From Puerto Rico: Boat trip along the coast w/ Food & Drinks

The best part of this four-hour trip is the long stop in a sheltered bay. You get time to swim, try the included banana boat, watch fish through the boat’s underwater viewing area, or pay extra for activities such as jet skis, parasailing, and a cave outing. Dolphins and flying fish may appear on the way, though sightings are never promised.

I like the friendly, hands-on crew, with Sergio, Abdera, and Yeray singled out by name for their warm service. I also like the value: the full package combines a coastal cruise, lunch, drinks, swimming, and a banana boat ride for about $47 per person. The main caution is rough water. One outing left most people feeling seasick, and the banana ride can be very brief.

Key points at a glance

• A two-hour swimming stop: This is more than a quick photo pause. You have useful time for swimming, water activities, and the optional cave trip.
• The full package includes lunch and drinks: Expect salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, beer, mojitos, soft drinks, and water, depending on the option you book.
• Wildlife is possible, not guaranteed: Dolphins, turtles, and flying fish have been seen, but you should book for the coast and the boat day itself, not only for wildlife.
• The Princesa Ico leaves from Puerto Base: The meeting point is close to the gas station in Puerto Rico.
• Optional paid thrills are available: Jet skis and parasailing cost extra, while the cave tour also requires an additional payment.
• Sea conditions matter: The boat has comfortable seating and sun decks, but choppy water can make the outward journey unpleasant for anyone prone to motion sickness.

Leaving Puerto Rico on the Princesa Ico

You meet the boat at Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, close to the gas station, and look for the Princesa Ico. Optional hotel pickup runs from selected stops in San Agustin, Playa del Ingles, and Meloneras, with listed morning times from 9:10 to 10:10.

The exact start time depends on your selected option, so check it carefully when booking. The advertised experience lasts four hours, though one account describes a longer day from late morning until around 4 p.m. That difference may reflect the chosen pickup or package, so allow plenty of time rather than scheduling a tight afternoon commitment.

The boat is set up for a relaxed day rather than a formal sailing lesson. You can sit, stretch out, listen to music, and use the sun decks. One particularly useful detail is the underwater viewing area, which gives you a look below the surface without requiring you to swim.

The crew speaks Spanish and English. The atmosphere is informal and social, with music and drinks forming a large part of the day. If you prefer quiet sightseeing, this may feel more like a party cruise than a calm nature expedition.

The south coast from the water

Once you leave Puerto Rico, the coast gives you a different view of Gran Canaria’s southern resorts. You pass beaches, cliffs, and bays that are difficult or impossible to appreciate from the road. The boat may also stop at less familiar beaches away from the busiest shore areas.

The cruise is valuable even if no dolphins appear. From the water, the rocky coast becomes the main attraction, and the changing angle gives you a clearer sense of the island’s shape. The crew also provides information about the places you pass, adding some context rather than leaving you with only music and sun.

Wildlife sightings are a bonus. Dolphins, turtles, and flying fish have all been seen, and one outing included dolphins, a sea turtle, flying fish, and even a hammerhead shark. That is an unusually lucky day, not a standard promise. The operator clearly notes that sightings cannot be guaranteed, so keep your expectations sensible.

I recommend choosing a seat where you can move outside easily. If the sea is calm, you may spend much of this section taking photos and watching the water. If it is choppy, sitting low and facing forward can be more comfortable than staying on the upper deck.

The two-hour bay stop

The strongest part of the experience is the extended stop in a sheltered bay near Mogán. You have about two hours for swimming, relaxing, and water activities. That is a generous pause compared with boat trips that allow only 20 or 30 minutes in the water.

The bay is also where the day becomes flexible. You can swim from the boat, sit in the sun, look through the underwater viewing area, or join a paid activity. Families and mixed-age groups benefit from this arrangement because nobody has to follow one fixed activity.

The included banana boat ride is part of the full package. It provides a quick burst of fun, but do not expect a long tow. One person found the ride lasted about a minute and a half, so this is best viewed as a small extra rather than the main reason to book.

Jet skis and parasailing are not included. You can purchase them on board, giving you the chance to decide after seeing the conditions and the available time. The extra cost is not provided here, so bring enough flexibility in your budget if those activities matter to you.

The cave outing is another optional add-on. It involves a motorboat ride to caves in the rocky coast and costs an additional €10 according to one account. The cave itself is interesting, but the fast ride there is part of the appeal. Ask the crew about timing and payment early in the day so you do not miss out.

Lunch, drinks, and the two package choices

The price begins at about $47 per person, which is strong value if you select the full package and plan to use the food, drinks, and included activity. The basic option provides water and soft drinks. The full package adds beer, mojitos, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana boat ride.

Food is served during the bay stop, when you can combine lunch with a swim and time in the sun. The meal is practical boat-day food rather than a special restaurant experience. Several people found it good and plentiful, while one person would have liked more sauce or butter. That is a fair description of what to expect: filling, convenient, and suited to a day at sea.

Drinks are easy to access, with water and soft drinks in the basic package and beer and mojitos in the full one. Some outings ended with complimentary shots on the return to port. That fits the lively mood, but the overall tone is not aimed at children alone or at people seeking a quiet, alcohol-free cruise.

Check which package you have booked. One person was unsure how the crew distinguished between package types, so keep your booking details handy. The basic price may look attractive, but the full option makes more sense if you want lunch and the banana boat without paying for extras separately.

Seating, sun, and comfort on board

The boat has plenty of seating, sun decks, and some beds or cushioned areas. You can sunbathe, sit in the shade, or move around during the cruise. One comment raised a possible extra €10 charge for middle beds, so ask about seating rules if a particular lounging spot matters to you.

The boat has been described as clean, comfortable, and not overcrowded on some departures. Group size and the feeling of space can vary by date, so do not assume every sailing will feel identical. The best approach is to arrive ready to choose a spot early, especially if you want a prime sunbathing area.

A four-hour trip is long enough to feel like a proper day out but short enough to fit into a broader Gran Canaria holiday. You get scenic cruising, a meal, and water time without committing to a full-day sailing excursion.

The catch is motion. A calm bay does not guarantee a smooth outward journey. Choppy conditions caused sickness for most people on one departure, even though the activities and scenery remained enjoyable. If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual precautions and choose a seat with a clear view of the horizon.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Sergio and Abdera were praised for being attentive and kind, while Yeray was remembered for making people feel welcome. The broader team handles drinks, food, activities, and the general rhythm of the trip.

That matters because a boat day can become awkward when nobody explains where to go or how activities work. Here, the crew helps keep the experience moving from the harbor to the swimming stop and back again. Their friendliness also suits the social style of the cruise.

The educational side is lighter than the entertainment side. You receive information about the coast and landmarks, but this is not a specialist marine biology trip. If your priority is learning detailed facts about sea life, you may want a more focused wildlife excursion. If you want a relaxed introduction to the coast with some explanation along the way, it fits well.

The crew cannot control the weather or produce dolphins on demand. What they can do is make the day worthwhile when wildlife does not appear, and that is important here. Several outings had no dolphins but still delivered a pleasant cruise, swim, meal, and time in the sun.

Is it good for families and mixed groups?

Yes, provided everyone is comfortable with a lively boat setting and possible motion. Teenagers and active adults have swimming, banana boats, jet skis, parasailing, and the cave trip. People who prefer to take it easy can remain on board, eat, listen to music, and enjoy the coast.

The long swimming stop is especially useful for families. A short stop can leave children frustrated, but two hours gives you time to stagger activities and rest. The crew also offers options for different ages and skill levels.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, which is an important practical advantage. For detailed questions about access to the water, activity equipment, and the exact pickup vehicle, contact the operator before booking, since the supplied details confirm accessibility but do not explain every transfer arrangement.

The boat also suits couples and friend groups looking for a relaxed social day. It is less suitable if you want a silent sail, a small private charter, or a tightly structured sightseeing tour with detailed commentary at every stop.

How to get the best value from the $47 price

At about $47 per person, this experience compares well with paying separately for a coastal cruise, lunch, drinks, and a water activity. The full package is the better value for anyone who expects to eat on board and use the banana boat.

The basic package is more suitable if you do not drink alcohol, prefer to bring your own food arrangements, or mainly want the sailing and swimming stop. Confirm exactly what your selected option contains before paying, since the inclusions differ.

The value also comes from the time in the bay. You are not simply paying for a short harbor ride and a quick photo stop. The two-hour pause gives the outing a proper beach-day feel, even though you remain on a boat.

Optional activities can change the final cost. Budget separately for parasailing, jet skis, and the cave trip. The cave outing is listed at €10 in one account, but prices for all optional activities are not supplied, so ask on board before committing.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. Pickup is optional, and the main meeting point is easy to identify at Puerto Base. These details are useful if you are staying outside the listed pickup areas.

Should you book the Puerto Rico boat trip?

I would book this if you want an affordable, active half-day on the water with lunch, drinks, music, and a real swimming stop. The full package is particularly appealing for families, couples, and groups with different ideas about what makes a good day out.

Book it for the coast, the bay, and the friendly crew. Treat dolphins, turtles, and flying fish as possible extras. If you get seasick easily, check the forecast and prepare before boarding. If you want a quiet sailing or a guaranteed wildlife encounter, choose a more specialized excursion instead.

For most people staying in southern Gran Canaria, the mix of scenery, food, swimming, and optional thrills makes this a well-priced choice. Just remember that the banana boat ride may be short, rough seas can spoil comfort, and paid activities are not part of the basic fare.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Puerto Rico, at Puerto Base, close to the gas station. Look for the boat named Princesa Ico.

How long does the boat trip last?

The advertised duration is four hours. The exact start time depends on the option selected.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional pickup is listed from Clinica Roca in San Agustin, Hotel Tropical in Playa del Ingles, C.C. Yumbo, and Gran Casino Costa Meloneras. Listed pickup times range from 9:10 to 10:10.

What languages does the crew speak?

The host or greeter speaks Spanish and English.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included with the full package. It includes salad, paella, and wrinkled potatoes.

What drinks are included?

The basic package includes water and soft drinks. The full package also includes beer and mojitos.

Is the banana boat ride included?

The banana boat ride is included with the full package. The duration may be short, so ask the crew about the timing on the day.

Are jet skis and parasailing included?

No. Jet skis and parasailing are optional activities that you can purchase on the boat.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. The boat anchors in a bay where you can swim and take part in water activities.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins, turtles, and flying fish may be seen, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. For specific questions about boarding and water activities, contact the provider before booking.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.