Alicante: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise to Tabarca Island

Alicante’s best sea outing is less about rushing from one sight to another and more about settling into the day. This six-hour catamaran cruise carries you from the port to Tabarca Island, where you can swim from the boat, snorkel in Spain’s first marine reserve, eat paella, and visit the small island village. The front nets are the prime lounging spot, but they fill quickly.

I especially like the flexible three-hour stop and the generous drinks service. You can visit Tabarca, swim, or do both without being tied to a strict shore schedule, while water, juice, and soft drinks remain available. The main caution is the sea: rough water is possible, and the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or unaccompanied minors.

Key points to know before booking

• Three hours at Tabarca: Split your time between the village, the island shore, and swimming from the catamaran.
• Paella is included: Choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, served with mixed salad and welcome fruit.
• Unlimited nonalcoholic drinks: Water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the outing.
• Snorkeling equipment provided: Masks and fins are included, but hygienic reasons mean tubes are not supplied. You can buy one onboard for €5.
• The catamaran is the star: The boat offers wide views, music, a bar, restrooms, and nets over the water.
• Expect an active sea day: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and water shoes.

Why Tabarca works so well as a day on the water

Tabarca is only a small island, but it gives this cruise a useful destination. You are not simply sailing offshore, swimming for a few minutes, and turning around. After about 1.5 hours at sea, you get time to visit the village, look around the island, and swim in clear water near the boat.

The cruise begins at the Port of Alicante, next to the Noray bar and in front of Mundo de los Niños. Arrive 15 minutes early for the predeparture presentation. This matters because the crew organizes boarding and gives instructions before the catamaran leaves, and a late arrival holds up everyone onboard.

From the port, the boat follows the Costa Blanca toward Tabarca. The outward trip is a major part of the experience, not just transportation. You can sit along the sides for open views, stretch out in the forward nets, or find shade and relax with a drink. Music plays onboard, so this feels like a social day at sea rather than a quiet sightseeing boat.

The boat has a restroom and a bar, which makes the long crossing easier. I would still bring only what you need. Large bags, coolers, jewelry, outside food, and outside drinks are not allowed, and the operator accepts no responsibility for valuables left onboard.

The 90-minute sail from Alicante

The first leg takes about 1.5 hours. Depending on the weather and the captain’s decision, you may sail under engine power, under the main sail, or with both in use. The return crossing is often especially relaxing when the sail is raised and the boat settles into a slower rhythm.

The catamaran gives you a different view of the Costa Blanca than you get from the beach or city streets. On the way back, the route can offer views of Carabassi Beach, with its pale sand, and Cape Santa Pola with its lighthouse. The coast looks best from the side of the boat, so do not spend the entire crossing at the bar.

The crew has earned strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and careful with safety. The available languages are Spanish, English, French, and German. There is no detailed coastal commentary built into the experience, however. If you want a guided lesson in Alicante’s shoreline or Tabarca’s past, this is not that kind of tour. You get scenery, music, swimming, and a relaxed crew rather than a constant stream of facts.

Sea conditions can change the mood. Several outings have had choppy water, and the crew responded by keeping an eye on passengers and helping anyone who felt unwell. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a stable central area, watch the horizon, and ask the crew for help. Medication may be available onboard, but you should not rely on that instead of bringing your own if needed.

Three hours around Tabarca Island

The catamaran anchors near Tabarca for roughly three hours. This is the most useful part of the schedule because you have enough time to combine lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and a short visit ashore.

A small boat runs between the catamaran and the island, making it easy to go ashore and return. You are not locked into one shore departure and one return departure. That flexibility lets you choose the balance that suits you.

If you want to see the island, take the small shuttle across and explore the village. Tabarca is compact, so even a short visit gives you a change of scene from the boat. You can look around, see the shoreline from land, and visit the local shops, bars, and restaurants mentioned in the trip information. The island is attractive, but the catamaran remains the main event for many people.

If swimming matters more to you, stay near the boat. The water is described as clear, and the snorkeling area is part of Tabarca’s marine reserve, the first marine reserve established in Spain. That gives the swim a special setting, even though this is not a guided marine biology trip and sightings cannot be promised.

You can jump from the catamaran into the sea, use the provided mask and fins, and swim near the vessel. Sailor-lifeguards are present during the snorkeling activity. The activity is free and unguided, so you are responsible for following crew instructions and staying within the marked or approved swimming area.

Masks and fins are included. Snorkel tubes are not provided for hygiene reasons, but you can buy one onboard for €5. If you already own a tube, check the rules before bringing it, since outside items and food restrictions apply. Water shoes are a smart addition because they protect your feet when moving around the boat and island shore.

The three-hour stop is long enough to avoid a forced choice between the village and the water. Still, you will need to manage your time. Lunch service requires the crew to prepare and tidy the dining area before departure, so do not wander ashore until the final minutes and expect to eat without checking the schedule.

Paella, fruit, and drinks included in the fare

At $85 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to reach Tabarca. A basic ferry can cost less, but it will not give you the same six-hour package of sailing time, swimming access, snorkeling equipment, food, music, and included drinks.

The strongest part of the value is the combination of lunch and beverages. You receive welcome fruit, a homemade paella with a choice of chicken, fish, or vegetables, and a mixed salad. One beer, wine, or tinto de verano is included. Water, juice, and soft drinks are unlimited.

That makes budgeting easier, especially on a hot day when you would otherwise keep buying bottled water and café drinks. Extra alcoholic drinks and additional food cost more, but the onboard prices have been described as reasonable. You should not bring your own picnic because outside food and drinks are not allowed.

The paella is prepared during the crossing and served onboard. The fish and chicken choices suit the traditional Spanish setting, while the vegetarian version makes the meal workable for mixed groups. Do not expect a formal restaurant meal or a large selection of dishes. This is a practical lunch that keeps the day moving, and the food has been one of the most consistently praised parts of the outing.

A small planning trick helps: if you swim before lunch, keep track of the serving time. The boat needs to clear the area before sailing, and arriving late can leave you trying to eat quickly.

Finding the best place on the catamaran

The catamaran is spacious enough for passengers to spread out, and staff organize seating when you arrive rather than leaving everyone to push for a place. That is helpful for couples and groups, especially during the busy summer months.

The forward nets are the obvious prize. They let you lie above the water and feel the motion of the boat, but they have limited capacity and fill quickly. If you want a place there, arrive on time and claim it early, while remembering that the crew may limit how many people use the nets at once.

The side edges are also good for views and photographs. Passengers seated toward the rear can still see well, and the open design means there is no single bad viewing area. The boat also has places to sit away from the sun, though the supplied information does not promise a particular amount of shade.

Music creates a cheerful holiday atmosphere. This is good for groups, couples, and anyone who wants a lively day. It is less ideal if you are looking for a silent sailing trip or an intimate private charter.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this outing for anyone who wants a full sea day without arranging separate transport, lunch, and water activities. Couples get a simple day with plenty of scenery, while groups can spread out and choose their own pace. Teenagers and older children have room to swim, snorkel, and explore, and the crew has experience making families feel welcome.

Very young children need more thought. The boat can be affected by wind and waves, swimming takes place from the catamaran, and six hours is a long time for a child who dislikes sun, motion, or waiting. The activity does not accept unaccompanied minors, and the cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users.

This is also a good choice if you want some freedom. You can remain onboard, go ashore, swim first, eat first, or mix the activities. If you prefer a tightly guided tour with scheduled explanations at every stop, you may find the loose structure too casual.

The cruise works best in good weather, but the boat still operates as a sea outing rather than a guaranteed calm-water experience. Bring a hat and sunscreen, and protect your phone from spray. Leave valuable jewelry at your accommodation.

Timing, meeting point, and practical details

The full outing lasts six hours:

• About 1.5 hours sailing from Alicante to Tabarca
• About three hours around Tabarca for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and free time
• About 1.5 hours sailing back to Alicante

The catamaran departs from the Adventurer Catamaran Alicante meeting point, next to Noray bar and opposite Mundo de los Niños. You should be there 15 minutes before departure because a short presentation takes place before sailing.

The cruise requires at least 15 participants to operate. If that number is not reached, the operator will contact you to reschedule or offer a refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.

Pack light. Your useful kit is simple:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Water shoes
• A small phone or camera, kept secure
• Seasickness medication if you normally need it

High heels, pets, large luggage, coolers, jewelry, and outside food and drinks are not permitted.

Is the $85 price fair?

For a simple ride to Tabarca, $85 would be high. For six hours aboard a catamaran with lunch, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, one alcoholic drink, fruit, snorkeling masks and fins, a restroom, lifeguards, and a flexible island stop, the price is reasonable.

The best value comes when you use the whole package. Drink the included water and soft drinks, swim from the boat, take the shuttle to the village, and eat the paella. If you only want to sit quietly on a boat and skip the swim and island visit, a shorter cruise may suit you better.

The cruise also saves planning time. You do not have to book a separate boat, find lunch, rent snorkeling gear, or work out how to divide your time on Tabarca. That convenience is part of the fare.

Should you book the Alicante to Tabarca catamaran?

I would book it if you want an easy, sociable day on the water with real time for swimming and a taste of Tabarca. The crew, paella, generous soft-drink service, and freedom to move between the island and boat make this more than a ferry ride.

Choose another option if you dislike open-water motion, need wheelchair access, want a quiet boat with detailed historical commentary, or prefer a tightly scheduled shore tour. For everyone else, $85 buys a well-filled half-day, with enough flexibility to make it your own.

FAQ

How long is the Alicante catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts six hours. The boat spends about 1.5 hours sailing from Alicante to Tabarca, around three hours at Tabarca, and 1.5 hours returning to Alicante.

What food is included?

You receive welcome fruit, mixed salad, and homemade paella. The paella choices are chicken, fish, or vegetarian.

Which drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, and juice are unlimited. The price also includes one beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Additional alcoholic drinks and food cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks and fins are provided for the free, unguided snorkeling activity. Snorkel tubes are not supplied for hygiene reasons, but you can purchase one onboard for €5.

Can I visit Tabarca Island during the cruise?

Yes. During the approximately three-hour stop, a small boat transfers passengers between the catamaran and the island. You can visit the village, swim, snorkel, eat lunch, or combine these activities.

Where do I meet the catamaran?

Meet at Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to the Noray bar and in front of Mundo de los Niños. Arrive 15 minutes before departure for the predeparture presentation.