Puerto de Mogan: Boat and Snorkeling Trip

The best part of this Puerto de Mogan outing is the stop at El Perchel, a quiet cove reached only by boat. You get about 1.5 hours in clear water, with time to spot fish, swim, and try the supplied snorkeling gear without being hurried back aboard.

I like the personal touch from Ruben and Marta, who explain the coastline and marine life while keeping a close eye on the group. I also like that food, drinks, equipment, and photos are included. The main consideration is simple: this trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you should bring your own towel.

Key points to know before booking

• El Perchel is the main event: Spend around 1.5 hours snorkeling at a cove accessible only by boat.
• Ruben and Marta run the boat: Expect clear instruction, local information, and attentive hosting in Spanish or English.
• Lunch is vegetarian and local: Potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and fresh fruit are served after swimming.
• Useful extras are included: Snorkel masks, fins, drinks, photos, and paddle boards come at no added charge.
• Puerto de Mogan needs planning on Fridays: Market Day can restrict car access to the port, so contact the operator ahead of time.
• This suits confident swimmers: The experience includes open-water snorkeling and is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Puerto de Mogan is one of Gran Canaria’s prettiest places to start a boat outing. The harbor is compact, easy to explore on foot, and framed by the island’s dry southwestern coast. From the water, the town quickly gives way to steep cliffs, small coves, and broad Atlantic views.

This three-hour trip with Yellow Boat Mogan combines a scenic cruise with a long snorkeling stop. At $69 per person, it is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but the price includes far more than a simple sightseeing ride: snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, a guide, photos, and the boat trip itself.

The experience is run by the husband-and-wife team Ruben and Marta. Their role matters here. You are not just being taken to a swim stop. They provide instruction, point out fish and coastal features, help with equipment, and keep the mood relaxed. That personal approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular outing.

Leaving Puerto de Mogan on the Yellow Boat

The meeting point is at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163. Look for the yellow boat marked Yellow Boat Mogan. If the harbor layout confuses you, searching that exact name in Google Maps should lead you to the correct place.

The trip begins with a short safety briefing of about five minutes in Puerto de Mogan. That is useful even if you have been on boats before, since the day includes time in open water and a snorkeling session. Ruben and Marta speak Spanish and English, so you can ask questions before leaving the harbor.

The boat provides both covered and open areas, according to the information available from the operator and past participants. That gives you a choice between sun and shade during the coastal cruise. Bring sunscreen either way. The Canary Islands sun can feel mild when you are moving, but it remains strong on the water.

Friday requires extra planning. Puerto de Mogan’s market can prevent car access to the port, so you should contact Yellow Boat Mogan before the trip if your booking falls on a Friday. Do not leave parking and arrival until the last minute.

The Tasarte coast provides the scenic hour

The boat heads toward the Tasarte area, giving you roughly an hour of coastal sightseeing. You pass beneath the dramatic cliffs of Gran Canaria, with plenty of time to take photographs and listen to explanations about the coastline and island.

This part of the trip is not a series of formal shore visits. You remain on the boat and pass by the coastal scenery before turning around near Tasarte. That distinction is worth knowing. If you want to walk on beaches or explore a village, this is not that kind of excursion. The reward is the changing view from the sea and the chance to see the cliffs from a different angle.

The boat ride also helps set the pace for the afternoon. It is not a rushed dash straight to the snorkeling site. You get a calm hour to settle in, watch the shore, and enjoy the sun before the active part of the day.

Photos are included, and the crew takes pictures during the trip. These are later sent by email, adding real value for families and couples. It is hard to take a good group photograph while everyone is in the water, so this is a practical extra rather than a throwaway souvenir.

El Perchel offers the best water time

After reaching the Tasarte area, the boat turns toward El Perchel. This cove is accessible only by boat, which helps explain why it feels separate from the more developed parts of the coast.

You have about 1.5 hours here for snorkeling and free time. That is generous by excursion standards. You can spend much of it looking for fish, then come back aboard to rest, eat, or simply enjoy the setting. The crew does not appear to treat the water stop as a quick photo opportunity.

The water is described as clear, with many fish visible around the cove. The exact marine life will vary with conditions, but the guides explain where to look and what kinds of fish you may see. Past participants have reported seeing a ray, along with several types of smaller fish.

For a first snorkeling attempt, the instruction is especially useful. Ruben and Marta explain how to use the equipment and where to find marine life. You can choose between traditional masks and full-face masks when available. Fins are also supplied.

Still, be honest about your swimming ability. This is not suitable for non-swimmers. The activity page does not promise a separate beginner swimming area or a flotation-led experience, so you should be comfortable entering the sea and moving around in open water.

Children can enjoy the stop, and families with children aged 7, 10, and 14 have found the experience suitable. That does not remove the need for close parental attention. Snorkeling is an active water activity, and every child should be watched according to their confidence and ability.

Paddle boards are also available as part of the experience. They offer another way to enjoy the cove if you want a break from snorkeling. The supplied equipment, rather than an extra rental charge, makes the stop feel more generous than many short boat outings.

Local lunch and drinks after the swim

Once you are back on the boat, food is served. The spread includes potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and fresh fruit. It is vegetarian-friendly and gives you a taste of simple Canarian and Spanish picnic food rather than a generic packaged lunch.

The potatoes with mojo are a particularly good fit for the setting. Papas with mojo are a familiar Canarian dish, and the sauce adds flavor without requiring a heavy meal after swimming. The Spanish omelette is filling, while bread and fruit round things out.

Drinks are included and readily available during the trip. Homemade sangria receives special praise, though you should pace yourself if you plan to return to the water after eating. The provided food is one reason the $69 price feels fair. You are paying for a meal and refreshments as well as the cruise and snorkeling session.

The meal is served aboard the boat, so do not expect a restaurant lunch or a large buffet. That is part of the charm, but it also means the experience suits people who are happy with an informal meal at sea.

One small point for cool or cloudy days: warm drinks such as tea or coffee are not listed among the inclusions. The Canary Islands are usually associated with sun, but conditions can change, especially outside summer. Pack an extra layer if you tend to feel cold after swimming.

What the guides add to the experience

Ruben and Marta are central to the feel of this excursion. They explain the coastline, share information about the island and fish, and give practical help with snorkeling. Their communication before the trip can also be useful, especially on busy market days.

The hosting style is attentive without being formal. They take photos, help people select equipment, answer questions, and give swimmers time to enjoy the cove. The boat is presented as clean and comfortable, with enough space to avoid feeling packed on many departures.

That last point is important. A boat trip can become unpleasant if you spend three hours shoulder to shoulder with strangers. The available information points to a smaller, less crowded atmosphere, especially during the off-season. Exact group size is not provided, so you should not assume every departure will feel equally spacious.

The guides also help make the activity work for mixed groups. Stronger swimmers can spend longer in the water, while others can enjoy the food, views, or paddle boards. Families and couples both fit naturally into the format.

Is $69 good value?

At $69 per person, I consider this a solid-value half-day outing if you plan to use the included extras. You receive:

• A three-hour boat trip
• About one hour of coastal sightseeing near Tasarte
• Around 1.5 hours at El Perchel
• Snorkeling masks and fins
• Paddle boards
• Food and drinks
• Photos sent by email
• Guidance in Spanish or English

A cheaper harbor cruise may cover the coastline but leave you paying separately for food, equipment, drinks, and photographs. A dedicated snorkeling trip may offer more time in the water but less sightseeing and no local meal.

The value is strongest for families. Children can swim, look for fish, use the paddle boards, eat aboard the boat, and receive family photos afterward. Couples also get a relaxed mix of scenery, water time, and food without having to organize several separate activities.

If you never plan to snorkel, the price becomes less attractive. The long stop at El Perchel is the heart of the outing, so people who prefer to remain dry may find the day slower than expected.

Practical details that affect your day

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring sunscreen and a towel. Towels are not supplied. You may also want a light cover-up for the ride back after swimming, though no specific clothing requirement is given.

Smoking is not allowed on the activity. Keep that in mind if you are comparing this with a more casual harbor cruise.

The tour lasts three hours, but the exact departure time depends on availability. Check the date and start time when booking. The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are not fixed.

The meeting point is in Puerto de Mogan rather than at a distant hotel. You arrange your own way to the harbor, so allow time to locate the yellow boat. On Fridays, contact the supplier in advance because of market-day road restrictions.

The activity is family-friendly, but the water requirement is firm. It is appropriate for confident swimmers and children who can follow instructions in the sea. It is not appropriate for non-swimmers.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this trip if you want a well-rounded half-day on the coast, not just a boat ride or a pure snorkeling lesson. You get scenery, water time, a local-style lunch, drinks, and the convenience of equipment already on board.

It is a good match for families with swimming children, couples wanting a relaxed outing, and first-time snorkelers who value clear instruction. It also suits anyone who likes a personal small-operator feel and appreciates photos being taken for the group.

I would look elsewhere if you want a large sailing vessel, a full-day cruise, fishing, scuba instruction, or a trip built around whale and dolphin watching. None of those are part of this experience.

Final verdict: book it if El Perchel is calling

This Yellow Boat Mogan trip earns its strong reputation through the combination of long snorkeling time, friendly hosts, local food, and useful inclusions. Ruben and Marta give the outing a personal touch, while El Perchel provides the kind of clear-water stop that makes the day memorable.

Book it if you are comfortable in open water and want an easy way to see Gran Canaria from the sea. Bring a towel, plan carefully around Friday’s market access, and expect the snorkeling stop to be the main attraction. If that sounds like your ideal afternoon, $69 is a fair price.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto de Mogan boat and snorkeling trip last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the boat ride, coastal sightseeing, snorkeling, free time, and food.

Where does the boat trip start?

It starts at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, in Puerto de Mogan. Look for the yellow boat named Yellow Boat Mogan.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English.

How much time is available for snorkeling?

You have around 1.5 hours for snorkeling and free time at El Perchel.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, including masks and fins, is included. Paddle boards are also available during the stop.

What food and drinks are provided?

The meal includes potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and fresh fruit. Food and drinks are included, and the experience is vegetarian-friendly.

Is the activity suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, since towels are not included.