Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Gran Canaria catamaran cruise is the mix of easy relaxation and proper water fun. You can stretch out in the sun or shade, order drinks from the bar, then jump into a clear bay for snorkeling, swimming, or a fast ride behind the boat.

I like the generous 4.5-hour format, which gives you time to enjoy the cruise instead of rushing from one activity to the next. I also like the friendly, playful crew, with names such as Potter, Matt, and Nikita associated with the boat. The main thing to watch is the extra cost of the water sports, and some activities may not operate on the day.

Key points

• A full half-day at sea: You get a coastal cruise, a swimming stop, lunch, drinks, and a return trip rather than a short boat ride.
• Good choice for mixed groups: Sunbathers, swimmers, children, and thrill-seekers can all find something to do.
• Snorkeling is included: Equipment is provided, and the sheltered bay gives you time to look for fish.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skis, parasailing, donut rides, and the captain’s speedboat ride are optional.
• Food is simple but useful: Expect a chicken wrap with salad, sauces, and optional bacon bits, plus pasta salad.
• Pickup covers many resort areas: Transfers are available from selected points around Gran Canaria, but not from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

Setting out from Puerto Rico

This trip begins with a pickup from one of many designated points around the southern resort belt. The list is long, covering areas such as Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Arguineguín, Patalavaca, and Taurito.

The coach transfer can take about an hour, depending on where you are staying and how many stops are made. That is useful if you do not have a car, but it also means the advertised 4.5 hours does not include the full time spent away from your hotel. If you are already near Puerto Rico, making your own way to the port may save time.

At the harbor, you receive a safety briefing lasting about 10 minutes. This is a good sign for a water-based outing with several optional activities. You are shown how the day works before the catamaran leaves, so you can decide how active you want to be.

The boat is the Afrikat catamaran, a spacious vessel with places to sit in the sun and areas protected from it. That mix matters. Gran Canaria can feel hot on the water, and having shade makes the day more comfortable for children, older people, and anyone who does not want to spend four hours under direct sun.

Cruising the southwest coast

The outward cruise lasts about an hour. From the water, you see the southwest coast in a different way, with beaches, cliffs, coves, and resort towns passing at a relaxed pace.

This is not a sightseeing cruise with long historical commentary. Its appeal is the setting and the easy rhythm: sea breeze, open views, a drink in hand, and plenty of room to settle in. The crew keeps the mood light with announcements, jokes, and conversation.

The atmosphere is sociable rather than quiet. If you want a silent sailing trip with only the sound of the sea, this may not be your best choice. If you like a cheerful boat with music, jokes, and a crew that talks with the group, it is a strong fit.

Live music is offered on Friday mornings, except on February 27. One performance included a saxophone player, which added something special to the cruise. Do not book solely for music, though, since it is not part of every departure.

A clear bay near Mogán

The main stop is near Mogán, where the catamaran anchors for about two and a half hours. This is the heart of the excursion. You have time for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports without having to choose only one.

The water is described as clear, and snorkeling equipment is available at no extra charge. Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sun cream, sunglasses, and hat. A waterproof camera can be useful, though you should keep it secure around the water activities.

Snorkeling here is best understood as a pleasant included extra rather than a specialist snorkeling expedition. You get time in the water and the chance to see fish, but the focus of the trip is the whole package: swimming, food, drinks, and optional rides.

The swimming stop also works well for people who do not want to join an activity. You can stay aboard, sit in the shade, sunbathe, or watch others take part. That flexibility makes the cruise easier for mixed groups, especially when one person wants a jet ski and another would rather read in the sun.

Choosing the paid water activities

The optional activities are where the day becomes more exciting, but they also change the final price.

A captain-led speedboat ride costs €5 per person. It is the least expensive add-on and a sensible choice if you want a short burst of speed or a closer look at coastal caves. The low price makes it easy to add without committing to the more costly options.

A donut ride costs €10 per person. You are pulled through the water on an inflatable, making this a good pick for families and groups who want shared fun.

Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, while parasailing costs €32 per person. These are the bigger extras, and availability can vary. A jet ski was not working on some departures, so treat these activities as optional possibilities, not guarantees. The same practical rule applies to all water sports: bring a card or cash, but be ready to enjoy the day even if one activity is unavailable.

Some people have combined several activities in one stop, including the donut, speedboat, jet ski, and snorkeling. That can be excellent value for an active group, but it can also make the two-and-a-half-hour stop feel busy. You may prefer to choose one paid activity and leave enough time for swimming and lunch.

Parasailing is listed as an option, but the exact operation depends on conditions and availability. Ask the crew early in the day if you have your heart set on a particular activity.

Lunch, drinks, and the onboard rhythm

Lunch is served by the crew during the anchor stop. The standard meal is a chicken wrap with salad, sauces, and optional bacon bits, along with pasta salad. It is the sort of food that works well on a boat: filling, simple to eat, and not too fussy.

Vegetarian and other special dietary needs require advance communication. A vegetarian meal has been provided when requested, but you should not rely on a last-minute change. Tell the provider when booking.

The drinks package is one of the strongest parts of the value. You get unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. Some departures have offered table service, with crew members bringing drinks to your seat, and one boat setup allowed people to pour their own beer.

The unlimited drinks are useful because four and a half hours in the sun can make you thirsty quickly. Still, keep drinking water as well as alcohol, especially if you are swimming or taking part in high-speed activities.

Food quality is naturally a personal matter, but the meal is more than a token snack. The wrap and pasta salad give you enough fuel to stay active, and the crew serves it during the main stop rather than forcing you to eat while the boat is moving.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is central to this experience. Names connected with the boat include Potter, Matt, and Nikita, and the staff style is informal, funny, and attentive.

That can make a real difference on a group cruise. The crew helps people understand the activities, keeps the schedule moving, and creates a social mood without making every moment feel like a performance. A guide has also helped passengers who felt seasick, which is useful to know if someone in your group is unsure about being on a boat.

The tone is not formal. You can expect jokes, lively announcements, and plenty of interaction. Families have found the staff helpful with young children, while nervous passengers have been made to feel at ease around boats and water activities.

The boat is kept clean, with comfortable areas for sitting, sunbathing, and shade. That practical detail matters more than fancy decoration. You will spend several hours onboard, so a clean vessel and enough places to sit are part of the real value.

Timing, transfers, and comfort

The advertised activity lasts 4.5 hours, with roughly one hour on the way out, two and a half hours at the bay, and one hour returning. Coach transfers can add another two hours in total, depending on your pickup and drop-off point.

Pickup and return service is available from many centralized locations, but not from every resort. The stated exclusions include Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, and Mogán. If you are staying in one of those places, check the meeting instructions carefully rather than assuming a hotel pickup is included.

The experience is suitable for all ages and is wheelchair accessible. You should tell the provider about any mobility impairment when booking, since boarding and water activities may require planning even when the main boat is accessible.

Bring a credit card or cash for paid activities, photographs, and souvenirs. Also bring a towel, sun hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a camera. A reusable drinking glass is included as a small souvenir, which is more useful than the usual disposable tour trinket.

Is $88 good value?

At $88 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to get on the sea, but it includes a substantial package. You receive the catamaran trip, lunch, snorkeling equipment, unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water, plus selected pickup and drop-off service.

The value is strongest if you plan to use several parts of the package. A couple who wants to cruise, swim, snorkel, eat, and enjoy drinks can get a full half-day from the price. Families also benefit because the boat offers several ways to spend the stop without paying for every person to do the same thing.

The value is weaker if you want a quiet sail with no social atmosphere, or if you do not drink and have little interest in swimming or water activities. You should also build the extra costs into your budget if jet skiing or parasailing is important to you.

For a more active day, the low-cost speedboat ride and €10 donut ride are easy additions. Jet skis and parasailing push the total higher, so decide before boarding how much you are willing to spend.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this for families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time visitors who want one easy day combining several classic Gran Canaria activities. It is especially useful for a mixed group because nobody has to spend the whole stop on a single activity.

You will probably enjoy it if you like friendly guides, music, drinks, sunshine, and a little noise. The cruise is also a good choice if you want to snorkel but do not want to organize equipment or transport yourself.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is a small, silent sailing trip, serious snorkeling, or a carefully planned luxury meal. The Afrikat experience is lively and practical, not an exclusive yacht charter.

Should you book the Afrikat catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled half-day on the southwest coast, with lunch, unlimited standard drinks, a clean catamaran, and a good range of ways to use the anchor stop. The crew’s humor and attention are a major part of the appeal, and the included snorkeling helps the base price feel fair.

Before paying, check your pickup point and decide how much extra you want to spend on water sports. Keep your expectations flexible, since jet skis or other activities may be unavailable on a particular day.

For most people seeking an easy, social day on the water, this is a sensible Gran Canaria choice. It gives you enough structure to avoid hassle, but enough free time to choose between swimming, snorkeling, paid rides, lunch, and simply enjoying the sea.

FAQ

How long does the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise last?

The activity lasts 4.5 hours. The listed schedule includes about one hour cruising to the bay, 2.5 hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional activities, and one hour returning.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The cruise departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria. Pickup is available from selected centralized points around several southern resort areas.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from designated points, depending on the area. The service is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

What food is served onboard?

The standard meal includes a chicken wrap with salad, sauces, and optional bacon bits, along with pasta salad. Special dietary requirements should be communicated in advance.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and spirits cost extra.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as an optional included part of the experience, and you can use it during the swimming stop near Mogán.

Do the water sports cost extra?

Yes. A jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, the donut ride costs €10 per person, and the captain’s speedboat ride costs €5 per person.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Tell the provider about any mobility impairments when booking so the necessary arrangements can be discussed.