Cambrils: Catamaran Cruise with Drinks and BBQ Lunch Option

The best part of this Cambrils catamaran cruise is simple: you get a reserved Balinese bed, then spend about three hours moving between sea views, drinks, food, and a swim stop. After roughly 45 minutes to an hour of sailing, the boat anchors between Cap Salou and La Pineda, or heads south toward Montroig when wind conditions call for it.

I like the generous drink selection, which goes well beyond beer and cava, and I like the easy swim setup, with lowered steps and life jackets available. The main consideration is that the boat may use its engine rather than sail, and bad weather can cancel swimming even when the cruise still goes ahead.

Key points to know before you book

• Your own Balinese bed: Collect your assigned bed number at the sales point before boarding.
• A swim stop near Cap Salou: The boat anchors after about 45 minutes to an hour, with snorkeling gear and life jackets available.
• Food and drinks included: Expect snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, vermouth, cava, and Aperol, with a BBQ lunch offered during the cruise.
• About three hours on the water: The trip leaves from Cambrils, cruises along the coast, stops to swim, and returns to the port.
• A relaxed social mood: Music, beanbags, sun, and shared deck space make this more of a leisure outing than a quiet sightseeing boat.
• Transport needs planning: In July and August, taxis from Salou can be hard to find, while a bus to Cambrils runs about every 20 minutes.

A relaxed start from Cambrils

This is a leisure cruise rather than a sightseeing tour packed with commentary. You board in Cambrils, settle into your assigned space, and watch the Catalonian coast pass by from a wide catamaran deck.

The listed departure points are along Passeig de les Palmeres and Passeig de Miramar. Your exact meeting place depends on the option you book, so check it carefully before leaving your hotel. The sales point sits in front of the catamaran, where you collect the number of your Balinese bed before boarding.

That small step matters. The assigned bed gives you a dependable place to return to during the cruise, instead of making you compete for a sun lounger after the boat leaves. Bed positions can include full sun, partial shade, or different parts of the deck, so the setup may suit some people better than others.

You can also move around during the trip. The front of the catamaran has beanbags, and the broad deck gives you room to change your view, find shade, or sit closer to the music. Still, your assigned bed remains your base, which is especially useful if you are traveling with family or want a place for your towel and belongings.

The first hour along the Catalonian coast

The boat generally cruises for around 45 minutes to an hour before anchoring. This first stretch is about the pleasure of being at sea: sun, open water, a drink in hand, and views back toward the Catalonian shoreline.

Do not book this expecting a detailed coastal lecture or a long list of monuments. The appeal is the change of pace. You get away from the promenade and spend part of the day looking at the coast from the water rather than from a beach chair.

One point is worth knowing: the boat may not always travel under sail. The catamaran can use its engine, and wind conditions determine how much sailing is possible. If the idea of silent sailing is your main reason for booking, keep expectations modest. If you mainly want time on the water, this is less of a concern.

The listed languages are Spanish, English, Catalan, French, German, and Dutch. A live guide is available, but the cruise is still mainly about relaxing rather than following a formal guided talk.

Anchoring near Cap Salou or La Pineda

The main stop is usually between Cap Salou and La Pineda. The boat anchors in clear water, giving you time to swim, use the snorkeling equipment, or look down toward the seabed around Cap Salou.

This is the part of the cruise that makes it more than a simple coastal boat ride. You have a proper chance to get into the water, rather than being offered a quick photo stop. The crew lowers steps to make entry and exit easier, and life jackets are available if you are not a confident swimmer.

The sea can look especially blue around this stretch, although visibility and water conditions change with the weather. Snorkeling here is a pleasant extra, but you should not book the trip as a specialist snorkeling tour. The supplied information promises access to gear and a swim stop, not a guided marine-life session or guaranteed sightings.

If the wind takes the boat south, the route may instead reach the Montroig area. The water there can have an intense blue color, and the stop offers the same basic choice: swim, snorkel, or stay on deck. The route is flexible because it follows the day’s wind and sea conditions.

Bad weather can change this part of the plan. Strong currents or rough water may make swimming unsafe, even if the cruise itself continues. On one stormy outing, the food and reserved beds remained available, but the swim was sensibly dropped. That is a useful reminder that the water stop is weather-dependent, not guaranteed.

What you get to eat and drink

The food and drink package is a major reason this cruise offers good value at about $35 per person. You are not paying only for a short boat ride. The price covers the catamaran trip, food, and a wide range of drinks.

You can expect snacks along with soft drinks, beer, vermouth, wine, cava, and Aperol. That selection gives the cruise a more social, afternoon-out feel than a basic harbor trip. The Aperol is a nice touch for anyone who wants something different from the usual beer and sparkling wine.

A BBQ lunch is also served or offered during the cruise. Specific food can vary, but the onboard meal has included sausages and chicken kebabs, including halal options. Some people may find the food merely fine rather than the highlight of the day, while others will value having a filling meal included instead of needing to buy lunch after returning to shore.

The timing works well. You have time to settle in and enjoy the route, swim before lunch, eat onboard, and then relax during the return. If swimming is not possible because of the sea, the meal and drinks still give the outing a clear purpose.

The mood on deck

This is not a silent yacht charter. Music plays on board, often with upbeat dance tracks, and the atmosphere can become lively without feeling like a full nightclub. You can sunbathe, have a drink, sit on a beanbag, or chat with the people sharing the boat.

The reserved beds help prevent the boat from feeling like a scramble for space. They do not give you a private cabin or a private section of the catamaran, but you have a designated lounger for the trip. Some beds are partly shaded, which is useful during a long sunny afternoon.

The small-group option may appeal if you prefer a less crowded outing, though the exact group size depends on the booking choice and date. The boat still has a shared social feel, so this suits people who enjoy a relaxed group setting more than those seeking solitude.

For families, the lowered steps and available life jackets make the swim stop easier to manage. For couples and groups of friends, the included drinks and music create a simple holiday activity with little planning once you are aboard.

Getting to the port from Salou

Cambrils is easy to reach from nearby resorts, but summer transport deserves attention. In July and August, taxis in Salou can be difficult to find at the right time. If you plan to use one, arrange it well in advance, with about two hours of lead time recommended.

Public transport is the safer option when it fits your schedule. Buses from Salou to Cambrils run about every 20 minutes and leave you roughly 300 meters from the boarding area. Allow enough time to walk to the sales point, collect your bed number, and find the correct catamaran.

Bring a towel. You will need it after swimming, and the boat’s focus is practical rather than resort-style service. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with a cold, so check the physical requirements before paying.

Cancellation is flexible enough for a weather-sensitive plan: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your holiday schedule.

Is $35 good value?

At around $35, the cruise is priced competitively for a three-hour outing with a reserved lounger, food, drinks, and a swimming stop. A similar day built from separate beach transport, lunch, drinks, and water time could cost just as much, without giving you the coastal ride between activities.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the inclusions. Have a drink, eat the BBQ, take advantage of the swim stop, and spend time on the deck. If you do not drink, do not want to swim, and mainly want quiet coastal views, the price may feel less attractive.

The bed allocation is also part of the value. You are not guaranteed privacy, but you do have a known place for the journey. That is a useful feature on a leisure cruise, especially when the boat is busy.

The food is practical rather than fine dining. Some people will rate it as tasty and satisfying, while others may find it average. I would treat the BBQ as a convenient included lunch, not a reason to compare the trip with a restaurant meal.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a low-effort half-day on the water. It suits you if your ideal outing includes sun, music, swimming, casual food, and drinks rather than a detailed cultural tour.

It is also a good choice if you want a proper swim stop without giving up a comfortable place to sit. The steps, life jackets, and snorkeling gear make the water access straightforward, though you still need to be comfortable around open water.

You may want another activity if you need wheelchair access, dislike shared social settings, or want guaranteed sailing under wind power. The route, swim stop, and exact atmosphere can all change with the weather and sea conditions.

Should you book the Cambrils catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want good-value time on the water with food, drinks, music, and a reserved place to relax. The swim stop near Cap Salou or La Pineda is the main physical activity, while the rest of the trip gives you an easy way to enjoy the coast without planning a full beach day.

Go in expecting a comfortable group cruise, not a private yacht or a serious sailing expedition. With that expectation, the combination of a Balinese bed, broad deck, included refreshments, and a real swim stop makes this one of the more practical ways to spend three summer hours around Cambrils.

FAQ

How long is the Cambrils catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts about 2 to 3 hours, with the main cruise itinerary described as approximately 3 hours.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

Departure points are in Cambrils along Passeig de les Palmeres and Passeig de Miramar. The exact meeting point depends on the option booked.

What food and drinks are included?

Food and drinks include snacks, soft drinks, beer, vermouth, wine, and cava. Aperol is also available, and a BBQ lunch is served or offered during the cruise.

Is a Balinese bed included?

Yes. Each booking includes an assigned Balinese bed. Before boarding, go to the sales point in front of the catamaran to collect your bed number.

Does the cruise stop for swimming?

Yes. The catamaran normally anchors between Cap Salou and La Pineda after about 45 minutes to an hour. Depending on wind direction, it may instead head toward Montroig.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is available for use during the swimming stop. Life jackets and lowered steps are also available for water access.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with a cold.