecting a long talk about Valencia’s shoreline, port activity, or local history. If you want a narrated sightseeing cruise, another boat trip may suit you better.

The Port Saplaya swim stop

The best part for many people is the stop in the Mediterranean near Port Saplaya. The catamaran pauses away from the shore, giving you the chance to get into the water, cool off, and look back at the boat from sea level.

You can jump from the catamaran, which adds a little excitement without turning the activity into an organized water-sports session. You can also stay onboard and sunbathe. The choice is yours, provided you follow the crew’s instructions and the weather permits the stop.

The water is described as clear and inviting, but the exact conditions will change with wind and sea state. All excursions depend on weather, so the swimming portion is not something you should treat as guaranteed in every form or duration.

Here is the main limitation: swimming time can be brief. Some departures have allowed a satisfying stretch in the water, while others have offered only one jump or a short stop. The stated program promises a swim opportunity, not a full beach afternoon.

The post-lunch timing can also shorten the appeal. You may want to jump in, then decide that floating or climbing back aboard quickly is wiser than a long swim on a full stomach. I would bring a calm attitude about the schedule and see the water stop as a refreshing bonus rather than the entire reason to book.

If swimming is your top priority, ask at the ticket booth about the expected stop length on the day. The meeting point is the Boramar ticket booth, where you exchange your tickets before boarding. Advance booking is essential, and the tour operates with a minimum of 15 people.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, this is a fair package for a half-day-style outing, especially because the core costs are bundled together. You receive:

• Catamaran transport
• Crew and fuel
• Salad, chicken paella, and fruit
• One drink
• A swim stop
• Views of the Valencian coast

That price makes the activity more attractive than a bare sightseeing cruise where lunch and drinks quickly push up the final bill. You do not need to arrange a separate restaurant meal immediately afterward, and you get a full change of scene from Valencia’s streets.

The value depends on how much you use the boat time. If you want a meal, open-water views, and a pleasant social cruise, the package works well. If you mainly want a long swim, $41 may feel less convincing when the stop is short.

Extra drinks cost more, and drinks are available onboard. Diving gear is not included, so bring only what you need for a basic swim. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, which means you must make your own way to the meeting point.

The reserve-now, pay-later option adds flexibility, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date rather than assuming one fixed schedule.

A practical look at the 2.5-hour outing

The listed duration is 2.5 hours, while the sailing portion is described as about two hours. That difference may reflect time spent checking in, boarding, or completing the return. I would allow the full 2.5 hours in your Valencia plans and avoid booking another activity too tightly afterward.

Arrival and ticket exchange

Go directly to the Boramar ticket booth at the stated meeting point and exchange your tickets there. There is no hotel transfer, so plan your route in advance and arrive with enough time to find the booth.

The operator requires advance booking, and the trip needs at least 15 participants to run. If your schedule is tight, keep the weather and minimum-group condition in mind.

Boarding and departure

After boarding, you can settle into the catamaran and take in the coast from the deck. The modern boat and relatively modest group size help keep the first part of the outing comfortable.

The breeze is part of the pleasure, but it can also be strong on the water. Secure loose belongings and bring sun protection. These are sensible boat habits, even on a calm day.

Lunch onboard

Lunch includes a salad, Valencian chicken paella, fruit, and one drink. Sangria, beer, and soft drinks have been available on recent trips, with additional drinks offered for purchase.

The food is a real reason to choose this experience over a basic cruise. You get a recognizable Valencian specialty in the setting where the region’s coastal character makes sense. Still, it is a fixed meal, so ask about dietary needs before booking if the chicken paella or included salad does not suit you.

Swimming and sunbathing

After lunch, the catamaran stops for swimming near Port Saplaya. You can jump into the sea, swim, or remain on deck and sunbathe.

This section is flexible in spirit but not necessarily long in practice. Some outings provide enough time for a relaxed swim, while others keep the stop short. Weather and sea conditions affect the schedule, and the crew controls when it is safe to enter and leave the water.

Return to shore

The final part brings you back after the coastal cruise and meal. Because the whole activity lasts only a few hours, it fits neatly into a day of sightseeing, though you should not assume you will have a long beach session.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it most to couples, friends, and families who want a low-effort Mediterranean outing with food included. You get scenery, a social deck, a local dish, and the option of a sea swim without arranging several separate activities.

It also suits anyone who wants a break from museums and city streets. Valencia can be hot, and a boat ride gives you a cooler setting and a different view of the coast.

The tour may appeal to you if you are comfortable with a casual group atmosphere. Music, drinks, and the chance to jump from the boat make it livelier than a quiet private charter.

I would be more cautious if you need step-free access or have a mobility impairment, since the activity is specifically listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also think twice if you dislike boats, need a detailed guided commentary, or want a guaranteed long swim.

Costumes are not allowed. That is an unusual restriction, but it is simple enough to follow. Wear practical swimwear and bring anything you need for time in the sun, while remembering that diving gear is not provided.

Small details that shape the day

A few details can make the difference between a smooth outing and a rushed one:

• Book ahead: The trip requires advance booking and a minimum of 15 people.
• Check the weather: The excursion is subject to sea and weather conditions.
• Allow the full time: Plan for 2.5 hours, even though the cruise itself is described as about two hours.
• Bring a swim-ready outfit: The stop is designed for jumping into the sea, but specialized gear is not included.
• Plan for extra drinks: One drink is included, and additional drinks are available onboard.
• Do not count on hotel transport: You must reach the Boramar booth yourself.
• Ask about swimming time: The stop can be shorter than expected on some departures.
• Do not schedule lunch immediately after: Your included meal is onboard, and the timing may leave you comfortably full by the end.

The most useful mindset is to treat the excursion as a combined lunch cruise with a swim, not as a dedicated swimming charter. That framing matches what the activity does best.

Should you book the Boramar catamaran?

Book it if you want good-value time on the Mediterranean, a proper serving of Valencian paella, and the fun of jumping from a catamaran into the sea. The friendly crew, comfortable boat, moderate group size, included lunch, and one drink give the outing a strong practical case at $41.

Think carefully before booking if your priority is a long swim, a quiet boat, or a narrated tour of Valencia’s coast. The swim may be short, lunch comes first, and the commentary appears limited.

For most people, this is an easygoing way to add the sea to a Valencia visit without spending a full day or paying for a private boat. I would book it for the food, breeze, and change of pace, while keeping expectations modest about swimming time.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The activity duration is listed as 2.5 hours. The sailing portion is described as approximately two hours, so allow the full 2.5 hours when planning your day.

What food is included?

Lunch includes a salad, Valencian chicken paella, and fruit. Bread and watermelon have also been served on recent departures.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One drink is included with lunch. Additional drinks are available to purchase onboard.

Where is the meeting point?

You must go to the Boramar ticket booth at the meeting point and exchange your tickets there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The catamaran makes a swimming stop near Port Saplaya, subject to weather and sea conditions. You can also stay onboard and sunbathe.

Is swimming gear included?

No. Diving gear is not included. The activity provides the catamaran trip and swimming opportunity only.

Which languages are available?

The hosts or greeters speak Spanish and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.