Denia: Cova Tallada Catamaran Tour and Swimming Stop

Cova Tallada is the star of this short coastal catamaran trip, but you will see it from the water rather than step inside. The route runs from Denia toward Las Rotas and Javea, with cliffs, beaches, and views across the Natural Marine Reserve along the way.

I like the easy two-hour format and the fact that a drink is included, so you can settle in without planning a full day. I also like the simple mix of sightseeing, music, and swimming. The main catch is the swim stop: it is chosen by the captain and may be beside the marina rather than at a scenic cove.

Key points to know before booking

• Cova Tallada from the sea: You get as close to the cave as conditions and reserve rules allow, but you cannot access it from the catamaran.
• Two hours from Denia harbor: The compact sailing time works well when you want a coastal outing without giving up most of your day.
• One drink included: Choose water, a soft drink, or wine. Extra drinks cost more.
• Captain chooses the swim site: No particular bay or anchorage is guaranteed, and the stop can be close to the harbor.
• Spanish-speaking host: The available host language is Spanish, so plan around that if you need detailed explanations in another language.
• Weather controls the schedule: Sailing depends on sea and weather conditions, and the exact ship is not guaranteed.

Setting out from Denia harbor

The tour begins at the Boramar ticket office in Denia harbor. Look for that office rather than wandering along the waterfront trying to identify the boat. From there, you board a motor catamaran for a two-hour coastal outing.

The catamaran format matters. You are not taking a fast transfer straight to one point. This is a relaxed ride, designed for sitting back, listening to music, having a drink, and watching the coast pass by. A motor catamaran also keeps the trip moving even when there is no sailing wind, though weather still controls whether the boat can go out.

At $21 per person, the outing is priced as a light half-day activity rather than a major excursion. You are paying for the boat ride, the cave viewpoint, the swim stop, and one drink. That is fair value if you mainly want an easy look at the coast from the water.

The value drops if your only goal is to swim in a beautiful remote cove. The captain decides where to anchor, and that place is not promised in advance. For the best value, think of the swim as a bonus added to a scenic boat ride, not the central guarantee.

Along Las Rotas toward Javea

After leaving the harbor, the route follows the coast toward Las Rotas and continues in the direction of Javea. This is the most consistently scenic part of the experience because you get a broad view of the shoreline instead of seeing it from a road or a crowded beach.

You will pass beaches and cliffs, with the Natural Marine Reserve providing the setting. From the catamaran, the point is not to stop at every feature. It is to let the coastline unfold while you stay seated and enjoy the changing views.

I would choose a seat that gives you a clear outward view, especially if the coast is your main reason for booking. There is music on board, which helps keep the mood casual, but it also means this is not a quiet, nature-focused cruise. You are getting a social boat ride with scenery, not a guided marine study.

The Spanish host can help with the basic operation of the trip, but the activity information lists Spanish as the available language. If you need detailed commentary in English, German, or another language, do not assume it will be provided. The scenery is easy to appreciate without a long explanation, but language can matter if you want a full account of the reserve and cave.

Seeing Cova Tallada from the water

The boat’s main sightseeing target is Cova Tallada, a striking coastal cave viewed from the sea. The catamaran approaches as closely as permitted, giving you a water-level look at the cave and the surrounding cliffs.

This point needs careful wording before you book: the cave cannot be accessed from the catamaran. The area sits within a Natural Marine Reserve, so the boat must respect the rules and remain at the allowed distance. You will see the cave, photograph it, and appreciate its position in the cliffs, but you will not get off to explore inside.

That limitation is not a flaw in the boat operation. It is part of visiting a protected marine area. Still, it can create a mismatch if you imagine a cave visit rather than a cave viewing. If you want a walk into Cova Tallada, this is not that experience.

The approach itself may be fairly brief. The route includes a look at the cave, not a long stop with a detailed shore visit. I would treat this as a chance to see a protected coastal feature from a different angle. You get the broad cliffs and sea around it, rather than the close, on-foot feel of an inland or shoreline excursion.

The drink, music, and time on deck

One drink is included with the ticket. You can choose water, a soft drink, or wine. Extra drinks are not included, and food and drinks from outside are not allowed on board.

That arrangement keeps the outing simple. You do not need to bring refreshments, and you can enjoy a drink while the catamaran heads along the coast. If you are bringing children, water or a soft drink makes the inclusion useful. Adults who want wine can choose that instead.

Do not plan this as a picnic cruise. The no-food rule means you should eat before boarding or after returning to Denia. Since the trip lasts two hours, that is manageable for most people, but it is worth knowing if you are traveling with hungry children or scheduling the boat around lunch.

The music adds a holiday feel and suits the relaxed design of the tour. If you want complete quiet for birdwatching or a serious talk about marine life, you may prefer a different kind of boat outing. Here, the emphasis is on easy sightseeing and a pleasant ride.

The swimming stop is the uncertain part

After viewing Cova Tallada, the captain looks for a suitable place to stop for a swim. You can get into the sea and cool off before the boat returns to Denia harbor.

The exact place is not guaranteed. The captain decides according to conditions, and the anchoring area can change. This is sensible from a safety point of view, but it makes the experience less predictable than the itinerary may first suggest.

A key practical warning is that the swim stop has sometimes been made close to Denia marina. That location can be convenient, but it may not deliver the clear, secluded-water feeling you hoped for after passing scenic beaches and cliffs. Some people will be happy simply to swim from the boat. Others will feel disappointed if the catamaran passes attractive spots and then anchors near the port.

I would book this tour if you are content with a refreshing sea swim wherever the captain can safely anchor. I would not book it solely for a swim in a particular cove, because no named swimming site is guaranteed.

The stop also depends on weather and sea conditions. Even when the boat runs, the captain may choose a different anchorage from the one you pictured. That flexibility is normal for a boat trip, but you should keep your expectations loose.

Returning to Denia after two hours

Once the swim is finished, the catamaran heads back to the harbor. The compact length is one of the tour’s strongest features. You can fit it between other plans in Denia, use it as a relaxed break from sightseeing, or bring young children without committing to a full-day cruise.

A two-hour trip also means the itinerary is brisk. You will see the coast, approach the cave, take a drink, swim if conditions allow, and return. There is not much room for delays or long stops at several different sites.

The short format has worked well for families with small children because the ride does not stretch on for half a day. Staff have also been described as very friendly, which helps when you are boarding with young kids. Still, children should be prepared for the possibility that the swim is near the marina rather than at the most scenic point of the route.

The exact vessel is not guaranteed. If you are choosing the activity because you have seen a particular catamaran in a photograph, keep that in mind. The boat type is generally a motor catamaran, but the specific ship may change.

Who will enjoy this Denia boat trip

This is a good fit for you if you want:

• A short coastal ride with views of cliffs and beaches
• A simple way to see Cova Tallada from the sea
• A swim from the boat without arranging a private charter
• A relaxed outing with music and one included drink
• A family-friendly activity that takes about two hours
• A low-cost addition to a day in Denia

You may want to skip it if you need to walk into Cova Tallada, swim at a named beach, or receive detailed commentary in English. It is also not ideal if you dislike music on sightseeing boats or want a quiet, highly specialized marine excursion.

The strongest part is the combination of coastal views and easy timing. The weakest part is the uncertainty around the swimming location. That balance explains why the activity can feel worthwhile to one person and underwhelming to another.

Practical planning before you board

Book with the weather in mind. Sailing depends on conditions, and the company allows cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Denia plans are still shifting.

Arrive looking for the Boramar ticket office in the harbor. Food and outside drinks are not allowed, so have anything you need before boarding. The included drink covers water, a soft drink, or wine, while additional drinks are extra.

If you want to swim, wear something suitable for getting wet and bring only what you need for a short boat outing. The supplied information does not promise a particular swim site, a particular ship, or access to the cave, so those are the three points I would repeat to anyone in your group before paying.

For families, the manageable length and friendly staff are useful advantages. For couples or solo visitors, the cruise offers an uncomplicated way to see the coast without arranging transport to several viewpoints. For serious swimmers, the location uncertainty is the issue to weigh most closely.

Should you book the Cova Tallada catamaran tour?

Book it if your priority is an affordable, easy Denia coastal cruise with a cave viewpoint, one drink, music, and the chance to swim. At $21 for two hours, it offers a reasonable way to get out on the water without spending a full day or hiring a private boat.

Book with realistic expectations. You will not enter Cova Tallada, and the captain may choose a swim stop beside the marina. If those limits sound acceptable, this is a pleasant, compact outing with especially good appeal for families and casual sightseers. If you want a remote swim in a specific bay or a true cave visit, choose an activity built around those promises instead.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts two hours, including the coastal ride, the view of Cova Tallada, the swimming stop, and the return to Denia harbor.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Boramar ticket office in Denia harbor.

What does the $21 ticket include?

The ticket includes the catamaran boat trip, a sea swimming stop, and one drink. The drink can be water, a soft drink, or wine.

Can I bring food or drinks on board?

No. Food and outside drinks are not allowed on the catamaran. Extra drinks are also not included.

Can I enter Cova Tallada during the tour?

No. Cova Tallada is in a Natural Marine Reserve and cannot be accessed from the catamaran. You will view it from the closest point allowed.

Where does the swimming stop take place?

The captain chooses the anchoring area, so a specific location is not guaranteed. The stop may be close to Denia harbor.

Is a particular catamaran guaranteed?

No. A specific ship is not guaranteed, although the activity uses a motor catamaran.

What language is available for the host or greeter?

The available host language is Spanish.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.