From Puerto Rico: Boat trip along the coast w/ Food & Drinks

The best part of this four-hour catamaran trip is the long stop in a sheltered bay. You get time to swim, use the underwater viewing area, try the banana boat, or simply stretch out with a drink while the south coast slips by. On a lucky day, dolphins, turtles, or flying fish appear along the route.

I like the friendly crew, with Sergio, Abdera, and Yeray singled out for warm, attentive service. I also like the value: the Full Pack combines a boat ride, food, drinks, and a banana ride for $47 per person. The main caution is the sea. Choppy water can make many people sick, and the banana ride may be very short.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours at anchor: The swimming stop is the heart of the outing, with water activities and time to relax.
• Princesa Ico catamaran: Meet at Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, close to the gas station.
• Food and drink options: The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks; the Full Pack adds beer, mojitos, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana ride.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins, turtles, and flying fish have been seen, but no sighting is guaranteed.
• Optional paid thrills: Jet skis and parasailing can be purchased on board. A cave trip has also been offered for an extra €10.
• Good family mix: The trip combines sunbathing, swimming, food, music, and short bursts of activity.

Setting out from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

You meet the boat at Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, near the gas station. The boat is called Princesa Ico, an important detail because several vessels operate from the harbor. If you choose hotel pickup, listed collection points include Clínica Roca in San Agustín at 9:10, Hotel Tropical in Playa del Inglés at 9:20, Yumbo Centre at 10:00, and Casino Meloneras at 10:10.

The exact start time depends on the option you book, so check it carefully. Some schedules place the boat on the water from roughly late morning into the afternoon. One passenger described leaving at 10:45 and returning around 4:00, although the advertised boat duration is four hours. Allow extra time if you use a transfer.

The harbor location is practical, and the boat is generally easy to find. You should arrive ready for sun, wind, and salt spray. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. The boat has seating, sun decks, and beds or padded lounging areas, but one account notes that some middle beds may require an additional €10. Confirm the seating arrangement before paying for an upgrade.

Cruising Gran Canaria’s south coast

Once the Princesa Ico leaves Puerto Rico, the trip becomes a moving postcard of the island’s southern shore. You pass beaches, cliffs, rocky coves, and bays that look different from the water than they do from land. This is the real reason to book a coastal boat trip: you see the shoreline without roads, resort buildings, or a long walk between viewpoints getting in the way.

Music and an easygoing atmosphere keep the cruise from feeling like a formal sightseeing excursion. The crew also shares information about the coast, so you get some context rather than only a ride with a speaker system. The tone is social and relaxed, not quiet or luxurious.

Keep your expectations realistic about wildlife. Dolphins have been seen close to the boat, along with flying fish and sea turtles. One outing even produced a hammerhead shark sighting. Those moments are memorable, but wildlife remains a bonus. You might see nothing beyond open water and cliffs, especially if conditions or animal movements do not cooperate.

The ride can be rough. One account described choppy seas that made most of the people on board ill, even though the rest of the outing remained enjoyable. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels gentler, look toward the horizon, and consider taking your usual remedy before departure. Avoid treating possible dolphins as a reason to ignore the sea conditions.

The long bay stop, swimming, and underwater viewing

The boat anchors in an exclusive or less crowded bay for about two hours. This generous stop is a major strength. Many coastal excursions allow only a quick swim before rushing back to port. Here, you have enough time to choose your own pace.

You can swim from the boat, relax on deck, or look through the underwater viewing area at fish below the hull. The water activities are aimed at a wide range of ages and skill levels, but you should still follow the crew’s instructions and stay within the designated area.

The swimming stop works well for mixed groups. One person can sunbathe while another swims, and children or teenagers can take part in the banana ride. You do not have to join every activity. That freedom makes the trip more practical for families and couples who do not all want the same kind of day.

The bay is also where the optional activities usually become available. The banana boat is included with the Full Pack, while jet skis and parasailing cost extra. A cave trip by motorboat has also been offered for €10. The cave outing is separate from the main cruise, but it can be a worthwhile add-on if you want a short, faster burst of adventure and a closer look at openings in the rocky coast.

One important note: the banana boat ride may not be lengthy. A passenger reported about one and a half minutes, so do not book the package expecting a long tow. Think of it as a quick extra activity within a larger half-day outing.

Lunch, drinks, and choosing the right package

At the bay, food is served along with the drinks included in your selected package. The Full Pack includes salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, beer, mojitos, water, and soft drinks, as well as the banana ride. The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks.

That difference matters. At $47 per person, the Full Pack offers strong value if you want lunch, alcoholic drinks, and activities in one payment. If you only want a scenic cruise and a swim, the Basic Pack may be enough. Check the exact package name before booking, since the general tour description presents lunch and drinks as included, while the package details separate the food and alcohol.

The food is casual boat fare, not a restaurant meal. Paella, salad, and potatoes make a filling lunch, and the supply of drinks is convenient when you are spending hours in the sun. One useful small criticism is that you may want extra sauce or butter with the meal. Bring your own snack only if you have special dietary needs, since no dietary information is provided.

Drinks are available during the trip, and some outings have ended with complimentary shots on the way back. That is part of the party atmosphere, but it is not the main reason to choose the excursion. If you are with children, nonalcoholic drinks are available in the Basic Pack and also form part of the Full Pack.

The boat itself and the atmosphere on board

The boat offers a mix of open sunbathing space, ordinary seating, and padded areas. You can move around during the cruise, though the best spot depends on your booking and the day’s crowding. The boat has been described as comfortable and well equipped, with enough space to relax rather than forcing everyone into one narrow row.

This is not a silent sailing trip. Music, drinks, water sports, and social energy are central to the experience. If you want a calm morning of reading with only the sound of the sea, this may feel too lively. If you enjoy switching between sun, swimming, food, and music, the format makes good sense.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Sergio and Abdera have been noted for being kind and attentive, while Yeray has been praised for welcoming service. The wider team handles food, drinks, boarding, and activities with a friendly manner. That matters on a boat, where clear instructions and quick help affect both comfort and safety.

English and Spanish are spoken. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the practical details of boarding and moving around the boat are not specified. If you use a wheelchair, ask the provider about the harbor transfer and access to the swimming and sun deck areas before booking.

Optional cave trips, jet skis, and parasailing

The main package already gives you a full day at sea, but the extras let you adjust the pace. A cave excursion has been available for €10, using a smaller motorboat to reach caves in the rocky coast. The trip to the caves can be as entertaining as the caves themselves, with a faster ride close to the cliffs.

Jet skis and parasailing are not included. You can purchase them on the boat, so set aside extra money if those are important to you. Prices are not provided, and availability can depend on conditions. Do not assume that every option will operate on every departure.

The banana boat is the included thrill with the Full Pack. It suits people who want a quick, group activity without committing to a more expensive motorized sport. Just keep the short reported duration in mind.

Wildlife sightings and sea conditions

The chance of seeing dolphins adds excitement to the outward cruise. Dolphins have been spotted within about half an hour of leaving Puerto Rico on some departures, and flying fish have also been seen. Turtles are possible, too. These animals are not guaranteed, so judge the trip by the coast, swimming stop, food, and crew rather than wildlife alone.

The sea can change the character of the outing. Calm water makes the cruise feel easy and scenic. Choppy water can turn it into a difficult ride for anyone sensitive to motion. You might find the bay itself calmer than the open-water route, which is useful if you want to swim but do not enjoy a rough crossing.

I would choose a morning with a favorable forecast if you have flexibility. Still, the provider controls the final sailing conditions, and no detailed weather policy is provided in the supplied information. Ask locally if the sea is rough on the day of your booking.

Is $47 a good deal?

At $47, the Full Pack is attractive because it bundles several separate costs: the four-hour boat trip, a substantial lunch, drinks, and a banana ride. Add the scenic coast and a long swimming stop, and the price works well for a half-day activity in a resort area.

The value is strongest for families and groups who will use the food, drinks, and included activity. A person who does not drink alcohol or eat the included meal may prefer the Basic Pack, assuming that option is priced lower at the time of booking. Paid extras can change the final cost, especially if you add jet skis, parasailing, a cave trip, or upgraded seating.

The rating is 4.3 from 283 ratings, which suggests a generally strong experience with some variation. That fits the practical picture: the crew and food are reliable highlights, while sea conditions, crowding, and the length of the banana ride can shape your day.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. These terms are useful if your schedule or weather plans are still changing.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to families with older children, couples who want more than a simple cruise, and groups looking for an affordable day on the water. It is also a good pick if you enjoy a social atmosphere and want several choices without arranging each activity separately.

You should think twice if you get severe seasickness, dislike music and group activities, or want a private and quiet sailing experience. The tour is described as exclusive in its access to certain bays, but it is still a shared boat outing rather than a private charter.

The best approach is to book it for the mix, not for one promised moment. You may see dolphins, but the dependable parts are the coastal views, the two-hour bay stop, food and drinks under the Full Pack, and a crew that keeps the day moving.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Puerto Base in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, close to the gas station. The boat is named Princesa Ico.

How long is the activity?

The advertised duration is four hours. The schedule may include additional time for pickup and drop-off, depending on the option selected.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional pickup points include Clínica Roca in San Agustín, Hotel Tropical in Playa del Inglés, Yumbo Centre, and Casino Meloneras. The listed pickup times range from 9:10 to 10:10.

What food is included?

The Full Pack includes salad, paella, and wrinkled potatoes. The Basic Pack includes no listed meal.

What drinks are included?

The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks. The Full Pack adds beer and mojitos, along with water and soft drinks.

Is the banana boat ride included?

The banana boat ride is included with the Full Pack. The listed package information does not include it in the Basic Pack.

Are jet skis and parasailing included?

No. Jet skiing and parasailing are optional activities that may be purchased on the boat.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. The boat anchors in a bay where you can swim and take part in water activities.

Will I see dolphins or turtles?

You might see dolphins, turtles, or flying fish, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Specific details about boarding and access to different parts of the boat are not provided, so confirm those arrangements before booking.

Should you book the Princesa Ico cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value social day at sea with coastal views, a proper swimming stop, lunch, drinks, and optional water sports. The long bay stop and friendly crew give it more substance than a short harbor cruise.

Choose the Basic Pack if you mainly want the boat ride and soft drinks. Choose the Full Pack if you will use the meal, beer or mojitos, and banana ride. Keep your expectations modest about wildlife and the short banana activity, and prepare for possible rough water. With those points clear, this is a practical way to see Gran Canaria’s south coast from the water without paying private-charter prices.