Cambrils: Catamaran Day Cruise with BBQ and Drinks

The main appeal here is simple: you spend six hours on a large catamaran, not rushing from one sight to the next. You can stretch out on a Balinese bed, watch the Catalan coast slide by, and swim from the boat at two stops. It feels more like a floating beach club than a sightseeing cruise.

I like the comfortable daybeds and the generous drinks service, which includes cava, prosecco, wine, vermut, and Aperol. I also like the friendly crew, with Captain Marcos, Mario, and Enrique all singled out for keeping the day moving and looking after people. The main consideration is space: the boat may carry close to 60 yellow loungers, and the upper deck can feel forgotten when lunch is served.

Key points to know before booking

• Six hours at sea: This is a full day on one catamaran, with no shore excursions between stops.
• Two swimming breaks: You can swim from the boat, but some anchorages are deep and may offer little for snorkelers to see.
• Balinese beds are assigned: Visit the red ticket office before boarding to collect your bed number.
• Food and drinks are included: BBQ lunch, aperitifs, and a selection of alcoholic drinks are part of the package.
• A relaxed party atmosphere: Music begins gently and can become more like a small floating disco later in the day.
• Plan your arrival carefully: From Salou, the bus takes you close to the port and runs about every 20 minutes, while taxis can be hard to find in July and August.

A floating beach club off the Cambrils coast

Cat Aventure is built around the idea of a beach club at sea. You board in Cambrils, settle into your assigned Balinese bed, and spend the day on the catamaran rather than moving through a string of land-based stops. That makes the cruise easy and restful, but it also means you should choose it for the boat time itself.

The catamaran has a professional crew, a hostess, music, lounge beds, food, and a bar. You get broad views of the Catalonian coastline without needing to plan anything once you are aboard. I see this as a good fit for a group of friends, couples, or families who want a lazy day with a social feel.

This is not a quiet sailing lesson or a history tour. The main focus is sun, swimming, food, drinks, and music. A live guide is listed in English, Catalan, French, Dutch, and Spanish, but the exact amount of commentary may vary. One recent experience found little in the way of guiding or English service, so I would not book this expecting a detailed spoken tour of the coast.

Finding the port and claiming your bed

There are two listed starting options, both tied to Passeig de les Palmeres and the Saba Aparcamientos area. Your exact meeting point can depend on the option you book, so check the confirmation carefully rather than heading to the port on guesswork.

Before you board, go to the red ticket office in front of the catamaran. This is where you receive the number of your assigned Balinese bed. It is a small step, but an important one. If you skip it, you may not know where you are meant to settle, and the best way to begin a six-hour cruise is with your place sorted.

The daybeds are a major part of the experience. They give you a proper spot to lie down instead of forcing you to compete for a patch of deck. Still, the boat can feel full when many beds are occupied. One account described almost 60 yellow loungers packed onto the catamaran, with about half occupied on that particular sailing. If you value quiet, ask about an upper-deck bed when booking, but remember that this may cost more.

Bring a towel. The beds are comfortable, but they are not a substitute for beach equipment. You should also wear practical footwear for getting around the port and deck. Shoes must be removed aboard, and one account found that footwear was handled roughly during disembarkation.

Six hours on one catamaran

The cruise runs for six hours in total, with the catamaran sailing along the Catalonian coast and stopping twice for swimming. The route is not presented as a series of named coastal landmarks, so the pleasure comes from the open views, changing light, and time spent on the water.

That length matters. A short boat trip can feel like a quick look at the sea before you return to the port. Here, you have time to settle into the rhythm of the day. You can sit on your bed, have a drink, listen to music, eat lunch, and swim without watching the clock every few minutes.

There is also a trade-off. The six-hour version is essentially a longer stay aboard the boat rather than a six-hour series of distinct excursions. One detailed account described it as a three-hour cruise repeated twice, meaning you remain on the catamaran for the whole outing. If you want frequent landings or a route packed with sights, this will feel repetitive. If your ideal day is staying put in the sun, that same feature is the point.

Music shapes the mood. It may begin as background music and grow more like a small disco as the hours pass. The lower deck is likely to feel livelier, while the upper deck can be quieter. One person specifically missed having music on the upper deck, so the sound level and atmosphere may not be the same everywhere.

Two swimming stops, with realistic snorkel expectations

The cruise includes two stops for swimming. You can jump into the blue water, cool off, and climb back aboard when you are ready. For many people, these breaks will be the best part of the day because they break up the long period of sitting and give the cruise a proper beach-day feel.

The word snorkel deserves a little caution. The trip is promoted as offering nice places to snorkel, but the catamaran may anchor in water around 12 meters deep. That can make casual snorkeling less rewarding, especially if there is little to see below the boat. The stops are better understood as swimming breaks first and snorkeling stops second.

Water conditions can also change the experience. One account encountered jellyfish at a swimming stop and felt that staff did not give much help with the concern. Jellyfish are not mentioned as a regular feature, so I would not assume you will see them, but you should pay attention before entering the water and make your own decision.

If swimming is central to your plans, pack a swimsuit, towel, and any personal snorkeling equipment you prefer. The supplied information confirms swimming stops, but it does not list snorkeling gear rental or a dedicated safety briefing. Do not expect a guided underwater tour.

BBQ lunch, aperitifs, and what the food service means

Lunch is included, along with BBQ food, aperitifs, and drinks. The food is described as a hearty BBQ and also as a selection of Western-style finger food. That suggests a casual meal designed for eating aboard, not a formal restaurant service.

The strongest food feedback is positive. Enrique was praised for producing a delicious lunch, and another account found the BBQ and drinks better than expected. Vegetarian needs can sometimes be handled: when one person needed a meat-free meal, the crew prepared a vegetarian pizza after being asked.

Still, you should not assume a fixed vegetarian menu or a broad range of special diets. Salads were not available on one sailing, and the vegetarian alternative had to be prepared separately. If you have dietary needs, tell the operator before the cruise and confirm what can be provided.

There is also a clear warning about consistency. One very unhappy account said the food did not feel like a BBQ and seemed more like leftover hotel food. That view conflicts with several positive experiences, so I would treat the meal as a variable part of the package rather than the main reason to book. The boat, swimming, beds, and drinks are the safer reasons to choose this outing.

The drinks selection is a strong value point. The bar includes cava, prosecco, vermut, Aperol, wine, and other drinks, with service described as generous or unlimited by several people. Since lunch and drinks are included in the $77 price, you do not need to budget for each glass once you are aboard. The package is not a luxury dining cruise, but the combination of a full day, meal, and bar service makes the price reasonable for a day at sea.

How crowded is the catamaran?

Comfort depends partly on how full the sailing is. The boat is large and designed around rows of daybeds, but the number of loungers can make the deck feel tightly arranged. One account found the catamaran comfortable but too full of yellow beds, while another found enough room and seating.

Your assigned bed gives you a base, which is helpful. You are not left searching for a chair each time you return from the water. An upper-deck bed may offer a quieter position, but it may come with an extra charge, and the upper deck may receive less attention during service.

That service point matters. One person said the upper deck was not told when lunch was ready and felt overlooked for much of the cruise. I would keep an ear open for announcements and ask a crew member about lunch timing rather than assuming someone will come to your bed.

Smoking can also affect where you sit. One account found smokers gathering near the stairs between decks, making passage uncomfortable. If smoke bothers you, ask where the non-smoking or quieter areas are before settling in.

Getting to Cambrils from Salou

The boarding port is in Cambrils, and summer transport needs planning. During July and August, taxis in Salou can be difficult to find at the time you need them. The practical advice is to arrange a taxi well ahead, roughly two hours before departure, if you plan to use one.

Public transport may be easier. A bus runs from Salou to Cambrils about every 20 minutes and leaves you around 300 meters from the boarding point. That short walk is useful, but you still need to allow time to find the red ticket office, collect your bed number, and board without rushing.

This is one of those excursions where arriving early improves the whole day. You have a fixed sailing time, and the catamaran will not wait because your taxi is late. Check the exact departure time and meeting option on your booking confirmation.

Is $77 good value?

At $77 per person, this is a fair price if you will make full use of the six hours. You are paying for the catamaran, a Balinese bed, two swimming stops, BBQ lunch, aperitifs, drinks, music, and crew service. Buying a meal and several drinks separately along the coast could quickly narrow the price difference.

The value drops if you dislike long periods aboard a boat, rarely drink, or want an active snorkeling program. You are not paying for a string of coastal attractions or a guided history lesson. You are paying for a floating day club with food and drinks included.

The package also removes small onboard expenses. There is no need to carry money for normal payments, and taxes are included. That makes budgeting easy, although it does not fix the possible differences in food service, crowding, or attention between decks.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Check the final conditions attached to your chosen departure, since the meeting point and starting time can vary.

Who will enjoy Cat Aventure most?

I would choose this cruise if you want a sociable, sun-focused day with a comfortable place to lie down. It works particularly well for:

• Friends who want music, drinks, and swimming without arranging their own boat
• Families who prefer one easy activity that fills most of the day
• Couples looking for a relaxed outing rather than a packed sightseeing schedule
• People who enjoy a beach club atmosphere with a view of the coast
• Visitors staying in Salou who can plan the short trip to Cambrils

I would hesitate if you want silence, a detailed guided commentary, excellent snorkeling, or a carefully designed meal. The boat can be crowded, music may become lively, and service may be less attentive on the upper deck. People with a cold are specifically advised not to take the trip, which is sensible on a shared boat where you will spend six hours close to others.

Should you book this Cambrils catamaran cruise?

Book it if your perfect day means a Balinese bed, open drinks, two swims, music, and a slow ride along the Catalonian coast. The best parts are the long time on the water, the friendly working crew, the included bar, and the chance to swim without arranging anything yourself.

Skip it if you need a quiet sailing trip, dependable gourmet food, or serious snorkeling. Arrive early, collect your bed number at the red ticket office, use the bus from Salou if a taxi is uncertain, and treat the BBQ as a useful included meal rather than the star attraction. With those expectations, the $77 price can make good sense.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The listed boarding area is Passeig de les Palmeres near Saba Aparcamientos in Cambrils. The exact meeting point may vary according to the option booked.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours, including the sailing time and the two swimming stops.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes BBQ lunch, aperitifs, and drinks. The bar menu includes options such as cava, prosecco, vermut, Aperol, and wine.

How many swimming stops are included?

Two swimming stops are included during the cruise.

Is snorkeling available?

The cruise stops at places suitable for swimming and is promoted as having nice snorkeling areas. Some anchorages are around 12 meters deep, so snorkeling may not offer much to see.

Do I get my own Balinese bed?

A Balinese bed is included, but you must visit the red ticket office in front of the catamaran before boarding to collect the number of your assigned bed.

What languages are available?

The listed languages are English, Catalan, French, Dutch, and Spanish. The availability of spoken service may vary during the cruise.

How do I get from Salou to Cambrils?

A bus runs from Salou to Cambrils about every 20 minutes and stops around 300 meters from the boarding area. Taxis can be difficult to find in July and August, so arrange one well in advance if you need it.

Do I need money for purchases aboard?

The package states that you do not need money for payments, and taxes are included. Food and the listed drinks are included in the experience.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.