Valencia: Catamaran Cruise, Paella Lunch and Swim Stop

The best part of this Valencia outing is the simple combination of paella on the Mediterranean and a jump into the sea afterward. You sail from the coast, eat lunch on deck, then stop offshore near Port Saplaya for a swim in clear water. It is an easy way to add a little sea air to a city break without committing to a full-day boat trip.

I like the generous meal for the price, which includes salad, chicken paella, fruit, and one drink. I also like the relaxed mood: the modern catamaran is roomy enough for a group of about 30, the music is kept at a manageable volume, and crew members such as Ulysses, Javi, Álvaro, Marco, and captain Pepe have earned warm praise for friendly service. The catch is that the swim stop can feel short, and it comes after lunch, when you may not feel ready to leap into the water.

Quick takeaways for your Valencia day

• Chicken paella is served onboard: Lunch includes salad, Valencian paella, fruit, and one drink, with sangria, beer, and soft drinks available among the choices.
• The swim stop is the main action: You can jump from the catamaran into the Mediterranean, but the time in the water may be limited.
• Port Saplaya provides the setting: The route offers coastal views and a stop offshore near this seaside area.
• The boat suits a social outing: The catamaran has been described as modern, comfortable, and spacious enough for roughly 30 people.
• The price is attractive: At $41 per person, the fare covers the boat, crew, fuel, lunch, one drink, and swimming.
• Plan your own way to the dock: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you must exchange your ticket at the Boramar booth.

A short Mediterranean cruise with a clear purpose

This is not a sightseeing cruise packed with historical commentary. It is a relaxed food-and-swim trip. You board, settle into the catamaran, look out over the Valencian coast, eat a proper lunch, and spend some time in the sea.

That focus is part of its appeal. You do not have to organize a restaurant reservation, find a beach, or rent a boat separately. The cruise bundles the main ingredients of a warm-weather outing into 2.5 hours. The sailing itself is described as about two hours, so check the exact departure details when booking.

The boat heads out into the Mediterranean, where the views open up and the city becomes less important than the water around you. You can sit on deck, feel the breeze, and enjoy the change of pace. The coast is the scenery here, not a narrated attraction, so you should choose this trip for the setting and social atmosphere rather than for detailed local commentary.

One useful point: the route includes a swim stop near Port Saplaya, but this is not presented as a long beach visit. You remain on the catamaran and enter the water from the boat. If you prefer swimming from shore or want several hours in the water, this will feel limited.

Boarding at the Boramar ticket booth

You need to make your own way to the meeting point. The ticket exchange takes place at the Boramar ticket booth, located at the same meeting point, so do not expect hotel pickup or a transfer from central Valencia.

Advance booking is essential. The tour operates with a minimum of 15 people, and all departures depend on weather and sea conditions. That makes it sensible to avoid placing this activity on the final few hours of your trip. If bad weather affects the sailing, your schedule will have little room to adjust.

The crew speaks Spanish and English. Once onboard, the atmosphere appears casual rather than formal. You can expect music, a drinks service, and a mix of people looking for lunch, sun, and a swim. The catamaran is large enough to avoid feeling cramped when the group is around 30 people, though the exact group size can vary.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also note the unusual clothing rule: costumes are not allowed. Bring practical swimwear and clothing instead.

Lunch first: salad, paella, and fruit

The meal gives this cruise much of its value. Lunch starts with salad, followed by chicken paella with rice and spices, then fresh fruit. The meal is served onboard, so you eat with the water and coast around you rather than leaving the boat for a restaurant.

The paella has received especially strong praise. It is not a tasting portion built around elaborate presentation. It is a straightforward Valencian-style lunch intended to fill you up during a day on the water. Fresh bread may also be served, and fruit such as watermelon has appeared alongside the meal.

One drink is included. Depending on what is available that day, your choice may include sangria, beer, or a soft drink. Extra drinks cost more, and there is a drink service onboard. This is worth remembering if you expect to spend the whole trip with something in your hand.

I like the timing in one sense: you eat early, then have the swim as the natural second half of the outing. But it also creates the main complaint about the experience. Swimming immediately after a substantial meal is not ideal for everyone, and some people may prefer to enter the water before lunch.

If you are keen to swim, keep your meal moderate and have your swim clothes ready. The opportunity comes from the boat, so you will not want to waste the stop searching for a towel or changing clothes.

The swim stop near Port Saplaya

The stop offshore is the moment that turns lunch on a boat into an actual sea outing. You can jump from the catamaran into the Mediterranean, swim around the boat, or stay onboard and sunbathe. The water is described as clear, and the open-sea setting gives the stop a stronger sense of freedom than a standard pool or beach visit.

The catamaran generally allows one main entry into the water. That matters. Some people have found the swimming time long enough to relax, while others wanted a longer stop or more than one chance to jump in. You should book this with the expectation of a refreshing break, not a full swimming session.

The timing is another factor. The stop comes after lunch, which can make you less eager to swim hard. It is better suited to a quick jump, floating, and cooling off than to serious laps. If you do not want to swim, you can remain on deck and take in the coast from above the water.

Bring whatever you need for comfort, but do not expect diving gear to be included. Diving equipment is specifically excluded. The activity provides the catamaran, crew, fuel, lunch, one drink, and swimming, but not specialist water equipment.

Music, crew, and the mood onboard

The mood is informal and social. Music plays during the trip, but it has generally been kept at a comfortable volume rather than turned into a floating nightclub. The music selection may not suit everyone, though, so this is not the best choice if you want a quiet, guided sail.

The crew is an important part of the outing. Ulysses and his team have been praised for hosting, while Javi, Álvaro, Marco, and captain Pepe have also been singled out for friendly, welcoming service. You may not have these exact crew members on your departure, but the operation is clearly built around a relaxed, personable style.

You should not expect a detailed talk about Valencia or the coast. One useful improvement would be more information about the area while sailing. For now, the experience gives you scenery and atmosphere rather than a lesson in local geography.

That can be a plus if you want to switch off. It can be a drawback if you are hoping to learn about Port Saplaya, the shoreline, or the boat’s route.

Is $41 a fair price?

At $41 per person, the value is strong if you want all the main parts of the package. You receive a 2.5-hour catamaran outing, crew and fuel, lunch, one drink, coastal views, and a swim stop. Paying separately for a boat trip and a paella meal would likely require more planning and could easily cost more.

The value is best for someone who wants an easy half-day activity. You are not paying for a premium yacht, private service, or an extended cruise. You are paying for a comfortable shared catamaran, a fixed meal, and a short chance to swim.

The included drink helps keep the price sensible, while the onboard drinks service gives you the option to buy more. Just remember that hotel transfers are not included. Your total cost includes getting to the meeting point and returning afterward.

The score of 4 from 445 ratings suggests a dependable experience with a few clear limits. The strongest points are the food, the friendly crew, the comfortable boat, and the overall price. The weakest point is the amount of swimming time, especially for anyone who expects a long stop.

Who will enjoy this catamaran outing?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who like a social setting. You get a meal, a breeze, music, and a chance to swim without spending the whole day away from Valencia.

It also suits you if paella is part of your reason for visiting the region. Eating the dish at sea is not the same as sitting in a traditional restaurant, but it gives a familiar Valencian food experience a pleasant setting.

This is less suitable if you need full accessibility, dislike group activities, or want a quiet boat ride. It is also not the right pick if swimming is your top priority and you need a long session. The stop may be brief, and there may be only one chance to jump into the water.

I would also think twice if you want a strong cultural explanation of Valencia. The crew speaks Spanish and English, but the activity information does not promise a guided talk about the coast.

Practical advice for a smoother trip

Book ahead, especially in the warmer months. The minimum group requirement and weather conditions can affect departures, and last-minute availability is not guaranteed.

Arrive at the stated meeting point with enough time to exchange your ticket at the Boramar booth. Since there is no hotel pickup, confirm your route before leaving your accommodation.

Wear something comfortable for a boat deck and bring swimwear if you plan to enter the water. A towel is a sensible personal item, though the included package does not list one. Keep valuables to a minimum, since you may spend part of the stop away from your seat.

If paella is your priority, enjoy lunch slowly but leave yourself ready for the swim. If swimming matters more, eat lightly and move toward the ready position once the crew announces the stop. You may not get a second chance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Valencia schedule is still shifting, but weather can still affect the sailing.

Should you book the Boramar catamaran?

Book it if you want good-value sea time with a proper lunch, a friendly crew, and a simple swim stop. At $41, the combination is hard to fault for a short, relaxed outing. The paella, comfortable catamaran, and open-water setting give you more than a basic sightseeing ride.

Skip it if you want extended swimming, a quiet cruise, or detailed commentary about Valencia. The water stop can feel too short, especially after eating, and the trip is designed more for enjoyment than education.

For most visitors with a free half-day, I would book it, keep expectations realistic, and treat the swim as a refreshing extra rather than the main event. The best version of this trip is lunch on deck, a drink in hand, music at a reasonable level, and one memorable jump into the Mediterranean.

FAQ

How long is the Valencia catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts 2.5 hours. The sailing portion is described as approximately two hours, with the remaining time including the meal and swim stop.

What food is included?

Lunch includes salad, Valencian chicken paella, and fresh fruit. Fresh bread and fruit such as watermelon may also be served.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One drink is included with lunch. Sangria, beer, and soft drinks may be available, while extra drinks are not included.

Can I swim from the catamaran?

Yes. The boat makes a stop in the Mediterranean near Port Saplaya, where you can jump into the water and swim. Diving gear is not included.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. You must travel to the meeting point and exchange your ticket at the Boramar ticket booth located there.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.