Fuerteventura: Small-Group Magic Deluxe Catamaran Cruise

Set sail for a better view. The Magic Deluxe catamaran cruise gives you four relaxed hours along Fuerteventura’s volcanic southern coast, with time for swimming near Jandía, an open bar, and lunch prepared by a local chef. I especially like the small-group feel and the chance to move around a modern 15-meter catamaran instead of being fixed to one seat.

The crew also earns high marks for warm service. Captains and hosts including Alex, Karolina, Eloy, Cristina, Laura, Miguel, Vincent, and others are frequently praised for keeping drinks filled and the mood easygoing. The main thing to consider is that whale and dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, and one recent trip stayed in the same coastal area longer than expected.

Key points before you book

• A proper small-group cruise: Groups are often around 12 people once passengers are divided among the boats at Morro Jable.
• A four-hour outing: You get sailing, coastal views, a swim stop, lunch, and drinks without giving up a full day of your holiday.
• A serious lunch menu: Mediterranean couscous with roasted vegetables and tzatziki is followed by roast beef, mushroom sauce, and confit potatoes.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, stingrays, and flying fish have all been spotted, but nature sets the schedule.
• Pickup is limited but useful: Transport is available from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable.
• The price includes quite a lot: At $117 per person, the open bar, meal, crew service, and boat quality make this more than a basic sightseeing sail.

Leaving Morro Jable on the Magic Deluxe

The boat leaves from Morro Jable port, and you should arrive 30 minutes before departure if you are making your own way there. Look for the Magic Deluxe at the port. The meeting point is important because the cruise does not include general hotel pickup unless you select that option.

The boat itself is a newly built Lagoon 450S catamaran. It measures about 15 meters and has three cabins, three bathrooms, a kitchen and dining area, and a lounge. You are not simply stepping onto a bare deck with a few plastic seats. This is a comfortable sailing boat designed for a small group and a long, easy afternoon on the water.

One practical point deserves attention. A full coach can arrive at the port, which may make the outing seem crowded at first. Passengers are then divided into smaller groups for the catamaran. Once aboard, the group size is commonly around 12 people, creating a much calmer setting than the first arrival suggests.

I like this arrangement because it gives you a social atmosphere without turning the cruise into a floating party boat. You can chat with other people, but there is still room to sit quietly, stretch out, or move between the front nets and the main deck.

Sailing beside Fuerteventura’s volcanic coast

The route follows the southern coastline, often just a few meters from shore. From the water, Fuerteventura looks different from the resort towns and roads inland. You see sandy beaches, dark volcanic formations, and long stretches of coast without the usual holiday clutter.

The catamaran gives you several good viewing positions. The front nets are the obvious favorite for feeling the motion of the sea and looking straight down into the water. The upper and rear parts of the boat offer broader views and may suit you better if the front nets feel too exposed.

The sailing itself is not rushed. That is part of the appeal. You have time to watch the coastline pass, listen to music, and settle into the rhythm of the boat. Several crew members are praised for mixing light conversation with attentive service. The best hosts, including Laura, Eloy, Cristina, and Vincent, seem to understand that a good cruise needs both energy and quiet time.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a coastal sailing excursion, not a full tour of every major beach in southern Fuerteventura. One passenger felt the boat remained in the same area for too long. If you want a fast-moving route with a new sight every few minutes, this may feel slow. If you want four hours of sea air and unhurried views, the pace works well.

Watching for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish

Wildlife watching adds a welcome element of surprise. Dolphins and pilot whales are the most frequently reported sightings, with some trips encountering large groups swimming beside the boat. One outing saw a pod of roughly 10 to 20 dolphins moving near the bow and under the front nets.

Other sightings have included turtles, flying fish, stingrays, and whales. A turtle or stingray can appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly, so keep your eyes on the water rather than spending the entire cruise looking at your phone.

The crew may receive information from another boat about wildlife nearby, as happened during one successful dolphin encounter. That can improve your chances, but no captain can promise an animal sighting. You should book this for the sailing, swimming, food, and scenery first. Treat dolphins and whales as a lucky extra.

This is also a good reason to avoid building your whole day around one expected sighting. Some trips see several species. Others may see none. The cruise still has value without wildlife, but the mood is naturally brighter when a pod appears beside the boat.

Swimming near Jandía

Near the natural park and Jandía beach, the boat stops for swimming. You can cool off in the Atlantic, relax on board, or sunbathe while the water stop takes place.

Several people describe the sea as comfortable rather than painfully cold, though your experience will depend on the season and your own tolerance. The swimming area is part of the cruise’s appeal, but do not expect a full beach visit. You are swimming from the boat, not walking ashore to explore a secluded cove.

This distinction matters. The stop is best for a quick swim, a float, and a change of pace after sailing. One person hoped for a more lagoon-like setting, so the exact character of the anchorage may not match every photograph or expectation.

The front of the catamaran offers a pleasant place to dry off and sunbathe. You can also stay in the shaded lounge or seating areas if direct sun becomes too much. I would bring swimwear under your clothes and a towel, though the supplied information does not state whether towels are provided.

A lunch that feels more ambitious than standard boat food

Lunch is one of the cruise’s strongest features, though expectations should remain realistic. The planned menu begins with Mediterranean couscous, roasted vegetables, and tzatziki. The main course is roast loin of beef with aromatic herbs, mushroom sauce, and confit potatoes.

The meal is prepared by a chef from Jandía, and many people find it tasty and generous. Vegetarian options have been provided, and the crew has also catered for vegan passengers on some trips. If you have a dietary requirement, tell the operator when booking or as early as possible.

There is one clear point of variation. A few people found the beef overcooked, and one person felt the meal was too limited, with no bread, salad, or dessert. Lunch may also be served later in the outing, which can feel late if you expect to eat soon after departure.

So, is this gourmet dining? It is better described as a carefully prepared boat lunch with a proper main course, not a restaurant tasting menu. At sea, that is still a useful step above sandwiches and packaged snacks. If you have a large appetite or particular dietary needs, consider eating a light breakfast and carrying any permitted personal snacks.

The open bar and the social mood

Drinks are included throughout the cruise. The open bar covers Prosecco, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Some trips also include honey rum shots, which have become a memorable little extra for many people.

The drink service is frequently praised, with crew members checking on the group and keeping glasses topped up. This works best because the boat is small enough for attentive service without making the experience feel formal.

You do not have to drink alcohol to enjoy the outing. Water and soft drinks are included, and the main attraction is still the sea, not the bar. Families, couples, and older passengers have all fitted comfortably into the relaxed setting.

Music and friendly banter add to the atmosphere. For a birthday, anniversary, or romantic half-day away from the resort, this can feel special without becoming overly elaborate. One couple described the trip as a good escape from the noise and routine of their resort stay.

How the $117 price measures up

At $117 per person, the Magic Deluxe cruise is not the cheapest way to get onto the water. The value comes from the combination of inclusions: four hours aboard a high-quality catamaran, a prepared lunch, unlimited listed drinks, a swimming stop, and a small-group setup.

A basic boat ride might cost less, but you would need to add food and drinks separately. You may also end up with a much larger group and fewer places to sit. Here, the catamaran itself is part of the experience. The three bathrooms, kitchen, lounge, and open deck areas matter when you are spending half a day at sea.

I consider the price fair for couples and small groups who want comfort and service rather than the lowest possible fare. It is especially good value if you use the open bar, eat the included meal, and take advantage of the swimming stop. It may feel expensive if you mainly want a short look at the coast or if you do not care about lunch and drinks.

The overall rating of 4.7 from 926 reviews supports the idea that the package usually delivers well. Still, the few critical comments are useful. The route can feel repetitive, and the main course may not please everyone. You are paying for the full combination, not a guaranteed wildlife show or fine-dining meal.

Pickup from Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable

Pickup is available if you select the transport option. It covers the resorts of Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable, but not every hotel directly.

Instead, the operator uses selected pickup points within about a five-minute walk of the hotels in the area. Your pickup time is sent after booking, usually within around 12 hours, so check your spam folder if the message does not appear.

Past pickups have generally been described as clear and on time, though one person experienced a delay. If you arrange your own transport, skip the pickup confusion and go directly to Morro Jable port 30 minutes before departure.

The languages available are English, Spanish, and German. That makes the cruise practical for a broad mix of passengers and helps with safety instructions, meal questions, and general communication.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend the Magic Deluxe to you if you want a polished half-day on the water without committing to a full-day excursion. It suits couples, families, birthday groups, and anyone who values a smaller boat and attentive crew.

It is also a strong choice if you like a little variety. You get scenery, sailing, wildlife watching, lunch, drinks, and swimming in one outing. You do not need to plan separate activities or find a restaurant afterward.

You may want another type of boat trip if your main goal is reaching several different beaches, exploring a particular cove, or spending most of the day on land. This cruise remains focused on the boat and the sea.

People prone to seasickness should prepare before departure. One person specifically advised taking motion sickness medicine in advance. The water may be calm, but a catamaran can still move enough to bother you, especially when you sit near the front.

Should you book the Magic Deluxe?

Book it if you want comfort, good service, a proper lunch, and a relaxed four-hour sail. The small group, clean modern catamaran, open bar, and swimming stop make the package easy to enjoy. The crew’s friendly approach is a major part of the experience, and wildlife sightings can turn a pleasant cruise into a holiday highlight.

Go in with two sensible expectations: the route may not cover as much coastline as you imagine, and dolphins or whales are never guaranteed. If you accept those limits, the $117 price is reasonable for a well-served half-day at sea near Jandía.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility while you decide how the cruise fits into your Fuerteventura plans.

FAQ

How long is the Magic Deluxe catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours.

Where does the catamaran depart from?

It departs from Morro Jable port. If you are not using pickup, arrive 30 minutes before the trip and look for the Magic Deluxe.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is optional and available from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. Pickup is not available from every hotel directly.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes Prosecco, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Some trips also offer honey rum shots.

What food is served?

The planned menu includes Mediterranean couscous with roasted vegetables and tzatziki, followed by roast loin of beef with aromatic herbs, mushroom sauce, and confit potatoes.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The boat stops near Jandía so you can swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, stingrays, and flying fish have been seen during some trips, but wildlife sightings depend on conditions and chance.