Alicante: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise to Tabarca Island

Tabarca Island is the prize here, but the catamaran ride is half the fun. You sail 1.5 hours from Alicante, stretch out on the front nets, watch the Costa Blanca slip by, then spend about three hours swimming, eating paella, and visiting Spain’s first marine reserve.

I like the flexible stop and the food-and-drink deal. You can swim from the boat, take the small shuttle to the island, or split your time between both. I also like that chicken, fish, and vegetarian paella are included, along with unlimited water, juice, and soft drinks. The main caution is the sea: rough water can occur, and this is not a good choice for wheelchair users or anyone uncomfortable with boat movement.

Key points at a glance

• Three hours beside Tabarca: Swim, snorkel, eat lunch, and visit the island village without being tied to a strict timetable.
• Paella is included: Choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella with mixed salad, plus welcome fruit and one beer, wine, or tinto de verano.
• Unlimited nonalcoholic drinks: Water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise.
• Snorkeling from the catamaran: Masks and fins are supplied, and sailor-lifeguards watch the activity, but there is no guide and no included tube.
• A comfortable sailing platform: The catamaran has front nets, music, a bar, and a restroom, with room to sit or sunbathe.
• Allow six hours door to door: The cruise leaves from Alicante’s port, not from your hotel, and you must arrive 15 minutes early.

Alicante harbor to Tabarca by catamaran

The meeting point is easy to identify: the maxi catamaran sits next to Bar Noray, opposite Mundo de los Niños, at the Adventurer Catamaran Alicante departure point. Arrive 15 minutes before sailing for the predeparture presentation. The crew speaks Spanish, French, German, and English.

Once aboard, you have a proper boat rather than a basic ferry ride. The vessel offers seating, sunbathing areas, front nets stretched between the hulls, an onboard restroom, music, and a bar. The nets are the most coveted spots, so move quickly if lying above the water is your idea of a perfect morning. They have capacity limits, and they can fill soon after boarding.

The first leg takes about 1.5 hours. This is not dead time. You can watch Alicante recede, look across the Costa Blanca, enjoy fruit, and settle into the rhythm of the sea. The crew provides unlimited water, juice, and soft drinks. You also receive one alcoholic drink, with beer, wine, or tinto de verano among the choices.

The boat normally carries enough people to create a social atmosphere without making the deck feel cramped. Still, this is a shared cruise, not a private sailing trip. Music and conversation are part of the setting, so bring headphones only if you want quiet, and do not expect a guided coastal lecture.

That last point is worth noting. The coast is attractive from the water, but formal commentary about Alicante, Santa Pola, or Tabarca is limited. If you want detailed history or a running explanation of every headland, this will feel light on interpretation. If you mainly want sun, sea, food, and a relaxed day outside, the loose format works well.

Tabarca’s marine reserve and swimming stop

Tabarca is Spain’s first marine reserve, and the water around the island is the centerpiece of the stop. The catamaran anchors or pauses near the island for swimming and snorkeling, giving you a chance to enter clear water straight from the boat.

Masks and fins are included. The snorkeling is free and unguided, with sailor-lifeguards present during the activity. That means you can swim at your own pace, but you should not expect a marine biologist or a structured route. Bring water shoes for getting in and out, plus a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.

The crew does not provide snorkel tubes for hygiene reasons. You can buy one aboard for €5. This is a small extra cost, but it is easy to avoid surprise by knowing about it before you go. You can also bring your own tube if you prefer, though food and drinks from outside are not allowed.

Jumping from the boat into the sea is a major part of the appeal. The setup suits confident swimmers and older children who enjoy active time in the water. It is less suitable if you need a shallow beach entry, close personal assistance, or calm conditions at all times.

Sea conditions can change. One November outing had rough water at the start, and some summer departures also encountered choppy waves. The crew kept safety in view, and sailors are on hand during snorkeling, but seasickness is still possible. If you are prone to it, sit near the center of the boat, watch the horizon, and ask the crew about available medication. Do not treat a sunny forecast as a promise of glassy water.

Three hours to choose your own Tabarca day

The three-hour stop gives this cruise much of its value. You are not forced to choose between swimming and seeing the island. The small boat makes repeated trips between the catamaran and Tabarca, allowing you to go ashore and return without a fixed, narrow departure slot.

On the island, you can walk through the village, see the coastal views, and get a feel for Tabarca beyond the boat deck. The village is compact, so you can visit without turning the stop into a demanding walking tour. Shops, bars, restaurants, and viewpoints are available, but the time is limited and the cruise’s lunch is already included.

You might spend the first hour onshore, then return for a swim. Or you can snorkel first, eat lunch, and use the remaining time for a short walk. That freedom is helpful for mixed groups. One person can explore while another stays on the boat, and teenagers can enjoy the water without making everyone follow the same plan.

The shuttle arrangement also avoids a common island-excursion problem: being stranded ashore until one fixed ferry departure. Keep an eye on the time, though. Flexible transport is not the same as unlimited time, and the boat must leave on schedule.

Tabarca is pleasant, but do not book this trip expecting a full island sightseeing tour. The island portion is a sample, not a detailed historical visit. The boat, swimming, and relaxed lunch take up much of the day. That balance is ideal for a first look at Tabarca, but less ideal if your main goal is to study the island’s buildings, story, and shoreline on foot.

Paella lunch with practical choices

Lunch is served during the Tabarca stop and includes homemade paella, mixed salad, and a drink. You can choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella. Welcome fruit is also included, and the range of soft drinks, juice, and water remains available.

Food quality can vary slightly by personal taste. Most of the strongest praise is aimed at the paella, and several people found it better than expected for a boat excursion. A few diners wanted more seafood in the fish version, so seafood lovers should keep their expectations sensible. This is a generous feature of the cruise, not a specialist restaurant meal.

The vegetarian option is a real advantage for groups. You do not have to arrange a separate lunch on the island, and the menu gives nonmeat eaters a clear choice. If you have more specific dietary needs, tell the crew in advance and ask what can be accommodated.

Timing matters. The crew needs to clear and reset the dining area before the return sailing. If you visit the island at lunchtime, leave enough time to get back and eat. One useful strategy is to return to the boat a little early rather than squeeze lunch into the final minutes.

Additional alcoholic drinks and food cost extra. The included drink is limited to one alcoholic serving, but nonalcoholic drinks are unlimited. Bar prices for extras have been described as reasonable, though you should still budget separately if you want cocktails or more beer and wine.

The return sail along the Costa Blanca

After the island stop, the catamaran sets course for Alicante, another 1.5-hour journey. This is a quieter part of the day for many people. The main sail may be raised when conditions allow, and the boat becomes a pleasant place to rest, sunbathe, or take a short nap.

The return route gives you a different view of the coast. From the water, you may see Carabassi Beach with its pale sand and the Cape of Santa Pola lighthouse. These sights are best treated as coastal views rather than formal stops. You will not go ashore at either location.

I like this final stretch because it gives the day a natural finish. You have already swum and explored, so the trip back does not feel like another major activity. You can find a seat, finish your drink, listen to the music, and watch the shore approach.

Families should think about the full six-hour length. The boat has enough room for children to move between activities, and the crew has been especially helpful with younger passengers, but very young children may find the long day, sun, waves, and boat rules tiring. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

What $85 includes, and where the value lies

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Tabarca. A basic ferry may cost less, but it does not give you the same six-hour package of sailing time, swimming from the boat, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks.

The value improves if you plan to use the inclusions. Someone who wants only transport to Tabarca may find the price high. Someone who would otherwise pay for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and water activity separately can get a solid deal here.

The cruise also removes some planning work. You do not need to find a restaurant at lunchtime, hire snorkeling equipment, or work out how to move between the catamaran and the island. That convenience matters during a short Alicante stay.

The experience received a 4.7 rating from 879 reviews, with repeated praise for the friendly crew, paella, cleanliness, organization, and safety. I would give the strongest weight to the repeated practical points: the crew keeps drinks flowing, provides several paella choices, and manages the shuttle boats so you can use the stop flexibly.

You should still budget for sunscreen, transport to the port, and any extra alcohol or food. Pickup and drop-off are not included. The cruise also requires at least 15 participants to operate. If that minimum is not met, you will be contacted about a new date or a refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This is a strong choice for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children or teenagers. It works especially well for people who want several easy activities in one day: sailing, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a short island visit.

It is also good for a group with different priorities. You can lie on the deck while someone else explores Tabarca, or swim while another member of your party enjoys the village. The crew’s multilingual service helps international groups feel at ease.

You should think twice if you dislike open water, get seasick easily, or want a quiet, formal sightseeing tour. The boat may encounter rough conditions, the snorkeling is not guided, and music is part of the atmosphere.

The cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users. Large bags, luggage, coolers, jewelry, pets, high heels, and outside food or drinks are not allowed. Bring only what you need for the sea, and avoid valuables because the operator is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage.

Simple ways to make the day better

Arrive early enough to complete the presentation and settle in before departure. If the front nets matter to you, do not wait until the boat is underway to look for a place.

Wear water shoes rather than delicate sandals. They are useful on the boat and around the island, and they protect your feet when entering the water.

Eat a light meal before boarding if you tend to get hungry early. Lunch is included, but the crew must prepare and clear the dining area, and you may not want to wait if the morning sailing makes you hungry.

Keep your sun protection close. Six hours on the water means strong exposure even when the breeze feels cool. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle are sensible, though outside drinks cannot be brought aboard.

Plan your island time instead of drifting until the final shuttle. Decide early if you want to see the village, swim, snorkel, or do all three. The flexible schedule gives you freedom, but you still need to return before departure.

Should you book the Alicante to Tabarca cruise?

Book it if you want Tabarca paired with a full day on the water rather than a simple ferry crossing. The included paella, unlimited soft drinks, snorkeling gear, sailor-lifeguards, and repeated shuttle service make the $85 price easier to justify.

I would choose this cruise for a first visit to Tabarca, especially if your group wants swimming and sunshine as much as sightseeing. I would skip it if you want a detailed island tour, dislike boat motion, or need fully accessible facilities.

For the best fit, think of this as a social sailing day with a Tabarca stop, not a history tour. Bring swimwear, water shoes, and patience for the sea, and you get a well-organized way to see the coast, eat lunch, and spend time in one of the Costa Blanca’s most appealing island settings.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The full experience lasts six hours. The trip takes about 1.5 hours from Alicante to Tabarca, includes about three hours near the island, and takes another 1.5 hours to return.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The meeting point is the Adventurer Catamaran Alicante location in the port, next to Bar Noray and opposite Mundo de los Niños. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Is lunch included in the ticket?

Yes. Lunch includes homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, mixed salad, and one drink. Welcome fruit is also included.

Are drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, and juice are unlimited. One beer, wine, or tinto de verano is included. Additional alcoholic drinks and food cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks and fins are provided for the free, unguided snorkeling activity. Snorkel tubes are not included for hygiene reasons, but you can purchase one aboard for €5. Sailor-lifeguards are present during snorkeling.

Can I visit Tabarca Island during the stop?

Yes. You have about three hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and free time on the island. A small boat makes repeated trips between the catamaran and Tabarca, so you can go ashore and return during the stop.