Cambrils: Costa Dorada Catamaran Day Cruise with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Cambrils cruise is the simple rhythm: sail, sunbathe, swim, eat, and sail back. You spend the day on the spacious Ocean Fly catamaran, with sea ladders, two bathrooms, a bar, and wide nets at the front for lying close to the water.

I like the easy access to the Mediterranean and the friendly crew, with Natalia receiving special praise for keeping one celebration lively. I also like that snorkel gear, lunch, and drinks are included in the $74 price. The main drawback is space: the boat can carry many people, and a busy sailing may feel crowded. The barbecue is also more practical than gourmet, with some food served cold.

Key points to know before booking

• Five hours on the Costa Dorada: This is a half-day cruise, despite the relaxed all-day feel.
• A proper swim stop: The catamaran anchors in open Mediterranean water, with ladders for getting in and out.
• Wide sun nets: These are the prime spots for lying down, but they may fill quickly.
• Lunch and drinks included: The onboard barbecue keeps the outing self-contained, though expectations should stay modest.
• Good crew atmosphere: English, French, and Spanish are spoken, and the staff are known for being warm and animated.
• No hotel transfers: You need to reach the ticket office in front of the boats in Cambrils yourself.

Setting out from Cambrils on the Ocean Fly

This cruise begins at the port of Cambrils, a useful base on the Costa Dorada for a day by the sea. You present your voucher at the ticket office in front of the boats, then board the Ocean Fly catamaran operated by Creuers Costa Daurada S.L.

The boat is designed for relaxed cruising rather than a fast thrill ride. Its wide layout gives you several ways to spend the five hours: stretch out on the forward nets, sit near the bar, watch the coast from the deck, or move around when you want a change of view.

I like this kind of boat for a swimming trip because it is less cramped than a small motorboat. You have bathrooms onboard, a bar counter, and stairs leading directly into the water. Those details matter once you are several hours from shore, especially if you are sailing with children or want to avoid a rough scramble back onto the deck.

The trade-off is capacity. The catamaran is spacious, but it is also built to take a large number of passengers. On a full departure, the popular sun nets and the best seats may go early. If having plenty of personal room is important to you, arrive ready to claim your preferred area rather than expecting a quiet private sail.

Watching the Costa Dorada coastline from the water

Once the boat leaves Cambrils, the cruise follows the Costa Dorada coastline and passes coves chosen for their pleasant setting and swimming access. The appeal is not a long list of formal sights. It is the change in viewpoint.

From the water, Cambrils and the coast become a broad line of beaches, rocky edges, and sheltered coves. You are not rushing from one attraction to another. Instead, you get time to notice the color of the sea, the shape of the shoreline, and the gradual shift as the boat moves away from the port.

The catamaran sails for a while before anchoring. The exact sailing route and stop are not fixed in the information provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular cove by name. Conditions at sea, the day’s operation, and the captain’s choice can affect the route.

I see this as a good match for anyone who wants a break from sightseeing. You can read, sunbathe, talk with your group, or simply watch the coast pass by. The open deck also gives you a chance to move around, which is helpful on a five-hour outing.

Occasionally, marine life adds a surprise. One July sailing had a dolphin sighting, but that is a lucky extra rather than part of the promised program. Keep your eyes on the water, but do not treat wildlife as guaranteed.

The swimming stop and the practical side of getting wet

The main stop comes when the crew drops anchor in the Mediterranean. You can go into the water from the boat using the sea stairs, then swim near the catamaran. Snorkel masks are included, giving you the option to look below the surface rather than only cool off.

This is the heart of the experience. You get a real swimming break, not just a quick photo stop. The cool water is a welcome change after time in the sun, and the catamaran gives you a stable base for getting dry and settling back into the afternoon.

Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat. These are not minor extras. There is plenty of open exposure on the deck, and the five-hour duration gives the sun time to catch up with anyone who forgets protection.

You should also be comfortable using a ladder to leave the sea. The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the swimming stop requires you to get into and out of the water without a platform lift. If you only want to watch the swim, you can stay onboard, but the layout and equipment are aimed at people who can manage the sea stairs.

The water stop is also weather dependent in the ordinary sense that sea conditions affect how comfortable it feels. No special conditions are provided, so I would keep your plans flexible and avoid assuming that the sea will be perfectly calm.

Lunch onboard: useful, filling, and not a restaurant meal

While you swim, the crew prepares the barbecue lunch. This is a convenient arrangement because you do not lose time returning to port or searching for a restaurant. You swim, dry off, and eat on the same boat, with the coastline still around you.

The meal is best understood as a casual group lunch. Some food may be cooked ahead and served cold, so the word barbecue should not make you expect a sizzling plate prepared to order. One French-language assessment called the meal very average and felt that barbecue was a misleading description, while other experiences rated the food positively.

That mixed response gives you the right expectation: lunch is included and does its job, but food quality is not the strongest reason to book. The cruise, swimming, crew, and setting carry more weight.

A small sweet item is served before the main meal, and one Spanish celebration suggested adding a few potato chips for people who do not care for sweet food. That is useful advice if you are particular about snacks. You can bring a little extra food if you want more choice, though the supplied details do not specify the rules for outside food.

Drinks are included, and the boat has a bar. Several positive experiences singled out the cold drinks being available during the outing. The exact drink list is not stated, so do not assume a full cocktail menu or a particular brand. Think of it as a helpful onboard drinks service rather than a beach club bar.

The crew makes the difference

A boat trip can feel mechanical if the crew keeps to the basics. Here, the human side appears to be one of the strongest parts. The staff are described as friendly, attentive, and animated, with service available in English, French, and Spanish.

Natalia received especially warm praise after a bachelorette celebration, where she helped make the group feel included and later arranged a small gift. That detail suggests the crew may be willing to add a personal touch for special occasions, although you should not treat a gift as guaranteed.

The mood can vary by departure. Some people want a quiet sail with a book, while others want music and a social atmosphere. One French experience felt that more festive music and energy would have improved the day, while other groups enjoyed the pleasant crew and relaxed mood.

I would describe the tone as sociable rather than strictly peaceful. You may hear music, conversation, and celebration groups. If you are booking for a birthday, hen party, or family occasion, this can be an advantage. If you want near silence and a private sailing feel, the larger catamaran may not be the right choice.

Is $74 a fair price for five hours?

At $74 per person, the value depends on how much you would otherwise pay for a boat outing, lunch, drinks, and swimming access separately. Here, the price bundles the catamaran ride, barbecue lunch, drinks, snorkel mask, and use of the boat’s facilities.

That makes the price reasonable for someone who wants a full half-day activity without arranging each part independently. You are paying for time on the water as much as for the meal. The bathrooms, bar, ladders, and wide deck also make the outing more comfortable than a basic short boat ride.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a high-quality lunch or a quiet sailing. The boat may feel crowded, and the meal may not satisfy someone looking for a fresh restaurant-style barbecue. You also need to make your own way to Cambrils, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

I would compare it with the cost of a seaside meal plus beach facilities and a separate boat trip. If your group would spend the day paying for drinks, swimming access, and lunch anyway, the package makes good sense. If you already have easy beach access and only want a short scenic cruise, you may find the five hours more than you need.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups of friends who want an easy day on the Mediterranean without a complicated schedule. The swimming stop gives the trip a clear purpose, while the catamaran layout lets non-swimmers remain comfortable onboard.

It is also a good fit for celebrations. The crew has shown warmth toward special groups, and the spacious boat gives a party enough room to socialize. Just remember that you are sharing the experience with other passengers.

Sun lovers will appreciate the wide nets and open deck. People who dislike sitting in one place will also find the boat easy to move around. The included drinks are useful on a hot day, and the snorkel gear means you do not need to arrange a separate rental.

I would be more cautious if you need wheelchair access, dislike group activities, or judge a tour mainly by its food. The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the meal is a practical part of the package rather than its culinary highlight.

Timing, cancellation, and what to bring

The cruise lasts five hours, with a slow return to Cambrils in the afternoon. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The description calls it a whole day of relaxation, but in practical terms it is a substantial half-day outing.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms are helpful if your Costa Dorada plans are still moving around.

Pack the basics:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Comfortable clothing for time in the sun

Bring your voucher for the ticket office in front of the boats. Since there is no hotel pickup, allow enough time to reach the port area in Cambrils on your own.

My verdict: book it for the sea time, not the barbecue

I would book this cruise if I wanted a friendly, low-effort day on the Costa Dorada with plenty of time for swimming and sun. The combination of a spacious catamaran, sea ladders, snorkel gear, drinks, and lunch gives you a lot to work with for $74.

I would not choose it for a gourmet meal, a private boat feel, or guaranteed quiet. A busy departure can feel crowded, and the barbecue may arrive cooked and cool rather than hot from the grill.

The strongest reasons to go are the Mediterranean swimming stop, the helpful crew, and the chance to see the coast from the water without planning several separate activities. If those matter more to you than refined food or personal space, this is a sensible Cambrils choice.

FAQ

How long is the Cambrils catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours. The boat sails along the Costa Dorada, stops for swimming, serves lunch, and returns slowly to Cambrils in the afternoon.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the catamaran cruise, snorkel mask, barbecue lunch, and drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Where do I meet the boat?

Present your voucher at the ticket office in front of the boats in Cambrils.

Can I swim from the catamaran?

Yes. The boat anchors for a swimming stop and has stairs leading into the sea. Snorkel masks are included.

Which languages does the crew speak?

The host or greeter service is available in English, French, and Spanish.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.