Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

The sea is the star of this half-day escape. From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, you cruise the southwest coast on a spacious catamaran, stop twice for swimming and water sports, and eat a fresh meal with the Atlantic around you. I especially like the small-group feel and the fact that beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water keep flowing. The freshly prepared tuna or chicken lunch is another strong point. The main consideration is that $97 is best value if you plan to enjoy the included drinks and activities, while non-drinkers may find the price a little less convincing.

This is a relaxed outing rather than a packed sightseeing cruise. You get plenty of time to sit in the sun or shade, swim, snorkel, use a paddleboard or kayak, and watch the rugged coast slip by. The only real complaint I would flag is that four and a half hours can pass quickly, especially if you settle into the boat’s easy rhythm.

Key details before you book

• Two water stops: The first is mainly for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP paddleboarding. The second combines another swim with lunch.
• Fresh local-style meal: Morning departures include tuna or chicken, salad, Canarian potatoes, mojo sauce, bread, and a seasonal menu that can change.
• Unlimited included drinks: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. Cocktails and other drinks cost extra.
• Comfortable boat layout: You get sun deck space, shaded seating, room to move, and a catamaran that generally feels uncrowded.
• Pickup from southern resorts: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included south of the island, with the exact time confirmed after booking.
• A good family and couples outing: The water activities suit active passengers, while the boat also works well for anyone who simply wants a calm afternoon at sea.

Leaving Puerto Rico for Gran Canaria’s southwest coast

The trip begins in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, a useful departure point for exploring the island’s drier southwest shore from the water. If you are staying south of Gran Canaria, pickup and drop-off are included. The operator confirms your exact pickup time after booking, and that time can vary by accommodation, so check your email and spam folder.

The transfer is part of what makes this outing easy. Recent departures have used comfortable, air-conditioned minibuses, with pickup described as prompt and well organized. That matters in resort areas where finding the marina on your own can mean navigating busy roads and unfamiliar parking.

Once aboard, you can choose between the sunny upper areas and the shaded seating space. I like this flexibility because a boat trip can feel very different depending on the weather, your mood, and whether you have had enough sun by lunchtime. The catamaran is modern, clean, and roomy, with enough space to sit or stretch out rather than feeling packed shoulder to shoulder.

The group size is also a plus. One account put the boat at up to around 17 passengers, and the repeated impression is of a small, friendly group rather than a party boat with a crowd. That gives the crew more time to offer drinks, explain the water equipment, and help people into the sea.

Sailing past coves, beaches, and the wilder coast

After leaving Puerto Rico, the catamaran follows the southwest coast toward the area outside Mogán. From the water, you see beaches, coves, and the more rugged side of Gran Canaria that is easy to miss from the main resort roads.

This is not a formal sightseeing cruise with a long commentary program. You get some information about the island, but the focus is on the sea, food, and free time. If you want detailed history or a running explanation of every headland, this may feel light on narration. If you prefer a quiet boat ride with occasional guidance, that balance works well.

The catamaran’s broad deck is a major part of the experience. You can sunbathe, find shade, watch the coast, or simply enjoy the ride with a cold drink. The crew is described as attentive without being pushy, which is useful on a trip where some people want active fun and others want to read, relax, or take photos.

Included drinks are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water. Cocktails and other drinks are not included. If your ideal boat day involves sangria or beer throughout the cruise, the package offers strong value. If you mainly drink water or soft drinks, the price feels closer to fair than exceptional.

First stop: swimming, snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking

The first stop is the active part of the day. The boat anchors in a sheltered-looking coastal area near Mogán, where you can enter the sea from the catamaran and use the provided equipment.

Snorkeling gear is included, and the water can offer plenty to see close to the boat. One particularly lucky outing included a small hammerhead shark, while another reported seeing many fish. You should not book this as a guaranteed wildlife trip, but the chance of fish and clear underwater views adds a nice reason to bring your towel and spend time in the water.

You can also use the SUP boards and kayak. The equipment is shared, so you may need to take turns if several people want the same activity at once. This is not a full fleet of boards and kayaks waiting for every passenger. Still, the smaller group helps, and the available gear has been enough for people who wanted to try each activity.

Swimming directly from the boat is simple, with steps into the water. Life jackets are available, including for children, and the crew can help you understand how the equipment works. You do not need to be an expert paddler or strong swimmer to enjoy this stop, although you should be comfortable with the conditions of the sea.

A towel is the one item you are specifically told to bring. Pack it in an easy-to-reach place, not at the bottom of a beach bag under your lunch clothes. You may also want dry clothing for the ride back, though only a towel is listed as required.

Jet skiing and parasailing may also be arranged for an extra charge. These are optional add-ons, not part of the $97 package. Some families and couples have enjoyed adding them, while others were happy with the included swimming and paddle sports.

Second stop: lunch with the sea around you

The second stop is calmer and more food focused, though you can still take another swim. For the morning excursion, the crew collects a freshly prepared lunch from a local restaurant on the beach at Tasarte. The meal is brought to the catamaran, and one memorable detail is that some of the food has been delivered by kayak while still warm.

The usual choices include filet of tuna or breaded chicken, with salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes served with mojo sauce. The exact menu is seasonal, so it can change without notice. That is worth knowing if you have your heart set on one particular dish.

The food has earned unusually strong praise for a boat excursion. It is not just a packet of sandwiches handed out between activities. You sit down to a proper meal, with the Atlantic as your dining room and time to enjoy it without rushing. The portions have generally been described as generous, with enough to go around.

Canarian potatoes, often called papas arrugadas, are one of the island’s familiar specialties. Here they are served with mojo, a sauce that can be mild or stronger depending on the preparation. If you like local food, this is a more satisfying touch than a generic buffet.

The afternoon departure follows a different food plan. Instead of the full lunch, you receive tapas-style snacks. That means you should choose your departure time based partly on how important the meal is to you. For a fuller food experience, the morning option is the better pick. For a lighter outing, afternoon tapas may be enough.

The return trip and the value of four and a half hours

After lunch and the second swim, the catamaran turns back toward Puerto Rico. This final stretch gives you time to dry off, order another included drink, and enjoy the coast from the deck.

Wildlife sightings are not promised, but the route has produced a few welcome surprises. A right whale was spotted on one outing, and dolphins appeared on another. Treat these as luck, not part of the advertised schedule. The real value remains the boat, the water stops, the meal, and the relaxed pace.

At 4.5 hours, the trip is long enough to feel like a proper day activity without consuming your whole holiday. You can still spend the evening at your resort or fit the cruise into a busy Gran Canaria itinerary. The tradeoff is that active passengers may wish they had more time. Several people felt the boat day ended too soon, especially because the catamaran was comfortable and the atmosphere was easy.

Sea conditions can affect the route and schedule. This is important in the Canary Islands, where wind and swell can change the feel of a boat trip. Some passengers have reported no seasickness because the catamaran felt stable, while others advise taking motion-sickness tablets if you know you are prone to it. That is sensible preparation for any half-day at sea.

Is $97 a fair price?

At $97 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Gran Canaria. It is also more than a basic sightseeing boat ride. The price includes the catamaran cruise, hotel pickup and return south of the island, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, kayak use, and either a full lunch or afternoon tapas.

I think the value is strongest for people who will use several parts of the package. A couple who enjoys swimming, paddling, snorkeling, a full meal, and sangria can get a lot from the four and a half hours. Families also benefit from having transport and activities bundled together, rather than paying separately for each part of the day.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, do not want to swim, and mainly want coastal views. One passenger rated the price slightly lower for exactly that reason. You may still enjoy the boat and food, but the unlimited beer and sangria are a meaningful part of what supports the price.

Wine is not listed among the standard included drinks. Sangria, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water are provided, while cocktails and other drinks cost extra. If your group prefers cava, white wine, or rosé, check the onboard options before assuming they are included.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and small groups who want several choices in one outing. One person can snorkel while another stays dry on the shaded deck. Children can swim or try the water equipment, while less active passengers can focus on lunch, scenery, and drinks.

It also suits first-time visitors who want an uncomplicated taste of the southwest coast. Pickup removes much of the hassle, and the crew handles the equipment, food, and drink service. You do not need to plan a beach stop, restaurant reservation, or separate boat rental.

It is less suitable if you want a serious sailing experience, extensive island commentary, or guaranteed wildlife. It is also not the right choice if you dislike group activities or want complete control over the route. Although the boat feels spacious and usually uncrowded, you are still sharing the day with other passengers.

The languages available are English, Spanish, German, and French. That is useful for mixed-language groups and helps with safety instructions before swimming and paddling.

Small details that improve the day

Choose the morning departure if you want the full seasonal lunch. Pick the afternoon option if you prefer a later start and tapas-style food.

Bring your towel and keep sunscreen accessible. The boat offers plenty of sun deck space, and it is easy to enjoy more sun than planned when the coast and drinks are doing their work.

If you are unsure about sea sickness, plan ahead rather than waiting until the boat leaves the marina. The catamaran is described as stable, but conditions vary and no vessel is immune to wind and swell.

Book with the weather in mind, but remember that sea conditions can change the operation for safety. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility.

Should you book this Gran Canaria boat trip?

I would book it if you want a comfortable, social half-day with food, drinks, swimming, and easy transport included. The strongest reasons are the uncrowded catamaran, attentive crew, fresh lunch, and the choice between active water time and simple deck relaxation.

I would pause if you are a non-drinker who plans to skip the water activities. In that case, compare the cost with a simpler coastal cruise. For most couples, families, and small groups staying in southern Gran Canaria, though, this is a well-rounded way to spend four and a half hours on the Atlantic, with enough structure to feel organized and enough free time to feel like a holiday.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart?

The trip departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and cruises along the southwest coast toward the area outside Mogán.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran outing lasts 4.5 hours. Morning and afternoon departure options are available, subject to availability.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. Cocktails and other additional drinks are not included.

Is lunch included?

A seasonal lunch is included with the morning excursion. The meal may include tuna or chicken, salad, Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce, bread, and other seasonal items. The afternoon excursion includes tapas-style snacks instead.

Can I snorkel during the trip?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and there is a swimming and water-sports stop along the coast.

Are paddleboards and kayaks included?

Yes. SUP boards and a kayak are included for use during the water stop. The equipment is shared among passengers.

Should I bring anything?

Bring a towel. The menu is seasonal and can change, and the trip operates subject to sea and weather conditions.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, Spanish, German, and French.