Valencia: Catamaran Cruise, Paella Lunch and Swim Stop

The best part of this Valencia outing is the simple combination: a proper paella lunch at sea, followed by a jump into the Mediterranean. You get a pleasant boat ride, a meal, music, and a swim without paying for a full-day sailing trip.

I like the casual catamaran setting and the fact that lunch is included rather than treated as an add-on. I also like the relaxed crew, with Ulysses, Javi, Álvaro, Marco, and Captain Pepe singled out for friendly service. The main drawback is the swim stop: it may feel short, especially since it usually comes after lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Chicken paella is served onboard: Lunch includes salad, Valencian chicken paella, fruit, and one drink.
• The swim stop is offshore: You can jump from the catamaran into the Mediterranean near Port Saplaya.
• The total outing lasts about 2.5 hours: The sailing portion is described as roughly two hours, so allow the full stated duration.
• The atmosphere is easygoing: Music plays at a moderate volume, and extra drinks are available for purchase.
• English and Spanish are available: The host or greeter speaks both languages.
• Swimming time can be brief: This suits a quick sea dip better than a long beach-style swim.

Valencia paella with a sea breeze

This tour works because it joins two very Valencian pleasures: rice cooked in the local style and time beside the Mediterranean. You are not simply sitting in a restaurant eating paella, and you are not spending the entire outing on a boat with no plan. The meal gives the cruise a clear purpose, while the swim keeps the afternoon from becoming passive.

The setting is a catamaran operated by Boramar catamaranes. From the deck, you can look back toward Valencia’s coast and enjoy open-water views as the boat moves away from shore. The appeal is less about a packed sightseeing schedule and more about the change of pace. For a few hours, your main decisions are where to sit, whether to swim, and which included drink to choose.

At $41 per person, the price is reasonable if you want several elements bundled together. You receive the catamaran ride, crew and fuel, lunch, swimming time, and one drink. A similar outing can become expensive when food, boat access, and drinks are priced separately, so this package makes sense for visitors who want a compact sea day rather than a simple harbor ride.

Finding the Boramar departure point

You need to reach the meeting point yourself. At the same location, look for the BORAMAR ticket booth and exchange your tickets there before boarding. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so leave enough time to get to the departure area.

Advance booking is essential, and the tour requires at least 15 people to operate. That minimum matters if your schedule is tight. The trip is also subject to weather conditions, so keep a little flexibility in your plans, especially if your Valencia visit is short.

The booking terms are useful for a weather-sensitive activity. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check the available departure times before committing, since the start time is not fixed in the information provided here.

What the catamaran ride feels like

Once aboard, the focus is on open air, cooling wind, and wide views of the Valencian coast. The catamaran is described as modern and comfortable, with room for a group of about 30 on one reported trip. That is a useful sense of scale: this is a shared excursion, but not necessarily a tightly packed party boat.

I would choose a seat with a clear view if coastal scenery matters to you. The ride offers a chance to see Valencia from a different angle, though it is not presented as a guided coastal history tour. One useful point from the available details is that the crew may not provide much commentary about the area, so book this for the water, food, and atmosphere rather than for a formal sightseeing lecture.

Music forms part of the outing. Reports describe it as enjoyable and not too loud, though musical taste varies. This is not a silent sailing trip, but the volume should allow the boat to feel social without making conversation impossible.

The crew receives especially strong praise. Ulysses and the team, along with Javi, Álvaro, Marco, and Captain Pepe, are named for friendly and attentive service. The staff help shape the mood here. A short cruise can feel rushed when the crew is distant, but warm service makes the meal and swim stop feel more relaxed.

Lunch: salad, chicken paella, fruit, and one drink

The food follows a straightforward three-part meal. You start with salad, then receive Valencian chicken paella, and finish with fresh fruit. The included drink can be selected from the available choices, with sangria, beer, and soft drinks mentioned in the details.

The paella is the heart of the meal. It is described as chicken paella with tender rice and selected spices, and the food receives some of the strongest praise attached to the outing. If you want seafood paella, take note: the meal specified here is chicken, not seafood.

The setting adds something to the lunch. Paella eaten outdoors on a moving or gently settled catamaran feels more informal than a restaurant meal, and the coast provides the view. Bread and watermelon have also been served on at least one outing, though the core meal is the salad, paella, fruit, and drink.

Timing is worth considering. The swim generally comes after lunch, which is logical from an operating point of view but not ideal for everyone. You may want to wait before swimming after a filling plate of rice. One report found the food excellent but wished the swim came before eating, while another felt there was too little time in the water for the same reason.

Extra drinks are available onboard, but they are not included in the $41 price. The boat has a drinks service, so you can buy more if you want to extend the social side of the trip. Keep in mind that the value calculation changes if you plan to order several extras.

The Port Saplaya swim stop

The swim stop is the outing’s most memorable feature for many people. The catamaran stops in the Mediterranean near Port Saplaya, giving you the chance to jump from the boat, swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the quiet of open water.

This is not a beach stop. You enter directly from the catamaran, so you should be comfortable with a boat ladder or jumping into the sea. Swimming is optional, which makes the activity workable for mixed groups. You can stay on deck, enjoy the views, or sunbathe while others get wet.

The biggest question is duration. Some outings provide a satisfying stretch of sea time, while other accounts describe only one jump or a short swim. The available information does not promise a fixed number of minutes in the water. I would book this expecting a refreshing dip, not a long recreational swim.

The order of events matters. After lunch, some people will want to sit quietly rather than swim hard. If you are mainly booking for the water, ask the crew at the start how much time is planned for the stop. That will give you a better idea of whether to eat lightly, wait before entering, or simply enjoy the boat from above.

The sea itself is described as clear and inviting, but conditions can change. All excursions depend on weather, and the swim stop may be adjusted for safety. Bring a practical attitude: the boat ride and lunch remain the main structure, while swimming is an enjoyable part of the plan rather than a guaranteed long session.

How this outing compares with other Valencia activities

This catamaran trip is a good middle ground between a restaurant lunch and a full sailing charter. You do not need to arrange food, fuel, or a private boat. At the same time, you receive more than a short cruise because the outing includes a proper meal and time in the sea.

It is especially suitable if you have a free half-day and want something easy. The 2.5-hour duration leaves room for other Valencia plans, although you should allow extra time for reaching the meeting point and exchanging tickets at the Boramar booth.

I would not choose it if your priority is detailed coastal interpretation, private service, or extensive swimming. The information points to a friendly shared cruise with limited commentary and a swim stop that can feel short. It is better for a relaxed social outing than for serious sailing enthusiasts.

It also suits people who want an introduction to the Mediterranean without committing to a full-day boat tour. The meal keeps the cost predictable, and the optional swim lets you decide how active you want to be once the boat reaches open water.

Who will enjoy it most

You are likely to enjoy this trip if you want:

• A short break from city sightseeing
• Paella served in an unusual setting
• A casual boat ride with music and a social atmosphere
• The chance to jump into the Mediterranean
• A fixed-price outing with lunch and one drink included
• An activity that works for swimmers and non-swimmers together

Families and groups of friends may appreciate the flexible format, though the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The information also states that costumes are not allowed, so dress for a normal boat outing and swimming stop rather than a themed event.

Swimmers should bring what they need for the water, since diving gear is not included. Non-swimmers can remain on deck, but you should not book this expecting a shore excursion, beach access, or water-sports equipment.

Practical value at $41 per person

The $41 price is strongest when you value convenience. The boat, crew, fuel, lunch, and one drink are included, so you can budget ahead without paying separately for the main parts of the outing. The food is more substantial than a snack, and the catamaran provides the setting.

The price is less compelling if you do not want paella or have no interest in swimming. Extra drinks cost more, and the tour does not include transportation to the meeting point. You are paying for a shared activity, not a private charter.

For most visitors, the combination is fair: a modern catamaran, a full lunch, a sea stop, and two to two and a half hours away from the streets. The strongest value comes from treating it as a complete mini-outing rather than as a boat transfer.

Should you book the Boramar catamaran trip?

Book it if you want good paella, friendly service, and a quick swim in one relaxed package. The crew names attached to the experience, including Ulysses, Javi, Álvaro, Marco, and Captain Pepe, point to a people-focused operation, while the food and moderate music help keep the mood easy.

Think twice if you need a long swim, detailed commentary, or guaranteed weather. The stop can be brief, and lunch usually comes first. For a reasonably priced taste of Valencia from the water, though, this is a sensible choice, especially when your ideal afternoon includes a plate of paella followed by one refreshing jump into the sea.

FAQ

How long does the Valencia catamaran tour last?

The stated duration is 2.5 hours. The activity description also refers to a two-hour catamaran trip, so allow the full 2.5 hours for the outing.

What food is included?

Lunch includes salad, Valencian chicken paella, and fresh fruit.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One drink is included with lunch. Sangria, beer, and soft drinks are among the choices mentioned.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The catamaran makes a stop in the Mediterranean near Port Saplaya, where you can swim or jump from the boat.

Is swimming equipment included?

Diving gear is not included. The tour provides the swimming stop, but you need to arrange any additional equipment yourself.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point and exchange your tickets at the BORAMAR ticket booth.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter speaks Spanish and English.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for people with mobility impairments.