Costa Daurada Cruise with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Costa Daurada cruise is the pause at anchor: you can swim in the sea while the crew prepares lunch aboard the boat. I like that the meal is served at tables and chairs, and that beer, sangria, cava, water, and soft drinks are included rather than sold separately.

I also like the practical setup of the Dorimar II, with two decks, four bathrooms, and two stairs down to the water. One thing to consider: this is a large-capacity boat, so where you sit matters. An access point can become a busy passage, and there’s no coffee included.

At a glance

• Five hours on the water: The cruise leaves from Cambrils and returns to the same port.
• A swim stop with lunch underway: The boat anchors so you can swim while the crew cooks the barbecue.
• A proper place to eat: Tables and chairs make lunch more comfortable than balancing a plate on your lap.
• Drinks are part of the fare: The free bar includes beer, sangria, cava, water, and soft drinks.
• Plan for sun and shared space: Bring sun protection, and avoid settling beside an access point if you want fewer people passing.
• Weather can change the plan: The captain may adjust the route or cancel if conditions make the trip unsuitable.

Five hours of coast, swimming, and lunch

This is a relaxed outing, not a fast sightseeing run. The Dorimar II motors along the Costa Daurada, giving you time to sit back, enjoy the coastal views, and settle into the rhythm of being on the water. The advertised duration is five hours, so set aside a good part of your day rather than treating it as a quick harbor excursion.

The coastline is the main attraction, but the format is what makes the trip appealing. Instead of staying aboard for the whole ride, you get a swim stop in the sea and a barbecue lunch prepared while the boat is anchored. That pause breaks up the sailing and gives you a chance to cool off before the return journey.

The route is described as passing some of the Costa Daurada’s most beautiful coves. The exact route is not fixed: if weather conditions require it, the captain can change the course or cancel the trip. That is sensible seamanship, but it means you should not count on visiting a particular cove or reaching a specific stretch of coast.

Leaving Cambrils aboard the Dorimar II

The meeting point is Passeig de les Palmeres, 40, in Cambrils. The return is to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from another port. Transport from your hotel to the port is not included; make your own plan for getting to Cambrils.

Once aboard, you’ll find a boat designed for a group outing rather than a small private cruise. It has two decks, four bathrooms, a bar counter, and two stairs leading down to the sea. Tables and chairs are available for lunch. These details matter on a five-hour trip: there are facilities to use, places to sit, and more than one way to get in and out of the water.

The boat can accommodate a large number of passengers, so don’t expect the space or quiet of a private charter. If you want a particular kind of seat, it is worth paying attention to where people are walking before you settle in. One access point can become a thoroughfare, especially if the other is blocked by someone’s belongings. A spot beside the boarding or swimming route may mean people passing close by throughout the trip.

The crew is described as attentive, and the staff’s friendliness is one of the clearest strengths of the outing. You can expect the crew to look after the group and prepare the meal, though no individual crew member is named. Staff speak Spanish, Catalan, and English.

Sailing past the coves

The outward sailing gives you time to take in the coast from the water. A catamaran’s broad layout and two decks offer more than one place to sit, though your view will depend on where you choose to spend the ride. This is a good outing if you enjoy the simple pleasure of being at sea, with open views and a slower pace.

It is not a guided history tour, and no detailed commentary or named guide is specified. Think of it as a coastal cruise with a swim and meal built in, rather than an itinerary centered on facts about the towns or landmarks along the shore. If you want a packed schedule of stops on land, this probably is not the right fit.

The trip’s value depends partly on how much you enjoy unhurried time aboard. You get a return boat ride and the chance to see the coast from offshore, but the route may shift with the weather. Bring a camera if you want photos, but keep it secure around the water and follow the crew’s directions when the boat is moving or anchored.

The swim stop and barbecue

After sailing for a while, the catamaran drops anchor. This is the moment to change into swimwear and head down one of the two sea-access stairs for a swim in the cool water. The swim is included, but the length of the stop and the water conditions are not specified, so treat it as a welcome break rather than a guaranteed session of a particular duration.

You can also stay on deck if swimming is not for you. The boat’s two decks give you room to remain aboard while the crew prepares lunch. Pack a towel and a change of clothes if you prefer to be comfortable after getting wet, and keep an eye on your belongings in shared areas.

The meal is a barbecue cooked by the crew, with salad and fruit. The setup is more comfortable than a meal eaten standing up: the catamaran has tables and chairs. The chicken has been singled out as a solid part of the meal, and the staff’s friendly manner adds to the easygoing feel. Do not expect a restaurant menu or a long list of choices; the meal is part of a group cruise, and the food described is straightforward.

There is one practical wrinkle. Salad can be awkward in a breeze, especially on an open boat, so take care with your plate and choose a sheltered place if one is available. Coffee is not included, either. If a post-lunch coffee is important to you, this outing will not provide it as part of the package.

What the drinks package adds

The free bar includes beer, sangria, cava, water, and soft drinks throughout the trip. For many people, that inclusion makes the $63 price easier to assess: you are paying for the return cruise, the barbecue lunch with salad and fruit, the swim stop, and a range of drinks, rather than just the boat ride.

It is still worth thinking about your own habits. If you do not drink alcohol, water and soft drinks are included. If you value a meal with lots of options, coffee, or a quiet dining setting, the package may feel less generous. The drinks are part of the trip’s relaxed, social character, not a substitute for a full-service restaurant experience.

Is $63 good value?

At $63 per person, this is a useful bundle if you want several hours on the water and expect to make use of the swim, lunch, and included drinks. The fare covers the return boat trip, barbecue, salad, fruit, swimming, and the listed free bar. You do not need to add separate charges for those components, based on the information provided.

The value is strongest for people who would happily spend a half-day at sea and enjoy a casual meal. It is less compelling if your priority is a small group, a specific route, guided interpretation, or a carefully paced food experience. The boat’s capacity and the shared deck space are part of the deal, and the trip is not presented as a private or boutique cruise.

Remember to include the cost and time of getting to Cambrils in your own plans. Hotel transport is not included. The cruise begins and ends at Passeig de les Palmeres, 40, which makes the return straightforward once you have reached the port.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a camera. Sun protection is especially useful on an open deck, where you may spend a long stretch outside. A towel is practical after the swim, even if you plan to dry off in the sun.

Glass objects are not allowed, so leave glass bottles and containers behind. Keep your things tidy around the sea-access points, too. Besides making the shared space easier for everyone, that helps keep the stairs clear for people getting into and out of the water.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, according to the tour information. If access needs are important to your plans, it is sensible to confirm the details with the operator before booking, since the available information does not describe specific boarding arrangements or onboard access features.

Starting times depend on availability, so check the date you want before building the rest of your day around the cruise. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance. Those terms offer some flexibility, but the weather remains the main factor that could alter or cancel the sailing.

Who should book this cruise?

I’d consider this trip if you want an easygoing way to spend several hours on the Costa Daurada, like swimming from a boat, and are happy with a shared group setting. Families and groups of friends may find the mix of sailing, water time, food, and drinks suits a relaxed day together. The English-speaking crew option also helps if you do not speak Spanish or Catalan.

It may not suit you if you dislike crowded spaces, need a quiet lunch, or want a tightly defined route with multiple shore stops. The boat has room for many passengers, and the swim access points can get busy. Weather can also change the plan, so leave some flexibility in your expectations.

For a straightforward half-day at sea, the combination is appealing: coastal views, a swim, a crew-cooked barbecue, and drinks included. Book it if those simple pleasures are what you want from Cambrils. If you are mainly after a small-boat outing, a detailed guided tour, or a more elaborate meal, look for a different kind of day on the coast.

FAQ

How long is the Costa Daurada cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Passeig de les Palmeres, 40, 43850 Cambrils.

Where does the cruise end?

It returns to the same meeting point in Cambrils.

What food is included?

The onboard meal includes a barbecue, salad, and fruit. The crew prepares the barbecue.

Which drinks are included?

The free bar includes beer, sangria, cava, water, and soft drinks.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The cruise includes a stop for swimming in the sea.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera, and sunscreen.

Is transport from my hotel included?

No. Transport from your hotel to the port of Cambrils is not included.

Can weather change the trip?

Yes. If meteorological problems occur, the captain may change the route or cancel the trip.