Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

Sea, sun, and a very cheerful crew. This Afrikat catamaran cruise combines a coastal boat ride with lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling, and optional water sports from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria. I like the generous time in the bay and the mix of calm and action: you can sunbathe with a beer, then take a speedboat ride or jump into the water. The main drawback is that the advertised $88 price does not include the most exciting paid activities, and some options may not operate on your sailing.

I also like the practical hotel pickup network, which covers many resorts between Bahía Feliz and Puerto de Mogán. Just allow extra time for the coach, and remember that pickup is not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán itself. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but you should tell Afrikat about mobility needs when booking.

Key points at a glance

• A 2.5-hour stop near Mogán: This is the heart of the outing, with lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports.
• Unlimited basic drinks: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and spirits cost extra.
• Several ways to use the bay: Snorkel with provided equipment, swim, or pay for a jet ski, parasail, donut ride, or speedboat trip.
• A social but not necessarily crowded boat: Many sailings are described as relaxed, spacious, and comfortable, with both sunny and shaded areas.
• Good crew energy: Potter, Matt, Nikita, and other crew members have been singled out for humor, attention, and a friendly approach.
• Friday music is a bonus: Live music is scheduled only on Friday mornings, and it is not offered on February 27.

What the Afrikat cruise is really like

This is not a quiet sailing for people who want four hours of silence. It is a friendly, activity-focused boat day with a party edge, though the tone seems more playful than wild. The crew keeps people involved with announcements, jokes, drink service, and optional activities.

The boat leaves from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and follows the southwest coast. From the water, you can look back at beaches, cliffs, coves, and resort areas from a different angle. The catamaran gives you room to sit in the sun or find a shaded spot, which matters on a half-day outing in strong Canarian light.

The advertised price is $88 per person. That is fair if you plan to eat onboard, enjoy several drinks, use the included snorkeling gear, and spend time relaxing on the catamaran. It is less of a bargain if you only want a short boat ride and do not drink alcohol or use the water activities.

Getting to Puerto Rico and starting the day

Pickup is offered from a long list of centralized points around the southern resort area. These include places near Maspalomas, Meloneras, San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Amadores, Taurito, and other holiday districts. You need to check the exact meeting point rather than assume the coach will stop at your hotel door.

The transfer can take up to about an hour each way according to the stated schedule. That makes the trip longer than the time spent on the boat, especially if you are staying far from Puerto Rico. I would bring water, sunglasses, and a light layer for the coach and harbor wait.

Some visitors make their own way to the port, particularly if they are staying nearby. That can save transfer time, but the package includes pickup and drop-off only from designated areas. Transport outside those areas is not included.

At the marina, expect a short safety briefing before boarding. This is useful rather than ceremonial, especially because the day may include swimming, a speedboat, and paid motorized activities. The crew has been praised for making safety instructions clear without turning them into a lecture.

The catamaran ride along Gran Canaria’s coast

Once underway, the first part of the cruise is about the view and the feel of the sea. You get a cool breeze, open water, and changing views of the southwest shoreline. The catamaran format gives you a steadier platform than a smaller speedboat, with more room to move around.

I like that the boat appears to be set up for different moods. You can find a place to sunbathe, sit in the shade, chat with the crew, or watch the coast. Some departures have been described as comfortably uncrowded, though you should not count on every sailing having the same amount of empty space.

The crew plays a big role in the mood. Potter, identified in several comments as the owner, has been praised for making people feel welcome. Matt and Nikita have also been mentioned by name, along with other crew members who kept the atmosphere warm and humorous.

Drink service is one of the practical strengths. Included options are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Some sailings have allowed people to pour their own beer, while crew members have also taken orders and brought drinks to passengers. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included, so budget extra if those are important to you.

The Mogán bay stop and your 2.5 hours there

The main stop near Mogán gives the outing its structure. You have roughly two and a half hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional activities. That is enough time to do more than one thing without rushing, though the exact rhythm depends on the day and on which activities are operating.

The bay is described as clear, with fish visible while snorkeling. Equipment is provided at no extra charge, making this a good part of the experience even if you do not want to pay for motorized activities. Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.

The water stop is also where the cruise becomes flexible. You can spend the entire time floating and relaxing, or use the boat as a base for extra activities. If you are with a family or mixed-age group, this helps because not everyone has to choose the same pace.

Snorkeling is best suited to people who want an easy look at the water rather than a formal guided session. The available equipment and fish sightings make it worthwhile, but there is no promise of rare marine life or a specialist snorkeling lesson.

Lunch, drinks, and dietary needs

The regular meal is a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, along with pasta salad. The crew prepares and serves the meal onboard, so you do not need to pack a full lunch.

The food has received unusually strong praise for a boat excursion. Several people found the wraps fresh and satisfying, and one meal was described as better than expected. A vegetarian meal was prepared after a passenger mentioned the need at boarding, but I would not rely on a last-minute request. Tell the provider about dietary requirements in advance.

The meal is simple rather than gourmet. That is the right expectation. You are eating on a working catamaran after swimming and in the middle of a busy activity period. The value comes from having food ready when you need it, not from a long restaurant-style lunch.

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water make the included price easier to justify. If you plan to drink several beverages during the day, this package can compare well with buying separate drinks at a beach club or marina. Drink responsibly, especially before swimming or using paid water equipment.

Choosing the paid water activities

The included snorkeling is enough for a pleasant water stop, but the optional activities are a major reason many people book this cruise. Prices listed are:

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

The speedboat is the easiest add-on to recommend if you want more movement without spending much. It can include a look toward sea caves and gives you a fast change of pace from the catamaran.

The donut ride is a short, playful choice for families and groups. Parasailing is better for someone who wants a view from above rather than a fast ride across the water. The jet ski is the biggest thrill, but availability is not guaranteed.

That last point matters. On some days, the jet ski has not been working, and other activities may also be unavailable because of equipment or operating conditions. Do not book this excursion solely for one specific activity. Think of the water sports as useful extras, not guaranteed features.

Some people choose several activities together. One group paid about €42 per person for a combination of donut, speedboat, jet ski, and snorkeling. That can turn the day into a full activity session, but it pushes the final cost well above the advertised base price.

Music, photos, and the crew’s style

The crew’s humor is one of the most praised parts of the trip. Announcements are delivered with jokes, and the staff tends to learn where people are from and involve them in the day. That can make the cruise feel personal, though anyone wanting a peaceful, quiet sailing may find the banter a bit much.

There are also small extras such as photos, souvenir moments, and special drinks on some departures. You should bring a bank card or cash for photos, souvenirs, and paid activities.

Live music is not a daily feature. It is offered on Friday mornings only, with one particularly praised saxophone performance mentioned in the feedback. Check the date carefully, since live music is not scheduled on February 27.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend Afrikat to couples, families, and groups of friends who want several holiday ingredients in one booking. The combination of lunch, drinks, snorkeling, swimming, and paid activities means you can build your own level of action.

It also suits families with mixed interests. One person can relax in the shade while another rides a jet ski, and children or cautious adults can stay with the easier swimming and snorkeling options. The crew has been described as attentive with young children and supportive when someone felt nervous on boats.

It is less suitable if you want a small, silent sailing or a serious marine-life excursion. It is also a poor fit if you need a particular paid activity to be available on a certain day. Boat capacity and activity operation can vary.

The cruise is listed as suitable for all ages and wheelchair accessible. Still, water access, transfers, and movement around the boat can be personal matters, so contact the provider about mobility needs before booking.

What to pack and how to prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, though it is not listed as a required item. Bring a credit card or cash for extras, including jet skis, parasailing, the donut ride, the speedboat, photos, and souvenirs.

Wear something comfortable for the coach and boat. Keep your sunscreen close rather than buried in a bag because the southwest coast can feel very bright even when the breeze is cool.

If you are prone to seasickness, tell the crew early. They have helped passengers who felt unwell, but prevention is easier than recovery. Eat lightly before boarding and choose a stable place on the catamaran if needed.

The trip has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms help if your holiday plans are still shifting, but you still need to check the available starting time and pickup point.

Is $88 good value?

For a 4.5-hour experience, $88 is a midrange price rather than a cheap boat ride. The value improves if you use the included meal, drink several included beverages, snorkel, and enjoy the full time at anchor.

The catamaran, food, transport from selected resort points, snorkeling gear, and unlimited basic drinks are all covered. That reduces the need to keep paying once you are onboard. The reusable drinking glass souvenir is a small extra rather than a reason to book, but it is a pleasant touch.

Plan your real budget before you go. A jet ski, parasailing, and several smaller activities can add a noticeable amount. If you want a relaxed day, the base price is likely enough. If you want every activity, expect a considerably higher final bill.

Should you book the Afrikat catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a sociable half-day with a clean boat, generous drinks, a solid included meal, clear water, and several optional ways to have fun. The crew is the strongest part of the experience, and names such as Potter, Matt, and Nikita come up because they help turn a basic boat trip into an entertaining day.

Skip it if you want guaranteed jet-ski access, a quiet sailing, or a specialist snorkeling tour. My best advice is to treat the cruise itself as the main purchase, then add water sports only if they are available and the price suits you. Bring your swim gear, allow time for the coach, and let the bay stop set your pace.

FAQ

Where does the Afrikat catamaran cruise depart?

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

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is 4.5 hours. Pickup and drop-off by coach can add travel time, with the stated schedule allowing about an hour each way for transport.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from designated centralized points in parts of southern Gran Canaria. Service outside those areas is not included.

Is pickup available from Las Palmas?

No. Pickup and drop-off transport is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

What food is served onboard?

The regular meal is a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, plus pasta salad. Special dietary needs should be communicated in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. 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 at no extra cost, and you can use it during the bay stop.

How much do the extra water activities cost?

The listed prices are €32 per jet ski, €32 per person for parasailing, €10 per person for the donut ride, and €5 per person for the speedboat ride with the captain.

Are the water activities guaranteed?

No. Activities can be unavailable on a particular day, so you should not book solely for one specific option.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

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