You’re not short of things to do in Barcelona, but if you can spare the time, it’s definitely worth getting yourself on a boat. Barcelona boat parties are a great way to meet other travellers, plus you get to enjoy some beverages and fantastic views as you sail along the coast in a two-storey catamaran.
From mid-April to September, various boats depart every day of the week except Mondays, with different trips tailored to different tastes. As early as March and as late as October, a limited service still runs.
WHICH BARCELONA BOAT PARTY?
All of the boat parties have a DJ and dance floor on the lower deck, with live music upstairs. You’ll also have the chance to get yourself free guest list entry to a top beachfront club for later the same evening. Which cruise you choose will depend on your taste in tunes and whether or not you’d like to add a dip in the ocean to the shenanigans. Three of the most popular are listed below, but you should also look out for special events, like the Halloween and July 4 celebrations!
ORIGINAL
The Original Barcelona Boat Party costs €45 per person. At the height of the summer, there’s a special club boat on Saturdays at 10:00 pm, as well as an evening option on Thursdays and Saturdays between 7:00 and 7:30 pm. Your ticket includes a drinks card that can be exchanged for beer, sangria or mimosas, and your lovely Stoke Travel hosts will be on hand to liven up the atmosphere and make sure everyone’s having a great time.
CHAMPAGNE SUNSET
The Champagne Barcelona Boat Party comes in a little pricier at €65 to €85. The beats are a little more mellow and the cocktails – as you might have guessed – come with a splash of fizz. It’s still a party boat, but with a little bit more panache. You can also enjoy some Spanish paella on board. Boats depart on Fridays at 8:30 pm, returning two hours later.
BBQ
On a hot summer’s day, you might be looking for something more than the sea breeze to keep you refreshed and energised. That’s why the Stokies came up with the BBQ Barcelona Boat Party. This is the only cruise that includes a swim stop. Splash about on the rafts and inflatables provided, and then return to the boat for a grilled feast and a couple of large beers. At €55 per person, this trip gives you the best bang for your bucks. This trip departs at 4:00 pm on Saturdays.
BBQ CHILLOUT BOAT
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, there’s the option of enjoying a three-hour cruise and one-hour swim stop, including rafts and inflatables. Tickets are €50 and include your scrumptious BBQ and two post-swim drinks.
ULTIMATE POWER BOAT
Stoke have recently launched a new boat trip for adrenaline junkies. Hop on board the party power boat from Tuesday to Sunday at 12:00 pm and you can experience the scenic coast, a swim stop, a high-speed boat and some wave jumps, all for €38.
WHERE TO MEET
Eager sailors should head to The Coconut Club on Port Olimpic. The closest Metro stop is Ciutadella/Villa Olimpica, and it’s easy to find thanks to its location beneath one of the most striking landmarks on Barcelona’s seafront. ‘El Peix d’Or’ or ‘the Golden Fish’ is a 52 m long sculpture made of gold stainless steel that was built for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Incidentally, the 2 km white sand beach was also imported for the Games at a cost of over US$11 billion.
The friendly Stoke Travel staff will be there to check you in up to two hours before departure. You’ll receive a wristband and a token entitling you to a free shot with any drink you purchase in the bar.
For the BBQ boat party, you should still head to Port Olympic, but instead of the Coconut Club, you should aim for the docking ramp on the beach, directly in front of the tall white tower on the right-hand side of the pier.
If you’re worried about recognising the Stoke staff, familiarise yourself with the Stoke Travel logo. It’s plastered all over their t-shirts so you’d be hard-pressed to miss them.
USEFUL TIPS
⛵️ All trips are weather permitting. They won’t leave in rough seas and torrential rain, but then again, you wouldn’t really want them to!
⛵️ Unless you’re on the BBQ tour, noone is permitted to enter the water. This is for safety reasons. Breaking the rules incurs a huge fine and ruins the fun for everyone.
⛵️ The boats have capacity for well over 100 people, so you’re likely to have a great time mingling with other travellers. Stoke Travel welcome all ages and nationalities and, while there’s usually a stag group or birthday party on board, you’ll fit in just as easily if you come by yourself.
⛵️ Depending on the time of the year, you might not get to see the sunset from the Champagne Sunset tour. On the longest days in summer, the sun doesn’t go down until around 10 pm!
⛵️ There’s no dress code for the Barcelona Boat Party. It can get windy, so unless you intend to flash your fellow revellers, you might want to rethink that floaty dress. High heels can also cause problems once the boat starts to rock, but you might need them for bar entry later on. If you don’t want to land on your back with a cocktail in your face, you can always go barefoot while at sea.
STAYING IN BARCELONA?
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I’ve never really considered a party boat tour, but it seems like it could be a really fun way to spend an afternoon, especially in the summer when it gets really, really hot. Being able to meet new people and have a good time are just the added benefits. Thanks for sharing!
Exactly! I’ve been on one in Barcelona and one in Halong Bay and they were both a lot of fun!