Lanzarote: Half-Day Chill Out Cruise at Papagayo Beach

The best part of this Lanzarote cruise is the combination of small-group sailing and a proper onboard BBQ. You leave Playa Blanca, follow the Costa de Papagayo, and anchor by a calm cove where you can swim among fish, paddle a board, kayak, or simply stretch out in the sun.

I like the generous food and the unhurried mood. The ribs, sausages, chicken, and steak are cooked on board, with salad, potatoes, and bread. I also like that the crew gives you room to choose your day: take the plunge, try the pirate plank, or do absolutely nothing but watch the coast slide by.

The main consideration is that this is a social boat outing, not a private yacht charter. The group can be as small as four people, but the advertised maximum is 12, and the boat’s relaxed format may feel too informal if you want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour.

Key points to know before you book

• Small groups make the cruise feel personal: The boat has a maximum capacity of 12, and some departures have had only four to nine people.
• The BBQ is the main event: Expect grilled ribs, sausages, beef or steak, chicken on some departures, salad, potatoes, and bread.
• Papagayo is best seen from the water: You cruise beside the famous beaches of Lanzarote’s southwest coast rather than spending the day on shore.
• Water activities are included: Snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and swimming are available when the boat anchors.
• The tone is genuinely relaxed: Crew members including Nathan, Bruno, Jan, and Nacho are described as friendly and attentive without crowding the group.
• You meet at Playa Blanca harbor: Hotel transfers are not included, so plan your own way to the harbor.

Why the Papagayo cruise works so well

Lanzarote is famous for its dry volcanic scenery, but the Costa de Papagayo gives you a different view of the island. From the boat, the beaches appear as bright strips along the southwest coast, and the water around the coves is often calm enough for swimming and snorkeling.

This is not a cruise built around a long list of formal stops. You spend much of the four hours moving along the coast, then pausing at a sheltered spot for food and water activities. That simple plan is the reason the experience feels easy. You are not constantly checking the clock or climbing on and off a boat.

I would think of it as a half-day on the sea with sightseeing attached, rather than a sightseeing cruise with a meal added at the end. That distinction matters. If you want a guide explaining every beach and geological feature, this may feel light on commentary. If you want a pleasant boat, a good meal, and time to swim, the format makes sense.

The strong rating of 4.8 from 334 evaluations fits the experience’s main strengths: the food, the crew, the smaller groups, and the low-pressure atmosphere.

Leaving Playa Blanca and following the southwest coast

The trip begins at the harbor in Playa Blanca. You arrange your own transport to the meeting point because hotel transfers are not included. After boarding, the boat heads along the coast toward Papagayo.

The sailing portion gives you time to settle in. You can find a place on deck, take in the beaches from offshore, and enjoy the change of pace from land-based sightseeing. The journey is part of the attraction, not just a way to reach the swimming stop.

The boat has several areas for sunbathing, according to the details supplied about the experience. That makes a difference on a four-hour trip. You are not forced to stay in one seat, and you can move between the open deck and the activity areas as the mood changes.

The crew language is Spanish and English. Named crew members in the feedback include Nathan, Bruno, Jan, and Nacho, though your own departure may have a different team. The style is friendly and hands-on, with help available for the equipment and activities, but the crew generally lets you enjoy your own group.

Anchoring at a calm Papagayo cove

The main pause comes when the boat anchors in front of a calm cove. This is when the cruise shifts from coastal sightseeing to a small floating beach day.

The water is described as crystal clear, with good visibility for seeing fish. You can put on a mask and snorkel, swim from the boat, or feed the fish. Several accounts also point to a particularly good underwater view, which makes the snorkeling more than a token extra.

You should bring swimwear. The activity information does not specify that towels or changing facilities are supplied, so it is sensible to arrive ready for the water and pack only what you need. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay on deck and enjoy the view.

The water stop is flexible rather than heavily programmed. You might spend your time snorkeling, or you can try the paddleboard and kayak. Fishing is also listed among the available water activities. The exact mix of equipment in use may depend on the conditions and the group, so do not book this expecting guaranteed time on every piece of equipment.

For families, this variety is useful. Younger participants can splash and swim, older children can try the board or kayak, and adults can alternate between the water and the sun deck. The pirate plank on the upper deck adds a playful option for anyone who wants a small burst of drama before lunch.

There is also an important practical point here: the cruise is not only for strong swimmers. The boat offers several ways to take part, and you can simply remain on board if you do not want to enter the sea. The supplied information does not give detailed flotation or accessibility guidance, so anyone with specific mobility or swimming concerns should check with the provider before booking.

The onboard BBQ is more than a basic boat lunch

Food is the part of this cruise that gets the most enthusiastic attention, and the menu sounds unusually substantial for a half-day boat trip. The BBQ includes grilled meats such as ribs, sausages, and beef fillets, with some departures also serving chicken. Salad, potatoes, and fresh bread round out the meal.

The standout item is the steak. Several accounts describe sirloin or a large T-bone being cooked well, with the meat prepared to individual preference. That is a step above the usual prepacked sandwich or buffet found on many short boat trips.

The ribs also receive plenty of praise, and the overall portions are described as generous. I would not book the cruise solely for a restaurant meal, since cooking conditions and menus can vary. Still, the onboard grill is a real part of the experience, not a minor inclusion.

Vegetarians should advise the provider in advance. Vegetarian options are available, but the request needs to be made before the trip. This is especially important on a small boat, where the kitchen setup is limited compared with a restaurant on land.

Drinks include sangria, water, and soft drinks. The supplied details specify these as included, while additional drinks not listed are excluded. The feedback repeatedly describes sangria being offered freely during the cruise, but you should still confirm the current drink arrangement when booking if this matters to you.

The combination of food and swimming creates a natural rhythm. You use some energy in the water, return to the boat, and sit down to a hot meal. After lunch, the return sailing gives you time to dry off and relax rather than rushing straight into another activity.

A relaxed crew and a boat that does not feel crowded

A four-hour cruise can feel cramped if the boat is packed. Here, the maximum group size is 12, and some departures have been much smaller. Groups of four and nine are specifically described, while a family of six reported having plenty of room alongside other small families.

That smaller scale is one of the best reasons to choose this trip over a large catamaran outing. You have a better chance of getting help with the equipment, asking the crew a question, and finding a comfortable place on deck. It also supports the calm mood promised by the name Chill Out Cruises.

The crew style is another strong point. Nathan is noted as a skipper with good humor and a calm approach, while Bruno is praised both for hosting and for cooking the BBQ. Jan and Nacho are also named as friendly crew members on different outings. These names do not guarantee who will be aboard your departure, but they give you a useful sense of the service style.

The crew appears to strike a good balance. You can expect assistance and conversation, but not a forced entertainment program. That matters if you want a quiet afternoon. It also means the experience may feel less structured than a cruise with a guide giving continuous commentary.

Music is mentioned as part of the atmosphere on some outings. Since no playlist or entertainment schedule is provided, treat it as background rather than a promised feature.

What the $68 price really covers

At $68 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast, but the price includes more than a basic sail. You get four hours on the boat, the Papagayo coastal route, water activities, the BBQ meal, sangria, water, soft drinks, and travel insurance.

The food alone adds value. A meal of grilled meat, potatoes, salad, and bread, served after time in the water, can make the price feel reasonable compared with booking a boat trip and paying separately for lunch and equipment. The small-group setting also matters. You are paying for a more personal outing rather than a high-volume excursion.

The value is strongest for people who plan to use the included activities and eat the BBQ. If you only want to sit quietly on a boat and skip the meal or swimming, a shorter scenic sailing might suit you better. Likewise, if your main goal is reaching Papagayo beach itself and spending hours on the sand, this is the wrong format because the activity stays on the water and returns to Playa Blanca.

There are a few costs to remember. Hotel transfers are not included, and drinks beyond the listed inclusions are extra. The flexible booking terms help: you can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Who should book this four-hour outing

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, and small groups of friends who want several choices in one afternoon. It works especially well for anyone who likes the idea of snorkeling but does not want a full-day water sports tour.

Families can make good use of the mix of swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and the upper-deck plank. Teenagers are likely to appreciate the freedom to move between activities, while adults can sit back with a drink and watch the coast.

It is also a good fit for a special group occasion. A hen weekend group had the boat to themselves for much of the outing, and small private-feeling groups seem to suit the format well. You still share the boat unless your booking fills it, but a lower passenger count makes the afternoon more comfortable.

I would be less enthusiastic for someone who gets seasick, dislikes informal group outings, or wants detailed cultural and geological commentary. The supplied information does not provide a seasickness policy or route commentary, so ask the provider if either point is important to you.

You should also check the starting time before booking. The cruise lasts four hours, but departure times vary according to availability. That affects how it fits around beach time, dinner, or another Lanzarote excursion.

Practical details for a smoother afternoon

Meet at Playa Blanca harbor, and remember that the cruise ends at the same point. Since transfers are not included, leave enough time to reach the harbor without turning the start of the trip into a sprint.

Bring swimwear and keep your belongings practical. You will be moving between deck space and water activities, so avoid packing anything you would worry about getting wet. The only required item specifically listed is swimwear.

Tell the provider if you are vegetarian. Do this before departure, not once the grill is already being prepared. The standard meal centers on meat, so advance notice is the sensible way to make sure your food is arranged.

The activity is offered in Spanish and English. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and the reserve-now, pay-later option give you some useful flexibility, particularly when weather or holiday plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Papagayo Chill Out Cruise?

Book it if you want a friendly, small-group afternoon that combines coastal views, swimming, simple water sports, and a surprisingly serious BBQ. The strongest reasons are the quality and quantity of the food, the relaxed crew, and the chance to enjoy Papagayo from the water without committing to a full day.

Skip it if you want a private charter, a long stay on a beach, or a highly guided sightseeing program. For everyone else, $68 is fair value because the meal, drinks, equipment, and four hours on the coast are bundled together. Arrive in swimwear, tell the crew about dietary needs, and leave room in your plan for an afternoon that moves at an easy pace.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo cruise start?

The cruise starts at the harbor in Playa Blanca on Lanzarote.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the Playa Blanca harbor meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing a date.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $68 per person.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to Playa Blanca harbor.

What food is served on the boat?

The BBQ includes grilled meats such as ribs, sausages, and beef fillets, served with salad and potatoes. Some descriptions also include chicken and fresh bread.

Are drinks included?

Sangria, water, and soft drinks are included. Additional drinks not listed in the inclusions are not included.

What water activities are available?

You can use activities including snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and swimming when the boat is anchored.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear. If you are vegetarian, advise the provider in advance.

Is the cruise available in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English and Spanish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.