Getting out on the water in Barcelona does not mean hiring a whole boat. If you are travelling solo, as a couple or with a couple of friends, the affordable option is the shared catamaran: you buy a ticket per person, join other passengers and watch the city and the sunset from the sea for the price of a dinner. Here is how it works, which options exist, what it costs and when a private boat is the better deal.
What a shared catamaran cruise is
It is a departure with a fixed timetable where every passenger buys a seat, like a tour. You do not choose the route or the time, but you pay a fraction of what a private boat costs. The Barcelona cruise leaves from Port Olímpic, lasts between 1.5 and 2.5 hours depending on the option, and follows the city coastline: Vila Olímpica, the beaches and the old port, with the skyline as the backdrop. On board there is a welcome drink, relaxed music and plenty of room to sit on deck or lie on the bow nets.
The boat: the Big Space
The cruise runs on the Big Space, the largest sailing catamaran in Barcelona. It is the same boat we hire out privately for events of up to 125 people, so on a shared cruise you have space to spare. It has a wide deck, nets between the hulls to lie on, a covered area, toilets, Wi-Fi and a sound system. When fewer than 10 people book, the trip may run on a luxury sailboat instead of the catamaran. The boat is wheelchair accessible and the crew speak English, Spanish, French and Catalan.
The three options and their prices
| Option | Duration | What is included | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset cruise | 1.5 h | Welcome drink (water, soft drink, wine, cava or beer) | €35 (from €25 in low season) |
| Premium sunset | 1.5 h | Two drinks and a local tapa: cheese, fuet and breadsticks | €44 |
| Day sail + swim | 2.5 h | Sailing, swim stop, tapas and free club entry | €55 |
These are October 2026 prices and they vary by season. The day sail runs on weekends only, leaving around 13:30, and it is the only option with a swim stop. Sundays tend to have an Erasmus party crowd on board: if you want something quiet, pick a weekday. Up-to-date prices and availability for each date are on the shared catamaran cruise page.
The cruise step by step
- Check in 30 minutes before. The meeting point is next to Pati Vela in Port Olímpic (Carrer de la Marina s/n). Do not enter the club: the gate to the dock is by the beach and you will see the catamaran flags.
- Board and get your welcome drink. Pick your spot: deck, covered area or the bow nets, which go first.
- Sail along the coast. The boat leaves Port Olímpic heading south past Vila Olímpica, Barceloneta and the old port, then comes back the same way.
- The sunset. On the sunset options the boat is at sea as the sun drops behind Montjuïc and Collserola and the skyline lights up.
- Back to port. After 1.5 hours (sunset) or 2.5 hours (day sail) you are back at Port Olímpic, ten minutes by metro from the centre.
What time the sunset cruise leaves, month by month
The departure time is adjusted each season so the sunset catches you sailing. For reference, mid-month sunset times in Barcelona are:
| Month | Sunset |
|---|---|
| April | 20:30 |
| May | 21:00 |
| June | 21:25 |
| July | 21:20 |
| August | 20:50 |
| September | 20:00 |
| October | 19:10 |
In October 2026 the cruise leaves at 18:00; in high summer it is around 20:00. When you pick a date on the page you see the exact time for that day.
What the ticket includes and what it does not
Included: captain and crew, the welcome drink, music, Wi-Fi, fuel, insurance and taxes. The premium option adds a second drink and the tapa, and the day sail adds the swim stop, tapas and club entry. Not included: parking, transfers and extra drinks, which are paid on board. Pets are not allowed.
Shared or private: when each one pays off
The maths is simple. A sunset ticket costs €35 per person; a private boat with skipper for up to 6 people costs €240 for 2 hours, €150 for 1 hour.
- One or two people: shared, no question. Two tickets are €70; the cheapest private boat is €150 for one hour.
- Four people: shared if what you want is the sunset with a drink (€140). Private if you want to swim, choose the time or do your own thing (€240 for 2 hours).
- Six people or more: private. €240 split six ways is €40 a head, almost the same as the ticket, and the boat is yours: time, route and music your call. See the private sunset cruise.
- Groups of 10 or more: the private catamaran for up to 26 people from €810, or the Big Space itself from €2,150.
Tips before you book
- Arrive early. Traffic around Port Olímpic is slow because of roadworks and the boat does not wait; check-in closes 30 minutes before departure.
- Bring a layer for the sunset. At sea it is 2 or 3 degrees cooler than on land and it cools down fast once the sun is gone. There are blankets on board, but a hoodie or windbreaker helps.
- Pick a weekday for a quiet cruise. Weekends and Sundays have more of a party atmosphere.
- Cancellation. Full refund up to 24 hours before, and you can reserve now and pay later.
- Bad weather. If the cruise is cancelled for weather you get another date or a full refund.
How to book
Pick the date, number of people and option directly on the shared catamaran cruise page. The booking is handled by GetYourGuide, with a digital ticket on your phone and free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Not sure whether shared or private suits your group? Message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you which works out better.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a shared catamaran cruise in Barcelona cost?
From €25 per person in low season. In October 2026 the sunset cruise with welcome drink costs €35, the premium sunset with two drinks and a tapa €44, and the weekend day sail with swim stop €55. The exact price for each date is shown when you book.
Where does the shared catamaran leave from?
From Port Olímpic in Barcelona, Carrer de la Marina s/n, next to the Pati Vela sailing club. Do not go into the club: the entrance to the dock is a small gate by the beach, where you will see the catamaran flags. Check-in is 30 minutes before departure.
What time does the sunset cruise leave?
It moves with the season so the sunset catches you at sea: around 18:00 in October and close to 20:00 in June and July. The cruise lasts 1.5 hours and the exact times for each date appear when you pick the day.
Is the shared catamaran or a private boat better value?
For one, two or four people, the shared cruise: two sunset tickets cost about €70 against €240 for a 2-hour private boat. From six people a private boat costs about the same per head (€240 split six ways is €40) and you get the boat to yourselves, at the time and on the route you choose.
Can I cancel my ticket?
Yes, with a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If the cruise is cancelled because of bad weather you are offered another date or a full refund.