Gran Canaria: Afternoon Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drink

Sun, sea, and a generous slice of fun. The Afrikat catamaran cruise from Puerto Rico combines a relaxed sail along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast with swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and unlimited selected drinks. I especially like the coastal views toward Mogán and the fact that you can choose your pace, from lying on a sun cushion to trying a jet ski or parasail. The crew, including owner Potter on some sailings, is known for keeping the mood warm and playful.

I also like the practical setup: hotel pickup from many southern resort areas, snorkeling gear, and food are included in the $91 price. The main thing to consider is space. The sun deck can feel crowded, especially when everyone wants the best patch of sunshine, and paid water sports can push the final cost well above the advertised fare.

Key points to know before you book

• Four and a half hours on the southwest coast: You get a proper half-day at sea, not a quick harbor trip.
• Swimming in a sheltered bay: The cruise anchors for a refreshing swim and optional snorkeling.
• Unlimited selected drinks: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included.
• Lunch is simple but useful: The crew serves a chicken wrap and pasta salad, with dietary needs to be given when booking.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skis, parasailing, donut rides, and the captain’s speedboat each have separate prices.

Setting out from Puerto Rico for an afternoon at sea

The trip begins at Puerto Rico on Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. If you arrive directly at the harbor, use the Afrikat desk at Calle Puerto Base and sign in at least 20 minutes before departure. Pickup is also available from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

Pickup is not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico itself. If you are staying in one of those places, you need to make your own way to the harbor. Check the exact meeting details when booking, since the pickup area affects your morning or early afternoon plans.

The catamaran then heads along the southwest coast. This is one of the best areas of Gran Canaria for a boat trip because the coast changes quickly from resort waterfront to tall cliffs, small coves, and open views toward fishing villages. From the water, Mogán takes on a different character than it does from the road. You see the coastline in broad sections instead of squeezing past it on a busy street.

The cruise is designed for easygoing sightseeing rather than a formal sailing lesson. You can sit back, take photographs, chat with the crew, or help yourself to drinks while the boat moves along. Bring a hat and sunscreen, because the open deck gives you plenty of sun and not much excuse for forgetting it.

What the coastline looks like from the catamaran

The strongest sightseeing part comes early in the trip, while the boat follows the southwest coast toward Mogán. Dramatic cliffs and tucked-away coves provide the scenery, with the sea giving you a wide angle that is hard to get from land.

I would not book this for a detailed commentary about geology or local history. The appeal is simpler. You get fresh air, an open view, and a few hours away from the resort pool. The boat itself becomes your base, so you do not need to pack and unpack for every stop.

The ride also gives you room to set your own rhythm. Some people will want the front or upper deck for the views. Others will prefer the comfortable sun cushions and a steady supply of cold drinks. If you dislike strong sun, bring a cover-up and keep your sunglasses close. The deck can be bright for much of the afternoon.

Music may add to the return journey. Ashleigh has played saxophone on some sailings, turning the final stretch into a more social, party-like ride. That entertainment will not be the main reason to book, but it can give the afternoon a lively finish after the swimming stop.

Anchoring for swimming and snorkeling

The boat stops in a clear-water bay where you can get in for a swim. This is the part that changes the outing from a sightseeing cruise into a proper day at sea. The stop is useful for cooling off, especially during Gran Canaria’s hot summer months.

Snorkeling equipment is available if you want to look beneath the surface. You may see marine life close to the boat, although this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling excursion and conditions can vary. If you are hoping for a major reef experience, keep expectations modest. If you simply want to float, swim, and have a look around, the stop fits the bill.

A towel is not listed as provided, so bring your own. You should also arrive in swimwear, rather than relying on a small changing area onboard. Keep your camera and other valuables secure when you leave the deck for the water.

Families and mixed-age groups should find the swim stop flexible. You can stay aboard if you prefer not to enter the water, and the boat remains the center of the activity. The experience is listed as suitable for all ages, but anyone with mobility concerns should tell the operator at booking so proper arrangements can be made.

Lunch, drinks, and what all-inclusive really means

The crew serves a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and optional sauce, along with pasta salad. It is practical boat food rather than a restaurant meal. That is exactly what many people need on a four-and-a-half-hour excursion: something filling that can be eaten without ceremony.

If you have special dietary requirements, mention them when booking. Do not wait until you are onboard, since the meal needs to be prepared with those needs in mind.

The included drinks cover beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. That is a useful part of the $91 package, particularly if you would otherwise buy several drinks during a long afternoon in the sun. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included, so do not assume every drink on the boat comes under the all-inclusive price.

Some sailings have offered cocktails separately, and the crew has accepted card or Apple Pay for extra purchases. Still, bring a bank card or some extra money for paid activities, photographs, souvenirs, or drinks outside the included list.

Water sports for an extra charge

The basic cruise already includes the boat ride, meal, selected drinks, and snorkeling equipment. You can then add more action if the water-sports operation is running that day.

Current listed prices are:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut inflatable: €10 per person
• Captain-led speedboat ride: €5 per person

The speedboat ride is the easiest add-on to justify if you want a short burst of excitement without a large extra charge. The donut is also relatively inexpensive and gives you a chance to hold on while the boat pulls the inflatable across the water.

Parasailing and jet skis cost more, so they change the value calculation. If you want a quiet afternoon, skip them and use the sun cushions, swim stop, and drinks. If you are building a more active outing, these options let you add thrills without booking a second excursion.

There is one practical warning here. Water sports are supplied in cooperation with another company, and they may not operate on every sailing. Availability can depend on the day. If these activities are the main reason you are booking, confirm before departure instead of treating them as guaranteed.

The donut and similar rides can be good fun, but they are physically demanding. One account describes feeling sore the next day after combining several activities. That is a fair reminder to pace yourself. A four-and-a-half-hour cruise can turn into a full workout if you stack jet skis, speedboats, and inflatables one after another.

The crew and the mood onboard

The Afrikat experience leans toward friendly entertainment rather than quiet luxury. The crew is a major part of the day. Potter, the owner, has a reputation for humor and a welcoming style, while the team generally keeps things moving without making the outing feel stiff.

That atmosphere suits people who want to meet others, listen to music, have a drink, and enjoy a little joking around. It may be less appealing if you want a silent sailing or a small private charter. The catamaran is a shared experience, and the most popular areas can feel busy.

The sun deck is the main pressure point. When the boat is full, everyone may want a seat in the sun, and the layout can feel cramped. Try not to treat a particular lounger as your permanent territory. Move around, use the shaded areas when available, and remember that the swim stop gives you a break from sitting shoulder to shoulder.

The best balance is to arrive ready for both moods. You can have a calm drink and watch the coast, then join the music, swimming, or water sports when the moment feels right.

Is $91 good value for this Gran Canaria cruise?

At $91 per person, the price is reasonable if you use several included features. A four-and-a-half-hour boat trip, transport from many southern resorts, lunch, unlimited listed drinks, and snorkeling equipment make this more than a simple scenic ride.

The value improves for anyone who would normally buy drinks throughout the afternoon. It also helps if you need hotel pickup, since arranging transport to Puerto Rico can otherwise add cost and hassle. The reusable drinking glass souvenir is a small extra, not a reason to book, but it is more useful than a throwaway trinket.

The price becomes less attractive if you do not drink, do not swim, and mainly want coastal views. In that case, you are paying for features you may not use. It also rises quickly if you add a jet ski, parasail, several inflatables, cocktails, photos, or souvenirs.

I would compare the trip with the price of a shorter sightseeing cruise and the cost of getting to Puerto Rico independently. For an active afternoon with food and drinks, the package is solid. For a quiet, low-cost sail, look carefully at what you will actually use.

Who will enjoy the Afrikat cruise most?

I would recommend this for couples, families, and groups of friends who want a relaxed but social afternoon. It works especially well if you are staying in one of the southern resort areas with pickup included.

You should also consider it if you like having choices. One person can snorkel, another can try the speedboat, and someone else can remain on deck with a drink. Few boat trips keep every member of a mixed group equally occupied, but this setup gives you a fair chance.

It is less suited to you if you want a private sailing, a gourmet meal, specialist marine guidance, or guaranteed water sports. The cruise offers a broad holiday experience, not a focused adventure or luxury charter.

The catamaran is listed as wheelchair accessible, but passengers with disabilities should contact the operator after booking. That allows the crew to plan proper arrangements rather than trying to solve everything at the harbor.

What to bring for a smoother afternoon

Pack swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A waterproof phone pouch is also sensible, although it is not listed as a required item.

Bring a bank card or extra money if you may want paid water sports, cocktails, photos, or souvenirs. Remember that beer and sangria are included, but wine, spirits, and cocktails are not.

Finally, leave some space in your schedule before and after the trip. Pickup times vary by location, and the cruise itself lasts 4.5 hours. If you are meeting a dinner reservation or airport transfer, allow for the transport portion as well.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a cheerful half-day on the water with strong coastal views, a swim stop, simple food, and drinks already covered. The combination of included transport, snorkeling equipment, and flexible water activities gives the $91 fare good value for an active holiday afternoon.

Skip it if you dislike shared boat trips, crowded sun decks, or extra charges for the most exciting activities. If you do book, arrive ready to swim, confirm pickup details, tell the operator about dietary or mobility needs, and check whether the water sports are operating that day. That small bit of planning lets you enjoy the best of Afrikat without expecting it to be a private yacht or a guaranteed adventure park.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts 4.5 hours, including the coastal sailing, swimming and snorkeling stop, meal, drinks, and any optional water activities.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The direct meeting point is the Afrikat desk at Puerto Rico harbor, Calle Puerto Base, S/N, 35130. You should sign in at least 20 minutes before the excursion begins.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are available from centralized points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura. Pickup is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico.

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the swimming stop, and you can use it to look for marine life in the clear-water bay.

How much do the water sports cost?

The listed prices are €32 per vehicle for a jet ski, €32 per person for parasailing, €10 per person for the donut inflatable, and €5 per person for the captain-led speedboat ride. Availability may vary by sailing.