Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

Two swim stops make this trip fly by. This 4.5-hour catamaran cruise from Puerto Rico combines coastal views, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding with a freshly prepared meal and drinks served throughout the day. I especially like the spacious boat, which gives you room to sit in the shade or stretch out on the sundeck, and the small-group feel, reported at roughly 17 people aboard. The main consideration is simple: if you prefer nonalcoholic drinks, the $97 price may feel less generous, since much of the value comes from unlimited beer and sangria.

The food is more substantial than the usual boat-trip snack. Morning departures include a meal such as tuna or chicken with salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce, while afternoon departures serve tapas-style snacks instead. I also like that swimming gear is included, though the SUP boards and kayak are shared, so you may need to take turns.

Key Points Before You Book

• Two water stops: The first is set up for swimming, snorkeling, SUP paddleboarding, and kayaking. The second combines another chance to swim with lunch or afternoon tapas.
• Unlimited drinks included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are available during the cruise. Cocktails and some other drinks cost extra.
• Fresh Canarian-style lunch: Morning guests choose between tuna and chicken, served with salad, bread, and potatoes with mojo sauce.
• Comfortable boat layout: You get a modern catamaran with shaded seating, open deck space, and room to sunbathe without feeling packed in.
• Pickup from southern resorts: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the south of Gran Canaria, with the exact time confirmed after booking.
• Good value for active couples and families: Snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, a kayak, food, and drinks are all part of the package.

Leaving Puerto Rico Along Gran Canaria’s Southwest Coast

Your day begins at the Puerto Rico marina, unless you use the included pickup from a resort in the south of the island. The transfer is arranged by the operator, and the pickup time depends on where you stay. Check the confirmation email carefully, including the spam folder, because the exact time is sent after booking.

The transfer has earned praise for being on time, air-conditioned, and well organized. That matters in Gran Canaria, where resort areas are spread along the coast and a poorly planned pickup can eat into a short excursion. Here, the ride gets you to the catamaran without requiring a taxi or rental car.

Once aboard, you can choose between shaded seating and the open sundeck. The boat is described as clean, modern, and spacious, with enough room for people who want sun and others who would rather stay protected from it. That flexible layout is one of the strongest parts of the trip. A catamaran is generally a better choice than a cramped excursion boat when you plan to spend several hours at sea.

The crew serves drinks as the boat heads west along the coast. Included choices cover beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water. A welcome glass of cava has also been served on some departures, though it is best not to treat that as guaranteed. Cocktails and additional drinks are not included.

The cruise is not presented as a formal sightseeing lecture, and that is worth knowing. You see coves, beaches, and the rugged southwest shore from the water, but commentary can be limited. One useful improvement would be more explanation of the places along the coast. If you mainly want scenery, sun, and time in the water, that will not bother you. If you want a full coastal tour with detailed island history, this is not the right format.

First Stop: Swimming, Snorkeling, and Shared Water Gear

The first major stop is near a bay outside Mogán. This is the most active part of the morning, with time to swim from the boat and use the included snorkeling gear, SUP boards, and kayak.

The snorkeling can be rewarding when visibility is good. Fish have been spotted around the swimming area, and one outing even produced a glimpse of a small hammerhead shark. Wildlife sightings are never promised, of course, but the chance to look beneath the surface adds more purpose to the stop than simply floating beside the boat.

The catamaran provides snorkeling equipment for the group. It also carries two SUP boards and one kayak, so those items are shared rather than assigned to each person. That arrangement works well when the group takes turns, but you should not expect every person to paddle at once. If kayaking or paddleboarding is your main reason for booking, keep this limitation in mind.

You can also skip the equipment and simply swim. A set of steps leads from the boat into the water, making entry straightforward. Families have appreciated the availability of flotation vests for children, although you should still check the equipment and safety instructions for your own group before anyone enters the sea.

The water can feel chilly, even in pleasant weather. Bring a towel, as requested by the operator, and be ready for a breeze once you climb back aboard. The sea and weather determine whether the stop goes ahead and how long activities last, so the exact experience can change from one departure to the next.

Some departures offer paid jet-skiing or parasailing arranged during the cruise. These activities are not included in the $97 price. They can add excitement for one member of your group while everyone else remains aboard, but check the additional cost before committing.

The Coast Between Stops: Slow Views and Easy Conversation

After the first water session, the boat continues along the southwest coast. This is the quieter part of the trip, and it gives you time to dry off, order another drink, and watch the island from offshore.

The coast here is best appreciated at an unhurried pace. From the catamaran, you see beaches and coves that are difficult to appreciate from the inland road. The experience is less about reaching a single famous sight and more about giving you several hours of open water, sea air, and changing coastal views.

The crew receives strong praise for being attentive without making the day feel forced or noisy. Drinks are offered regularly, and the staff helps with the water equipment and general organization. That balance matters. A boat trip can become tiring when entertainment is pushed at you every few minutes. This one is built more around free time.

You might also see dolphins or whales, but sightings are occasional and not part of the promised program. On one return journey, the crew altered course briefly after a whale was spotted. Treat that as a lucky bonus rather than a planned wildlife cruise.

If you suffer from seasickness, consider bringing medication. The catamaran is described as stable, and several people had no trouble, but at least a few passengers have felt unwell in rougher conditions. Sitting near the center of the boat, staying hydrated, and avoiding too much alcohol before the water becomes choppy are sensible precautions.

Second Stop: Lunch With the Atlantic Below You

The second stop is tied to the meal. For the morning departure, the crew collects freshly prepared food from a local restaurant on the beach at Tasarte. The meal is then served with views of the sea, and in some cases food has been brought out to the catamaran by kayak.

The menu changes with the season, but common choices include a tuna fillet or breaded chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The potatoes are a particularly fitting touch. Canarian potatoes are traditionally small potatoes cooked in salted water, often served with a peppery mojo sauce. Here, they turn a basic boat lunch into something that feels connected to the islands.

Portions have been described as generous, with enough food to go around. The meal is served hot or freshly prepared, though the exact dishes can change without notice. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the seasonal menu will suit you.

There is usually another chance to swim during this stop. You can stay in the water while lunch is organized, or simply sit on deck and enjoy the view. The pace is relaxed, not rushed. That makes the second stop work well for families and mixed-age groups, since active people can swim and everyone else can eat and rest.

Afternoon departures are different. Instead of the full morning lunch, you receive tapas-style snacks. This is an important difference when comparing time slots. If the food is a major reason you are booking, choose the morning option and confirm the current menu before paying.

Food and Drinks: Where the $97 Price Makes Sense

At $97 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend half a day near the coast. The value improves quickly if you plan to drink beer or sangria, since those are available without a per-glass charge throughout the cruise.

The package also includes the catamaran ride, hotel pickup and drop-off in the south, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, a kayak, and either lunch or afternoon tapas. Buying those pieces separately would be difficult, but the comparison still helps explain the price. You are paying for a complete outing, not just transportation on a boat.

If your group mainly drinks water, juice, and soft drinks, the value is less clear. One person specifically rated the price slightly lower for that reason. I would look at the trip this way: it is good value for an all-inclusive-feeling half-day, especially if you want water activities and a proper meal. It is less compelling if you only want a short scenic cruise.

The food is another reason the price holds up. This is not a buffet of packaged sandwiches. The tuna or chicken, salad, potatoes, and bread provide a real lunch, and the local restaurant connection adds a welcome sense of place. The afternoon tapas option is lighter, so do not assume both departures offer the same meal.

What the Four and a Half Hours Really Feel Like

The stated duration is 4.5 hours, including the cruise, both water stops, lunch or tapas, and the return to Puerto Rico. That is long enough to feel like a proper day on the sea without consuming an entire day of your holiday.

Several people wished the trip lasted longer. That is a good sign for the pace, but it also tells you the schedule is fairly full. You get two stops, not a long anchored afternoon at one beach. The boat keeps moving between activity periods, meals, and coastal views.

Morning and afternoon options let you fit the cruise around other plans. The morning departure is the better choice if you want the full lunch. The afternoon trip may suit you if you prefer a later start and lighter food, but check the available starting times because they vary by date.

The group size is one of the experience’s practical strengths. The boat feels spacious partly because it is not packed with a large crowd. A smaller group also makes it easier to get help with snorkeling gear, ask the crew questions, and find a comfortable place to sit.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Trip Most

I would recommend this cruise to couples who want a relaxed outing with enough activity to avoid sitting still all afternoon. It also works for families, since children can swim, look for fish, use flotation equipment, or simply enjoy the boat.

It suits groups with mixed interests particularly well. One person can paddleboard, another can snorkel, and someone else can remain in the shade with a drink. The combination of free time and optional paid activities means nobody has to take part in everything.

The trip is also a good fit if you are staying in Puerto Rico, Mogán, or another southern resort and would rather not organize your own transport. Pickup and drop-off reduce the usual half-day hassle.

I would think twice if you want a serious sailing experience. The focus is on comfort, food, drinks, swimming, and water toys, not on learning to sail or covering a long stretch of coast. I would also choose another activity if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings, extensive guided commentary, or a fully private boat.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a cover-up for the ride back. Only the towel is specifically required, but the other items make sense for a day involving repeated swimming and time on an exposed deck.

Choose the morning sailing if lunch matters to you. The seasonal meal is more filling than the afternoon tapas, and you get the tuna or chicken choice with salad and Canarian potatoes when that menu is available.

Take turns with the SUP boards and kayak instead of waiting until the last minute. The equipment is shared, and popular activities can attract a queue. Snorkeling gear is more widely available, so you should have an easier time getting a mask and fins.

Do not overdo the alcohol before the first swim. Unlimited drinks sound appealing, but sun, motion, and beer or sangria can combine badly. Water and soft drinks are included, so use them.

Finally, watch your email after booking. Pickup times vary by accommodation, and the operator confirms the exact time later. Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure, when a full refund is available, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Should You Book the Gran Canaria Catamaran Trip?

Book it if you want a polished, easy half-day with two swim stops, a real meal, and drinks included. The spacious catamaran, friendly multilingual crew, reliable transfers, and relaxed pace have made this a highly rated experience, with a 4.8 rating from 845 bookings.

The best value comes when you will use the water equipment and enjoy beer or sangria. Pick the morning departure for the full seasonal lunch, and bring a towel plus seasickness medication if you are prone to motion sickness.

Skip it if you want a quiet private cruise, detailed coastal guiding, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. For most people staying in southern Gran Canaria, though, this is an enjoyable way to trade resort time for open water without giving up comfort.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart from?

The catamaran departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts 4.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in the south of Gran Canaria. The exact pickup time depends on where you stay and is confirmed by the activity provider after booking.

What drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included during the cruise.

Are cocktails included?

No. Additional drinks, including cocktails, are not included in the stated price.

What food is included on the morning departure?

The morning excursion includes a seasonal lunch. Common dishes include tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The menu can change.

What food is included on the afternoon departure?

The afternoon excursion includes light tapas-style snacks rather than the full morning lunch.

Are snorkeling equipment and water sports included?

Snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and a kayak are included. The SUP boards and kayak are shared among the group.

Are jet skiing and parasailing included?

No. Jet skiing and parasailing may be available for an additional price.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. You should also be prepared for changing sea and weather conditions, since the trip depends on safety conditions.