Lanzarote: Day Trip to the Papagayo Beaches by Catamaran

Golden beaches, cold drinks, open water. This catamaran day from Puerto del Carmen gives you a pleasant mix of Lanzarote scenery and easygoing fun at sea. I especially like the generous lunch and the unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water, along with the chance to kayak or jump into the sea. The main caution is simple: the boat ride takes about four hours in total, and rough water can make the trip uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

I also like the friendly crew, the welcome mojito, and the way the stop works for different moods. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, or stretch out on deck while others get active. Just remember that the boat anchors offshore, so you do not walk onto Papagayo Beach itself, and the toilets are down steep stairs below deck.

Key points before you book

• About four hours on the catamaran: You sail for roughly one hour each way, with about two hours anchored near the Papagayo coast.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Choose Spanish paella or pasta with tomato sauce, then help yourself to fresh fruit, beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water.
• The welcome starts with a mojito: A Spanish omelette tapa accompanies the first drink and short introduction from the crew.
• Water activities are part of the fun: Kayaks are included, and you can swim, snorkel, use the floating equipment, or jump from the boat.
• Papagayo is viewed from the water: Beach disembarkation is not included, so this is a sailing and swimming trip rather than a beach visit.
• Weather matters: Strong wind can prevent the catamaran from anchoring at Papagayo, though the crew may seek a sheltered bay nearby.

From your resort to Puerto del Carmen Harbour

Your day can begin with a resort pickup, depending on the option you choose. Return transport is offered from nearby pickup points serving Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, and Costa Teguise. Exact times and locations arrive by email after booking, so provide your accommodation details carefully.

The coach transfer is useful if you are staying away from the harbour. Several pickup points serve Playa Blanca, including hotels such as Sandos Papagayo, H10 Lanzarote Princess, Hotel HL Club Playa Blanca, and TUI BLUE Flamingo Beach. Stops also serve Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise, Arrecife, Puerto Calero, and nearby resorts.

A small but important detail: there is no Playa Blanca pickup on Sundays, Mondays, or Wednesdays. Puerto Calero pickup is available only on Thursdays. If you book within 24 hours of departure, transport is not guaranteed, so you should plan to reach the harbour directly.

The meeting point is easy to miss if you rush. At Puerto del Carmen Harbour, walk to the last pier at the far end, past the petrol station. You must meet the Líneas Romero catamaran there if you are not using a confirmed pickup.

The first hour aboard the sailing catamaran

Once aboard, the crew sets a friendly tone quickly. You receive a mojito and a Spanish omelette tapa, followed by a short explanation of the day. This is a good start because you know the basic plan before the boat leaves the harbour.

The catamaran then heads south toward the Costa de Papagayo. The first hour is mainly about sitting back and watching Lanzarote change from harbour town to volcanic coast. Dramatic cliffs, dark rock, open sea, and bright water provide the scenery. The view is best from outside, though a jacket is wise even on a sunny day.

This is not a silent sailing expedition. The mood can become lively, particularly on the return journey when music and crew-led dancing have been part of the day. You can take part or keep to yourself. The setup works best for people who enjoy a social boat trip but do not need constant entertainment.

The catamaran has room for everyone to spread out, although the exact crowd can vary. One particularly practical point is that the boat can feel busy when many people head for the kayaks or swimming ladder at once. Kayaks are available on a first-come basis, so move fairly promptly when the crew opens the water activities.

Seeing the Costa de Papagayo from the sea

Papagayo is one of Lanzarote’s best-known coastal areas, with golden beaches tucked between volcanic cliffs. From the catamaran, you get a broad view of the coves without dealing with a road, parking, or a walk down to the sand.

There is a catch. The boat does not land on the beach. It anchors offshore, and the two-hour stop centers on swimming and water activities rather than strolling along Papagayo’s shore. If your main goal is to put your feet on the beach, choose a land excursion instead.

If you are happy in the water, the stop is the heart of the day. You can climb down the ladder for a swim, paddle a kayak, snorkel around the boat, or relax on a floating mattress. Some people also jump directly from the boat. Life jackets are available for adults and children who need them.

The water can be full of fish around the anchored catamaran. Bring your own snorkel mask and fins if seeing underwater life matters to you, since snorkeling equipment is not officially included. There is a useful wrinkle here: some departures have provided snorkeling gear, but you should not rely on that. Pack your own equipment or expect to swim without it.

The stop is not only for sporty people. You can stay on deck, enjoy the sun, and watch the coastline while the more energetic passengers paddle around. That balance makes the trip suitable for couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where not everyone wants the same pace.

Lunch, paella, and an open bar

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran, usually during the anchorage. You can choose between traditional Spanish paella and pasta with tomato sauce, followed by fresh fruit. Bread and generous portions have also been part of the meal for some departures.

The food earns strong praise for good reason. Paella gives the trip a proper Spanish touch and feels more satisfying than a basic packed lunch. The pasta is a sensible choice for children or anyone who prefers a familiar meal. Vegetarian and celiac diets can be accommodated with advance notice, so mention dietary needs when booking.

Drinks are included throughout the cruise. The open bar covers draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. For many people, this inclusion changes the value calculation. At $75 per person, you are not paying only for a boat ride. You are also covering return transport when selected, a welcome cocktail, lunch, water equipment, and drinks for much of the day.

Of course, unlimited drinks are useful only if you want them. If you do not drink alcohol, the value is less striking, though lunch, transport, scenery, and kayaking still form a solid package. Also, drinking in the sun can catch up with you quickly. Eat, use the water station, and pace yourself.

The return sail and the mood on board

After lunch and swimming, the catamaran returns toward Puerto del Carmen. The ride back takes about an hour and often becomes the most social part of the trip. Music may play, the crew may encourage dancing, and there can be time for photographs or a look from the captain’s position if the crew permits it.

Wildlife sightings are possible but never guaranteed. Dolphins and pilot whales have been spotted on some outings, which can turn a pleasant cruise into a memorable one. Treat this as luck, not a promise. The volcanic coast is the dependable attraction.

The catamaran is due back at around 3:00 pm. With transfers, you may leave your resort around 9:00 or 9:15 am and return around 4:00 pm, depending on the number of hotel stops. One useful correction to the phrase day trip: the boat portion is closer to four hours, not a full day at sea.

That timing leaves the evening free, which is helpful if you want a relaxed dinner in Puerto del Carmen or a quiet night at your resort. It also means you should not book another fixed afternoon activity too tightly. Transfer delays and changing sea conditions can affect the schedule.

How weather changes the experience

Lanzarote can be sunny and windy on the same day. Strong wind may prevent the catamaran from anchoring at Papagayo, but the crew can look for a sheltered bay nearby. You still get the sailing, lunch, drinks, and time in the water, but the exact view and swimming location may change.

Wind also affects comfort. The boat can move enough to bother people who rarely notice motion on land. If you are prone to seasickness, take suitable medication before departure and bring a jacket. The crew has helped sick passengers with water, ice packs, and sickness bags, but prevention is still your best plan.

Choose a seat with good airflow and keep your eyes on the horizon if the sea becomes choppy. Avoid arriving hungover. That advice sounds obvious, but it matters on a moving boat with an open bar.

The water itself may feel cool, even in warm weather. A towel, swimwear, sunscreen, hat, comfortable shoes, and camera belong in your day bag. A jacket is not optional for everyone, especially during the outward and return sails.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a simple, social day on the water rather than a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour. It suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and people who want both quiet deck time and easy water activities.

Older passengers can enjoy it too. The swimming is optional, the crew is helpful, and the boat provides a place to sit and watch the coast. Still, mobility is a real consideration. Wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments are not suited to this activity, and the toilet is reached by steep stairs below deck.

Children can have a good time kayaking, swimming, and using the floating equipment, but the atmosphere may become adult and party-oriented once the drinks and music get going. Families with young children should consider if that setting fits their plans.

I would think twice if you dislike group excursions, open-bar atmospheres, or spending an hour at sea each way. This is not a private charter or a quiet wildlife cruise. It is a shared catamaran trip with food, music, swimming, and a friendly social mood.

Languages, crew, and practical comfort

Live commentary is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. German and Italian support is available on request, so arrange that in advance rather than assuming it will be present on every departure.

The crew’s attitude is one of the strongest parts of the experience. They serve food and drinks, help with the kayaks, provide life jackets, assist passengers feeling ill, and keep the group informed. That practical attention matters more than fancy presentation on a boat trip.

Do not bring glass items, and smoking is not allowed. Intoxicated passengers and party groups are not suitable for the activity. Non-folding and electric wheelchairs cannot be accepted.

For cancellation, you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Lanzarote plans are still taking shape. Weather cancellations allow a choice of another date or a full refund.

Is $75 good value?

At $75, this is strong value if you use several parts of the package. The return boat ride, Papagayo coast, lunch, welcome mojito, open bar, kayaking, and swimming would cost more if arranged separately, and the included transport adds convenience for resort visitors.

The value is especially good for people who want drinks and a meal included. Paella or pasta, fruit, and unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water remove the small extra charges that can pile up during a day at sea.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to visit Papagayo Beach itself. Since you remain on the boat, you are paying for the sailing atmosphere and water stop, not access to the sand. Likewise, non-drinkers may find the package less of a bargain, though the food and activities still help.

The overall rating of 4.4 from 913 bookings suggests a dependable experience, while the individual feedback points to the same strengths again and again: friendly staff, tasty food, plentiful drinks, good swimming time, and strong value. The occasional complaints are practical rather than dramatic, such as unclear pickup messages, a hot transfer bus, a crowded boat, or rough seas.

Should you book the Papagayo catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a cheerful half-day cruise with a beautiful coast, a proper lunch, drinks included, and plenty of freedom once the boat anchors. The crew, food, and water activities give the $75 price real weight.

Skip it if you need direct beach access, have limited mobility, or regularly suffer from seasickness. If you do book, confirm your pickup email, bring a jacket and towel, pack snorkel gear, and arrive ready for both sun and wind. For the right passenger, this is one of Lanzarote’s easiest ways to trade a resort pool for open sea.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The boat portion lasts about four hours, with roughly one hour sailing to the Papagayo coast, two hours anchored for activities and lunch, and one hour sailing back. The full outing takes longer if you use resort transfers.

What time does the catamaran return to port?

The catamaran returns to Puerto del Carmen Harbour at approximately 3:00 pm. Your resort drop-off time depends on the transfer route and number of stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Return transfers from the nearest pickup point are included when you select that option. Pickup points serve accommodations in Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, and Costa Teguise, with other listed stops around Lanzarote.

Can I meet the boat directly?

Yes. The meeting point is at the last pier in Puerto del Carmen Harbour, past the petrol station at the far end of the harbour.

Does the boat stop on Papagayo Beach?

No. Beach disembarkation is not included. The catamaran anchors offshore near the Costa de Papagayo, where you can swim, snorkel, kayak, or relax on board.

What food is served?

You can choose Spanish paella or pasta with tomato sauce. Fresh fruit is served afterward, and bread may also be available. Vegetarian and celiac diets can be catered for with advance notice.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes unlimited draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. You also receive a welcome mojito at the start of the cruise.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is not officially included. Bring your own if you want to snorkel, even though equipment may sometimes be available on board.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Weather can change the route or anchoring location. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund.