Alicante: 3-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

Alicante’s best escape from a packed beach may be three hours offshore. This catamaran glides from the marina toward Cabo de Huertas, giving you open-water swimming rather than another towel-to-towel afternoon on the sand.

I like the generous 45-minute ride in each direction, with Alicante’s coast spread out before you. I also like the easygoing setup: nets for sunbathing, fruit, one included drink, music, and sailor-lifeguards nearby when you swim.

The main catch is the snorkeling. You can use masks and fins, but it is unguided, and fish sightings are not guaranteed. The stop is mainly about swimming in clear seawater and enjoying the boat, not discovering a major underwater site.

Key points to know before booking

• Two 45-minute coastal sails: The ride out and return make up half the three-hour experience, so this is as much a sightseeing cruise as a swim stop.
• Cabo de Huertas swim break: You get about 90 minutes near the cape for swimming, snorkeling, or staying aboard with a drink.
• One drink is included: Choose beer, wine, or tinto de verano, with unlimited water, juice, and soft drinks.
• Comfortable catamaran layout: Expect front nets, covered areas, benches, tables, a bar, music, and an onboard restroom.
• Snorkeling is self-guided: Masks and fins are included, but tubes are not supplied for hygiene reasons and cost €5 onboard.
• A good value at $50: The price makes sense if you want a relaxed half-day on the water, though extra alcohol and food cost more.

Leaving Alicante by catamaran

The boat departs from Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, beside the Noray bar and opposite Mundo de los Niños. Arrive 15 minutes early. There is a short presentation before departure, and punctuality matters because the catamaran cannot hold the schedule for late arrivals.

There is no hotel pickup, so you make your own way to Alicante’s port. If you are driving, nearby parking garages make the marina reasonably practical, though parking is not part of the tour.

Once aboard, you have more room than on a small motorboat. The catamaran has front nets where you can stretch out above the water, along with seats, tables, a covered section, a bar, and a toilet. That mix matters in Alicante’s strong sun. You can chase the rays for a while, then retreat to shade without ending the outing.

The experience has music onboard, and the mood can vary with the sailing conditions and the group. One September trip even featured a DJ and guitarist, while another passenger wished the music had been louder. Expect a social cruise rather than a silent sailing lesson.

The operator requires at least 15 people for the cruise to run. If that number is not reached, you will be contacted about changing dates or receiving a refund. That is worth keeping in mind if you are booking far ahead or outside the main summer season.

The 45-minute ride along Costa Blanca

The first part of the cruise is a steady 45-minute sail away from Alicante. From the water, the city takes on a different shape. Instead of seeing the coast at street level, you watch the marina and shoreline recede while the boat gives you broad views back toward Alicante.

This is not a tour packed with historical commentary or guided stops. The pleasure comes from the pace. You sit, lie on the nets, take photographs, and watch the coastline change as the catamaran moves toward Cabo de Huertas.

The catamaran’s size helps here. A small boat can feel lively and cramped, while this vessel offers several ways to spend the ride. You might claim a place on the nets, find a bench under cover, or settle near a table with your drink.

Wind and waves can change the feel of the trip. On a calm day, the ride is gentle and restful. In rougher conditions, the front nets may get sprayed. That can be great fun if you are already in swimwear, but you should sit farther back if you want to stay dry.

Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and flip-flops. Leave high heels, jewelry, large bags, coolers, and valuable items at home. The operator does not accept responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged belongings, and there is no place for bulky luggage.

Cabo de Huertas and the 90-minute water stop

After about 45 minutes, the catamaran anchors near Cabo de Huertas, known in Valencian as Cap de l’Horta. This is the heart of the outing. You have roughly an hour and a half to choose your own pace.

If you are comfortable in open water, you can climb down for a swim. The boat provides snorkeling masks and fins, and sailor-lifeguards remain present during the activity. Foam floaties and pool noodles have also been available on board, a useful touch if you are not a strong swimmer, though you still need enough ability to manage yourself in the sea.

The water stop works best if you treat it as a chance to cool off rather than a formal snorkeling expedition. Some people see small fish, while others find little to watch underwater. Conditions, visibility, and marine life can change, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed fish display.

Snorkeling is free but not guided. The crew does not lead an underwater tour or identify sea life for you. Masks and fins are supplied, but snorkel tubes are not provided for hygiene reasons. You can buy a tube onboard for €5, or bring your own goggles and snorkel if you prefer familiar equipment.

There is enough time to swim more than once, float around, or simply enjoy the water before returning to the boat. Getting in and out is easier than on many smaller vessels, according to the practical experience of past passengers. Still, the sea is open water, not a swimming pool, and anyone uncomfortable in deep water should use the floatation aids and follow the crew’s instructions.

You can also stay aboard. That is not a second-rate choice. The nets give you a fine view over the water, and the boat’s bar service keeps the stop relaxed. One included drink can be beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Water, juice, and soft drinks are unlimited.

Fresh fruit is served as a welcome snack. It adds a pleasant touch, though portions may be modest, so do not count on the fruit as lunch. Additional alcoholic drinks and food are not included, and onboard prices for extra drinks can feel high.

Sun, shade, and space on board

The catamaran’s layout is one of its strongest features. The forward nets are the obvious place to lie back, feel the breeze, and watch the sea below. They also offer the most exposed position, so sunscreen and a hat are not optional in the warmer months.

Benches and tables provide a more upright place to sit, while the covered section gives you a break from direct sun. This flexibility makes the cruise suit mixed groups. One person can sunbathe, another can sit in shade, and another can head into the water without everyone having to follow the same plan.

Space depends on the departure. The boat has been described as modern and comfortable, with manageable passenger numbers on some outings. At other times, especially during busy summer periods, it can feel crowded. If having lots of personal space is important to you, choose a less busy date if the schedule allows and arrive early.

The crew’s strongest quality is practical service. They handle the sailing, organize the stop, and keep watch while people swim. Their manner is generally friendly and professional, though the level of personal interaction can vary. This is a well-run shared cruise, not a private charter with constant attention.

What the $50 price really buys you

At $50 per person, the cruise sits in a useful middle ground. You are not paying only for a short boat ride. The fare covers three hours on a large catamaran, two coastal sailing sections, the Cabo de Huertas stop, snorkeling masks and fins, one alcoholic drink, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, fruit, music, and access to the boat’s facilities.

That package makes good sense if you would otherwise pay for a beach club, a separate boat trip, and drinks during a hot afternoon. It also saves you from arranging your own equipment for a casual swim.

The value is weaker if you mainly want serious snorkeling. The activity has no guide, no promised marine-life viewing, and no underwater instruction. In that case, look for a specialist snorkeling trip instead. Here, the boat, coast views, swimming, and relaxed social atmosphere are the real product.

The included drink is a nice bonus, but plan for extra spending if you want more alcohol or a meal. The fruit is welcome rather than substantial. Bring the right expectations and the price feels fair.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The host or greeter can assist in Spanish, English, French, or German. The catamaran is not suitable for wheelchair users, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Who will enjoy this Alicante cruise

I would choose this trip for a couple wanting an easy half-day on the coast, a family with older children who can swim, or a group of friends looking for sun, music, drinks, and a change from Alicante’s beaches.

It is also a smart choice for a final holiday day. The schedule is long enough to feel like a proper outing but short enough to leave time for dinner or an evening walk through Alicante. Several passengers have returned for a longer six-hour cruise after enjoying this shorter version, which tells you that the format works well for people who want more time at sea.

The cruise suits you if you like a gentle pace and the freedom to decide how active to be. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, take pictures, listen to music, or do very little at all.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you dislike shared activities, need guaranteed quiet, or want a detailed nature tour. It may also be a poor fit on a cool or cloudy day. One outing in May felt cold, and the boat is most enjoyable when the sun is out and the air is warm.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the water stop, but less confident swimmers can still participate with the available floaties and crew supervision. You should not treat the presence of sailor-lifeguards as a substitute for your own caution.

Simple ways to improve your day

Arrive early enough to hear the pre-departure presentation and choose a comfortable place. If you want the front nets, they are the obvious first choice, but sit farther aft if you want less spray in windy weather.

Bring your own snorkel tube if you care about hygiene or comfort. The included masks and fins are useful, but the tube costs €5 onboard and is not supplied as standard.

Pack lightly. You need swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and flip-flops. Do not bring a suitcase, cooler, jewelry, or a large bag, and avoid carrying anything you would be upset to lose.

Eat before boarding if you need a full meal. Fruit is included, but food and extra alcoholic drinks are not. Water, juice, and soft drinks are available without limit.

Finally, leave room in your plan for the minimum group requirement. The cruise needs at least 15 participants, and a low-season departure can be rescheduled if that number is not met.

Should you book the three-hour cruise?

Yes, if you want an uncomplicated coastal outing with a real swim stop, comfortable boat, and useful inclusions for $50. The strongest parts are the views from the water, the spacious catamaran, the friendly working crew, and the freedom to spend the stop as actively or lazily as you like.

Book it with realistic expectations. Cabo de Huertas offers a pleasant place to swim, but the snorkeling may show only a few small fish, and it is not guided. For most people, that is a minor limitation because the main pleasure is being offshore, not ticking off a list of sea creatures.

Choose a sunny day, bring your own snorkel tube if desired, arrive 15 minutes early, and pack for both strong sun and sea spray. If those details suit you, this is one of Alicante’s better-value ways to trade a crowded beach for three hours of open water.

FAQ

Where does the Alicante catamaran cruise depart from?

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

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts three hours. The outward sail takes about 45 minutes, the stop near Cabo de Huertas lasts about 1.5 hours, and the return sail takes about 45 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the catamaran cruise, welcome fruit, one beer, wine, or tinto de verano, unlimited water, juice, and soft drinks, snorkeling masks and fins, onboard music, and use of the restroom.

Is snorkeling guided?

No. Snorkeling is a free, self-guided activity. Sailor-lifeguards are present during the swim, but there is no guided underwater tour.

Are snorkel tubes provided?

No. Tubes are not provided for hygiene reasons, but you can purchase one onboard for €5. Masks and fins are included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and flip-flops. High heels, pets, food and drinks, large bags, luggage, jewelry, coolers, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve the experience and pay later.