Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best boat days mix calm and chaos. I like the friendly, funny crew and the simple pleasure of cruising Gran Canaria’s southwest coast with lunch and drinks included. I also like that snorkeling is included, while jet skis, parasailing, donut rides, and a speedboat trip add more action if you want it. The main consideration is that some activities depend on the day, weather, or equipment, and the extras cost more.

This Afrikat cruise costs $88 per person and lasts about 4.5 hours. That is fair value if you use the included meal, drinks, boat time, and snorkeling, but your final bill rises if you add several water sports. The boat has sunny and shaded areas, so you can join the fun or simply sit back with a cold drink.

Key details before you book

• A full southwest-coast outing: You cruise from Puerto Rico toward the Mogán area, passing beaches, cliffs, coves, and open sea.
• Food and drinks included: The crew serves a chicken wrap with salad, sauces, and optional bacon bits, plus pasta salad and unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• Snorkeling comes with the ticket: Equipment is provided for the swimming stop, where you can see fish in clear water.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, a donut ride €10 per person, and the captain’s speedboat ride €5 per person.
• Pickup covers many resort areas: Hotel and central pickup points are available around Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Taurito, Amadores, and nearby districts.
• The mood depends on the day: The crew keeps things lively, but live music is offered only on Friday mornings, except on February 27.

Why the Afrikat cruise works so well

I like this trip because it avoids the usual problem with short boat outings: too much sitting and not enough to do. You get a proper coastal cruise, a stop for swimming and snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a menu of optional activities.

The mood is social rather than formal. The crew uses jokes, music, announcements, and personal attention to keep the boat moving at a pleasant pace. Several crew members receive special praise in the feedback, including Potter, Matt, and Nikita. Potter, who is also associated with the boat, is often singled out for setting the tone.

That matters if you are booking for a birthday, honeymoon, family outing, or group of friends. You are not simply being transported to a swimming spot. The crew makes an effort to learn where people are from, keep nervous participants comfortable, and help families with children.

At the same time, this is not the best choice if you want a silent, private sailing trip. The jokes, announcements, water sports, and group atmosphere are part of the package. You can find a shaded seat and relax, but the boat is designed for shared fun.

Getting to Puerto Rico and boarding

Pickup is offered from a large network of designated points. These include hotels and meeting places around Bahía Feliz, Playa del Águila, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Puerto Rico, Amadores, Patalavaca, Taurito, and other southern resort areas.

The exact pickup point depends on your accommodation. Check it carefully instead of assuming the vehicle will stop at your hotel door. Pickup and drop-off are not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán under the stated arrangements, so you may need to make your own way to the port if you are staying in one of those places.

The coach portion can take about an hour. That adds road time before and after the boat, but it is useful if you are based in one of the resort areas covered by the service. If you are already near Puerto Rico, making your own way may save time.

Before departure, expect a safety briefing of about 10 minutes. This is a good moment to listen closely, especially if you plan to use the speedboat, jet ski, or other equipment. The cruise is wheelchair accessible, but you should tell the operator about mobility needs when booking so the crew can prepare properly.

Cruising the southwest coast of Gran Canaria

Once aboard, the catamaran gives you a broad view of the coast. You can sit in the sun, find shade, or watch the beaches and cliffs slip by from the deck.

The cruise itself is part of the appeal. Gran Canaria’s southwest coast is more than a string of resort beaches. From the water, you get a different view of coves, rocky edges, and the shape of the shoreline. The cool sea breeze also makes the warm climate easier to handle.

The boat has been repeatedly praised for being clean, spacious, and well kept. That is important on a half-day outing, when a cramped or untidy deck quickly becomes uncomfortable. You have room to sunbathe, sit in the shade, eat, and move around between activities.

There are no promises of a quiet sail. The crew’s humor and music help create a party mood, and some departures include live saxophone music. The music is not offered every day, so do not book Friday’s atmosphere unless the schedule suits you. Friday morning is the stated live-music slot, with an exception on February 27.

The Mogán stop: swimming and snorkeling

The main stop lasts about 2.5 hours and combines lunch, water time, and optional activities. This is where the cruise becomes more than a sightseeing ride.

The swimming area is described as a clear-water bay, with snorkeling equipment available at no extra cost. You can get into the sea, look for fish, and then return to the boat when you want a break. The snorkeling is not treated as a rushed five-minute photo stop. The schedule gives you enough time to swim, try activities, eat, and relax.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat. A camera is also useful, but secure it carefully around the water. The sun can be strong on the deck, and the sea breeze can make you forget how much sun you are getting.

The snorkeling suits people who want an easy introduction rather than a specialist session. Equipment is provided, and the activity is optional. If you would rather stay dry, you can enjoy the bay from the catamaran and take in the scenery.

Families should find the mix helpful because not everyone has to choose the same activity. One person can snorkel, another can sunbathe, and someone else can try a paid water sport. The cruise is listed as suitable for all ages, though parents should use their own judgment around the water and follow crew instructions.

Optional water sports and what they add

The included activities are enough for a pleasant outing, but the extras are the reason many people book this cruise instead of a simple sightseeing boat.

Current listed prices are:

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

The speedboat is the easiest add-on to justify if you want a quick burst of action without spending much. It can also give you a closer look at coastal features and caves. The donut ride is a short, playful choice for groups and families.

Jet skiing and parasailing cost more, but the prices are still reasonable compared with many resort water-sport activities. If you want to try several options, bring extra money or a bank card. One group paid for the donut, speedboat, jet ski, and snorkeling together and found there was enough time to fit everything in, but your schedule may depend on demand and operating conditions.

Here is the important caveat: do not assume every activity will be running on your departure. Jet skis were unavailable on some outings because of equipment problems. Sea conditions and other practical limits can also affect the program. The crew usually offers alternatives, but you should consider the water sports a bonus rather than a guarantee.

Lunch, bar service, and the value of the ticket

Lunch is prepared and served by the crew. The standard meal includes a chicken wrap with salad, sauces, and optional bacon pieces, along with pasta salad. The food has earned strong praise, with the wraps often described as better than expected and substantial enough to keep you going through the afternoon.

Vegetarian and other dietary needs require advance communication. A vegetarian fajita meal has been prepared when requested, but you should not rely on a last-minute change. Tell the operator when booking.

The drinks package is one of the strongest parts of the value. Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included without a set limit. Crew members can take orders and bring drinks to you, and the boat has a setup that lets you pour your own beer on some departures.

Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. Some special drinks and photos may also cost extra. One person particularly enjoyed the cocktails, but you should treat those as optional purchases, not part of the advertised package.

At $88, the cruise makes the most sense if you plan to spend several hours aboard and want food and drinks handled in advance. If you only want a short swim and a basic boat ride, it may feel expensive. If you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, beverages, snorkeling gear, and a water activity, the price becomes easier to justify.

What the crew does best

The crew receives the most consistent praise, and that is the heart of the experience. Guides are described as friendly, attentive, professional, and willing to make the day fun without making every moment feel forced.

Announcements are mixed with jokes, and the staff checks that people have what they need. This can be especially helpful if you are nervous about boats or water activities. One person who disliked boats became comfortable enough to consider returning, which tells you something about the crew’s approach.

The safety briefing also gets positive attention. That balance matters. You want a team that can joke with you, but you also want clear instructions before anyone enters the water or boards a fast boat.

The crew has also handled practical needs well. A seasick passenger received help, and a toddler received extra attention from staff. That does not guarantee the same experience for every family, but it suggests the team is used to mixed ages and different comfort levels.

Space, comfort, and the group atmosphere

The catamaran is described as clean, spacious, and comfortable, with places to sit in both sun and shade. This gives you a choice that many smaller boats cannot offer.

Some departures have been only partly full, creating an especially relaxed feel. Group size can vary, so you should not count on an uncrowded boat every time. Still, the catamaran’s layout gives you more room than a narrow motorboat.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable, keep your eyes on the horizon, and tell the crew early if you feel unwell. The staff has helped sick passengers before, but prevention is easier than recovery.

Bring a credit card and some cash. You may want to buy a water sport, photo, souvenir, or drink not covered by the package. A reusable drinking glass is included as a small souvenir, which is a useful touch rather than a throwaway trinket.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend the Afrikat outing to you if you want a social half-day with several choices. It works particularly well for families, couples, groups of friends, birthday trips, and people who want both relaxation and water sports.

It is also a good fit if you like having the main costs covered before departure. Lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, boat time, and transport from many southern resort areas are all part of the plan.

I would be more cautious if you dislike organized group activities, loud humor, or optional sales at the stop. I would also avoid making the trip depend entirely on jet skiing or parasailing, since availability can change.

The live-music option is a nice extra, especially when the saxophone player is aboard, but plan around it only if you are traveling on a Friday morning and have confirmed the date.

FAQ

How long does the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise last?

The advertised activity duration is 4.5 hours. Pickup and drop-off by coach add transport time, and the road journey can take about an hour each way depending on your pickup point.

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria after a safety briefing.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from designated points in several southern Gran Canaria resort areas. Service is area dependent and is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán under the stated arrangements.

What food is served onboard?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided at no extra cost, and you can use it during the swimming stop in the bay.

How much do the water sports cost?

The listed prices are €32 per vehicle for a jet ski, €32 per person for parasailing, €10 per person for the donut ride, and €5 per person for the speedboat ride with the captain.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. You should inform the operator about any mobility impairments when booking.

When is live music available?

Live music is offered on Friday mornings only, except on February 27. It is not available on every departure.

Should you book the Afrikat cruise?

I would book it if you want a lively, well-rounded day on the water rather than a quiet sail. The strongest value comes from the clean catamaran, friendly crew, included lunch and drinks, snorkeling, and the chance to add a low-cost speedboat ride or bigger water activity.

Just budget for extras, pack sun protection and a towel, and keep your plans flexible if a jet ski or another activity is important to you. At $88 per person, it is a solid choice for a social Gran Canaria outing, especially when you make full use of the food, drinks, swimming stop, and time aboard.