From Puerto Rico: Boat trip along the coast w/ Food & Drinks

The sea is the star of this half-day outing. From Puerto Rico, you sail along Gran Canaria’s rugged south coast, passing beaches and cliffs before anchoring in a sheltered bay for swimming, food, drinks, and water activities. I especially like the two-hour stop in calm water and the easygoing crew, with names such as Sergio, Abdera, and Yeray singled out for their friendly service.

The price is also attractive. At about $47 per person, the trip can include lunch, drinks, and a banana boat ride, depending on the package you choose. The main caution is that the boat can feel rough in choppy conditions, and the banana ride may be very short on some departures.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours at anchor: You have time for swimming, the banana boat, and optional water activities instead of making only a quick photo stop.
• Puerto Rico departure: Meet the boat Princesa Ico at Puerto Base, close to the gas station.
• Food and drink packages differ: Basic includes water and soft drinks, while the fuller option adds beer, mojitos, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana ride.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: You might also see flying fish, turtles, or other sea life, but wildlife sightings depend on the day.
• Optional paid activities: Jet skis, parasailing, and a cave excursion can cost extra onboard.
• Good for mixed-age groups: You can sunbathe, listen to music, swim, or join an activity, so nobody has to spend the whole trip doing the same thing.

Setting out from Puerto Base on Princesa Ico

The meeting point is Puerto Rico’s Puerto Base, near the gas station. Look for the boat named Princesa Ico. That detail matters because Puerto Rico has a busy marina area, and knowing the boat name makes the first few minutes much easier.

Pickup is available from several resort areas when you choose that option. Listed pickup points include Clinica Roca in San Agustin at 9:10, Hotel Tropical in Playa del Ingles at 9:20, the Yumbo Centre at 10:00, and Gran Casino Costa Meloneras at 10:10. If you arrange your own way there, allow enough time to find the harbor and boat.

The main sailing lasts four hours, although the full outing can take longer if you use hotel transport. One departure was reported as leaving around 10:45 and returning at about 4:00, so check the exact start time for your date rather than planning another tight appointment afterward.

The boat offers a mix of seating. You can find ordinary seats, sunbathing space, and beds or padded areas, although one complaint mentioned an extra €10 charge for certain middle beds. If that seating matters to you, ask before settling in.

Cruising past Gran Canaria’s southern coast

Once you leave Puerto Rico, the trip becomes a slow coastal tour. You see the south coast from the water, with its beaches, rock faces, and bays looking different from the usual road or resort viewpoint.

The music and relaxed atmosphere are a major part of the outing. This is not a quiet sailing lesson or a small private charter. It is a social boat day with drinks, sun, conversation, and activities. I would choose it if you want an easy holiday afternoon rather than a formal nature cruise.

The crew also gives the day much of its character. Sergio and Abdera were praised for being attentive and welcoming, while Yeray was remembered for making people feel comfortable. The staff handle food, drinks, and activities, so you do not need to organize every part of the afternoon yourself.

Wildlife is one of the pleasant surprises. Dolphins have been seen close to the boat, along with flying fish and turtles. One outing even produced a report of a hammerhead shark. Still, the operator does not guarantee sightings. You should treat dolphins as a bonus, not the main reason to book.

Bring realistic expectations about the sea. On one rough day, most people onboard became seasick even though the rest of the outing went well. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the boat feels most stable, watch the horizon, and avoid making wildlife the only purpose of your day.

The Mogán stop and the long swimming break

The route includes sailing toward Mogán and a stop near a sheltered bay. The most useful feature here is the amount of time at anchor. You get roughly two hours for swimming, relaxing, looking through the boat’s underwater viewing area, and joining the activities.

That longer stop gives the trip better value than a cruise that only lets you step into the water for ten minutes. You can take your time. Swim first, eat afterward, or stay dry and enjoy the view while everyone else lines up for the banana boat.

The water activities are designed for different comfort levels. A confident swimmer can get in and paddle around. Someone who prefers to stay aboard can use the sun decks, listen to music, or watch through the underwater vision panels. Families and mixed groups benefit from this flexibility.

The included banana boat ride is a fun extra, but keep your expectations measured. One person described it as lasting only about a minute and a half. Other outings offered more activities, but the exact length and order may vary with conditions and the number of people taking part.

A cave trip is also available on some departures. It costs extra, with one report putting it at €10, and takes you by smaller motorboat to caves in the rocky coast. The cave itself may be brief, but the fast ride there is part of the appeal. This is a good add-on if you have already enjoyed the included activities and want something more active.

Jet skis and parasailing are not part of the basic price. You can purchase them onboard when available. Since those extras change the final cost, decide in advance how much you want to spend.

Lunch, drinks, and the package question

The food can make or break a boat outing, and this one earns good marks for serving a proper meal rather than only crisps or sandwiches. The fuller package includes salad, paella, and wrinkled potatoes, a Canarian favorite usually served with a savory sauce. One person wished for more sauce or butter, but still considered the meal good.

The drink arrangement depends on what you book:

• The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks.
• The fuller option includes beer, mojitos, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana boat ride.

The supplied information uses the name Full Park for the larger package, so check the exact label during booking. Do not assume that every $47 fare includes every item. Package details matter here, especially if you want the meal, alcohol, or banana ride.

Drinks are easy to access during the trip, and several people liked the steady supply of soft drinks. Some departures also ended with free shots on the way back. That is a nice party touch, but it reinforces the fact that this is a lively social cruise, not a quiet sailing voyage.

Food service appears to be well organized, with meals and drinks moving quickly even when the boat is busy. I would still eat a light breakfast before departure if you are prone to seasickness. A full meal on rough water is not always your friend.

Returning to Puerto Rico with the coast behind you

The return leg takes about 40 minutes in the listed route. You continue sailing past coastal views, and the atmosphere usually shifts into music, conversation, and relaxed sunbathing.

The trip may pass several historic bays on the way back, giving you another look at the coast from offshore. If you missed a good photograph earlier, keep your phone ready, but protect it from spray. The boat’s views are one of its strongest features, and you do not need to take part in every activity to enjoy them.

At the end, optional transfers can drop you at places including Gran Casino Costa Meloneras, Av. de Italia, and Hospiten Roca, with other locations shown during booking. Confirm your chosen drop-off so you do not assume the return vehicle serves every resort.

What the $47 price really gets you

At around $47 per person, this is good value if your selected package includes lunch, drinks, and the banana boat. You are paying for four hours on the water, a coastal route, a long swimming stop, food, and a range of activities. A separate meal, marina transfer, and short cruise could easily add up to a similar amount.

The value is strongest for families and groups with different interests. One person can swim, another can sunbathe, and someone else can pay for a jet ski or cave ride. You get one shared outing without having to book separate activities.

The value is weaker if you dislike crowded or energetic boat days, or if you expect a private sailing trip. The word exclusive appears in the marketing, but you should not read that as a guaranteed private charter. The practical experience is a shared boat excursion with a social atmosphere.

Also remember the add-ons. Parasailing, jet skis, and the cave trip can push the final cost higher. Ask what is included before boarding, especially if your booking shows only the Basic Pack.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it for families with older children and teenagers, couples who want a lively day at sea, and groups that cannot agree on one activity. The mix of swimming, food, music, sunbathing, and optional rides keeps the day moving.

It also suits people who want to see the coast without spending a full day on land. You get cliffs, beaches, bays, and sea views in one outing, with no need to plan a route or bring your own lunch.

It may not suit you if you need a very quiet boat, have serious motion sickness, or want guaranteed wildlife. Dolphin sightings can be excellent, but they are never certain. The boat may also feel rough in unsettled conditions.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, which is useful, though the practical ease of boarding and joining water activities may depend on your individual needs. Contact the operator if you need a precise answer about transfers or access to the swimming area.

Practical tips for a smoother four hours

Arrive at Puerto Base with the boat name, Princesa Ico, in mind. If you use hotel pickup, choose the correct stop and time carefully. The listed pickup times are not the same as the boat’s sailing time.

Wear swimwear under easy clothing and bring sun protection. You will have time for swimming and sunbathing, and the open areas can leave you exposed for several hours.

Keep a dry place for phones and cameras. Dolphins and coastal cliffs may appear without warning, and the ride back can be lively.

If you are unsure about the package, confirm these four points before departure:

• Is lunch included?
• Are beer and mojitos included?
• Is the banana boat included?
• Which activities cost extra?

Book with flexibility if your plans may change. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when weather or holiday schedules remain uncertain.

Should you book the Puerto Rico boat trip?

I would book this trip if you want a good-value day with food, drinks, swimming, and plenty of choice. The strongest parts are the friendly crew, the long stop in calm water, the coastal views, and the chance of seeing dolphins without paying for a specialist wildlife cruise.

I would skip it if you want silence, a private boat, or guaranteed animal sightings. Go in knowing that sea conditions can affect comfort, some activities cost extra, and the banana ride may be short.

For most holidaymakers staying in Gran Canaria’s southern resorts, this is a practical way to spend four hours on the water. Choose the fuller food and drink option if you want the best value, and keep the cave trip or other paid activities as optional extras rather than necessities.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

The meeting point is Puerto Rico, at Puerto Base, close to the gas station. The boat is named Princesa Ico.

How long does the boat trip last?

The listed boat trip lasts four hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off can make the total outing longer.

What food is included?

The fuller package includes salad, paella, and wrinkled potatoes. The Basic Pack does not list lunch as included, so check your selected option.

What drinks are included?

The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks. The fuller option includes beer and mojitos as well as water and soft drinks.

Is the banana boat ride included?

The banana boat ride is included with the fuller package. Package details should be checked before booking because not every option includes the same features.

Can I go swimming?

Yes. The boat anchors in a bay where you can swim and take part in water activities.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins, flying fish, turtles, and other sea life may appear, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Do jet skis and parasailing cost extra?

Yes. Jet skis and parasailing are not included and may be purchased onboard. The cave trip is also an optional paid activity.