Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

Papagayo is the star here: golden beaches, clear water, and a sheltered bay where you can swim beneath the catamaran. I like the way the four-hour trip mixes proper sailing time with two full hours at anchor, rather than rushing you ashore for a quick photo. I also like the genuinely useful extras, including kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, yoga, lunch, and drinks.

The main thing to consider is that this is a shared catamaran outing, not a private yacht charter. The boat can fill up, the sea can feel cool, and the return ride may be breezy or choppy. Still, at $88 per person, the amount packed into four hours is strong.

Key points to know before sailing

• Papagayo anchorage: Spend about two hours swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding near Lanzarote’s best-known beaches.
• Lunch cooked on board: Expect hot pasta with vegetarian tomato sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.
• Plenty included: Snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, yoga, lunch, and drinks are part of the experience.
• A spacious catamaran: There is room to sunbathe on the net, sit on deck, or join the water activities.
• Wildlife is possible: Dolphins, whales, and flying fish may appear, especially on the open-water legs.
• Arrive early: You need to reach the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding cards.

Sailing from Puerto Calero to Papagayo

Your trip begins at Catlanza in Puerto Calero, a marina on Lanzarote’s southern coast. If you are driving, free parking is available in Puerto Calero. Pickup and drop-off can also be arranged from bus stops if you book that service through the Catlanza website.

Allow the full 30 minutes before departure for check-in and boarding cards. The listed boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15, with the exact sailing time dependent on the option you book. Do not cut this close. The boat leaves from the marina, and you want time to find the office, collect your cards, and get to the boarding area without a sprint.

Once on board, the crew gives a safety briefing before the catamaran heads toward Papagayo. The first hour is scenic rather than activity-packed. You can sit back, watch Lanzarote’s dramatic volcanic coast, and settle into the rhythm of the boat.

The crew may lead a little yoga session during this outward leg. You can join in, but there is no pressure to take part. For many people, the best use of this hour is simply finding a comfortable place on deck and watching the coastline pass.

Keep your eyes open for dolphins, whales, and flying fish. These sightings are never guaranteed, but dolphins have appeared on both outgoing and return journeys. One particularly nice possibility is seeing them on the way back, when everyone is relaxed, fed, and already enjoying the ride.

Two hours in the sheltered Papagayo bay

The central stop is the reason to book this excursion. The catamaran anchors in a sheltered bay near Playa del Papagayo, giving you about two hours for swimming and water activities.

Papagayo is known for its golden beaches and clear water, but this trip is not mainly a beach landing. You are spending time on and around the boat, with the shore forming the backdrop. That distinction matters. If you want to walk along the sand or explore the beach on foot, this is not the right format. If you want an easy swim stop with equipment ready on board, it works very well.

The water under and around the catamaran can be especially good for snorkeling. Fish gather beneath the boat, so you do not need to swim far to see marine life. Masks and snorkels are supplied, as are life jackets for those who want extra support.

You can also try the kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. The equipment gives the stop some movement and variety, especially for children and active adults who do not want to spend two hours lying in the sun. A slide into the sea is another feature mentioned by returning customers, though you should take care on the steps and around the slide. Wet surfaces can be slippery.

The water sports suit beginners as well as more confident swimmers, but basic caution still matters. Stay aware of the boat, follow the crew’s instructions, and do not paddle farther than you can comfortably manage. The crew has helped people who drifted too far in a kayak, so listen carefully before setting off.

If you prefer a quiet break, you can remain on deck. The catamaran has a large net for sunbathing and plenty of space for sitting, taking photos, listening to music, and watching the water. The boat may be busy, but its size helps spread people out.

Lunch from the small onboard kitchen

Lunch is served while the boat is anchored, and it is one of the stronger parts of the outing. The main dish is hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, accompanied by salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

This is not a formal restaurant meal, and you should not expect a long menu. It is a straightforward boat lunch that makes sense after swimming and paddling. The warm pasta is filling, and the salad, bread, and potatoes give you more than a light snack.

The vegetarian setup also makes the meal useful for people who do not eat meat. The supplied information does not list special dietary arrangements, so if you have a serious allergy or a strict diet, ask Catlanza before booking rather than relying on the standard meal.

Drinks are included throughout the trip. Options mentioned in the experience include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks. One useful point of balance: the alcohol selection may not satisfy someone looking for a wide bar menu. Still, the included drinks add real value, especially at a four-hour price of $88.

The meal is served in a social setting, with music playing and people chatting with the crew and one another. That can be part of the fun, but it also means this is not a silent wellness cruise. You get a relaxed holiday atmosphere rather than a quiet, exclusive charter.

The return ride, knots, and open water

After lunch and the water stop, the catamaran spends about another hour returning to Puerto Calero. The crew may show you how to tie sailing knots, and you may be invited to take the helm under supervision.

These small touches give the trip more character than a simple boat transfer. You get a little sense of how the vessel works, rather than sitting passively from marina to beach and back. If you would rather not take part, you can keep your drink, find a place on deck, and enjoy the views.

The return can be the most energetic part of the trip. One family described choppy water and a faster ride back as an adventurous finish, while another practical tip is to bring a jacket because the wind can make the return feel chilly. This is especially useful for the afternoon sailing, when you may be wet from swimming and less protected from the breeze.

The boat’s movement also explains why you should bring sensible footwear and take care around wet steps. The catamaran is clean and well maintained, but a wet deck is still a wet deck.

The crew and the feel on board

The staff are a major reason this trip earns such strong feedback. Crew members named in past experiences include Captain Alejandro, Vicky, Noah, Carl, Nico, Jose, and Sandra. Names and personnel can change, but the pattern is clear: the operation depends heavily on a friendly, hands-on crew.

Expect help with safety, water equipment, boarding, and transport questions. One crew member, Jose, helped a family find a bus connection after the cruise, even though a paid transfer was not part of their arrangement. That kind of practical assistance can matter when you are tired, wet, and unfamiliar with Puerto Calero.

The guides speak English, French, German, and Spanish. That makes the briefing and activity instructions easier for a mixed international group. The tone is social and upbeat, with music and plenty of crew interaction.

Families can enjoy the trip, and a seven-year-old and an eleven-year-old were described as having a particularly good time. It also works for couples, groups of friends, solo participants, and people who want water activities without arranging separate rentals.

Accessibility deserves a quick note. Assistance has been provided to help a wheelchair user manage the boat ramp, and the crew has supported people with hidden disabilities. However, the supplied details do not guarantee full step-free access or a specific adapted boarding system. Contact Catlanza before booking if you need detailed accessibility arrangements.

How much value do you get for $88?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast. You are paying for a catamaran, crew, two sailing legs, lunch, open-bar style drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and a guided experience in several languages.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the inclusions. Swim, snorkel, try the paddleboard, take a kayak, join yoga, eat lunch, and enjoy the drinks. If you only want to sit on a boat and look at the shore, the price may feel less attractive.

The four-hour length is also worth considering. It is long enough to feel like a real half-day outing, but short enough to fit around other Lanzarote plans. One downside is that some people will wish for more cruising time. The schedule gives you about one hour out, two hours anchored, and one hour back, so the time is carefully divided.

You are also buying convenience. The marina has free parking, hotel-area pickup may be available from bus stops, and all the main equipment is supplied. You do not need to arrange a separate snorkeling rental, lunch stop, or paddleboard booking.

Which sailing time should you choose?

The morning and afternoon departures offer the same basic four-hour format, but your choice can shape the feel of the day.

A morning departure leaves the rest of your day open. It may suit you if you want to pair the cruise with dinner in another part of Lanzarote or an evening walk. The afternoon option can feel more leisurely, and one past participant specifically recommended the afternoon sail.

Do not assume the sea will feel warm simply because Lanzarote is sunny. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The jacket is especially useful on the return trip, and the sunscreen matters even when the wind makes the heat less obvious.

For the best place on board, arrive early and pay attention to the boarding process. One useful tip is to queue near the kiosk after collecting your tickets from the main office. The boat may have plenty of space, but popular seating and sunbathing spots can go quickly.

Who will enjoy this Papagayo cruise?

I would choose this trip for families who want several easy activities in one outing. Children can swim, use the slide, paddle, and watch for dolphins, while adults can spend part of the time with a drink on deck.

It also suits couples and friends who want a social day rather than a private, quiet charter. The food, music, shared seating, and crew interaction create a friendly group atmosphere.

You should also consider it if you are new to snorkeling or paddleboarding. Equipment is available, the stop is sheltered, and the crew is present to help. You do not need to be an expert to take part.

I would hesitate if you dislike group outings, get uncomfortable on moving boats, or want a long beach visit. The Papagayo stop is mainly a water and deck experience. You see the beaches from the catamaran, but the schedule does not describe a shore excursion.

Practical details that make the day easier

Book pickup through Catlanza if you need it. Otherwise, go directly to the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero 30 minutes before departure.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• A warm jacket
• Comfortable clothing for sitting on deck
• Any personal medication you need during a four-hour boat trip

Snorkeling gear, life jackets, kayaks, paddleboards, lunch, and drinks are included. You do not need to pack your own water sports equipment.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times before booking, since the excursion runs for four hours and may affect your wider day plan.

Should you book the Papagayo sailing trip?

Book it if you want a well-rounded half-day on the water with swimming, snorkeling, food, drinks, and several optional activities. The biggest strengths are the helpful crew, the roomy catamaran, the two-hour anchor stop, and the fact that the major extras are already included.

Think twice if you want a private yacht, a quiet cruise, or lots of time walking on Papagayo’s beaches. For most people, though, $88 buys a full experience rather than a simple sightseeing ride. Bring a jacket, arrive early, and get into the water. That is where this excursion gives you the most.

FAQ

How long is the Papagayo sailing excursion?

The excursion lasts four hours. The route includes about one hour sailing from Puerto Calero to Papagayo, around two hours anchored near Playa del Papagayo, and about one hour sailing back.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Catlanza in Puerto Calero. If you do not use pickup, arrive at the Catlanza office 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding cards.

What food is included?

Lunch includes hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included during the excursion. Options listed include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are available. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also included for use during the Papagayo stop.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The jacket is useful on the return journey, when the wind can make the boat feel cool.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

The live crew and guide service are available in English, French, German, and Spanish.