Benidorm Boat Trips

Almost every public boat trip in Benidorm starts from the same small port, at the end of Paseo de Colón below the old town. The ticket desk is at the far end of the port, and that is where you swap any online voucher for a boarding pass.

The table lists the main trips with the times and prices that published sources gave in October 2026. Many listings sell through agents rather than the boat company itself, so the price you pay can vary. Treat the figures as a guide and check at the desk the day before you go.

The island boat is the trip most visitors take, and it is the only one that runs all year. The operator says boats leave the port every hour and come back from the island every 60 minutes, so you can stay as long as you like and catch any later boat. Visit Benidorm says departures run every 30–60 minutes in high season, generally between 10:00 and 18:00.

The crossing takes about 20 minutes. Once there, you can walk the paths up to the lighthouse, snorkel off the rocks or sit at the bar-restaurant by the pier. The island is part of the Serra Gelada Natural Park, so the paths are rough and there are rules about nesting birds.

Our Benidorm Island boat trip guide covers times, fares, the Aquascope and what to bring in detail.

Benidorm does not have a separate glass-bottom tour; the underwater viewing is built into the island trip. The boat company runs the Acuario catamarans and a semi-submersible called the Aquascope, which lets you look out at the seabed through windows below the waterline.

How you see it depends on the boat. The operator says that on the Acuario II catamaran the viewing happens on board when you reach the island, while passengers on the Bahía de Benidorm transfer to the Aquascope at the island. A TUI listing for the same trip says only the Bahía de Benidorm has underwater viewing. If the viewing matters to you, ask which boat is next when you buy your ticket.

The seabed around the island drops to about 20 m. The operator lists bream, salema, scorpionfish, octopus, nudibranchs and morays among what you may see. It is a favourite in our Benidorm with kids guide.

Scheduled boats also run along the coast, turning a day trip into a cruise past the Serra Gelada cliffs, which rise more than 300 m from the sea.

Smaller companies at the port run shorter trips aimed at couples and groups. On Yumping, Water Sports Benidorm lists a two-hour sunset boat along the Serra Gelada with snorkelling from €40, and a 90-minute trip to the Mitjana islet with snorkelling, also from €40. A 30-minute speedboat ride is listed from €30.

For groups, private boats are the usual option. The same company lists a Princess 450 motorboat for up to five people from €150 an hour, and a one-hour private boat party from €290, with party boats bookable for anything from an hour to a full day. These suit stag dos and hen parties, but they are priced per boat, not per person.

Be careful with "sunset cruise from Benidorm" listings. One widely sold catamaran sunset cruise actually departs from Altea and Calpe ports, so check the departure point before you book.

The island boat runs all year, but every route is cancelled in rough seas. Calm, settled mornings are usually best, and in summer the earliest boats are less crowded than the midday ones.

June to September is the busiest season, with the most frequent departures and the warmest water for snorkelling; see Benidorm weather in July and August. Spring and autumn are quieter and cooler, and still good for the cruise along the cliffs. In winter, check the forecast and the port desk before you set off, as the Benidorm weather in January page shows.

You can buy at the port desk or online through agents such as TUI, Musement and Yumping. Most online tickets are only valid on the date you choose, and you still need to collect a boarding pass from the desk, usually at least 20–30 minutes before departure.