Alicante: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise to Tabarca Island

Tabarca is the star here, but the catamaran ride is much of the fun. You sail 1.5 hours from Alicante, stretch out on the front nets, swim from the boat, then spend about three hours near Spain’s first marine reserve. I especially like the choice between snorkeling and visiting the village, plus the included paella and drinks.

The main catch is simple: this is a full six hours at sea, and the water can get choppy. The snorkeling is unguided, the nets fill quickly, and the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or unaccompanied minors. Families with very young children should think carefully before booking.

Key points to know

• Three hours at Tabarca: Split your time between swimming from the catamaran, snorkeling, and visiting the island village.
• Paella included: Choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, with mixed salad and one beer, wine, or tinto de verano.
• Soft drinks stay free: Water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip.
• Front nets go fast: They are the best place to relax over the water, but space is limited.
• Shore access is flexible: A small boat runs between the catamaran and Tabarca, so you are not tied to one quick visit.
• Safety is taken seriously: Sailor-lifeguards supervise the swimming area, though the snorkeling itself is not guided.

Why this Alicante cruise works so well

Alicante offers plenty of beach time, but a day on the water gives you a different view of the Costa Blanca. From the catamaran, the city recedes behind you and the coast opens up toward Santa Pola and Tabarca. You are not simply being carried to an island. The boat ride is a major part of the outing.

The experience combines three things that do not always come together neatly: a scenic cruise, time for swimming, and a proper lunch. At $85 per person, that matters. Your fare covers the catamaran, welcome fruit, unlimited water and soft drinks, snorkeling masks and fins, paella, salad, and one alcoholic drink. Extra alcoholic drinks and food cost more, but several people found the onboard prices reasonable.

I like the freedom built into the schedule. You can swim first, eat first, or head to Tabarca before returning to the water. The crew’s small boat makes repeated trips to shore, so you are not forced into one rigid island timetable.

The tradeoff is that this is an active boat day, not a quiet ferry crossing. Music plays onboard, the sun is strong, and the sea may be rough. If you want a short, calm ride with a private guide and a carefully structured island tour, choose something else.

Meeting the catamaran in Alicante

The meeting point is at Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to Noray bar and opposite Mundo de los Niños. Arrive 15 minutes early. There is a short presentation before departure, and punctuality matters because the boat cannot hold the schedule for late arrivals.

The catamaran is described as spacious and clean, with an onboard restroom and a bar. Seating is arranged as you board, which helps prevent a rush for space. You can sit along the edges for open views or try for the front nets, the most popular place to stretch out above the water.

The front nets are excellent for sunbathing and feeling the movement of the sea, but they have capacity limits and fill quickly. If that spot matters to you, arrive early and move promptly after boarding. Otherwise, the side seating still provides good views during the crossing.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, French, and German. The welcome is friendly and practical, with fruit available and drink tokens used for the included alcoholic beverage. Water, juice, and soft drinks are available without an extra charge.

Do not bring large bags, coolers, outside food, or drinks. Jewelry and valuables are best left at your accommodation. The operator accepts no responsibility for lost, stolen, or broken items.

The 1.5-hour sail from Alicante

The trip to Tabarca takes about 90 minutes. That is long enough to settle into the day, but not so long that the crossing becomes the whole excursion. You can watch Alicante fade into the distance, take in the Costa Blanca from offshore, or simply sit with a drink and let the boat carry you south.

On calmer days, this is a relaxed ride with plenty of open sea views. In wind or rougher water, the motion is more noticeable. One late-season outing had choppy water, while another August trip met unusually high waves. The captain and crew continued to focus on safety, but you should not assume every crossing will feel smooth.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the movement feels easier for you, keep water nearby, and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. The crew has reportedly been understanding when people feel unwell, and seasickness medication may be available onboard, but it is still wise to prepare yourself.

The boat plays music, giving the crossing a social holiday feel. This is not a silent sailing lesson, and the atmosphere can become lively, especially in summer. If you want a peaceful ride, the outer seating may give you more breathing room than the central social areas.

One detail I would like to see improved is commentary about the coast. You may pass Carabassi Beach, known for pale sand, and see the Cape of Santa Pola lighthouse, but the trip is not built around detailed coastal interpretation. The crew handles the practical side well, yet you should not expect a full history talk about Alicante or Tabarca.

Arriving at Tabarca’s marine reserve

Tabarca is Spain’s first marine reserve, and the clear water is the reason many people look forward to this stop. The catamaran anchors near the island, giving you a chance to swim and snorkel directly from the boat.

Masks and fins are included. The snorkeling is free but unguided, so you are responsible for staying within the permitted area and judging your own ability. Sailor-lifeguards are present during the activity, which adds useful reassurance, but this is not a lesson or an escorted underwater tour.

Snorkel tubes are not provided for hygiene reasons. You can buy one onboard for €5, or bring your own if allowed by the operator. The supplied equipment includes masks and fins, so pack only the personal items you need.

Jumping into the sea is a highlight for many people, particularly teenagers and adults who enjoy a little splash with their swim. You can also stay aboard and sunbathe if you prefer not to enter the water. The flexibility is important because not everyone in a group will want the same kind of afternoon.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful around rocky or uneven shore areas, though the supplied information does not specify the exact entry surface at every swimming spot.

Three hours to swim, eat, and see the village

The Tabarca stop lasts about three hours. That gives you enough time to mix activities instead of choosing only one.

You might start with a swim from the catamaran, dry off, and take the small shuttle boat to the island. Or you can visit Tabarca first, then return for snorkeling. The shore boat runs several times, allowing you to come and go rather than wait for one fixed departure.

The island village is small, but it gives the cruise a sense of place that a simple offshore swim would not. You can walk around, take in the views, and spend some time away from the boat. The stop is not a long sightseeing tour, so keep your expectations in check. You are getting free time, not a guided exploration with detailed historical stops.

The water near the boat is a major draw, while the island itself provides a change of pace. I like that you can decide how much time to devote to each. If swimming is your priority, stay near the catamaran. If you want to say you have visited Tabarca properly, use the shuttle and walk through the village.

Watch the clock around lunch. The crew needs time to tidy the boat before sailing back, and one practical tip is to eat before heading to shore if you do not want to risk missing the meal service. The schedule is generous overall, but three hours passes quickly when you are swimming, eating, and walking.

Homemade paella and drinks onboard

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. You choose chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella, served with mixed salad. The vegetarian option is a real choice, not an afterthought, and special dietary needs may be discussed with the crew in advance.

The meal is prepared onboard or through the local food arrangement, depending on the day, but it is presented as homemade paella rather than a basic packed lunch. Many people rate it as a highlight, and several found it better than expected. One person who ate paella throughout a week in Alicante considered this the best of the trip.

Your included alcoholic drink is one beer, wine, or tinto de verano. Water, soft drinks, and juice remain available, which is valuable during six hours in the sun. Welcome fruit adds a light start to the day.

Do not expect an unlimited bar. Additional alcoholic drinks and extra food are not included. Still, with the main meal and nonalcoholic drinks covered, the $85 price feels fair, especially compared with paying separately for a boat ride, lunch, equipment rental, and drinks.

The timing of lunch can matter. If you are enjoying the island and return late, you may find the meal service is winding down. Ask the crew about the lunch window early in the day.

The return sail past Santa Pola

The return crossing takes another 1.5 hours. By this point, you may be ready for a slower ride. When conditions allow, the crew raises the main sail, making the return feel more like a proper sailing trip than a powered transfer.

This is a good time for a nap on the nets, a quiet drink, or more views of the coast. From offshore, Carabassi Beach and the Cape of Santa Pola lighthouse provide points of interest, though the trip does not promise a detailed explanation of each sight.

The boat returns to the same Alicante meeting point. Since the cruise lasts six hours, plan the rest of your day with some breathing room. You may feel pleasantly tired after the sun, swimming, and sea air, and you will not want an important appointment immediately afterward.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this cruise for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children or teenagers who want a full day on the water without arranging several separate activities. The mix of food, swimming, music, and free time makes it easy for a group to enjoy the day at different speeds.

It also works well for people who want more than a ferry ride but do not need a formal guided tour. You get the romance and comfort of a catamaran, plus a chance to swim in the marine reserve and step ashore on Tabarca.

Very young children are a tougher call. The boat has carried families with infants and toddlers, and the crew can be kind and helpful, but the long crossing, open water, sun, and flexible swimming setup may be tiring. One family found the experience suitable for a three-year-old, while another felt it was not ideal for very small children. Use your own judgment.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and pets are not permitted.

Practical ways to get more from the cruise

• Arrive early if you want a chance at the front nets.
• Bring a towel, water shoes, sunscreen, and a hat.
• Leave valuables and large bags behind.
• Bring your own snorkel tube or budget €5 for one onboard.
• Ask about the lunch timing before going ashore.
• If you get seasick, prepare before boarding and choose your seat carefully.
• Expect music and a social atmosphere, not a silent sailing trip.
• Keep some flexibility in your schedule because sea conditions can affect how smooth the crossing feels.

The operator requires at least 15 guests for the cruise to run. If that minimum is not reached, you may be offered 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 gives you some room when your Alicante plans are still shifting.

Is the Tabarca catamaran cruise worth $85?

Yes, if you want a full six-hour outing with several inclusions and a relaxed choice of activities. The price covers the boat, lunch, one alcoholic drink, unlimited soft drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, lifeguard supervision, and the island transfer. That is strong value for a Costa Blanca day trip.

Book it if you like swimming, sun, open-air music, and the freedom to choose between island time and time in the water. Skip it if you dislike boat motion, need a quiet guided tour, or want a short visit with no fixed meal schedule.

For most visitors with one free day in Alicante, this is a well-rounded way to reach Tabarca. Just arrive early, protect yourself from the sun, and remember that the boat ride is not merely transportation. It is half the experience.

FAQ

How long does the Alicante to Tabarca cruise last?

The full experience lasts six hours, including about 1.5 hours sailing to Tabarca, three hours near the island, and 1.5 hours returning to Alicante.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The meeting point is Adventurer Catamaran Alicante, next to Noray bar and opposite Mundo de los Niños in Alicante Port.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before departure. There is a short presentation before the catamaran leaves.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes homemade chicken, fish, or vegetarian paella and mixed salad.

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Is snorkeling guided?

No. The snorkeling activity is free and unguided, but sailor-lifeguards are present during the swimming activity.

Can I visit Tabarca village?

Yes. You have free time to visit the village, and a small boat runs between the catamaran and the island.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.