Fuerteventura: Small-Group Magic Deluxe Catamaran Cruise

The best part of the Magic Deluxe cruise is the feeling of space: you sail close to Fuerteventura’s southern coast, then stretch out on a modern 15-metre catamaran with a drink in hand. The small group, often around 12 people, makes this feel calmer than a large party boat.

I especially like the open bar and the proper hot lunch, which make the $117 price easier to justify. I also like the chance to swim near Jandía, with dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, and even a stingray sometimes appearing along the route.

The main thing to consider is that wildlife is never promised, and the boat may spend much of the trip in the same coastal area. Some passengers have also found the beef meal limited or served later than expected.

Key points before you book

• A 15-metre Lagoon 450S: The Magic Deluxe has three cabins, three bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, lounge, and several outdoor places to sit.
• Small-group sailing: The boat usually carries about 12 people, although your transfer to the port may arrive by full-size coach before the group is split.
• Jandía swim stop: You can get into the Atlantic, sunbathe, and relax near one of southern Fuerteventura’s best-known coastal areas.
• Chef-prepared meal and drinks: The listed menu includes Mediterranean couscous with roasted vegetables and tzatziki, followed by beef with mushroom sauce and confit potatoes.
• Wildlife watching: Dolphins and pilot whales are possible, with turtles, flying fish, and stingrays also seen on some trips.
• Port timing matters: Without pickup, meet the boat at Morro Jable port 30 minutes before departure.

Sailing the volcanic coast from Morro Jable

Your day begins at Morro Jable port, unless you have arranged pickup from a selected point in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, or Morro Jable. If you make your own way there, arrive 30 minutes early and look for the Magic Deluxe.

That extra time matters. The operator uses pickup points rather than every individual hotel, and some are a short walk from nearby accommodations. If you select transport, your pickup time arrives by email, usually within about 12 hours of booking. Check your junk folder if you do not see it.

The cruise itself lasts four hours. Once aboard, the boat heads along the southern coast, sailing just a few metres from beaches and volcanic rock formations. From the deck, you get a different view of Fuerteventura than you do from the road: pale beaches, dark volcanic stone, and the broad Atlantic all share the scene.

The route is less about ticking off many separate stops and more about giving you time on the water. That is good news if you want a restful half-day, not such good news if you expect a fast-moving sightseeing tour with a new attraction every 20 minutes.

What the Magic Deluxe is like on board

The boat is a Lagoon 450S catamaran, newly built when the experience was introduced. Its 15-metre frame gives you a stable platform with more room than a typical small sailing boat.

You can move around the catamaran rather than staying fixed in one seat. The vessel has three cabins and three bathrooms, along with a kitchen, dining area, lounge, and outdoor decks. One of the pleasures here is simply finding your preferred spot: forward near the nets, in the open air, or in a more sheltered seating area.

The front nets are especially useful for wildlife watching and photographs. You can sit close to the water and watch the sea pass beneath you. A few people have managed to photograph dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and a stingray from the boat, though you should treat those sightings as luck rather than part of the promised schedule.

The crew typically includes a captain and host. Names reported on different departures include Alex, his brother, Karolina, Eloy, José, Cristina, Andrés, Fred, Vincent, Majdi, Laura, Miguel, Luis, Itziar, and Carolina. The crew changes, but the service pattern is fairly clear: drinks are offered throughout, the staff keep an eye on the group, and the mood tends to be friendly rather than formal.

Several crew members have also handled birthdays and special occasions well. If you are booking this for a partner’s birthday or a similar celebration, tell the operator in advance, though no special arrangement is guaranteed in the supplied details.

Jandía swimming time and Atlantic conditions

Near the Jandía natural park and beach, the boat enters calmer coastal waters for the swimming part of the trip. You can jump or climb into the Atlantic, then return to the deck for sunbathing and drinks.

Some people describe the water as comfortable rather than bitterly cold, but conditions vary. Fuerteventura is windy, and the sea can move enough to affect how much you enjoy the swim. If you are prone to seasickness, take suitable travel medicine before boarding. One passenger specifically advised doing this, and it is sensible advice for any open-water trip.

The swim stop is a strong part of the experience because it breaks up the sailing. You are not just watching the coast from a seat. You get time to cool off, float, and enjoy the open setting. Still, do not expect a lagoon-style anchorage every time. One departure stayed in the same general area and left a passenger wishing for a more scenic swimming spot.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and something to protect your phone. The boat has bathrooms, but the provided information does not confirm changing-room facilities, so it is best to wear swimwear under your clothes.

Wildlife watching: exciting, but never guaranteed

The southern waters around Fuerteventura can be rewarding for wildlife watching. Dolphins have appeared alongside the boat, under the front nets, and in larger groups. One sighting involved an estimated 10 to 20 dolphins swimming beside the catamaran, while other trips included pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, and a stingray.

Whales and dolphins are not guaranteed. One departure saw a whale and turtle but no dolphins, while another stayed near the coast without a wildlife sighting. The crew may respond quickly when another boat reports animals nearby, but nature sets the timetable.

This is why I would not book the Magic Deluxe solely as a dolphin tour. Book it for the sailing, swim, food, and relaxed boat time. If dolphins appear, they become a superb bonus rather than the only reason the day succeeds.

The front deck gives you a good place to watch, but keep your eyes moving. Wildlife may appear beside the hull, farther out, or under the forward nets. A camera with a wrist strap is useful, but do not spend the whole cruise staring through a screen.

Lunch, open bar, and the deluxe claim

The food is one of the reasons this cruise costs more than a basic boat ride. The planned menu begins with Mediterranean couscous, roasted vegetables, and tzatziki. The main course is roast beef loin with aromatic herbs, mushroom sauce, and confit potatoes.

Many people have found the meal tasty, plentiful, and surprisingly good for food prepared aboard a catamaran. Vegetarian and vegan needs have been accommodated on some departures, but you should state your dietary requirements when booking rather than assume a suitable meal will appear.

The food is not perfect for everyone. Some passengers found the beef overcooked, the serving small, and the lack of bread, salad, or dessert disappointing. Another practical issue is timing: one lunch was served around 5:30 p.m., which felt late for a midday meal. The exact meal time can depend on the departure schedule and sailing conditions.

The open bar adds real value. Included drinks are cava or Prosecco, white and rosé wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Some crews also serve honey rum shots, which have become a popular extra touch. You do not need to keep buying drinks once aboard, so the price is easier to judge than a cheaper cruise where every beverage costs more.

Still, drink responsibly. The Atlantic, wind, and boat movement are not a great combination if you overdo it. Water is included, and you should use it.

Is $117 a fair price?

At $117 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Fuerteventura. You are paying for a four-hour sailing trip, a small group, a modern catamaran, an open bar, a prepared lunch, and optional resort transfers.

The value improves if you use the included drinks and appreciate a quieter setting. A basic boat excursion may give you similar coastal views, but the Magic Deluxe offers more room, fewer passengers, and a proper meal. The catamaran’s cabins and bathrooms also make it more comfortable than a simple open-deck vessel.

The price is less convincing if you want a long route, several swim stops, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The boat may remain in one coastal area, the meal can be uneven, and the main course does not include dessert. You should see this as a polished half-day sailing experience, not a full-day luxury yacht charter.

For couples, the price can work well for a special holiday day. Families may also like the swimming, drinks, wildlife possibilities, and room to move around, although younger children should be comfortable around open water. The trip also suits solo visitors and older passengers who prefer a smaller group and easy onboard access to bathrooms.

Pickup, meeting point, and timing details

Pickup is offered from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. It is not available from every hotel. The chosen pickup points are generally within a five-minute walk of the hotels they serve.

If you do not need transport, go directly to Morro Jable port 30 minutes before departure. The boat is called Magic Deluxe, and the meeting location is at the Morro Jable marina.

One useful detail is that a full coach may arrive at the port even though the cruise itself is small-group. You are then split into smaller groups for the boats. This can look confusing at first, but it does not mean you will spend the sailing with everyone from the coach.

The operator provides service in English, Spanish, and German. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times for your date, since the schedule is not fixed in the information provided.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

You are a good match for the Magic Deluxe if you want a relaxed day on the Atlantic with a little sightseeing, a swim, food, and drinks. It is particularly appealing if you value a smaller group and do not want to spend four hours on a crowded party boat.

I would recommend it for:

• Couples looking for a scenic half-day outing
• Families who want swimming and wildlife possibilities
• Visitors staying in southern Fuerteventura resorts
• Anyone who enjoys taking photographs from the water
• People who prefer a hosted experience with food and drinks included
• Visitors celebrating a birthday or special occasion

I would be more cautious if you get seasick, need a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or want a varied route with many different stops. You should also ask about dietary arrangements if you do not eat beef or require a fully plant-based meal.

Should you book the Magic Deluxe?

Yes, if you want a comfortable, social, small-group sailing trip with an open bar and lunch built into the price. The strongest parts are the modern catamaran, attentive crew, swimming near Jandía, and the chance of seeing dolphins or pilot whales close to the boat.

Go in with realistic expectations. The route may be fairly local, wildlife may not appear, and the food can range from excellent to merely adequate depending on the day. For me, the experience makes the most sense as a relaxed four-hour escape from the resort, not as a guaranteed whale-watching expedition.

If you are staying near Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, or Morro Jable, the optional pickup keeps the logistics simple. If you can accept the natural limits of the sea and like the sound of open-air sailing with lunch and drinks, $117 is a reasonable price for a memorable half-day.

FAQ

How long is the Magic Deluxe catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

The Magic Deluxe departs from Morro Jable port in southern Fuerteventura.

How early should I arrive at Morro Jable port?

If you are not using pickup, meet the catamaran at the port 30 minutes before the trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is optional and is offered from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. It is not available from every hotel.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes Prosecco or cava, white and rosé wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.

What food is served?

The planned menu includes Mediterranean couscous with roasted vegetables and tzatziki, followed by roast beef loin with aromatic herbs, mushroom sauce, and confit potatoes.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The boat stops near Jandía, where you can swim in the Atlantic and relax on the catamaran.

Will I definitely see dolphins or whales?

No. Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, and stingrays have been seen, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What languages are spoken by the crew?

The host or greeter service is available in English, Spanish, and German.