Gran Canaria: Afternoon Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drink

The best part of this 4.5-hour catamaran cruise is the mix of easygoing sea time and optional action. You cruise from Puerto Rico along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast, pass cliffs and coves toward Mogan, then stop in a clear bay for swimming and snorkeling. You can spend the afternoon flat on a sun cushion or pay extra to ride a jet ski, parasail, or bounce across the water.

I like the all-inclusive drinks and crew-served meal, which save you from treating the boat like a floating snack bar. I also like the warm, playful crew atmosphere, with Potter often adding humor and Ashleigh sometimes playing saxophone on the ride home. The main consideration is that the sun deck can feel crowded, and water sports may not operate every day.

Key points to know before you book

• The cruise leaves Puerto Rico and heads toward Mogan, with cliffs, fishing villages, coves, and open sea views along the way.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included, with equipment available if you want to look for marine life in the bay.
• Food and standard drinks are included, including a chicken wrap, pasta salad, beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• Water sports cost extra, with listed prices of €32 for a jet ski, €32 for parasailing, €10 for a donut ride, and €5 for the captain-led speedboat.
• The tone is lively rather than quiet, with music, jokes, dancing, and occasional live saxophone adding to the return trip.
• Hotel-area pickup is limited, so check your meeting point carefully if you are staying in Las Palmas, Puerto Rico, Mogan, Salobre, or outside the listed resort areas.

Setting sail from Puerto Rico for a southwest coast cruise

Your afternoon starts at Puerto Rico, one of Gran Canaria’s main boating hubs. If you come directly to the harbor, you need to check in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure. Pickup is also available from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

That transport option matters. Gran Canaria’s resort areas are spread along the southwest coast, and getting to Puerto Rico can be awkward if you do not have a car. The included pickup is useful, but it is not a door-to-door service everywhere. There is no listed pickup from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogan, or Puerto Rico itself, so confirm the exact meeting point before you pay.

Once aboard, you can settle into the sun cushions and open deck or find a place with some shade. The boat is designed for social cruising, not silent sailing. Expect a friendly, upbeat mood, plenty of conversation, and a crew that takes an active role in keeping the afternoon moving.

The coastal views are the main scenery. You pass rocky cliffs, small coves, and the fishing village of Mogan from the water. Seeing this part of Gran Canaria from offshore gives you a different sense of the coast than a road trip does. The cliffs appear more dramatic from sea level, and the slow pace lets you watch the shoreline instead of racing past it in a coach.

The route toward Mogan and the value of a sea-level view

This is not a sightseeing cruise packed with formal commentary. The appeal is the setting, fresh air, and time away from the resort pool. You get a broad view of the southwest coast while the crew handles the practical side of the trip.

The route toward Mogan gives you a pleasant balance of movement and rest. You are not anchored in one place for the whole afternoon, but you also are not constantly being hurried from one activity to another. That makes the cruise a good match for couples, families, and groups with different energy levels.

I especially like the fact that you can choose your own pace. One person can swim while another stays aboard with a drink. Someone else can try a water sport, while a less adventurous companion watches from the deck. That flexibility is more useful than a rigid activity schedule.

The limitation is space. One report described the sun deck as a bit cramped, and that is worth keeping in mind if you want a private, quiet stretch of deck all afternoon. The boat’s social character is part of the fun, but people looking for peace and solitude may find the atmosphere busy.

Swimming and snorkeling in the clear bay

The cruise stops at a bay where you can swim in the sea and use the provided snorkeling equipment. This is the point when the afternoon shifts from coastal sightseeing to active fun.

The water stop is included in the basic price, so you do not need to buy an extra activity to make the trip worthwhile. Bring your swimwear and towel, and use the supplied equipment if you want to look beneath the surface for marine life. The activity is suitable for all ages, but anyone with mobility concerns should tell the provider when booking so arrangements can be made.

You should also pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The Canarian sun can feel strong on the water, where there is little natural shade and a steady breeze can make you underestimate how much sun you are getting.

The snorkeling is best viewed as a pleasant add-on rather than a specialist marine excursion. You get time in a clear bay and a chance to see what is below the surface, but the central experience is the full cruise, not a guided wildlife session.

If you prefer not to swim, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view. That is one of the cruise’s strengths. You are not forced into the water, and the boat remains a comfortable base for anyone who wants a slower afternoon.

Lunch, drinks, and what is really included

The crew serves a simple meal during the cruise: a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce as optional additions, plus pasta salad. This is practical boat food rather than a formal lunch, but it gives you something substantial during a half-day at sea.

Tell the provider about special dietary requirements when booking. That is important because the standard meal is built around chicken and pasta, and the information provided does not promise a particular substitute.

The included drinks are generous for the price. You can have beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water throughout the cruise. A reusable drinking glass is also included as a small souvenir.

Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not part of the standard package. Some cruise days may have cocktails available for purchase, and one particularly lively outing included them, but you should not assume they are covered by the ticket. Bring a bank card or extra money if you want premium drinks, photos, souvenirs, or water sports.

At $91 per person, the value depends on how you use the afternoon. The price covers the catamaran, transport from selected areas, the meal, standard drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the swimming stop. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, and several drinks, the package is reasonable.

It is less attractive if you want only a short sightseeing cruise or if you plan to pay for every activity on offer. Add a €32 jet ski, €32 parasail, and other extras, and the final cost can rise quickly.

Choosing between the speedboat, donut, jet ski, and parasail

The optional water sports give the cruise a more energetic edge. They are not included, so think of them as add-ons rather than part of the core tour.

The listed prices are:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Speedboat ride with the captain: €5 per person

The captain-led speedboat ride is the easiest extra to justify if you want a quick thrill without a large added cost. The donut ride offers a stronger splash of fun and is priced low enough for many families and groups to consider.

A jet ski or parasail costs more, but these activities give you a different view of the bay and the coast. Availability can vary. On at least one cruise day, the outside water-sports operator was not running, and passengers only learned this partway through the trip. I would treat the activities as optional bonuses, not guaranteed features, and avoid booking the cruise solely for one particular ride.

Bring a bank card if you want to pay onboard. Card and mobile payment were accepted on at least some departures, which is helpful if you do not carry cash. Still, having a backup payment method is sensible.

If you try several water sports, remember that the afternoon can become surprisingly physical. The donut, speedboat, and jet ski all involve holding on, balancing, or bracing against the movement of the water. A relaxing cruise can turn into a small workout.

The crew, music, and social mood onboard

The crew is a major part of the experience. Potter is known for bringing humor and energy to the trip, while Pedro has also been praised for his friendly manner and extra touches. Ashleigh sometimes plays saxophone during the return journey, adding live music to the standard boat soundtrack.

That entertainment helps the cruise feel like more than a transfer to a swimming spot. On some departures, the music leads to drinks, dancing, and a party atmosphere as the boat heads back toward Puerto Rico.

The tone will not suit everyone. If you want a quiet sailing trip with long stretches of silence, choose a smaller, calmer boat experience instead. Here, the crew engages with the group, jokes are part of the day, and music may continue after the water stop.

For most people, that lively mood is part of the value. It also works well for mixed groups, since those who want to swim or try a ride have activities to choose from, while others can enjoy the music and views from the deck.

Who will enjoy this Gran Canaria catamaran trip

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a social half-day on the water rather than a specialist sailing tour. It suits couples looking for an easy afternoon, families with children and adults who want different things, and groups who enjoy music and a drink with their sea views.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in one of the southern resort areas and want transport included. The pickup network covers several popular resorts, although you must use the designated central points.

You may want to choose another option if you dislike crowded decks, need guaranteed access to a specific water sport, or want a quiet wildlife trip. The food is simple, and the snorkeling is self-guided rather than an expert-led marine excursion.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, but you should share any mobility impairment with the provider after booking. That gives the crew time to arrange suitable assistance.

Practical tips for a smoother afternoon

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Keep your camera protected from spray, and avoid bringing anything you would regret getting wet.

Arrive early if you are meeting at the harbor. The direct harbor option requires you to sign in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure.

Check the pickup details carefully. The listed service covers selected central points, not every hotel, and there is no pickup from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogan, or Puerto Rico.

If you want a particular water sport, ask about operating conditions before departure. The cruise can still be enjoyable without those extras, but you should know that outside suppliers may not run every day.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some useful flexibility if your Gran Canaria schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Afrikat cruise?

Book it if you want a lively, easy-to-organize afternoon that combines coastal views, swimming, food, drinks, and optional thrills. The crew energy, especially from Potter, Pedro, and occasional saxophone player Ashleigh, adds real personality, and the included meal and drinks make the $91 price easier to justify.

Go in with the right expectations. This is not a quiet luxury sailing trip, a gourmet lunch, or a guaranteed water-sports package. It is a friendly group cruise with a clear bay, a simple meal, and plenty of choice once you are aboard.

For most visitors staying in southern Gran Canaria, I think it is a solid choice. Just treat the jet ski, parasail, donut, and speedboat as possible extras, and accept that the popular sun deck may feel crowded.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Puerto Rico, at Calle Puerto Base, S/N, 35130. You need to sign in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before the excursion if you go directly to the harbor.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts 4.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from designated central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

Is pickup available from Las Palmas?

No. Pickup is not listed from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogan, or Puerto Rico. Check your assigned meeting point before departure.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included.

What food is served?

The crew serves a chicken wrap with optional bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce, along with pasta salad. Tell the provider about dietary requirements when booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available during the swimming stop.

Do the water sports cost extra?

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

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. You should inform the provider of any mobility impairment after booking so suitable arrangements can be made.

What languages are spoken by the host or greeter?

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.