Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

Papagayo looks best from the water. This four-hour Catlanza sailing trip pairs a smooth catamaran ride from Puerto Calero with a long stop near Playa del Papagayo for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. I especially like the warm, attentive crew and the fact that lunch and drinks are included, not treated as costly extras.

The boat gives you several ways to enjoy the day. You can stretch into a little yoga session, lie on the forward net, try the slide, or simply watch Lanzarote’s volcanic coastline pass by. The hot pasta lunch, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes are a real plus, though the four-hour schedule can feel short if you want more sailing time.

The main thing to plan for is the return ride. It can feel cool and choppy, so bring a jacket even on a sunny day. Also, the catamaran may fill quickly, and the best seating spots can go early.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours anchored at Papagayo: The main stop leaves time for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and relaxing on deck.
• Lunch cooked on board: Expect hot pasta with vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, soft drinks, and other options are available.
• A friendly, active crew: The team offers yoga, knot-tying, help with water sports, and the chance to take the helm.
• Good family appeal: Children can enjoy the slide, calm-water activities, and the lively ride back to Puerto Calero.
• Smart arrival tip: Reach the Catlanza office 30 minutes early to collect your boarding cards and get in line for preferred seating.

Sailing from Puerto Calero to Papagayo

Your day begins at Catlanza’s office in Puerto Calero. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding cards. The listed boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15, but you should check availability when booking.

Puerto Calero is a practical departure point, with free parking for those driving. Pickup and drop-off can also be arranged from bus stops when booked through the Catlanza website. That makes the trip easier if you are staying without a car, although the pickup details need to be arranged in advance.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing before the catamaran heads out. The first sailing leg takes about an hour. This is not simply dead time between ports. You get wide views of Lanzarote’s rugged volcanic coast, open water, and the bright southern shoreline.

The boat often creates a relaxed holiday mood rather than a formal sightseeing atmosphere. You can sit back with a drink, listen to music, or join a short yoga session. The crew may also point out dolphins, whales, or flying fish, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Dolphins have appeared on some return journeys, making a lucky afternoon even better.

What the catamaran feels like on board

The catamaran is large enough for a range of activities, with space to sunbathe on the net or find a quieter place to sit. The forward net is especially popular for photographs and for feeling the boat move over the water. If you prefer solid footing, there is seating around the main deck.

The atmosphere is social, helped by the included drinks and music. You can chat with the crew and other people on board, but you are not forced into group activities. That flexibility is one of the strongest parts of the trip. You can be active for an hour, then retreat with a cold drink and enjoy the view.

The boat can become busy, particularly during popular holiday periods. One useful tip is to queue by the kiosk after collecting your boarding cards if you want first choice of seating. The vessel has plenty of room, but the most attractive spots can go quickly.

Families should find plenty to keep children occupied. The slide, kayaks, paddleboards, and swimming stop add variety, and the crew gives safety guidance before activities begin. One family particularly appreciated the clear briefing and the crew’s help throughout the day.

Two hours at Playa del Papagayo

After about an hour of sailing, the catamaran anchors in a sheltered bay near Playa del Papagayo. This is the heart of the excursion, with roughly two hours for water activities and lunch.

The water is described as clear, and fish often gather beneath the boat. That makes snorkeling easy to fit into the day. You can borrow the provided mask and snorkel, swim from the boat, and look for marine life around the hull. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stop, but you should be comfortable entering the water from the catamaran.

The sheltered anchorage also gives you a chance to paddle. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are provided, and the crew can help you get started. The water sports are simple rather than a guided expedition, so you are free to paddle at your own pace.

The slide is another popular feature, especially with children and anyone who enjoys a splash. Take care on the steps and around the slide, since wet surfaces can become slippery. Follow the crew’s instructions, and use the handholds carefully.

If water sports are not your priority, you can remain on deck and enjoy the sun. The boat’s net is a good place to stretch out, while the shaded areas offer a break from the strong Canarian sun. Bring sunscreen and reapply it, since the wind can make the heat feel less intense than it is.

Lunch, Canarian touches, and all-inclusive drinks

At some point during the anchorage, the smell of lunch brings everyone back aboard. The cook prepares a hot pasta dish with a vegetarian sauce, along with salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

This is not a tiny snack passed around in plastic trays. It is a proper meal after swimming and paddling, and the hot food is welcome after time in the water. The pasta has received especially strong praise, including from people who were surprised by the quality of a meal prepared in a small boat kitchen.

The menu also works well for people who do not eat meat. The listed pasta sauce is vegetarian, and one vegetarian passenger found the food selection suitable. If you have a more specific dietary need, ask Catlanza before sailing, since the available information does not promise every type of modification.

Drinks are included throughout the excursion. Options described include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks. This adds real value to the $88 price, especially if you would otherwise buy lunch, refreshments, and water activities separately.

The alcohol selection may not satisfy someone looking for a large range of spirits or specialty drinks. One passenger wanted more variety, so keep your expectations sensible. This is an open bar-style sailing lunch, not a cocktail cruise.

The return journey to Puerto Calero

After the Papagayo stop, the catamaran sails back toward Puerto Calero for about an hour. The crew may show you how to tie knots, and you may get a chance to take the helm under supervision. These small touches make the ride home feel more involved than a simple transfer.

The return can be livelier than the outward journey. Choppy water and a faster ride may appeal to children and anyone who enjoys a little motion. If you prefer calm sailing, sit in a sheltered part of the boat and keep your jacket handy. Several people found the return cool, even after a sunny day.

This is also the best time to watch for dolphins. Sightings have happened on the way back, but they are a bonus rather than a planned part of the route. Flying fish and other sea life may also appear, depending on conditions.

The crew keeps the mood light with music and drinks, but you can also use the final hour to rest. The catamaran returns to Catlanza’s office in Puerto Calero, where the excursion ends.

Is $88 good value?

At $88 per person, this trip offers solid value for a half-day on the water. The price includes the catamaran ride, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, yoga, and free parking. Pickup and drop-off from bus stops can also be arranged if required.

The value is strongest if you plan to use several features. Someone who swims, snorkels, paddles, eats lunch aboard, and enjoys a few drinks receives much more than someone who only sits on deck. The included food and drinks also make the cost easier to judge, since you do not need to budget for extra purchases on board.

Booking direct through Catlanza’s own website may be worth checking before using a third-party booking site. One passenger specifically noted that an outside platform added to the cost. The exact difference can change, so compare the final prices rather than assuming one option is always cheaper.

The four-hour length is the main limit. You get about two hours of sailing and two hours at Papagayo, leaving little spare time. If you want a full-day cruise, long coastal stops, or extended time at several beaches, this is not that sort of excursion.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like having choices. You can make the day sporty, social, lazy, or some combination of all three.

It works particularly well for families with children old enough to enjoy swimming and the water equipment. The crew has been praised for clear safety instructions and helpful support, while the slide and choppy ride home add excitement.

It also suits people who want a comfortable introduction to boating. You do not need sailing experience, and the crew handles the boat while offering small opportunities to learn knots or try the helm.

The trip may be less suitable if you dislike group activities, feel uneasy on moving boats, or want a quiet luxury charter. The word luxury here mainly refers to the spacious catamaran, attentive service, food, and included drinks. It is still a shared excursion with music, other passengers, and a lively deck.

Visitors with mobility needs should contact Catlanza before booking to discuss the ramp and boarding arrangements. Assistance has been provided for wheelchair users, but the information available does not describe a full accessibility guarantee.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The jacket matters most on the return journey, when wind and spray can make the boat feel cooler.

Arrive 30 minutes early for your boarding cards. If seating matters to you, move toward the kiosk after collecting them, since the catamaran can fill before departure.

Wear something practical for wet surfaces. Take care around the slide and steps, and keep your belongings secure while swimming or paddling. You may also want a waterproof phone pouch if you plan to take pictures from the water.

Should you book the Papagayo sailing trip?

Yes, if you want a well-priced half-day with food, drinks, swimming, and several easy water activities. The strongest reasons to book are the friendly crew, generous inclusions, clear water around the boat, and the freedom to take part as much or as little as you like.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are not getting a private yacht, a guaranteed dolphin encounter, or hours of quiet sailing. You are getting a lively catamaran day with a two-hour Papagayo stop, a tasty lunch, and a crew that puts real effort into making the outing enjoyable.

For most visitors, that is a fair trade. Bring a jacket, arrive early, and do not skip the snorkeling. Fish often gather beneath the boat, and that simple swim may become the most memorable part of the day.

FAQ

How long is the Papagayo sailing excursion?

The excursion lasts four hours. About one hour is spent sailing from Puerto Calero to Papagayo, around two hours at the anchorage, and about one hour sailing back.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The meeting point is Catlanza Puerto Calero, at the Catlanza SL office. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding cards.

What activities are included?

Snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, and yoga are included. The crew may also show you how to tie knots and allow you to take the helm under supervision.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

What drinks are included?

Drinks are included throughout the trip. Options listed include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks.

Which languages are available?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. You should also arrive 30 minutes early to collect your boarding cards.