Catamaran Sailing in Lanzarote

The best part of this Lanzarote sailing trip is the mix of easygoing sea time and hands-on fun. You cruise from Puerto Calero along the island’s southeast coast, then anchor near the Papagayo beaches for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. You can be active for an hour, then stretch out on the catamaran with a drink.

I like the all-inclusive setup, especially since lunch, snacks, fruit, cheese, and drinks are provided rather than sold separately. I also like the crew’s personal touch. Sandra, one of the hosts, has helped visitors with small sailing tips, including how to tie a Palstek knot, while the wider crew has added yoga, photos, and friendly support to the day.

The main thing to consider is space. The boat can carry up to 55 people, and one booking party found the boat busier than expected. Most of the time, the catamaran offers room to relax, but this is a shared cruise, not a private sailing charter.

Key points to know before booking

• Papagayo is the main reward: The cruise follows Lanzarote’s southeast coast and anchors at the island’s famous beach area.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a pasta lunch, snacks, fruit, Spanish cheese, and a broad selection of drinks.
• You choose your pace: Swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, try yoga, or simply enjoy the boat and sea views.
• The crew shapes the day: Staff help with activities, offer sailing tips, take group photos, and keep the mood relaxed.
• Two cruise styles are offered: Choose a family sailing or the Platinum adults-only option for people aged 15 and over.
• Plan for a cool swim: Bring swimwear, sunscreen, towels, and a sweater for the boat ride. Arrive 30 minutes early.

From Puerto Calero to the Papagayo coast

Your outing begins at Catlanza SL Catamaran Sailing in the marina at Puerto Calero. The meeting point is in the Galeria Nautica, and the marina is near public transportation. Pickup may also be available from a hotel bus stop, but check the arrangements attached to your booking rather than assuming door-to-door service.

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters. It gives you a chance to find the quay, check in without rushing, and board before the boat leaves. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point in Puerto Calero.

Once underway, the appeal is simple: Lanzarote looks different from the water. The southeast coast opens into broad views, and the catamaran gives you a smooth platform for watching the shoreline pass. This is not a sightseeing trip packed with formal stops or long commentary. It is a half-day on the sea, with the route and the relaxed pace doing most of the work.

The crew does offer sailing insights and practical help. If you want to understand a little more about the boat, ask questions. You might learn a knot, hear a few useful sailing tips, or get help finding the best way to use the equipment. Sandra has been singled out for remembering small details and making people feel included, though the crew works as a team throughout the cruise.

Why Papagayo makes a good half-day destination

The Papagayo beaches are the turning point and main anchor stop. Rather than spending the whole four hours moving, the boat pauses here so you can get into the water or settle in on deck. That makes the trip work well for mixed groups, since not everyone needs to want the same thing from the day.

If you swim, you can expect the water to feel cool. One person still found it very enjoyable, but you should not count on a warm-water experience. Bring a towel and a sweater for afterward, especially if the wind picks up once you are back on board.

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to book. The crew gives tips before you enter the water, and fish can be seen around the anchorage. The quality of the snorkeling will depend on sea conditions and visibility, but the stop gives you a real chance to see marine life rather than treating snorkeling as a token extra.

You can also use the kayaks and paddleboards. These are shared among the group, so you may need to wait briefly for your turn. That is worth keeping in mind if you are booking mainly for water sports. The equipment adds variety, but this is not a dedicated kayaking or snorkeling expedition.

Yoga has also been offered on the nets at the front of the catamaran. It is an amusing and unusual extra, not a central part of the published plan. If it is included on your sailing, it gives you another way to enjoy the boat without swimming.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks on board

The food is a real part of the value here. The main meal has been described as a pasta lunch, with vegetarian food available. Along the way, you may also be served fruit, Spanish cheese, and other snacks. That is useful on a four-hour cruise, since you are not left waiting until the end to eat.

I would not book this as a fine-dining outing. The strength is plentiful, practical food served in a setting where you can keep enjoying the sea. The meal suits families and mixed groups because there is enough variety to make lunch straightforward rather than fussy.

Drinks are included, and the selection is described as broad and available throughout the trip. This makes the $90.70 price easier to understand. A separate beach excursion, lunch, drinks, and water activities could quickly cost more, while here the main extras are bundled into one booking.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the inclusions. If you only want a short sail and do not care about lunch, snorkeling, or paddleboards, a simpler boat trip might suit you better. But for a four-hour outing with food and activities, the package is priced fairly.

The crew is the heart of the experience

The staff receive the most consistent praise, and I can see why that matters. Boat trips can feel impersonal when the crew only serves drinks and points out the safety rules. Here, the staff are also involved in helping people snorkel, use the kayaks, take photos, and enjoy the day at their own pace.

The crew has been described as friendly, attentive, and willing to interact with both children and adults. For a family with three generations, that makes a difference. Younger children can try the water activities, older family members can enjoy lunch and scenery, and nobody needs to follow a demanding schedule.

English is the offered language for this experience. The crew has also been able to speak Spanish and German, according to one account, but English is the language specifically listed for the tour. If you have a particular language need, confirm it before booking.

Small touches help the cruise feel less routine. Staff may take photos of your group, offer sailing pointers, or create a light activity such as yoga. These details are not guaranteed as a fixed schedule, but they show the kind of friendly service you can expect from the team.

Dolphins and other pleasant surprises

Dolphin sightings have occurred during the cruise, including a pod swimming in front of the catamaran. That can be a thrilling addition to the morning or afternoon, but it is important to treat it as luck rather than a promise. Wildlife follows its own schedule.

The same applies to the exact mood of the water. On a calm, sunny day, the catamaran can feel wonderfully peaceful. On a breezier day, the ride may be more active, and some people may prefer to sit back rather than snorkel or paddle.

The trip’s flexible structure handles this well. You can spend time at the front of the boat, relax with a drink, join an activity, or watch for marine life. You are not forced into every option, which is useful if your group has different energy levels.

Family cruise or Platinum adults-only sailing

Catlanza offers a family option and a Platinum adults-only cruise for people aged 15 and over. That gives you a useful choice when the atmosphere matters as much as the route.

The family sailing is the natural pick for parents and mixed-age groups. Children have access to swimming, snorkeling, kayaks, and paddleboards, while adults can still enjoy a proper lunch and a calm sail. The crew has been especially well received for keeping children involved without ignoring the adults.

The Platinum option suits couples, friends, or older teens who want a more adult setting. The available information does not give a detailed difference in menus, boat layout, or entertainment between the two versions, so check the specific option before you pay. The clear distinction is the age requirement: Platinum is for ages 15 and over.

How busy is a boat that holds 55 people?

The maximum group size is 55. That is not a small private sailing, and you should book with the right expectation. You are sharing the catamaran with other groups, and water equipment will be shared as well.

Space can vary by departure. Some people have found the boat comfortable and not overcrowded, while one group reported around 40 people when they expected 25. That difference is worth noting, especially if you dislike organized group activities or want a quiet, couples-only feel.

The catamaran format still gives you more room than a small single-hull boat, and the four-hour schedule spreads the experience across sailing, lunch, and the beach stop. Still, if personal space is your top priority, ask about the expected passenger count before booking or consider a private charter.

What to pack for four hours at sea

The dress code is smart casual, but practical clothing matters more than style once you leave the marina. Bring:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• A towel
• A sweater or light extra layer
• Comfortable clothing for sitting on deck

You should also arrive in time for the 30-minute pre-departure requirement. The marina is the official meeting point, and the activity finishes there too.

Because lunch and drinks are included, you do not need to plan for a separate meal or carry cash for the basic onboard service. That is one of the trip’s simplest advantages. You can focus on the water and scenery instead of watching the clock for the next café stop.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would recommend this sailing to you if you want a low-effort day at sea with enough activity to keep the outing interesting. It works especially well for families, couples, first-time boat passengers, and groups with different ideas about what a good half-day should include.

It is also a smart choice during a short Lanzarote visit. Four hours gives you a strong coastal outing without taking the whole day away from other plans. The food, drinks, and beach stop make it feel like more than a simple boat ride.

You may want another type of excursion if you are looking for serious sailing instruction, a private boat, guaranteed dolphin sightings, or a long snorkeling session. The water sports are optional add-ons within a social cruise, not the sole purpose of the trip.

The experience also suits people who like service with a human touch. The crew’s friendliness is a major part of the appeal, and staff are ready to help rather than leaving you to work out the equipment alone.

Price, booking, and cancellation

At $90.70 per person, the price is reasonable for a four-hour catamaran trip that includes lunch, snacks, drinks, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding opportunities. You are paying for the boat, crew, food, and a planned stop at Papagayo, so the value improves if you make use of several parts of the package.

The cruise is often booked about 19 days ahead. That does not mean you must reserve exactly that early, but it suggests you should not leave a preferred date until the last minute, particularly during busy periods.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The activity also depends on good weather and a minimum number of bookings. If the provider cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book Catamaran Sailing in Lanzarote?

Book it if you want a polished, sociable half-day with excellent food and attentive crew service. The route to Papagayo is attractive, the water stop gives you real choices, and the all-inclusive price removes much of the usual guesswork.

I would be comfortable recommending it to families and first-time sailors, especially those who want swimming and paddle sports without arranging separate equipment. Choose the Platinum option if you are 15 or older and prefer an adults-only setting.

Think twice if crowded boats bother you, or if you want a private and quiet sail. The capacity can reach 55, and shared kayaks and paddleboards may require patience. For most people, though, the combination of coast views, lunch, drinks, and a helpful crew makes this one of Lanzarote’s stronger easygoing sea outings.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts at Catlanza SL Catamaran Sailing in Galeria Nautica, Puerto Calero, Lanzarote. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the sailing last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and the food has included pasta, vegetarian options, fruit, Spanish cheese, and snacks.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Drinks are included throughout the cruise, with a broad selection available.

Can I swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard?

Yes. At the Papagayo stop, you can swim and snorkel, and kayaks and paddleboards are available to use. Equipment is shared among the group.

Is there an adults-only option?

Yes. The Platinum adults-only excursion is available for people aged 15 and over. A family cruise option is also offered.