Afrikat Afternoon Cruise

Gran Canaria’s Afrikat afternoon cruise is built around one simple pleasure: getting off the busy southern coast and seeing the island from the water. You cruise from Puerto Base toward a calm bay, then have time to swim, snorkel, eat lunch, and add water sports if you want more action.

I like the wide catamaran layout, which gives you room to sit back rather than remain packed into one small boat. I also like the practical package: lunch, beer, sangria, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included, with pickup available from selected south-coast locations.

The main consideration is value. At about $93.16 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride, especially if you also pay for jet skis, parasailing, or other extras. The meal is listed as a chicken wrap with pasta salad, so you should not book expecting a large Spanish buffet.

Key points to know before booking

• Four and a half hours at sea: You leave Puerto Base at 2:30 p.m. and return to the same meeting point.
• A calm bay is the main stop: Swimming and snorkeling are included, with equipment provided.
• Lunch and drinks come with the fare: Expect a chicken wrap with pasta salad, plus beer, sangria, juice, soft drinks, coffee, and water.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet ski, parasailing, donut rides, and the captain’s speedboat trip have separate prices.
• Pickup is limited: Transport is available from centralized points in parts of southern Gran Canaria, but not from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.
• The crew is a strong part of the experience: Service and organization receive high marks, though one serious water-sports complaint makes insurance and safety awareness important.

Leaving Puerto Base at 2:30 p.m.

The cruise begins at Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria, at C. Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, in the municipality of Mogán. If you go directly to the harbor, arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boat returns to this same meeting point at the end.

The advertised start time is 2:30 p.m., making this a useful choice if you want a relaxed morning before heading out. It also gives you the softer afternoon light that can make the coastline look especially good from the water.

Hotel transport is available, but do not assume door-to-door service. Pickup is limited to centralized collection points in the south of the island, and the exact time and location are sent by email. Check your confirmation 24 hours before departure, including your junk folder.

There is an important catch: pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán. That sounds surprising because Puerto Base is in Puerto Rico, but the stated pickup rules are specific. If you are staying in one of those places, plan to reach the harbor yourself or confirm the arrangement before paying.

The catamaran can carry up to 66 people, while individual bookings are limited to 12 people. That means this is a shared cruise rather than a private sailing trip. The boat is described as spacious and well laid out, but you should still expect a social outing with other passengers onboard.

Cruising the south coast by catamaran

Once underway, the point is not a long list of shore-side sights. It is the change of viewpoint. Gran Canaria’s southern coast is often busy with hotels, roads, beaches, and activity on land. From the Afrikat, you get open sea, salt air, and broad views back toward the island.

The boat is designed for a mixture of relaxation and action. You can find a place to sit, enjoy the weather, and watch the coastline pass, or stay ready for the swimming stop and extra activities.

I like this format for people who want more than a short harbor cruise but do not want a full-day sailing trip. Four and a half hours is long enough to settle into the rhythm of the sea without taking over your whole day.

There is also a musical touch on some departures. One account praised a saxophone performance during the return to harbor, but this should not be treated as a guaranteed feature. The standard offering is the cruise, food, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports.

The sea can be rough enough to cause nausea. One account describes a group dealing with vomiting and motion sickness, while also praising the crew for providing attention and taking them out in the speedboat. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking sensible precautions before departure and choose a seat where you feel most comfortable.

The calm bay, swimming, and snorkeling

The boat heads toward a calm, clear bay where it anchors. This is the heart of the outing. You can get into the water, swim, and use the provided snorkeling equipment to look for fish.

The stop is appealing because it gives the cruise a real purpose. You are not simply sitting on a boat for four hours. You have a chance to cool off, move around, and see the coast from sea level.

The water has been praised for its clarity, and the bay is described as beautiful and restful. Still, conditions can change with weather and sea conditions. Snorkeling here is a casual activity included with the cruise, not a guided marine-life tour. You should expect equipment and time in the water, but not a specialist lesson or a guaranteed list of fish.

Swimming is optional. That matters if you prefer to remain dry, have young children, or simply want a quiet afternoon on deck. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can take part, but anyone with serious mobility or medical concerns should confirm suitability before booking.

This is also the point where you need to distinguish the free activities from the paid ones. Basic swimming and snorkeling equipment are included. The faster, more thrilling rides cost extra.

Paying for parasailing, jet skis, and the donut ride

The optional water sports give you a way to turn a calm cruise into a more active afternoon. Prices supplied for the activities are:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Captain’s speedboat ride: €5 per person

The donut ride is the least expensive add-on and should suit you if you want a quick burst of fun without spending much more. Parasailing offers a higher view over the water, while a jet ski is the obvious choice if speed is your priority.

The captain’s speedboat trip costs only €5 per person, so it is the easiest extra to justify if you want a short change of pace. Cocktails are also available for an additional charge. Champagne, wine, and spirits are not included in the standard drinks package.

Treat the water sports as optional extras, not part of the basic price. The cruise can still work well if you only swim, snorkel, eat, and relax. If you plan to add several activities, your final cost can rise quickly.

There is also a safety point worth taking seriously. One complaint describes an injury during the donut ride, while the operator states that optional water sports carry customer risk and require appropriate travel insurance. The check-in process includes terms about possible falls into the water and contact with other participants. Read those terms, follow crew instructions, and do not feel pressured to take part.

What lunch and drinks are really like

Food is served onboard, and the included meal is listed as a chicken wrap with pasta salad. Special dietary requirements should be provided when you book.

The description of the cruise presents the food as Canarian-style cuisine, but the specific meal information is more limited. If you are picturing a large buffet of local dishes, adjust your expectations. This is a practical included lunch, not a food-focused sailing.

Drinks are one of the better parts of the package. Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. That saves you from paying separately for every drink during a four-and-a-half-hour outing.

Cocktails cost extra, and one account specifically found them good value despite the added charge. Wine, champagne, and spirits are not included. If you want a more polished drinks service, budget for extras. If you are happy with sangria, beer, or soft drinks, the standard package should cover the basics.

Food quality appears less consistent than the service. Praise for the crew is strong, but one unhappy account called the food poor and the included drinks basic. That is the clearest reason not to book this cruise mainly for lunch. Book it for the sea time, bay stop, and crew service, with the meal treated as a useful bonus.

Crew service and the overall mood

Service is one of the most consistently praised parts of the cruise. The crew is described as friendly, attentive, and well organized. That matters on a boat, where clear instructions and quick help make the difference between a pleasant outing and a frustrating one.

The crew also appears to make an effort when passengers feel unwell. A group dealing with nausea received close attention, a speedboat ride, and live music during the outing. You cannot count on a particular response to every situation, but the available information points to a crew that stays involved.

The atmosphere can shift depending on your choices. Sit back with a drink and it becomes a gentle coastal cruise. Add parasailing or a jet ski, and it becomes more energetic. That flexibility is a real strength for couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where not everyone wants the same kind of afternoon.

The boat carries a maximum of 66 people, so do not expect an intimate yacht charter. The upside is a larger vessel with room to spread out. The tradeoff is that boarding, food service, swimming access, and water sports may feel more communal than personal.

Is $93.16 good value?

At about $93.16 per person, the price makes the most sense if you use several included features: hotel transport where available, four and a half hours on the water, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

For a visitor who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, drinks, and transport, the package is reasonably practical. The included sangria, beer, and soft drinks are especially useful on a long afternoon at sea.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not swim, and mainly want a short sightseeing trip. You are paying for the full four-and-a-half-hour program, not a quick coastal ride. Add several paid sports and the cost moves well beyond the advertised fare.

Check the direct price before booking through a third-party seller. One account specifically advised booking directly with Afrikat after a dispute over a discount and price promise through another company. The safe approach is to compare the final total, not just the headline price, and confirm what transport and extras are included.

The cancellation terms are fairly forgiving if your plans change. You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy the Afrikat cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a social, easygoing sea day with enough activity to keep the afternoon moving. It suits couples, families with accompanied children, and groups of friends who like having swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and paid thrills in one package.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in southern Gran Canaria and want hotel transport from an eligible pickup point. That saves time and removes the need to arrange your own route to Puerto Base.

You may want something else if you are seeking a private sailing, a quiet luxury yacht, a serious snorkeling expedition, or a meal built around regional food. The catamaran can carry 66 people, the food is simple, and the optional sports are charged separately.

Take seasickness seriously. The boat is at sea for several hours, and at least one account describes strong nausea. If you are uncertain, the included swimming and deck time still give you ways to enjoy the cruise without taking part in every activity.

Should you book the Afrikat afternoon cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient half-day on the water, a spacious shared catamaran, a calm-bay swimming stop, and a friendly crew. The strongest reasons to go are the coastal views, included drinks, flexible activity choices, and the chance to enjoy Gran Canaria from a different angle.

Do not book it mainly for a lavish meal or a private-boat atmosphere. Confirm your pickup point, check the final price, bring realistic expectations about the chicken wrap and pasta salad, and treat water sports as optional extras with real safety considerations.

For most people, the cruise offers a solid mix of relaxation and fun. Its value depends on how much you use the included food, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and transport. If those are exactly what you want, the Afrikat is an easy afternoon choice.

FAQ

Where does the Afrikat cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria, C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 2:30 p.m. If you go directly to Puerto Base, arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The boat trip lasts approximately four and a half hours and ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Return transport from the hotel is included when available, but collection is limited to centralized pickup points in the south of Gran Canaria. Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

What food is included?

The included meal is a chicken wrap with pasta salad. You should provide any special dietary requirements when booking.

Which drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are available at the anchored bay, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

How much do the optional water sports cost?

The listed prices are €32 per jet ski vehicle, €32 per person for parasailing, €10 per person for the donut ride, and €5 per person for the captain’s speedboat ride.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.