Puerto de Mogan: Boat and Snorkeling Trip

Gran Canaria’s southwest coast is best seen from the water, and this small boat trip pairs the scenery with a long stop at El Perchel, a cove reached only by boat. You cruise past the cliffs near Tasarte, then spend about 90 minutes snorkeling among clear water and plenty of fish.

I like the warm, personal hosting from Ruben and Marta, and I like that the $69 price includes gear, food, drinks, a guide, and photos. The main caution is simple: this is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you will need to bring your own towel.

Key points to know before booking

• About 90 minutes at El Perchel: The snorkeling stop is the main event, not a quick swim squeezed between boat transfers.
• Ruben and Marta host the trip: Expect clear instructions, local information, and attentive help with masks and fins.
• Food is part of the price: You get potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, fresh fruit, and drinks.
• A good family choice: Children as young as seven have enjoyed the activity, though every participant must be comfortable in the water.
• Photos are included: The crew takes pictures during the outing and sends them afterward by email.
• Friday needs extra planning: Puerto de Mogán is market day, and cars cannot access the port in the usual way.

Why this Puerto de Mogán boat trip works so well

Many coastal boat trips give you a short swim, a drink, and a ride back. This one gives the water time to be the center of the day. After the coastal cruise, you get around an hour and a half at El Perchel, enough time to settle into the equipment, look for fish, and swim without feeling hurried.

The trip is run by Ruben and Marta, a husband-and-wife team who have operated the boat for years. Their role matters here. Snorkeling is more enjoyable when somebody explains how to use the mask, where to look for fish, and how to feel at ease if you are new to the activity.

I also appreciate the small touches. The boat has covered and sunny areas, food is served aboard, and photos are included rather than sold as an extra. The overall feel is closer to a relaxed outing with friendly hosts than a large excursion with a fixed script.

There is one important limit. You must be able to swim. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a dry alternative for people who prefer to stay aboard during the water stop.

Leaving from the yellow boat in Puerto de Mogán

The meeting point is at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163. Look for the yellow boat marked Yellow Boat Mogan. If the port layout leaves you unsure, search that exact name in Google Maps. It leads you to the meeting location.

The trip begins with a short safety briefing of about five minutes. That is useful rather than ceremonial. You need to know how the boat is arranged, what to expect in the water, and how the snorkeling stop will work.

Arrive with swimwear already under your clothes if that is easiest. Bring a towel and sunscreen, since towels are not supplied. Smoking is not allowed on the activity.

Friday requires special care. Puerto de Mogán holds its market that day, and cars cannot access the port in the normal way. Contact Yellow Boat Mogan before the trip for current instructions, and allow extra time to reach the meeting point. A message sent through WhatsApp the day before has helped people find parking and deal with the Friday access problem.

The cruise toward Playa de Tasarte

Once the boat leaves the port, the first hour is mainly a coastal cruise toward the Tasarte area. The boat passes beneath the dramatic cliffs of Gran Canaria’s southwest coast, giving you a different view from the road or beach.

This part of the trip is scenic rather than packed with stops. Keep your camera ready as the boat moves along the shore, but do not expect to land at Playa de Tasarte. The itinerary lists Tasarte as a sightseeing pass-by, so the value here is the view, the open water, and the chance to see the coast from a fresh angle.

Ruben and Marta add context along the way, covering the coastline, the island, and the fish you may spot later. That explanation gives the ride more purpose than a simple transfer to the swimming cove.

The boat has both a sun deck and a covered area. You can choose between full sun and shade, which is useful on a bright day. The southwest coast gets plenty of sun, but conditions can change, so having a sheltered place to sit is a practical benefit.

El Perchel, the boat-only snorkeling cove

After reaching the Tasarte area, the boat turns back toward El Perchel. The cove is accessible only by boat, which helps explain why this stop feels separate from the usual beach routine. You are not walking down from a resort or joining a crowded shore entrance. The boat brings you directly to the water.

You get around 1.5 hours for lunch, free time, and snorkeling. In practice, that leaves enough room to try the gear, enter the water more than once, and take breaks aboard.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment, including masks and fins. Full-face masks have also been available, and that option can be helpful for first-timers who find a standard mask awkward. Ruben and Marta explain how to use the equipment and point out where to look for different fish and sea life.

The water is described as clear, with many fish visible around the cove. Sightings can vary with weather and water conditions, so no responsible tour can promise a particular species. Still, the main appeal is the chance to swim in a sheltered coastal spot with time to look around instead of racing through a ten-minute stop.

Some outings have included paddle boards as another way to enjoy the cove. Treat snorkeling as the reliable core activity, since it is the feature clearly included in the trip details.

If you are a first-time snorkeler, tell the crew. Their hands-on instruction is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You can start slowly, ask questions, and learn how to spot fish instead of simply floating around hoping something swims past.

A simple Canarian lunch on board

After the swim, food is served on the boat. The meal includes potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and fresh fruit. The potatoes with mojo are the most distinctly local part of the spread, while the omelette makes the meal familiar for children and cautious eaters.

The food is vegetarian-friendly, which makes this a useful choice for families or couples who want a meat-free lunch without arranging a separate meal. Drinks are included as well, and the crew has served sangria on some trips.

The meal is not a restaurant lunch with a long menu. Think of it as generous, informal food after time in the water. That is exactly the right format for this outing. You can eat on board, keep the day moving, and avoid losing more time to a shore stop.

This inclusion improves the value considerably. At $69 per person, you are paying for a three-hour boat ride, a guided snorkeling session, equipment, food, drinks, and photos. Comparable activities may charge separately for transport, gear, or images. Here, the extras are part of the basic price.

What makes it good for families

The relaxed pace is a strong fit for families. Children have enjoyed the snorkeling, and the crew takes time to explain the equipment clearly. The food is easy to share, and the boat offers both sun and cover.

Still, family-friendly does not mean suitable for every child. Non-swimmers should not book this activity. A child who is nervous in open water may also need close adult support, even with an attentive crew.

For a family with confident swimmers, the format works well. The coastal ride gives younger children something to watch before the swim, while older children and adults get a proper period in the water. The photos also solve a common holiday problem: getting a picture of the whole family together.

If you have children aged seven, ten, or fourteen, the activity can work well, provided they are comfortable swimming and following water-safety instructions. The youngest children should be assessed by their own adults, since the supplied information does not set a minimum age or promise flotation support.

The personal service is part of the value

Ruben and Marta receive repeated praise for being attentive, friendly, and easy to approach. That shows up in practical ways: they explain the snorkeling area, answer questions, keep drinks available, take photos, and make room for people who want one last swim before returning.

This is also a small-group style experience, although an exact maximum group size is not given. Some departures have felt especially spacious outside the high season. If you strongly prefer a quiet boat, an off-season departure may suit you better, but availability and passenger numbers can change.

The crew’s local information adds another layer. You hear about the coastline, Gran Canaria, and the fish in the snorkeling area instead of simply being dropped at a swim stop. The guides speak Spanish and English.

Photos are a particularly welcome inclusion. The crew takes pictures during the outing and sends them by email afterward. The exact selection can vary, but you should not need to buy a separate photo package.

How the price compares with the experience

The listed price is $69 per person. I consider that fair value for three hours because the package combines several costs that are often separated elsewhere.

Included are:

• Boat sightseeing along the coast
• A live Spanish or English-speaking guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• Food and drinks
• Photos

You are not just paying for a seat on a boat. You are paying for a hosted outing with a substantial water stop and a meal. The value is strongest if you plan to snorkel and will eat the included food.

It is less compelling if you only want a scenic cruise and do not intend to enter the water. Since non-swimmers are not suitable for the activity, this should be booked by people who want the snorkeling portion, not as a general harbor tour.

The booking terms also reduce some risk. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check the date you want before planning the rest of your day.

Practical limits to keep in mind

This is a three-hour activity, but allow extra time around the port on Friday because of market-day road restrictions. The boat returns to the same location at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not included. You may also want a dry change of clothes for the ride home, though that is a personal packing choice rather than a stated tour requirement.

Smoking is not allowed. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. No other exclusion rules are provided, so contact the supplier directly if you have a specific mobility, medical, or equipment concern.

The trip runs in different seasons, and conditions at El Perchel can affect visibility and comfort. Fish sightings are never guaranteed, but the cove and the long stop give you a better chance to enjoy the water than a rushed coastal outing.

Who should book Yellow Boat Mogan

I would choose this trip for:

• Families with children who can swim
• First-time snorkelers who want patient instruction
• Couples looking for a relaxed coastal outing
• Vegetarians who want included food without guesswork
• Anyone who values photos and drinks included in the price
• People who prefer a small, personal boat experience over a large excursion

I would skip it if you cannot swim, dislike boat-based activities, or want a trip focused only on sightseeing. The water stop is too important to the experience to treat as an optional extra.

Should you book this Gran Canaria boat trip?

Yes, if you want a friendly, well-priced mix of coastal scenery, snorkeling, and local food. The strongest reasons are the 90-minute stop at El Perchel, the careful help from Ruben and Marta, and the fact that equipment, lunch, drinks, and photos are already included.

Book with a little extra planning if your date is Friday, since Puerto de Mogán market day changes car access. Pack your towel, wear swimwear, and choose this only if everyone in your party is comfortable in the water. For confident swimmers, it offers a satisfying half-day on Gran Canaria’s southwest coast without a long list of add-on charges.

FAQ

Where does the Puerto de Mogán boat trip start?

It starts at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, in Puerto de Mogán. Look for the yellow boat marked Yellow Boat Mogan.

How long does the activity last?

The boat and snorkeling trip lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

How much snorkeling time is included?

You get around 1.5 hours for snorkeling and free time at El Perchel.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

What food is served?

The meal includes potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and fresh fruit. The food is vegetarian-friendly.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included.

Is the activity suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The trip is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not included.

What languages do the guides speak?

The live guides speak Spanish and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.

Can I reach the port by car on Friday?

Friday is market day in Puerto de Mogán, and cars cannot access the port in the usual way. Contact Yellow Boat Mogan for current access and parking information.