Dénia & Jávea: Portixol Sailing Catamaran Excursion with BBQ

The best part of this Dénia and Jávea catamaran trip is simple: you spend the day on the water instead of squeezing onto a crowded beach. The boat follows a handsome stretch of coast with coves, clear water, and steep cliffs, then anchors for a swim before serving lunch on deck.

I like the roomy catamaran, which offers both sunny net seating and shaded tables. I also like the easy mix of swimming, food, music, and unhurried coastal views. The main thing to keep in mind is that the swimming stop stays close to the boat, and rough seas can force the crew to change the planned cove or even substitute paella for the advertised BBQ.

Key points to know

• A swim stop away from the beach: You swim from the anchored catamaran, with access by stairs, the side, or the front of the boat.
• A filling onboard lunch: Expect vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, fruit, and one sangria, soft drink, or water.
• Shade as well as sun: The central seating area gives you a break from the open nets and strong Spanish sun.
• The itinerary can change: Wind and sea conditions may alter the cove, boat type, or meal.
• Good value at $65: The fare covers the cruise, lunch, and one drink, but extra drinks cost more.
• Plan for a physical boat experience: This trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Setting out from Dénia or Jávea

The cruise begins in the morning and returns in the afternoon, with the full outing lasting about 3.5 to 5 hours depending on the option you book. Some departures operate from Dénia, while the Jávea option has been described as a shorter 3.5-hour catamaran trip.

Check the exact meeting point when you reserve. It can vary by departure, and pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to make your own way to the port.

I like the morning schedule because it leaves most of the day free. You get the main coastal experience before dinner, and you avoid turning a boat outing into an all-day commitment. The timing also gives you enough room for a proper swim and lunch rather than a quick pass along the shore.

The crew speaks Spanish and English. There is no named guide listed, but the crew handles the sailing, meal service, swimming stop, and any changes caused by the sea. You should pay attention to their instructions, especially if you plan to use the water access points or bring children.

Coastline views between Dénia and Jávea

The boat’s main attraction is the coast itself. From the water, you see coves, steep cliffs, and clear swimming areas that look quite different from the busy beaches reached by road.

This is not a sightseeing cruise packed with a long list of formal stops. Instead, the pleasure comes from sitting back as the coast slips past, with time to take photographs, listen to music, or claim a place in the sun. I’d choose this outing for a relaxed day on the Mediterranean, not for a detailed history lesson or a tightly scheduled tour.

The catamaran gives you several ways to enjoy the ride. The open nets are the obvious choice if you want the sensation of being above the water, while the central seating has tables and shade. That second option matters more than it may sound. Spanish sun can become tiring after several hours, and you may want to eat or rest without being exposed the whole time.

The nets can be reserved for certain passengers, depending on the departure. One booking described extra payment for net seats, with wristbands used to identify those who had access. If lying at the front of the boat is important to you, check the option details before paying. Otherwise, the regular seating still gives you a good place to enjoy the coast.

The cove stop and swimming from the boat

At some point, the catamaran anchors in an attractive cove for a swim. The stop can last around an hour and a half on the Jávea version, giving you enough time to enter the water, cool off, and return to the boat for lunch.

You do not swim to a separate beach or cave. You remain near the catamaran, which is an important distinction if you imagined exploring the shore. The benefit is that you avoid a crowded public beach and have direct access to open water. The tradeoff is less freedom to wander.

You can enter by stairs, from the side, or from the front of the boat. Some departures also have a slide, which adds a little fun for confident swimmers and older children. You may see fish in the clear water, and a snorkel is worth packing if you enjoy looking below the surface.

Bring your own swimming aids for young children if they need them. The available information does not promise child flotation equipment, so do not assume the boat will provide exactly what your family requires.

Jellyfish have been seen in the water, though one account described them as non-stinging types. Conditions can change, so I would still use ordinary caution and follow the crew’s advice. If you are nervous in open water, the boat’s steps give you a more controlled way in and out than jumping from the deck.

Sea conditions can also change the swim location. One departure could not reach its planned cove because the water was rough. That is a sensible safety adjustment, but it means you should treat the exact route as flexible.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and the onboard rhythm

Lunch is included, and the standard meal is substantial enough to count as a real midday break. You get vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, and fruit, plus one drink: sangria, a soft drink, or water.

The meal is served onboard during or around the swimming stop. The food has generally been described as tasty and plentiful, with chicken and pork as the main meat choices. One account noted that there was enough food for some people to take an extra portion, although an older experience described the BBQ as limited. That difference tells you to expect a casual boat lunch, not a restaurant meal.

A vegetarian option is available, but you must advise the local partner when booking. Do this early rather than hoping to arrange it at the table.

Additional drinks can be bought onboard. Snacks such as crisps may also be available, but they are not part of the included package. At $65 per person, the price is reasonable because it covers the catamaran, several hours at sea, lunch, and a drink. It becomes less of a bargain if you add paid net seating, several drinks, or snacks, so check the extras before you book.

The atmosphere includes music, and the trip may become livelier on the return to port. Dancing has been part of the experience on some departures. That will appeal to you if you want a social afternoon, but it may not suit you if you are seeking a quiet sailing trip.

Space, shade, and the question of crowding

The catamaran is described as much larger than expected, with room for open seating and a shaded central section. That layout gives you a useful choice: stretch out in the sun, sit at a table, or move between the two.

Crowding can vary. An older departure was described as packed, while more recent accounts praise the amount of room. The boat’s size helps, but it does not guarantee a low passenger count on every sailing.

I would arrive ready to claim a comfortable place without treating the seating as fixed. If you want shade for the whole cruise, head there early. If you want net seating, confirm that your booking includes it, since access may be controlled with wristbands.

Smoking may also affect your comfort. A no-smoking sign was reportedly present, but some passengers still smoked during the cruise. If you are sensitive to smoke, choose your seat with that possibility in mind and speak to the crew if needed.

Boat cleanliness has been praised, and the crew has been described as friendly and well organized. The crew also communicates changes when weather affects the route, which is particularly useful on a water-based outing where the cove and vessel may need to change.

What to bring for a comfortable half-day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make a boat day easier:

• A sun hat
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• A snorkel if you want to see fish
• Swimming aids for young children if they need them

The sun is part of the appeal, but it can also wear you down. Use the shaded seating, reapply sunscreen, and drink water even if you are spending much of the time swimming.

Wear something that dries reasonably quickly and keep valuables secure. The supplied information does not promise lockers or dry storage, so I would avoid bringing anything you cannot afford to get wet.

The boat’s access points make the swim stop fairly flexible, but this is still an active outing. You need to move around a vessel, use steps, and get in and out of the water. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

How the changes affect the experience

The advertised plan is a catamaran cruise with a BBQ, but conditions and local operations can alter the details. On one recent trip, the boat changed from a sailing vessel to a motor-powered boat, and the meal changed from BBQ to paella. The outing still went ahead, but the experience was not exactly the one originally expected.

That possibility is worth accepting before you reserve. A motor-powered boat may provide a steadier schedule, while paella is a perfectly fitting Spanish lunch, but neither is the same as sailing quietly with a grilled meal.

Weather can also move the swim stop. Rough seas may keep the boat from reaching the planned cove, and the crew may choose a different anchorage. I see this as a normal part of a coastal cruise rather than a flaw, provided you are happy to let the crew make sensible safety decisions.

The flexible itinerary is one reason I would not book this as your only chance to see a specific cave or beach. Book it for the broader experience: time on the water, swimming, lunch, and views.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip

I think this works best for couples, families with confident swimmers, and friends who want a social half-day without arranging their own boat. You get more than a basic sightseeing ride, but less than a private charter.

Families should appreciate the range of water access, the food, and the space to move between sun and shade. Parents should bring any flotation equipment their children need and remember that the boat may have music and other passengers nearby.

It is also a good fit if you want a break from beach crowds. You can swim from the catamaran in a scenic cove and return to the boat for lunch, rather than carrying gear to a packed strip of sand.

I would hesitate if you need a quiet, highly controlled itinerary, have limited mobility, or want to walk ashore during the swim stop. The trip keeps you on the boat, and the exact route depends on conditions.

Is $65 a fair price?

At $65, I consider this solid value for a shared boat excursion. You receive 3.5 to 5 hours on the water, a swim stop, lunch, one drink, and the use of a large catamaran with shaded seating.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat rental, a beach lunch, and transport to several coastal viewpoints. You also avoid the work of planning a route around the coves yourself.

Keep a little extra money available for drinks and any optional net seating. Pickup is not included, and the meeting point varies by booking, so your total cost also includes getting to the port.

The rating of 4.2 from 288 reviews suggests a generally dependable experience with some variation. Most of the strongest praise centers on the friendly crew, tasty and plentiful food, music, room on the boat, and the swim stop. The main cautions are changes to the advertised boat or meal, occasional smoking, possible crowding, and the lack of a formal safety briefing noted by one passenger.

Should you book the Dénia and Jávea catamaran?

Book this trip if you want a pleasant day on the Mediterranean with swimming, lunch, music, and coastal views all handled for you. At $65, it offers a good amount of time and food for the money, especially if you enjoy a social boat setting.

I would book early in your holiday if you have room in your schedule. That gives you a chance to repeat the outing if the first day is especially good, and it leaves flexibility if weather changes the route.

Skip it if your priority is reaching a particular cave, walking ashore, or having a quiet private sail. For everyone else, bring a towel, a hat, biodegradable sunscreen, and realistic expectations about changes. The sea decides part of the itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The cruise departs from a port in Dénia, while some options may operate from Jávea. The exact meeting point can vary depending on the option you book.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is about 3.5 to 5 hours. Check the available departure option for the exact starting time and duration.

What food is included?

Lunch includes vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, and fruit. A vegetarian option is available if you advise the local partner when booking.

What drink is included?

You receive one drink, chosen from sangria, soft drinks, or water. Additional drinks are available to buy onboard.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a cove for a swim stop. You swim near the boat rather than traveling to a separate beach or cave.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen. A snorkel may also be useful, and you should bring swimming aids for children if they need them.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.