From Lanzarote: Sailing Day Trip Around La Graciosa

La Graciosa is Lanzarote’s best escape by sea. This six-hour outing combines a ferry ride, a catamaran cruise, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, lunch, and hotel transport in one neatly arranged day. I especially like the clear water and volcanic scenery around Francesa Beach, and the fact that lunch, snacks, and unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. The main consideration is that you cannot step ashore at Francesa Beach under current conservation rules, so anyone expecting a traditional beach stop may feel let down.

I also like how little planning you need to do. A bus collects you near your accommodation, the ferry crossing is handled for you, and the crew provides the equipment for water activities. The tradeoff is time: if you stay in Playa Blanca, Puerto Calero, or another resort far from Órzola, the coach ride can take about an hour each way, and some pickup routes may be longer.

Key points to know

• Francesa Beach is viewed from the water: The catamaran anchors offshore, but current rules prevent landing on the beach.
• The ferry crossing takes about 25 to 30 minutes: You travel from Órzola to La Graciosa before joining the catamaran.
• Water activities are included: You can use kayaks and snorkeling gear, or simply swim from the boat.
• Food and drinks are part of the price: Expect welcome snacks, a pasta lunch, salad, fruit, champagne, beer, wine, and soft drinks.
• Pickup covers much of Lanzarote: Collection points include Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise, Arrecife, Playa Honda, and nearby resorts.
• The boat day lasts about three and a half hours: You also get roughly an hour of free time in Caleta de Sebo.

Why La Graciosa Makes a Fine Sea Day

La Graciosa sits just north of Lanzarote, separated by the narrow El Río channel. It feels quieter and more stripped back than the main island, with white beaches, volcanic hills, and very little development outside the settlement of Caleta de Sebo.

The appeal is not a long list of sights. It is the change of pace. You leave Lanzarote by coach and ferry, then spend much of the day with the horizon open around you. The water, pale sand, and dark volcanic slopes create the kind of simple view that needs no tour guide’s sales pitch.

From the catamaran, you see the southern coast of La Graciosa from a useful angle. The boat gives you broad views of the island and Lanzarote’s north coast, while the low volcanic hills provide a strong backdrop. On a clear day, the crossing itself becomes part of the experience rather than just transport.

The sea is the real star here. Several people have described seeing plenty of fish while snorkeling, and one family even reported spotting wild dolphins during the crossing. That kind of sighting is never guaranteed, but the clear water and marine reserve setting make the swimming stop worthwhile even when nature keeps its distance.

From Your Hotel to Órzola Harbour

The day begins with pickup near your accommodation. Stated collection times begin at about 8:30 a.m. in Playa Blanca, 9:20 a.m. around Puerto Calero, 9:30 a.m. in Puerto del Carmen, 9:55 a.m. in Playa Honda and Arrecife, and 10 a.m. in Costa Teguise.

The exact pickup point matters. The company confirms the valid location and time after booking, and this confirmation should take priority over any general schedule. Pickup may be at your hotel, a nearby bus stop, or a central meeting point such as Estacion Sur, Parking Arrecife, or an interchange.

The air-conditioned coach ride to Órzola takes about an hour on the stated route. If you are collected in the south, the overall road time can feel substantial. One person staying on the opposite side of the island described nearly three hours of coach travel in total, so I would allow for a long day if your resort is far from the harbour.

That said, included transport is valuable. You avoid finding a rental car space at Órzola, buying separate ferry tickets, and working out how the catamaran connection fits together. The ferry ticket is included both ways, and the transfer process is generally well organized.

The Short Ferry to La Graciosa

The ferry from Órzola takes around 25 to 30 minutes. It is a straightforward crossing, but it gives you your first proper view of the channel and the northern edge of Lanzarote.

Once you reach La Graciosa, you transfer to the waiting luxury catamaran. This is one of the smoother parts of the day because the ferry and boat portion are planned as a single excursion. On boarding, you remove your shoes, so wear something easy to take off and bring comfortable footwear for the coach and harbour.

The catamaran begins with a welcome glass of champagne and snacks. Past reports describe melon, tapas-style bites, and other small refreshments. It is a pleasant start, especially after the early pickup and road ride.

The crew and guide are a major part of the day’s success. Guides have included Ami, Amy, Amira, Raquel, Rachel, Deborah, Pedro, and Cirilio Lopez, with English, French, and Spanish offered. Deborah has been praised for checking around the boat regularly, while Ami and Amy have received special praise for being warm with families and attentive to individual needs.

Sailing Along La Graciosa’s South Coast

The catamaran follows the southern coast, giving you time to settle into the boat and look out toward the beaches and volcanic hills. You can sit back with a drink, take photographs, or move around the deck for different views.

This is not a quiet, formal sailing lesson. The atmosphere can include music, conversation, and some dancing, especially on lively departures. At other times, the mood is simply relaxed, with people spread across the deck and enjoying the sun.

The catamaran is a good choice for mixed groups because you do not all need to do the same thing. One person can kayak, another can snorkel, and someone else can remain on deck with a drink. That flexibility makes the trip work for couples, families with older children, and groups with different energy levels.

Wind can affect the plan. On one departure, conditions prevented the boat from going as far as planned, although the day still included swimming and snorkeling. You should view the exact sailing route as weather dependent, not guaranteed down to every turn.

Francesa Beach Without a Beach Landing

The main stop is offshore from Francesa Beach, one of La Graciosa’s most attractive stretches of pale sand and clear water. The catamaran anchors in the area, and you can sunbathe on board while the crew prepares the activities and meal.

The important catch is environmental protection. Francesa Beach lies within the Archipiélago Chinijo Natural Park, and disembarking on the beach is currently not allowed. You may swim toward shore, but you cannot simply walk off the catamaran and spend the afternoon on the sand.

This rule changes the experience. If your mental picture is a beach picnic with a towel on the island, adjust it before booking. If you are happy to enjoy the beach from the water, swim near the boat, or kayak along the coast, the restriction is less of a problem.

The water activities are the strongest part of the stop. Snorkeling gear and kayaks are provided, and safety vests are available. The clear water can reveal fish below the boat, while kayaking gives you a calm way to see the coast without committing to a long swim.

Some families have found the crew helpful with children and people who need extra assistance. One account described staff helping a child with a disability try kayaking, carrying a food tray, and making sure the child remained safe on the water. Still, the excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users, and access to the toilet involves an almost vertical ladder.

Pasta Lunch and an Open Bar

Lunch is served on board, usually after the swimming and kayaking period. The advertised meal is pasta with salad and fruit. Specific accounts describe generous portions, bread, and a freshly prepared pasta dish, with lunch served at about 2 p.m. on one departure.

For an excursion priced at about $81 per person, this is a meaningful inclusion. You are not paying for a boat ticket and then adding a restaurant bill, equipment hire, ferry fare, and drinks. The package includes snacks, lunch, and unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks during the catamaran section.

The food is not a gourmet meal, and you should not expect a restaurant menu. It is practical boat food, served in a setting where you have already been swimming and working up an appetite. The portions have been described as generous, which matters more here than culinary ambition.

A gluten-free meal can be arranged, but you must contact the supplier in advance. Do not wait until boarding. If you have dietary needs, make the request when you book or as soon as possible afterward.

The unlimited drinks can make the price look especially good, but use common sense in the sun. Water and soft drinks are available, and you will want to pace alcoholic drinks if you plan to swim or kayak.

Caleta de Sebo: Your Hour on Land

After the sailing and water activities, the catamaran returns toward Caleta de Sebo, the main settlement on La Graciosa. You get about an hour of free time before taking the ferry back to Lanzarote.

This is your chance to walk around the small fishing village and see the island from land. The stop is brief, so think of it as a chance to get your bearings and take photographs, not a full island tour.

That hour also partly addresses the disappointment of not landing at Francesa Beach. You do have time on La Graciosa itself, just in a village rather than on the protected beach. If taking island photographs is your main aim, this free time is useful, but bring your camera or phone ready because the schedule moves along.

The return ferry takes another 25 minutes, followed by the coach ride back to your drop-off point. The advertised duration is six hours, though the full day can feel longer if you are picked up early or live far from Órzola.

What the $81 Price Really Buys You

At $81 per person, this is a strong value for an all-in day at sea. The price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, both ferry crossings, the catamaran cruise, a welcome drink, snacks, lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, a guide, and time in Caleta de Sebo.

The ferry alone carries a separate cost, so the package removes several small expenses that can quickly add up. You also avoid the risk of missing a connection between ferry and boat, which is worth something on a holiday.

The value is best for you if you plan to use the activities and enjoy the drinks and lunch. If you only want a quiet boat ride and do not care about swimming, kayaking, or snorkeling, a simpler ferry trip may suit you better.

The price does not buy a private experience. You share the catamaran with other passengers, and the mood can be social. The boat has been described as comfortable and clean, but this is a group excursion rather than a secluded charter.

What to Bring and Who Should Book

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and beachwear. Warm layers are useful because the sea crossing and return sailing can feel cooler than the resort, even on a sunny day.

I would book this trip if you want an easy active day with plenty built in. It suits couples, families with children, and friends who like having options rather than following one fixed activity.

It is less suitable if you use a wheelchair, dislike boat movement, want a long walk on La Graciosa, or mainly hope to sunbathe on Francesa Beach itself. The toilet access is difficult for people with reduced mobility, and the beach landing restriction is firm.

From July through October, Wednesday departures are for adults only. Do not book that day with children or babies. For other departures, confirm the age arrangements and pickup details with Lanzarote Sea Tours.

Should You Book the La Graciosa Sailing Trip?

Yes, if you want a well-organized day that mixes scenery, swimming, kayaking, food, and drinks without separate planning. The guide and crew service receives especially strong praise, and several families have found the staff attentive and welcoming.

Book with realistic expectations about the beach. You will see Francesa Beach, swim near it, and enjoy it from the catamaran, but current rules prevent you from walking ashore there.

For $81, the combination is hard to fault: ferry transport, a catamaran, equipment, lunch, an open bar, and hotel transfers. Just check the confirmed pickup point, prepare for a potentially long coach ride, and pack for changing conditions on the water.

FAQ

How long does the La Graciosa sailing trip last?

The advertised duration is six hours. The schedule includes about one hour by coach each way, a 25 to 30 minute ferry crossing each way, around three and a half hours on the catamaran, and about one hour of free time in Caleta de Sebo.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from or near many hotels and meeting points across Lanzarote. The company confirms the exact pickup time and location after booking.

Can I get off the catamaran at Francesa Beach?

No. Current environmental regulations prohibit disembarking on the beach. You can swim toward shore, use the kayaks, snorkel near the catamaran, or relax on board.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and kayaks are available during the stop near Francesa Beach. Safety vests are also provided for the water activities.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a welcome glass of champagne and snacks, followed by pasta, salad, and fruit for lunch. Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included while sailing on the catamaran.

Can I request a gluten-free meal?

Yes, but you must inform the company in advance. Contact the supplier when booking so an alternative lunch can be arranged.

Is the trip suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users. People with reduced mobility may also find the boat difficult, especially because the toilet is reached by an almost vertical ladder.