From Puerto Rico: Boat trip along the coast w/ Food & Drinks

The best part of this Puerto Rico boat trip is the long stop in a sheltered bay, where you can swim, ride the banana boat, try water sports, or simply stretch out on deck with a drink. The route also gives you a chance to see dolphins, flying fish, and sea turtles, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

I like the easy holiday mix: food and drinks are included, and the boat provides both sunbathing space and active water fun. I also like the friendly crew, with Sergio, Abdera, and Yeray singled out for attentive service. The main caution is the sea itself. Choppy water has made some people seasick, and the banana boat ride may feel very short to some riders.

Key points to know before you book

• A two-hour bay stop gives you more time for swimming and activities than many short boat rides.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised, along with flying fish and turtles.
• The Full Pack includes lunch, drinks, and a banana boat ride, while the Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks.
• Optional cave trips, jet skis, and parasailing can be bought on board, so budget extra if you want more action.
• Pickup is available from several southern resort areas, including San Agustin, Playa del Ingles, Yumbo, and Meloneras.
• The $47 price is strong value if you choose the package with food, drinks, and the banana boat.

Setting sail from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

You meet the boat at Puerto Rico Base, close to the gas station. Look for the Princesa Ico. The port is the practical starting point for a trip along the island’s south coast, with the boat heading toward the Mogán area before returning to Puerto Rico.

The excursion lasts about four hours, although the detailed schedule also describes a longer version with roughly two hours around Mogán and a 40-minute return sail. Check the departure time and exact option when booking, since the length shown can vary by arrangement.

You can also choose pickup from several resort areas. Listed pickup times include Clínica Roca in San Agustin at 9:10, Hotel Tropical in Playa del Ingles at 9:20, the Yumbo Centre at 10:00, and Gran Casino Costa Meloneras at 10:10. The coach transfer has been described as comfortable and punctual, which matters when you are trying to reach a harbor for a fixed departure.

At the port, allow time to find the correct boat and have your booking ready. The meeting instructions are clear: Puerto Rico, Puerto Base, near the gas station, aboard Princesa Ico.

Coast views, cliffs, and the chance of dolphins

Once the boat leaves Puerto Rico, the appeal is simple. You get a view of Gran Canaria that you cannot have from the road. The south coast shows its beaches, rocky headlands, cliffs, and small coves from sea level, where the shapes of the shore become easier to appreciate.

Music plays on board, and the mood is more relaxed party boat than quiet sailing lesson. You can sit in the sun, find a comfortable chair or bed, and watch the coast pass by. The boat has enough seating and sun decks for different styles of afternoon. I would claim a spot early if you want a particular place to sunbathe, especially on a busy sailing.

Wildlife is one of the pleasant surprises. Dolphins may appear beside the boat, and the route can also bring sightings of flying fish and sea turtles. One day even produced a reported hammerhead shark sighting, but that is an unusual bonus, not something to expect.

The operator makes no promise about animals, and that is the honest way to handle a wildlife trip. You should book this for the sailing, views, food, and water stop first. If dolphins appear, they make the day better. If they do not, the outing still has its main activities.

The long stop near Mogán

The strongest part of the schedule is the anchorage in a protected bay. You get about two hours for swimming and optional activities, a generous amount of time compared with boat trips that stop only long enough for a quick dip.

At anchor, you can swim from the boat, use the slide at the back, look through the underwater viewing area, or simply stay aboard. The underwater vision gives you a chance to see the water and fish without committing to a full snorkeling session. Snorkeling is part of the activity’s general offering, though the exact equipment and format are not specified, so ask the crew what is available on your departure.

The bay also provides a useful break from the movement of the open sea. If you are prone to seasickness, this calmer stop may be the most comfortable part of the trip. The crossing can still be rough on windy days, so take the possibility seriously before booking.

The surrounding coast includes small beaches and rocky places that are difficult to reach by road. The boat may visit quieter or less familiar beaches, but the precise bay is not fixed in the information provided. Think of this as a coastal outing with a secluded-feeling stop, not a guaranteed visit to one named beach.

Banana boats, caves, and paid water sports

The included banana boat ride is part of the Full Pack. It is aimed at easy group fun rather than serious sport, and the activity suits families and mixed-age groups. One point to watch: the ride may be very brief. A reported run lasted about a minute and a half, so do not book this expecting a long tow session.

The cave trip is an extra option and has received especially warm attention from people who tried it. A small motorboat takes you toward caves cut into the rocky coast, adding a faster and more adventurous change of pace to the main catamaran ride. One account put the extra cost at €10, but confirm the current price on board.

Jet skis and parasailing are not included. They may be purchased during the trip, giving you a chance to add speed or height without booking a separate excursion. This is convenient, but it also means the $47 headline price does not cover every activity shown in the promotional material.

I like this setup because you can choose your own level of action. One person can swim, another can sunbathe, and someone else can pay for a faster activity. The downside is that optional extras can make the final cost less predictable. If you want a fixed-price day, stick with the included package.

Food and drinks at sea

The Full Pack includes salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, beer, mojito, water, soft drinks, and the banana boat ride. The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks. Since the exact package depends on the option you select, read the inclusions carefully before paying.

The meal is practical rather than formal. Food is served during the anchorage, when the boat is no longer moving through open water. That timing makes sense, since it lets you eat with less motion and then return to swimming and activities.

The food has received strong approval, with paella and the overall quantity often praised. One person wanted more sauce or butter, which is a small reminder that this is a casual boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. If you have specific dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special menus, so ask before booking.

Drinks are easy to access and include soft drinks on the Basic Pack, with beer and mojito added to the Full Pack. Some sailings have ended with complimentary shots on the return to port. Treat that as a possible flourish rather than a guaranteed part of the package.

The crew and the feel on board

Service is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. The crew has been praised for being welcoming, polite, attentive, and playful without losing control of the schedule. Sergio and Abdera are noted for helping people during the outing, while Yeray has also received warm praise.

The tone is social. Music, drinks, sun decks, swimming, and group activities create an upbeat atmosphere. You should not expect a silent nature cruise or a small private charter, even though the experience is described as offering exclusive tours tailored to preferences. The boat trip is better understood as a shared catamaran outing with room for several kinds of fun.

The crew also provides information about the coast and landmarks along the route. The educational side is light and entertaining, useful if you want more than a ride but not intended as a detailed marine science tour.

Families with teenagers are a particularly good match. There is enough movement and choice to keep active children busy, while adults can sit with a drink and enjoy the views. Couples can also have a good time, especially if they like casual music and social energy. If you want solitude, silence, or a private sailing, this is not the right format.

Comfort, weather, and seasickness

The boat has comfortable seating, beds, and sunbathing areas. You can choose between shade and open sun, although the exact seating arrangement may depend on the package or section of the boat. One person reported being charged an additional €10 for middle beds, so ask whether a preferred bed or seating area carries a supplement.

Weather will shape the experience. On a sunny, calm day, the trip is easy to enjoy from start to finish. On rough water, the same four hours can feel much longer. One particularly choppy outing left most of the people on board feeling sick, even though the wildlife and activities were excellent.

If you know you get seasick, consider the forecast and ask the crew about the calmest seating area. You may also prefer to spend more time at anchor rather than on the open-water portions. The activity provider does not promise calm conditions, so weather is the main factor you cannot control.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible. Since the tour includes swimming, a banana boat, and transfers between boat and water activities, contact the provider ahead of time if you need specific assistance. Accessibility on the boat does not automatically mean every optional water activity is suitable for every passenger.

What the $47 price really buys

At $47 per person, this is a good-value half-day if your selected package includes lunch, drinks, and the banana boat. You are paying for a coastal cruise, a long swimming stop, onboard service, food, and several included activities rather than just a seat on a boat.

The value is strongest for families and groups. If four people each paid separately for a coastal cruise, lunch, drinks, and a water activity, the total could rise quickly. Here, the basic entertainment is gathered into one booking.

The price is less compelling if you only want quiet sightseeing. You may not use the banana boat, alcohol, music, or optional activities, and wildlife is never guaranteed. In that case, compare it with a simpler sailing or sightseeing cruise.

Pay attention to the package names. The Basic Pack covers water and soft drinks, while the Full Pack adds beer, mojito, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana tour. Jet skis and parasailing cost extra, and the cave trip may also carry an additional charge.

The free cancellation window is useful: 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 island plans depend on weather.

How the outing compares with a beach day

A beach day gives you more control over your time and usually less motion. This boat trip gives you more variety in a single block of four hours: sea views, cliffside scenery, a meal, drinks, swimming, and optional activities.

The two-hour bay stop is the key difference. You are not simply sailing out, circling, and returning. There is enough time to swim properly, try the banana boat, inspect the underwater view, and still relax.

You also see the coast from a different angle. Beaches and cliffs that seem familiar from land can look completely different from the water, especially around the rocky bays near Mogán. The tradeoff is that you are following the boat’s schedule, not your own.

Who should book this Gran Canaria boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a budget-friendly sea day with plenty included. Families with teenagers, groups of friends, and couples who enjoy music and casual activities should find the format easy to like.

It also works for people who want a gentle introduction to water sports. You can swim, take the banana boat, or pay for jet skis and parasailing without committing to an entire day of intense activity.

I would be more cautious if you suffer from motion sickness, dislike group entertainment, or want a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The dolphins are a bonus, not the product. Rough water can also change the mood quickly.

Book the Full Pack if you want lunch, beer, mojito, and the banana boat included. Choose the Basic Pack if you mainly want the cruise, swimming stop, and soft drinks. If a cave visit matters to you, ask about the extra cost and timing before you board.

Practical details before you go

The host and greeter speak Spanish and English. Pickup is optional, with listed collection points in San Agustin, Playa del Ingles, Yumbo, and Meloneras. If you use a transfer, check the exact location and time on your booking rather than relying only on the resort name.

The main meeting point is Puerto Rico Base, close to the gas station. The boat is called Princesa Ico.

Bring swimwear and plan for sun exposure, since the trip includes time on deck and in the water. The supplied information does not list towels, snorkeling equipment, or sun protection as included, so ask before departure if you need any of those items.

Finally, keep your expectations flexible. The best day combines calm seas, good visibility, active swimming, and dolphins nearby. A quieter day still gives you the boat ride, coastal views, meal and drinks in the Full Pack, and time in a bay.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a lively and fairly priced four-hour outing with food, drinks, swimming, and several optional ways to have fun. The friendly crew, long anchorage, comfortable boat, and strong chance of a memorable coast view give it more substance than a quick harbor cruise.

I would choose the Full Pack for the clearest value, then decide on the cave trip, jet ski, or parasailing once you know the conditions. Just remember that dolphins may not appear, the banana ride can be short, and rough water is possible. For most people looking for an easy sea day from Puerto Rico, those are manageable tradeoffs.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart?

The main meeting point is Puerto Rico Base, close to the gas station. The boat is named Princesa Ico.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised activity lasts four hours. The detailed route also describes sailing near Puerto Rico, a stop around Mogán, and about 40 minutes sailing back to Puerto Rico.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional pickup is listed from Clínica Roca in San Agustin, Hotel Tropical in Playa del Ingles, the Yumbo Centre, and Gran Casino Costa Meloneras.

What languages are spoken?

The host or greeter speaks Spanish and English.

Are food and drinks included?

That depends on the selected package. The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks. The Full Pack includes beer, mojito, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and a banana boat ride.

Is the banana boat included?

The banana boat is included with the Full Pack. It may be a short ride, so ask the crew about the expected duration on your departure.

Are jet skis and parasailing included?

No. Jet ski and parasailing activities are optional and can be purchased on the boat.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. The boat anchors in a bay where you can swim and take part in water activities.

Can I see dolphins or turtles?

You might see dolphins, flying fish, and turtles along the route, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Ask the provider ahead of time about access to the swimming area and optional water activities if you need assistance.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.