Afrikat Morning Cruise

The best part of the Afrikat morning cruise is the mix of easygoing sailing and water fun. You leave Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, follow Gran Canaria’s southwest coast, then anchor in a calm bay for swimming and snorkeling. The boat gives you a good view of the island from offshore, without asking you to spend the day on a tight schedule.

I like the friendly crew, especially the personal service associated with Monica, José, and Potter, and I like that beer, Sangria, soft drinks, coffee, water, and lunch are included. Live saxophone music can add a pleasant lift on the return trip. The main drawback is that the actual sailing time may feel short if you want a serious coastal cruise. Much of the outing is spent anchored, eating, swimming, or paying extra for water sports.

Key points to know before booking

• A 4.5-hour catamaran outing: Departures run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in summer and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in winter.
• Swimming in a calm bay: You can swim and snorkel, with equipment provided, though bringing your own mask may be more comfortable.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a chicken wrap with pasta salad, plus beer, Sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• Optional paid activities: Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, the donut ride €10 per person, and the Captain-led speedboat trip €5 per person.
• Pickup has limits: Transport comes from centralized pickup points in the south of Gran Canaria, but not from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.
• A social boat rather than a quiet yacht: With space for up to 66 people, it suits an upbeat half-day out more than a private, peaceful sail.

Setting out from Puerto Base in Puerto Rico

The meeting point is at C. Puerto Base, 1, in Puerto Rico. If you make your own way there, arrive 20 minutes before departure. The advertised start time is 10 a.m., although the summer and winter schedules differ, so check the date carefully.

The catamaran carries a maximum of 66 people. That is not a tiny sailing boat, but it is still small enough to give the outing a shared, friendly feel rather than the scale of a major sightseeing ferry. You can expect a mix of couples, families, solo passengers, and groups looking for a relaxed day on the water.

Pickup is offered from fixed points in the southern part of Gran Canaria. The exact time and place are confirmed separately, so check your transport message 24 hours before sailing and look in your junk email if needed. The service does not collect from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán, despite Puerto Rico being the departure area. If you are staying in one of those places, plan on making your own way to Puerto Base.

The boat leaves from Puerto Rico and heads along the coast toward a sheltered bay. This early section is the best time to sit back and watch the shore pass by. You will see beaches, bays, villages, cliffs, and the coast from an angle that is impossible from a road or resort promenade.

Coast views before the anchor goes down

The cruise is not designed as a nonstop sailing expedition. The route is relatively short, and the main attraction is the change from moving along the coast to spending time at anchor.

That distinction matters. If you want hours under sail with the boat constantly moving, this may not satisfy you. One low rating specifically came from someone expecting more time cruising and finding the water-sports location less appealing than hoped. I would choose this trip for the overall combination of sea views, food, swimming, and entertainment, not for the sailing mileage alone.

The coast is still a strong reason to go. Gran Canaria’s southwest shore looks different from offshore, and the passing beaches and rocky stretches give the morning a sense of place. The boat offers room to enjoy the sun and salt air, with the option to sit quietly or join the more social atmosphere on deck.

Music is part of the appeal. The saxophone performance may take place mainly near the end of the cruise rather than throughout the entire outing. That can make the return journey feel festive, but you should not book this as a dedicated live-music cruise.

Swimming and snorkeling in the sheltered bay

Once Afrikat reaches the anchorage, you have time to get into the water. Swimming and snorkeling are optional, so you can remain on board if you prefer to sunbathe, eat, or enjoy a drink.

Equipment is provided, though bringing your own snorkeling gear is recommended. That is useful advice if you care about fit, comfort, or having equipment ready without waiting your turn. The bay is described as calm and clear, making this the most active part of the standard excursion.

The water stop works well for families with older children, couples, and solo visitors who want an easy swim without arranging a separate beach day. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity is suitable for most people, but anyone who is not comfortable in open water should feel no pressure to join in.

The time at anchor also gives the boat its relaxed rhythm. You are not hurried from one stop to another. You can swim, dry off, have lunch, and watch other passengers try the optional activities. The tradeoff is that anyone hoping for a long snorkeling session may find the stop more recreational than serious.

Water sports cost extra

The optional activities add some excitement, but they are not part of the $90.70 base price. Current listed prices are €32 per vehicle for a jet ski, €32 per person for parasailing, €10 per person for the donut ride, and €5 per person for the speedboat ride with the Captain.

The Captain-led speedboat outing is the cheapest add-on and can be a good choice if you want a quick burst of speed without committing to a larger activity. Potter is specifically praised for taking people out to see the caves by speedboat, which gives this short option more interest than a simple ride around the boat.

Jet skiing and parasailing suit you if the cruise is meant to be an action morning. The prices are easy enough to understand, but they can change the value calculation for a couple or family. Two jet ski users pay €32 per vehicle, while parasailing is charged per person. Add several activities and the day becomes noticeably more expensive than the headline cruise fare.

The donut ride is the least costly way to add a little fun. If you are mainly interested in swimming and a calm catamaran ride, you can skip every paid activity and still have the core experience.

Lunch, Sangria, and the social side of the boat

Lunch is included and consists of a chicken wrap with pasta salad. Vegetarian and other dietary needs can be accommodated only if you communicate them in advance. Do not wait until boarding if you need a special meal.

The food is practical rather than a reason to book the cruise by itself. Some people find it perfectly satisfying, while others may find it average. I would treat lunch as a useful part of the package, not as a restaurant-style meal.

Drinks are one of the better value points. Beer, Sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included during the cruise. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included. One useful detail from the feedback is that the Sangria may taste light, closer to juice than a strong wine-based drink. That will suit you if you want a mild daytime drink, but not if you are seeking a traditional, punchy Sangria.

The drink service helps create the relaxed mood. You can finish a swim, grab a soft drink or beer, and settle into the return trip without keeping track of every small purchase. One particularly thoughtful touch is the use of edible straws, which fits the boat’s stated concern for the ocean.

Crew service and the atmosphere onboard

The crew receives the strongest praise. They are described as welcoming, funny, helpful, and attentive, and solo passengers can find it easy to meet people. Monica and José are singled out for friendly island advice, while Potter is praised for his speedboat trips and good humor.

That human side matters on a shared cruise. The boat is not a private charter where you set the pace. You are sharing lunch, drinks, water activities, and music with other people. A crew that keeps things organized and warm can make the difference between a pleasant outing and a crowded one.

The atmosphere is upbeat but not only for party-minded people. You can take part in the jokes, water sports, and music, or find a quieter place to sit. Still, this is not the right choice if you want complete silence, privacy, or a refined champagne-sailing mood. The group size and included drinks give it more of a sociable holiday outing feel.

The saxophone performance can be a welcome surprise on the return route. It may only last around 20 minutes, so think of it as a bonus rather than the central entertainment.

Who will get the most from the $90.70 price

At $90.70 per person, the cruise offers fair value if you plan to use several included features. The price covers 4.5 hours on the water, a coastal route, swimming, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and a broad selection of drinks. Return transport is also included from selected pickup points.

I think the price works best for you if you want one organized morning that combines transport, food, drinks, scenery, and a water stop. Booking each part separately could take more effort, and the included refreshments make the outing easier to budget.

The value is weaker if your main goal is uninterrupted sailing. You may spend less time under way than expected, and the optional water sports cost extra. A couple adding parasailing or jet skiing could quickly push the total well above the basic fare.

The cruise suits:

• Couples who want a relaxed half-day on the sea
• Families with children who enjoy supervised water activities
• Solo visitors who like a social setting
• Visitors staying near the southern pickup points
• Anyone who wants drinks and lunch included

It is less suitable for you if you want a private boat, a long snorkeling session, gourmet food, or a full day of sailing.

Practical details that make the morning easier

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a light layer for the ride back. The coast can feel warm in the sun but cooler once the boat is moving.

Bring your own snorkeling mask if you have one you trust. Equipment is provided, but personal gear can save time and fit better.

Check your pickup message the day before. Exact collection details are sent by email, and the pickup service is limited to centralized southern locations. If you go directly to Puerto Base, arrive 20 minutes early.

The tour needs suitable weather and a minimum number of bookings. If poor weather or low numbers cause cancellation, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Children need an adult with them. The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is sent at booking.

Should you book Afrikat?

Book it if you want a friendly, well-organized half-day that blends coastal views with swimming, lunch, drinks, and optional water sports. The crew service is the strongest reason to choose it, and the included refreshments make the $90.70 fare easier to justify.

Skip it if the words catamaran cruise make you picture hours of quiet sailing. This outing spends meaningful time anchored, and the food is functional rather than special. For most people, though, the mix of scenery, swimming, crew energy, and simple extras makes Afrikat a solid choice for a sunny morning in southern Gran Canaria.

FAQ

Where does the Afrikat cruise leave from?

It leaves from Puerto Base, C. Puerto Base, 1, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time does the cruise depart?

The listed start time is 10 a.m. Summer departures run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., while winter departures run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

How long is the Afrikat cruise?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Is hotel pickup available?

Return transport is available from fixed, centralized pickup points in the south of Gran Canaria. You must check the transport confirmation 24 hours before departure for the exact time and location. Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a chicken wrap with pasta salad. You must provide dietary requirements in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, Sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits cost extra.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. You have the chance to swim and snorkel at the anchorage, and equipment is provided. Bringing your own snorkeling equipment is recommended.

How much do the optional water sports cost?

The jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, the donut ride costs €10 per person, and the Captain-led speedboat ride costs €5 per person.