Alicante: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise to Tabarca Island

Tabarca Island is the star here, but the catamaran ride is half the fun. You sail 1.5 hours from Alicante, stretch out on the front nets, swim in clear water near Spain’s first marine reserve, then return beneath the raised sails with views of Santa Pola and Carabassi Beach.

I like the generous food and drink plan: homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, salad, fruit, unlimited water and soft drinks, plus one beer, wine, or tinto de verano. I also like the easy three-hour stop, which lets you choose between swimming, snorkeling, and a short boat ride to the island village. The main caution is rough water. If you get seasick, bring care and avoid valuables, since bags and loose jewelry are not welcome onboard.

Key things to know before you sail

• Three hours at Tabarca: Swim from the catamaran, snorkel near the marine reserve, or take the small shuttle boat ashore to visit the village.
• Paella is included: Choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, served with mixed salad and fresh fruit.
• Soft drinks cost nothing extra: Water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip.
• Snorkeling gear is provided: Masks and fins are included, but hygienic reasons mean tubes are sold separately for €5.
• The boat has room to spread out: The front nets are popular, while the deck and edges offer good sea views.
• Plan for open-water conditions: The crew has sailor-lifeguards during swimming, but high winds or choppy water can make the crossing uncomfortable.

Sailing from Alicante Port to Tabarca

The meeting point is easy to find beside Noray bar, in front of Mundo de los Niños. Arrive 15 minutes early for the pre-departure presentation. This is not the place for a last-minute dash down the quay. The crew needs to organize boarding and explain the day before the catamaran leaves.

From the Port of Alicante, you head southeast across the Costa Blanca. The first 1.5 hours give you time to settle into the rhythm of the boat. You can sit along the deck, claim a place on the nets between the hulls, listen to music, or simply watch the shoreline pull away.

I like this opening because it feels more like a proper sea outing than a quick ferry transfer. The catamaran is spacious, with an onboard restroom, bar service, music, and enough open space to move around. A welcome serving of fruit helps, and unlimited water, juice, and soft drinks are useful under the strong Spanish sun.

The front nets are the most sought-after spots. They offer the best sensation of being above the water, but they fill quickly and have limits on how many people can use them. If you want one, head there early rather than assuming you can claim it later.

The boat ride is not always perfectly calm. In August, some sailings have had high waves, and one November outing began with rough water before settling down. The crew has been praised for paying close attention to comfort and safety, and seasickness medication has been available onboard. Still, if you are sensitive to motion, sit in a more stable central area, eat lightly before departure, and bring any medication you normally use.

Tabarca’s marine reserve and swimming stop

Tabarca is Spain’s first marine reserve, and the water around the island is the reason many people choose this trip instead of a standard ferry. The catamaran stops for swimming and snorkeling, with masks and fins supplied at no extra charge.

This is a free snorkeling activity without a guide, so you should be comfortable managing yourself in the water. Sailor-lifeguards are present while people snorkel, which adds reassurance, but you are not joining a guided marine biology lesson. The experience is simple: put on the equipment, enter the water from the boat, and look around at your own pace.

You may prefer to jump straight in, float beside the catamaran, or stay dry and enjoy the view. Several people particularly liked jumping from the boat, and the stop works well for teenagers and adults who want a little action. The water has been described as clear and warm during summer outings.

Bring water shoes if your feet are sensitive. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Snorkel tubes are not provided. You can buy one onboard for €5, or bring your own if permitted by the operator’s rules and hygiene requirements.

The swimming area is not the same as having a quiet beach to yourself. You will be sharing the water with other people from the boat, and the timing is part of a larger schedule. Still, the three-hour stop gives you enough freedom to swim first, go ashore later, or reverse that order.

Lunch onboard: paella, salad, fruit, and drinks

Food is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Lunch includes homemade paella with a choice of chicken, fish, or vegetables, along with mixed salad and fruit. One beer, wine, or tinto de verano is included, and soft drinks, juice, and water remain available throughout the trip.

The food is prepared during the journey to Tabarca, so the meal fits naturally into the day rather than feeling like a rushed snack. Vegetarian paella has received especially warm praise, which makes this a safer choice for mixed groups than many boat excursions.

The paella is served onboard, and timing matters. The crew needs to tidy the eating area before the catamaran sets sail again, so do not assume you can wander ashore indefinitely and return whenever you like. If you want the full lunch, stay aware of announcements and the serving time.

Extra alcoholic drinks and additional food cost more. The included drink is enough for most people, while the bar gives you the option to buy something else. Soft drink prices have been described as reasonable, but you should still expect onboard bar pricing rather than supermarket pricing.

I see the meal as a major part of the value. At $85 per person, you are not paying only for transport to Tabarca. You are also covering a six-hour catamaran outing, a prepared lunch, fruit, drinks, equipment, and the staff needed to run the water stop safely.

Three hours to explore Tabarca village

Tabarca is small, but it has enough character to make the stop worthwhile. A smaller boat runs between the catamaran and the island several times, allowing you to go ashore without swimming from the main vessel.

The shuttle arrangement is useful because it keeps the day relaxed. You can visit the village, walk around, look for a café or shop, and return to the catamaran for another swim. The schedule is described as flexible rather than tightly managed, but you still need to keep an eye on the departure time.

I would not book this trip expecting a full island tour with a long guided explanation. The free time is largely your own. That suits independent visitors who prefer to set their pace, but it may disappoint anyone hoping for detailed commentary about Tabarca’s past or the coast.

One small weakness is the lack of regular information about points of interest along the route. You will see the island, the sea, beaches, and the Santa Pola area, but the trip is more about enjoying the setting than learning a lot of local history. You can improve the experience by reading a little about Tabarca before boarding.

The island stop also gives you a useful choice. You can spend most of the time in the water, split the time evenly, or make the village your main focus. That flexibility is better than being forced into one fixed activity.

The return sail past Santa Pola and Carabassi

After lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and time ashore, the catamaran turns back toward Alicante. The return sailing lasts about 1.5 hours and gives you a different view of the Costa Blanca.

Look for Carabassi Beach, known for its pale sand, and Cape Santa Pola with its lighthouse. From the water, familiar coastal places take on a different scale. The shoreline becomes a long view rather than a string of roads and buildings.

When conditions allow, the crew raises the main sail on the way back. This is often the quietest part of the day. You can sit back, listen to the music, rest on deck, or take a short nap while the coastline passes by.

The return can feel long if you are tired, sunburned, or ready for a shower. That is simply the trade-off of choosing a six-hour cruise instead of a quick ferry ride. For most people, the length works well because it gives enough time for both the island and the boat, but it is a full half-day commitment.

What the $85 price really covers

At $85, this is not the cheapest way to reach Tabarca. A basic ferry may cost less, especially if your only goal is to spend the day walking around the island. This cruise earns its higher price by combining transport with a full onboard experience.

Your fare includes:

• Round-trip catamaran sailing from Alicante
• Three hours around Tabarca
• Homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella
• Mixed salad and fruit
• One beer, wine, or tinto de verano
• Unlimited water, juice, and soft drinks
• Masks and fins for snorkeling
• Sailor-lifeguards during the swimming activity
• Onboard music and restroom access

For a group that would otherwise buy lunch, drinks, a ferry ticket, and snorkeling equipment, the cost is easier to justify. I also think the value improves if you enjoy being on the water. If you dislike boat rides or only want to explore Tabarca on foot, the ferry may suit you better.

The crew is another part of the value. Service has been consistently described as warm and attentive, with announcements available in Spanish, English, French, and German. Two crew members called Alex were singled out for their humor and friendly manner during one outing, though the exact crew can change from one date to another.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children or teenagers who want several activities in one day. The combination of swimming, snorkeling, food, music, and island time keeps the outing from feeling repetitive.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another stays on deck. Some can explore Tabarca village while others remain aboard. Vegetarians have a clear lunch option, and unlimited soft drinks help keep the cost under control for people who do not drink alcohol.

Very young children require more thought. The boat can be enjoyable for families, and the crew has been kind with children, but a six-hour open-water trip may be tiring for an infant or a toddler. There is no supervised children’s program, and swimming takes place from the boat rather than a shallow beach.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not a good fit if you need to bring luggage, a cooler, large bags, outside food, or drinks. High heels, pets, jewelry, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive early enough to find the catamaran beside Noray bar and attend the 15-minute presentation without stress. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, use strong sunscreen, and bring a towel and water shoes.

Leave valuable jewelry and unnecessary electronics at your accommodation. The operator accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, or breakage, and there is little reason to bring anything you cannot do without for six hours.

If the sea is rough, keep your balance and listen to the crew. The open deck is part of the pleasure, but wet surfaces and sudden movement require care. If you feel ill, ask the staff for help early instead of waiting until you feel worse.

The booking terms are friendly for changing plans: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. The cruise needs at least 15 participants to operate. If that number is not reached, you will be contacted about a new date or a refund.

Should you book the Alicante to Tabarca cruise?

Book it if you want a complete sea day, not just a boat ticket. The best parts are the spacious catamaran, the choice of swimming or exploring, the well-liked paella, and the steady supply of nonalcoholic drinks.

Think twice if you get badly seasick, need step-free access, or want a quiet, guided history tour. Also remember that the front nets go quickly, snorkeling is unguided, and the island visit depends on the shared timetable.

For most visitors with six hours to spare in Alicante, I think the $85 price is fair. You get a pleasant crossing, a real meal, time in the marine reserve, and a look at Tabarca without having to organize each piece yourself.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip take?

The full experience lasts six hours. The sailing from Alicante to Tabarca takes about 1.5 hours, the stop at Tabarca lasts about three hours, and the return sailing takes another 1.5 hours.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The catamaran departs from Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, beside Noray bar and in front of Mundo de los Niños at the Port of Alicante.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before departure. There is a presentation before the boat leaves, and punctuality is requested for the benefit of everyone onboard.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, mixed salad, and fruit.

What drinks are included?

One beer, wine, or tinto de verano is included. Water, juice, and soft drinks are available without limit. Additional alcoholic drinks and food cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks and fins are included. Snorkel tubes are not provided for hygiene reasons, but you can buy one onboard for €5.

Can I visit Tabarca village during the stop?

Yes. A small boat operates between the catamaran and Tabarca, allowing you to go ashore and return during the three-hour stop.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. Unaccompanied minors are also not allowed.