Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best boat days mix action and ease. This 4.5-hour Afrikat cruise from Puerto Rico combines a smooth catamaran ride along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast with a swim stop, snorkeling, lunch, unlimited drinks, and optional water sports. You can spend the morning racing across the water, then stretch out in the shade with a cold beer.

I especially like the friendly, playful crew and the boat’s mix of sunbathing space and shaded seating. The included meal and drinks also make the $88 price easier to justify. The main drawback is that jet skis, parasailing, and other paid activities can depend on availability, so do not book this solely for one particular thrill.

The cruise suits families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a social day at sea without planning every detail. It is not a quiet sailing trip. Music, jokes, water sports, and a lively crew are part of the deal.

Five things to know before you book

• The main stop is near Mogán: You get time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and optional water activities in one bay.
• Drinks are included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are available without paying for each serving.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, donut rides €10 per person, and the captain’s speedboat ride €5 per person.
• The cruise has space to relax: The boat includes areas for sunbathing and shaded seating, useful when your group wants different kinds of fun.
• Transfers cover many resort areas: Pickup and drop-off are offered from selected points around southern Gran Canaria, but not from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.
• Friday mornings may include live music: A saxophone performance has been a popular extra, but it is not offered on every departure.

Starting with the coach ride to Puerto Rico

The day begins with pickup from one of many centralized points around the south of Gran Canaria. These include hotels and meeting points near Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Bahía Feliz, Amadores, Taurito, Patalavaca, and other resort areas.

This wide pickup network is useful if you are staying in a large resort zone. It saves you from arranging a taxi, but you should pay close attention to the exact meeting point. The list includes hotels, shopping areas, supermarkets, clinics, and other landmarks, so your pickup may not be directly outside your accommodation.

The stated duration is 4.5 hours. The schedule also includes coach travel, a safety briefing, the outward cruise, time at the swimming stop, and the return journey. Allow extra time around the published start and finish, especially if your pickup point is farther from Puerto Rico.

The transfer service is not available from every part of the island. If you are staying in Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán, you are expected to make your own way to the meeting point or port arrangements provided at booking. That is worth checking before you pay.

Boarding the catamaran in Puerto Rico

At Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, you receive a safety briefing before leaving the marina. It lasts about 10 minutes, which is enough to cover the basic rules without eating too much into the day.

The catamaran is presented as a luxury vessel, but the useful point is simpler: there is room to sit, stand, sunbathe, and get out of the sun. Several people praised the boat’s cleanliness and the choice between sunny and shaded areas. That matters on a half-day cruise, since not everyone in a group wants to sit in the same place.

The crew sets the tone. Guides speak English and Spanish, and the atmosphere is deliberately informal. You can expect jokes, announcements, friendly banter, and staff who keep an eye on the group during the activities. Potter, identified in several comments as the owner or a leading host, received special praise for making the trip fun. Other named crew members include Matt and Nikita, though the staff lineup may change.

This is a social boat rather than a silent one. If you want a calm trip with little interaction, the constant energy may feel like a lot. If you like a crew that gets people talking and laughing, it is one of the strongest parts of the experience.

Cruising the southwest coast for about an hour

Once underway, the catamaran follows the southwest coastline. You get views of beaches, cliffs, coves, and the open Atlantic, with the sea breeze doing much of the work. The ride gives you a different view of the island than you get from the roads or hotel terraces.

The cruise section is a chance to settle in before the main stop. Find a comfortable place, take photographs, and keep your hat and sunglasses secure. The boat’s movement is usually manageable, but anyone prone to seasickness should sit where the crew recommends and tell staff if they feel unwell. The crew has helped passengers who became seasick, so speaking up early is sensible.

The cruise also gives you a good choice: you can treat the journey as part of the attraction, or use it as quiet time before the swimming and water sports begin. The catamaran is large enough to make both approaches possible.

The Mogán bay stop: swimming, snorkeling, and lunch

The boat anchors near Mogán for the longest part of the day, around 2.5 hours. This is where the excursion earns its keep. Instead of a quick photo stop and a rushed swim, you have time to combine several activities.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied at no extra charge. The water is described as crystal clear, and several people singled out the snorkeling as a highlight, including the chance to see plenty of fish. You should still bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and sun hat. A waterproof phone case or camera can be useful, but it is not listed as included.

The stop works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel or try a paid activity, while others can remain aboard, sunbathe, or relax in the shade. Parents can also choose the pace that suits their family rather than feeling pushed into every activity.

Lunch is served by the crew. The standard meal is a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, alongside pasta salad. Reviews describe the food as better than expected, with fresh wraps and generous enough portions to keep people going through the afternoon. One vegetarian passenger received fajitas after alerting the crew, but special dietary requirements should be communicated in advance rather than left to chance.

The meal is practical rather than a restaurant-style event. You are eating on a boat, often between swims and activities. That is exactly why the included lunch has value: you do not have to leave the bay or arrange food during the main stop.

Choosing the extra water sports

The included snorkeling is the low-cost way to get in the water, but the optional activities add a more active edge. Current 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’s speedboat ride is especially good value if you want a short burst of speed without spending much. It can also provide a closer look at nearby coves and caves, according to one account of the experience.

The donut ride is the simplest choice for groups and families who want a shared laugh. Jet skiing is aimed at those who want real speed and control, while parasailing offers a higher view over the bay. You need extra cash or a bank card for these activities, photos, souvenirs, and any drinks outside the included selection.

There is an important practical warning here: water sports may not all operate on every departure. Jet skis were unavailable on some days, even when people had been hoping to use them. Weather, equipment, or operating conditions can affect the choices. I would treat the activities as appealing extras, not guaranteed central features.

One useful detail is that packages of activities may be discounted on the day. A group paid €42 per person for a combination of donut, speedboat, jet ski, and snorkeling, though prices and package deals can change. Ask the crew about the current options before committing.

Food, drinks, and the onboard atmosphere

Unlimited drinks are included from the onboard bar. The selection covers beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails, wine, spirits, and some special drinks cost extra.

The unlimited beer and sangria were particularly well received, and the crew may take orders and bring drinks to your seat. That small service touch means you can stay relaxed instead of repeatedly queuing at the bar. One person also enjoyed being able to pour their own beer, though the exact setup may vary.

Do not assume every alcoholic drink will suit your taste. Some people enjoyed the beer more than the mixed alcoholic options. If you want a cocktail, wine, or spirit, bring your card and expect an additional charge.

The mood can change depending on the departure. Friday morning cruises may feature live saxophone music, with classic songs performed onboard. It has been described as a memorable touch, but live music is not offered every day and is not scheduled on February 27. If music matters to you, confirm the departure details before booking.

Is $88 good value?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. It becomes better value when you use the included parts: the catamaran cruise, meal, unlimited drinks, snorkeling equipment, and return transport from an eligible area.

A basic boat trip may cost less but leave you paying separately for lunch, drinks, and equipment. Here, those costs are built in. The price also covers a full half-day rather than a short harbor ride.

Your final cost depends on your habits. Someone who swims, eats lunch, drinks beer or sangria, and stays with the included program may find the package fair. Someone who avoids alcohol, skips lunch, and has no interest in water sports may get less from it.

The extras are reasonably priced compared with many organized water activities, but they can push the day’s total higher. A family of four adding jet skis and other rides should set a separate activity budget before boarding.

Who will enjoy Afrikat most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several holiday ingredients in one outing: views, food, swimming, drinks, and a little noise and humor. It is particularly well suited to groups where some people want action and others want to sunbathe.

Families can benefit from the flexible stop and attentive crew. One family noted that staff helped them feel comfortable with a toddler, and another passenger with a nervous friend found the crew reassuring. Still, children should be supervised around the water and during the paid rides.

Couples may enjoy it as a relaxed day out, especially if they want something more social than a private sailing trip. It also works for birthdays and special occasions, with the crew adding personal attention and a celebratory mood.

I would hesitate if you want a small, quiet boat, a guaranteed jet ski session, or a long period of serious snorkeling. This cruise gives you a taste of many things rather than a specialist experience in one activity.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, but tell the provider about mobility needs when booking. The exact practical ease of boarding and moving around the vessel may depend on your requirements and the day’s setup.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Bring a camera if you want photos of the coast or bay, but protect it around the water.

Take a credit card and some cash. You will need payment for optional water sports, cocktails, wine, spirits, souvenirs, or photos. A reusable drinking glass souvenir is included, which is a pleasant small extra.

If you have food allergies or special dietary needs, tell the provider in advance. The meal can be adapted in some cases, but advance communication gives the crew a fair chance to prepare.

Booking, cancellations, and practical timing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if you are still arranging your Gran Canaria schedule.

Pickup and drop-off are offered from designated points in the supported resort areas. They are not provided outside those zones, so check the transport detail carefully if your accommodation is in a less central location.

The activity is offered in English and Spanish, and it is suitable for all ages. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when you book.

FAQ

How long is the Afrikat catamaran cruise?

The advertised activity lasts 4.5 hours. The day includes transportation arrangements, a safety briefing, the catamaran ride, and time at the Mogán stop for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional activities.

What food is served onboard?

The standard meal is a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, plus pasta salad. Special dietary requirements should be communicated in advance.

Are drinks included in the price?

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

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided at no extra cost, and you can use it during the stop near Mogán.

How much do the optional water activities cost?

The listed prices are €32 per vehicle for a jet ski, €32 per person for parasailing, €10 per person for a donut ride, and €5 per person for the captain’s speedboat ride.

Can I get picked up from my hotel?

Pickup and drop-off are available from designated points in several southern Gran Canaria resort areas. The service is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

Should you book this Gran Canaria cruise?

Book it if you want a lively, well-organized day that combines a scenic catamaran ride with real time in the water. The strongest value comes from using the included snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and shaded or sunny seating, while the crew supplies much of the fun.

Before booking, accept two limits: the cruise is social rather than peaceful, and paid activities can be unavailable on a particular day. With those points in mind, Afrikat is a strong choice for families, couples, and groups looking for an easy half-day on Gran Canaria’s southwest coast.