Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Gran Canaria catamaran trip is how much it packs into half a day without feeling rushed. You cruise the southwest coast from Puerto Rico, stop twice for swimming and water sports, and eat with the Atlantic around you. I especially like the spacious boat and the steady supply of included drinks. The main thing to consider is that the water can feel chilly, and the included wine selection is limited to beer and sangria.

The small-group feel is another strong point. There is room to sit in the shade, stretch out on the sun deck, or watch the coast pass by. Lunch is more than a basic boat snack, with tuna or chicken, salad, Canarian potatoes, mojo sauce, and bread. If you do not drink alcohol, the $97 price is still fair, but it offers its best value to people who will use the drinks and water activities.

Key points at a glance

• Two water stops: Swim, snorkel, kayak, or use a SUP board at a sheltered spot near the southwest coast, then stop again around lunch.
• A spacious catamaran: The boat has both shaded seating and open sun deck space, and the group size is kept comfortable rather than packed tight.
• Morning and afternoon choices: Morning departures include a proper seasonal lunch. Afternoon trips include tapas-style snacks instead.
• Food with a local touch: Tuna or chicken comes with salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce, collected from a restaurant near Tasarte.
• Drinks included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are available throughout the cruise. Cocktails and some other drinks cost extra.
• Easy south-coast transport: Pickup and drop-off are included in the southern resort area, with the exact time confirmed after booking.

From Puerto Rico to the open coast

Your day begins at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, where you board the catamaran after pickup from the south of the island. Hotel transfers are included for eligible locations, and the transfer is normally handled by an air-conditioned minibus. The exact pickup time depends on your accommodation, so check the provider’s message after booking, including your spam folder.

Once aboard, you can choose a shaded seat or claim a place on the open deck. This matters more than it sounds. A boat trip can feel tiring when everyone is squeezed into one small seating area, but this catamaran gives you room to move between sun and shade. Several people also found the vessel stable and comfortable, which is useful if you are nervous about seasickness.

The cruise follows Gran Canaria’s southwest coast, a dry, rugged stretch where coves and beaches appear between steep slopes. You are not signing up for a guided history lecture, so do not expect a running commentary about every headland. The crew does offer a friendly, attentive service, and some departures have included crew members such as Callan, Raul, or Michelle, but the main focus is the sea, food, and relaxed pace.

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are available during the journey. You do not have to keep ordering or carry cash for every glass, which helps the boat feel like a genuine break from the resort routine. If you prefer wine, take note: wine is not part of the standard drinks package, and cocktails or other special drinks cost extra.

The first stop near Mogán

The first main stop is just outside Mogán, where the boat anchors for swimming and water activities. This is usually the most active part of the trip. You can enter the water from the catamaran, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or take a turn on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak.

The snorkeling is simple rather than expedition-style, but it can be rewarding. The water around the bays is clear enough for people to spot fish, and one particularly lucky outing included a hammerhead shark. That is not something you should expect every time, but it shows why bringing a mask and spending time looking below the surface can pay off.

The equipment supply is practical but limited. Snorkeling gear is provided, while the boat has SUP boards and a kayak for shared use. If several people want the same equipment, you may need to take turns. That is not a major problem on a relaxed half-day trip, but it is worth knowing if your main reason for booking is paddleboarding rather than sailing.

You can also simply swim. Several families appreciated the available flotation support for children, and the crew can help you get settled in the water. Still, the Atlantic is not a heated hotel pool. Even in warm weather, it may feel brisk at first, especially outside the main summer months.

For an additional charge, the crew may arrange activities such as jet skiing or parasailing. These are not included in the $97 price, so ask about the current cost before committing. They can add excitement, but you do not need them to get a full day from the basic trip.

Lunch near Tasarte, with the sea beside you

After the first swim stop, the catamaran continues along the coast toward the area around Tasarte. The morning option includes a seasonal lunch, picked up from a local restaurant near the beach. Depending on the arrangement that day, food can arrive by kayak, which gives the meal a memorable little island touch.

The menu changes with the season, but the meals described include a choice of tuna or breaded chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The tuna is a good fit for a coastal meal, while the chicken gives children and cautious eaters an easy alternative. The portions are intended to be shared around the boat, and there is generally enough food to go around.

Canarian potatoes are one of the islands’ classic dishes. Small potatoes are cooked and served with mojo, a local sauce that can be mild or more strongly seasoned. Here, the sauce has been described as mild, so you are unlikely to face a fiery surprise unless the seasonal menu changes.

The second stop combines lunch with another chance to swim. You can eat on board while looking toward the coast, then cool off in the water if you wish. This arrangement works well because the meal does not end the outdoor part of the trip. You still have time to choose between a swim, a quiet drink, or simply sitting in the shade.

If you choose the afternoon departure, you get tapas-style snacks rather than the full morning meal. That makes the afternoon option better for people who want a lighter outing or have dinner plans later. If a proper lunch is important to you, book the morning sailing and confirm the departure details before paying.

A calm return to Puerto Rico

After the second stop, the boat heads back toward Puerto Rico. This is the quietest part of the outing, and it gives you a chance to dry off, order another drink, and enjoy the coast without a timetable pressing you along.

You might see dolphins or whales, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. One trip included a right whale, and another had dolphins, but these are fortunate extras rather than part of the promised route. The reliable view is the southwest shoreline, with its coves, beaches, and dry island scenery.

The full experience lasts about 4.5 hours. That is long enough for two water stops, a meal, and a proper sail, yet short enough to fit around another holiday plan. Some people wished it lasted longer, particularly because the boat is comfortable and the pace is easy. For most visitors, the half-day length is a sensible compromise.

Why the boat matters

The boat is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a cheaper, more basic cruise. It is described as modern, clean, and spacious, with a proper shaded seating area and plenty of open deck. You can sunbathe, sit with your lunch, or escape the heat without losing sight of the sea.

The group size also helps. The boat may be shared by around 17 other people, but it does not have the packed feeling of a large party vessel. That mix works for couples, families, and small groups celebrating a birthday. You can be social without being pushed into constant entertainment.

The crew’s service is another consistent strength. Drinks are offered regularly, equipment is explained, and the staff help keep the stops organized. The tone is friendly rather than overbearing, which suits the calm nature of the outing. If you want loud music, games, or a nightclub at sea, this is probably not the right choice.

A practical point for families: flotation support has been available for a young child, but the supplied information does not set out a full children’s policy. If your child needs particular equipment or supervision, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming everything will be provided.

Is $97 a fair price?

At $97 per person, the trip is not the cheapest way to get on the water. But the price includes the catamaran cruise, hotel pickup and drop-off in the south, drinks, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, kayak use, and either lunch or tapas.

That package can represent good value if you plan to swim, eat on board, and drink beer or sangria. You would otherwise need to pay separately for transport, a meal, and several water activities. The value is less obvious if you do not drink alcohol, skip lunch, or intend to remain on deck without using the equipment.

The price also buys comfort, not just transport. You are paying for space, shade, a clean modern boat, crew service, and a slow route along the coast. I would compare it with a simple sightseeing cruise only if your main goal is looking at the shoreline. If you want to swim, snorkel, eat, and relax in one outing, the bundled price makes more sense.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families, and small groups who want an easy sea day without arranging every part themselves. It suits people who enjoy a choice of activity: you can paddleboard for a while, swim, then spend the rest of the trip doing almost nothing.

It is also a good fit for a first holiday or a birthday outing. The pickup, boat, food, and water equipment are organized for you, so you do not need much planning once the booking is made. The crew can give instructions in English, Spanish, German, and French.

You should think twice if you want a serious snorkeling expedition, a long sailing passage, or guaranteed wildlife. This is a comfortable social excursion, not a specialist marine tour. The snorkeling gear is provided, but the shared boards and kayak mean you may need to wait your turn.

People prone to seasickness should consider taking suitable medication before departure, following medical advice. The catamaran is described as stable, but open water can still be uncomfortable for some people. Choose a shaded place, drink water, and avoid overdoing alcohol before the first stop.

Bring a towel. You will also want swimwear, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes, although only a towel is specifically required in the supplied instructions. Because the trip depends on sea and weather conditions, the route or water stops can change for safety.

Morning or afternoon: which should you book?

Choose the morning sailing if lunch is a major part of your plan. You get the full seasonal meal, with tuna or chicken, salad, Canarian potatoes, mojo sauce, and bread. It is the better choice for a complete half-day outing.

Choose the afternoon sailing if you prefer a lighter meal or want to sleep late. Tapas-style snacks are included, and you still get the catamaran ride, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, SUP boards, and kayaking. The exact starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Neither option is automatically better. The morning trip gives you a fuller food experience, while the afternoon departure may fit better around your hotel routine. I would decide based on mealtime first, then on the sea conditions and weather forecast.

Should you book this Gran Canaria boat trip?

Book it if you want a polished, relaxed half-day with two chances to swim, a comfortable catamaran, generous drinks, and a real meal rather than a packet of snacks. The combination of pickup, water gear, food, and deck space makes the $97 price reasonable for many people.

Skip it if you want a long sailing adventure, guaranteed whales, or unlimited access to paddleboards and kayaks without taking turns. Also remember that afternoon trips include tapas instead of lunch, and extra activities such as jet skiing or parasailing cost more.

For most visitors staying in southern Gran Canaria, this is a strong all-round choice. Bring a towel, reserve the morning option if you want the proper lunch, and leave room in your day for the possibility that you will wish the boat ride lasted another hour.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria catamaran trip?

The experience lasts 4.5 hours, including the cruise, two water stops, food, and the return to Puerto Rico.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The boat departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria. Pickup and drop-off are included for locations in the south of the island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included in the southern part of Gran Canaria. The provider confirms the exact pickup time after booking, and it can vary by accommodation.

What food is included?

Morning departures include a seasonal lunch. The menu can change, but dishes include tuna or breaded chicken, salad, Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce, and bread. Afternoon departures include tapas-style snacks.

Are drinks included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. Additional drinks, including cocktails, are not included.

Can I swim and snorkel from the boat?

Yes. The trip includes stops for swimming and snorkeling, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

Are paddleboards and kayaks included?

Yes. SUP boards and a kayak are available during the water stops. Because the equipment is shared, you may need to take turns.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. The trip is subject to sea and weather conditions, so the route and stops may change for safety.