Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best part of the Afrikat catamaran cruise is the mix of easygoing sea time and proper water fun. You can sunbathe with a drink, then jump into a clear bay for snorkeling, a speedboat ride, or a jet ski. It feels more like a small floating day club than a bare-bones boat transfer.

I like the friendly, funny crew, especially Potter and the team who keep announcements lively without letting safety slide. I also like the value: lunch, unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, water, and snorkeling equipment are included. The main catch is that jet skis, parasailing, donut rides, and the captain’s speedboat all cost extra, and a particular activity may not operate on your day.

Why this Gran Canaria cruise is worth considering

• A clear-bay stop near Mogán: You get time to swim, snorkel, and watch fish rather than simply sailing past the coast.
• Lunch and drinks included: The crew serves chicken wraps and pasta salad, with beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water available throughout.
• Optional water sports: Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, the donut ride €10 per person, and the speedboat €5 per person.
• A comfortable boat setup: You can choose sunbathing areas or shade, with room to relax between activities.
• Pickup from many resort areas: Designated collection points cover much of southern Gran Canaria, though not every town or hotel.
• A social, family-friendly mood: The cruise suits couples, families, and groups who want conversation and activity rather than a quiet sailing trip.

From your resort to Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

The day begins with pickup from a long list of southern Gran Canaria locations. Collection points include parts of Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Amadores, Taurito, Patalavaca, Bahía Feliz, and nearby resort areas. The coach ride is listed as about one hour each way, so transport takes a meaningful part of the day.

That transfer is useful if you are staying near one of the listed points. You avoid finding a taxi or arranging a separate trip to the marina. Check your exact pickup location carefully, since transport does not come from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán. If you are already close to the port, making your own way may save time.

The long list of pickup points also means the coach portion can vary. Your total outing is advertised as 4.5 hours, but the wider day includes transfers, and the itinerary shows approximately one hour by coach in each direction. I would treat the cruise itself as the main event and allow extra time around the scheduled pickup.

At Puerto Rico, you receive a safety briefing of about ten minutes before boarding. That is a good sign for a trip involving swimming and powered activities. Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. A waterproof phone pouch or a simple camera strap is sensible, though the operator also offers photos and souvenirs.

Sailing the southwest coast for one hour

Once aboard, Afrikat follows the southwest coastline for about an hour. You will see beaches, cliffs, coves, and the dry, sunny shore that makes this side of Gran Canaria so popular for sea trips. The point is not a long-distance voyage. It is a comfortable introduction to the coast before the boat anchors for the main activities.

The catamaran provides space to sit in the sun or find shade. That matters because the strongest part of the day can be hot, and not everyone wants to spend four hours exposed to direct sun. You can move around, order drinks, and settle into the pace before deciding how active you want to be.

The boat has been described as clean and spacious, with a tidy bar and good areas for sunbathing. That makes a difference on a half-day cruise. A cramped deck would make the unlimited drinks and long stop less enjoyable, but Afrikat appears designed for a relaxed social outing.

The atmosphere is not silent or formal. Potter and the crew use jokes, announcements, and music to keep people involved. On Friday morning departures, live music is offered, with a saxophone player noted as a memorable feature. This is not a daily promise, and live music is not scheduled on February 27, so do not book solely for the music.

Mogán bay: swim, snorkel, or stay dry

The boat spends about 2.5 hours near Mogán for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports. This is the heart of the trip. You have enough time to do more than one activity, while still keeping part of the stop for sitting on deck and enjoying the view.

Snorkeling equipment is included and optional to use. The water is described as clear, with fish visible around the swimming area. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to get value from this part, but you should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay aboard, eat, drink, and watch the activity from the deck.

The bay stop also works well for families. The crew has been praised for helping nervous swimmers and making children feel comfortable. Still, the sea is the sea, and conditions can affect how easy it is to snorkel or run powered rides. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you can see the horizon, avoid too much alcohol early in the trip, and tell the crew if you feel unwell.

You can also take the captain’s speedboat for €5 per person. This is one of the cheaper add-ons and a good choice if you want a short burst of speed or a closer look at coastal caves. The speedboat is not part of the included package, but its low cost makes it easier to add without greatly increasing the price.

Lunch, beer, sangria, and the practical value of the package

Lunch is served by the crew rather than handed out as a simple snack. The standard meal includes a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, plus pasta salad. Special dietary needs must be communicated in advance. A vegetarian meal has been provided as a fajita-style alternative when requested, but you should still state your needs during booking.

The food is a useful inclusion because the activity stop is long. You are not forced to leave the boat and find a café, and you can eat between swimming and water sports. The meal is casual rather than a restaurant lunch, but it is more substantial than crisps and sandwiches.

Unlimited drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. The bar service is part of the relaxed feel, and the reusable drinking glass souvenir is a small but practical extra.

The drink package adds real value if you plan to stay on board for the full cruise. It is less important if you do not drink alcohol, though water, coffee, juice, and soft drinks remain available. Keep in mind that unlimited alcohol and jet skis are not a sensible combination, so enjoy alcoholic drinks after your powered activities rather than before them.

The extra-cost water sports

The cruise price is $88 per person, while the optional activities are priced in euros. That base price covers the boat, meal, drinks, snorkeling gear, transport from selected areas, and the cruise itself. For many people, that is a fair package for a half-day outing, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, and a boat trip.

The add-ons can change the final cost quickly:

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

A group can spend an extra €42 per person on several activities, as one party did with the donut ride, speedboat, jet ski, and snorkeling. That is good value for an activity-focused day, but it is not a minor surcharge. Bring cash or a card and decide your budget before boarding.

Availability can vary. Jet skis were not operating on some departures, so do not assume every advertised activity will run. Weather, equipment, or operating conditions can affect the choices on the day. Snorkeling and swimming are the safest parts of the plan if you want activities included in the standard price.

Parasailing is aimed at people who want a single memorable thrill without spending much time away from the boat. The donut ride is more suited to groups and families looking for a laugh. The jet ski gives you the most control and speed, while the captain-led speedboat trip is the cheapest way to add movement without committing to a larger purchase.

Crew style and the mood aboard Afrikat

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a plain sightseeing boat. Potter is frequently part of the atmosphere, and crew members such as Nikita and Matt have been singled out for making the day personal and entertaining. Announcements come with jokes, but the safety briefing remains part of the routine.

That social style will suit you if you like a bit of banter and do not want a quiet, formal sailing trip. The crew has also helped nervous passengers and a seasick member of one party, which suggests a considerate approach when someone needs more support.

The boat does not appear to be packed on every departure. Some outings have felt comfortably uncrowded, while capacity can naturally vary by date. If space matters to you, choose a weekday or a date outside the busiest holiday periods when possible, though no guaranteed group size is provided.

Music is another pleasant extra rather than the main product. Friday morning live music may include saxophone, but other departures should be judged on the boat, food, sea stop, and crew rather than expecting a concert.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend Afrikat to families, couples, and friends who want several choices in one outing. One person can snorkel while another stays in the shade with a drink. That flexibility is more useful than a tightly timed activity schedule.

It is also a good fit for first-time visitors who want a broad taste of Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. You get coastal views, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and optional thrill rides without needing to plan several separate bookings.

The cruise is less suitable if you want a quiet sailing experience with no music, jokes, or group atmosphere. It is also not ideal if every member of your party expects a jet ski or parasailing session, since those are extra and may not be available on the day.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but tell the provider about mobility impairments when booking. The sea entry and water sports still require individual consideration, so ask the crew what support is available for your specific needs.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. You will want shoes that are easy to remove before entering the water, though the supplied information does not specify a required type of footwear.

Bring a credit card and some cash for water sports, photos, souvenirs, or anything outside the included package. If you have dietary requirements, communicate them before the cruise rather than waiting until lunch.

Do not fill your morning with a demanding activity if you are using the coach pickup. The outward transfer is listed at about one hour, followed by the safety briefing and cruise. Give yourself a calm start, and remember that the return coach ride is also part of the day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check the available starting times when booking, since departure schedules can change.

Should you book the Afrikat catamaran cruise?

I would book this if you want a lively, well-fed half-day on the water with plenty of choice. The strongest value comes from combining the included lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling, comfortable deck space, and organized transport. The crew, especially Potter and the wider team, adds warmth that a standard boat ride often lacks.

Budget carefully for the extras. At $88 per person, the basic trip is already a full outing, but a family that adds jet skis and parasailing can spend much more. Book it for the boat, bay stop, food, drinks, and friendly service, then treat the powered activities as optional bonuses.

FAQ

How long is the Afrikat catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts 4.5 hours. The wider schedule includes about one hour by coach to Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and about one hour back, depending on your pickup point.

Where does the cruise depart?

The catamaran departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria after a safety briefing of about ten minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from designated points in several southern Gran Canaria resort areas. Transport is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

What food is served?

The meal includes a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, along with pasta salad. Special dietary requirements should be communicated in advance.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and spirits cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, though using it is optional.

How much do the water sports cost?

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

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You should tell the provider about any mobility impairments when booking so they can discuss your needs.