Pirate Ship Swimming in Side: The Stops, Children, Non-Swimmers
Both pirate days stop for a swim, and neither asks you to swim. Here is what each stop is like and how to plan it around your family.
In short
Both pirate days include a swim. The pirate-ship day stops at the delta, where the river's cold water meets the warm sea; Little Pirates stops in clear water along the coast. Nobody has to go in: non-swimmers and anyone who would rather stay dry spend the stop on deck. Swimming aids are not on either record, so ask us before you book if your child needs one.
Where each day swims
The delta swim is described in its own guide. On Little Pirates, the swim comes during the coastal cruise, between the games and lunch.
| Pirate-ship day | Little Pirates | |
|---|---|---|
| The stop | At the delta, river meets sea | Along the coastline |
| The water | Cold fresh water beside the warm sea | Clear Mediterranean water |
| Who swims | Parents are welcome to swim with the children | Parents stay with their children throughout |
Children in the water
You stay with your child, in the water and out of it. A licensed maritime crew handles the boat and the animation team runs the games, which leaves the swimming plan to you: who goes in, for how long, and who holds whose hand.
Swimming aids are not on either record. If your child swims with armbands or a float at home, ask us before you book; the operator decides what is possible. For a confident swimmer, the delta's cold side is the adventure; for a beginner, a parent's arms are the plan.
Keep the stop short for the smallest children and long for the keen ones by swimming in shifts: one parent in the water, one on deck with the towels, then swap. It also means somebody is always watching the bags.
Non-swimmers, and anyone staying dry
Not swimming does not mean missing the day. On the pirate-ship day the show, the face painting, the games, lunch and the foam party all happen on deck. On Little Pirates the costumes, the stories, the treasure hunt, lunch and the coastline are all aboard.
Grandparents who prefer the deck, a parent minding a baby, a child who is simply not in the mood: each has a good day without getting wet. Swimwear is still worth packing for them; a child who refuses at the first stop sometimes changes their mind once the others are in, and on the pirate-ship day a towel is welcome after the foam party anyway, swim or no swim. The grown-ups' guide covers the day from the shade.
Before the swim, and after it
- Swimwear worn under clothes, so the stop is not spent changing.
- A towel for each swimmer, and a dry change for the children.
- High-SPF sun cream, reapplied after the swim and again later on deck.
- Hats for the deck afterwards.
The complete list is in what to bring.
Tell us before you book
A pregnancy, limited mobility, a wheelchair or a stroller: tell us before you reserve, or write it in the booking notes. We give no medical assurance; the operator decides what is possible. Is it safe? sets out what the records say. When you are ready, book your day — or compare on the pirate-ship page first.
