Cambrils: Catamaran Cruise with Drinks and BBQ Lunch Option

The best part of this Cambrils catamaran cruise is the reserved Balinese bed. You do not need to race for a good place on deck. After sailing along the coast, the catamaran anchors between Cap Salou and La Pineda, where you can swim, snorkel, or simply stretch out with a drink.

I like the generous drink selection, which includes Cava, beer, wine, vermouth, soft drinks, and Aperol. I also like the easy three-hour rhythm: sail, stop for the sea, eat, then cruise back. The main thing to keep in mind is that the boat may motor rather than sail, and the swim stop depends on weather and sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Your own Balinese bed: Collect your bed number before boarding, then use your assigned place during the cruise.
• A swim stop near Cap Salou: The catamaran usually anchors after about 45 minutes to one hour, giving you time in the water.
• A strong drinks package: Cava, beer, wine, vermouth, Aperol, and soft drinks are included.
• BBQ lunch on the relevant option: Food is served onboard, with halal sausages and chicken kebabs available according to the supplied experience details.
• A short, social outing: Music, open deck space, and a small-group option make this more about easygoing fun than serious sightseeing.
• Plan your transfer from Salou: In July and August, taxis can be hard to find, while the public bus to Cambrils runs about every 20 minutes.

Leaving Cambrils on a wide catamaran deck

This cruise begins at one of several points along the Cambrils promenade, including locations on Passeig de les Palmeres and Passeig de Miramar. Your exact meeting point depends on the booking option, so check it carefully before setting off.

Before you board, go to the sales point in front of the catamaran. This is where you collect the number of your assigned Balinese bed. That small step matters. The beds are part of the appeal, and knowing your number removes the usual scramble for deck space.

From the harbor, the catamaran follows the Catalonia coast. The sailing portion lasts roughly 45 minutes to one hour before the first stop, although the full outing runs for about two to three hours. You get open views of the coast, plenty of sun, and a broad deck that feels less cramped than a small excursion boat.

The boat’s layout suits people who want a relaxed afternoon rather than a formal sightseeing trip. You can sit on your bed, move to the front beanbags, or use the wider deck. Some beds include both sun and shade, which is useful during the hotter months. You will still want to bring a towel, and sunscreen is a sensible extra even though it is not listed among the required items.

The Cap Salou and La Pineda swim stop

The main event comes when the catamaran anchors between Cap Salou and La Pineda. The water here is described as clear and turquoise, with views toward the seabed around Cap Salou. Depending on the wind, the route may instead head south toward the Montroig area, where the water can appear an especially deep blue.

This is not a quick photo stop. You have time to enter the sea, swim, or use the provided snorkeling gear to look for marine life. Steps are lowered into the water, and life jackets are available for anyone who feels unsure. That makes the stop more approachable for mixed groups, including people who are comfortable relaxing on deck but less confident in open water.

The sea is the part of the trip most affected by conditions. On a stormy day, the crew may decide that swimming is unsafe because of strong currents. The cruise can still continue, with the food, beds, and coastal views available, but you should not book this expecting guaranteed water time in every kind of weather.

If swimming is important to you, choose a day with a good forecast and keep your plans flexible. The crew’s decision to cancel swimming in poor conditions is a sensible safety measure, even if it changes the shape of the outing.

Food, BBQ, and the drink selection

Food and drinks are included, which gives this cruise much of its value. Snacks are served onboard, and the drink list goes well beyond the standard beer and soft drinks. You can choose from Cava, wine, vermouth, Aperol, beer, and nonalcoholic drinks.

The BBQ lunch is part of the relevant booking option. The meal has received especially strong praise for its taste and selection, including halal sausages and chicken kebabs. That is a useful detail for groups with different dietary needs, although you should check the exact option and current food arrangements when booking.

The meal is best viewed as a casual boat lunch, not a restaurant experience. One part of the supplied feedback found the food merely okay, while other comments praised the BBQ. That difference is fair warning: the strongest reason to book is the combination of boat time, swimming, reserved seating, and drinks. The food adds value, but it should not be the sole reason you choose the cruise.

The drink package is more consistently appealing. Aperol, vermouth, wine, Cava, and beer give the afternoon a festive feel, while soft drinks keep the arrangement practical for non-drinkers and families. Music is also played onboard, usually adding a relaxed holiday atmosphere rather than a quiet nature cruise.

A closer look at the three-hour rhythm

The itinerary is simple, and that is part of its charm.

You begin in Cambrils and spend the first stretch cruising south along the coast. This gives you time to settle into your bed, take in the sea views, and have a first drink or snack. The exact route depends on wind direction, so the boat may head toward Cap Salou, La Pineda, or farther south toward Montroig.

After around 45 minutes to one hour, the catamaran anchors. This is your chance to swim, snorkel, use the steps into the sea, or stay dry and enjoy the deck. The stop provides the clearest break in the trip, so I would have your towel ready and avoid burying your swimwear at the bottom of a bag.

Food is served during the outing, with the BBQ available through the appropriate option. You can eat, continue enjoying the drinks, and spend time on deck before the return run.

The final stretch brings you back toward Cambrils. The whole experience takes around two to three hours, with the itinerary commonly described as a three-hour outing. That length works well if you want a proper coastal activity without giving up an entire day at the beach.

What the reserved bed really adds

A Balinese bed may sound like a small luxury, but it changes how the trip feels. On many boat excursions, the best seats disappear quickly and people spend part of the trip standing, shifting around, or trying to find shade. Here, you collect a number and have a designated place.

The beds are not necessarily fully shaded. Some positions receive a mix of sun and shade, while the front beanbags offer another place to relax. You may find people moving around during the trip, so the assigned bed does not mean you are tied to one spot. It simply gives you a reliable base.

This feature is especially useful for couples, friends on a beach holiday, and anyone who wants to lie back instead of sitting upright for three hours. It also makes the cruise feel less crowded, even when the boat has a full group.

Getting to the port from Salou

Cambrils and Salou are close, but getting to the boat on time needs thought during July and August. Taxis can be difficult to find, particularly when demand is high. The practical advice is to arrange one well in advance, with about two hours of lead time suggested for a departure-day booking.

Public transport is the safer budget choice. The bus from Salou to Cambrils runs about every 20 minutes and leaves you roughly 300 meters from the boarding area. Allow enough time to find the sales point and collect your bed number before boarding.

Because there are several possible meeting points on the promenade, do not rely on a vague memory of where the boat is. Check the precise address for your option, then aim to arrive early. The ticket desk is directly in front of the catamaran, which makes the final step straightforward once you are in the right part of Cambrils.

Who will enjoy this Cambrils cruise

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a light, social day on the water with the practical extras already arranged. The reserved bed, food, drinks, music, and swim stop remove much of the planning that comes with organizing your own boat day.

It suits:

• Couples who want a relaxed coastal afternoon
• Families with older children who can enjoy swimming from the boat
• Friends looking for an easygoing activity with drinks and music
• Visitors who want sun and sea time without a full-day excursion
• Mixed groups where some people swim and others prefer to stay on deck

It is less suitable if you want a quiet sailing lesson, a detailed coastal history tour, or a guaranteed snorkeling experience. The cruise has a live guide in Spanish, English, Catalan, French, German, and Dutch, but the main focus is leisure rather than detailed commentary.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with a cold. The sea stop also requires enough comfort with boat steps and open water, although life jackets are available.

How good is the $35 value?

At $35 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to make use of the food, drinks, bed, and swim stop. Paying separately for a boat trip, lunch, several drinks, and a comfortable place to lie down would normally make the total more complicated and potentially more expensive.

The value is strongest for an afternoon booking in good weather. You receive a three-hour activity, coastal views, access to swimming and snorkeling, and a drink package that includes more than the usual basics. The Balinese bed also gives the price a clear advantage over a basic harbor cruise.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not care about the BBQ, or are mainly hoping for a long snorkeling session. In those cases, a simple beach day may cost less. The cruise is selling a complete, easy package, not just transportation along the coast.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later also make it easier to fit into a changing holiday schedule. Starting times vary, so check availability for the day you want.

What can affect your experience

The weather is the biggest variable. Calm, sunny conditions give you the full mix of sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Strong wind or a local storm can change the route and may lead the crew to keep everyone out of the water.

The boat may also use its engine instead of setting sail. That means you should not book this specifically for a quiet sailing experience. The coastal cruise still goes ahead as a boat trip, but the sound and feel are different when the engine is running.

Crowd levels can vary, although each person having a designated bed helps. A small-group option is available, but you should confirm that option when booking rather than assume every departure has the same group size.

Finally, plan for the sun. Bring a towel, wear suitable swimwear, and be ready for several hours outdoors. The deck offers some shade through bed placement and movement around the boat, but this remains a sunny sea outing.

Should you book the Cambrils catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, three-hour break from the beach with a reserved place to relax, a swim in the Catalonian sea, a good range of drinks, and a BBQ option. The strongest features are the assigned Balinese beds, the friendly onboard setup, and the chance to combine swimming with lunch without arranging anything separately.

Think twice if your priority is traditional sailing, detailed guiding, or guaranteed snorkeling in calm water. For most people looking for an easy coastal afternoon from Cambrils, though, the $35 price makes sense, especially when the weather is settled and you can take full advantage of the swim stop and inclusive drinks.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

Departure points are on the Cambrils promenade, including Passeig de les Palmeres and Passeig de Miramar. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about two to three hours, with the itinerary commonly described as a three-hour cruise and sightseeing outing.

Is food included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included. The BBQ lunch is available with the relevant BBQ option, along with snacks onboard.

Which drinks are included?

The included drinks can include Cava, soft drinks, beer, vermouth, wine, and Aperol.

Do I get a reserved seat?

Yes. You receive an assigned Balinese bed number before boarding. Collect it at the sales point in front of the catamaran.

Can I swim during the cruise?

The catamaran normally anchors between Cap Salou and La Pineda for swimming. Depending on the wind, it may travel south toward Montroig instead. Swimming can be stopped if sea conditions are unsafe.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is available for use during the water stop.

Which languages are available?

Live guides are available in Spanish, English, Catalan, French, German, and Dutch.

Can I get to Cambrils from Salou by public transport?

Yes. Public transport from Salou to Cambrils runs about every 20 minutes and leaves you around 300 meters from the boarding area. Taxis may be difficult to find in July and August, so arrange one well ahead if you prefer a taxi.