Alicante: 3-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

A swim stop in the open sea is the star of this Alicante outing. You sail from the city port toward Cabo de Huertas, stretch out on the catamaran’s front nets, then jump into the water for about an hour and a half of swimming, snorkeling, and free time. It is an easy way to trade a crowded beach for open water.

I like the relaxed three-hour pace and the chance to see Alicante from offshore. I also like the useful extras: fruit, one included drink, unlimited water and soft drinks, snorkeling masks and fins, floaties, music, and a restroom. The main drawback is that snorkeling is unguided, and the water may offer only a few small fish.

You should also allow for changing sea conditions. The front nets can be wonderfully breezy, but a choppy day may leave you wet. If you prefer to stay dry, sit farther back under cover.

Key points to know before you sail

• Cabo de Huertas is the main event: The boat anchors here for roughly 90 minutes, giving you proper time for a swim rather than a quick splash.
• The cruise runs from Alicante’s port: Find the maxi catamaran beside Noray bar, opposite Mundo de los Niños, and arrive 15 minutes early.
• Your ticket includes useful basics: You get one beer, wine, or tinto de verano, welcome fruit, unlimited water, soft drinks and juice, and snorkeling masks and fins.
• Snorkeling is self-guided: Sailor-lifeguards are present, but there is no guided underwater tour and snorkel tubes are not included.
• The boat has room to spread out: There are front nets, benches, tables, a covered section, a bar, onboard music, and a toilet.
• The $50 price is reasonable for the full package: It works best for you if you value swimming time, open-water views, and a comfortable boat more than a food-focused cruise.

Sailing out of Alicante for the first 45 minutes

The experience begins at Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, beside Noray bar and in front of Mundo de los Niños. I would arrive early, since there is a short presentation 15 minutes before departure and the crew asks everyone to be punctual. This is a marina meeting point, not a hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there.

Once aboard, you have several ways to settle in. The front nets are the most distinctive place to sit or lie down, with the sea directly below you. Benches and tables offer a more stable perch, while part of the catamaran is covered. That covered space matters on a hot day, during a passing shower, or when the wind picks up.

The outward cruise lasts about 45 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the feeling of leaving the city behind without turning the trip into an all-day commitment. You get a changing view of Alicante’s waterfront and coastline, seen from a distance rather than from the sand or a road.

I like this part because it gives you time to settle into the holiday mood. There is onboard music, and the atmosphere can range from quiet and restful to more social, depending on the day. One drink is included, either beer, wine, or tinto de verano, and water, soft drinks, and juice are available without limit. You also receive welcome fruit, though you should think of it as a light snack rather than a meal.

The boat itself is a major part of the value. It is a modern, large catamaran with room for nets, tables, benches, a bar, and a restroom. That setup is much more comfortable than a small open boat, particularly on a three-hour trip. Still, space depends on the number of people aboard. The operator requires at least 15 guests for the sailing, and on busy departures you may find the boat feels fairly full.

If you sit at the front, be ready for spray when the sea is choppy. That can be part of the fun if you are already in swimwear, but it is a poor choice if you want your clothes and phone to stay dry. A seat farther back is the sensible option in windy weather.

Cabo de Huertas and the open-water swim

After the outward sail, the catamaran anchors near Cap de l’Horta, known locally as Cabo de Huertas. The boat remains here for around an hour and a half, which is the most active and useful part of the trip.

You can swim, snorkel, relax on deck, or keep enjoying the view. The catamaran is designed to make getting into and out of the water fairly easy, and the crew provides life jackets and foam floaties. Those floaties are especially helpful if you are not a strong swimmer, although you still need to be comfortable in the sea. The activity is not suitable for unaccompanied minors or wheelchair users.

The water near the boat is described as clear and green, and the stop gives you a pleasant chance to cool off away from Alicante’s crowded beaches. I would set your expectations correctly, though. This is a sea swim with casual snorkeling, not a dedicated marine-life excursion. You might see small fish, but sightings are not guaranteed, and there is no underwater guide pointing out reefs or wildlife.

Masks and fins are included. Snorkel tubes are not supplied for hygiene reasons, but you can buy one aboard for €5. If you already own comfortable goggles or a snorkel, bringing your own is sensible. One useful detail is that the snorkeling is free and unguided, with sailor-lifeguards present during the activity. You are responsible for exploring at your own pace rather than following a formal lesson or group route.

That arrangement suits confident swimmers who want freedom. It may disappoint you if you expect a guided snorkeling tour or a large number of fish. The sea is the attraction here, not a guaranteed underwater show.

You can also stay aboard. Take a drink, eat some fruit, lie on the nets, or sit in the shade while other people swim. This flexibility makes the trip work for mixed groups, since not everyone has to get wet. The onboard toilet is another small but important comfort during the long stop.

What the views are really like from the catamaran

The view is not a short photo stop. You see Alicante and the Costa Blanca from the water during the full outward and return journeys, with the coastline changing position as the boat moves along it. This gives you a different sense of the city’s setting, especially if you have spent most of your time walking the streets or sitting on the beach.

From offshore, the city becomes part of a wider coastal scene. The return sail offers another 45 minutes to watch the shoreline and let the swimming gear dry. I would bring a phone or camera only if you can keep it secure and protected from spray. The operator advises leaving valuables at home and accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, or breakage.

Weather makes a real difference. On a calm day, the ride can feel gentle and restful. On a windier day, the front of the boat may be wet and the ride more lively. One practical approach is to arrive in swimwear with a towel and light clothing over it, rather than wearing an outfit you cannot afford to splash.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and flip-flops. High heels are not allowed, and you cannot bring food, drinks, luggage, large bags, jewelry, or a cooler. These rules are sensible on a boat, where loose objects can get in the way or be lost overboard.

Food, drinks, music, and the onboard mood

This is a sailing and swimming trip first, not a lunch cruise. Your included refreshments are welcome fruit, one beer, wine, or tinto de verano, plus unlimited water, soft drinks, and juice. Additional alcoholic drinks and food cost extra.

The fruit portion may be modest, so I would eat beforehand if you need a proper meal. The included drink adds to the holiday feel, but you should not book this expecting a full bar experience or elaborate catering. Drink prices aboard may feel high if you order more than the included serving.

Music plays throughout the cruise. The volume and style can vary, so I would expect background entertainment rather than a guaranteed party. The onboard setup has sometimes included live musical touches, but the supplied information only confirms music, not a fixed performer or program.

The crew is present throughout the trip and sailor-lifeguards supervise the swimming activity. Their role is practical rather than that of a tour guide. You will get help with the boat and water access, but snorkeling is not led in several languages or structured around commentary about marine life.

The host or greeter service is available in Spanish, English, French, and German. That is useful at departure and for basic instructions, particularly if your group is international.

Is $50 good value for three hours?

At $50 per person, I see this as fair value if you plan to use the full package. You are paying for a three-hour catamaran ride, two 45-minute coastal sails, roughly 90 minutes at the swim stop, a large boat with a restroom, one drink, fruit, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay for a beach chair, drinks, and a separate boat trip. The boat gives you a change of setting without requiring a full day. It also saves you from arranging transport to a more distant swimming spot.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a serious snorkeling experience. There is no guide, no guarantee of fish, and no supplied snorkel tube. Likewise, if you want a meal included, you will need to budget for food separately or eat before you arrive.

I think the three-hour length is one of the strongest points. A six-hour cruise may suit you if you want a full day on the water, but this shorter sailing fits neatly into an Alicante itinerary. You can spend the morning sightseeing, take the cruise in the afternoon, or use it as a final relaxed activity before leaving town.

The trip requires a minimum of 15 guests to operate. If that number is not reached, you will be contacted about a new date or a refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A comfortable way to see Alicante from offshore
• A genuine open-water swim rather than another crowded beach day
• A relaxed activity that takes only three hours
• A boat with shade, seating, nets, a bar, and a restroom
• A casual snorkeling option without a formal lesson
• A social outing for couples, families with accompanied older children, or groups of friends

You should think twice if you need step-free access, since the cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not a good choice if you cannot swim or are uncomfortable in open water, even though floaties and life jackets are available.

The cruise is less suitable for you if your main goal is to identify marine life. The stop is attractive for swimming and sea views, but snorkeling conditions and fish sightings vary. You may see small fish, or you may find the underwater view fairly quiet.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear your swimsuit under easy clothing and bring a towel. Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and flip-flops are more useful than extra luggage, which is not permitted.

Protect your phone and wallet from spray. I would avoid bringing jewelry and unnecessary valuables, especially if you plan to spend time in the water. A waterproof phone pouch is useful, but this is a practical suggestion rather than something supplied by the operator.

If you want the sun, claim a place on the front nets. If you want shade or less spray, head toward the rear and covered areas. On a breezy day, sitting toward the back is the simplest way to stay drier.

Bring your own goggles or snorkel if you have them. Masks and fins are included, but snorkel tubes are sold separately for €5. Pool noodles and other floatation aids may be available, and life jackets are provided for the water activity.

Finally, arrive 15 minutes early. The meeting point is next to Noray bar, in front of Mundo de los Niños, and the boat will not wait indefinitely for late arrivals. There is a short pre-departure presentation, so punctuality helps you start without stress.

Should you book the Alicante catamaran cruise?

I would book this if you want an easy half-day on the water with strong coastal views, a proper swim stop, and a comfortable boat. The crew, boat design, relaxed mood, and swimming time are the strongest reasons to go.

I would not choose it for a guided snorkeling lesson, a full meal, or guaranteed marine life. At $50, it offers good value when you treat it as a scenic sailing trip with swimming, not as a specialist snorkeling tour. For most Alicante visitors, it is a pleasant change from the beach and a simple way to see the coast from a fresh angle.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The catamaran departs from Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to Noray bar and opposite Mundo de los Niños in Alicante’s port area.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours. The outward sail takes about 45 minutes, the stop near Cabo de Huertas lasts around 1.5 hours, and the return sail takes about 45 minutes.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The catamaran anchors near Cabo de Huertas, where you have free time for swimming and snorkeling.

Is snorkeling guided?

No. Snorkeling is available without a guide. Sailor-lifeguards are present during the activity.

Are snorkeling masks and fins included?

Yes. Masks and fins are included. Snorkel tubes are not provided, but you can purchase one onboard for €5.

What drinks are included?

You receive one beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Water, soft drinks, and juice are available without limit.

Is food included?

Welcome fruit is included, but additional food is not. The fruit is a light snack rather than a full meal.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and flip-flops. You should avoid bringing valuables.

Can wheelchair users join the cruise?

No. This activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.