Boat Trips in Cabo de Gata: Yacht, Sailboat or Small Excursion Boat?
Updated October 20, 2026 · 5 min read
The coast of Cabo de Gata is best seen from the water, because some of its best coves have no road to them. Boat trips leave from two harbours at opposite ends of the park: San José, in the middle of it, and Carboneras, near its eastern edge. Which harbour you pick changes which stretch of coast you see.
Three kinds of boat
Small excursion boat from San José. The 105-minute boat trip past coves and volcanoes costs €42 and has 226 reviews at 4.8 stars. The listing says it uses a fibre boat, includes swimming and offers snorkelling.
Yacht from Carboneras. The yacht tour to the “5 best beaches” costs €70 for 2 hours, with 289 reviews at 4.5 stars. Of the boat trips compared here, it has the most reviews. Alongside it is a 2-hour boat ride from Carboneras at €50, rated 5.0 on 97 reviews, whose description is a single line, so read the booking page for what the route is.
Sailboat. Sailing is slower and longer. There is a 3-hour sailing tour from Carboneras to the caves and Los Muertos beach at €75 (68 reviews, 4.9 stars), a 3-hour sunset sail with a glass of cava at €80 (48 reviews, 4.8), and a 3-hour guided sail on a private boat for up to 11 people at €75 (35 reviews, 4.5), which includes a swim stop.
What the price per hour says
Rounded, and worked out from the listed prices and durations:
| Trip | Price | Length | Per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excursion boat from San José | €42 | 105 min | about €24 |
| Sailing tour from Carboneras | €75 | 3 h | €25 |
| Sunset sail with cava | €80 | 3 h | about €27 |
| Yacht to the 5 best beaches | €70 | 2 h | €35 |
The yacht is the most expensive per hour. The sailboats cost almost as little per hour as the small boat and give you a longer trip. Of the trips compared here, the small boat is the cheapest in total.
Which one
- For most people: the excursion boat from San José. It combines a very good rating (4.8) on 226 reviews with the lowest total price (€42) of the trips compared here. The listing gives no minimum age, so check the booking page if you bring children.
- For a long day on the water: one of the 3-hour sailing trips. The sunset sail with cava is the one built around the evening.
- For beach-hopping with a swim: the yacht, because its whole pitch is the beaches. See the best beaches in Cabo de Gata for what each one is like on land.
- If you want a boat to yourselves: a boat sightseeing tour listed as private costs €70 for 2 hours, but with 12 reviews at 4.1 stars it is the least proven of the group.
What none of the listings tell you
The summaries do not say how a tour is handled if the sea is rough, whether there is a toilet on board, or how much shade the boat has. Swell can change plans on this coast. Check the cancellation terms on the booking page before choosing a date, and take a sun hat whatever the forecast.
If you would rather paddle than be carried, compare kayaking and snorkelling in Cabo de Gata. All 17 boat and kayak offers, from €9, are on the boat trips and kayaking page.
