Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

A half-day at sea can feel like a holiday. I like the roomy catamaran, the two swimming stops, and the easy mix of snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. I also like that lunch is a proper hot meal, not just a packet of crisps. The main consideration is that the included drinks are beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water, so wine and cocktails cost extra or are not part of the standard package.

From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, you cruise along the island’s southwest coast for 4.5 hours. The small-group feel, attentive crew, and smooth hotel transfers make this a good choice if you want a relaxed day on the water without arranging every detail yourself. Sea conditions can change the plan, and the water may feel chilly even in good weather.

Key points at a glance

• Two water stops: Swim and use the snorkeling gear, SUP boards, or kayak at the first stop, then enjoy another chance to cool off near lunch.
• Fresh Canarian-style meal: Morning trips include lunch such as tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce.
• Drinks included: Beer, sangria, water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise.
• Room to spread out: The catamaran has shaded seating, a sun deck, and enough space to avoid feeling packed in.
• Pickup from southern resorts: Hotel or accommodation pickup and return are included in the south of Gran Canaria, with the exact time confirmed after booking.
• Optional paid thrills: Jet skiing and parasailing may be available, but they are not included in the $97 price.

What this Gran Canaria catamaran trip is really like

This is not a quiet sightseeing boat that spends four hours pointing at the shore. It is built around swimming, water sports, food, and easygoing time at sea.

You board in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and settle into a modern catamaran with both shaded seats and open sun deck space. The route follows the southwest coast toward the coves around Mogán and beyond, with views of beaches, rocky coast, and the wilder side of the island.

The pace is a strong part of the appeal. You are not rushed from one activity to the next. You can swim, try a paddleboard, take a turn in the kayak, snorkel for a while, or simply sit with a drink and watch the coast pass by.

The activity has earned a 4.8 rating from 845 bookings, and the pattern is clear: the crew, food, boat, and relaxed atmosphere receive the most praise. That matters because a boat trip can quickly become uncomfortable if the vessel is crowded or the staff are inattentive. Here, the experience appears designed to keep things easy.

Boarding in Puerto Rico and settling into the boat

The trip begins with pickup for accommodations in the south of Gran Canaria. The provider confirms your exact pickup time after booking, and the time can vary according to where you are staying. Check your email, including the spam folder, so you do not miss the update.

The transfer is by minibus or coach. It is a useful extra, particularly if you are staying away from Puerto Rico and do not want to arrange a taxi or find parking near the marina. Several direct accounts describe the vehicles as air-conditioned and the pickups as prompt.

Once aboard, the catamaran gives you several ways to spend the crossing. The sun deck suits anyone who wants to work on a tan, while the shaded seating area is better if you want to stay out of the strongest sun. You can move around rather than being fixed to one seat for the whole trip.

The boat is one of the strongest reasons to book this outing. It is described as clean, spacious, and comfortable, with a small-group atmosphere. One account puts the group at up to about 17 people, although the exact number may vary. That is a very different feel from a large excursion boat with rows of fixed seats.

The southwest coast from the water

The coastline is best appreciated from offshore. As the catamaran moves away from Puerto Rico, you see beaches and coves from a fresh angle, then continue toward the more rugged stretches near Mogán and Tasarte.

The route is not presented as a formal coastal history tour. Commentary may be limited, so do not book this mainly for detailed information about geology or island history. One person specifically wished for more explanation about the areas along the route.

Still, the scenery provides a pleasant backdrop to the day. You can look toward the cliffs and beaches, photograph the boat cutting along the coast, or simply enjoy the open Atlantic. A few people have also seen dolphins, whales, fish, and even a small hammerhead shark, but these sightings are bonuses, not part of the promise.

The sea can be calm enough for a very smooth ride, but no boat trip can guarantee that. The operator makes clear that the route and activities depend on sea and weather conditions. If you are prone to motion sickness, one person advised bringing suitable tablets. That is sensible advice for any half-day at sea.

First stop: snorkeling, swimming, SUP, and kayaking

The first main stop is just outside Mogán, in a sheltered-looking coastal area selected for swimming and water activities. This is when the catamaran becomes an outdoor playground rather than just a sightseeing platform.

Snorkeling equipment is provided. You can swim from the boat and look for fish below the surface, with several people describing the snorkeling as a highlight. One child was given a flotation vest, and the crew appears to make basic equipment available for different ages and comfort levels.

The boat also carries SUP boards and a kayak. These are shared rather than one item per person, so you may need to take turns during a busy period. That is not a serious problem if you are happy to alternate activities, but it is worth knowing if your main goal is uninterrupted paddleboarding.

You can also skip the equipment completely. The sun deck and shaded seating give you a comfortable place to watch the action, take photographs, or enjoy a drink. This makes the trip suitable for mixed groups, including couples where one person wants water sports and the other prefers a quiet swim.

The water may be cool. Even in warm weather, the Atlantic can give you a sharp first step, so bring a towel and consider a light cover-up for the ride afterward. A towel is the one item specifically requested for the activity.

Second stop: lunch near Tasarte

The second stop combines another chance to swim with the main meal. For the morning excursion, the crew picks up freshly prepared food from a local restaurant on the beach at Tasarte. Some accounts describe the meal arriving by kayak, which is a memorable little touch and helps keep the food fresh as it reaches the boat.

The menu changes with the season, so there is no fixed guarantee. Typical choices have included filet of tuna or breaded chicken, with salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes served with mojo sauce. The meal is substantial enough to feel like lunch, rather than an afterthought between activities.

The Canarian potatoes are an especially useful local touch. These small potatoes are a familiar part of island cooking, and the mojo gives the plate some character without making it complicated. If you prefer fish, tuna has been a common option. Chicken is usually available as the alternative.

The meal is served with views of the Atlantic, and you can swim again during this stop if conditions permit. That makes the second pause feel unhurried. You eat, look out at the coast, and decide if you want one more dip before the return journey.

If you choose the afternoon departure, the food changes to tapas-style snacks rather than the full morning lunch. This is important when comparing the two start times. The afternoon option may suit you if you want a sunset-adjacent boat outing or a lighter meal, but the morning trip offers the more complete food experience.

Drinks, food value, and the $97 price

The price is $97 per person. That is not the cheapest way to get onto the water, but the package includes much more than the boat ride.

Your price covers the catamaran cruise, pickup and return in the south of the island, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, kayak use, lunch on the morning departure or tapas in the afternoon, and unlimited beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks. The drink service is one of the reasons the cost works well for people who will make use of it.

The crew regularly offers drinks during the trip, rather than leaving you to buy one or two at a bar. Sangria and beer are the main alcoholic choices. Some people who preferred nonalcoholic drinks felt the value was a little less generous, since the package is clearly designed around plentiful drinks.

Cocktails, jet skiing, and parasailing are extra. The last two may be arranged from the boat, but they are optional paid activities. You should treat them as add-ons, not as part of the advertised $97 package.

For me, the value is strongest if you want a full half-day activity. Booking a separate boat ride, water sports session, lunch, drinks, and transport could quickly cost more and involve more planning. If you only want a short scenic cruise and do not drink alcohol or use the water equipment, the price may feel less attractive.

Morning or afternoon: which departure works better?

The morning trip is the better choice if food is important. You receive the seasonal lunch with the fuller menu, and the schedule includes the two main swim and activity stops.

The afternoon trip includes tapas-style snacks instead. It still provides the catamaran, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking, but you should not expect the same lunch format. Check the available departure times before booking because the schedule varies.

Both options last about 4.5 hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day out while remaining manageable for families and people who do not want to spend an entire day at sea.

Several people wished the trip lasted longer. That is a compliment to the relaxed pace, but it also tells you the time is well used. You get a coastal cruise, two stops, water activities, food, and the return sail without a long empty stretch.

What the crew does well

The crew receives unusually consistent praise for being friendly, attentive, and helpful without making the outing feel forced. Instructions can be provided in English, Spanish, German, and French, which is useful when explaining snorkeling, paddleboard, or kayak procedures.

The crew also handles the practical work. Drinks are offered, equipment is organized, lunch is brought aboard, and the boat is kept clean and comfortable. A good crew matters more than flashy decoration on a sea trip. They are the people who make it easy for you to move from swimming to lunch without confusion.

Named crew members are not consistently identified, but Callan and Raul were specifically praised for being warm and helpful. Michelle was also thanked for making one family’s trip especially enjoyable. Staff names can change, but these comments give you a sense of the service style to expect.

The tone is more polished than rowdy. Families, couples, mixed-age groups, and friends can all fit into the day. You can be active without being pushed into every activity.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this catamaran if you want several experiences in one booking. It works especially well for:

• Couples looking for a relaxed half-day on the water
• Families who want swimming and simple water sports
• Groups with mixed interests
• Visitors staying in southern Gran Canaria who value included transport
• Anyone who wants lunch and drinks handled in advance
• People who prefer a smaller boat atmosphere to a large party cruise

It is also a good option for a first boat outing. You can try snorkeling or paddleboarding without paying separately for equipment, while still having an easy place to sit if you decide the sea is not for you.

I would think twice if your top priority is serious snorkeling, a long sailing session, or detailed coastal commentary. The equipment is shared, the commentary may be limited, and the itinerary depends on sea conditions. The trip is best understood as a comfortable social day at sea with activities, not as a specialist marine expedition.

Practical advice before you go

Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and a light layer for the ride back. The information specifically asks you to bring a towel, and you will want one after swimming before returning to the shaded seating or sun deck.

Keep your booking email handy because the pickup time is confirmed after reservation and may differ by accommodation. Check your spam folder if the message does not appear quickly.

If you are choosing between morning and afternoon, pick morning for the full lunch and afternoon for tapas-style food. If you want the best chance of using the SUP or kayak, be ready to take turns because the gear is shared.

Do not assume every planned activity will run exactly as described. The operator can change the trip because of sea and weather conditions, and water temperature can be brisk. The flexible attitude is part of enjoying a boat day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Gran Canaria plans are still moving around.

Should you book the Gran Canaria catamaran trip?

Yes, if you want a polished, easy half-day that combines coastal scenery, swimming, water sports, food, drinks, and transport. The boat, crew, included activities, and meal give the $97 price solid value, particularly if you enjoy sangria or beer and plan to use the equipment.

Choose the morning departure for the best food offering. Bring a towel, expect shared gear, and keep your plans flexible if the sea turns rough. If that sounds like your kind of holiday time, this is one of the stronger all-round boat trips from southern Gran Canaria.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart from?

The catamaran departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and cruises along the southwest coast.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately 4.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in the south of Gran Canaria. The provider confirms the exact pickup time after booking.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. Additional drinks, such as cocktails, are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The morning excursion includes a seasonal lunch. The afternoon excursion includes tapas-style snacks instead.

What food might be served?

The menu changes seasonally, but dishes have included tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce.

Can I snorkel during the trip?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and there are stops for swimming and snorkeling.

Are paddleboards and kayaks included?

Yes. SUP boards and a kayak are available for use during the water stops. The equipment is shared among the group.

Are jet skiing and parasailing included?

No. Jet skiing and parasailing may be available for an additional charge.

What languages are available?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. Swimwear and sun protection are also sensible for a trip centered on swimming and time on the sun deck.

Can the route change because of the weather?

Yes. The trip is subject to sea and weather conditions, so the route and water activities may change for safety reasons.