Gran Canaria: Afternoon Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drink

The best part of this 4.5-hour catamaran trip is the mix of easygoing sea time and genuine action. You cruise from Puerto Rico along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast, pass cliffs and coves, then anchor in clear water for swimming and snorkeling. You can spend the afternoon flat on a sun cushion, or pay extra for a jet ski, parasail, donut ride, or short speedboat run.

I like the unlimited drinks and crew-served meal, which make the $91 price easier to justify. I also like the warm, playful crew atmosphere. Potter is known for keeping the mood light, and saxophone music from Ashleigh has added a memorable finish on some sailings. The optional speedboat ride has also been included in some bookings, but you should check what is covered on your date.

The main drawback is space. The sun deck can feel crowded when everyone wants the best patch of sun, and water sports may not operate every day. If your main goal is a quiet, private sail, this is not the right boat. It is a social afternoon cruise with food, drinks, music, and movement.

Key Points Before You Book

• A full southwest-coast outing: Cruise from Puerto Rico toward Mogán, with views of cliffs, fishing villages, coves, and open sea.
• Swimming is built into the plan: The catamaran anchors in a clear-water bay, with snorkeling gear available if you want it.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect a chicken wrap, pasta salad, beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skis are €32 per vehicle, parasailing is €32 per person, donut rides are €10 per person, and the captain-led speedboat ride is €5 per person.
• The mood is lively: Potter and the Afrikat crew bring humor, and some trips feature live saxophone music from Ashleigh.
• Pickup has limits: Transport is offered from selected central points, but not from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico.

Setting Sail from Puerto Rico

The trip begins at Puerto Rico’s harbor, at Calle Puerto Base. If you make your own way there, sign in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure. Pickup is available from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

That pickup list matters. If you are staying in Puerto Rico, you will need to reach the harbor yourself, even though it is the departure point. The same applies to people based in Las Palmas, Salobre, or Mogán. Check the pickup area before booking, since a low advertised price can look less attractive if you need a taxi to the port.

Once aboard, settle into the catamaran and find your preferred spot. The boat offers comfortable sun cushions, so you can stretch out and watch the coast without needing to take part in every activity. Bring a towel and sun protection because shade may not be the main attraction here.

The crew speaks English and Spanish. The tone is friendly and informal rather than polished and formal. Potter has been singled out for his humor, while the wider Afrikat team handles food, drinks, boarding, and water activities.

Coastal Views Toward Mogán

The cruise follows the southwest coast, one of the most attractive stretches of Gran Canaria for seeing the island from the water. From the catamaran, you pass dramatic cliffs, small coves, and the fishing village of Mogán.

The view changes slowly, which is part of the pleasure. You are not rushing from one sight to another. Instead, you get a broad look at the coast while a drink is brought out or the crew prepares lunch. I find this kind of boat trip works best when you treat the cruising time as the main event, not just transport between activities.

Mogán is especially appealing from offshore because the village and harbor are seen in context, framed by the dry, rugged coast. The trip does not promise a shore visit in Mogán, so do not book it expecting time to walk its lanes or browse its market. This is a sea-level view of the area, followed by swimming and onboard entertainment.

Bring sunglasses and a hat that fits securely. The sun can feel strong on open water, and the reflection off the sea adds to the glare. A camera is welcome, but keep it protected around the swimming stop and water sports.

Swimming and Snorkeling in a Clear Bay

After the coastal cruise, the catamaran anchors in a clear-water bay. This is the point where you can leave the sun cushions and get into the sea. Snorkeling equipment is available, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel.

The swimming stop gives the afternoon a welcome change of pace. You can cool off, look for marine life, or simply float near the boat. It is also the best part of the trip for children and adults who need more than scenery to keep them interested.

Still, the conditions are not fully within the crew’s control. Sea conditions can affect how comfortable the water feels, and the stop may appeal more to confident swimmers than to anyone who prefers a quiet, shallow beach. Bring your own towel, swimwear, and sunscreen, since these are not listed as supplied.

If snorkeling is important to you, keep your expectations sensible. The activity provides equipment and access to marine life, but it does not describe a guided snorkeling lesson or a guaranteed wildlife sighting. You get the chance to explore near the anchored boat, not a specialist marine tour.

Lunch, Beer, Sangria, and Soft Drinks

The crew serves lunch during the cruise. The meal includes a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce as optional additions, plus pasta salad. Special dietary requirements must be given when you book.

This is useful, filling boat food rather than a restaurant meal. The wrap and pasta salad suit a relaxed afternoon and are easy to eat onboard. If you have allergies or follow a strict diet, contact the provider before the trip rather than hoping the crew can make changes at the last moment.

Drinks are available throughout the cruise. The included choices are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. That makes the package good value for people who expect to have several drinks during four and a half hours at sea.

The word all-inclusive needs a small footnote. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. You can buy cocktails separately, and one booking specifically praised the cocktails, but you should budget extra if those are part of your plan. A bank card or extra cash is also useful for water sports, souvenirs, and photos.

The unlimited soft drinks and water make the cruise workable for families and non-drinkers. You are not forced into a party-drink atmosphere just because beer and sangria are part of the package.

Water Sports from €5 to €32

The calm version of the afternoon is to swim, eat, drink, and stretch out. The active version adds paid water sports. The choices listed are:

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

These prices are reasonable add-ons if you want one burst of excitement without booking a separate water-sports excursion. The speedboat ride is the cheapest way to add some speed. The donut is a short, playful option, while the jet ski and parasail cost more and need a bigger budget.

There is one practical warning: availability can change. Water sports are provided through a partner, and they have not operated on every sailing. On one occasion, the activities were unavailable and the news came only partway through the cruise. If the jet ski or parasail is the main reason you are booking, confirm availability before you commit, and do not assume every listed activity will run.

One booking described the donut ride as good fun and long enough to feel worthwhile. Another found a banana boat ride too short and was unhappy with how a rider was handled after falling into the water. The banana boat is not among the current listed options, but the point remains useful: paid rides can vary in length and quality, so listen carefully to the safety briefing and follow the crew’s instructions.

You can pay for activities by card or Apple Pay, according to the available trip details, but carrying a backup payment method is still sensible.

Music and the Afrikat Crew

This is not a silent sailing. The crew brings humor and energy to the boat, with Potter often taking the lead in the atmosphere. That can turn a simple coastal cruise into a more social afternoon, especially when people gather on the sun deck.

Some sailings have featured Ashleigh playing saxophone on the return journey. Live music is not stated as a guaranteed part of every departure, so think of it as a possible extra rather than a promise. When it is offered, it gives the final stretch a festive lift without changing the basic structure of the trip.

The crew’s friendly style is one of the strongest reasons to choose Afrikat. I would recommend it to people who like a bit of banter and do not mind sharing the boat with an animated group. If you want quiet reading time, choose a less entertainment-focused boat trip.

The catamaran can feel crowded, especially on the sun deck. The boat still gives you room to relax, but you should not expect the space of a private charter. Arrive on time, follow the crew’s seating guidance, and be prepared to share the popular areas.

Is $91 Good Value?

At $91 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast. The value comes from what is included over four and a half hours: the catamaran, selected hotel-area transport, a meal, unlimited standard drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a swimming stop.

For a day built around sun, sea, and casual entertainment, the price is fair. It becomes especially good value if you use the included drinks and meal and do not add several expensive water sports. A couple who each books a jet ski, parasail, and other rides could quickly spend much more than the base fare.

The transport can also save time if you are staying in one of the listed resort areas. Hotel pickup and drop-off were described as smooth on one sailing, but this benefit only applies to the central pickup points named by the operator. It does not cover every part of Gran Canaria.

Compare the experience with your own priorities. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and a swim stop, the package makes sense. If you want a small boat, a quiet meal, or a specialist snorkeling trip, your money may be better spent elsewhere.

Who Should Book This Cruise?

I would choose this cruise for families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a social setting. It suits people who want several options in one afternoon: relax, swim, snorkel, eat, drink, listen to music, or pay for a fast ride.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in the southern resort area and want an organized outing without planning every detail yourself. Pickup can remove some transport hassle, and the food and drinks mean you do not need to pack a full picnic.

You may want to skip it if you dislike open-water swimming, crowded sun decks, or loud group entertainment. It is not the best match for anyone seeking a private sailing experience or guaranteed water sports. The optional activities are an add-on, and their operation can depend on the partner company and conditions.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, but anyone with mobility impairments should tell the provider after booking so suitable arrangements can be made. That advance notice is important, since a catamaran and harbor boarding can require planning even when an activity is listed as accessible.

Practical Tips for a Better Afternoon

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Keep valuables protected around the water, and bring a camera only if you can secure it safely.

I would also bring a bank card or extra money. You may want a paid ride, cocktail, souvenir, or photo, and those extras are not part of the base price.

If you have special dietary needs, state them at booking. The standard meal is a chicken wrap and pasta salad, with some wrap ingredients optional, but the provider needs advance notice for other requirements.

For the most relaxed day, get your swimming done before lunch and save a dry layer for the return cruise. If music is offered, you can then enjoy the saxophone and drinks without rushing between activities.

Should You Book the Afrikat Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a lively, all-in-one sea afternoon from Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. The combination of Mogán views, a clear-water swim stop, food, unlimited standard drinks, friendly crew members, and optional water sports gives you plenty for the price.

Skip it if your ideal boat trip means silence, privacy, or a guaranteed specialist activity. Also check the pickup area and water-sport availability before paying. For most people staying near Puerto Rico and the southern resorts, though, this is a cheerful and practical way to spend half a day on the Atlantic.

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 harbor, Calle Puerto Base, S/N, 35130. You should sign in at least 20 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from selected central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

Which areas are not covered by the pickup service?

Pickup is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico. If you are in one of these areas, you need to make your own way to the harbor.

What food is served onboard?

The crew serves a chicken wrap with optional bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce, along with pasta salad. Special dietary requirements must be provided when booking.

Which drinks are included?

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

Can I swim and snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran stops in a clear-water bay for swimming, and snorkeling equipment is available.

How much do the water sports cost?

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

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You should inform the provider of any mobility impairments after booking so proper arrangements can be made.