Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Gran Canaria catamaran cruise is the balance between easygoing time at sea and hands-on fun. You can stretch out in the sun, order another drink, then jump into a clear bay for snorkeling or pay extra for a jet ski, parasail, donut ride, or speedboat trip. I like the clean, spacious boat and the friendly crew, with guides such as Potter, Nikita, and Matt praised for keeping the mood light without losing control of the day.

I also like that lunch and unlimited drinks are built into the $88 price. The chicken wraps, pasta salad, and refreshments make this feel more useful than a simple sightseeing sail. The main consideration is that the optional water sports cost extra, and equipment can sometimes be unavailable, so do not book this expecting every activity to run on every departure.

Key points at a glance

• A proper half-day on the water: The 4.5-hour outing includes transport from many resort areas, a catamaran cruise, a bay stop, lunch, and the return journey.
• A good mix of calm and action: Sunbathing and drinks sit alongside snorkeling, a speedboat ride, jet skiing, parasailing, and a donut ride.
• Unlimited standard drinks: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included, while cocktails, wine, and spirits cost extra.
• The crew shapes the experience: Potter, Nikita, Matt, and the wider Afrikat team are known for warm service, jokes, safety guidance, and attention to families.
• The boat has room to choose your mood: You can find sunny seating or shade, order drinks, and take a break from the water sports.
• Pickup needs careful checking: Transport is offered from many central resort points, but not from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

What this Afrikat cruise is really like

This is not a quiet sailing trip built around nautical detail. It is a social day at sea with music, food, swimming, drinks, and optional thrills. The catamaran leaves from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and follows the southwest coast, where you see beaches, cliffs, coves, and resort towns from the water.

The tone is relaxed but lively. The crew makes announcements, explains safety rules, brings drinks, and keeps the group involved. If you prefer a silent sail with only the sound of the waves, this may feel too animated. If you want a simple holiday activity where nobody has to plan lunch or organize separate water sports, it fits well.

The boat is described as clean and spacious, with places to sit in the shade and areas for sunbathing. That matters on a 4.5-hour trip. You are not forced to stay in the water or take part in every activity. You can enjoy the view, have lunch, and let the more energetic members of your group use the optional equipment.

Getting to Puerto Rico from the resort areas

Pickup is offered from a long list of locations around southern Gran Canaria, including parts of Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Playa del Cura, Taurito, Amadores, Patalavaca, and Bahía Feliz. The transfer by coach takes about an hour, so allow a good part of your morning or afternoon for the full outing.

The long pickup route is useful if you are staying in a resort area and do not want to arrange a taxi. It can also make the start feel less direct, since the coach may collect people from several points before reaching the marina. Check your exact pickup point carefully, and arrive ready with swimwear, sunscreen, and water-friendly clothing.

Pickup is not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán. If you are staying in one of those places, you need to make your own way to the departure point or another approved meeting location. The activity is wheelchair accessible, but you should tell the operator about any mobility needs when booking.

A short safety briefing before the catamaran leaves

At Puerto Rico, you receive a safety briefing of about ten minutes. This is a useful pause before the fun begins, especially when the day includes swimming and powered water activities.

The crew has been praised for being clear, professional, and helpful. That combination matters more than flashy presentation. You want the rules explained before anyone gets near a jet ski, speedboat, or towable ride. Families can also feel more at ease knowing the crew pays attention to children and helps people who are nervous around boats.

Once the briefing is finished, you board the catamaran for the coastal cruise.

Cruising the southwest coast for about an hour

The first catamaran section lasts about an hour. You can take in the coastline from the deck, feel the sea air, and settle into the rhythm of the boat. The views include beaches, rocky cliffs, coves, and the resort coast around Puerto Rico and Mogán.

This is a good time to decide how you want to use the rest of the trip. If you plan to try a paid activity, listen for the crew’s instructions and check the current prices. The standard package already gives you plenty to do, so there is no need to spend more unless a particular activity appeals to you.

The boat offers beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water without an additional charge. Some people especially enjoy being able to pour beer themselves, while the crew can also bring drinks to your seating area. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. One useful tip is to pace yourself. Unlimited drinks are easy to overdo when you are in the sun and moving on the water.

The Mogán stop: swim, snorkel, eat, or add speed

The main stop near Mogán lasts about two and a half hours. This is where the cruise becomes more than a coastal sightseeing trip. The catamaran anchors in a clear bay, giving you time to swim, snorkel, relax, eat, and choose from the optional activities.

Snorkeling equipment is included. The water can be especially rewarding here because you may see fish close to the boat and around the swimming area. You do not need to snorkel for the whole stop. A short swim, followed by time on deck with a drink, works just as well.

The crew also offers a speedboat ride with the captain for €5 per person. This is one of the better-value extras if you want a little excitement without committing to a larger purchase. The speedboat can also provide a different view of the coastline and nearby caves, according to the activity details available for this outing.

The other options cost more:

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

The exact availability can change. Jet skis were unavailable on some departures, so treat these as possible options rather than guaranteed features. If a particular activity is the main reason you are booking, ask the crew about availability as soon as you board.

Some groups choose several activities and spend around €42 per person on a combination of rides. That can make the day feel packed with action, but it changes the price calculation quickly. I would first decide if you are happy with snorkeling and swimming, then add only the activities you genuinely want.

Lunch on board: simple, useful, and better than a snack

The included meal is designed for a day at sea rather than a formal lunch. You receive a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, plus pasta salad. The crew prepares and serves the food on board.

The meal has been well received, and the wraps are often singled out as tasty and filling. It is the sort of lunch that works after swimming because you can eat without leaving the boat or interrupting the stop. The combination of food and unlimited standard drinks also helps explain the $88 price.

Special dietary needs require communication in advance. Vegetarian options have been arranged when requested, but you should not rely on a last-minute request. The published information specifically asks people with dietary requirements to contact the provider ahead of time.

Do not expect a restaurant menu or a choice of several hot dishes. This is a practical, casual meal that keeps the cruise moving. For most people, that is exactly right.

Music, jokes, and the personality of the crew

The Afrikat crew is a major part of the experience. Potter is mentioned as the owner and a strong personality on board, while Nikita and other crew members have also been praised for friendly service and entertaining announcements. Matt has received particular appreciation for making family trips and birthday outings feel personal.

The humor is part of the package. The crew gets to know where people are from, makes jokes, and keeps the group involved. It is generally described as welcoming rather than pushy, though anyone seeking a quiet and formal trip should know that this is not that style of cruise.

Live music is offered on Friday mornings only, with a saxophone performance listed as a special feature. It is not offered on February 27. If music matters to you, check the departure day rather than assuming every cruise includes it.

The team also helps people who are nervous around boats or water activities. That does not remove the need for personal caution, but it can make the experience easier for first-time swimmers and families.

Is $88 good value?

At $88 per person, the package is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Gran Canaria. The value comes from combining several costs into one half-day: transport from many resort areas, the catamaran, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and unlimited standard drinks.

If you only want a short boat ride, the price may feel high. If you would otherwise pay separately for a meal, drinks, a snorkeling trip, and transport, the package becomes more attractive. The boat also gives you the choice to spend nothing beyond the booking price.

The optional activities are reasonably priced compared with many organized water sports, especially the €5 speedboat ride and €10 donut ride. Jet skiing and parasailing add a meaningful amount, so a family or group should set a spending limit before boarding.

The reusable drinking glass souvenir is a small extra rather than a reason to book, but it is a practical touch. The bigger value is flexibility. You can have a low-key day at the included price, or build a more active outing with paid rides.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants several holiday activities in one booking. It works particularly well for mixed groups. One person can sunbathe, another can snorkel, and someone else can try a jet ski without splitting up for the entire day.

It is also a good choice for birthdays, honeymoons, and repeat visits to Gran Canaria when you want an easy day away from the pool. The crew’s attention to children and nervous passengers adds to its broad appeal.

You should think twice if you dislike group entertainment, unlimited-drinks settings, or paid extras being promoted during an activity. The cruise is friendly and social, not secluded. Also remember that sea conditions or equipment problems can affect the water sports.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A camera is useful, but protect it from spray and keep your belongings secure while swimming.

Bring a credit card and some cash. You may want to pay for jet skiing, parasailing, a donut ride, or the speedboat, and you may also want photos or souvenirs. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not part of the included drinks.

Wear something comfortable for the coach transfer and the boat. You have access to both shade and sun, so you can adjust during the day instead of trying to endure the strongest heat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time when booking, since departure times can vary.

Should you book the Afrikat cruise?

Book it if you want a sociable half-day with food, drinks, snorkeling, and optional thrills rather than a quiet sailing lesson. The clean boat, attentive crew, clear bay, and included meal give the $88 price solid value for many holiday plans.

I would be cautious only if a specific activity, especially jet skiing, is essential to your decision. Equipment may not be available on a particular day, and the paid rides can push the total cost well above the advertised price. For everyone else, the included snorkeling, swim stop, lunch, and drinks are enough to make this a well-rounded day on Gran Canaria’s southwest coast.

FAQ

How long does the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts 4.5 hours. The stated schedule includes about one hour by coach each way, a ten-minute safety briefing, one hour of catamaran cruising out, a 2.5-hour stop near Mogán, and one hour of cruising back.

What food is included?

Lunch includes a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, plus pasta salad. Special dietary requirements should be communicated in advance.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and spirits cost extra.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can swim and snorkel during the stop in the bay near Mogán.

How much do the optional water activities cost?

The jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, the donut ride costs €10 per person, and the speedboat ride with the captain costs €5 per person. Availability can vary.

Where can I get picked up?

Pickup and drop-off are available from designated points in many areas around southern Gran Canaria, including Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Taurito, Amadores, Patalavaca, and Bahía Feliz. The service does not pick up from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.