Alicante: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise to Tabarca Island

The best part of this Alicante to Tabarca catamaran cruise is that the boat ride is not just a way to reach the island. The six-hour outing gives you time to stretch out on the front nets, swim from the boat, eat paella on board, and see the Costa Blanca from offshore. I love the mix of open-water fun and easy island time, and I like that chicken, fish, and vegetarian paella are included rather than treated as an expensive extra.

The main drawback is that this is a long day at sea, with about three hours of sailing in total. Choppy water can make the outward trip uncomfortable, and the snorkeling is unguided. Very young children may find the boat, sun, and open water tiring, while anyone using a wheelchair should choose another outing.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours around Tabarca: Use the stop for snorkeling, swimming, lunch, and a visit to the island village.
• Paella and drinks included: Choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, plus salad, fruit, unlimited water, soft drinks, and juice.
• A real catamaran experience: The spacious boat has front nets, an onboard restroom, music, a bar, and room to sit or sunbathe.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: Masks and fins are free, but hygienic reasons mean tubes are not provided. You can buy one on board for €5.
• A small boat reaches the island: Regular transfers let you go ashore without being tied to one strict visiting schedule.
• Good value at $85: The price covers transport, lunch, nonalcoholic drinks, one beer, wine, or tinto de verano, and snorkeling equipment.

Why the catamaran is the main event

Tabarca is the destination, but the catamaran ride gives this trip its character. From Alicante’s port, you head across the water for roughly 1.5 hours. The route opens up views of the Costa Blanca that you simply cannot get from a city street or a standard coach.

The boat is large enough to keep the day from feeling cramped. You can sit along the sides for a steady view, find a place to sunbathe, or claim space on the nets between the hulls. The nets are popular, so arrive early if lying above the water is high on your list. They also have capacity limits, which means not everyone can use them at once.

Music adds a holiday feel without making the trip a formal sightseeing cruise. You will have a bar, restroom, and crew on board, along with free water, juices, and soft drinks. One alcoholic drink is included, and additional drinks and food cost extra.

I like this setup because it lets you choose your pace. You can be social near the music and bar, or find a quieter seat along the edge and watch the sea. The boat does not promise a detailed coastal lecture, so bring your own curiosity. You may see Carabassi Beach, its white sand, and Cape Santa Pola with its lighthouse, but the emphasis is on sailing and relaxing rather than guided commentary.

Setting out from Alicante Port

The meeting point is the Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to Bar Noray and opposite Mundo de los Niños. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early. There is a short presentation before departure, and punctuality matters because the boat cannot hold the sailing for late arrivals.

The crew speaks Spanish, French, German, and English. Instructions are given in several languages, which helps when the boat is busy and the activity involves swimming. Sailor-lifeguards remain present during the snorkeling stop, adding a useful layer of supervision.

The first stretch can be smooth, but the sea is not guaranteed to be calm. Some departures have had choppy water, especially on the way out. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels manageable, keep water nearby, and avoid treating the boat like a floating amusement ride until you know how you feel.

The crew has shown a practical approach when conditions turn rough. Safety comes first, and the captain may adjust the sailing experience to suit the sea. Still, this is an outdoor activity, not a sheltered ferry crossing. Anyone who dislikes motion should think carefully before booking.

Three hours around Tabarca Island

After the outward crossing, the catamaran spends about three hours at Tabarca. This is enough time for a proper visit, but you still need to choose how to divide it. The island has a village to explore, clear water for swimming, and a marine reserve that makes snorkeling the star activity.

You can swim from the catamaran, use the supplied mask and fins, and return to the boat when you want a break. The snorkeling is free but unguided, so you should be comfortable managing yourself in the water. Sailor-lifeguards are present, but this is not a lesson or a guided marine tour.

The water is often the reason people remember this stop. You may see fish and other sea life, and one outing even produced an octopus sighting. The quality of the experience depends on sea conditions, visibility, and how busy the boat is that day. Do not expect a private snorkeling cove. You are sharing the stop with the other people on board.

You can also go ashore by a smaller shuttle boat that runs back and forth. This is a useful detail. Instead of being forced to choose the village or the sea for the entire stop, you can make a short visit to Tabarca and return to swim, or swim first and go ashore later.

The island visit is fairly independent. You are not led through a tightly timed walking tour, and that freedom is part of the appeal. Walk through the village, enjoy the views, and see the small island at your own speed. If your priority is a detailed cultural explanation, you may find the visit light on information. If you prefer free time, the relaxed arrangement works well.

Paella lunch on board

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. You choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, served with mixed salad. Fresh fruit is provided as a welcome snack, and the food is prepared on board during the journey.

I like that the vegetarian option is built into the main meal rather than added as an afterthought. Several people with different diets can eat together without one person being left with a token side dish. The meal is simple, filling, and well suited to a day in the sun.

Timing matters. The crew needs to tidy the boat before sailing back, so do not assume you can postpone lunch until the last minute. A practical plan is to eat before heading ashore, then use the remaining time for a village walk or swimming. If you return to the catamaran late, you may find the meal service is already winding down.

You also receive one beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip at no extra charge. That makes a real difference at $85, since drinks on a full-day boat outing can quickly add up.

Extra alcoholic drinks and food are not included. The onboard bar is convenient, but you should not bring your own meals, drinks, coolers, large bags, or luggage. Pack a small day bag with only what you need.

The return sail past Santa Pola

The return crossing takes about 1.5 hours. This is often the calmest part of the day, especially after lunch and swimming. The main sail may be raised, turning the ride back into a quieter coastal cruise.

From the water, you may see more of the shore near Santa Pola, including Cape Santa Pola and its lighthouse. Carabassi Beach is another possible sight along the route. These views are best treated as pleasant scenery rather than fixed stops. The boat does not go ashore at these places.

The return is a good time to dry off, rest on the side benches, or try the front nets if space opens up. Music continues on board, so the atmosphere can remain lively. If you prefer a quiet ride, choose a spot away from the speakers and bring sunglasses and a hat.

This is also when the six-hour length becomes important. You are not rushing through Tabarca, but you are committing most of a day to the sea. That is excellent for a beach-and-boat holiday. It is less suitable if you want to fit several city sights into the same afternoon.

What the $85 price really covers

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 package of sailing time, onboard space, food, swimming, snorkeling equipment, and drinks.

Here, the fare includes:

• Round-trip catamaran sailing from Alicante
• Welcome fruit
• Chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella
• Mixed salad
• One beer, wine, or tinto de verano
• Unlimited water, juice, and soft drinks
• Free masks and fins
• Use of the onboard restroom
• The snorkeling stop and crew supervision

The value improves if you plan to swim and eat on board. It is less compelling if you only want a quick visit to the village and have no interest in the catamaran itself. I would choose this over a simple ferry when the boat day is part of the holiday, not just transport.

The tour requires at least 15 people to operate. If that number is not reached, the operator will contact you about a new date or a refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Water shoes are useful around the boat and island shore. Leave jewelry at home, since swimming and snorkeling make small valuables easy to lose.

Do not bring large bags, luggage, pets, high heels, coolers, or your own food and drinks. The operator also advises leaving valuables behind, since it is not responsible for loss, theft, or breakage.

The activity is not suitable for unaccompanied minors or wheelchair users. Families with older children and teenagers can have a very good time, especially if they enjoy jumping into the sea and snorkeling. Infants and toddlers are a more difficult fit because of the long sailing time, sun, water, and lack of a fully structured children’s program.

The snorkeling tubes are not included for hygiene reasons. Masks and fins are available, but you can buy a tube on board for €5 if you want one. If you already own a comfortable snorkel, bring it only if the operator allows it, since outside food and drinks are specifically not permitted and space is limited.

Who will enjoy this Tabarca trip most

I would recommend this outing to couples, groups of friends, and families with confident swimmers who want a full day outdoors. It works particularly well for people who like a loose schedule. You can swim, eat, go ashore, or simply sit on the catamaran without being pushed from one activity to the next.

It is also a strong choice for a group with mixed interests. One person can explore the village while another stays on the boat. Teenagers can use the water and music, while adults can settle into the coastal views and a drink.

You should think twice if you need a guided historical tour, dislike boats, or want guaranteed calm water. The island stop is flexible rather than deeply interpreted, and sea conditions can change the mood of the crossing. The best reason to book is the combination of sailing, swimming, food, and free time, not a long list of formal talks.

Should you book the Alicante catamaran to Tabarca?

Book it if you want the journey to feel like part of the holiday. The spacious catamaran, front nets, paella, unlimited soft drinks, swimming stop, and easy shuttle to Tabarca create a full six-hour outing for the price.

Skip it if your main goal is simply to reach the island cheaply, or if you need wheelchair access or a highly guided cultural visit. For everyone else, especially couples, friends, and families with older children, this is a well-balanced way to combine the sea and Tabarca in one day. Bring sun protection, arrive early, and save enough energy for the return sail.

FAQ

How long is the Alicante to Tabarca catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts six hours. The outward sailing takes about 1.5 hours, the Tabarca stop lasts about three hours, and the return sailing takes another 1.5 hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The meal includes homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, along with mixed salad. Welcome fruit is also provided.

What drinks are included?

You receive one beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Water, juice, and soft drinks are available without limit. Additional alcoholic drinks and food cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and fins are included, and the snorkeling activity is free. Tubes are not provided for hygiene reasons, but you can buy one on board for €5.

Can I visit Tabarca village during the stop?

Yes. A smaller boat makes regular trips between the catamaran and the island, allowing you to go ashore and return during the three-hour stop.

Where do I meet the catamaran?

Meet at Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to Bar Noray and opposite Mundo de los Niños. Arrive 15 minutes before departure for the pre-departure presentation.