Gran Canaria: Afternoon Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drink

Gran Canaria’s southwest coast is best appreciated from the water, and this 4.5-hour catamaran cruise from Puerto Rico pairs the scenery with a swim stop, food and drinks. You can spend the afternoon sunning yourself, snorkeling in a sheltered bay or paying extra to try a water sport.

I like two things in particular: the included meal and unlimited listed drinks make the base price easier to judge, and the crew brings a playful feel to the trip. Potter is singled out for his humor, and live saxophone has added a festive note on some departures.

The main consideration is that this is a lively, shared outing, not a quiet sailing trip. The sun deck can feel crowded, and water sports are extra, with availability not guaranteed.

The useful details at a glance

• Four and a half hours on the southwest coast: Cruise past Mogán, cliffs and coves, with time at anchor for a swim.
• Food and listed drinks are included: Expect a chicken wrap and pasta salad, plus unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee and water.
• Water sports cost extra: Published prices range from €5 for the captain’s speedboat ride to €32 for a jet ski per vehicle or parasailing per person.
• Snorkel gear is provided if you want it: You can also skip the water and relax on the sun cushions.
• Some trips have a musical finish: A saxophone player named Ashley or Ashleigh has entertained on the return, but it is best treated as a possible extra, not a guaranteed feature.
• Pickup covers selected resort areas: Puerto Rico is not listed for pickup, so plan to meet at the harbor if you are staying there.

Setting off from Puerto Rico

The cruise begins at Puerto Rico’s harbor, on Calle Puerto Base. If you are going straight to the boat, check in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure. The tour also offers pickup from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito and Playa del Cura.

That transfer can be useful if you are staying in one of those areas. It saves you from arranging your own ride to the harbor, though pickup is not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán or Puerto Rico itself. Confirm your pickup point and timing when booking rather than assuming your hotel door is included.

Once aboard, settle in for a coastal trip with time to relax rather than a tightly scheduled sightseeing circuit. The route follows the southwest shoreline, and the crew serves drinks as the boat heads toward the area around Mogán. The views are a large part of the appeal: you get a different angle on the coast, with cliffs and coves passing by rather than a road between you and the sea.

Mogán, cliffs and coves from the water

Mogán is described as a fishing village, and the cruise passes it as part of the coastal route. The trip is not presented as a stop ashore, so think of it as a view from the boat rather than a visit to the village. If you want time to wander Mogán’s streets, plan that separately.

The coastline is the steady backdrop. From the deck, you can watch the shoreline shift between dramatic cliffs and tucked-away coves. I like this kind of route because the scenery comes without the effort of a hike or a long drive, and the boat gives you time to sit and take it in.

This is a social cruise, though, and the sun deck may feel busy. One past passenger found it a little cramped in the sun. If you need lots of personal space, or want a hushed sailing with only the sound of the water, this probably is not your ideal boat trip. The atmosphere leans toward easygoing fun, with drinks, music on some trips and plenty happening around you.

The swim stop and snorkel option

At the bay, the catamaran drops anchor so you can get into the water. This is the point to bring your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen, and to decide whether you want to swim, try the provided snorkeling equipment or stay aboard and enjoy the sun cushions. Snorkel equipment is optional, so you do not have to use it.

The water is described as clear, and the stop gives you a chance to get closer to marine life with a mask and snorkel. Still, this is a casual snorkel opportunity, not a guided marine-life tour. No particular species or underwater route is promised, so go for the refreshing swim and the chance to look around, not a guaranteed wildlife sighting.

If you would rather keep dry, you can rest on deck while the boat is at anchor. That flexibility makes the stop work for mixed groups: keen swimmers can get in, while others can keep an eye on the coast from the boat. Bring a sun hat and sunglasses, and keep sunscreen handy. A few hours at sea in the afternoon can be a lot of sun, even when the breeze makes it feel mild.

Water sports, with a separate price tag

For extra speed and splash, you can book activities such as a donut ride, jet ski, parasailing or a captain-led speedboat ride. The listed prices are €10 per person for the donut, €32 per jet ski vehicle, €32 per person for parasailing and €5 per person for the speedboat ride. Bring a bank card or extra cash if you might want to add one.

Those extras change the feel of the day. You can keep the cruise simple and spend nothing beyond the ticket, or turn the stop into a more active outing. The donut ride is a playful choice, while the jet ski and parasail are more substantial add-ons. The speedboat ride is the least expensive listed option.

Do check which activities are running before you count on them. Water sports are not guaranteed: one passenger found out partway through a cruise that the partner company was not operating that day, and wished the change had been communicated sooner. There is also a small discrepancy around the speedboat. The activity information lists it as an extra €5 per person, while one past passenger said it was included in the price. Confirm the current arrangement with the operator before departure.

Lunch, drinks and the price

The meal is a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad and sauce available as optional fillings, plus pasta salad. The crew serves it during the cruise. It is a practical lunch for a half-day on the water, though it is not a full restaurant-style meal with a menu of choices.

Unlimited drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee and water. Cocktails, wine and spirits are not included. Some past passengers have praised the cocktails, but those are separate purchases, so do not mistake that for part of the all-inclusive offer. If you have a dietary requirement, tell the provider when booking.

At $91 per person, the trip offers fair value if you expect to use the cruise, food, drinks, swim stop and transfer together. The listed inclusions save you from paying separately for the basic afternoon, and the boat ride itself is the main event. The value becomes less clear if you do not drink, have no interest in swimming and would rather spend the afternoon on land.

Budget extra for water sports, cocktails, souvenirs or photos. A reusable drinking glass is included as a small souvenir. Optional activity charges can add up quickly if several people in your group want to try multiple rides, so decide on a rough limit before you board.

The crew and the mood aboard

The crew is a major part of the appeal. Potter, identified as the owner in one account, is known for keeping things humorous, and passengers have also praised the staff for being welcoming and attentive. That matters on a shared boat: a warm crew can make the trip feel relaxed, especially when you are deciding between sunbathing, swimming or adding an activity.

Music may be part of the return. One trip featured a saxophone player called Ashleigh, while another account spells the name Ashley. Treat live music as a pleasant possibility rather than a regular fixture; it is not listed as a guaranteed inclusion. When it does happen, it gives the ride back a celebratory finish, and you can enjoy a drink while the coast slips past.

The overall mood is upbeat and sociable. Several past passengers described it as a holiday highlight, and one called it a workout after trying several water sports. That is a useful clue: you can choose a lazy afternoon, but the trip can also become energetic if you sign up for the rides.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This is a good fit if you want a packaged afternoon with scenery, swimming and lunch, without organizing each part yourself. Couples, families and groups of friends can all take part, and the activity is described as suitable for all ages. A person who prefers to stay aboard can relax while others swim or pay for water sports.

It is less suited to someone seeking a quiet, uncrowded sailing or a highly structured sightseeing tour with detailed commentary. The route offers coastal views, but the information provided does not promise guided talks about the area. The social atmosphere, rather than in-depth interpretation, is the draw.

The trip is listed as wheelchair accessible, but anyone with mobility impairments should contact the provider after booking to ensure suitable arrangements. The operator should know about access needs in advance. For the sun and sea, pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat and camera.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a low-planning afternoon at sea with a meal, drinks, a chance to swim and the option to add some action. It makes particular sense if your resort is in one of the pickup areas and you value having transport included.

Skip it if you need a quiet deck, want water sports guaranteed, or are mainly looking for time ashore in Mogán. For most people who want a cheerful, activity-filled boat outing, the core package is the sensible choice: enjoy the coast and swim stop, then decide on the day whether the extra rides are worth the added cost.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts 4.5 hours. Check availability for the departure times on your chosen date.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Puerto Rico harbor, at Calle Puerto Base, S/N, 35130. If meeting the boat there, sign in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito and Playa del Cura. Pickup is not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán or Puerto Rico.

What food is served?

The meal is a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad and sauce available as optional fillings, plus pasta salad. Tell the provider about special dietary requirements when booking.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee and water are included. Cocktails, wine and spirits are not.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available to use if you want it.

Are water sports included in the ticket price?

No. The listed extra charges are €32 per jet ski vehicle, €32 per person for parasailing, €10 per person for the donut and €5 per person for the captain’s speedboat ride. Confirm the current options and prices with the operator.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat and a camera. Bring extra money or a bank card if you may buy water sports, souvenirs or photos.

Is the activity suitable for children and wheelchair users?

The activity is listed as suitable for all ages and wheelchair accessible. If you have a mobility impairment, contact the provider after booking so arrangements can be made.

What languages does the crew speak?

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.