Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

The best Lanzarote days happen offshore. This four-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Calero combines beautiful Papagayo beaches with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, lunch, yoga, and drinks included in the $88 price. I especially like the generous two-hour stop in a sheltered bay and the genuinely warm crew service. The main catch is simple: four hours goes quickly, and the boat can feel busy when demand is high.

You sail along Lanzarote’s dramatic southern coast, then anchor near Playa del Papagayo for a proper water break rather than a quick photo stop. You can stretch out on the deck, try the slide, watch for dolphins, or join a short yoga session. The pace is friendly and social, but you can also find a quiet spot and do very little.

Lunch is more substantial than the usual boat-trip snack: hot pasta with vegetarian tomato sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes. Unlimited drinks add real value, though one person wanted more variety in the alcoholic choices. Bring a jacket, too. The return ride can feel cool, especially after swimming.

Key Points to Know Before You Sail

• Two hours at Papagayo: The main stop allows time for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, lunch, and relaxing without a rushed scramble.
• A social catamaran, not a private yacht: The boat has plenty of room, but popular departures can fill up quickly.
• Food is a real strength: Expect hot pasta, vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes, with drinks included.
• Water equipment is included: Snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and life jackets are available at the anchorage.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: Sightings have delighted some passengers, particularly on the ride back to Puerto Calero.
• Arrive 30 minutes early: Collect your boarding cards at the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero before boarding.

Why This Catamaran Trip Works So Well

Lanzarote is often admired from the road, where black volcanic ground, pale beaches, and red-brown hills create a stark southern setting. From the water, the island feels different. You see the coast as a long sweep of cliffs, coves, and sunlit beaches, with fewer buildings competing for your attention.

This excursion is especially appealing because it gives you several ways to enjoy the sea. I like active boat trips when they do not pressure everyone into taking part. Here, you can try yoga, paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling, but you can also stay on deck with a drink and enjoy the view.

The crew helps set the tone. Names mentioned in personal thank-you notes include Captain Alejandro, Vicky, Noah, Carl, Nico, Jose, and Sandra, though the exact team can vary by departure. The common thread is attentive service, clear safety explanations, and a relaxed sense of fun.

That matters on a boat. Good hospitality is not just about pouring drinks. It means helping people into the water, keeping an eye on equipment, explaining what is happening, and making families and less confident swimmers feel comfortable. One family with children aged seven and eleven praised the safety briefing and the crew’s help throughout the day. Another passenger noted assistance with wheelchair access to the boat ramp.

Starting at Puerto Calero

Your day begins at the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero. If you are not using a pickup, arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure to collect your boarding cards. The listed boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15, but check your booking for the exact departure assigned to you.

Free parking is available in Puerto Calero. Pickup and drop-off can also be arranged from bus stops if you book it through Catlanza’s own website. A hotel pickup was described as well organized, but do not assume every accommodation has direct pickup. Confirm the arrangement when booking.

The early arrival is practical rather than fussy. It gives you time to find the office, collect your cards, and get in line for boarding. One useful tip is to queue at the kiosk after collecting your tickets if you want first choice of seating. The catamaran has room for everyone, but the most popular deck spots can go fast.

Once aboard, expect a safety briefing before the boat leaves. This is followed by scenic sailing toward Papagayo. The trip out takes about one hour, so you have time to settle in, take photos, chat with the crew, and choose your preferred way to spend the ride.

The One-Hour Sail Toward Papagayo

The first hour is part sightseeing trip, part gentle introduction to life on the boat. You can sit on the deck, stretch out on the trampoline net, listen to music, or take in the southern Lanzarote coast.

Yoga is offered during the sailing, giving you a chance to move a little after getting settled. It is not the central purpose of the excursion, so you should not book this as a dedicated yoga class. Think of it as an optional stretch with a sea view.

The crew may point out marine life along the route. Dolphins, whales, and flying fish are possible, and several people have had memorable dolphin sightings. Still, wildlife is never guaranteed. The trip is worth booking for the sailing and Papagayo stop, not just for the hope of a dolphin escort.

The catamaran itself receives strong praise for being clean, well maintained, and spacious. The front net is a favorite place for sunbathing and photos, while the main deck offers easier access to drinks and conversation. On a full departure, you may need to share the best spots. One useful balance is that the boat can be busy without feeling cramped, thanks to its size.

The sea conditions can change the character of the ride. One family enjoyed a faster, choppier return as an exciting finale. If you prefer a calm outing, sit where the crew recommends and keep your jacket handy. The boat ride is part of the fun, but it may not feel gentle every minute.

Two Hours Anchored at Playa del Papagayo

The heart of the experience is the two-hour stop near Papagayo. The boat anchors in a sheltered bay, giving you a stable base for swimming and water activities while the golden beach and coastal views provide the backdrop.

This is not simply a stop to look at Papagayo from offshore. You have time to get into the water and actually use the setting. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and fish often gather beneath the catamaran. That makes the area especially rewarding for beginners, who can see marine life without needing a long swim from shore.

The water is described as clear, with fish visible below the boat. Bring your own sense of comfort. If you are not a strong swimmer, use the available life jacket and ask the crew for help. The staff are there to explain the equipment and help you enter and leave the water safely.

The water sports include paddleboards and kayaks. These are included rather than sold as extras, which makes the $88 price easier to justify. You can paddle along the anchored boat, try to balance on a board, or simply swim under the catamaran. A slide into the sea adds a playful touch, particularly for children and anyone who enjoys a little splash.

Take care around the slide and steps. One passenger reported that people slipped in this area, so move slowly and use the handholds. Wet boat surfaces are not the place to hurry.

You do not have to get wet. The deck is a fine place to sunbathe, read, listen to music, or talk with other people. The atmosphere is friendly and sociable, with the crew keeping the energy moving without forcing anyone to join in.

Lunch on Board, With Drinks Included

At some point, the smell of lunch will pull you back aboard. The main meal is hot pasta with a vegetarian tomato sauce, served with salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

That menu is simple, but it suits a half-day at sea. You get carbohydrates after swimming, fresh salad for balance, and enough variety for people who do not want a heavy meal. Several people praised the cooking, with one calling the lunch a holiday highlight. The food is prepared in the boat’s small kitchen, which makes the quality more impressive.

The meal is vegetarian as described, and the pasta sauce is the main hot dish. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask before booking rather than assuming the standard meal can be changed.

Drinks are included throughout the excursion. Options mentioned include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks. This is a major part of the value, especially when you compare the trip with a basic boat ride where lunch and beverages quickly add to the bill.

The drink selection is not unlimited in every direction. One person wanted more variety among the alcoholic choices. If you are looking for a specialist wine tasting or a premium cocktail menu, this is not that kind of sailing. You are getting a generous, easygoing boat bar designed to keep everyone refreshed.

The crew generally keeps the service flowing, and the drinks help create a celebratory mood. That can be perfect for a birthday, family outing, or relaxed afternoon with friends. If you do not drink alcohol, there are soft drinks and juices, and one non-drinker still found the trip enjoyable.

The Return Ride to Puerto Calero

After lunch and water activities, you have more time to relax before the catamaran heads back. The return sailing takes about one hour.

This is often when the trip feels most informal. You can listen to music, talk with the crew, compare snorkeling stories, or hold a drink while the coastline slips past. The crew may show you how to tie sailing knots, and you may have the chance to take the helm under supervision.

These small activities add something useful. You are not just being carried from one port to another. You get a little contact with how the boat works, without turning the excursion into a technical sailing lesson.

The return can be breezy and choppy. A jacket is specifically worth packing, even on a warm sunny day. After swimming, the wind feels cooler, and the open deck offers little shelter. Keep your towel and cover-up close rather than buried in a bag.

Wildlife sightings are also possible on the way home. Dolphins have appeared for some departures, creating a memorable final scene. Again, treat this as a lucky bonus. The crew can watch and point things out, but no operator can control the sea.

Is $88 Good Value?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast. It is also more than a simple harbor cruise. The value comes from what is bundled into the four hours.

You receive the catamaran ride, a two-hour Papagayo anchorage, lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, kayaks, and yoga. Free parking and possible bus-stop pickup add practical savings. You are also paying for a crewed experience rather than arranging each activity separately.

The biggest value is time. A short boat trip may give you a view of Papagayo and little else. Here, you have enough time to swim, snorkel, eat, and relax without choosing only one activity. If you use the water equipment and enjoy a few drinks, the price becomes reasonable.

The trip is less compelling if you only want quiet sailing. Music, conversation, activities, and an all-inclusive bar create a lively group atmosphere. You can find a calm corner, but this is not a silent private charter.

It also may not satisfy someone who wants a full-day cruise or extensive time at sea. One person wished the excursion lasted longer, and that is understandable. With one hour out, two hours anchored, and one hour back, the schedule is clear and efficient, but there is no extra cruising time.

Who Should Book This Lanzarote Sailing Trip?

I would choose this for couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy an easy social atmosphere. Children have the slide and water sports, adults have lunch and drinks, and less active passengers can stay on deck.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another sunbathes. Someone else can try yoga, kayak for a while, then return for lunch. That flexibility is more useful than a tightly programmed excursion where everyone must do the same thing.

The trip suits beginners particularly well. You do not need to bring snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, or a kayak. The crew provides the gear and explains the basics. Strong swimmers and experienced paddlers may find the two-hour water session a little limited, but there is still time to repeat the activities or relax.

You should think twice if you get seasick, dislike group outings, or want guaranteed wildlife sightings. The open sea is part of the setting, and conditions can be choppy. If motion sickness is a concern, ask the operator about the best seating and bring whatever remedy you normally use.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. Wear something practical for wet steps and keep valuables secure. The sun can be strong even when the breeze feels cool.

Final Recommendation

Book this Catlanza sailing trip if you want a polished half-day on the water with plenty included. The strongest reasons are the two-hour Papagayo stop, friendly crew, excellent lunch, and easy access to snorkeling and water sports.

I would not book it solely for dolphins or a tranquil private-yacht mood. Instead, choose it for the combination: scenic sailing, clear water, a hot meal, an open bar, and a crew that keeps the day welcoming for different ages and abilities. For many visitors, that mix makes the $88 fare a fair deal and gives you one of Lanzarote’s most enjoyable days without complicated planning.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo sailing excursion start?

The excursion starts at the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero. If you do not arrange pickup, arrive there 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding cards.

How long is the sailing trip?

The full experience lasts four hours. The outward catamaran trip takes about one hour, the stop near Playa del Papagayo lasts about two hours, and the return journey takes about one hour.

What activities are included?

You can use snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and kayaks during the stop. Yoga is also available, and the crew may show you how to tie knots or let you take the helm on the return journey.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Drinks are included, with options listed such as beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. You should also arrive 30 minutes early to collect your boarding cards.