Review · SPAIN

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included

★ 5.0 · 13 reviews 2 hours From $46 Operated by @SailBcn · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Barcelona looks different from the water. This small-group sailing trip pairs coastline views with open-sea swimming, unlimited drinks, tapas, and time aboard a Sun Odyssey 34. I like the relaxed mix of sailing and swimming, and the limited group size of six makes the boat feel more personal. The main tradeoff is that two hours passes quickly, especially if you want plenty of time both to swim and watch Barcelona from offshore.

Captain Alan receives especially warm praise for being attentive, friendly, and fun without losing his professional touch. You should also note the practical limits: towels and sunscreen are not supplied, and the tour is not suitable for children under 15, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people with epilepsy, people over 70, or anyone prone to motion sickness.

Key points to know before you book

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included - Key points to know before you book

  • Gate 12 at Port Olímpic is the meeting point, so allow time to find the correct marina entrance.
  • The Sun Odyssey 34 gives you a proper sailing-boat setting rather than a large sightseeing vessel.
  • Open-sea swimming is the tour’s main active moment, with paddle boards and floats supplied.
  • Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included, along with tapas or a light lunch on board.
  • Barcelona’s skyline looks striking from offshore, including the Sagrada Família, W Hotel, and Agbar Tower.
  • The group is limited to six people, but the tour still has firm age, health, and weight restrictions.

Setting out from Port Olímpic on a Sun Odyssey 34

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included - Setting out from Port Olímpic on a Sun Odyssey 34

You meet at gate number 12 of Port Olímpic, Barcelona’s Olympic marina. The boat is a Sun Odyssey 34, a sailing yacht that feels more intimate than the big catamarans and party boats often used for harbor trips. With a maximum of six participants, you are not being packed onto a floating platform with dozens of strangers.

The opening part of the tour is about getting away from the marina and into open water. The plan is not simply to motor around the harbor. You set sail toward the Mediterranean, with sailing navigation built into the experience. That makes this a good choice if you want the sense of being on a real sailing trip, even though the tour is short.

I like the scale here. Six people is small enough for the captain to check in with everyone, explain what is happening, and keep the mood easy. Captain Alan is named in several enthusiastic comments, with repeated praise for his warmth, attentiveness, professionalism, and sense of humor. One especially useful detail is that he kept checking that people had what they needed, which matters on a compact boat where comfort depends on good hosting.

The boat itself is part of the appeal, but it also means you should bring the right attitude. This is not a formal cruise with a large indoor lounge, multiple decks, and endless room to spread out. You will be spending two hours in a close setting, so the small group works best for couples, friends, and social visitors who enjoy sharing a boat.

A few more sailing tours around Barcelona worth a look

Barcelona’s skyline from the Mediterranean

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included - Barcelona’s skyline from the Mediterranean

Once you are offshore, Barcelona’s familiar sights take on a new shape. From the sea, the city becomes a broad coastal view rather than a series of streets and buildings. The Sagrada Família, W Hotel, and Agbar Tower are among the landmarks you can see from the boat.

The value of this view is simple: you get a different sense of the city’s scale. On land, Barcelona’s major sights compete with traffic, blocks of buildings, and crowds. From the water, the coastline gives you room to look at the skyline as a whole. You can settle in with a drink, watch the harbor recede, and pick out landmarks from offshore.

This is also the part of the trip that suits people who want a calm break from sightseeing. Barcelona can fill a day quickly with churches, markets, museums, and long walks. Two hours on the water gives you a change of pace without taking a full day away from the city.

The timing of your departure may affect the feel of the outing, though the available information does not list fixed morning or afternoon times. If swimming matters most to you, one useful tip is to choose a midday departure when available. A German couple specifically recommended that time for people who want to get into the water. The best start time can depend on the day’s conditions and availability, so check before booking.

The open-sea swimming stop

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included - The open-sea swimming stop

The swimming stop is the tour’s main break from sightseeing. Instead of swimming beside the city beach, you stop in the open sea, where you can jump into deeper water and use the paddle board and floats provided on board.

That setting makes the stop feel more like a real boat outing than a standard harbor cruise. You are not just looking at Barcelona. You have a chance to get in the Mediterranean, cool off, and spend time away from the shoreline.

You should be comfortable in deep water before booking. The description does not promise a shallow swimming area, lifeguard service, or a guided swimming lesson. It simply says that the boat makes stops in the open sea. Bring beachwear, and remember that towels and sunscreen are not included.

The paddle board and floats add choice. You can swim, float, or spend time on the board rather than staying in the water the whole time. Still, the amount of swimming time will depend on the day’s sailing pace and the two-hour schedule. If you want a long beach-style swim, this is not the right product. If you want a refreshing open-water stop folded into a short sailing trip, it makes much more sense.

Motion sickness deserves serious attention here. The activity specifically excludes people with motion sickness, and that is not a minor footnote. A sailing boat moves differently from land, and an open-water stop will not make the journey suitable for someone who already knows that boats bother them. If you are unsure, ask a medical professional about medication before booking, since motion sickness pills are not included.

Unlimited drinks, tapas, and the social mood

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included - Unlimited drinks, tapas, and the social mood

Food and drinks are a major part of the value. Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included, with beer, wine, and soft drinks available on board. Tapas are served after swimming, and the experience is also described as including lunch on board.

Think of this as a light meal and snack service rather than a restaurant lunch. The available description focuses on tapas, and one detailed account praised the fresh snacks and the care that went into preparing them. Another group enjoyed the combination of beer, snacks, music, and a relaxed atmosphere during a celebration.

The unlimited drinks help explain the $46 price. If you only wanted a short harbor ride, you might find a cheaper boat option. Here, your fare combines the sailing boat, a small group, drinks, food, an open-sea swimming stop, and water equipment. That package gives the tour good value for visitors who plan to use the food and drinks and want more than a view from a seat.

Alcohol changes the practical side of the experience. You can enjoy wine or beer, but you should still take care around the water, especially if you plan to swim or use the paddle board. Non-alcoholic drinks are included too, so you do not need to drink alcohol to get value from the package.

The social mood seems best suited to a small celebration, a friends’ outing, or a couple looking for a pleasant break. One group booked the trip for a bachelorette celebration and found the captain’s friendly manner, music, snacks, and drinks a good match. That does not mean the boat is a loud party cruise. The small capacity suggests something more personal and easygoing.

Why the two-hour length works, and where it falls short

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included - Why the two-hour length works, and where it falls short

Two hours is long enough to leave the marina, view the coastline, enjoy refreshments, and make a swimming stop. It also fits neatly into a busy Barcelona day. You can pair it with other plans instead of giving up an entire afternoon.

The short length is also the chief limitation. Sailing out, taking in the skyline, stopping to swim, serving food, and returning all compete for time. You should not expect a long lesson in sailing, an extended voyage along the coast, or a leisurely hour in the water followed by a full meal.

I would treat the trip as a compact experience with several ingredients, not as a serious sailing course. You may see sailing navigation in action, but there is no promise that you will take the helm or receive detailed instruction. If your main goal is learning to sail, check with the provider before you reserve.

The small group helps the schedule feel less rushed. With no more than six participants, boarding, serving drinks, and preparing for the swimming stop should be easier than on a large boat. Still, the experience has a fixed two-hour boundary, so arrive ready at gate 12 rather than turning up late and losing part of the trip.

Who will enjoy this Barcelona boat tour most

This sailing trip suits you best if you want several experiences in one short outing:

  • You want a fresh view of Barcelona’s major landmarks from the sea.
  • You enjoy swimming in deep water rather than staying at a beach.
  • You like a friendly, social boat with no more than six participants.
  • You value included drinks, tapas, and water equipment.
  • You are comfortable with a compact sailing boat and open-water movement.
  • You want a simple celebration, date activity, or relaxed break from city sightseeing.

It is less suitable if you need step-free access, dislike boats, or want a quiet sightseeing cruise with no swimming. The activity is not suitable for children under 15, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people with epilepsy, people over 70, or people over 287 pounds, which is 130 kilograms.

The age rules are stricter than you might expect for a casual boat ride. Pay attention to them when booking, especially if your group includes older relatives or teenagers. The operator also lists motion sickness as a reason not to take the trip.

What to bring and how to prepare

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included - What to bring and how to prepare

Bring beachwear, since the swimming stop is part of the core plan. Pack sunscreen and a towel because neither is provided. You may also want a dry change of clothes, though that is not specifically listed as required.

Keep your belongings practical. A sailing boat has limited room, and you will want your hands free when moving between sitting, swimming, and using the floats or paddle board. The supplied information does not state whether lockers or dry storage are available, so avoid bringing valuables you do not need.

Meet at gate 12 of the Olympic Harbor. The tour is offered in English and Spanish, and some content may be presented in its original language. If your group needs detailed instructions in one specific language, confirm that when you book.

The cancellation terms are friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Barcelona schedule is still changing. Check available starting times before committing, since the outing lasts two hours and midday may be preferable for swimming.

Is $46 a fair price?

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included - Is $46 a fair price?

At $46 per person, this is a strong package if you want the full combination of sailing, swimming, food, and drinks. A simple sightseeing boat may cost less, but it may not offer a six-person group, open-sea swimming, paddle boards, floats, tapas, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The value depends on your habits. If you do not drink, do not want to swim, or mainly want skyline photos, you may not use every part of the package. If you want an easy social outing and would otherwise pay separately for drinks, snacks, and a boat ride, the price looks more attractive.

I also like that the cost is easy to understand. The major extras are included rather than being offered as tempting add-ons once you are on board. Just remember that sunscreen and towels remain your responsibility.

Should you book this sailing experience?

New Sailing / Boat Tour All Included - Should you book this sailing experience?

I would book this tour if you want a short, sociable Barcelona outing that combines coastline views with a real open-water stop. Captain Alan’s personal style is a major part of the appeal, and the repeated praise for his care, humor, and professionalism suggests that the hosting is as important as the boat itself.

Book it for a midday slot if swimming is a priority, bring beachwear, towel, and sunscreen, and expect tapas rather than a large formal meal. Skip it if you are prone to motion sickness, need accessible facilities, dislike deep water, or want a long sailing lesson.

For the right group, $46 buys a lot in two hours: a small yacht, city views, swimming gear, tapas, and unlimited drinks. That is a neat way to see Barcelona from a different angle without surrendering a whole day.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour meet?

The meeting point is gate number 12 of the Olympic Harbor at Port Olímpic in Barcelona.

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to six participants.

What type of boat is used?

The tour uses a Sun Odyssey 34 sailing boat.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included, including beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Is food included?

Yes. Tapas are provided on board, and the activity information also describes lunch on board.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The boat makes swimming stops in the open sea.

Is swimming equipment provided?

Yes. Paddle boards and floats are included.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels and sunscreen are not provided.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish. Some content may be shown in its original language.

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