Morning cruise

The best part of this Gran Canaria cruise is the generous amount of room. With a maximum of 18 people, you can stretch out, sunbathe, sit in the shade, or get into the Atlantic without the packed-boat feeling common on island excursions. The crew serves lunch and keeps the water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria coming.

I like the free water equipment, especially the snorkels, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. I also like the two-stop rhythm: one main stop for swimming and water play, followed by a second stop with lunch and more time in the sea. The main consideration is that the scenery and commentary may feel modest if you want a highly narrated coastal tour or dramatic sightseeing at every turn.

Key points to know

• Only 18 people maximum: The limited capacity gives the spacious catamaran a relaxed, almost private feel.
• Two water stops: You can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the sun.
• Lunch and drinks included: Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are part of the price, along with a filling meal.
• Southern resort pickup: Transfers are available from Bahia Feliz, San Agustín, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, Playa del Cura, Taurito, and Mogán.
• Optional paid thrills: Jet ski rides and parasailing are available at extra cost, but they are not included.
• Book ahead: With just 18 places, popular dates can fill well before departure.

A small boat with room to breathe

This cruise leaves from Puerto Base harbour in Puerto Rico at 10:30 a.m. The boat is described as a catamaran, and one of its strongest features is usable space. You are not simply assigned a narrow seat for the whole trip. You can move around, find a sunny place, choose shade, and settle in for the ride.

That matters more than it may sound. A five-hour outing on a cramped boat can become tiring quickly, especially when lunch, swimming gear, and several families are sharing the same deck. Here, the limited passenger count lets the boat feel calm and open.

The crew’s service is another major part of the experience. Crew members such as Callum and Raoul have been praised for keeping an eye on drinks, food, and general comfort without making the trip feel formal. The mood is friendly rather than polished in a luxury-yacht sense, but the boat itself is stylish enough to feel like a step up from a basic group excursion.

You should expect to remove your shoes when you board. That small detail helps keep the deck comfortable and makes the boat feel more like a shared private outing than a standard ferry ride.

Leaving Puerto Rico and following the west coast

Once the boat leaves Puerto Rico harbour, it heads west along Gran Canaria’s coast. The route takes in clear water, cliffs, and coastal caves. The views are best appreciated from the open deck, where you can watch the shoreline pass without needing to compete for a window.

The cruise is not built around a long list of historic explanations. The onboard crew provides information about the cliffs and caves, but the main focus is time on the water. If you want a guide delivering a detailed geology lesson from start to finish, this may not be your ideal choice.

I see that as a fair trade for the relaxed format. You get more free time and less scheduled narration. The ride itself becomes part of the morning, with sea air, coastal views, and the chance to settle into the boat before the first stop.

The water can be calm and the ride smooth, but no sea outing is perfectly still. One passenger found the boat rocked slightly while stationary at a rest point and suggested taking motion-sickness tablets if you are prone to seasickness. That is sensible advice. Bring any medication you normally use, especially since the boat spends time stopped in open water.

The first stop: swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboards

The first main stop is set in a more secluded part of the coast, with roughly an hour available for water activities on some departures. You can jump from the boat into the Atlantic, use the supplied snorkel equipment, or choose a paddleboard or kayak.

Snorkeling is the easiest way to make the stop feel like more than a quick swim. Small fish may be visible below the boat, and the clear water can make the short time in the sea worthwhile. You do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel, which saves space and avoids carrying wet equipment back to your hotel.

The included equipment covers:

• Snorkeling gear
• Kayak
• Stand-up paddleboards
• Fishing for fun

The number of kayaks and boards is limited, so you may need to take turns if several people want the same activity. That is not unusual on a small boat, and the spacious deck gives you somewhere comfortable to wait.

You can also stay aboard. This is important for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can head into the water while someone who prefers not to swim can relax in the shade, enjoy a drink, or watch the activity from the deck. The trip is not only for people who want constant action.

Paid water sports, including jet skis and parasailing, may be offered during the outing. These are extras, not part of the advertised package. Parasailing was described as a professional add-on, but you should budget separately if you want either option.

Lunch on the water, with drinks included

Lunch is included, and it is more substantial than the word lunch sometimes suggests on a boat trip. Menus described on departures have included chicken or tuna and fish, served with salad, potatoes, and bread. Exact choices can vary, so do not assume one fixed menu.

The meal is served after the first water stop, with some departures making use of a kayak to bring food over. It is a practical arrangement that keeps the boat day moving without sending you back to shore.

The included drinks add real value to the price. You receive unlimited water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Several passengers particularly liked the steady availability of drinks, and the crew generally brings them to you rather than making you repeatedly leave your place.

There is no indication that cava is included, so do not book this expecting a full champagne-style bar. The drinks package is generous but straightforward. If you want something beyond the listed options, check before booking.

The lunch and drinks help explain the $99.16 price. You are paying for a half-day boat trip, a small group, food, equipment, and service rather than just a ride along the coast. Compared with a bare sightseeing cruise, the package offers good value if you plan to eat, swim, and use the equipment.

A second stop and an easygoing finish

After lunch, the boat makes more time for swimming and relaxation. Some departures include two separate swim opportunities, which is useful because your first stop may be busy with paddleboarding, snorkeling, and kayaking.

The second stop also gives you a chance to slow down. You can sit with a drink, stretch out in the sun, or take another swim if the water conditions suit you. There is no need to use every piece of equipment. The cruise works just as well for someone who wants a quiet morning at sea.

The experience ends back at Puerto Base harbour. The advertised duration is approximately four hours and 30 minutes, while the itinerary also describes the outing as five hours. Treat it as a half-day activity and allow some flexibility around the return time, especially if you are arranging another excursion or airport transfer later.

Hotel pickup can help, but check the route carefully

Pickup is available from a useful list of southern Gran Canaria resorts: Bahia Feliz, San Agustín, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, Playa del Cura, Taurito, and Mogán.

If you are staying in one of those areas, pickup can save you the trouble of arranging transport to Puerto Rico. The transfer has generally been described as punctual, so be ready before the stated collection time. A late start could affect the whole morning.

There is one important limitation: pickup is not available from Las Palmas. If you are staying in the capital, you need to reach Puerto Rico harbour yourself.

The meeting point is on Calle Puerto Base, at Puerto Base harbour in Puerto Rico. The activity ends at the same place. Check your confirmation for the exact pickup arrangement, since the transfer may collect people from more than one southern resort before reaching the harbour.

One criticism of the operation involved a shared bus collecting people for more than one boat, which made the early part of the morning longer than expected. The boat itself remains limited to 18 people, but the transfer process may involve passengers for additional departures. If you value a quick, private transfer, going directly to Puerto Rico could be more predictable.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this outing if you want a social but not crowded day on the water. Couples can find a quiet corner, families have several activity choices, and mixed-age groups can split up without anyone feeling left behind.

It is particularly good for you if you value:

• A small passenger group
• Swimming and snorkeling without bringing your own gear
• Lunch and drinks included in one price
• Plenty of deck space
• The option to add jet skiing or parasailing
• A relaxed schedule rather than nonstop sightseeing

The boat also suits people who want an easy introduction to water activities. You can try a paddleboard or kayak without paying a separate rental fee, and the crew can help you get into the water.

I would be more cautious if your priority is dramatic coastal sightseeing, constant commentary, or lively entertainment. One disappointed passenger found the music weak, the stops less impressive than expected, and the onboard atmosphere too quiet. That criticism is useful because it highlights the central choice: this is a calm, activity-based cruise, not a high-energy party boat or a dedicated wildlife-and-cliffs tour.

Dolphins have been seen on some outings, but that is luck rather than a promised part of the trip. Do not book solely for wildlife.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring a swimsuit and a light jacket. The jacket is useful when the boat is moving or if the morning feels cool after swimming. You may also want sunscreen, a towel, and any motion-sickness medicine you normally take, although only the swimsuit and jacket are specifically advised for the experience.

You do not need to pack snorkeling equipment, a kayak, or a paddleboard. Those are supplied. If you want to use a jet ski or go parasailing, bring payment for the additional charge and confirm the cost onboard.

Arrive on time for both pickup and the harbour meeting point. The transfer may run on a fixed schedule, and the boat leaves from Puerto Base at 10:30 a.m.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is sent when you book. Most people can participate, but the provided information does not give detailed accessibility specifications. If you need a particular type of boarding assistance, ask the operator before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The trip also depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Is the $99.16 price fair?

For Gran Canaria, $99.16 is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but it is a reasonable package price. Lunch alone is not the main value. The better comparison is with a larger cruise that charges extra for equipment, drinks, or premium seating.

Here, your price covers the boat, crew, food, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling gear, kayak, paddleboards, and fishing for fun. The 18-person limit is the feature that changes the feel most. You are paying for room and a lower passenger count, not simply distance covered.

The value is strongest if you use the swimming stop and have a few drinks with lunch. It is weaker if you plan to stay seated, avoid the water, and mainly want coastal narration. In that case, a simpler sightseeing cruise may suit you better.

Should you book Exclusive Boat’s morning cruise?

Yes, if you want a comfortable half-day on the Atlantic with a small group, included food and drinks, and several ways to use the water. The boat space, attentive service, and freedom to choose between swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, or sunbathing make this a flexible outing.

Book early for your preferred date because only 18 places are available. Choose direct arrival if you want to avoid a longer shared pickup run, and keep your expectations focused on relaxation and water activities rather than a fully narrated sightseeing tour.

At $99.16, I consider it a good choice for couples, families, and anyone who prefers a less crowded boat. I would skip it only if you want nonstop music, major island commentary, or guaranteed wildlife sightings.

FAQ

Where does the morning cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Calle Puerto Base, Puerto Base harbour, in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 10:30 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The tour is advertised as approximately four hours and 30 minutes. The itinerary also describes the cruise as five hours, so allow a little flexibility.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the Puerto Base meeting point in Puerto Rico.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Bahia Feliz, San Agustín, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, Playa del Cura, Taurito, and Mogán.

Is pickup available from Las Palmas?

No. The operator does not provide pickup from Las Palmas.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 18 participants.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the price. Meals described on departures have included chicken or tuna and fish with salad, potatoes, and bread.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with use of a kayak and stand-up paddleboards.

Are jet skiing and parasailing included?

No. Jet skiing and parasailing are optional activities available at an additional cost.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.