REVIEW · BARCELONA
Private Charter in Catamaran Alexa by Barcelona 12 pax 2/4/8 HS
Book on Viator →Operated by CharterBarcelona - Private Sailboats, Yachts and Catamaran · Bookable on Viator
Catamaran views beat Barcelona from land. This private charter cruises the coast from Port Olímpic, so you see the city’s skyline points at a slower, nicer pace, with your group only. It’s the kind of outing that turns Barcelona into a photo album you don’t have to fight for.
What I like most is the guide-captain vibe: people highlight Alberto for being accommodating and professional, even when someone gets sea sick. I also like the straightforward comfort setup, with an onboard restroom plus snacks, bottled water, soda/pop, and alcoholic beverages included.
One thing to think about: you’ll likely pay a €60 cleaning service that’s not included, and the trip requires good weather. If conditions are rough, a day on the water can feel like a gamble, even with a helpful crew.
In This Review
- Quick highlights you’ll care about
- Why a private catamaran charter from Port Olímpic feels like a better Barcelona
- Where you meet: Port Olímpic, Moll de Mestral, and Sant Martí (08005)
- The main event: an 8-hour coastal cruise that’s built for skyline watching
- Departing and getting your bearings (first stretch)
- Cruising the coast (middle stretch)
- The return trip (last stretch)
- Onboard comfort: restroom, snacks, and the drink situation
- The crew makes the difference: Captain Alberto and Antonio’s attention
- What you should do to get the most out of the crew
- Price and value: $1,323.22 for up to 12 people
- Weather and sea conditions: the one real variable
- Who should book this private charter (and who might not)
- Book it or skip it: my call
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the private catamaran charter?
- How many people can go on the charter?
- Where do we meet for the tour?
- What’s included on board?
- What is not included?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Is the cancellation policy flexible?
Quick highlights you’ll care about
- Private and small: up to 12 people, only your group on the boat
- Classic route: an 8-hour cruise along Barcelona’s coastline from Port Olímpic
- Onboard basics covered: restroom, snacks, bottled water, soda/pop, and alcohol included
- English-speaking experience: offered in English for your group
- Service that adapts: captains like Alberto and Antonio are praised for being attentive and adjusting when needed
- Great for celebrations: birthdays come up often, with a good music-and-drinks atmosphere
Why a private catamaran charter from Port Olímpic feels like a better Barcelona

Barcelona is easy to visit in a rush. You can spend days zigzagging between viewpoints, standing in line, and ending the night tired. This charter flips the script. You start at Port Olímpic and move along the coast at a pace that lets the skyline actually land for you.
The big win here is privacy. This is a private tour/activity, meaning only your group rides the catamaran. Up to 12 people is a sweet spot: you get that group energy, but it still feels like a real small-world experience, not a cattle-car cruise.
I also like how the boat setting changes the kind of sightseeing you do. Instead of chasing landmarks on foot, you’re identifying famous city points from the sea and watching how the skyline layers with the coastline. That is a different kind of “Barcelona moment,” and it’s often easier to enjoy with friends, couples, or a mixed group.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Barcelona
Where you meet: Port Olímpic, Moll de Mestral, and Sant Martí (08005)

Your starting point is Port Olímpic, near Moll de Mestral in the Sant Martí area (08005 Barcelona). The exact address detail is provided, and the location is also described as near public transportation, which matters if you’re coming from another part of town without a car.
Plan to arrive with a little buffer. Private charters often run on boat time, and you’ll want everyone together before you cast off. Also, since the charter lasts about 8 hours, you’ll feel better if you use the restroom before departure and keep your bags organized so you’re not hunting around when you’re trying to relax.
The main event: an 8-hour coastal cruise that’s built for skyline watching
The core of this experience is simple: you travel along Barcelona’s coast and identify different attractions and famous city points on the skyline. That sounds broad, but it’s actually the point. You’re not locked into a rigid script of stops. You’re floating, looking, and getting the kind of views that don’t come from most streets.
Departing and getting your bearings (first stretch)
Right after you leave Port Olímpic, you’re in that sweet window where you can settle fast. The water view makes Barcelona feel more spread out. You’ll start recognizing major silhouette shapes against the horizon, and it becomes easier to understand how the city sits along the coast.
Practical tip: bring something to shield from the sun and a way to keep your phone dry or secure. Even on calm days, salt air and wind happen.
Cruising the coast (middle stretch)
This is where you enjoy the slow sightseeing. The crew travels along the coastline and helps you connect what you’re seeing with the city’s famous points on the skyline. Think of it like a guided “read the view” lesson, but with snacks and drinks in the background.
If you care about photos, this stretch is your best bet. The boat angle gives you a different perspective than most land-based viewpoints. You also have more chances to frame shots because you’re moving gradually instead of stopping for one quick look.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Barcelona
The return trip (last stretch)
At the end, the experience ends back at the meeting point. For a full 8-hour charter, that matters because you’re not spending your last energy on transit. You just sail back in, wrap up, and go grab dinner while you’re still in vacation mode.
A small consideration: if you get tired during long daylight hours, decide early whether your group will do a lot of lounging versus constant sightseeing. With a private group, you can tailor your energy level, and that’s part of the value.
Onboard comfort: restroom, snacks, and the drink situation

This charter is set up to keep you comfortable for the whole day. You get:
- Restroom on board
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Soda/pop
- Alcoholic beverages
That mix matters. Water and soda help you stay hydrated without constantly asking staff for refills. Snacks keep hunger from turning the day into a “when will this end” mood. And having alcoholic beverages included makes the experience feel like a real charter, not a sightseeing bus with a different seat.
I also appreciate that the restroom is onboard. For many people, that’s not a luxury. It changes how relaxed the day feels, especially on an 8-hour outing.
What to keep in mind: alcohol plus sun plus movement can hit people differently. If your group includes anyone who gets motion sickness, you’ll want to be proactive with what helps them (and be ready to slow down if needed).
The crew makes the difference: Captain Alberto and Antonio’s attention

The biggest praise in the feedback is about the captains and the service attitude. Alberto shows up repeatedly for being welcoming, funny, polite, and attentive. People also highlight him as especially helpful when someone in the group became sea sick, including adjusting the itinerary to help make the day more enjoyable.
Another captain name that comes up is Antonio. Feedback describes him as excellent, a nice guy, and someone who shows you everything and treats people very well. In other words: this isn’t just a boat rental. It’s a crew experience.
There’s also a pattern with celebrations. Several mentions connect the charter to birthdays, and people credit the captain and the atmosphere, including music and the food-and-drinks vibe. Even if you’re not celebrating, that adds up to a day that feels like it’s meant for good moods.
What you should do to get the most out of the crew
Since the charter is private, you’ll get more from asking simple questions. If there’s a particular part of the skyline your group wants to understand, ask the captain what you’re looking at. If someone in your group is sensitive to movement, let the crew know early so they can help you set the day up.
Price and value: $1,323.22 for up to 12 people

The price is listed as $1,323.22 per group, up to 12 people, for about 8 hours. That can look steep if you compare it to a per-person ticket. But with private charters, you’re paying for the whole boat time and the included onboard items, not just a seat.
Here’s how to think about value:
- If you’re 2 people, it can feel like a splurge.
- If you’re 6 to 12 people, it starts to feel like one of those rare times when you can buy everyone a memorable experience without making the budget cry.
- The included snacks, bottled water, soda/pop, and alcoholic beverages matter. You’re not adding those costs separately.
A useful way to plan: treat it like a bundled “day out” cost. If your group was going to buy drinks, pay for expensive meal upgrades, and spend money on a private guide or multiple attractions, the charter can be competitive—especially because the views are the main attraction.
One caution for budgeting: the €60 cleaning service is not included. If you’re comparing total costs, include that in your planning so there aren’t surprises at the end.
Weather and sea conditions: the one real variable

This experience requires good weather. That’s not a small detail. When conditions are rough, a day on the water can change quickly, and the comfort level of everyone onboard can drop.
The positive note: the crew is described as very capable and supportive. There’s an explicit example where the captain helped a sea-sick person and adjusted the itinerary to make the day more enjoyable. That’s exactly what you want in a boat setting.
Practical advice: if you’re booking for a date where weather could be iffy, plan with flexibility. Also, if your group has someone who gets motion sickness easily, consider bringing whatever helps them most, and arrive ready to take it slow if needed.
Who should book this private charter (and who might not)

This is a good fit if you want:
- a private outing with your group only
- a full 8-hour experience that includes food and drinks
- a captain-guided way to enjoy Barcelona’s coastline and skyline without crowds
- a day plan that works for celebrations, including birthdays
It might be less ideal if:
- you hate spending time on the water and only want land attractions
- your group can’t handle weather changes, since good conditions are required
- you’re traveling as a tiny group and the total cost doesn’t match your comfort level
Book it or skip it: my call
If your group is at least several people and you’re excited by the idea of skyline views from the sea, I think this charter is a strong booking. The comfort basics are covered, the service reputation is excellent, and the included food-and-drink setup turns it into a real day out.
I’d only hesitate if you’re on a tight schedule or you’re booking when weather is likely to be unpredictable for your dates. In that case, the trip’s dependency on good weather becomes the deciding factor.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the private catamaran charter?
It’s listed as 8 hours (approx.).
How many people can go on the charter?
The private group charter is up to 12 people.
Where do we meet for the tour?
The meeting point is Port Olímpic (including Moll de Mestral) in Sant Martí, 08005 Barcelona, Spain.
What’s included on board?
Included are a restroom on board, snacks, bottled water, soda/pop, and alcoholic beverages.
What is not included?
A cleaning service (€60) is not included.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, the experience is offered in English.
Is the cancellation policy flexible?
Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the experience depends on good weather.


































