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

The best part may happen offshore. This four-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Rico gives you secret coves, sea views, and swimming time without the cost of a private charter. I like the friendly crew and the generous mix of food, drinks, music, and water activities. The main catch is that rough seas can make some passengers sick, and the banana boat ride may be very brief.

You can choose a basic option with water and soft drinks, or a fuller package with beer, mojitos, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana boat. I also like the chance to add a cave trip, jet ski, or parasailing on board. Just remember that dolphins, turtles, and flying fish are possible sightings, not promises.

What makes this boat trip worth considering

• A two-hour swimming stop: You have real time to swim, snorkel, use the underwater viewing area, or join optional water activities.
• Food and drinks included in the full package: Expect paella, salad, wrinkled potatoes, beer, mojitos, and soft drinks.
• Dolphin sightings are possible: The boat sometimes sees dolphins, turtles, and flying fish along Gran Canaria’s south coast, but nature sets the schedule.
• A lively, family-friendly atmosphere: Music, sun decks, swimming, and a banana boat ride give the outing more energy than a simple sightseeing cruise.
• Optional hotel pickup: Transfers are available from parts of San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, and Meloneras.
• A wheelchair-accessible boat: This makes the trip easier for more people to enjoy, though you should still confirm the practical details when booking.

Setting out from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

The meeting point is Puerto Rico Base, close to the gas station. Look for the boat named Princesa Ico. That detail matters because Puerto Rico’s marina area has several boats and excursion operators, so knowing the vessel’s name saves time.

If you choose pickup, the listed schedule begins at Clínica Roca in San Agustín at 9:10, followed by Hotel Tropical in Playa del Inglés at 9:20, C.C. Yumbo at 10:00, and Casino Meloneras at 10:10. The exact departure time depends on the option you select, so check availability before setting your morning plans.

Once aboard, you settle into a catamaran with seating, sunbathing areas, and music. The mood is more social than silent. You can sit back with a drink and watch the coast, or stay ready for swimming and the activities later in the trip.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being cheerful, polite, and attentive. Sergio, Abdera, and Yeray are among the staff members singled out for warm service. That personal touch helps, especially when the boat is busy and people are deciding which activities they want to try.

Seeing Gran Canaria from the water

The south coast looks different from a boat. From offshore, beaches sit below steep cliffs, rocky bays open into the island, and resort areas give way to quieter stretches of coast. The route is designed as much for the views as for the swimming stop.

The boat may pass little-known beaches and sheltered coves that are difficult to reach by land. You will not get a full walking visit to these places, but seeing them from the water gives you a useful sense of Gran Canaria’s coastal character.

Keep your eyes open during the outward trip. Flying fish, turtles, and dolphins have all been spotted. Some outings have produced close dolphin encounters, while others have seen none. The operator does not guarantee wildlife, so book this for the cruise, swimming, and activities first. Any animal sighting is a bonus.

One important practical point is sea condition. On calm days, the cruise can feel relaxed and easy. In choppy weather, motion sickness can affect much of the boat. If you are sensitive to movement, choose a seat that feels stable, watch the horizon, and bring any medication you normally use. The experience remains worthwhile for many people in rougher water, but it may not feel like a gentle sail.

The anchor stop near Mogán

The main stop is near Mogán, where the boat anchors in a bay for about two hours. This is the heart of the outing. Many boat excursions offer a quick swim, but two hours gives you enough time to do more than jump in and climb back aboard.

You can swim from the boat, use snorkeling equipment if available through the activity setup, or look through the boat’s underwater viewing area at the fish below. The water stop also gives non-swimmers something to enjoy, since you can remain on deck, listen to music, eat, and watch the action.

The bay is also where the optional activities take place. The banana boat ride is included with the full package, while jet skiing and parasailing cost extra. A cave trip may also be offered for an additional charge, with one reported price of €10. It takes you by motorboat toward caves cut into the rocky coast, and the fast ride there can be as enjoyable as the caves themselves.

I would ask the crew about the timing and cost of each activity before committing. One person reported that the banana ride lasted only about a minute and a half. That does not make it worthless, but it does mean you should not judge the whole trip by the length of that one activity.

The cave experience is a stronger choice if you want something beyond swimming. It adds a close look at the rock formations and a faster, more active ride. Jet ski and parasailing availability can be purchased on the boat, but the supplied details do not state their prices, so confirm before paying.

Lunch, drinks, and the difference between packages

At around the anchor stop, the fuller food package includes salad, paella, and wrinkled potatoes. Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and mojitos. Several people particularly enjoyed the amount of food and the quick service.

The basic pack includes water and soft drinks. The fuller option adds the meal, alcoholic drinks, and banana boat ride. Check the exact package name and inclusions when you book, since the general description refers to lunch and drinks while the detailed choices separate the basic and full options.

For a four-hour outing priced from $47 per person, the full package offers good value if you plan to eat on board and want the included banana boat. You are paying for a coastal cruise, a long swimming stop, lunch, drinks, and entertainment in one block. Buying those pieces separately would often cost more, though the exact comparison depends on the option and any add-ons you select.

The food is casual rather than a restaurant meal. Expect a group lunch served on a boat, not a carefully plated dining experience. That is the right expectation. The value comes from having food ready during a day at sea, not from culinary refinement.

Drinks are easy to access, according to the practical experience of past passengers. If you choose the full package, beer and mojitos make the trip feel more like a party cruise. If you prefer a quieter outing, the music and social atmosphere may be more noticeable than you expect.

A catamaran for both sunbathers and active swimmers

The boat has comfortable seating, beds, and sun decks. You can stretch out, read, listen to music, or enjoy the views without taking part in every activity. That flexibility makes this a good choice for groups with different ideas about a day on the water.

Parents can swim with children while other family members stay dry. Teenagers may prefer the banana boat or optional motorized activities. Older family members can enjoy lunch and the coast from the deck. The wheelchair-accessible design is another useful feature, although anyone needing specific boarding assistance should confirm the arrangements in advance.

The atmosphere is not strictly educational, but the crew mixes entertainment with information about the coast and passing landmarks. Expect an upbeat excursion rather than a formal marine lecture. The music, friendly jokes, and free-flowing drinks are part of the appeal.

At the same time, this is not an intimate private sailing. The boat carries a group, and the experience depends on the mood of the people aboard. Some departures feel relaxed, while others lean toward a lively party. If you want complete quiet, a private charter would suit you better.

The return along the southern bays

After the swimming and lunch stop, the boat sails back toward Puerto Rico. The return takes roughly 40 minutes in the stated route, though the full excursion lasts about four hours and timing can vary.

The return is a good chance to sit higher on deck and watch the coastline from a new angle. Some outings pass three historic bays, adding a little context to the scenery. The crew may also keep the music going, and free shots have been offered on some departures.

Do not count on a second wildlife show on the way back. If dolphins appear, enjoy the moment. If they do not, the coastal views, swim stop, and activities still make up the main experience.

The boat returns to Puerto Rico, with drop-off options listed for Gran Casino Costa Meloneras, Avenida de Italia, Hospiten Roca, and Avenida de Estados Unidos. Pickup and drop-off arrangements can vary, so check your selected option rather than assuming every location applies to every departure.

What I like most about the experience

The strongest feature is the amount of time spent at anchor. Two hours gives you a proper break from sightseeing and lets you choose your pace. You can swim, watch fish through the underwater viewing area, try the banana boat, book another activity, or simply lie in the sun.

I also like the crew’s role in shaping the day. Staff members are repeatedly praised for being welcoming and efficient, and names such as Sergio, Abdera, and Yeray come up in connection with attentive service. A good crew matters on a boat because it affects everything from finding a seat to understanding the activity schedule.

The value is another clear plus. At $47, the trip sits in an accessible price range for a four-hour coastal outing, particularly when your selected package includes lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and the banana ride. Families can share a full afternoon of activities without paying private-charter prices.

The views are not just filler between activities. Gran Canaria’s south coast has a mix of beaches, cliffs, rocky bays, and resort scenery. From the sea, you see the island in a way a road trip cannot provide.

What could make the day less enjoyable

The biggest risk is rough water. One departure had very choppy seas, and many passengers became sick. Weather and sea conditions are outside the operator’s control, but you should take the possibility seriously if you often suffer from motion sickness.

Wildlife sightings are another uncertainty. Dolphins have appeared in large numbers on some trips, and turtles, flying fish, and even a hammerhead shark have been reported. Other outings saw no dolphins. The tour should not be treated as a guaranteed wildlife safari.

The banana boat may be shorter than expected. It is a fun extra, but the reported one-and-a-half-minute ride is a useful warning. Choose the trip for the whole package, not for a long banana boat session.

The full package may also create confusion if staff do not check tickets closely. One passenger found it unclear how the crew differentiated package levels. To avoid surprises, confirm what is included when you board and ask about any optional charge before joining an activity.

Finally, the middle beds may cost an extra €10 according to one account. Since seating arrangements and charges can change, ask before settling in if a particular bed or premium spot matters to you.

Who should book this Gran Canaria boat trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a social day at sea without spending a fortune. It works especially well for people who like choice: you can be active for an hour, eat lunch, and then relax in the sun.

It is also a smart option if you want to see the coast but do not want a full-day sailing trip. The four-hour length gives you a real outing while leaving the evening free.

You may want another type of cruise if you dislike loud music, group activities, or uncertain sea conditions. Wildlife-focused visitors should also keep expectations sensible. Dolphins may appear, but the boat cannot arrange that part of the day.

Book the fuller package if you want lunch, beer, mojitos, and the banana boat included. Choose the basic pack if you mainly want the cruise, swimming, water, and soft drinks. Add the cave trip if the coast’s rocky formations interest you, and ask about jet ski and parasailing prices before agreeing.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a good-value coastal outing with a friendly crew, a long swim stop, food, drinks, and plenty of optional action. The best reason to book is the combination of a scenic cruise and two hours in a bay, not any single activity.

I would make the reservation with three checks in mind: confirm your package, prepare for possible choppy water, and treat dolphin sightings as luck. With those expectations, Princesa Ico offers an easy, enjoyable way to spend half a day on Gran Canaria’s south coast.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart?

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

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts about four hours. The route includes sailing from Puerto Rico, a stop near Mogán, and the return to Puerto Rico.

What food and drinks are included?

The full package includes salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, beer, mojitos, water, and soft drinks. The basic pack includes water and soft drinks.

Is the banana boat ride included?

The banana boat ride is included with the full package. Jet skiing and parasailing are not included and can be purchased on the boat.

Can I arrange pickup from my hotel area?

Optional pickup is available from listed points in San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Yumbo, and Meloneras. Pickup times include 9:10, 9:20, 10:00, and 10:10, depending on the location.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Confirm any specific boarding or seating needs when you reserve.