3h Boat Trip + Snorkeling in Puerto de Mogan

The best part of this three-hour boat trip from Puerto de Mogán is the mix of open-sea scenery and a quiet snorkeling stop that can only be reached by boat. Marta and Ruben take you along the cliffs toward Tasarte, then anchor at El Perchel, where clear water and plenty of marine life make the swimming feel worthwhile.

I like the generous food and drink service, especially the Canarian potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and sangria. I also like the small-group feel: the boat holds no more than 25 people, and the crew keeps the pace relaxed rather than packing every minute with activities.

The main thing to consider is the sea. The ride can be choppy on the way out and back, and you must swim from the boat to reach El Perchel. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can stay onboard, but the snorkeling part will not be the same experience.

Key things to know before booking

• El Perchel is reached by swimming: There is no walkway from the boat to the beach, so you need to enter the water to reach the cove.
• Marta and Ruben run the trip: Their friendly, personal hosting is a major part of the experience, with useful information about the coast, geology, fish, and local history.
• Lunch and an open bar are included: Expect Canarian potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, fresh food, and drinks, including the sangria praised by many people on the trip.
• The boat is capped at 25 people: That gives you more room than many large coastal excursions, with seating inside and padded areas on the upper deck.
• Photos cost nothing extra: The crew takes pictures during the trip and sends them afterward. Drone images and film are offered during snorkeling when the weather allows.
• Friday needs extra planning: Puerto de Mogán’s market closes car access to the port area, so contact the operator for parking advice if your trip falls on a Friday.

Leaving Puerto de Mogán for Gran Canaria’s southwest coast

The meeting point is at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, in Puerto de Mogán, with departure scheduled for 10:00 am. You make your own way there, since transport to and from the port is not included. The boat returns to the same place after roughly three hours.

Puerto de Mogán is easy to pair with the excursion. You can arrive early, find the jetty, and have time to get oriented before boarding. If you are driving on a Friday, take the market warning seriously. Car access to the port is restricted on market day, and parking instructions may require direct contact with Yellow Boat Mogan.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. It has indoor seating, an upper deck, and padded areas where you can dry off after swimming. With a maximum of 25 people, you should have enough room to move around without feeling packed shoulder to shoulder. The exact number onboard can vary, since the trip needs at least 10 people to operate.

Marta and Ruben host the outing as a couple, and that gives it a personal tone from the start. They explain what you are seeing, help first-time snorkelers with the equipment, and keep an eye on people in the water. Several families also found that children could enjoy the boat even if they did not want to swim.

Cliffs, caves, and the coast toward Tasarte

Once underway, the boat follows Gran Canaria’s wild southwest coast from Puerto de Mogán toward Tasarte. The main attraction here is the view from the water. High cliffs, rocky formations, sea caves, and folds in the coastline look different from the road or a beach promenade.

This is not a fast sightseeing cruise with a long list of formal stops. The value comes from seeing a less accessible stretch of the island at a comfortable pace. Marta and Ruben provide information about the coast, marine life, geology, and local history, so the ride has more substance than simply taking pictures from the rail.

Bring something for motion discomfort if you are prone to seasickness. The route can be wavy on the way out and back, and the boat’s open position gives you plenty of fresh air but does not remove the movement of the sea. A calm day will make the ride more comfortable, and it also gives the best chance of receiving drone footage.

The crew takes photos throughout the cruise. This is useful if you want pictures of your group without handing your phone to another person or missing the scenery while taking your own. The photos are sent after the trip, according to the information provided by the operator and the experience details.

El Perchel, a snorkeling stop reached only from the boat

The main stop is El Perchel, a small protected cove with no normal land access from the excursion boat. You cannot simply walk from the deck onto the beach. You must swim across to reach the shore, so this is the point where you should judge your comfort level honestly.

The snorkeling equipment is included, with standard masks, fins, and full-face masks available according to the details provided in the experience information and reports from the trip. Floating aids such as noodles are also available, and the crew gives practical guidance before people enter the water.

The cove is valued for its marine life. You might see many small fish, an octopus, a stingray, flying fish, or other creatures in the clear water. The exact sightings depend on conditions and luck, but the stop allows enough time to look around rather than making snorkeling a rushed ten-minute add-on.

One paddle board is included as another way to enjoy the stop. It can be useful for someone who wants to stay active on the water without snorkeling, and children or older family members may prefer watching from the boat or using the board. The crew has also been praised for helping first-time swimmers feel more at ease.

Still, this is not a fully shore-based beach visit. If you do not swim, you can remain on the boat, relax on the upper deck, and enjoy the views, but you will miss the central water activity. Parents should also remember that the tour is family-friendly, not a substitute for close supervision around the sea.

Canarian lunch, tapas, and an open bar onboard

Food is served during the trip, with Canarian potatoes and mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and other fresh food included. The meal is simple rather than formal, which suits a boat outing. You can eat, chat, and dry off without interrupting the day for a restaurant stop.

The food is also vegetarian-friendly. That matters if you are booking for a mixed group, since the meal is not built around meat or fish. The operator describes the excursion as vegetarian-friendly, but you should still contact them directly about any specific dietary need not covered by the available information.

Drinks are included through an open bar. The provided details specify unlimited drinks, while descriptions of the experience include sangria and soft drinks. This can add real value to the price, especially because you do not need to carry refreshments or pay separately for every drink onboard.

The best rhythm is usually to snorkel first, then eat and drink while drying in the sun. The upper deck has padded areas, and the boat gives you places to sit inside if you want shade or a break from the wind. Towels are not included, so pack your own and bring dry clothing for the ride back.

The boat is smoke-free, another practical advantage for families and anyone sensitive to cigarette smoke. The atmosphere is social, but the small capacity keeps it from feeling like a loud party cruise.

Photos, drone footage, and the small extras

The included photography is more useful than it may first sound. Snorkeling trips often leave you with wet hands, fogged masks, and no good way to photograph the people in your group. Here, the crew takes pictures during the cruise and water stop, then sends them for you to download afterward.

Drone footage is taken during snorkeling when the weather permits. This is weather-dependent, so you should treat it as a bonus rather than a guaranteed product. Wind, cloud, or sea conditions can prevent the drone from flying, and underwater action is not necessarily captured in detail.

That limitation is worth noting if you are booking mainly for video. The included aerial material can provide a fun record of your group and the cove, but it may not replace an underwater camera. If photographing fish is your priority, bring a waterproof camera or case if you have one.

The photos also give the crew a way to add personal attention to the trip. Marta and Ruben take pictures for couples, families, and groups, and the service is included rather than sold as an extra package. That makes the experience feel less transactional.

How the value compares at $71.35

At $71.35 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Gran Canaria. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: roughly three hours at sea, the coastal cruise, snorkeling equipment, an open bar, lunch, one paddle board, crew-led instruction, photography, and possible drone footage.

You are also paying for a smaller boat rather than a high-capacity excursion. A maximum of 25 people gives you more room and makes it easier for the crew to help with masks, fins, floating aids, and water safety. For a family or couple that values a relaxed setting, that can matter more than saving a few euros.

The meal is not a full restaurant lunch, and the drone service depends on weather. You should not book this expecting a private charter or a guaranteed underwater film. The value comes from combining several modest extras into one easy morning.

I consider it strongest for people who want a social outing with a personal touch. If you only want a short transfer to a snorkeling beach, there may be simpler options. If you want scenery, swimming, food, drinks, photos, and friendly hosting in one package, the price is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This excursion suits couples, families, and groups of friends who want a half-day on the sea without committing to a full-day boat program. It also works well for first-time snorkelers because equipment and basic guidance are provided.

Children can enjoy the boat, the upper deck, the food, and the views even if they choose not to enter the water. The tour is described as family-friendly, and the crew has equipment suitable for younger participants. You remain responsible for judging whether your child is ready for the sea and for supervising them.

Confident swimmers will get the most from El Perchel because reaching the cove requires swimming. Less confident swimmers can use floating aids or stay onboard, but you should understand that the stop is built around water access rather than a simple walk onto the beach.

This is also a good choice for vegetarians and for anyone who prefers a smoke-free boat. It is less suitable for people who become uncomfortable in choppy water, dislike open-bar social settings, or want a guaranteed underwater photography session.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The excursion starts at 10:00 am and lasts about three hours. That leaves much of the afternoon free for Puerto de Mogán, a meal, or another island activity.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The operator also needs a minimum of 10 people, so a cancellation is possible if that number is not reached, with a new date, another experience, or a full refund offered.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Gran Canaria.

Should you book the Yellow Boat Mogan excursion?

I would book this trip if you want a friendly, small-boat morning with good food, plenty of drinks, and a real chance to see fish at a quiet cove. Marta and Ruben’s personal hosting, the included photos, and the generous onboard extras give it more character than a basic coastal ride.

Before booking, ask yourself two questions: can you handle a potentially choppy sea, and are you comfortable swimming from the boat to El Perchel? If the answer is yes, the trip offers strong value at $71.35. If not, you can still enjoy the cruise, but you should book it for the cliffs, food, and company rather than the snorkeling.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

It departs from C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, 35139 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain, in Puerto de Mogán.

What time does the excursion start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Does the boat return to Puerto de Mogán?

Yes. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Can I reach El Perchel without swimming?

No. The beach is reached from the boat by swimming, and there is no walking access from the boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Included food consists of Canarian potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and fresh food. Vegetarian food is available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks are included through an open bar.

Are towels included?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

Are photos and drone footage included?

Photos taken during the boat trip are included. Drone film and photos during snorkeling are included only when weather conditions allow.