Morning cruise

Gran Canaria’s southwest coast is at its best from the water, and this small catamaran cruise gives you time to enjoy it without squeezing onto a crowded boat. You’ll leave Puerto Rico harbour, pass cliffs and caves, then stop twice for swimming, snorkelling or simply a stretch of sun.

I like two things in particular: the 18-person limit, which leaves room to sit back and move around, and the included lunch and drinks, which make the $99.16 price easier to judge. Snorkel equipment, a kayak and paddleboards are included too, so you can try the water without packing your own kit.

The main consideration is that this is a relaxed boat outing, not a tightly guided sightseeing tour. Commentary about the coast may be part of the trip, but the focus is swimming, food and free time. Hotel pickup can also take longer than expected if the bus is collecting people for more than one boat.

At a glance

• Small group: The boat takes up to 18 passengers, with room to sit in the shade or stretch out in the sun.
• Two stops: One is mainly for swimming and water activities; another is used for lunch and more time in the sea.
• Water kit included: Use snorkelling gear, a kayak, stand-up paddleboards and fishing equipment for fun.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch and unlimited water, soft drinks, beer and sangria are part of the fare.
• Optional paid activities: Jet skis and parasailing are extra, and are not included in the advertised price.
• Pickup has limits: Collection is offered in several southern resorts, but not in Las Palmas.

Leaving Puerto Rico for the open coast

The cruise starts at Puerto Base harbour in Puerto Rico, on Gran Canaria’s south coast. You can meet the boat there directly, or arrange pickup from listed areas including Bahía Feliz, San Agustín, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, Playa del Cura, Taurito and Mogán. Pickup is not available from Las Palmas.

The scheduled start is 10:30 a.m. If you are being collected, allow extra time around that start. A shared pickup may gather passengers for more than one boat, and one account describes a lengthy collection round before reaching the harbour. If you are staying nearby and prefer to keep your morning simple, meeting at the port avoids that uncertainty.

The boat heads west from Puerto Rico along the island’s natural coastline. The appeal is the change in viewpoint: cliffs, caves and clear water are easier to appreciate from offshore than from a resort promenade. The crew can explain features of the coast, though this is not the best choice if you want a long, detailed narration of the island. The day’s main event is being out on the water.

A boat with room to settle in

The passenger limit is one of this trip’s strongest practical advantages. With no more than 18 passengers, the catamaran has space to move about, find a sunny spot or sit in the shade. People describe taking off their shoes on arrival and choosing where to settle, a small detail that helps the trip feel informal rather than like a tightly managed excursion.

That room matters on a half-day boat outing. You are not confined to one seat for the whole ride, and those who want to sunbathe can do so while others sit back. The crew has been praised for being attentive and friendly, serving drinks and helping with activities without hovering. Names mentioned include Callum and Raoul, though you should not expect a particular crew member on your departure.

The boat’s capacity is a maximum, not a promise that every cruise will be full. Some outings have fewer people, which can make the space feel even more generous. Still, the cap helps set expectations: this is a small-group cruise, not a private charter.

First stop: swim, snorkel or stay aboard

The first stop is the main chance to get into the water. You can swim from the boat, use the provided snorkelling equipment, take a kayak out or try a stand-up paddleboard. Fishing equipment is also included for casual use. The equipment gives you several ways to spend the stop, whether you want to be active or simply cool off.

Snorkelling is a good option if you like watching small fish in clear water. The trip does not promise a particular marine sighting, and conditions can vary, but the chance to look below the surface adds something beyond a simple coastal cruise. Some departures have also had dolphin sightings, but treat that as luck rather than part of the deal.

You do not have to take part in every activity. You can remain aboard and enjoy the sea air, or swim and then dry off while the boat is at anchor. The trade-off is that the boat may rock while stationary, especially if the water is choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, one passenger’s account suggests considering tablets in advance, particularly for the time spent stopped rather than moving.

Jet skis and parasailing may be available as paid extras. They are not included in the $99.16 fare, so check the cost before you commit if either is important to you. The included kayak, paddleboards and snorkel gear already provide plenty to do for most people.

Lunch stop: a proper break at sea

Lunch is included, and that helps distinguish this trip from a short cruise that leaves you to find food afterward. The meal has been described as plentiful, with examples including chicken or fish, salad, potatoes and bread. The exact choice may vary, so do not book around a particular dish.

The crew serves the meal onboard, and accounts describe food being brought to the boat by kayak at the second stop. It is a memorable bit of logistics, but the more important point is that you get a filling meal without having to leave the water or arrange a restaurant booking. Drinks are available throughout the outing.

Unlimited drinks include water, soft drinks, beer and sangria. That covers the basics well, but do not expect every drink to be included: cava, for example, has been requested by someone who wanted a different option. If you do not drink alcohol, water and soft drinks are part of the package too.

There may be more time to swim at this stop, depending on the day’s schedule. The itinerary describes two stops, but exact timings are not fixed in the information available. Think of the outing as a mix of cruising, two pauses and a meal, rather than a minute-by-minute program.

Does the $99.16 fare make sense?

At $99.16 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. But the price includes more than a seat on a boat: lunch, unlimited listed drinks, snorkel gear, a kayak, paddleboards and fishing equipment are included. If you expect to eat and have a few drinks during a morning out, those inclusions make the fare more compelling.

The small capacity is part of the value too. A lower-priced cruise may suit you if you mainly want a quick look at the coast, but this one is designed to leave room to relax and use the water gear. The boat itself is repeatedly praised for comfort and space, and the crew’s food and drink service adds to the feeling of a cared-for outing.

Your value calculation changes if you do not plan to swim, eat onboard or use the equipment. In that case, you may be paying for inclusions you will barely touch. And if your priority is a guided account of the cliffs and caves, the cruise may not deliver enough commentary to justify the price on that basis alone.

Timing, pickup and what to bring

The activity is listed as approximately four hours and 30 minutes, while the route description gives five hours. Treat it as a substantial morning outing and leave room in your schedule for some variation. Hotel transfers add time before you reach the harbour, especially if several collection points are involved.

Bring a swimsuit and a light jacket. The jacket is useful when you are out on the water, even on a sunny day, and you may want it after swimming. Since snorkelling equipment is supplied, there is no need to pack your own unless you prefer using it. The boat may ask you to remove your shoes when you board, so footwear that is easy to take off is handy.

Booking is often made well in advance, with the average booking about 22 days ahead. Because the boat has a small maximum capacity, booking early is sensible if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity can be cancelled for poor weather or if the minimum number of passengers is not met. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This suits couples, families and small groups who want a relaxed outing with more than one way to enjoy the sea. Confident swimmers can make the most of the swim stops, while less active passengers can stay aboard and enjoy the boat. The equipment and included meal make it easy to fill the morning without planning each detail yourself.

It is also a good fit if you value space and attentive service more than a loud party atmosphere. The trip is often described as calm and comfortable, but that may feel quiet if you expect music, lively entertainment or a guide talking throughout. One unhappy passenger found the atmosphere subdued and the stops less impressive than expected. That is a useful reminder to choose this for its small scale and water time, not for a high-energy show.

The cruise is a weaker match if you want a specific destination, guaranteed wildlife or a detailed coastal tour. The route follows the westward coast from Puerto Rico, but the precise swimming spots can vary. Think of the cliffs and caves as part of the scenery, with the boat, swim stops and lunch as the core experience.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a comfortable small-group boat trip with useful inclusions and enough free time to swim, snorkel or paddle. The strongest reasons to go are the limited passenger count, friendly service, generous onboard space and the fact that lunch and drinks are already covered.

Skip it if you want a tightly narrated sightseeing tour, guaranteed calm seas or a busy schedule of organized entertainment. For most people comparing boat trips around Gran Canaria, this offers good value when you plan to use the included activities and enjoy a leisurely morning at sea. Choose direct harbour arrival if you can, and bring a swimsuit and light layer.

FAQ

How long is the morning cruise?

It is listed as approximately four hours and 30 minutes. The route description also gives five hours, so allow for a morning outing of roughly that length.

Where does the boat depart from?

It departs from Calle Puerto Base at Puerto Rico harbour in Gran Canaria. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered in Bahía Feliz, San Agustín, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, Playa del Cura, Taurito and Mogán. Pickup is not available from Las Palmas.

How many passengers can join?

The maximum capacity is 18 passengers.

What is included in the price?

Lunch and unlimited water, soft drinks, beer and sangria are included, along with snorkelling equipment, a kayak, stand-up paddleboards and fishing equipment for fun.

Do jet skis and parasailing cost extra?

Yes. Jet skis and parasailing are not included in the cruise price.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of passengers may result in an alternative date or experience, or a full refund.