Denia: Cova tallada Catamaran Trip w/ Mussel Tasting & Wine

Cova Tallada is the star here, but you do not enter it. Boramar’s motor catamaran takes you from Dénia toward Las Rotas, pauses as close as sea conditions and reserve rules allow, then serves mussels with a drink before returning to port. The coastline view and the low $18 price are the main reasons to consider it.

I like the short one-hour format, which fits neatly into a Dénia day, and I like that the mussel tasting is part of the fare rather than an extra purchase. The catch is simple: this is a scenic cruise, not a full cave visit, and one recent passenger found the boat spent only about five minutes in front of Cova Tallada.

Key points at a glance

• Cova Tallada from the water: You get the closest boat view permitted inside the Natural Marine Reserve, but there is no landing.
• A compact one-hour outing: The ride includes roughly 20 minutes toward the cave, 10 minutes for the tasting, and 20 minutes back, with the remaining time used for boarding and maneuvering.
• Mussels and one drink included: You receive mussels plus white wine, water, or a soft drink.
• A Costa Blanca view without a long commitment: The route passes beaches and cliffs near Las Rotas.
• Spanish-language hosting: The host or greeter operates in Spanish.
• Weather can change the plan: The captain decides the route when sea conditions are unsuitable, and a sailing was canceled because of bad weather in one reported case.

What this Dénia catamaran ride really offers

This trip is best understood as a pleasant coastal sampler. You leave from Boramar Catamaranes Dénia in the harbor, head along the coast by motor catamaran, look toward the cliffs and beaches near Las Rotas, and approach Cova Tallada from the sea.

The boat does not take you into the cave. Cova Tallada sits within a Natural Marine Reserve, so access from the catamaran is restricted. You see the scenic area from the closest point allowed, which may be enough if your goal is a quick coastal look rather than an active cave outing.

At $18 per person, the price is appealing for a one-hour boat trip that includes a tasting and a drink. I would not book it expecting a long sail, a swim stop, or a guided geology lesson. You are paying for a short view of the Costa Blanca, a relaxed boat setting, and a small food service.

The experience has a 4.3 rating from 123 ratings, with especially warm feedback about the generous mussel serving and friendly attitude on board. That praise matters because the tasting is not just a token item on the schedule. One especially positive account described the mussels as generous and the welcome as warm.

Leaving Dénia harbor toward Las Rotas

The meeting point is the Boramar ticket office in Dénia’s harbor. After boarding, the catamaran heads toward Las Rotas, a coastal area known here for its beaches, rocky shoreline, and access to the marine reserve views.

The outward section takes about 20 minutes. That gives you enough time to settle in, enjoy the music, and watch Dénia recede while the coast becomes the focus. Because this is a motor catamaran, the point is not a slow, silent sailing experience. You are on a powered sightseeing boat designed to cover the short route efficiently.

I like this opening because it gives the trip a clear purpose. You are not simply circling the harbor. The boat makes for a particular coastal target, and the ride lets you see the shore from a different angle than you would from the road or a beach path.

The music adds a more social feel. If you want a quiet nature cruise, this may not be your ideal boat trip. If you enjoy an easygoing outing with a bit of atmosphere, the music helps keep the short ride lively.

Seeing Cova Tallada without stepping ashore

Cova Tallada is the key sight, and expectations matter here. The catamaran gets as close as possible, but the cave cannot be accessed from the boat because it is in the Natural Marine Reserve.

That means you should think of this as a viewing stop. The boat pauses near the scenic area so you can look toward the cave and surrounding cliffs. The exact approach depends on the captain and sea conditions, so the amount of time directly in front of the cave can vary.

One person felt the overall route was short and the catamaran remained in front of Cova Tallada for only about five minutes. That is a useful warning, not a minor detail. If Cova Tallada is the main reason you are coming to Dénia, you may want a land-based visit or a longer excursion instead. This boat trip gives you a glimpse, not a thorough exploration.

Still, the water view has its own value. You see the cave area as part of the coast, with the cliffs and sea setting the scene. The boat also saves you from planning a longer outing if all you want is a brief look from offshore.

Mussels, white wine, and a little onboard fun

The food stop lasts about 10 minutes. Mussel tasting is included, along with one drink: white wine, water, or a soft drink.

I like this combination because it suits the setting. Mussels and white wine make the boat ride feel connected to the coast, while water and a soft drink give you a nonalcoholic choice. The food is not presented as a full meal, so plan to eat before or after if you need lunch.

The tasting received some of the strongest praise in the available feedback. The mussels were described as generous, and another account called the food excellent and the atmosphere wonderful. You should not read that as a promise of a large meal, but it does suggest that the tasting can be more satisfying than the low price might lead you to expect.

Food and drinks from outside are not allowed on board. That rule is straightforward, and it also explains why you should not plan to bring a picnic for the ride. Your included drink is the practical option during the excursion.

Music plays while you enjoy the tasting. The result is more casual than formal. You can look at the coast, eat, and listen without needing to follow a long commentary program. The host language is Spanish, so do not book this expecting an English-speaking guide or detailed bilingual narration.

The return to Dénia and the real timing

After the cave viewing and tasting, the boat turns back toward Dénia. The return ride takes about 20 minutes, bringing you to the same Boramar Catamaranes Dénia harbor area where the trip began.

The listed duration is one hour. The stated schedule gives about 20 minutes outbound, 10 minutes for the food tasting, and 20 minutes back, with the rest allowing for boarding, positioning, and the cave stop. In practical terms, this is a tightly timed outing.

That short duration is a strength if you have a packed schedule. You can fit the cruise between time at Dénia’s harbor, a meal, or another Costa Blanca stop. It is also a weakness if you want long scenic pauses. A one-hour trip leaves little room for delays, extended cave viewing, or extra coastal detours.

The captain has final say over the route when the sea is rough or conditions change. A reported October sailing was canceled on site because of weather, with the passenger later concerned about the refund. The booking terms provide free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a full refund, but weather-related changes can still affect your day, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Is $18 good value for this boat trip?

At $18, the value is solid if you want three things: a short catamaran ride, a view of Cova Tallada from the sea, and a small tasting with a drink.

The price is especially reasonable for someone who does not want to spend half a day on a boat. You get a fixed route, a reserve coastline, music, mussels, and a drink without committing to a long excursion. For a couple or family looking for a simple coastal activity, the cost is easy to justify.

The value drops if your main goal is cave access. You cannot disembark at Cova Tallada, and the actual viewing time may be brief. The route is also not presented as a swimming trip or an extended sailing experience.

I would compare the price with your priorities. If you want a quick taste of the coast, this is a good low-cost choice. If you want silence, a long open-water sail, or time to study the cave, spend more time researching a different type of outing.

Who will enjoy this Dénia experience most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a light activity that does not take over your day. It works well for first-time visitors who want to see the Costa Blanca from the water without arranging a complicated boat charter.

It also suits you if you enjoy food as part of sightseeing. The mussel tasting gives the ride a local coastal flavor, and the choice of white wine, water, or a soft drink keeps the offering practical.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the one-hour length, though the available information does not specify child facilities or accessibility details. Anyone who needs those services should confirm them with Boramar before booking.

You may want to skip it if your central aim is to enter Cova Tallada. The boat cannot provide that. You should also think twice if you dislike onboard music or want a Spanish-speaking guide to provide detailed commentary in another language.

Since the route depends on the sea, I would avoid placing this activity immediately before an important connection. The excursion is short, but weather can affect departures and route decisions.

Practical advice before you book

Look for the Boramar ticket office at the Dénia harbor. The exact ship is not guaranteed, so focus on the route and inclusions rather than expecting a particular catamaran.

Book with the weather in mind. The captain may alter the route when sea conditions require it, and a previous sailing was canceled because of weather. If your schedule is tight, keep another plan nearby.

Choose your included drink at the time of the tasting: white wine, water, or a soft drink. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, so eat before boarding if you need more than the mussel tasting.

Keep your expectations centered on the view. Cova Tallada is approached from the water, not entered. The closest point depends on reserve rules and sea conditions, and the stop may be short.

The host or greeter is Spanish-speaking. That should not prevent you from enjoying the scenery, food, and music, but it is worth knowing if you need detailed explanations in another language.

Should you book the Boramar catamaran trip?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, easy one-hour outing from Dénia with a clear coastal route, a view of Cova Tallada, mussels, and one drink. The strongest part is the mix of scenery and tasting, and the short format makes it easy to fit into a busy Costa Blanca schedule.

Skip it if you want to enter the cave, spend a long time beside it, or take a quiet sailing trip with extensive guiding. For everyone else, $18 buys a pleasant snapshot of the coast, with the sensible warning that weather and sea conditions control the final route.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

It starts at the Boramar Catamaranes Dénia ticket office in Dénia’s harbor.

How long is the experience?

The complete experience lasts one hour.

Does the catamaran enter Cova Tallada?

No. Cova Tallada is in a Natural Marine Reserve, so the catamaran cannot access the cave. You see it from as close as the boat is allowed to approach.

What route does the boat take?

The motor catamaran travels from Dénia toward Las Rotas, follows the coast, approaches the Cova Tallada area, and then returns to the harbor.

Is food included?

Yes. A mussel tasting is included.

What drink is included?

You receive one drink, choosing from white wine, water, or a soft drink.

Can I bring my own food or drinks?

No. Outside food and drinks are not allowed on board.

What language does the host speak?

The host or greeter speaks Spanish.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The captain decides the route according to sea conditions, and the sailing may be canceled or altered when conditions are unsuitable.