Dénia & Jávea: Portixol Sailing Catamaran Excursion with BBQ

The best part of this cruise is the long stop in a quiet cove, where you can swim from the catamaran in clear water instead of squeezing onto a crowded beach. The boat has room to sit, sunbathe, or find shade, and the crew serves a filling BBQ lunch with chicken, pork, salad, bread, fruit, and one drink.

I like the combination of coastal scenery and easy swimming, plus the cheerful music on the return to port. At $65, it offers a good half-day outing, though you should know that the planned cove can change with sea conditions, and the advertised BBQ has sometimes been replaced by paella or a motor-powered trip.

Key points

• Swimming from the catamaran: Expect roughly an hour to an hour and a half at anchor, with access by steps, jumps, and sometimes a slide.
• A filling lunch: The standard meal includes salad, grilled chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, fruit, and one drink.
• Shade and open-air seating: The central area has tables and shelter, while the front nets are reserved on some departures for guests with wristbands.
• Dénia or Jávea departure: The meeting point depends on the option you book, so check your exact port carefully.
• Good family appeal: Children can enjoy the open water, fish, and slide, but parents should bring suitable flotation aids if needed.
• Flexible plans: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now without paying immediately.

A half-day on the Costa Blanca water

This is a relaxed boat day rather than a sightseeing cruise packed with commentary. The catamaran leaves in the morning and follows the coast around Dénia and Jávea, giving you broad views of cliffs, coves, and clear Mediterranean water.

The main attraction is the change of pace. You are not rushing between monuments or trying to fit another town into the schedule. You spend much of the outing seated on deck, listening to music, watching the shoreline, and waiting for the crew to choose a suitable swimming stop.

The advertised duration varies from 3.5 to 5 hours, depending on the departure you select. Jávea departures have been described as around three and a half hours, while the Dénia version is presented as a longer morning-to-afternoon cruise. Check the available start time and duration before booking, since the two options are not identical.

The crew speaks Spanish and English. No individual guide names are supplied, but the staff handles the meal, explains changes, and keeps the day moving. That matters on a boat excursion, where wind and sea conditions can alter the plan.

Leaving Dénia or Jávea by catamaran

Your precise meeting point depends on the option you choose. This is one detail to check before you set out, especially if you are staying in Dénia but considering a Jávea sailing, or the other way around. Pickup and drop-off are not included, so you make your own way to the port.

Once aboard, you will find a spacious catamaran with a mix of open deck, seating, and shaded areas. The front nets are the most sought-after place for lying back close to the water. On at least some departures, those nets are reserved for people wearing special wristbands, with the upgrade or reservation handled separately.

That arrangement is worth knowing before you board. If lying on the nets is central to your plan, ask about availability when booking rather than assuming every seat is included. The central section gives you tables and shade, which may be the better choice if you burn easily or want to eat comfortably.

The boat is not a private yacht. It can carry a substantial number of people, and one past departure was described as crowded. The wide deck helps, but you should expect a shared excursion with music, meal service, and other groups around you.

The Dénia and Jávea coastline from the water

The coast is the real sightseeing program. From the boat, you get a different view of Dénia’s shoreline, with steep cliffs, small coves, and patches of clear water that are hard to appreciate from the road.

The catamaran’s slow pace gives you time to look rather than simply pass by. You can sit near the rail, stay in the shade, or use the forward area for a more exposed view. Bring a hat, since the sun is strong and the front deck offers little protection.

This is not a guided geology or history tour. The appeal is visual and restful. If you want detailed explanations of every headland, this may feel light on information. If you want to spend a morning on the sea with enough time to swim, that is exactly the point.

The route is not fixed in stone. Rough water may prevent the boat from reaching the planned cove, and the crew can choose another safe anchorage. That flexibility protects the quality of the day, but it means you should not book with one particular cave or beach as your single goal.

The swimming stop and what to bring

After the coastal cruise, the catamaran anchors in an attractive cove for swimming. The stop can last about an hour and a half on some Jávea departures, giving you enough time for a proper swim rather than a quick splash.

You stay near the catamaran. This is important if you are picturing a visit to a beach or a swim into a cave. The boat does not promise a shore excursion, and the swimming area may not let you reach the beach itself.

Access to the water is straightforward. You may be able to use steps, jump from the side or front, or use a slide, depending on the boat and operating setup. The open water has brought plenty of fish into view, so a snorkel is a smart addition if you enjoy looking below the surface.

The water can also contain jellyfish. One family found some that were non-stinging, but that should not be treated as a guarantee for every day. Conditions change, and you should use your own judgment in the water.

For children who are not strong swimmers, bring suitable flotation equipment. The boat may offer access to the sea, but the supplied information does not promise children’s buoyancy aids. Parents need to supervise closely, especially with jumping and the slide.

Pack swimwear, a towel, a sun hat, and biodegradable sunscreen. You will want a cover-up for the ride back, and a dry bag can help protect phones, though one is not listed as included.

Lunch on deck: what the BBQ includes

The standard lunch is practical and generous rather than fancy. It includes vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, fruit, and one drink. Your included drink is sangria, a soft drink, or water.

The serving setup is organized around the boat’s stop. You can expect a shared excursion meal, not a restaurant-style service with a long menu. There is enough food for a substantial midday meal, and extra meat has been available on some trips.

A vegetarian option is available, but you need to tell the local partner when booking. Do not wait until you are already on board, since the crew needs notice to prepare it.

The food plan can change. One departure switched from BBQ to paella, and another account describes paella as very good. A change may result from the particular boat, date, or operating conditions. If a grilled lunch is essential to your decision, confirm the current menu rather than treating the BBQ description as unchangeable.

One drink is included. Additional drinks can be bought aboard, along with simple snacks such as crisps on some departures. You cannot count on unlimited drinks being part of the price, so budget a little extra if you want more than the included serving.

Music, shade, and the mood onboard

The mood leans social and easygoing. Music plays during the cruise, and the return to port can become livelier, with dancing on some departures. This is a good match for people who want a cheerful boat day rather than silent nature watching.

The boat also gives you choices. You can sit at a table in the central shaded area, stretch out in the sun, or claim a place closer to the bow if available. That range makes the trip more comfortable than a small open boat with nowhere to escape the sun.

Smoking can affect the atmosphere. Despite a no-smoking sign, smoking has occurred during a cruise. If you are sensitive to smoke, sit in a breezier area and mention the issue to the crew if needed. This is a small point, but it can make a real difference during several hours at sea.

The music selection will be a matter of taste. It adds energy for some people and may feel intrusive to others. Families and groups looking for a festive outing will likely appreciate it more than anyone hoping for a quiet sailing experience.

What the $65 price really buys you

At $65 per person, the value is strongest when you want several things in one booking: a boat ride, coastal views, a swimming stop, lunch, and a drink. Buying those pieces separately would take more planning and would not necessarily give you the same time on the water.

The trip is also good value for a family or group that wants a simple day with few decisions. You do not need to find a beach, reserve a restaurant, or arrange a separate boat transfer. The crew handles the route and meal while you enjoy the coast.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want a short swim. A beach day costs less, and you will have more freedom to move around. This outing charges for the boat, the space, the meal, and the half-day schedule.

Watch for extras. Pickup and drop-off are not included, additional drinks cost more, and preferred net seating may require a separate arrangement. Those costs are not unreasonable, but they belong in your real budget.

The overall rating of 4.2 from 288 ratings suggests a generally strong experience with some variation. That variation makes sense: boat type, menu, crowding, weather, music, and the chosen cove can all affect the day.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for couples, families with older children, and groups that want a relaxed coastal outing without a demanding schedule. It is especially suitable if swimming from a boat sounds more appealing than sitting on a packed beach.

It also works well as a break from sightseeing. After several days of walking around Dénia, Jávea, or nearby towns, a few hours on the water can reset the pace.

Bring extra thought if you have mobility limitations. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. Boarding, moving around the deck, and entering the water require physical ease.

You should also reconsider it if you dislike shared boats, music, sun, or changing plans. The excursion is not a private charter, and the exact cove or lunch format may shift.

Booking tips for a smoother day

Check whether your selected trip leaves from Dénia or Jávea. The meeting point varies by option, and you are responsible for reaching the port.

Tell the operator about a vegetarian lunch when you book. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a hat. I would add a snorkel, a dry bag, and a child’s flotation aid if any young swimmer needs one.

If you want the front nets, ask how seating works for your departure. Some net places are limited to guests with wristbands, while the shaded center has ordinary tables and seats.

Keep your plans flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. That is useful when you are still arranging a Costa Blanca itinerary.

Should you book the Portixol catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a social, easy half-day on the sea with a real swimming stop and lunch included. The combination of clear water, coastal cliffs, plenty of deck space, and a filling meal gives you good value for $65.

I would not book it solely to reach a particular cave or beach, since the boat may anchor elsewhere and swimming stays near the catamaran. I would also confirm the current boat and menu if the BBQ matters to you.

For most visitors, this is a pleasant way to see the Dénia and Jávea coast without spending a full day or arranging several separate activities. Pack for sun, accept a little uncertainty, and you should get the relaxed Mediterranean outing this trip is built to provide.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The departure point depends on the option booked. Trips may leave from Dénia or Jávea, so check the exact meeting point before traveling to the port.

How long does the activity last?

The available durations range from 3.5 to 5 hours. Check the selected departure for the exact schedule.

What food is included?

The standard lunch includes vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, and fruit.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One sangria, soft drink, or water is included. Additional drinks are available to purchase onboard.

Is a vegetarian lunch available?

Yes. You need to advise the local partner when booking so the vegetarian meal can be arranged.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran anchors at a cove for swimming. You remain near the boat rather than swimming to a beach or cave.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen. A snorkel may also be useful for viewing fish in the clear water.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.