About this tour
When Tom from our team joined Boramar's catamaran run out of Denia, we got a genuine taste of the Spanish Mediterranean without the tourist crush. The boat follows the craggy Las Rotas coastline, loops past carved sea caves and Cape San Antonio's dramatic cliffs, then heads toward Portitxol Island where a handful of sheltered coves wait. Your captain picks the best spot, drops anchor, and you get a swim followed by a proper lunch — Valencian salad, paella cooked on board, fresh fruit, plus a drink — before the five-hour run back. It's a proper day out, not a quick hop.
Highlights
- Sailing past the Carved Cova and sheer cliffs of Cape San Antonio
- Captain selects the cove based on conditions and crowd levels that day
- Paella and fresh fruit served straight on the anchored boat
- Genuinely quiet coves; feels like you've found a pocket locals know
- One included drink — beer, soft drink, or water as you fancy
- Steep cliffs frame each bay; scenery justifies the journey alone
- Mix of swimmers and non-swimmers handled naturally
What to expect
You'll board at Denia and motor east along a jagged, mostly undeveloped coastline. The first hour covers the Marine Nature Reserve and a few named landmarks — the captain points them out without fanfare. The ride is steady rather than thrilling; you're on a proper catamaran, not a speedboat. Around mid-point you swing past Javea's port area, then press on to Portitxol's territory where the captain reads the swell and picks the quietest cove. Anchoring takes minutes.
Once moored, crew serves a proper lunch at tables on deck: crisp salad, a generous paella pot that feeds the group family-style, fruit, and your drink. It's unhurried eating with the water lapping metres away. Swimming happens straight after — you jump in from the platform or use the ladder. Nobody rushes you out. The return journey mirrors the outbound route; you'll be back on land around five hours after departure. Weather and sea state might shift the cove choice on the day, so there's a loose feel to it.
What travellers say
- Actual Valencian paella included, not tourist-tier filler
- Cove location chosen by the captain on the day for best conditions
- Cliffs, cave formations, and Marine Reserve all visible in one trip
- Swimming time feels unhurried; no cattle-herding vibe
- Dietary options (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free) catered on request
- Quiet, unspoilt beaches — not Instagram-crowded
- Five-hour voyage rough for seasickness-prone travellers
- Early departure typical; night owls won't love the schedule
- Boat assignment varies daily; no guarantee of familiar vessel
- Ladder entry to water excludes those with mobility constraints
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
You're eating proper Valencian food cooked that morning, not reheated tourist fare. The coves really are tucked and calm — you won't feel like you're in a sardine tin. Vegetarian and vegan menus exist if you email ahead. Small children (infants on laps) and strollers are welcomed. Groups stay manageable.
You're at sea for five hours, so if you get queasy, bring tablets or ginger. The boat itself isn't guaranteed to be the same one each time — you get whatever's running that day. Early starts are typical for these runs; it's not a lazy afternoon affair. You'll be wet afterwards, so pack a change of clothes and a towel. Sunscreen is non-negotiable even if clouds come through. Accessibility for mobility issues could be tricky with the boarding process and ladder entry to the water — check with crew beforehand. Group size varies; peak summer will be busier than off-season.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.