Gran Canaria: Afternoon Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drink

Sun, sea, and a little silliness. This 4.5-hour Afrikat catamaran cruise combines a relaxed sail from Puerto Rico with swimming, snorkeling, food, and unlimited drinks, so you get more than a simple boat ride. I especially like the views toward Mogán and the easy mix of quiet sunbathing with optional water sports.

I also like that the crew serves lunch rather than handing you a snack box, and that pickup is available from many resort areas. The main drawback is space: the sun deck can feel crowded, and popular activities such as jet skis and parasailing cost extra.

The mood depends partly on the crew and the day. Potter is praised for his humor, while Ashleigh’s saxophone playing has added a memorable soundtrack on some trips. This is a social outing, not a silent yacht charter, so choose it for friendly fun rather than privacy.

Key points to know

• Mogán coastline views: Cruise past southwest Gran Canaria’s cliffs, fishing villages, and coves.
• Swimming stop: Anchor in a clear-water bay where you can swim or use the provided snorkeling gear.
• Food and drinks included: Enjoy a chicken wrap, pasta salad, and unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skis, parasailing, donut rides, and a speedboat trip are available for additional fees.
• Pickup covers major resorts: Transfers may be available from Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.
• Wheelchair accessible: Tell the provider about mobility needs after booking so suitable arrangements can be made.

Setting out from Puerto Rico

The cruise begins at Puerto Rico on Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. If you use the transfer service, pickup is offered from central points in several resort areas. This is useful if you are staying around Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés, since you avoid arranging a taxi to the harbor.

The transfer service does not cover Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico. If you are staying in one of those places, you need to make your own way to the port. Those coming directly to the harbor should go to Calle Puerto Base and sign in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure.

That early arrival matters. A catamaran outing has a fixed sailing time, and arriving at the harbor just as the boat leaves is not a good way to begin a holiday afternoon. Bring your booking details, allow time to find the desk, and wear something easy to remove before swimming.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, but accessibility at sea can involve practical details. If you have mobility needs, contact the provider after booking. The crew needs notice to make proper arrangements.

Cruising toward Mogán and the cliffs

Once offshore, the first part of the trip is about views and settling into the pace. The catamaran follows the southwest coast, giving you a different look at Gran Canaria than you get from the road. You pass dramatic cliffs, small coves, and the fishing village of Mogán from the water.

I like this section because it gives the afternoon some shape. You are not simply anchored in one spot for hours. The boat moves along the coast before stopping, so you get changing views and a sense of the shoreline.

Choose your place carefully. The sun cushions are ideal if your priority is lying back with a drink and watching the coast. The sun deck can become crowded, especially when people gather outside in good weather. If you prefer shade or a quieter seat, claim your spot early rather than expecting to move around freely later.

The cruise has a lively social feel. Music and crew banter can be part of the appeal, especially when Potter is working with the group. On some departures, Ashleigh has played saxophone during the return journey, adding a pleasant live-music touch. That entertainment is not the main product, and it may not be present on every sailing, but it helps explain why this feels more like a relaxed party cruise than a formal sightseeing trip.

The swimming and snorkeling stop

The main activity stop is a clear-water bay. Here you can get into the sea, cool off, or use the onboard snorkeling equipment. The stop breaks up the sailing nicely and gives you a chance to do something active before lunch or another drink.

Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat. You should also bring a camera if you want photos, but protect it from spray and keep an eye on it around the water.

Snorkeling equipment is included as an option, which saves you from packing a mask and fins. Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a group swim stop, not a specialist marine-life excursion. You may see fish and enjoy the clear water, but the focus is on having fun in the bay rather than receiving instruction or spending a long time studying the seabed.

The water can also feel busy when many people enter at once. If you want a calmer swim, get ready promptly when the crew announces the stop. If you would rather stay dry, the boat’s cushions give you an easy alternative.

Choosing the extra water sports

The included cruise already gives you a full afternoon, but the optional water sports are aimed at people who want more action. The prices listed are:

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

The speedboat ride is the easiest add-on to justify if you want a quick burst of speed without spending much. The donut is more physical, with plenty of bouncing and laughing, and one person described it as lasting a good amount of time.

Jet skiing and parasailing cost more, but the price may still appeal if you already planned to pay for these activities elsewhere. The operator offers discounted rates for different water sports, and payment by card or Apple Pay has been available, which is handy if you do not carry cash.

Do not assume every activity will operate on every departure. Water sports may depend on the partner company and the day. One cruise had no water sports available, and the problem was only explained during the trip. If a particular activity is the reason you are booking, confirm its availability before you pay or before setting your expectations.

Safety and supervision also deserve attention. One older account described a poor experience during a banana boat ride, when a swimmer was not collected immediately after falling off. That is not part of the listed current options, but it is a useful reminder to listen carefully to the crew and ask how each activity works before getting on.

Lunch, drinks, and what is really included

The meal is a practical part of the value. The crew serves a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce, along with pasta salad. You can request adjustments to the wrap, and you must tell the provider about dietary requirements when booking.

This is not a restaurant lunch with a broad menu. It is a simple boat meal designed to keep you fed while you are swimming, sunbathing, and drinking. For most people, that is enough. If you have strict dietary needs, do not wait until boarding to raise the issue.

Drinks are unlimited and include beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. This makes the $91 price easier to assess, especially if you would otherwise buy several drinks during a half-day outing. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included, despite some enthusiastic comments about cocktails on particular trips. Treat those as optional extras, not part of the standard package.

You should still drink water and use sunscreen regularly. A day on the sea can feel cooler than a day on land, while the sun remains strong. The combination of wind, alcohol, and reflected sunlight can catch you out.

A reusable drinking glass is included as a small souvenir. It is not a major reason to book, but it is more useful than a throwaway trinket.

How the crew shapes the afternoon

The crew is a major part of the experience. The strongest praise centers on friendly service, humor, and attention throughout the trip. Potter is singled out for his jokes and energy, and the wider team is credited with making people feel welcome.

That style will suit you if you enjoy an informal group outing. The crew may encourage conversation, dancing, or participation in the water sports. If you want a quiet cruise with little interaction, you may find the atmosphere too animated.

Entertainment can add a lot. A saxophone performance from Ashleigh has been a highlight on some departures, particularly during the return to Puerto Rico. Music, drinks, and the open sea create a holiday feeling that a basic coastal transfer cannot match.

The trade-off is that a popular boat can feel full. One departure was described as somewhat cramped on the sun deck. Space matters more if you want to lie down for the whole trip, so consider moving between the cushions, seating areas, and swim stop rather than treating one spot as your private base.

Is $91 good value?

At $91 per person, the price is not bargain-level for a boat ride. It becomes more reasonable when you count what is included: transport from selected areas, 4.5 hours on the catamaran, a served meal, unlimited standard drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the coastal cruise itself.

The value is strongest if you plan to drink, swim, and spend most of the afternoon aboard. A couple of beers, soft drinks, lunch, and a separate boat excursion can add up quickly. The included transfer also saves time and taxi costs if you are staying in one of the covered resorts.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike group activities, or mainly want a short sightseeing cruise. You will also need to budget extra for the activities that may be the most memorable. A speedboat ride adds only €5, but a jet ski or parasail costs €32, and several choices can push the total well beyond the advertised price.

I would treat the water sports as optional, not necessary. The cruise, swim stop, meal, and drinks make a complete outing by themselves. Bring a bank card or extra money if you want to decide on the day.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

This trip suits couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a friendly atmosphere. It works especially well for anyone who wants several holiday pleasures in one booking: coastline views, time in the sea, lunch, drinks, and optional thrills.

It is suitable for all ages, though younger children and less confident swimmers should be supervised closely around the water. The activity is wheelchair accessible, but you should share any mobility impairment when booking so the provider can prepare.

You should choose another type of boat trip if you want a small, quiet group, a specialist snorkeling tour, or a focused wildlife experience. This is about a broad afternoon of fun rather than one expert-led subject.

Practical tips for a smoother trip

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A light cover-up is useful between swimming and sitting in the wind.

If you want a good place on the sun deck, arrive on time and settle in early. Keep your valuables secure, especially when you enter the water.

Tell the provider about dietary needs at booking. Do not wait until lunch, when options may be limited.

If you are booking for jet skiing, parasailing, or the donut, ask whether those activities are running on your date. Their availability can change, and the water sports are handled as paid extras.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Afrikat cruise?

Book it if you want a lively, all-in-one afternoon with coastal scenery, swimming, food, and unlimited drinks. The crew’s personality, occasional saxophone music, and choice of paid water sports give the trip more energy than a simple sail.

Think twice if you want peace, personal space, or guaranteed water sports. The sun deck can feel crowded, and the extra activities are not always available.

For most people staying in Gran Canaria’s southwest resorts, this is a good-value day out when you use the included meal, drinks, swim stop, and transport. The best plan is to book the cruise for the boat experience itself, then treat the speedboat, donut, jet ski, or parasail as a bonus if conditions allow.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts 4.5 hours.

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The direct meeting point is the Afrikat desk at Puerto Rico harbor, Calle Puerto Base, S/N, 35130.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from centralized points in selected areas, including Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

Is pickup available from Las Palmas?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico. If you are staying in one of these areas, you need to reach the harbor independently.

What food is served?

The meal includes a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and optional sauce, plus pasta salad. Tell the provider about dietary requirements when booking.

What drinks are included?

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

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a clear-water bay where you can swim.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available onboard as an included option.

How much do the water sports cost?

The speedboat costs €5 per person, the donut costs €10 per person, the jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, and parasailing costs €32 per person.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. You should inform the provider about any mobility impairments after booking so suitable arrangements can be made.