Gran Canaria: Afternoon Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drink

The best part of this Afrikat catamaran cruise is the mix of easy afternoon sailing and active fun. You’ll pass cliffs, coves, and the fishing village of Mogán, then stop in a clear-water bay for swimming and snorkeling. I like that the crew serves the meal rather than handing you a box, and that basic drinks keep flowing throughout the cruise.

I also like the choice you get once the boat stops. You can stretch out on a sun cushion, join the speedboat ride, or pay for a jet ski, parasail, or donut ride. The main drawback is that the upper deck can feel crowded in bright weather, and water sports may not operate every day.

Key points to know before booking

• A 4.5-hour afternoon on the southwest coast: You get a proper half-day at sea, not a quick harbor trip.
• Swimming and snorkeling are built into the day: Equipment is available, so you can use the stop without bringing your own mask.
• Food and standard drinks are included: Expect a chicken wrap, pasta salad, beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• Paid water sports add a second cost: Jet skis cost €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, donut rides €10 per person, and the captain-led speedboat ride €5 per person.
• The crew is part of the entertainment: Potter is known for a lively approach, while Ashleigh has provided saxophone music on some return trips.
• Transport is limited to certain resort areas: Pickup is available from central points in several southern resorts, but not from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico.

Setting out from Puerto Rico toward Mogán

The cruise begins at Puerto Rico, on Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. If you arrange pickup, the service covers central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

You cannot count on hotel pickup everywhere. Puerto Rico itself is not included in the pickup list, so if you are staying there, you need to reach the harbor directly and check in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure. The same applies to visitors coming from Las Palmas, Salobre, or Mogán. Check the exact meeting point when booking rather than assuming a resort shuttle will collect you.

Once aboard, the appeal is simple: sit back, take in the coast, and let the boat do the work. The route follows the southwest shoreline, where cliffs and small coves give the cruise its sense of place. The fishing village of Mogán is one of the main coastal sights as the boat moves along the water.

This is not a sightseeing cruise packed with formal commentary. It is better suited to you if you want sea views, sun, food, and time in the water without a tightly scripted tour. The English and Spanish speaking hosts help with the practical side, while the mood leans social and relaxed.

Cruising the cliffs and coves

The first part of the trip gives you time to settle into the boat. You can claim a comfortable sun cushion, find a shaded spot if one is available, or head to the deck for a better view of the coast.

The scenery is the real reason to keep looking up from your drink. The southwest coast is known for steep rock faces, small inlets, and resort towns tucked along the shore. From the water, the coast feels less built-up than it does from the main roads, although this is still a popular excursion rather than a quiet private sail.

That distinction matters. Afrikat is a social catamaran with room for a crowd, and the atmosphere can become lively. One booking described the sun deck as a little cramped, especially in the heat. I would board with the expectation of a friendly group setting, not a silent sailing retreat.

The crew helps keep the mood moving. Potter is named often as a funny, energetic presence, and the staff generally handle the food, drinks, and water activities with a welcoming style. On some departures, saxophone player Ashleigh has provided music on the way back to harbor. That live-music touch can turn the return leg into more of a party than a scenic cruise.

Anchoring in a clear-water bay

The main stop comes when the catamaran anchors in a bay for swimming and snorkeling. This is the point where the cruise changes from coastal sightseeing to a proper beach-free water day.

You can climb into the water for a swim or use the supplied snorkeling equipment to look for marine life. The water is described as crystal clear, but conditions can still vary with weather and sea movement. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A waterproof phone case is sensible if you want pictures from the water, although it is not listed as an included item.

The swimming stop works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can stay near the boat, and someone else can remain on deck with a drink. You do not have to take part in every activity. That freedom is one of the cruise’s better features, especially if your group includes different ages or different ideas of fun.

You should also pay attention to the crew’s instructions before entering the water. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but anyone with mobility needs should tell the provider after booking so proper arrangements can be made. Water access can be more demanding than simply boarding the catamaran, so it is worth clarifying what you will be able to do before the day begins.

Choosing between snorkeling and paid water sports

The included snorkeling is the calm option. The paid activities are for people who want more noise, speed, and action.

Current listed prices are:

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

The donut ride is a good low-cost choice if you want a brief thrill without committing to the price of a jet ski. A jet ski makes more sense if you want to control the ride yourself. Parasailing gives you a different view of the coast, but at €32 per person, it is a larger addition to the day’s cost.

Bring extra money or a bank card. Card and Apple Pay have been accepted for activities on some trips, but you should not rely on that without checking current arrangements. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are also extra, so the included drinks are not a full open bar.

There is one important practical warning: water sports may not be available on every departure. The outside company providing them may stop operating for the day, and that information is not always known until the cruise is underway. If a jet ski or parasail is the main reason you want to book, confirm availability before paying, and treat the activities as optional rather than guaranteed.

What you actually eat and drink

The meal is served by the crew and includes a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce, along with pasta salad. The wrap ingredients can be adjusted to suit your preference, but special dietary requirements must be shared when booking.

This is practical boat food, not a long restaurant lunch. It should give you something substantial during a half-day on the water, while the pasta salad adds an easy side dish. If you have a serious allergy or a strict diet, do not wait until boarding to mention it. Tell the provider in advance so they can advise you properly.

Included drinks are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. That makes the $91 price easier to assess, since you are not paying separately for every basic drink during four and a half hours aboard. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included, despite the broader party atmosphere sometimes associated with the cruise.

You also receive a reusable drinking glass as a small souvenir. It is not a major reason to book, but it is more useful than a disposable trinket and fits the practical feel of the excursion.

How the atmosphere changes on the return trip

The outward journey tends to be about views and settling in. After the swimming stop, the boat ride back can become more social, especially if music is scheduled.

Ashleigh’s saxophone performances have been a highlight on some trips, and the combination of live music, drinks, and open sea gives the return a festive feel. You may enjoy that a lot if you want a holiday party on the water. If you prefer quiet, choose a less central seat and spend more time watching the coast from the side of the boat.

The crew’s humor is another major part of the experience. Potter, in particular, has been singled out for making the day feel personal and fun. That kind of hosting can make a shared boat trip feel less mechanical, but it also means this is not the right choice if you want an understated, private outing.

The deck may feel crowded at busy points. A smart move is to avoid leaving your preferred seating area for too long if the sun deck matters to you. At the same time, do not spend the whole day guarding a cushion. The water stop and the views are the main reasons you are here.

Is $91 good value for Gran Canaria?

At $91 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. The value depends on how much of the included package you will use.

You are paying for a 4.5-hour catamaran cruise, transport from selected resort areas, the meal, unlimited standard drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the coastal route. If you would normally buy lunch and several drinks during a boat outing, the price becomes more reasonable. The included swimming stop also saves you from booking a separate beach or snorkeling activity.

The value is weaker if you plan to sit quietly for a short time and do not drink beer, sangria, or soft drinks. It can also rise quickly if you add several water sports. A couple choosing jet skis, parasailing, and a donut ride could spend considerably more than the original fare.

I would compare this with the cost of a shorter boat trip plus lunch and drinks. Afrikat makes the most sense for you if you want a full afternoon with several choices built into one outing. It is less compelling if your priority is a small boat, solitude, or a strictly sightseeing-focused route.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This activity suits families, couples, and groups of friends who want different things from the same afternoon. Children and adults can swim, while anyone who prefers to stay dry can enjoy the food, music, and coastline from the deck. The activity is listed as suitable for all ages.

It is especially good for you if you enjoy a lively crew and a social holiday atmosphere. The combination of swimming, optional thrill rides, unlimited standard drinks, and music gives it a broad appeal.

You should think twice if you dislike crowds, strong sun, or add-on pricing. The upper deck may feel packed, and some of the most exciting activities cost extra. This is also not ideal if you need every part of a water-sports schedule guaranteed in advance.

The wheelchair-accessible status is useful, but access to the sea and activity equipment can involve different practical limits. Tell Afrikat about any mobility impairment after booking, rather than relying only on the general accessibility label.

Practical advice for a smoother afternoon

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. You will want a secure place for personal items, although the provided information does not specify storage arrangements, so avoid bringing anything you would hate to lose or damage.

Carry a card or extra cash for water sports, photos, souvenirs, and drinks not covered by the package. If you want a parasail or jet ski, ask about availability before the boat leaves.

If you are picked up from a resort, confirm the central meeting point and pickup time. If you are going directly to Puerto Rico, arrive at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure.

The cancellation policy is forgiving: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule depends on weather or other plans.

Should you book the Afrikat catamaran cruise?

I would book this if you want a social half-day at sea with a clear swimming stop, reliable food and drinks, and the option to add some fast-paced fun. The crew, especially Potter, is a big part of the appeal, and live saxophone music from Ashleigh can make the return trip memorable.

I would skip it if you want a quiet sail, a small group, or guaranteed water sports. Before booking, check pickup details, tell the provider about dietary or mobility needs, and confirm which paid activities are running that day. For the right kind of afternoon, $91 buys a lot of time, food, drinks, and choice.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts 4.5 hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

The direct meeting point is the Afrikat desk at Puerto Rico, Calle Puerto Base, S/N, 35130. You must check in there at least 20 minutes before departure if you are not using pickup.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura. Pickup is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes a chicken wrap with optional bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce, plus pasta salad. Included drinks are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails, wine, and spirits cost extra.

Are snorkeling equipment and water sports included?

Snorkeling equipment is included. Jet skis, parasailing, donut rides, and the captain-led speedboat ride cost extra. Water sports may not operate on every departure.

Can people with disabilities join the cruise?

The activity is wheelchair accessible. Tell the provider about any mobility impairments after booking so proper arrangements can be made.