Cambrils: Catamaran Day Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

Cambrils’ Cat Aventure catamaran turns a day on the Costa Daurada into a floating beach club, with Balinese beds, music, drinks, a BBQ lunch, and time to swim from the boat. You sail along the Catalan coast for six hours rather than rushing between short stops.

I like the easy holiday rhythm: claim a daybed, stretch out, and let the crew handle lunch and drinks. I also like the practical mix of two planned swimming stops, coastal views, and enough time for a full day with family or friends.

The main thing to consider is space and service consistency. The catamaran can feel crowded, and one detailed account described only one usable swim stop, poor communication about lunch, and little help for people on the upper deck.

Key points to know before you book

• Six hours on a floating beach club: This is mainly a relaxing boat day, not a sightseeing cruise packed with coastal commentary.
• Balinese beds are assigned at boarding: Visit the red ticket office before getting on to collect your bed number.
• BBQ, lunch, drinks, and aperitifs are included: The food is meant to be part of the day, though meal quality has not been perfectly consistent.
• Two swimming stops are planned: Conditions and the crew’s operation can affect how those stops feel in practice.
• Music changes with the mood: The day may begin quietly and become more like a party later.
• Allow extra time from Salou: In July and August, taxis can be hard to find, while the bus to Cambrils runs about every 20 minutes.

A six-hour beach club at sea

The central idea is simple: you spend most of the day on one large catamaran, not hopping from port to port. Cat Aventure is set up more like a seaside lounge than a traditional guided boat trip, with rows of Balinese beds, a bar, music, a professional crew, and space for swimming.

That makes this a good choice if you want a lazy day with your friends or family. You can watch the Cambrils coast slide by, lie in the sun, order a drink, and get into the water when the boat stops.

It is less suited to anyone hoping for a detailed tour of coastal towns or a long list of landmarks. The advertised live languages are English, Catalan, French, Dutch, and Spanish, but one account found the guide support less clear than expected. I would treat the language offering as useful crew assistance rather than a promise of a full historical commentary.

The overall score is strong at 4.6 from 87 ratings, but the individual experiences show a noticeable range. Several people praised the friendly crew, food, drinks, and swimming. Others found the boat crowded or felt that staff communication needed work. That mix is worth keeping in mind before you pay for a premium-looking day at sea.

Finding your Balinese bed before departure

You can start at one of two listed meeting points, both connected with Passeig de les Palmeres and Saba Aparcamientos in Cambrils. The exact meeting point can depend on the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully rather than assuming every departure uses the same spot.

Before you board, go to the red ticket office in front of the catamaran. You need to collect the number of your assigned Balinese bed there. This is not a minor detail. If your group wants to sit together, arrive with enough time to sort out the bed numbers before the boarding rush.

The upper deck may offer a quieter place to lie down, although that depends on how full the boat is and where other passengers gather. One account found the upper deck calmer than the main deck, but also said staff failed to tell that section when lunch was ready. If you choose an upper-deck bed, keep an eye on the meal service yourself.

Bring a towel. Comfortable beds are part of the appeal, but towels are not listed among the included items. Also wear practical footwear for getting on and off the boat. Shoes may be removed during the cruise, and one account found the handling of footwear at disembarkation rougher than expected.

What the cruise actually feels like

Once underway, the day settles into a slow coastal outing. The catamaran gives you a wide view of the sea and shore, while the crew serves drinks and food during the sailing. The music may start as background sound and become more like a nightclub atmosphere as the hours pass.

That shift matters when choosing your seat. If you want quiet conversation, the upper deck may be preferable, though music and nearby passengers can still affect the mood. If you want a social day with more energy, the main deck is likely to suit you better.

The catamaran has a large number of yellow loungers. One account estimated nearly 60 beds and felt the boat was heavily furnished, although only about half were occupied that day. This tells you something important about the experience: the boat can feel spacious when numbers are low, but much tighter when demand is high.

The phrase exclusive catamaran should not lead you to expect a private charter. This is a shared excursion, and the atmosphere depends on the number of people aboard. For a special celebration, check the group size option if a smaller group is important to you.

Swimming stops and snorkeling conditions

The cruise includes two planned stops for swimming. These are the best moments to leave your bed, cool off in the sea, and enjoy the boat from the water. The bays, or calas, provide the setting, but the exact feel of each stop depends on anchorage conditions and sea traffic.

The water may look inviting, yet snorkeling is not guaranteed to be rewarding. One account said the boat anchored in water around 12 meters deep and found little to see below. That is useful advice: bring a mask if you enjoy snorkeling, but do not book this mainly for underwater sights.

A second point is safety and comfort around sea life. One account described jellyfish at a swim stop and felt that staff did not respond strongly to concerns. You should check the water before getting in and follow crew instructions. If you are uncomfortable, you can stay aboard and enjoy the bed, music, or a drink instead.

The schedule promises two stops, but the actual day may not always match that plan. One detailed account said only one swim stop took place. I would regard two stops as the intended program, not an absolute guarantee under every condition.

BBQ lunch, aperitifs, and the drinks menu

Food is included in the $77 price, along with lunch, drinks, and aperitifs. The menu is described as BBQ food and Western-style finger food, with a bar offering choices such as cava, prosecco, vermouth, Aperol, and wine.

That package can offer good value, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, and several drinks in Cambrils. It also keeps the day simple. You do not need to carry cash for payments onboard, and listed taxes are included.

Food quality is the least settled part of the experience. Some accounts described the BBQ and drinks as better than expected, and Enrique received specific praise for producing a good lunch. Another person strongly disliked the meal and felt it did not resemble a real BBQ. That is a wide gap.

I would book this for the boat setting and full-day format first, with the food as a useful extra. Do not choose it solely because you expect a memorable gourmet meal. The included meal may suit you perfectly after swimming and sunbathing, but anyone with strict dietary needs should contact the operator ahead of time.

Vegetarian service has shown some flexibility. One vegetarian passenger was given a pizza when the expected salad was not available. That is encouraging, but it also suggests that special meals may be handled as needed rather than through a clearly published vegetarian menu.

Crew, music, and the human side of the day

The crew can make or break a six-hour boat trip. Several accounts praised the friendly staff, and Mario was singled out for keeping people entertained. Captain Marcos also received warm praise, while Enrique was credited with preparing lunch. Another crew member was described as working hard throughout the day to keep things in order.

Those details fit the concept well. You are not simply buying transport across the water. You are buying a serviced day with music, meals, drinks, and help from the crew.

Still, service may not be even across every part of the boat. One person on the upper deck felt forgotten when lunch was served, and another said there was no clear English-speaking guide despite the advertised language list. If something matters, ask directly rather than waiting for an announcement.

Smoking can also affect where you sit. One account said smokers gathered near the steps between decks and made the passage unpleasant. If you are sensitive to smoke, ask about the best seating area when you collect your bed number.

Getting to Cambrils from Salou

If you are staying in Salou, plan the transfer carefully. During July and August, taxis can be difficult to find, particularly when you need to arrive at a fixed boarding time. The operator advises arranging a taxi well ahead of departure, with about two hours of extra planning.

Public transport may be the simpler choice. The bus from Salou to Cambrils runs about every 20 minutes and leaves you roughly 300 meters from the boarding place. That short final walk is much easier to manage than hunting for a taxi at the last minute.

The return drop-off is listed at the same Passeig de les Palmeres and Saba Aparcamientos area. Since the cruise lasts six hours, you should also allow time after returning to shore if you have a dinner reservation or another fixed activity.

Is $77 a fair price?

At $77 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time on the Costa Daurada. The value depends on how much use you make of the full package.

You receive six hours on the catamaran, an assigned Balinese bed, BBQ lunch, drinks, aperitifs, music, and two planned swimming stops. Buying a separate boat excursion, lunch, and several drinks could quickly approach that amount, especially in the busy summer season.

The price feels better if you want a full day of doing very little. It feels less attractive if you mainly want a short boat ride, clear snorkeling, or a quiet sailing experience. The crowded layout and mixed meal reports also mean that the experience may not always match the polished beach-club image.

I would consider it fair value for a social day with drinks and swimming, especially when the weather is good. Families and friend groups can get plenty from the format, while couples seeking calm or privacy may want to think twice.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy:

• A relaxed day with no need to plan separate meals or activities
• Swimming from a boat rather than visiting a crowded beach
• Music, drinks, and a social holiday atmosphere
• Lounging on a daybed for much of the afternoon
• A shared activity with friends or family
• A flexible day where the sea and onboard mood matter more than sightseeing

I would be more cautious if you need a quiet boat, strong language support, a carefully planned vegetarian menu, or reliable snorkeling. People with a cold are also listed as unsuitable for the activity.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans are still moving, though they do not change the practical need to arrive early and secure your bed number.

Should you book Cat Aventure?

Book it if you want a six-hour floating beach day with lunch, drinks, music, and chances to swim. The friendly crew, comfortable beds, and relaxed pace are the strongest reasons to go, and the package makes sense for a group that wants everything handled in one place.

Skip it if your priority is a quiet cruise, serious snorkeling, private space, or a guaranteed gourmet BBQ. Before booking, check the meeting point, arrive early at the red ticket office, bring a towel, and plan your transport from Salou well ahead of time. With those expectations set, Cat Aventure can be a fun and easygoing day on the Cambrils coast.

FAQ

How long is the Cat Aventure cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours, including sailing, onboard dining, music, and planned swimming time.

What is included in the price?

The package includes the catamaran cruise, BBQ, lunch, drinks, aperitifs, music, a Balinese bed, and two planned swimming stops.

Where does the cruise depart?

The listed starting area is Passeig de les Palmeres, near Saba Aparcamientos in Cambrils. The exact meeting point can vary by the option booked.

How do I get my Balinese bed number?

Before boarding, go to the red ticket office in front of the catamaran to collect the number of your assigned Balinese bed.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included, with the onboard menu listing options such as cava, prosecco, vermouth, Aperol, and wine.

Can I reach the boat from Salou by public transport?

Yes. The bus from Salou to Cambrils runs about every 20 minutes and stops around 300 meters from the boarding place.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.