Dénia & Jávea: Portixol Sailing Catamaran Excursion with BBQ

The best part of this cruise is the long stop in a sheltered cove, where you can swim straight from the catamaran in clear water instead of squeezing onto a crowded beach. I like the spacious boat with both sunny nets and shaded seating, and I like that lunch is a proper plate of chicken or pork, salad, bread, fruit, and a drink rather than a token snack. The crew keeps things friendly, with music and plenty of room to settle in.

The main thing to watch is flexibility. Rough sea conditions can change the planned cove, and at least one departure changed from a BBQ and sailing boat to motor power and paella. You also stay close to the boat while swimming, so this is a sea swim, not a shore excursion to a cave or beach.

Key points at a glance

• Swim from the catamaran for about 90 minutes: You can use the steps, jump from the side or front, and sometimes enjoy a slide.
• Choose Dénia or Jávea depending on your booking: The meeting point and exact departure details vary by option.
• Lunch is more substantial than a snack: Expect vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, fruit, and one drink.
• Pay extra for net seating if available: Wristband access may be required, and the nets offer the classic front-of-boat position but little shade.
• Bring your own snorkel and sun protection: The water can be full of fish, but shade, hats, towels, and biodegradable sunscreen matter.
• Expect plans to follow the sea conditions: The crew may alter the route, boat type, meal, or swimming cove for operational or weather reasons.

A relaxed half-day on the Costa Blanca

This is a simple sea day with a clear rhythm: board in the morning, cruise along the coast, stop for a swim and lunch, then return to port in the afternoon. The advertised duration ranges from 3.5 to 5 hours, depending on the option you choose, so check the exact departure before booking.

You can set out from Dénia or Jávea, also called Xàbia. These are not interchangeable meeting points, so read the selected option carefully. Pickup and drop-off are not included, which means you need to reach the port yourself.

The catamaran is the attraction as much as the coast. It is roomy enough to offer several different ways to spend the day. You can stretch out on the front nets, sit at tables in the central section, find shade, listen to music, or keep an eye on children from a more stable seated position.

The boat is not a quiet yacht charter. Music forms part of the mood, especially on the return to port, when the atmosphere can turn into a small floating party. That suits people who want a social outing. If you want silence, a private boat, or a serious sailing lesson, this is not that kind of trip.

The coast between Dénia and Jávea

Once out of port, the view is the main event. The coastline brings together steep cliffs, small coves, and clear water. From the boat, you see the shore from a useful distance, with none of the work involved in walking down to a beach or finding a parking place.

The route is not a sightseeing cruise with a detailed historical talk. The crew speaks Spanish and English, but the emphasis is on relaxing, swimming, eating, and enjoying the coast. You will get the best value from this trip if you are happy to let the scenery pass by without needing a full commentary at every point.

Do not lock yourself onto one particular cove. Sea conditions can make the original stop unsuitable, and the crew may choose a different place. That is a sensible safety decision, but it can disappoint if you have booked specifically to reach a certain cave or beach.

A useful distinction is that you swim near the catamaran. You do not normally leave the boat to explore a shore. One passenger expected to swim to a cave or beach and found that the activity stayed around the vessel. I would book this for open-water swimming, not for a land-based cove visit.

The swimming stop from the boat

The swimming break is usually the high point of the outing. On one Jávea departure, the stop lasted about an hour and a half, leaving enough time to eat, swim, and dry off without feeling rushed.

You can enter the water by the stairs, jump from the side or front, and, on some boats, use a slide. That gives confident swimmers several choices. Families should still judge the conditions for themselves, since the information provided does not promise flotation equipment for children.

Bring a snorkel if you have one. Fish have been seen around the boat, and the clear water can make a short swim much more interesting. Jellyfish may also be present. One account described them as non-stinging kinds, but you should still ask the crew about current conditions rather than assume every season will be the same.

You need to remain close to the catamaran during the stop. That makes the activity easy to manage, but it also limits the sense of exploration. You are not being dropped beside a beach for a private swim. You are enjoying a supervised pause in the sea with the boat as your base.

One practical caution concerns safety information. The activity details do not promise a formal safety briefing or visible life jackets, and a passenger specifically raised this concern. Ask the crew about swimming rules, flotation equipment, and the safest entry point before you get in, especially if you are traveling with children or are not a strong swimmer.

What lunch is really like on board

The included meal gives this cruise much of its value. The standard menu includes vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, fruit, and one drink. You can choose sangria, a soft drink, or water.

This is a hearty lunch for a half-day boat trip. You are not expected to return to port hungry after a few crisps and a small sandwich. The food is served during the swimming stop, which makes practical sense: you can eat, swim, and settle back into your seat before the return run.

The BBQ has been well received for its quantity and taste, with some passengers saying there was enough meat for second helpings. The organization also appears to work well when the boat is busy, with meat, salad, bread, and drinks handled as part of the main break.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is an onboard group meal, not a restaurant lunch. Quality and menu can change. One departure served paella instead of the advertised BBQ, and the meal should be treated as subject to operational changes. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to advise the local partner when booking.

Additional drinks are sold on board. Since only one drink is included, bring enough money if you expect to buy more. You can also find simple extras such as crisps and other drinks on some departures.

Finding the best place to sit

The front nets are the signature seating area. You lie or sit above the water, with a wide view ahead and spray nearby when the sea is moving. It is a fine place for photographs and for feeling the motion of the boat.

Net access may require an extra payment and a wristband. On one Jávea trip, the nets were reserved for passengers with the correct bands, so do not assume that every seat on the boat includes this feature.

The tradeoff is sun. The nets are exposed, and there is little protection if the day is hot. The central seating area provides tables and shade, which can be a much better choice during lunch or for anyone who does not want several hours of direct sun.

I would not pay extra for the nets if you are traveling with a baby, dislike heat, or expect to spend most of the cruise under cover. If your priority is the classic catamaran feeling and an unobstructed view, the upgrade may be worthwhile.

Pack a sun hat, swimwear, and a towel. Use biodegradable sunscreen, since you will be entering the sea. Apply it before boarding and again after swimming, but be careful around the nets because greasy sunscreen can make shared seating unpleasant.

Music, crew, and the mood on board

The crew speaks Spanish and English and handles the practical parts of the trip, including lunch, the swimming stop, and changes caused by sea conditions. The atmosphere is friendly rather than formal.

Music is part of the package. The return to port may include dancing and a livelier mood, while the earlier cruise gives you time to sit, sunbathe, and watch the shore. Music quality is personal, and one older departure received criticism for its selection, but recent feedback has generally praised the atmosphere and crew.

The catamaran has plenty of room by excursion standards, though this does not mean it will feel empty in high season. A past departure was described as packed, while more recent trips have been praised for available shade and seating. Expect a shared group outing, not an uncrowded private charter.

There is also a no-smoking sign on the catamaran, but smoking has still been reported during a cruise. If you are sensitive to smoke, ask where smoking is permitted before settling into a seat. This is a small point, but it can affect your comfort during a long day at sea.

What the $65 price gets you

At about $65 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the full package. You get the catamaran cruise, a coastal route, a swimming stop, lunch, and one drink. Compared with arranging a private boat, buying a separate beach meal, and finding your own way to a good swimming spot, the shared trip offers a practical bundle.

The value is strongest for people who want a half-day activity with little planning. You do not need to organize a boat, find a safe cove, or prepare lunch. You simply reach the port, board, and follow the crew’s schedule.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short cruise or if you dislike group activities. You pay for the boat and meal even if you spend most of the time sitting under cover. Extra drinks and optional net seating can also push up the final cost.

The overall rating is 4.2 from 288 reviews, which fits the experience: strong marks for the views, crew, food, swimming, and atmosphere, with reasonable reservations about crowding, sun exposure, route changes, music, and inconsistent meal arrangements.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to couples, families with confident swimmers, and friends who want an easy day on the water. The slide, jumping points, fish, music, and long swimming break give the outing more variety than a cruise where you only sit and look at the shore.

It also suits you if a full beach day sounds tiring. You get water access, shade, food, and a seat without carrying equipment down a cliff path or searching for a restaurant.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the stop. If you are nervous in open water, ask the crew about safety equipment before boarding. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and the boat is not presented as accessible for those needs.

You should also think about the heat. The front nets can be very exposed, and even the shaded seats may fill up on a busy departure. If you burn easily, dislike hot weather, or need frequent shade, bring proper protection and arrive prepared to choose a covered seat.

Booking advice and final verdict

Book this catamaran if you want a social, good-value half-day with clear water, a proper lunch, and the chance to swim from the boat. Choose it for the overall sea experience, not for a guaranteed visit to one named cove, cave, or beach.

Before paying, confirm whether your option leaves from Dénia or Jávea, whether the duration is closer to 3.5 or 5 hours, and whether net seating costs extra. Request the vegetarian meal in advance, bring a snorkel if you have one, and ask about safety procedures when you board.

I would book it for a relaxed Costa Blanca day, especially if you like swimming and do not mind music or a shared boat. I would skip it if you want a quiet private charter, a precise route, or a beach stop where you can walk ashore.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The cruise may depart from Dénia or Jávea, depending on the option you book. The meeting point can vary, so check the specific option before you travel to the port.

How long does the activity last?

The duration ranges from 3.5 to 5 hours. Check availability and the selected option for the exact starting time and length.

What food is included?

Lunch includes vegetable salad, barbecued chicken breast, pork fillet, bread, and fruit. One drink is included, with a choice of sangria, a soft drink, or water.

Is a vegetarian lunch available?

Yes. A vegetarian lunch option is available, but you should tell the local partner when booking.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran stops in a cove for swimming. You generally swim near the boat rather than going ashore to a beach or cave.

Do I need to bring swimming equipment?

Bring swimwear and a towel. A snorkel is not listed as included, so bring your own if you want to look for fish in the clear water.

What should I bring for the sun?

Bring a sun hat and biodegradable sunscreen. The front nets are exposed to the sun, while the central part of the boat offers shade.

Are drinks available beyond the included drink?

Yes. Additional drinks can be purchased on board.

Is the activity accessible to wheelchair users?

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