Boat Trips from Lloret de Mar (Honest Guide for 2026)

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps us keep this guide up to date.

After 11 years of welcoming guests to our apartment in Lloret, there's one question that pops up almost every day in the chat: “which boat trip is actually worth it?” The answer is never the same – it depends on the kind of trip you're after, your budget and how keen you are to get in the water.

In this guide we've rounded up the boat trips that are genuinely close to Lloret de Mar – most under an hour by car – with real prices, duration and a few practical tips so you don't end up overpaying or wasting half a morning on parking. No brochure clichés, no fake postcards: exactly what we'd ask if it were our first time on the Costa Brava.

Catamaran Cruise along the Costa Brava (departs from Lloret)

If you're only doing one boat trip, this is the one we'd recommend first. For two reasons: it departs directly from Lloret beach, right on the Agustí Font promenade, so you don't need a car, a transfer or to waste a morning on logistics.

The catamaran cruises for an hour to a secluded cove in the Girona area, anchors there for two hours so you can swim, snorkel and lounge on the solarium net, while the crew prepares a BBQ on board (burger, marinated chicken, salads and dessert). Drinks included – water, soft drink, sangria or beer – and an hour's return journey with music.

Duration: 4 hours · Departure: Paseo Agustí Font, 2 (opposite Lloret beach, 10 min walk from the centre) · Language: Spanish on board · Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Book Catamaran Cruise along the Costa Brava

Licence-Free Boat Hire at Cala Canyelles

This is our favourite option for couples or small groups who want to do their own thing without guides or set timetables. Departure is from the Cala Canyelles Marina, inside the Lloret municipality and barely 10 minutes by car from the apartment.

They give you a quick briefing (no boating licence required, just be over 18) and hand you a rigid inflatable boat with a canopy and boarding ladder. You can choose between 2 or 4 hours, and with that range you can easily reach Tossa de Mar or head down towards Blanes, anchoring in coves that most tourists only see from the coastal path.

Duration: 2 or 4 hours · Departure: Club Náutico Cala Canyelles · Deposit: €200 in cash (refunded when the boat is returned undamaged) · Free cancellation up to 48 hours before.

Book Licence-Free Boat Hire at Cala Canyelles

Jet Ski Tour off Lloret's Coast

If you're after adrenaline and a half-hour rush, this is the one. Departure is also from Lloret beach and it's a guided group tour: you always follow the instructor, so there's no way of getting lost or straying into dangerous areas.

You cross in front of Cala Banys, Cala Sa Boadella and the Fenals area, and depending on sea conditions you reach the headland that separates Lloret from Tossa. It's the fastest – and yes, wettest – way to see half the coastline.

Duration: 30 minutes or 1 hour · Departure: Lloret beach · Minimum age: generally 18 with ID or passport.

Book Jet Ski Tour off Lloret

Excursion to Cadaqués and Cap de Creus

This is the classic that never disappoints if you want a full-day combined excursion. It's not strictly a boat trip, but it takes you to one of the most spectacular maritime corners of the Mediterranean: the Cap de Creus Natural Park, the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, where Dalí painted every last cliff.

It departs from Girona (35 minutes by car from Lloret) and includes a visit to the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, a walk along the cape, free time for lunch in Cadaqués and a guided tour of the village. If you love coastal photography or want to see the wildest, most unspoilt side of the Costa Brava, there's nothing like it up north.

Duration: 9 h 30 min · Departure: Plaça Sant Feliu (Girona) at 8:30 · Includes: transport (vehicle max. 6 people), guide in Spanish · Not included: monastery entrance (€6), lunch.

Book Excursion to Cadaqués and Cap de Creus

Boat Trip to the Medes Islands

The Medes Islands are the best marine reserve in Catalonia and probably the best spot on the entire Costa Brava for snorkelling. They're about a 1-hour drive from Lloret de Mar (departing from l'Estartit), so a half-day trip is perfectly doable.

The boat trip uses a glass-bottomed vessel and hugs the Montgrí cliffs before anchoring near the islands for a guided snorkelling session. You'll see groupers, gilthead bream, salema, octopus and, if you're lucky, the odd barracuda. It's the activity that every guest who does it comes back raving about.

Duration: ~3 hours · Departure: l'Estartit harbour (1 h drive from Lloret on the C-31).

Book Boat Trip to the Medes Islands

Ferry-Golondrina between Lloret, Tossa and Sant Feliu

It's not a proper organised excursion, but it deserves a place in this guide because it's the most beautiful way to get from Lloret to Tossa. The GI-682 road between the two towns is scenic but winding, and it makes more than one person queasy. The alternative: hop on the ferry and see the Vila Vella of Tossa from the sea – the ultimate postcard view.

Departures are frequent in high season (every 1–2 hours, May to October) and the crossing takes about 25 minutes. You can go to Tossa in the morning, have lunch there, stroll around the castle and come back mid-afternoon. If you're torn between staying in one or the other, we've written a comparison between Lloret and Tossa to help you decide.

Duration: 25 min each way · Departure: Lloret beach (promenade area).

Catamaran around Cap de Creus from Roses

For those who already know the southern area and want something different: the catamaran around Cap de Creus departs from Roses (1h 15 min from Lloret on the AP-7) and skirts the wildest, most rugged part of the natural park, stopping for snorkelling in one of its virgin coves. The difference from the Lloret catamaran is the geology: schistose cliffs, eroded formations and much clearer water.

It's the ideal plan for a longer trip where you've already done the classic Cadaqués excursion and want to head north again for a different reason.

Duration: 3–4 hours · Departure: Roses harbour.

See Catamaran Departures from Roses

When to Book and What to Bring on Board

There are three things we tell almost every guest that will save you money and headaches:

When to book. Catamaran trips and licence-free boats fill up 7–10 days in advance in July and August, and 2–5 days ahead in June and September. Bank holiday weekends (Sant Joan, Assumption, La Mercè) sell out fast – book as soon as you have your dates.

When not to go. Check the tramontana wind forecast before booking the day. If it exceeds 30 km/h in the forecast, many trips get cancelled, and if you have to cancel yourself you lose the voucher unless you've booked with free cancellation. The calmest months are June, September and the first fortnight of October.

What to bring. Mineral, biodegradable sunscreen (marine reserves like the Medes will thank you), your own snorkel and mask (not included on many trips), a cap or scarf, a light jumper for the return journey, a small waterproof bag for your phone, and closed-toe water shoes if you plan to jump into rocky coves.

Summary and Booking Links

Here's a quick overview so you don't get lost:

Want to see more things to do in the area? Take a look at other activities in Lloret and beyond and the best beaches in the area.

See All Activities in Lloret de Mar

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there boat trips that depart directly from Lloret de Mar?
Yes. The Costa Brava catamaran trip, the licence-free boat hire (from Cala Canyelles) and the jet ski tour all depart from the Lloret municipal area. You don't need a car to reach the catamaran and jet ski boarding points – both are on the seafront promenade.

Which boat trip is best for families with children?
The morning catamaran trip from Lloret, without a doubt. It's stable, has a solarium net, includes lunch and has a family-friendly atmosphere. Afternoon departures are for over-18s only.

Do I need a boating licence to hire a licence-free boat?
No. The only requirement is being over 18. They give you a quick briefing on how to handle the rigid inflatable boat and which areas you can navigate.

What happens if the sea is rough or it rains on the day of my boat trip?
For all activities, if the trip is cancelled due to adverse weather, they offer a date change or a full refund. That's why we recommend booking options with free cancellation up to 24–48 hours in advance.

What is the best time of year for boat trips on the Costa Brava?
June and September are the golden months: water at 22–24 °C, fewer crowds and less wind than July–August. The first fortnight of October is also often excellent if autumn is dry.

Can you see Tossa de Mar from the boat?
Yes, several trips (catamaran, licence-free boat, ferry-golondrina) cruise along the Vila Vella of Tossa and give you a view of the castle from the sea. It's the ultimate Costa Brava postcard shot and very hard to photograph well from land.