Valencia: Catamaran Cruise, Paella Lunch and Swim Stop

The best part of this Valencia outing is the simple pairing of paella at sea and a jump into the Mediterranean. You eat lunch on a modern catamaran, then head to a swim stop near Port Saplaya, where you can cool off, sunbathe, or stay on deck and watch the action. I like the good-value format: lunch, one drink, fuel, crew, and the boat ride are all covered. I also like the relaxed music and friendly service from crew members such as Ulysses, Javi, Álvaro, Marco, and Pepe el capitán.

The main catch is the swimming time. It may feel short, and the stop comes after lunch, when some people would rather rest than jump into the water. There is no hotel pickup, the boat requires at least 15 people to operate, and the trip is not suited to people with mobility impairments.

Key Points at a Glance

• Chicken paella served onboard: Lunch includes salad, Valencian-style chicken paella, fruit, and one drink.
• Sea swim near Port Saplaya: You can jump from the catamaran into the Mediterranean when conditions allow.
• A comfortable modern boat: The catamaran has room for a moderate group, with deck space for views and sun.
• Relaxed music and friendly crew: Music is part of the mood, but it has generally been kept at a comfortable volume.
• Good value at $41: The price covers the cruise, lunch, one drink, swimming, crew, and fuel.
• A weather-dependent outing: Check the forecast, and understand that the swim stop may be brief.

What the 2.5-Hour Valencia Catamaran Trip Is Really Like

This is a short, easygoing boat outing rather than a full coastal sightseeing cruise. You meet at the Boramar ticket booth at the designated departure point, exchange your tickets there, and board the catamaran for a two-and-a-half-hour trip on the Mediterranean.

Once aboard, you get open-water views and a cooling breeze almost immediately. The point is not to race from one landmark to another. It is to sit back, eat a Valencian lunch, listen to music, and enjoy a few hours away from Valencia’s streets.

The boat has been described as modern and comfortable, with space for a group of about 30 people on some departures. That size matters. You get enough company for a lively atmosphere, but this is not an enormous party vessel holding hundreds of people.

You can take in the coast from the deck as the boat moves along. The views are the sort you come for on a Mediterranean cruise: open water, the Valencian shoreline, and Port Saplaya from the sea. There is no detailed sightseeing commentary promised, so do not book this expecting a guided lesson about every building or coastal feature.

Lunch Comes First: Paella, Salad, Fruit, and One Drink

The meal is a major reason to choose this cruise. Lunch begins with a salad, followed by Valencian paella made with chicken, rice, and spices, then fresh fruit for dessert. Watermelon has been served on some trips.

You also receive one drink. Options have included sangria, beer, and soft drinks, while extra drinks are available for purchase onboard. That is useful to know before you board, especially on a hot afternoon. The included drink is part of the package, but this is not an all-inclusive bar cruise.

The paella is served in the setting where it makes the most sense: outside, with sea air and the boat moving beneath you. The food is not a side detail. At $41 per person, lunch helps make the price attractive, since you are not paying only for a short boat ride.

There is one practical point to consider. The swimming stop follows lunch. Some people love the order because they can eat first and then cool off. Others would prefer to swim before eating, especially if they want a longer time in the water. If you know you are not keen on swimming soon after a meal, plan to enjoy the deck and views instead.

The meal is also served to a group, so the atmosphere is social and casual rather than quiet and restaurant-like. Choose this outing for its relaxed combination of food and sea time, not for a formal dining service.

The Port Saplaya Swim Stop

The swim stop is the high point for many people. The catamaran pauses in the Mediterranean near Port Saplaya, giving you the chance to jump from the boat, swim, or sunbathe on deck.

This is open-water swimming, not a beach visit. You do not walk onto shore, and the boat does not turn the stop into a long day at the seaside. You jump from the catamaran into the sea and climb back aboard when you are ready or when the crew ends the stop.

The stop can be short. One departure offered enough time for a relaxed swim, while another felt limited to a single jump into the water. That difference may reflect timing, sea conditions, or the day’s schedule. Either way, you should not book this cruise mainly for a long swim session.

If swimming matters to you, bring the right expectations. This is a refreshing break during a food cruise, not a dedicated water-sports trip. Diving gear is not included, and there is no diving equipment supplied as part of the outing.

You can also stay dry. Sunbathing and enjoying the sea views are valid ways to use the stop, and you are not required to enter the water. The deck gives you a place to relax while other people swim.

Music, Crew, and the Mood Onboard

Music adds to the casual feel. It has been described as a good volume on several departures, although musical taste varies and not every selection will suit everyone. You should expect background entertainment rather than a silent sightseeing boat.

The crew is part of the appeal. Hosts and crew members named during departures have included Ulysses, Javi, Álvaro, Marco, and Pepe el capitán. Service has been friendly and approachable, which helps the meal and swimming stop feel easy rather than highly programmed.

The boat’s mood can change with the group. A group of around 30 people may create a pleasant social setting, while a quieter departure will feel more peaceful. The catamaran has room to spread out, but you are still sharing the vessel with other people.

You should also know what the crew does not promise. There is no stated tour commentary about Valencia’s coast, and one useful suggestion from the experience is that the crew could explain more about the area. If local history and detailed narration are important to you, choose a shore-based walking tour separately.

Is $41 a Fair Price?

At $41, this is a solid value if you want several activities in one booking. The price includes the catamaran tour, crew, fuel, swimming, salad, chicken paella, fruit, and one drink. You would otherwise need to pay separately for a meal and a boat outing.

The value is strongest for someone who would happily spend an afternoon combining lunch and relaxation. The paella is the centerpiece, and the boat provides the setting. You are not paying for a long cruise, extensive sightseeing commentary, or specialist water equipment.

Extra drinks cost more, so keep that in mind if you want several beers, soft drinks, or glasses of sangria. Hotel transportation is not included either. You need to make your own way to the meeting point and exchange your ticket at the Boramar booth.

The $41 price also makes this a reasonable choice for couples, friends, and families with older children who want a simple activity without a full-day commitment. It is less compelling if your priority is a long swim, a quiet gourmet meal, or a highly detailed tour of the coastline.

Timing, Weather, and Group Size Matter

The advertised duration is two and a half hours, with a two-hour catamaran sailing noted in the trip details. In practical terms, allow the full two and a half hours for boarding, lunch, sailing, and the swim stop.

The excursion needs at least 15 people to operate. That means advance booking is important, especially if your Valencia schedule is tight. You should also check the starting time when choosing your date, because departure times vary by availability.

All trips depend on weather conditions. The Mediterranean can look calm from shore while conditions at sea are different, so the final shape of the outing can depend on wind and water conditions. The swim stop may be adjusted or affected by the weather.

Flexible booking helps here. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if you are arranging a Valencia visit around uncertain weather.

The host or greeter can assist in Spanish and English. That covers the main practical needs for boarding, lunch, and safety instructions.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Cruise?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a low-effort Mediterranean afternoon with food included. It suits people who like to sit on deck, enjoy coastal views, listen to music, and take a short swim without committing to a full beach day.

It is especially good for:

• Couples looking for a relaxed activity with a meal included
• Friends who want a social boat ride and a chance to swim
• Families with children who are comfortable around open water
• Visitors who want to try Valencian paella in a different setting
• Anyone seeking a reasonably priced half-day activity near Valencia

The experience is less suitable if you need step-free access or have mobility impairments. The boat, boarding process, and sea swim may not be comfortable or practical for you.

It is also not the right pick if you want a private cruise. The boat is shared, and the atmosphere depends on the number and mood of people onboard. Nor should you choose it if your main aim is scuba equipment, extended water sports, or a long guided talk about the Valencian coast.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a change of clothes if you plan to enter the water. You may also want a waterproof pouch for small valuables, though the supplied details do not promise storage facilities.

Wear something comfortable for sitting on deck. The breeze can feel pleasant, but the sun can be strong on open water. A light cover-up may be useful after swimming or during the return portion of the trip.

Do not count on bringing or renting diving gear through the package. Diving equipment is specifically not included. If you are content with a simple jump and swim, the included arrangement is enough.

Arrive at the Boramar ticket booth, not just the general harbor area. You must exchange your tickets at the booth located at the same meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided, so plan your route before departure.

The Best Way to Think About the Swim and Meal Order

The order of the trip shapes the whole experience. You eat first, then swim. This works well if you want a proper lunch before relaxing in the water, and it gives the cruise a clear rhythm.

It can feel less ideal if you want to work up an appetite with a swim or spend a long time in the sea. Swimming after a full plate of paella may not appeal to everyone, and the stop can feel brief once you have eaten and changed your pace.

My advice is to treat swimming as a bonus rather than the sole purpose of the trip. The boat ride, paella, drink, music, and coastal views still make up most of the value. If the stop is longer on your departure, enjoy it. If it is short, the outing should still make sense as a lunch cruise with a refreshing pause.

Should You Book the Boramar Catamaran?

Book it if you want good food, open water, and a casual swim in one reasonably priced outing. The strongest features are the paella lunch, comfortable catamaran, friendly crew, and the chance to jump into the Mediterranean near Port Saplaya.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may have limited swimming time, extra drinks cost more, detailed coastal commentary is not promised, and the trip depends on weather and a minimum group size.

For a relaxed Valencia day with a meal included, I think the $41 price is fair. Choose it for the full package, not just for the swim. If you want a longer water session, a private boat, or a highly informative coastal tour, another activity will suit you better.

FAQ

How long is the Valencia catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts 2.5 hours. The sailing portion is described as about two hours, with time also allowed for lunch, boarding, and the swim stop.

What food is included?

Lunch includes salad, Valencian chicken paella, and fresh fruit. Watermelon has been served on some departures.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One drink is included with lunch. Extra drinks are available for purchase onboard.

Can I swim from the catamaran?

Yes. The boat makes a swimming stop in the Mediterranean near Port Saplaya, where you can jump into the water if conditions allow.

Is diving equipment provided?

No. Diving gear is not included.

Where do I meet the boat?

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

What languages are available?

The host or greeter can assist in Spanish and English.

Is the tour guaranteed to operate?

The excursion requires a minimum of 15 people and is subject to weather conditions. Advance booking is essential. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.