Fuerteventura: Magic Catamaran Trip with Food and Drinks

The sea is the star of this half-day outing. From Morro Jable, the 23-meter Magic Select heads along Fuerteventura’s volcanic southern coast, combining dolphin watching with a swim near Jandía, lunch, music, and an open bar. I especially like the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins in their natural setting, and the included food and drinks make the $91 price easier to justify.

The crew also earns plenty of credit. Aaron, Feli, Juani, and other crew members are frequently praised for keeping the mood friendly and lively, with clear explanations, music, and plenty of help in the water. The main drawback is that this is a large, social boat trip rather than a quiet sailing voyage. The catamaran may motor instead of sail, and marine life is never guaranteed.

Key points at a glance

• Four hours from Morro Jable: A compact outing that fits neatly into a beach holiday.
• Dolphins and pilot whales: Wildlife sightings can be excellent, but no encounter is promised.
• Swimming near Jandía: You get about 30 minutes in the sea, with life jackets available.
• Mozarabic chicken lunch: Chicken, rice, vegetables, and sauce are served onboard after the swim.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available throughout the trip.
• Pickup from southern resorts: Transport can be arranged from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable.

Setting out from Morro Jable

The trip begins at Morro Jable port, where you should arrive 30 minutes before departure if you are making your own way there. The meeting location is at the port rather than at a separate town office, so allow time to find the boat and get settled.

If you select transport, pickup is offered from selected points around Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. It is not available from every hotel. Instead, the operator uses meeting points that are generally within about a five-minute walk of the hotels in the covered areas.

That detail matters more than it might sound. Check your pickup email carefully, including the spam folder, since the exact time is sent after booking. If you are staying outside the listed resorts, you will need to arrange your own way to Morro Jable.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing before the catamaran leaves the harbor. The Magic Select is a modern 23-meter boat with room to sit in a group, stretch out, or find a quieter spot when the music and conversation get lively.

Along Fuerteventura’s volcanic southern coast

The early part of the trip is about getting out onto open water and taking in the southern coast from a different angle. Fuerteventura’s volcanic shoreline looks particularly striking from the sea, where the scale of the island becomes easier to appreciate.

You are not simply being ferried from one port to another. The route is planned around wildlife watching, coastal views, and time in the water. Still, keep your expectations realistic: this is a four-hour group excursion, not a private charter or a long-distance sailing expedition.

Music plays a large part in the atmosphere. The crew uses it to create a holiday mood, and several crew members are praised for encouraging people to dance on the return journey. That will suit you if you enjoy a friendly, upbeat boat ride. If you want silence and serious sailing, this may not be your best choice.

One useful point is that the catamaran may motor for much of the outing. Weather conditions, passenger numbers, and the comfort of people who feel seasick can make actual sailing impractical. You still get the boat experience and sea views, but do not book this expecting the sails to be raised for the entire trip.

Dolphin and whale watching near Jandía

Wildlife watching takes about 90 minutes. The Canary Islands are home to more than 29 identified species of dolphins and whales, giving the crew a good reason to search these waters rather than simply cruise along the coast.

Sightings can be memorable. Dolphins have been seen swimming close to the catamaran, sometimes in pods, and pilot whales have also been spotted. Flying fish have appeared near the boat as well. Some outings have included several dolphin groups and a whale visible at a distance.

The crew also adds useful context. Juani, one of the captains, has shared footage of dolphins following his boat and explained differences between species and their behavior. That personal touch can turn a simple sighting into something more meaningful, especially for children.

But wildlife remains wild. You may see dolphins, pilot whales, or flying fish, or you may see none of them. The crew cannot control the sea or the animals. I would treat a sighting as a welcome bonus, not the sole reason to pay for the trip.

Bring a phone or camera, but keep it ready. Animals can appear quickly and close to the boat. At the same time, remember to look up from the screen. The best moment may last only a few seconds.

A 30-minute swim in Jandía

After the wildlife search, the captain changes course for a swimming stop off Jandía. The boat anchors for around half an hour, giving you time to get into the sea, cool off, and see the coast from water level.

The water can feel cold, especially outside the warmest summer months. You do not have to swim, and only some people may choose to get in. Life jackets are available for adults and children who need extra confidence.

Take care when entering the water. One swimmer specifically advised caution around the tide and current, and that is sensible advice. Conditions can change, so listen to the crew and stay close to the boat.

This stop is a good balance to the wildlife section. After sitting and scanning the horizon, you get an active break. If you prefer to stay dry, the catamaran still gives you a pleasant place to sit and enjoy the coast.

Lunch, drinks, and the onboard rhythm

Lunch is served after the swim, which is good timing if the water leaves you hungry. The main dish is Mozarabic chicken with rice and vegetables in a sauce. Several meals have been described as tasty and generous, although one person found the food less impressive.

It is not a restaurant lunch with a choice of courses. Think of it as a practical hot meal served to a boatload of people. The food is included, well suited to a half-day trip, and especially welcome after swimming.

The open bar runs throughout the outing. You can choose from water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Drinks are included in the price, and the crew serves them quickly. If you do not drink alcohol, the nonalcoholic choices are useful, though sparkling water is not guaranteed. One person specifically wished for it and found the sweet fizzy drinks limiting.

The order of the day usually works like this: wildlife watching first, swimming next, lunch afterward, then a relaxed ride back. The final hour includes more sailing or motoring, music, and sometimes dancing. On one outing, passengers were even allowed to try steering under the captain’s supervision, though you should not assume that will happen every time.

What the atmosphere is really like

The Magic Select is designed for a social group. One account estimated roughly 30 to 35 people onboard and still found enough room to sit alone, gather with friends, or stretch out. Exact numbers can vary, but you should expect other people around you.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Aaron, Feli, Juani, and other team members have been praised for humor, energy, clear explanations, and practical help. Their enthusiasm matters because a boat trip can feel flat if the staff simply point out the bar and let the hours pass.

Here, the crew keeps the outing moving. There may be music from the beginning, explanations about the route and wildlife, a swimming stop, lunch service, and a livelier finish. You can join in or simply sit back.

That social energy will not suit everyone. If you want a silent morning with only the sound of waves, the music may become tiring. The boat is spacious enough for some personal room, but this is not a private or adults-only sailing experience.

Is $91 good value?

At $91 per person, the cost is reasonable if you plan to use most of what is included. You are paying for four hours on a large catamaran, a wildlife search, a swimming stop, lunch, and beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. Selected resort pickup and drop-off can also be included when you choose that option.

The price makes more sense for people who would otherwise pay separately for a boat excursion, lunch, and drinks. It also saves you from arranging transport to Morro Jable if you are staying in one of the covered resort areas.

The value is less clear if you do not drink, dislike group entertainment, or mainly want a guaranteed whale or dolphin encounter. No marine excursion can promise animals, and the boat may not sail under canvas.

For a couple, family, or group of friends seeking an easy half-day on the water, the package is strong. The included bar and meal remove the small costs that can add up on a boat day.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you want several holiday experiences in one outing: coastal views, wildlife watching, swimming, lunch, and music. Families can benefit from the manageable four-hour duration, and life jackets are available for children and adults.

It also works well for couples celebrating something special. One couple marked an engagement onboard, while another described the trip as a memorable birthday surprise. The crew seems comfortable helping create a festive mood.

You should think twice if you get seasick, although the crew has helped people who became unwell. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where movement feels gentler, keep your eyes on the horizon, and speak with the crew early.

This trip is also less suitable for serious sailors. The catamaran may spend much of the route under power, and the outing is built around entertainment and wildlife rather than hands-on sailing.

Practical booking advice

Choose the pickup option only if your hotel is near one of the approved meeting points. The operator does not collect from every hotel, even within the main resort areas.

If you are meeting at the port, arrive 30 minutes early. The listed meeting point is Morro Jable port, and the boat itself is the place to check in. That is worth knowing because searching for a separate desk can waste time.

The activity is offered with English, Spanish, German, and French support. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date before booking.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Magic Catamaran?

Book it if you want a cheerful, well-organized boat day with a strong chance of dolphins, a real swimming stop, a filling lunch, and drinks included. The crew’s energy is the biggest strength, and the four-hour format gives you plenty without consuming the whole day.

Skip it if you want a quiet private charter, guaranteed wildlife, or hours of traditional sailing. For most people staying in southern Fuerteventura, though, the combination of coast, sea life, swimming, food, and open bar offers solid value at $91.

FAQ

How long is the Magic Catamaran trip?

The excursion lasts four hours.

Where does the catamaran depart?

It departs from Morro Jable port in southern Fuerteventura.

How early should I arrive if I do not need pickup?

You should meet the boat at Morro Jable port 30 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. It is not available from every hotel, and the exact pickup time is sent after booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included meal consists of Mozarabic chicken, rice, and vegetables.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

Is swimming part of the trip?

Yes. The boat stops off Jandía for about 30 minutes of swimming, and life jackets are available.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings depend on sea conditions and the animals.