Fuerteventura: Magic Catamaran Trip with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Fuerteventura catamaran trip is the mix of wildlife watching and open-water fun. You head out from Morro Jable along the volcanic south coast, look for dolphins and pilot whales, then anchor near Jandía for a swim before lunch is served on deck.

I like the friendly, high-energy crew, often including Aaron, Feli, Juani, Elisa, or other rotating staff, and I like the clear value of a four-hour outing with lunch and drinks included. The main thing to consider is that this is a lively group cruise, usually with music and roughly 30 to 35 people, not a quiet sailing expedition. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and the catamaran may motor rather than sail.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphin watching comes first, with time spent searching the waters around Jandía for dolphins, pilot whales, and other marine life.
• The swim stop lasts about 30 minutes, with life jackets available for adults and children who want extra support.
• Lunch is included, usually Mozarabic chicken with rice and vegetables, served after the swim.
• The open bar includes beer, wine, water, and soft drinks, making the $91 price easier to justify.
• Music and dancing are part of the mood, especially on the return to Morro Jable.
• Pickup is optional from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable.

Setting out from Morro Jable on the Magic Select

Your boat is the Magic Select, a modern 23-meter catamaran departing from Morro Jable harbour. You should arrive at the port 30 minutes before departure if you are making your own way there. The meeting point is at the port, not necessarily at a separate excursion desk, so give yourself time to find the boat.

The catamaran offers more room than a small sightseeing boat. You can sit with your group, stretch out, move around, or find a spot to watch the water from the front and sides. The exact space available depends on the number of people aboard, but the boat is designed for a social half-day outing rather than a private charter.

A short safety briefing comes before departure. The crew speaks English, Spanish, German, and French, which helps when instructions are given for the swim stop or when the captain explains what you are seeing.

The tone is relaxed and informal. Crew members such as Aaron, Feli, Juani, and Elisa have been praised for keeping people involved, explaining the trip clearly, and helping anyone who feels unwell. Names and staff combinations can change, but the role is the same: serve drinks, explain the route, watch for marine life, and keep the atmosphere moving.

Watching dolphins and pilot whales near Jandía

The first major part of the outing is marine-life watching, scheduled for about an hour and a half. The boat heads along the southern coast and searches for dolphins and whales found in the Canary Islands. More than 29 marine mammal species have been identified in the islands, but no crew can promise a sighting on a particular day.

That distinction matters. You are paying for a boat trip through an area where dolphins and pilot whales live, not for a guaranteed wildlife show. Some outings produce close dolphin encounters, pods swimming beside the catamaran, pilot whales, or even flying fish. On other days, the sea may offer only open water and coastal views.

The crew makes the search more worthwhile by keeping watch and explaining what appears. Captain Juani, for example, has shared information about dolphin species and their behavior, adding context to a sighting instead of simply pointing toward the water. You should bring patience, since animals may appear suddenly and vanish just as fast.

The catamaran may spend time looking for wildlife rather than following a strict sightseeing route. That can mean less time visiting different coastal points, but it gives you a better chance to focus on the sea. If seeing dolphins is your only reason for booking, keep your expectations sensible.

The south coast itself is part of the appeal. From the water, you see Fuerteventura’s volcanic shore from a different angle, with wide views that are hard to get from the road. The boat does not travel far from the port area, so this is not a full-island coastal cruise. It is a focused outing around the waters of Jandía.

A 30-minute swim in the water off Jandía

After the wildlife search, the captain changes course for a swimming stop near Jandía. The boat anchors or pauses in a suitable area, and you get around 30 minutes to swim from the catamaran.

The water can feel cold, particularly outside the hottest months. That has not stopped people from enjoying the stop, but you should not feel pressured to get in. You can stay aboard, take photographs, watch the swimmers, or enjoy another drink while the boat rests on the water.

Currents and tide can affect the swim. One useful practical point is to take care when moving away from the boat and to follow the crew’s instructions. Life jackets are available for adults and children who want extra confidence.

This is a proper swim break, not a beach visit. You do not go ashore, and there is no sandy beach stop. If you want time on land, this trip will not provide it. If you like the idea of jumping into clear coastal water without giving up your seat, towel, or lunch on a boat, it fits well.

Bring swimwear under your clothes and a towel. The supplied information does not specify changing facilities, so it is wise to plan for a simple boat-based change rather than expect a full changing room.

Lunch, cold drinks, and a lively return ride

Lunch follows the swim and takes about an hour. The usual meal is Mozarabic chicken with rice and vegetables in a sauce. Portions have been described as generous, and the dish gives you something warm and filling after time in the water.

Food quality can be subjective. Most of the available feedback about the meal is positive, but one comment found it less impressive. This is prepared group catering, not a restaurant meal, so you should book it as a convenient lunch served at sea rather than a food-focused excursion.

The open bar is one of the clearest value points. Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. This can make a real difference at a resort, where buying drinks separately during a four-hour outing quickly adds up.

The choice is not perfect for everyone. If you do not drink alcohol and dislike sweet fizzy drinks, you may wish for more adult nonalcoholic options such as sparkling water. Still, water is included, and you can avoid alcohol without paying extra.

Music usually plays during the cruise, with a friendly party atmosphere on the way back to Morro Jable. The crew may encourage dancing, and some outings include passengers taking a turn at the wheel under supervision. That depends on the captain and conditions, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a promised part of the schedule.

If you want quiet, bring realistic expectations. The boat is not silent, and the music is part of the product. The selection has been described as broadly familiar and suitable for mixed ages, but a busy group setting will not suit everyone.

Is this really a sailing trip?

The name and catamaran setting suggest a traditional sailing experience, but you should not assume the sails will carry you for the whole route. Weather, passenger numbers, and sea conditions can make sailing impractical. The boat may motor for much of the trip.

That is not a safety concern. It simply changes the character of the outing. You get a steady ride, more time to search for marine life, and a predictable route, but less of the quiet glide that sailing enthusiasts may want.

I would choose this trip for the sea day atmosphere, wildlife search, swim, lunch, and drinks. I would not choose it mainly to learn about sailing or to spend hours under sail power. The difference is important when comparing it with a smaller sailing charter.

The large catamaran also has a practical advantage. It gives you more room and a steadier platform than a small boat may provide, although anyone prone to seasickness should still prepare carefully. One person who became unwell received help from the crew, but motion at sea remains a possibility.

Pickup, meeting points, and the $91 price

The listed price is $91 per person. For four hours, the catamaran ride, wildlife search, swim stop, lunch, open bar, and optional resort transport are all part of the package. At that level, I consider it good value if you expect to have several drinks and want a simple half-day plan with food included.

The value is less obvious if you do not drink, skip lunch, or prefer a small and quiet boat. In that case, you are paying partly for the group atmosphere and onboard service, not just the time on the water.

Pickup is available from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Morro Jable, and Jandía. It is not available from every hotel, but the designated pickup points are intended to be within about a five-minute walk of the resorts’ hotels. Your pickup time is sent after booking, so check your email, including the spam folder.

If you are staying outside those areas, transport is not included. You can drive to Morro Jable, where parking and finding the boat have been described as straightforward, or arrange your own transport. Anyone using the port meeting option should arrive 30 minutes early.

The trip lasts four hours, but the schedule can shift with sea conditions and wildlife. The usual shape is safety briefing, about 90 minutes of wildlife watching, a 30-minute swim, an hour for lunch, and roughly an hour of sailing or cruising back.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups who want a social day on the water without organizing separate meals or drinks. Children can join the swim, and life jackets are available, although you should supervise young swimmers closely.

It also works well for a birthday, honeymoon, engagement, or relaxed holiday celebration. The crew makes an effort to include people, and the combination of music, food, and open drinks gives the trip a festive feel without requiring you to plan anything once aboard.

You may prefer another excursion if you want a private boat, a silent sail, a long coastal route, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. You may also want to skip it if you strongly dislike group activities, music, or the possibility of cold water.

The boat is especially appealing if your hotel is in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, or Morro Jable, since pickup keeps the day simple. If you are staying in El Cotillo or elsewhere, the drive to Morro Jable becomes part of the calculation.

Should you book the Magic Catamaran trip?

Book this trip if you want a well-priced four-hour outing built around dolphins, a swim, lunch, and drinks. The strongest reasons are the helpful crew, generous inclusions, and the chance to see dolphins or pilot whales in open water. The trip can feel like a small party at sea, especially on the ride home.

Skip it if your idea of a catamaran trip means quiet sailing, a tiny group, or a long journey along the coast. Wildlife sightings are luck, and the boat may motor rather than sail.

For most people staying in southern Fuerteventura, I think the $91 price is fair. Go for the sea views and the complete half-day experience, with dolphins as a welcome bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the Magic Catamaran trip depart from?

The catamaran departs from Morro Jable port in southern Fuerteventura.

How early should I arrive at the port?

If you are not using pickup, arrive at Morro Jable port 30 minutes before the trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available if you select that option. It covers selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable.

Can pickup be arranged from every hotel?

No. Pickup is offered from selected points, generally within about a five-minute walk of hotels in the covered resort areas.

How long does the trip last?

The catamaran trip lasts four hours.

What food is served onboard?

Lunch usually consists of Mozarabic chicken, rice, and vegetables.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes wine, beer, water, and soft drinks.

Is dolphin or whale watching guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings depend on wildlife and sea conditions.

Can I swim from the catamaran?

Yes. The boat makes a swimming stop near Jandía for about 30 minutes. Life jackets are available for adults and children.