Alicante: 3-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

Alicante’s best escape from the packed beach may be a broad catamaran heading out toward Cabo de Huertas. You get open sea, city views from the water, and a proper swimming stop rather than a quick photo pause. I like the front deck nets for sunbathing and the 90-minute swim stop, which gives you time to get wet without rushing.

I also like that the price includes a drink, fruit, unlimited water, soft drinks, juice, snorkeling masks and fins, music, and a restroom. The main caution is snorkeling itself: you can swim freely, but there is no guided underwater tour, and the fish may be sparse.

Key points to know before you book

• A 45-minute sail each way gives you a full coastal view instead of a short harbor ride.
• Cabo de Huertas is the main event, with around 90 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.
• Deck nets, benches, tables, and covered areas give you several ways to spend the ride.
• A drink and fruit are included, but extra alcohol and food cost more.
• Snorkel tubes are not included for hygiene reasons, though you can buy one onboard for €5.
• The tour needs at least 15 people to operate, and you must arrive 15 minutes early.

Leaving Alicante for the open water

The catamaran departs from Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, beside Noray bar and in front of Mundo de los Niños. This is in the marina area, so you can reach it without arranging hotel transport. Pickup and drop-off are not included, and nearby parking garages are available if you are arriving by car.

Arrive 15 minutes before departure. There is a short presentation before the boat leaves, and punctuality matters because the crew needs to move a whole group through boarding and safety information. Do not cut this close. A marina is easy to reach, but finding the exact catamaran can take a few minutes.

The boat is a large modern catamaran with plenty of open space. You will find front nets for lying above the water, benches and tables, covered seating, a bar, and an onboard restroom. The design works well for a three-hour outing because you are not stuck in one seat.

The front nets are the popular spot, especially on a calm, sunny day. They give you a low view across the water and a gentle sense of motion as the boat travels. They can also get wet when the sea is choppy. If you want to stay dry, choose a rear or covered area.

The 45-minute sail along Costa Blanca

Once Alicante’s port falls behind, the trip settles into its main rhythm: sun, sea, music, and coastal views. The outward ride lasts about 45 minutes, long enough to make the port feel distant without using up most of your day.

From the water, Alicante looks different. The city becomes part of a wider coastal scene, and you get a view that a walk along the promenade cannot provide. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a detailed running commentary, so you should book it for the pleasure of being on the sea rather than for a formal history lesson.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, French, and German. The atmosphere is generally relaxed and social, with onboard music and a cheerful crew. Some departures include music that stays fairly quiet, while others have more of a party feel. If you want a silent sailing trip, this is not the safest choice. If you enjoy a drink, light music, and an easygoing crowd, the setup makes sense.

You can use this first stretch to settle in. Find a place in the sun or shade, take coastal photos, and enjoy the included drink. The options are beer, wine, or tinto de verano, along with unlimited water, soft drinks, and juice. Fresh fruit is offered as a welcome snack.

The fruit is a pleasant extra, but keep expectations modest. It is a small welcome serving rather than a meal. The boat is not providing lunch, and additional food and alcoholic drinks are not included. Bring only what you need, since food and drinks from outside are not allowed onboard.

Cabo de Huertas and the 90-minute swimming stop

The catamaran anchors near Cap de l’Horta, also called Cabo de Huertas, for around an hour and a half. This is the heart of the trip. You can remain on deck with a drink and enjoy the view, or use the easy access into the sea for swimming and snorkeling.

The stop is long enough to make the outing feel worthwhile. You are not jumping in, taking one hurried lap, and climbing straight back out. You have time to swim, float, return to the boat, dry off, and get back in if conditions suit you.

Masks and fins are included, and sailor-lifeguards are present during the swimming activity. Foam floaties and pool noodles have also been available on board, which is useful if you are not a strong swimmer. Still, you need basic swimming ability. The catamaran does not turn this into a supervised beginner swimming lesson, and unaccompanied minors are not permitted.

The water near Cabo de Huertas is the reason to bring swimwear even if you are unsure about snorkeling. Several people have enjoyed the clear green water and the simple pleasure of jumping from the boat. The entry and exit are designed to be manageable, and a ladder helps you get back onboard.

Snorkeling is more limited than the word might suggest. There is no guide leading you around a reef or pointing out marine life. Fish sightings vary, and some days offer little to see beneath the surface. The crew provides masks and fins, but not snorkel tubes for hygiene reasons. You can purchase a tube onboard for €5, or bring your own goggles and snorkel.

I would treat the snorkeling as an optional bonus, not the main reason to book. The real value of the stop is open-water swimming, floating beside a large catamaran, and cooling off in the sea. If you are hoping for a serious marine-life excursion, choose a dedicated snorkeling trip instead.

How to spend your time onboard

You have several ways to use the 90-minute stop. Swimmers can head into the water, while non-swimmers can stay on the nets or under cover. You can also split the time, taking one swim before returning for fruit and a drink.

The nets at the front are ideal for sunbathing, but they are exposed to spray. On windy days, the ride can become lively, especially at the bow. One departure had enough wind and waves to spray people seated in front, which was fun for anyone already wearing swimwear but less appealing if you want to keep your clothes dry.

A light layer is worth packing outside the hottest summer days. A spring or autumn sailing can feel cool, especially when the boat is moving or clouds cover the sun. The trip is at its best in warm weather, and one cool-weather experience was described as enjoyable only when the sun was out.

The catamaran has covered sections, so a passing shower does not necessarily ruin the outing. You should still bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, flip-flops, and swimwear. Leave jewelry at home, and avoid high heels, large bags, coolers, and valuables. The operator does not accept responsibility for lost, stolen, or broken belongings.

Sailing back with Alicante in view

After the swimming stop, the crew raises the anchor and begins the 45-minute return to Alicante. This is a calm way to finish the trip. You can dry off, order an extra drink if you wish, and watch the coastline come back into view.

The return leg also gives you a second chance to choose your preferred part of the boat. If the outward ride was too windy, move toward the rear or under cover. If you loved the spray and motion, the front nets may still be the place for you.

The catamaran is large enough to offer different moods, though crowding can vary. Many departures feel spacious and manageable, but a few have felt tight, especially when the boat is full. The stated minimum is 15 people, and the actual group size can be larger. If personal space is important, arrive early and choose your position before the best deck areas fill.

The crew has earned especially strong praise for being friendly, professional, and helpful. The staff handles the sailing, swimming access, drinks, and general flow of the trip. The service is not formal, and crew interaction can be limited during a busy departure, but the operation is generally well organized.

What the $50 price really covers

At $50 per person, this is a reasonable full-morning or afternoon activity if you plan to use the swimming stop. You are paying for three hours on a large catamaran, not simply a short boat transfer. The included drink, fruit, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, equipment, music, and restroom add practical value.

The price works best for people who want a relaxed sea outing with a swimming break. If you never plan to enter the water and mainly want sightseeing, a shorter harbor cruise might offer better value. This trip spends half its time sailing to and from the swimming area, so the experience depends on enjoying the journey as much as the stop.

Extra charges are easy to understand. Additional alcoholic drinks and food are not included, and a snorkel tube costs €5 if you need one. The welcome fruit is small, so do not count it as lunch.

The trip also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. The minimum of 15 participants matters, though. If the cruise cannot operate because that number is not reached, you will be contacted about a new date or a refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this catamaran to couples, friends, families with accompanied children, and solo visitors who enjoy a relaxed social setting. It is especially good for a first Alicante visit because you see the city from offshore and get a straightforward swim in the same outing.

It also suits a final-day activity. The three-hour length is enough to feel special without taking over your entire schedule, and you do not need to plan a separate beach day around it. The deck nets, drinks, music, and sea stop give the outing a holiday feel with little effort.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the Cabo de Huertas stop, but less confident swimmers can use the floaties and remain close to the boat. You should still be comfortable with an open-water setting. This is not suitable for wheelchair users, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

I would be more cautious about booking it for anyone seeking quiet sailing, gourmet food, a guided snorkeling lesson, or guaranteed marine life. The boat can be lively, the music level varies, the food is basic, and the snorkeling is unguided.

Practical tips for a better three hours

Arrive early enough to choose a spot. The front nets are best for sun and sea spray, while the covered sections are better if you want shade or protection from a passing shower.

Bring your own snorkel tube if underwater swimming matters to you. Masks and fins are supplied, but tubes are sold separately for €5. You can still swim without snorkeling gear, and the included equipment is enough for a casual look below the surface.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel. Flip-flops are allowed and useful around the deck. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essential because you can spend a long time exposed to the sun.

Do not bring large luggage, coolers, outside food, drinks, or jewelry. Keep valuables to a minimum. There is a restroom onboard, but this is still a boat, not a floating hotel, so pack light.

Check the weather before you go. Calm seas make the ride gentle and easy. Wind can add fun for some people, but it can also mean spray at the front and a cooler feel. On a cloudy day, the swimming stop may be less appealing.

Should you book the Alicante catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want three easy hours on the sea, a generous swimming stop, good views of Alicante, and a casual boat atmosphere. The strongest reasons are the 45-minute coastal sail, the 90 minutes near Cabo de Huertas, the comfortable catamaran, and the friendly professional crew.

Skip it if you want a serious snorkeling experience, a full meal, guaranteed fish sightings, or a silent sailing. For most visitors, though, $50 is fair for a large catamaran, one included drink, fruit, nonalcoholic drinks, equipment, and a proper open-water swim. Bring your own snorkel tube, arrive early, and choose the sheltered seating if you do not want to get sprayed.

FAQ

Where does the Alicante catamaran cruise leave from?

It departs from Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to Noray bar and in front of Mundo de los Niños in Alicante’s port area.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before departure. There is a presentation before the boat leaves, and punctuality is requested.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts three hours. The outward sail takes about 45 minutes, the stop near Cabo de Huertas lasts around 90 minutes, and the return sail takes about 45 minutes.

Is swimming included?

Yes. You can swim during the stop near Cabo de Huertas. Sailor-lifeguards are present during the swimming activity.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks and fins are included. Snorkel tubes are not provided for hygiene reasons, but you can buy one onboard for €5. Snorkeling is unguided.

What drinks and food are included?

One beer, wine, or tinto de verano is included, along with unlimited water, soft drinks, and juice. Welcome fruit is also provided. Additional alcohol and food cost extra.

Can I bring my own food or drinks?

No. Outside food, drinks, coolers, and large bags are not allowed onboard.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Unaccompanied minors are also not allowed.