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

The best part of this Costa Brava catamaran trip is the long swimming stop in a sheltered cove, far more peaceful than spending another afternoon on Lloret de Mar’s crowded beach. You sail past Sa Caleta, Cala Trons, Canyelles, and other coves before anchoring near clear water and rocky shore.

I like the all-inclusive drinks and the easygoing party atmosphere. I also like that families can join the morning trip, while the crew keeps the mood lively with music, dancing, and multilingual announcements. The main caution is the sea: rough weather can make the ride uncomfortable, and the food receives mixed marks.

Key points to know before you book

• A four-hour coastal outing: You sail north from Lloret de Mar toward Tossa, with about an hour of coastal views before the swimming stop.
• A sheltered cove is the main event: You can swim near the rocks, look for fish, and explore small sea caves from the water.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect burgers, marinated chicken, pasta, salad, fruit, beer, sangria, and soft drinks.
• The mood becomes a party: Music and dancing are a major part of the return ride, with Greg singled out for getting people moving.
• Boarding is from the beach: Wear shoes you can remove easily, and bring a towel, swimsuit, sun cream, hat, sunglasses, and warm clothing outside summer.
• Weather matters: The trip can be canceled in poor weather, and rough seas may cause motion sickness.

What this Costa Brava boat trip is really like

This is not a quiet sailing trip built around polished commentary or gourmet food. It is a social half-day on a large catamaran, mixing coastal scenery, swimming, a simple barbecue, free-flowing drinks, and music.

That distinction matters. If you want a calm boat ride with space to read and listen to the sea, the music and party atmosphere may feel excessive. If you want an easy group outing where you can meet people, swim, eat, and enjoy a few drinks without arranging each part yourself, the format works well.

The boat carries up to 95 people, so this is a shared excursion rather than a private cruise. Even so, the catamaran has enough room for people to spread out, and there is a forward net and waterbeds where you can sit close to the water. The crew keeps the tone friendly and includes English, French, and Spanish in its interaction.

Starting at Lloret de Mar’s beach

The meeting point is Passeig d’Agustí Font, 5, in Lloret de Mar. The activity starts at 11 a.m. and returns to the same place after roughly four hours.

Boarding takes place from the beach rather than a conventional high pier. You may need to remove your shoes and step into the water to reach the catamaran, so wear footwear that is easy to take off and that you do not mind getting wet. This is a small point, but it can catch people out if they arrive in delicate sandals or heavy shoes.

The timing deserves a quick check when you book. The published start time is 11 a.m., yet one account described the boat actually leaving around noon. Arriving early is sensible, and you can use the extra time to look around Lloret de Mar if boarding is delayed.

Bring the basic beach kit:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun cream
• Hat and sunglasses
• Warm clothing in cooler weather
• Comfortable shoes for beach boarding

Snorkeling masks are available for a refundable cash deposit of €10. Pets and companion animals are not allowed. Most people can take part, but the operator does not describe this as a specialist accessible boat outing.

Sailing past Sa Caleta and the northern coves

Once underway, the catamaran heads north along the Costa Brava toward Tossa. The first hour is mainly about the coastline: rocky inlets, small beaches, cliffs, and coves that are difficult to appreciate from the road.

You pass Sa Caleta and its castle, then continue by Cala Trons, Cala Gran, Sa Goita, Canyelles, Rajols, Morisca, Llorell, and Llevadó. The names matter less than the rhythm of the trip. You are not stopping at every cove. Instead, the boat gives you changing views of the shore while you settle into the day.

This is a good time to use the catamaran’s different spaces. Sit toward the front for the best sense of the water and coastline, or find a more protected place if the sea is moving. The ride can be smooth in good weather, but it can also turn rough. Motion sickness medicine is worth considering if you are prone to it.

The first part of the trip may feel long for young children who want to swim right away. For adults and older children, it provides a pleasant hour of sea views before the main stop. The crew may play music during the ride, and the social mood gradually builds as people get comfortable.

The swimming stop near Tossa

After about an hour, the catamaran anchors in a cove near the rocks. The area is sheltered from the wind, and this is where the trip becomes more than a scenic ride.

You can swim in clear water, watch fish, and look toward nearby rock formations and small sea caves. Several people particularly enjoyed jumping from the front of the boat, while others used the nets and waterbeds to sunbathe between swims. The exact amount of water time can vary, but it is commonly described as roughly an hour to an hour and a half.

The water may be cold, especially outside the hottest part of summer. Wetsuits are not provided, so pack your own if you are sensitive to cold water. A towel is essential, since there is no point having lunch in wet swimwear unless you enjoy that particular kind of discomfort.

The cove is a strong reason to choose this excursion over a basic harbor cruise. You get access to a piece of coast that is best seen from the sea, and the stop gives you real time to swim rather than a quick photo pause.

Still, keep expectations practical. This is not a guided snorkeling expedition, and there is no promise of a particular marine sighting. You may see fish and harmless jellyfish, but conditions depend on the day. Snorkeling masks are available with the €10 returnable deposit, which is useful if you do not want to bring your own.

A simple barbecue lunch on board

Lunch is served as a buffet barbecue on the catamaran. The stated menu includes pasta and salad, beef burgers, marinated gluten-free chicken pieces, and fruit salad. Beer, sangria, and soft drinks are included too.

The food is best understood as casual boat fare. The meat is often the stronger part of the meal, while the pasta sauce can be bland. Some people found the portions and quality disappointing, so I would not book this for the food alone.

The meal still adds value because you do not need to find a restaurant during the swimming stop. You can eat with the group, refill your drink, and get back into the water without losing much of your afternoon. If you have a large appetite or particular dietary needs, bringing a small snack is sensible, though the provided menu does include a gluten-free chicken option.

The drinks are a bigger advantage. Beer, sangria, and soft drinks are part of the package, so the advertised price covers the main costs of the outing. Drink service also helps create the party atmosphere on the way back. Pace yourself, especially in the sun, and remember that you still need to manage the boat’s movement and the walk back to shore.

Music, dancing, and the ride back

The return leg is where this trip often shifts from coastal cruise to floating party. Music plays a central role, and the crew encourages singing and dancing. Greg is particularly associated with getting the group started, while the wider crew speaks several languages and works to include people from different countries.

This can be great fun for a group of friends, a family with older children, or anyone who enjoys a relaxed holiday atmosphere. A group of 12 can easily turn the boat into its own celebration, but you do not need to arrive with a large party. Solo visitors have also found the atmosphere welcoming.

The mood depends partly on the people aboard. On one trip, everyone may join in. On another, the music may be lively but the passengers stay quieter. The crew can encourage the party, but it cannot guarantee a dance floor full of enthusiastic performers.

Families are welcome on the morning trip, and a four-year-old has enjoyed walking around the boat and sitting on the catamaran nets. Keep in mind that the experience still includes alcohol, loud music, jumping into the sea, and a moving boat. It is family-friendly in access, but not designed only for children.

How good is the value at $60.34?

At $60.34 per person, this is a fair package if you plan to use the swimming stop, eat lunch, and have several included drinks. A four-hour boat ride with a barbecue and beverages can cost more when booked as separate pieces, and the catamaran gives you access to the coast without arranging transport to a remote beach.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet sightseeing cruise or a high-quality meal. The food is simple, the boat may feel busy near its maximum capacity, and the experience includes a party element that may not suit everyone.

I would compare it with the cost of spending half a day at the beach in Lloret de Mar. Here, you pay for scenery, transport along the coast, a swimming location, lunch, and the novelty of being offshore. You are not paying for luxury or personal service.

Booking around 20 days ahead is common. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed, especially during the busiest summer period.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would choose this trip for:

• Friends who want music, dancing, drinks, and a social setting
• Families who want an outing beyond Lloret’s main beach
• Couples who enjoy casual boat trips rather than formal sailing
• Solo visitors who are comfortable joining a shared group
• Anyone keen to swim in clear coastal water without arranging a separate excursion

I would think twice if you suffer badly from motion sickness, dislike loud music, or want a quiet boat with a small group. The crew can be attentive and friendly, but the catamaran is not an intimate sailing yacht.

Weather is also a real factor. A rainy, windy first half can make the trip unpleasant, and several people became seasick in rough conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Practical details that make the day easier

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Check the meeting time and arrive early, since the boat may not leave precisely at the published hour. Bring cash if you want to hire a snorkeling mask, as the €10 deposit is returned later.

Keep your sun cream handy rather than buried in a bag. The boat’s open areas offer plenty of sun, and the combination of wind, water, and sangria can make you underestimate how quickly you are heating up.

Finally, bring a light layer even in summer. The sea breeze can feel cool during the outward ride, and off-season conditions call for warmer clothing.

Should you book it?

Book this Costa Brava catamaran if you want a cheerful, all-in-one half-day with coastal views, a proper swimming stop, barbecue lunch, and included drinks. The clear water, friendly crew, spacious boat, and music-led return make it an easy choice for a sociable day from Lloret de Mar.

Skip it if your priorities are gourmet food, silence, or guaranteed calm seas. The barbecue is adequate rather than memorable, and rough weather can spoil the ride. For most people who want fun more than polish, the $60.34 price is reasonable, especially if you take advantage of the swimming stop and included drinks.

FAQ

Where does the Costa Brava catamaran trip start?

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

What time does the trip start?

The stated start time is 11 a.m. Arrive early, since one account reported a later departure around noon.

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the boat go?

The catamaran sails north from Lloret de Mar toward Tossa, passing Sa Caleta, Cala Trons, Cala Gran, Sa Goita, Canyelles, Rajols, Morisca, Llorell, and Llevadó.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, sangria, and soft drinks are included.

Can children join the trip?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.