Gran Canaria: Private yacht excursion with Aperitif, drinks and snorkeling

The best part of this private yacht outing is the freedom to spend four hours at sea with only your own group around you. From Puerto Rico, you cruise toward Mogán and Perchel Cove, a sea-access-only spot where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply sit with a drink and watch Gran Canaria slide by.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which saves you from sorting out transport in the south of the island. I also like the mix of active and easygoing time: snorkeling and paddleboarding are included, but you can just enjoy cava, music, snacks, and the Atlantic air. The main caution is food. You receive an assortment of appetizers, not a full lunch, so arrive fed if four hours without a proper meal would bother you.

• Private boat time: The yacht is reserved for your group, with a stated maximum of 10 passengers.
• Perchel Cove by sea: Reach a coastal spot that cannot be accessed by road.
• Included water fun: Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are provided.
• Open drinks service: Cava on arrival, plus beer, sangria, soft drinks, water, sparkling water, and juice.
• Southern-island pickup: Vans collect and return you to many hotels and accommodations.
• Optional add-ons: Jetskis, parasailing, a crazy sofa, and sea scooters cost extra.

A Private Start From Puerto Rico

This is not a big catamaran outing where you share deck space with dozens of people. The appeal is having a yacht for your own family or friend group, with a captain and crew handling the route while you settle into the day.

The boat leaves from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, one of the island’s main resort harbors. You begin with a welcome glass of cava, then head offshore toward the Mogán area. The route gives you open sea views, warm sun, and fresh air, with music and a relaxed onboard setting.

The experience is listed at $650 per group, with the price described as covering up to eight people. Elsewhere, the yacht is described as accepting up to 10 passengers. That creates an important booking question: confirm the exact group limit and price before paying if your party has nine or 10 people.

At the advertised rate, eight people pay about $81 per person. If the same group price applies to 10, the cost drops to about $65 per person. That can be fair for a private four-hour boat, drinks, equipment, a captain, and transport. For a small party of two or three, the cost is much harder to justify.

Hotel Pickup Across Gran Canaria’s South

Pickup is available from a large number of hotels and addresses in the south of the island, including Puerto Rico, Mogán, Taurito, Playa del Cura, Patalavaca, Maspalomas, San Agustín, and Playa del Inglés. A van collects you at the door of your accommodation, then takes you to the harbor. The listed transfer time is about 20 minutes.

You need to book the pickup in advance and give the correct hotel, resort, or address. Be punctual, since the stated waiting time is only five minutes. The broad pickup area is useful, but it also means the total day can feel longer than the four-hour boat portion if you are staying farther from Puerto Rico.

After the cruise, the van returns you to your accommodation or another listed drop-off point. You can also remain in Puerto Rico and stroll along the promenade or eat at one of the local restaurants, but arrange your plans around the return transport rather than assuming you can change it at the last minute.

Sailing Toward Mogán and Perchel Cove

Once aboard, the route heads toward the Mogán area and the cove of Perchel. The cove is special because it can only be reached from the sea. That gives the stop a more secluded feel than a normal beach visit, although the experience here is still centered on swimming and water activities rather than a formal shore excursion.

The crew gives a short explanation of the route and the activities before you settle into the cruise. This is useful if your group includes people who have never snorkeled or paddleboarded. The guides speak Spanish and English, and the captain remains responsible for the boat while you enjoy the stop.

Do not expect a long, structured sightseeing lecture. This is a leisure cruise first. You are paying for private time, the boat, the sea, and the chance to choose your own pace. If you want detailed geology, island history, or a tightly scheduled tour of landmarks, this probably is not the right outing.

Snorkeling, Swimming, and Paddleboarding

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately. The boat stops in the Mogán area, where you can enter the water and look for marine life. Conditions can change with wind, waves, and visibility, so treat snorkeling as a pleasant opportunity rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.

The paddle board is also included. Beginners can try it with help from the crew, while stronger paddlers can spend more time on the water. A paddle board gives your group another way to enjoy the stop without making everyone snorkel.

A swim is part of the plan, followed by time to dry off and relax while the crew prepares the food. Bring your own towel, since towels are not included. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also specifically recommended, and the strong island sun can make a calm boat ride feel hotter than expected.

If you get seasick easily, take the operator’s advice seriously and bring seasickness medication. The boat may be comfortable, but four hours on open water is still a long time for someone sensitive to motion. Sit where you feel most stable, watch the horizon, and avoid treating the open bar as a substitute for water.

Drinks, Snacks, and the Lunch Question

The drinks package is generous in range, though not designed as a premium bar. Included drinks are beer, soft drinks, sangria, water, sparkling water, juices, and the welcome cava. Cocktails, wine, and mixed drinks cost extra and are available onboard.

The food is an assortment of snacks made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. It is suitable for picking at after a swim, but it is not a plated meal or a full lunch. One useful piece of planning advice is to eat before pickup, especially if you are booking the cruise around midday or have children in your group.

The snack selection may be enough for a light afternoon, particularly with drinks and time in the water. It may not satisfy someone expecting a substantial meal. If food is a major part of your idea of a yacht charter, ask what the current snack assortment includes before booking, or plan a meal for after the return.

Optional Water Sports and Extra Costs

The included activities are snorkeling and paddleboarding. You can also pay for faster, more dramatic water sports during the stop:

• Jetski: €35 for 10 minutes
• Crazy sofa: €20 per person for 10 minutes
• Sea scooter: €25 per person for 10 minutes
• Parasailing: €35 per person for 10 minutes

These prices matter because the advertised private-boat rate does not cover them. A family group can add a noticeable amount if several people choose an activity. Decide in advance whether the boat itself is the main event, or set aside extra money for one of the short rides.

The optional activities can be a good fit for a group with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and others can order a paid activity or stay aboard with a drink. That flexibility is one reason a private trip works well for families and friends who do not all want the same thing.

The Captain and Crew Set the Tone

A private yacht is only as enjoyable as the people running it. The experience uses a captain and a live guide, with Spanish and English available. Specific crew members praised in the supplied feedback include Ronnie, who served as captain for one family outing, Christian, who was described as a friendly host, and Marcus, who handled a hotel transfer.

Crew assignments can change, so you should not assume one of these people will be on your boat. Still, the details point to the kind of service to expect: help with the water activities, attention to the group, and a friendly approach rather than a formal sailing lesson.

The captain is not only there to steer. You rely on the crew for timing the swim stop, setting out equipment, preparing snacks, and keeping the day moving. That makes the private format feel more personal than a standard shared cruise, especially if you have a celebration or a family gathering.

What the Four Hours Feel Like

The four-hour boat portion has a natural rhythm. First comes the transfer and boarding, followed by the welcome drink and the initial cruise away from Puerto Rico. The route toward Mogán gives you time to settle in and enjoy the yacht before the water activities begin.

At Perchel Cove, you can split your time between snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, and relaxing on deck. The crew then prepares the snack assortment while you order an included drink or pay for something outside the package.

The route also includes views around the bays of Mogán and Taurito. Bring a camera, but protect it carefully around the water. You will have plenty of chances for group photos, coastline views, and pictures of the boat, though the exact stops and conditions can affect what you see.

At the end, the yacht returns to Puerto Rico. You then take the van back to your accommodation, unless you choose to stay in town. The schedule works best when you want one focused half-day activity, not when you are trying to fit several other major sights into the same afternoon.

Who Gets the Best Value

I would recommend this most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can share the price. Eight people make the published $650 rate easier to defend, and a group of 10 may get even better value if the operator confirms that the same rate applies.

It also suits people who want privacy. You can control the mood, play music, take your time with the water activities, and avoid sharing the boat with strangers. The private setup is especially useful for a birthday, reunion, family day, or small celebration.

You should think twice if you want a substantial meal, a luxury drinks list, or a long sightseeing commentary. You should also consider another plan if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The cruise has a strong activity mix, but nobody is forced into the water. Non-swimmers can stay aboard, enjoy the drinks and snacks, and take in the views. Still, the trip makes the most sense for a group that sees swimming, snorkeling, or paddleboarding as part of the fun.

Practical Details Before You Book

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building your day around the cruise.

The activity includes insurance, taxes, the captain, equipment, drinks, snacks, and southern-island transfers when arranged in advance. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel. Pets, weapons or sharp objects, alcohol and drugs, and nudity are not permitted.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 53 ratings, which fits the experience’s main strengths: private use of the boat, a friendly captain, hotel pickup, and a good blend of water activities. The main reservation is value for smaller groups and the limited food offering. If you expect lunch, premium drinks, or every water sport to be included, the final bill may surprise you.

Should You Book This Yacht Trip?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want a relaxed private day on the Atlantic rather than a formal sightseeing tour. The combination of Perchel Cove, snorkeling, paddleboarding, drinks, snacks, and door-to-door transport makes it a convenient choice in southern Gran Canaria.

Before booking, confirm two points: the exact passenger limit and what the snack assortment includes. If your group is small or hungry, the price may feel high. If you have six to 10 people who value privacy and time on the water, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to turn a few hours in Gran Canaria into a shared occasion.

FAQ

How long is the yacht excursion?

The boat cruise lasts four hours. Hotel transfers are separate, with the listed van journey taking about 20 minutes.

Where does the boat leave from?

The yacht departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from many accommodations in the south of Gran Canaria, but you must book the service in advance and provide your hotel or address.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The experience is described as suitable for up to 10 passengers. The listed price is stated as covering a group of up to eight, so confirm the exact price and capacity for groups of nine or 10.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are beer, soft drinks, sangria, water, sparkling water, juices, and a welcome glass of cava.

Is lunch included?

No full lunch is listed. You receive an assortment of snacks or appetizers made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are included in the excursion.

What water sports cost extra?

Jetski, crazy sofa, sea scooter, and parasailing are available for additional fees. The listed prices are €35 for a 10-minute jetski ride, €20 per person for the crazy sofa, €25 per person for a sea scooter, and €35 per person for parasailing.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels are not provided. If you get seasick easily, bring seasickness medication as recommended by the operator.