Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Gran Canaria catamaran trip is its easy mix of sea time and good food. You sail the dry southwest coast, stop in quiet coves for swimming and snorkeling, then sit down to a proper meal with the Atlantic around you. It feels more like a relaxed half-day out than a rushed boat ride.

I like the generous deck space and the small-group feel, with some departures carrying no more than about 17 people. I also like that swimming gear, SUP boards, and a kayak are included, so you can spend your money on the trip rather than adding up small extras. The main consideration is the water temperature, which can feel chilly, and the 4.5-hour schedule may seem short once you settle in.

Key points to know

• Two water stops: Swim and use the snorkeling, kayak, and SUP equipment near the coast, then stop again for lunch or afternoon tapas.
• Morning and afternoon departures: Choose a morning trip with a full seasonal lunch or an afternoon sailing with tapas-style food.
• Unlimited included drinks: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are served throughout the cruise.
• Comfortable catamaran: You get shaded seating, open deck space, and room to sunbathe without feeling packed in.
• Pickup south of the island: Transport to and from the marina is included, with the exact time confirmed after booking.
• Optional paid activities: Jet skiing and parasailing may be arranged during the outing, but they cost extra.

Sailing west from Puerto Rico

Your day begins at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, on the island’s southwest coast. If you are staying in the southern resort area, pickup and drop-off are included, though the exact time depends on your accommodation. Keep an eye on the provider’s email after booking, including your spam folder, because the pickup details arrive separately.

The transfer has been described as an air-conditioned minibus or coach, with pickup generally running on time. That matters here. You do not need to find a taxi to the marina or worry about parking before a boat trip, which makes this a useful choice for a relaxed holiday day.

Once aboard, you can choose between shaded seating and the sunny upper deck. The boat is modern, clean, and spacious, with enough room to move around during the cruise. A welcome drink may be offered, and the included beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are available during the day.

The sailing route follows the southwest coast, where steep, dry hills meet small beaches and coves. This is not a sightseeing cruise packed with formal commentary, so you should book it mainly for the sea, the food, and the water activities. One guest noted that more explanation about the coastline would have improved the trip, a fair point if you want a strong geographic introduction to Gran Canaria.

The first stop near Mogán

The first main stop is just outside Mogán, after roughly the initial stretch of sailing. This is the active part of the outing. You can jump into the water, swim from the catamaran, try the provided snorkeling equipment, or take out a SUP board or kayak.

The snorkeling is a highlight when visibility is good. The coast has fish close to the boat, and one particularly lucky outing included a small hammerhead shark. Wildlife sightings are never promised, but the chance to look beneath the surface gives this cruise more substance than a simple sunbathing trip.

The equipment is included, but it is not an endless supply of water toys. One account described two SUP boards and one kayak, with people taking turns. Snorkeling gear is provided for everyone, so you should have an easier time joining that activity. If you want a paddleboard or kayak, be ready to share rather than expecting your own equipment for the entire stop.

The stop usually gives you enough time to swim, snorkel, paddle, or simply sit on deck. The water can be cold, even in warm weather. Bring a towel, and if you know you are sensitive to cool water, consider that this is an ocean excursion rather than a heated pool day.

The catamaran itself helps if you are uneasy at sea. Several people found it stable, though one party did experience seasickness. If you are prone to motion sickness, taking your usual tablets before departure is sensible. The boat is comfortable, but no vessel can remove every swell.

Lunch beside Tasarte beach

After the first water stop, the catamaran continues along the coast toward the wilder side of Gran Canaria. The scenery becomes less resort-focused, with open sea, rugged shore, and small coastal settlements passing by.

For the morning departure, the second stop is connected with lunch near Tasarte. The meal is seasonal, so the exact menu can change. Recent meals have included tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The food is served with ocean views, and some of the potatoes and other dishes have been brought out by kayak from the beach.

That small delivery is a memorable touch. Canarian potatoes, or papas arrugadas, are one of the islands’ classic foods, usually served with mojo. Here they are part of a fresh lunch rather than something hurriedly handed out from a snack counter.

The menu works well for a half-day boat trip because it is substantial without being fussy. Tuna suits the setting, while breaded chicken gives you a familiar alternative. Portions have generally been described as plentiful, with enough for everyone. Still, the menu is not fixed, so do not book expecting a particular dish.

You can also swim again during this stop. Some people will prefer to stay dry and eat, while others will welcome another chance to cool off. The arrangement gives the group a choice instead of forcing everyone into the same activity.

Afternoon departures follow a different food plan. They include light tapas-style snacks rather than the full morning lunch. This is an important price and schedule detail. If eating a proper meal at sea is central to your plan, choose the morning excursion. If you want a shorter-feeling afternoon outing with drinks and small bites, the later sailing may fit better.

Drinks that keep the day simple

The $97 price includes beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. These are available during the cruise, and the crew is attentive about offering refills. For someone who plans to drink sangria or beer, this can make the fare good value.

The calculation changes if you mostly want nonalcoholic drinks. One person rated the value a little lower for that reason, since much of the included cost is tied to the open-drink setup. Cocktails and other extra drinks are not included, and wine is not part of the standard formula.

You should also pace yourself. Four and a half hours in the sun, with swimming and alcohol, can catch up with you quickly. Water and soft drinks are included, so use them. The shaded seating area is another useful feature when you need a break from the sun.

The crew’s service is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Names noted on past departures include Callan, Raul, and Michelle, though the crew can change. The general pattern is friendly, practical help in several languages, with English, Spanish, German, and French available.

Optional jet skis and parasailing

The included activities are swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP boarding. Jet skiing and parasailing may also be arranged during the trip for an additional fee.

This gives the outing a useful split personality. You can keep the day calm, reading on the deck and swimming when you feel like it, or add a more exciting activity. On some departures, participants have left by speedboat for jet skiing or parasailing and then returned to the catamaran.

Do not assume these paid activities are part of the $97 price. Ask the crew about current availability and cost on the day. They are best viewed as optional add-ons, not part of the core experience.

Families may appreciate the flexibility. A child can use a flotation vest, enjoy the water, or stay aboard with an adult while someone else tries an activity. Still, the boat day involves open water, steps, and movement, so adults need to supervise children closely.

What the 4.5-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is 4.5 hours, including sailing, two stops, food, and drinks. That is long enough to feel like a proper day out without taking over your entire day in Gran Canaria.

The schedule is relaxed, but time passes quickly. You have to share the water equipment, eat lunch, take photographs, and enjoy the coast within the same half-day. If you want long stretches of uninterrupted snorkeling or a full-day sailing adventure, this may feel brief. Several people wished they could stay aboard longer.

The short format is also a strength. You can fit the trip into a holiday with other plans, and you are not committed to spending an entire day at sea if the weather turns less comfortable. The route and stops depend on sea and weather conditions, so the precise experience can change.

Sightings of dolphins or whales are possible but not guaranteed. One outing included a whale sighting, and the crew changed course briefly to watch it surface. Treat wildlife as a bonus rather than a promise.

Is $97 good value?

At $97 per person, the value rests on what you use. The fare combines a catamaran cruise, return transport in the south, drinks, food, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and a kayak. Paying separately for a boat trip, lunch, and several water activities would quickly add up.

The open-drink arrangement is especially useful for people who will drink beer or sangria. It is less compelling if you do not drink alcohol, though soft drinks, juice, and water remain included.

The boat also matters. A clean, spacious catamaran with shaded seating feels very different from a crowded excursion vessel where every chair is taken. Small-group departures, sometimes with around 17 people, allow a quieter pace and make it easier to get help from the crew.

For the morning trip, the included meal adds real value. It is not merely a packet of snacks. You get a seasonal dish with salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes, served while the boat sits along the coast. The afternoon option costs the same activity price but includes tapas rather than the full lunch, so compare the departure choices carefully.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want a comfortable sea day without planning every detail themselves. It suits you if you like a mix of swimming, light adventure, sunbathing, and lunch rather than a specialist snorkeling expedition.

It is also a good choice for a birthday or first holiday. The crew handles the transport, equipment, food, and drinks, leaving you to enjoy the water. The languages offered are helpful for mixed groups.

You may want a different outing if you dislike boats, cold water, or organized group activities. The crew is attentive, but this is still a shared excursion. You will take turns with some equipment, follow the boat’s timing, and adjust to weather and sea conditions.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and any motion-sickness medicine you normally use. The supplied information specifically lists a towel, but practical beach-day items will make the outing more comfortable.

Should you book it?

Book this Gran Canaria catamaran trip if you want the easy version of a sea adventure: a good boat, two swim stops, included equipment, a proper morning lunch, and drinks without a long list of extra charges. The strongest reasons are the spacious vessel, warm crew service, and chance to choose your own pace on the water.

Choose the morning departure if lunch is important to you. Choose the afternoon option if tapas are enough and you prefer a later start. Skip it if you want a full-day sailing trip, guaranteed wildlife, or long, uninterrupted time with a kayak or paddleboard.

For most people staying in southern Gran Canaria, the combination of pickup, food, drinks, and water activities makes the $97 fare fair value. Just remember that the sea sets the rules, the menu can change, and the best wildlife moments are lucky extras.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

The catamaran departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria on the island’s southwest coast.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for locations south of the island. The provider confirms the exact pickup time after booking, and it can vary by accommodation.

How long does the trip last?

The activity lasts 4.5 hours.

Are morning and afternoon departures available?

Yes. You can choose between morning and afternoon sailing options, subject to availability.

What food is included?

The morning excursion includes a fresh seasonal lunch. Recent menu examples include tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The afternoon excursion includes light tapas-style snacks.

Are drinks included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included. Additional drinks, such as cocktails, cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with SUP boards and a kayak.

Can I go jet skiing or parasailing?

Jet skiing and parasailing may be available for an additional charge. They are not included in the standard price.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. The trip is subject to sea and weather conditions, so the exact route and water stops can change for safety reasons.