Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Gran Canaria catamaran trip is its easy mix of sea time, water sports, and a proper meal. You cruise from Puerto Rico toward Mogán and the wilder southwest coast, stopping twice for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding before returning.

I like the small-group feel, with space to sit in the shade or stretch out on the sun deck. I also like the unusually generous drinks package: beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are available throughout. The main consideration is that the water-sports gear is shared, and the ride may feel too short if you want a full day at sea.

Quick take: what makes this cruise worth considering

• Two swim stops: The first is aimed at snorkeling and water sports, while the second pairs another chance to swim with the meal.
• Fresh Canarian-style lunch: Morning departures serve tuna or chicken with salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce.
• A comfortable boat: You get shaded seating, open deck space, and room to sunbathe without the cramped feel of a large excursion boat.
• Pickup from southern resorts: Transport is included from the south of Gran Canaria, with the exact pickup time confirmed after booking.
• Optional adrenaline: Jet skiing and parasailing may be arranged for an additional charge.
• Good value at $97: The price makes the most sense if you plan to enjoy the included drinks and water activities.

Setting out from Puerto Rico along the southwest coast

The day begins with pickup from hotels and accommodation areas in southern Gran Canaria. The provider confirms your exact time after booking, and pickup times vary by location, so check your email and spam folder. Several people have found the air-conditioned minibus punctual and convenient, which matters in a resort area where getting to the marina independently can add hassle.

From Puerto Rico, the catamaran heads along the southwest coast toward the coves around Mogán and beyond. This is a pleasant way to see the island from a different angle. Instead of looking inland at resort buildings and roads, you get cliffs, small beaches, rocky inlets, and open Atlantic views.

The boat is described as modern, clean, and spacious, with a shaded seating area and a sun deck. The group can be as small as roughly 18 people, though the exact number may vary. That size gives the outing a relaxed feel. You can find a place to sit, move between sun and shade, and avoid the packed-deck atmosphere common on cheaper party cruises.

The crew speaks English, Spanish, German, and French. Individual staff members praised in accounts of the trip include Callan, Raul, and Michelle, though the crew working your departure may be different. Their role is practical rather than theatrical: helping with equipment, serving drinks, and keeping the stops organized.

The first stop is for swimming, snorkeling, and shared water gear

The first major stop is usually in a sheltered bay outside Mogán. The catamaran anchors or pauses offshore, and you can enter the water using the steps at the back of the boat.

This is the active part of the cruise. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and tube. The water can be cool, even in warm weather, but it is refreshing once you are in. Fish have been spotted near the snorkeling area, and one outing even produced a sighting of a small hammerhead shark. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the clear water and rocky coast make the stop worthwhile even if your snorkeling session is brief.

You can also use the SUP boards and kayak. The gear is shared, not one set per person. One account specifically notes two paddleboards and one kayak, with people taking turns. That is enough for casual use, but not enough for everyone to paddle at once. If kayaking or paddleboarding is your main reason for booking, set your expectations accordingly.

You can also simply swim, float, or remain on deck. That choice is important for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another sunbathes, and children can use a flotation vest when available. The cruise does not force you into an activity schedule.

Additional jet-skiing and parasailing may be offered at extra cost. These are not included in the $97 price, and the boat may coordinate them through another operator. Ask about the current cost and timing before committing, especially if you want to keep enough time for swimming and lunch.

The second stop adds food, local flavor, and another swim

After continuing along the coast, the catamaran makes a second stop near Tasarte. The morning option includes a freshly prepared lunch, while the afternoon trip serves tapas-style snacks instead. Check the departure you book carefully, since the food offering changes with the time of day.

The morning meal has included tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes. The potatoes are a fitting local touch, usually served with mojo sauce. The meal has also been brought from a restaurant on the beach at Tasarte, sometimes transferred to the boat by kayak. That small detail makes the lunch feel connected to the coast rather than like a standard buffet unloaded from a tour bus.

Food portions are generally described as generous, with enough for the group. The menu is seasonal, though, so the exact dishes can change without notice. If you have dietary needs, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the listed meal will be altered.

The second stop is not only about eating. You can take another quick swim while lunch is being arranged, or remain aboard and enjoy the view. The first stop offers the longest period for water sports, while this later pause feels slower and more relaxed.

Afternoon departures are a good fit if you prefer a later start or want a lighter meal. Tapas will not be the same experience as the full tuna or chicken lunch, so morning trips offer stronger food value. If lunch is a key part of your decision, choose the morning sailing.

Included drinks make the $97 price easier to justify

The drinks package is one of the strongest parts of the deal. Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included and served throughout the cruise. A welcome glass of cava has also been offered on some departures.

At $97 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the ocean. The value improves quickly if you plan to have several included drinks, use the snorkeling equipment, and enjoy the meal. You are paying for the boat, transport, crew, food, and a 4.5-hour outing rather than just a short harbor ride.

The package is less compelling for non-drinkers who mainly want a quiet boat ride. Soft drinks and water are included, but cocktails are not. Wine is also not part of the standard formula, so a group that prefers white or rosé wine may find the alcohol selection limited. Sangria is the better choice if you want something beyond beer.

The drink service is attentive, but this is not presented as a wild party boat. The atmosphere is generally relaxed, with couples, families, and mixed-age groups sharing the deck. That balance suits people who want a social outing without loud entertainment taking over the day.

A half-day schedule that leaves room for the rest of Gran Canaria

The total duration is about 4.5 hours. That is long enough to include a proper coastal run, two water stops, lunch or tapas, and a steady return to Puerto Rico. It also leaves most of the day free for the beach, a hotel pool, or another activity.

Many people find the timing just right, especially if they are fitting the cruise into a short stay. Still, several departures have left people wishing they could remain aboard longer. The catamaran is comfortable enough that the return can feel early, particularly on a calm, sunny day.

The route is about relaxing rather than collecting a long list of sights. You will see coves and beaches from the water and reach less developed sections of the southwest coast. The crew may point out parts of the island, but detailed commentary is not the central feature. If you want a formal history or geology lesson, choose a dedicated sightseeing cruise instead.

For me, the strength of the schedule is the balance. You get enough time in the water to make the equipment useful, but you are not committing an entire day to one boat ride.

What the boat feels like in real use

A good catamaran can make or break this kind of excursion. Here, the available details point to a clean vessel with plenty of seating, a sun deck, and shaded areas. That variety lets you move around as the sun changes and gives non-swimmers something pleasant to do.

The catamaran is also considered stable by several people who were concerned about seasickness. That does not remove the risk entirely. If you know you are prone to motion sickness, bring your usual medication and choose a seat with a steady view of the horizon.

The boat has steps into the sea rather than a beach entry. You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water from the vessel. Bring a towel, as it is the one item specifically requested for the activity. Swimwear, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes are sensible additions, though only a towel is listed as required.

Shade is especially useful in Gran Canaria’s strong sun. A four-hour trip can feel much longer if you spend every minute exposed, so claim a shaded spot when you board if you know you will need it.

Who will get the most from this Gran Canaria cruise

This outing works best for you if you want several activities folded into one simple half-day. It suits couples, families, birthday groups, and mixed-age parties where not everyone wants to snorkel or paddle.

Families should appreciate the open deck, flotation support for younger children when available, and the fact that water sports are optional. Older children who can swim will have plenty to do, while adults can choose the shade, drinks, or a quiet view.

It is also a good choice for first-time visitors who want to see the southwest coast without arranging a rental car and separate beach stops. Hotel pickup removes the need to navigate to Puerto Rico, and the return transport is included for accommodation in the south.

You may want another type of excursion if you dislike open-water swimming, need guaranteed individual equipment, or want a full-day sailing adventure. The paddleboards and kayak are shared, and the cruise is more about comfort and variety than serious sports time.

Small details that improve the day

• Check your pickup email: The time changes according to where you stay, and the provider asks you to check your spam folder.
• Choose morning for the full meal: Morning trips include lunch, while afternoon trips include tapas-style food.
• Bring a towel: You will have two opportunities to swim.
• Plan around the shared gear: Move quickly when the kayak or paddleboards become available, or enjoy snorkeling and swimming instead.
• Ask about paid extras: Jet skiing and parasailing are separate from the tour price.
• Do not count on a fixed menu: The food is fresh and seasonal, so dishes can change.
• Prepare for cool water: The Atlantic may feel chilly even when the air is warm.
• Take motion sickness seriously: The boat is stable, but no sea trip can guarantee calm conditions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The trip remains subject to sea and weather conditions, so the operator may need to adjust the plan for safety.

Should you book the Puerto Rico catamaran trip?

I would book this if you want a polished, easy half-day on the water with food and drinks included. The combination of hotel pickup, a spacious catamaran, two swim stops, shared water sports, and a fresh local-style meal gives you more variety than a simple sightseeing cruise.

The strongest value comes for people who will enjoy the beer or sangria and make use of the snorkeling equipment. Morning departures offer the best overall package because the full lunch is more substantial than the afternoon tapas.

I would be more cautious if you are a non-drinker focused only on snorkeling, or if you expect a quiet sailing trip with lots of expert commentary. The gear is shared, paid water sports cost extra, and four and a half hours may leave you wanting more. For most couples, families, and small groups staying in southern Gran Canaria, though, this is a well-balanced way to spend a morning or afternoon at sea.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran trip?

The excursion lasts about 4.5 hours, including the cruise, two water stops, meal or tapas service, and the return to Puerto Rico.

What drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. Additional drinks such as cocktails are not included.

Is lunch included on every departure?

Morning departures include a freshly prepared lunch. Afternoon departures include tapas-style snacks instead. The menu is seasonal and may change.

What food is served?

The meal may include tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. Exact dishes can change according to the seasonal menu.

Are snorkeling and paddleboarding included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and a kayak are included. The paddleboards and kayak are shared among the group.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodation in the south of Gran Canaria. The provider confirms the exact pickup time after booking, and it can vary by location.