Catamaran Sensation BBQ Party Cruise: 3 Hours With Swim Stop From Port Olímpic, From $56
Quick answer
The Catamaran Sensation BBQ party cruise is a 3-hour daytime party sail from Port Olímpic, from $56, with a swim stop near Badalona, a BBQ and two drinks.
Towels and sun protection are not included, sailings run at 11:00, 14:30 and 18:00, and GetYourGuide rates it 4.3/5 from 1,985 reviews.
The Catamaran Sensation BBQ party cruise is a three-hour catamaran party with food, music and a swim, sold from Port Olímpic. You sail towards Badalona, anchor, swim, then eat and drink while the crew keeps the music going.
The detail that changes the decision is the order of events. Alcohol is only served once the swimming is over, and the swim area does not reopen after that, so you get one swim window and then a party, not a free-flowing bar from the first minute.
If you are comparing boats, my Barcelona boat tours guide covers the field, and the home page shows the other cities. This trip sits in the party boats in Barcelona and catamaran trips in Barcelona groups.
| Operator | Catamaran Sensation |
|---|---|
| Boat | Large catamaran with sunbathing and chill-out areas; capacity not stated |
| Price | From $56 per person (about EUR 50 at 0.8887, checked 2026-10-16; the operator's text says 50 euros) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Departure times | 11:00, 14:30 and 18:00 according to the operator's text; check the calendar for your date |
| Meeting point | The sand below the Torre Mapfre and Hotel Arts towers at Port Olímpic; Torre Mapfre on Google Maps |
| Route | Port Olímpic to an anchored swim stop near Badalona and back |
| Food and drinks | BBQ meal, unlimited soft drinks, two beers or sangrias after the swim |
| Languages | Spanish, English, French, Catalan |
| Cancellation | Full refund up to 24 hours before |
| Rating | 4.3/5 from 1,985 reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the Catamaran Sensation BBQ party cruise and what happens on board?
It is a shared daytime party on a big catamaran, built around a swim stop, a barbecue and a crew that runs the music.
- Sailing: you leave Port Olímpic and head up the coast towards Badalona.
- Swimming: the boat anchors for a dip, with a giant inflatable donut on offer.
- Eating: a barbecue lunch of burgers (veal or vegetarian), Spanish omelette, raw vegetables, olives, chips, sauces with bread and fruit.
- Drinking: soft drinks without limit, then two beers or sangrias once the swim is closed.
- Partying: upbeat music, crew-led dance moves and a sunbathing deck.
It is a lively boat, not a quiet one. If you want calm, the Barcelona sunset cruises group has gentler trips.
Where does the Catamaran Sensation party boat leave from?
It leaves from the beach side of Port Olímpic, below the Torre Mapfre and Hotel Arts towers, and the operator asks guests not to walk into the marina.
The listing gives directions: stay out of the marina, take the ramp down to the beach with the casino behind you, turn left on the promenade and look for staff by the sand.
It also warns against entering the Club Patí Vela gate, then mentions a gate closest to the water. Follow your voucher if the two ever disagree, and see Hotel Arts on Google Maps and Port Olímpic on Google Maps.
| From | Distance | Walk | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica metro (L4) to the beach by the towers | 504 m | 7 min | Walking route |
| Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica metro (L4) to Port Olímpic marina | 726 m | 10 min | Walking route |
The routing end point for the first row is a beach spot I chose beside the towers, so treat the minutes as an estimate of the right order. A metro or bus single ticket costs €2.90 on the TMB fares page.
What is the route and what happens stop by stop?
The route is a round trip of about 7.6 km each way in a straight line, with one anchored stop off Badalona.
- Check in: with the staff near the sand at Port Olímpic, before the sailing time.
- Sail out: along the shore towards Badalona on Google Maps, with music and soft drinks.
- Anchor and swim: the swim window opens at the captain's discretion; alcohol is held back.
- Close the swim: the swimming area shuts, and the bar serves the first beer or sangria.
- Eat and dance: the barbecue and the party peak on the way back.
- Return: back to Port Olímpic, three hours after leaving.
The swim stop depends on the weather and the captain, and the sea forecast changes by the day. The Port of Barcelona authority covers the harbour approach.
How long is the cruise and when does it sail?
The cruise lasts three hours, and the operator's text lists sailings at 11:00, 14:30 and 18:00 without naming a season.
The listing does not say whether all three run in winter. I'd ask before booking between November and March. The table shows where sunset falls against the 18:00 sailing.
| Month | Sunset | Where it falls |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5:48 PM | Sunset is before boarding |
| Feb | 6:26 PM | Sunset falls during the cruise (about 26 min after the start) |
| Mar | 6:58 PM | Sunset falls during the cruise (about 58 min after the start) |
| Apr | 8:32 PM | Sunset falls during the cruise (about 152 min after the start) |
| May | 9:04 PM | Sunset comes after the cruise ends |
| Jun | 9:28 PM | Sunset comes after the cruise ends |
| Jul | 9:25 PM | Sunset comes after the cruise ends |
| Aug | 8:52 PM | Sunset falls during the cruise (about 172 min after the start) |
| Sep | 8:02 PM | Sunset falls during the cruise (about 122 min after the start) |
| Oct | 7:12 PM | Sunset falls during the cruise (about 72 min after the start) |
| Nov | 5:33 PM | Sunset is before boarding |
| Dec | 5:24 PM | Sunset is before boarding |
What is on board and what is included?
The Catamaran Sensation BBQ party cruise includes a meal, unlimited soft drinks and two alcoholic drinks, and towels and sun cream are on you.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| BBQ burgers, omelette, crudités, chips, olives, bread, fruit | Included |
| Unlimited soft drinks | Included |
| Two beers or sangrias, after the swim | Included |
| Swim stop with inflatables | Included, subject to weather |
| Towels and sun protection | Not included, bring your own |
| Your own food and drink | Not allowed, alcohol included |
| Hotel pickup | Not listed |
One review thread, echoed in GetYourGuide's summary, says the food is basic and vegetarian choices are thin, though the listing offers a vegetarian burger. Ask about dietary needs ahead of time.
How does it compare with the other Barcelona party boats?
At $56 it is the middle of the party options, cheaper than the standalone boat party and far cheaper per hour than the nightlife package.
| Tour | Price | Length | Rating | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catamaran Sensation BBQ party | $56 | 3 h | 4.3 (1,985) | Day party, BBQ, swim |
| The Original Barcelona Boat Party | $58 | 2 h | 4.1 (445) | Boat party |
| Boat party and nightlife package | $95 | 6.5 h | 5.0 (8) | Boat plus nightlife |
| Daytime or sunset catamaran with music | $16 | 1 h | 4.3 (7,195) | Short sail with music |
| Julia Gray sunset tapas catamaran | $30 | 2 h | 4.5 (3,543) | Relaxed, tapas, optional swim |
Per hour, the Sensation trip costs $18.7 against the original party's $29, so the extra hour carries the value. See the full Barcelona party boat comparison.
Is the Barcelona party catamaran worth it versus the other party boats?
Yes, if you want a day party with real food and a swim; no, if you want a nightclub feel or an open bar from the first minute.
- Value: $56 buys three hours, a meal, soft drinks and two alcoholic drinks.
- Swim: the anchored swim is the main reason to pick this boat over a plain party cruise.
- Rating: 4.3/5 with 4.1/5 for value ties for the lowest among the catamarans I track, so keep expectations moderate.
- Drinks: two alcoholic drinks is a limit, so heavy drinkers will pay extra at the bar.
I'd book the Catamaran Sensation BBQ party cruise for a friends' day out in summer. For an evening party I'd look at the original boat party.
When is the best time to go on the party catamaran?
The best months are June to September, when highs reach 29 to 30 °C and the swim stop is warm.
| Month | 2025 avg high | 2015-24 avg high | Rain days | On deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15 °C | 14 °C | 4.0 | Coat and layers; wind off the water |
| Feb | 14 °C | 15 °C | 6.0 | Coat and layers; wind off the water |
| Mar | 15 °C | 16 °C | 7.2 | Coat and layers; wind off the water |
| Apr | 18 °C | 18 °C | 8.5 | Jumper on deck |
| May | 22 °C | 21 °C | 7.3 | Jumper on deck |
| Jun | 29 °C | 26 °C | 6.2 | T-shirt by day, layer after sunset |
| Jul | 29 °C | 29 °C | 4.3 | Hat and sunscreen; shade is limited |
| Aug | 30 °C | 29 °C | 6.8 | Hat and sunscreen; shade is limited |
| Sep | 25 °C | 25 °C | 11.5 | T-shirt by day, layer after sunset |
| Oct | 22 °C | 22 °C | 9.6 | T-shirt by day, layer after sunset |
| Nov | 18 °C | 17 °C | 7.8 | Jumper on deck |
| Dec | 15 °C | 15 °C | 3.9 | Coat and layers; wind off the water |
83.4% of tourists staying in Barcelona hotels in October 2025 were international visitors, a record for that month.
The sea is 23.7 °C on 17 October, so a swim is still pleasant now. The next national holiday is All Saints Day on 1 November, per Nager.Date.
What do passengers say about the cruise?
The patterns in the reviews I read are a friendly crew, great music and a fun swim, with food as the common complaint.
- Crew: friendly and attentive in most comments.
- Music and mood: guests call the atmosphere lively and fun.
- Swim: the dip is a highlight, and one guest praised the care taken over when swimming and alcohol start.
- Food: GetYourGuide's summary says some find it basic, with few vegetarian choices.
- Length: a few wish it ran longer than three hours.
- Safety: one guest hurt a knee on board and says the crew looked after them well.
All 8 reviews I read were five-star, so that sample is positive-only; the 4.3/5 overall shows lower marks exist.
Who should skip the Catamaran Sensation BBQ party cruise?
Skip it if you want quiet, a strict diet match, or unlimited alcohol.
- Quiet seekers: the music and crew dancing run for three hours.
- Vegetarians and vegans: only a vegetarian burger and sides are listed.
- Heavy drinkers: two drinks are included; more cost bar prices.
- Non-swimmers and the unsteady: the deck moves and the swim is the centrepiece; ask about life vests.
The Barcelona boat tours hub has calmer alternatives.
How do you book the Catamaran Sensation BBQ party cruise?
From $56 per person for a 3-hour party catamaran with swim stop, BBQ, soft drinks and two alcoholic drinks, free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Catamaran Sensation party cruise?
It lasts three hours, including an anchored swim stop near Badalona.
What time are the sailings?
The operator's text lists 11:00, 14:30 and 18:00. Check the calendar for your date and season.
Where is the meeting point?
On the sand below the two Port Olímpic towers, Torre Mapfre and Hotel Arts. Do not walk into the marina.
What food is served?
A barbecue with veal or vegetarian burgers, Spanish omelette, raw vegetables, olives, chips, bread and fruit.
How many drinks are included?
Unlimited soft drinks and two beers or sangrias, served after the swim.
Can I bring my own drinks?
No, outside food and drinks, including alcohol, are not allowed.
Do I need a towel?
Yes, towels and sun protection are not included, so bring both.
Is swimming guaranteed?
No, swimming depends on the weather and the captain's decision.
Can I swim after drinking?
No, alcohol is only served once swimming is over, and the swim area does not reopen.
How far is the swim stop?
The listing names a spot near Badalona, about 7.6 km straight-line from Port Olímpic.
How do I get to Port Olímpic by metro?
Take line 4 to Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica and walk about 7 to 10 minutes. A single ticket costs €2.90.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing and reviews (checked 2026-10-17); Open-Meteo; Nager.Date; Frankfurter FX; sunrise-sunset.org; TMB fares; Barcelona City Council bathing advice; Barcelona City Council tourism; Port of Barcelona; OSRM foot routing.
