Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

A boat trip with plenty of personality. The Afrikat cruise combines a comfortable catamaran ride, a swimming stop near Mogán, lunch, unlimited drinks, and optional water sports in one easy half-day outing. I especially like the clean boat, generous shade and sun areas, and a crew that keeps the mood lively without turning the trip into a nonstop sales pitch.

The second strong point is value. At $88 per person, you get a 4.5-hour experience, transport from many resort pickup points, a meal, snorkeling equipment, and beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. The main drawback is that some of the most exciting activities cost extra, and jet skis or other water sports may not operate every day.

What Makes This Cruise Worth Considering

• A full 2.5-hour stop near Mogán: You have time for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports rather than a quick photo stop.
• A friendly, entertaining crew: Potter, Matt, Nikita, and other crew members have been praised for making the trip feel personal and fun.
• Unlimited basic drinks: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included, while cocktails, wine, and spirits cost extra.
• Good spaces for different moods: You can sunbathe, sit in the shade, or join the activities without needing to stay in one place.
• Fairly priced extras: A jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, a donut ride €10 per person, and the captain’s speedboat ride €5 per person.
• Convenient resort transfers: Pickup and drop-off are available from many points around the southern resort area, but not from every town.

From Resort Pickup to Puerto Rico

The day usually begins with a shared bus transfer from one of the listed pickup points. These include hotels and meeting spots around Bahía Feliz, San Agustín, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico’s surrounding area, Taurito, and Mogán. The transfer can take about an hour, so allow room in your morning for hotel pickups and road time.

This service is useful if you are staying in one of the covered resort areas. It saves you from arranging a taxi and removes some of the guesswork around reaching the marina. Still, check your exact pickup point carefully. The service does not cover Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán in the way many people might expect, and pickup outside the designated areas is not included.

You can also make your own way to the port if that suits you. One important practical point: bring your booking details, swimwear under your clothes if convenient, sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, and a hat. Once you reach Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, you receive a safety briefing of about 10 minutes before boarding or setting off.

The Catamaran Ride Along Gran Canaria’s Southwest Coast

The catamaran gives you a broad view of the southwest coast. From the water, you see beaches, cliffs, coves, and the dry, dramatic shape of southern Gran Canaria from a different angle. The sea breeze helps take the edge off the island’s strong sun, though you should still apply sunscreen often.

The first cruise section lasts about an hour. It is a good time to find your preferred spot. You might want a sunny place for a tan, a shaded seat for comfort, or an open area where you can watch the coast. The boat has been praised for being clean, spacious, and well maintained, with enough room to avoid feeling packed on some departures.

That said, capacity and crowding can vary. Some outings have felt pleasantly uncrowded, while a popular sailing date may feel busier. If personal space matters to you, the boat’s layout helps, but this is still a shared excursion rather than a private charter.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Announcements are delivered with humor, and the staff make an effort to learn where people are from and include different age groups. Potter, who has been singled out for his role on board, appears to set much of the relaxed tone. Matt has also been praised for giving extra attention to families.

This is not a quiet sailing trip. You can relax, but there is conversation, activity, music on certain departures, and plenty of joking. On Friday morning trips, live music may be offered. It is not available on February 27, according to the activity details. A saxophone performance has been a memorable touch on some trips, though you should not book this cruise solely expecting live music.

The Mogán Stop: Lunch, Fish, and Water Time

The main stop lasts about 2.5 hours near Mogán. This is where the cruise earns much of its appeal. You are not rushed through a short swim before being called back aboard. There is enough time to eat, swim, snorkel, and consider one or more paid activities.

Snorkeling equipment is provided at no extra charge. The water has been described as clear, with fish visible around the swimming area. For many people, this will be the most rewarding part of the day because it offers a simple way to get into the sea without needing a separate snorkeling tour.

You should bring your own towel and swimwear. The activity is suitable for all ages, but parents should keep a close eye on children in the water and during the boat-based activities. The crew has been praised for helping nervous swimmers and making less confident participants feel comfortable.

Lunch is served by the crew. The standard meal is a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, along with pasta salad. The food has received unusually strong praise for a boat excursion, with several people describing the wraps as tasty or better than expected.

Vegetarian and other special dietary needs require advance communication. A vegetarian meal has been prepared when requested, but do not rely on mentioning it casually at the last moment. Contact the provider when booking so the crew has time to plan.

The included bar adds real value. You can have beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water throughout the trip. Some departures have allowed people to pour their own beer, while staff also take drink orders and bring them to seats. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included, so budget extra if those matter to you.

The food is not a restaurant meal, and this is not the place to expect a wide menu. Still, it is filling, practical, and well suited to a day of sun and swimming. The combination of lunch and unlimited basic drinks means the $88 price is easier to justify than it would be for a cruise offering only a short sail and one soft drink.

Choosing the Optional Water Sports

The water sports are the most important extra-cost detail. You can swim and snorkel without paying more, but the following activities cost separately:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Speedboat ride with the captain: €5 per person

The captain’s speedboat ride is an especially inexpensive add-on. It has been used to view caves and get a faster, more exciting look at the coast. The donut ride is a short, playful option for people who want a thrill without committing to a larger spend.

Jet skiing and parasailing are better suited to anyone who wants the main event to be active rather than restful. One family described the jet ski as a highlight, while another planned to use it but found it unavailable that day. This is worth taking seriously: availability can change because of equipment, weather, or operating conditions.

You should bring cash or a credit card for these extras, photos, and souvenirs. Ask about the day’s available activities before paying, especially if one particular option is the reason you booked the cruise. A discounted package may be offered on board, but the provided information only confirms the individual prices and does not guarantee a package on every departure.

Comfort, Safety, and Accessibility

The crew begins with a safety briefing before the boat leaves Puerto Rico. Several people have praised the professional way the staff handle safety while keeping the tone relaxed. That balance matters on a trip with children, first-time boat riders, and people trying water sports.

The catamaran is wheelchair accessible. You should tell the provider about any mobility impairment when booking so the crew can prepare appropriately. Accessibility on the boat does not automatically mean every water activity is suitable for every mobility level, so ask directly about the parts of the day that matter most to you.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking sensible precautions before departure and choosing a spot with a steady view of the horizon. The crew has helped a seasick passenger before, but it is still better to prepare rather than depend on a last-minute rescue.

Sun protection is essential. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, and reapply after swimming. The boat has both sunny and shaded places, but shade does not remove the risk of reflected sun from the water.

Is $88 a Fair Price?

For a 4.5-hour experience, $88 is a reasonable price if you plan to use the included meal, drinks, and snorkeling. The transport adds convenience, and the catamaran itself provides a pleasant way to see the coast without spending a full day on a larger cruise.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, a boat ride, and snorkeling. Families may also appreciate having food, shade, and several activities handled in one booking.

The price is less attractive if you want a quiet, private sailing or if you do not drink and have no interest in swimming. It also rises once you add jet skiing, parasailing, photos, and premium drinks. A person who chooses the jet ski and parasailing could add €64 per person, so decide your total budget before boarding.

The low-cost speedboat ride and €10 donut make it possible to add excitement without spending much. If you are happy with swimming and snorkeling, you can keep the extras to zero and still have a complete day.

Who Will Enjoy Afrikat Most?

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a social outing with plenty of choice. It works particularly well for people who want sun, swimming, and food without planning several separate activities.

It is also a good pick if your group has mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can sunbathe, another can order a drink, and someone else can pay for a jet ski. The boat’s range of spaces and activities makes it easier for everyone to enjoy the day at their own pace.

You may want something else if you prefer a calm, silent sail, a small private group, or serious marine wildlife watching. The emphasis here is on fun, food, drinks, and crew interaction rather than a specialist sailing lesson or nature expedition.

The cruise suits nervous boat riders better than many high-energy excursions because the crew is attentive and the activities are optional. Still, anyone uncomfortable with open water should remember that the central part of the day takes place at sea.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Wear swimwear and bring a towel, even if you think you will only sit on deck. Pack a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a payment card or cash for optional activities.

If you need a special meal, contact the provider ahead of time. Do the same for mobility needs. The crew can work with requests more easily when they know about them before the sailing.

Check the pickup instructions and allow extra time for the bus. If you are near Puerto Rico and prefer to make your own way, confirm the meeting details rather than assuming hotel transport is needed.

Do not count on every water sport operating. Treat the jet ski, parasailing, and other paid options as bonuses, not guarantees. The included snorkeling, swimming, lunch, drinks, and coastal cruise are the dependable core of the experience.

Should You Book This Gran Canaria Catamaran Cruise?

Yes, if you want a lively, well-organized half-day on the sea with food, drinks, and a proper swimming stop. The strongest reasons to book are the friendly crew, clean and comfortable boat, generous time near Mogán, and the fact that snorkeling is included rather than sold as another add-on.

I would book it for a family or mixed-age group, especially if some people want water sports while others prefer to relax. I would be more cautious if your main goal is a specific jet ski or parasailing experience, since those activities may not be available on the day.

For the best value, enjoy the included snorkeling and meal, then add only the water sport that most appeals to you. That keeps the cost under control while giving you the social, easygoing Gran Canaria boat day this cruise does best.

FAQ

How long does the Afrikat catamaran cruise last?

The full experience lasts about 4.5 hours, including transport and the time spent on the catamaran.

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria after a short safety briefing.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Pickup and drop-off from designated centralized points are included in covered areas. The service does not cover all locations, including Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, and Mogán as specified in the activity information.

What food is served?

The standard meal includes a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, plus pasta salad. Special dietary requirements should be communicated in advance.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you can use it during the swimming stop near Mogán.

How much do the optional water sports cost?

A jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, a donut ride costs €10 per person, and the captain’s speedboat ride costs €5 per person.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

The activity is suitable for all ages. Children should be supervised during swimming and water activities.

Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. You should inform the provider about any mobility impairment when booking.