Afrikat Morning Cruise

The best part of the Afrikat Morning Cruise is the mix of easygoing sailing and hands-on sea time. You leave Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, follow Gran Canaria’s rugged southern coast, then anchor in a calm bay for swimming, snorkelling, and optional water sports. It is less a sightseeing lecture and more a sunny half-day on the water.

I like the included drinks and lunch, which make the $90.70 price easier to judge. I also like the friendly, playful crew, with Monica, José, and Potter singled out for helpful service and good company. The main consideration is that this is not four and a half hours of sailing: part of the outing is spent anchored, and the actual cruise time may feel short if you mainly want a long catamaran voyage.

Key points at a glance

• A 4.5-hour catamaran outing: Sail from Puerto Rico along Gran Canaria’s south coast and return to the same harbor.
• A calm-bay swimming stop: Swim and snorkel from the boat, with equipment provided, though bringing your own snorkel gear is recommended.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skis, parasailing, the donut ride, and a short speedboat trip are optional add-ons.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect a chicken wrap with pasta salad, plus beer, Sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• A social, music-friendly setting: The crew creates a lively mood, with live saxophone sometimes featured near the end of the cruise.
• Pickup has limits: Return transport is available from fixed points in parts of southern Gran Canaria, but not from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

Leaving Puerto Base for the southern coast

The Afrikat departs from Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, one of Gran Canaria’s main harbors for boat trips. The cruise lasts about four and a half hours, returning to the same meeting point. In summer, the schedule is generally 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; in winter, it shifts to about 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

If you are meeting the boat at the harbor, arrive 20 minutes before departure. That small cushion matters. You will want time to find the correct dock, get settled, and avoid beginning the morning in a rush.

Once underway, you look back at the island from offshore. The route follows the southern coast, with views toward villages, bays, beaches, and cliffs. The sea gives you a different sense of Gran Canaria than a road trip does. Resort areas that can feel busy from land look more open from the water, and the coast becomes the main subject rather than just the backdrop between stops.

This is a shared cruise with a maximum of 66 people. That is large enough for a sociable atmosphere, but not an intimate private sailing. I would choose it if you enjoy meeting people, music, drinks, and a bit of onboard energy. If you want a quiet sail with few other passengers, a smaller charter would be a better fit.

The cruise is offered in English. Children may join but must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18. Most people can participate, though anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully about the conditions and bring whatever personal precautions they normally use. One parent became seasick on a recent outing, but the crew offered help.

The catamaran experience: comfort with a social edge

Afrikat is presented as a luxury catamaran, and the boat itself is a major part of the appeal. The available comments describe it as clean, well cared for, and attractive. You can spend the trip on deck, taking in the coast, feeling the sea air, and moving between active stops and slower stretches.

The mood is more relaxed party cruise than formal sailing trip. Music plays an important role, and live saxophone has been part of the return journey on some departures. The saxophone is not necessarily a full-trip performance, so do not book this expecting a concert. When it appears, it adds a pleasant finish to the day.

I especially like the way this setup works for solo visitors and mixed groups. The boat gives you easy chances to chat, and the crew helps keep the mood warm. One solo passenger made friends onboard, while families with teenagers enjoyed adding jet skis to the day. Couples can also keep it simple by sitting together, swimming, eating, and letting the coast roll past.

The word luxury should be read in context. You are paying for a polished shared excursion with food, drinks, crew service, and optional activities, not a private yacht charter. The experience feels special because of the setting and service, but the boat still has a group-tour rhythm.

Anchoring in a calm bay

After cruising along the coast, Afrikat anchors in a calm, clear bay. This is the heart of the outing. You can swim from the boat, use the provided snorkelling equipment, or simply remain on deck with a drink while other people take to the water.

The bay stop gives the cruise a useful change of pace. The first part is about coastal views and fresh air. Once anchored, you choose how active you want to be. Strong swimmers can spend time in the sea, while anyone who prefers not to swim can sunbathe, take photos, or enjoy the food and drinks onboard.

Bring your own snorkelling equipment if you have it. Equipment is provided, but the tour information specifically recommends bringing your own. That is practical advice for comfort and fit, especially if you already own a mask you trust.

The swimming stop is also the point where expectations matter most. This is a chance to swim and snorkel from a catamaran, not a dedicated marine wildlife excursion. The available information does not promise reefs, guided wildlife viewing, or a long snorkelling session. Think of it as a refreshing sea stop with the option to look below the surface.

Conditions can affect the experience. The cruise requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a change of date or a full refund. A calm bay may feel wonderfully sheltered, but the trip still takes place at sea, so bring sun protection and a light layer for the ride back.

Choosing the extra water sports

The optional activities give Afrikat a more adventurous side, but they are not included in the ticket price. You can add:

• Jet skiing for €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing for €32 per person
• A donut ride for €10 per person
• A speedboat ride with the captain for €5 per person

There is also a captain-led speedboat outing that can take you toward the caves. Potter was praised for making this part enjoyable, and it is the lowest-cost way to add a quick burst of speed. At €5 per person, it may be worth considering if you want more than swimming but do not want to pay for a larger activity.

Jet skiing and parasailing change the budget more noticeably. A couple adding parasailing would spend an extra €64, while a jet ski is priced per vehicle. If you are comparing this cruise with a cheaper boat trip, remember to add these costs before deciding.

I like the choice. You can pay for the base cruise and have a restful morning, or build in more action once you see the conditions and mood onboard. The drawback is that the bay can become busy with people waiting for activities, and one German-language comment felt the water-sports location was not especially impressive and that there was too little pure sailing time. That is useful criticism if your priority is the voyage itself.

Lunch, Sangria, and what is really included

Lunch consists of a chicken wrap with pasta salad. Beer, Sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are available during the cruise. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits cost extra or are not included.

This package is valuable because drinks can quickly push up the price of a boat excursion. You are not buying a bare seat on a catamaran and then paying separately for every coffee, beer, and glass of Sangria. For a half-day outing priced at $90.70, the included refreshments make the total easier to manage.

Food quality is the least consistent part of the experience. Some people found the meal good and appreciated the crew’s care with vegetarian options. Others described the food as average. Sangria has also been described as closer to juice than a strong alcoholic drink. I would treat lunch as a convenient included meal, not a reason to book the cruise on its own.

Tell the operator about dietary requirements when you book. Vegetarian food has been arranged with advance notice, but you should not wait until boarding to ask. The standard meal is a chicken wrap with pasta salad, so early communication is important for anyone who needs an alternative.

The drinks package also has clear boundaries. If you want wine, spirits, premium cocktails, or champagne, budget extra or choose another cruise with a fuller bar offering. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Friendly service from Monica, José, Potter, and the crew

The crew is one of Afrikat’s strongest features. Monica and José have been praised for offering helpful advice about Gran Canaria, including places to visit and things to see. Potter has received warm attention for the speedboat and for his personality onboard.

That personal touch matters on a shared boat. A good crew can explain the activities, help nervous swimmers, keep food moving, and make solo passengers feel included. Afrikat appears to put real effort into that social side. The tone is friendly and humorous rather than stiff.

The crew also handles small personal moments well. Vegetarian meals have been arranged, and one birthday celebration included a champagne gift. Those details are not guaranteed, but they show the kind of service the team aims to provide.

Do not assume every departure will have exactly the same entertainment. Live saxophone has appeared near the end of the return trip, but it may be brief. One person enjoyed the music but wished the saxophone had played longer. I would regard it as a welcome extra, not a core feature.

Is $90.70 good value?

At $90.70 per person, Afrikat is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Gran Canaria. It becomes better value if you use the package: four and a half hours, a coastal cruise, a swimming stop, snorkelling equipment, lunch, and a range of included drinks.

The price also covers return transport from certain central pickup points in the south of the island. That can save money and effort if you are staying in an eligible area. Pickup is not universal, so confirm the exact location and time 24 hours before departure. The transport details are sent by email, including to your junk folder if necessary.

The value drops if you only want a long sailing route. The boat spends part of the trip anchored, and optional water sports cost extra. Someone interested mainly in quiet coastal cruising may feel the cruise portion is too brief. Someone who wants swimming, food, drinks, music, and the option to add a jet ski will likely get more from the same ticket.

A 4.7 rating from 501 published ratings, with 93 percent of people recommending the experience, suggests strong overall satisfaction. I would still read the score in practical terms: the crew, boat, atmosphere, and drinks receive the most consistent praise, while the meal, Sangria, and amount of sailing are the areas to consider carefully.

Who should book this cruise?

Afrikat suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a social setting. It is also a good choice if you want several activities in one morning without arranging separate bookings.

You will probably enjoy it most if you like this combination:

• Coastal views without a full-day commitment
• Swimming from a boat
• Casual music and conversation
• Included drinks and a simple lunch
• Optional paid activities such as jet skiing or parasailing

I would be more cautious if you want a silent sailing trip, a gourmet meal, extensive snorkelling, or a private experience. The group can reach 66 people, and the atmosphere is part of the product. That is a benefit for some people and a drawback for others.

The schedule also makes it easy to keep the afternoon free. You return around 2 p.m. in summer or 2:30 p.m. in winter, leaving time for a beach, a late lunch, or another activity in the south.

Booking details and cancellation advice

You can book with a mobile ticket, and confirmation is issued at booking. Pickup is offered only from fixed points in eligible parts of southern Gran Canaria. It is specifically unavailable from Salobre, Puerto Rico, and Mogán, so check your transport confirmation rather than assuming hotel collection.

If you go directly to Puerto Base, arrive 20 minutes before departure. The listed meeting point is C. Puerto Base, 1, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

Should you book the Afrikat Morning Cruise?

Book it if you want a polished, social half-day on the sea, with a clean catamaran, friendly crew, swimming, simple food, and drinks already covered. The optional speedboat, jet ski, parasailing, and donut ride let you make the morning as calm or active as you like.

Skip it if your main goal is several hours of uninterrupted sailing or a high-end meal. The strongest reasons to book are the crew, the boat atmosphere, and the all-in convenience, not the food alone.

My practical call: this is a good-value choice for a first Gran Canaria boat trip, especially if you are staying near Puerto Rico and plan to use the swimming stop. Bring your own snorkel gear, confirm pickup the day before, and budget separately for water sports.

FAQ

Where does the Afrikat Morning Cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Puerto Base, C. Puerto Base, 1, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. It generally runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in summer and from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in winter.

Is transport included?

Return transport from fixed pickup points is included, depending on the area. Pickup is available only from centralized points in parts of southern Gran Canaria.

Which areas do not have pickup?

Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán. If you go directly to Puerto Base, arrive 20 minutes before departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included meal is a chicken wrap with pasta salad. You should communicate special dietary requirements in advance.

Which drinks are included?

Beer, Sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included.

Can I swim and snorkel?

Yes. The boat anchors in a calm bay where you can swim and snorkel. Equipment is provided, although bringing your own snorkelling equipment is recommended.

Do the water sports cost extra?

Yes. Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, and the donut ride costs €10 per person. The captain-led speedboat ride costs €5 per person.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes. Children can participate but must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may also result in a choice of a different date or a full refund.