Fuerteventura: Magic Catamaran Trip with Food and Drinks

The sea is the main event here. From Morro Jable, the 23-meter Magic Select catamaran follows Fuerteventura’s volcanic southern coast, looking for dolphins and whales before anchoring off Jandía for a swim, a meal, and drinks. I especially like the four-hour length and the fact that lunch and an open bar are included, so you are not constantly reaching for your wallet.

The crew also gets unusually strong praise for keeping the mood lively without losing sight of safety. Names that come up often include Aaron, Juani, Feli, Elisa, Itziar, and Laura, though the exact crew changes. The main thing to consider is that this is a large-group boat outing with music, not a quiet sailing lesson, and the catamaran may use its motor rather than sails.

Quick highlights

• Dolphin and whale watching: The crew searches for marine life found around the Canary Islands, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• Swimming off Jandía: You get about 30 minutes in the sea, with life jackets available for adults and children who want one.
• Mozarabic chicken lunch: The onboard meal includes chicken, rice, and vegetables, with generous portions noted by several people.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available throughout the trip.
• Morro Jable departure: Meet at the port 30 minutes before departure if you are not using a pickup option.
• Good resort coverage: Optional transfers serve selected pickup points around Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable.

Setting out from Morro Jable on the Magic Select

The trip begins at Morro Jable harbor, at the southern end of Fuerteventura. If you are arranging your own transport, plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure. The meeting point is at the port, and the supplied directions point to the Magic Catamaran location there.

The catamaran itself is a modern 23-meter boat with room to sit together, stretch out, or find a quieter corner. One account estimated roughly 30 to 35 people onboard and still found the boat spacious, though the exact number may change from one sailing to another.

A safety briefing comes first. That matters more than it sounds, especially when the trip combines an open deck, drinks, music, and a swim stop. The crew explains the outing and helps people get settled before the search for marine life begins.

The boat gives you broad views of the southern coast. Fuerteventura’s volcanic shoreline looks especially good from the water, where the usual roads, hotels, and beach paths fall away. Bring a phone or camera, but protect it from spray and keep one hand free when moving around the deck.

Searching for dolphins and whales for about 90 minutes

The first major part of the trip lasts around an hour and a half. The captain changes course to search for dolphins and whales in the waters around Jandía. More than 29 marine mammal species have been identified in the Canary Islands, which helps explain why this area is used for wildlife trips.

The crew does not promise a sighting, and that is the honest way to present it. Several departures have seen pods of dolphins, pilot whales, flying fish, or even a distant whale. On another outing, no dolphins or whales appeared, but the boat ride, swimming, food, and music still made up the day.

When animals appear, the mood changes quickly. Dolphins may swim close to the catamaran, sometimes in groups beside the hull. Pilot whales have also been spotted, and some people have seen more than one pod. The crew may share information about different dolphin species and their behavior, as captain Juani reportedly did on one trip.

Keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife moves on its own schedule, and the captain cannot order dolphins into position. The value of this part is the chance to see wild animals in open water, not a guaranteed show. If you do get a close encounter, it can become the highlight of your entire Fuerteventura holiday.

The boat usually keeps music playing, and the crew mixes wildlife watching with jokes, explanations, and occasional dancing. That makes the time pass easily, but it may not suit you if you want a silent nature cruise. People who became seasick have also affected the decision to sail under canvas, so the experience can feel more like a powered catamaran ride than traditional sailing.

Swimming in the sea off Jandía

After the wildlife search, the catamaran heads closer to shore and anchors for a swimming stop of about 30 minutes. This is a welcome change of pace. You can get into the water, cool off, or stay onboard and watch others enjoy the swim.

The water may feel cold, especially outside the warmest months. One February outing described the sea as cold, with only a few people choosing to swim. In summer, the turquoise water is a stronger draw, though you still need to judge conditions for yourself.

Pay attention to the tide and current. One person specifically advised caution here, so do not assume the water will behave like a sheltered hotel pool. Life jackets are offered to adults and children who need extra confidence, and the crew is available to help.

This stop is best for people who want a real sea swim rather than a formal water-sports session. The available information does not mention snorkel equipment, paddleboards, or other gear, so do not book expecting a menu of activities. The point is a simple dip beside the boat.

If you prefer to remain dry, you can use the swimming stop as quiet time. Find a place on deck, take photos of the coast, or enjoy a drink while the boat sits at anchor.

Lunch, wine, beer, and a relaxed hour onboard

The meal is served after the swim and takes about an hour. The usual plate consists of Mozarabic chicken, rice, and vegetables, generally with sauce. Several people found the food tasty and filling, and one described the portions as generous.

Food quality can be subjective. Most comments are positive, but one person found the meal less impressive. It is best to think of this as a practical hot meal at sea, not a restaurant experience. After swimming, the plate should feel more satisfying than a small snack would.

Drinks are part of the price. The open bar includes water, soft drinks, beer, and wine, served throughout the excursion. That is a real benefit at $91 per person, particularly if you would otherwise buy lunch and several drinks separately.

Nonalcoholic choices appear to focus on water and sweet soft drinks. One person specifically wished for sparkling water, so bring that preference in mind if still water and soda do not suit you. The information does not say that specialty drinks, spirits, or coffee are included.

The crew serves the meal and drinks while keeping the group moving through the schedule. You may find music playing during lunch, though the boat also offers enough space for conversation. This is a social meal, not a private table for two.

The ride back: music, dancing, and the occasional turn at the wheel

The final hour is spent sailing back toward Morro Jable. Some people use this time to relax and watch the coast. Others join the music and dancing, which has become a large part of the Magic Catamaran personality.

The crew members are repeatedly praised for their energy, humor, and clear explanations. Aaron, Feli, Juani, Elisa, Itziar, Laura, Eric, Igor, Annika, and others have been named on different departures. Since staff assignments vary, do not expect a particular person to be onboard, but you can reasonably expect an outgoing team.

One memorable detail is that the captain has sometimes allowed people to try steering under supervision. That is not presented as a formal feature for every departure, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a promise.

The music tends toward familiar, middle-of-the-road songs that work for mixed ages. If you want a party at sea, this is a plus. If you want only natural sounds and quiet reading time, the steady soundtrack may become tiring.

The return trip can also be the best time to enjoy the boat without a fixed activity. Sit with your group, look for more flying fish, or take in the southern coast from the water. The four-hour format gives you several different moods without taking up the whole day.

What the $91 price really covers

At $91 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend four hours in Fuerteventura. It is, however, a fairly full package. The price includes the catamaran trip, wildlife search, swimming stop, onboard meal, and an open bar with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

Optional hotel pickup adds practical value. Transfers are available from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. Pickup is not available from every hotel, but the provider says the selected points are within about a five-minute walk of each hotel in the covered areas.

If you are staying in one of those resorts, pickup removes the need to arrange a taxi or drive to Morro Jable. Your exact pickup time is sent after booking, usually within about 12 hours, so check your junk or spam folder if you do not see the message.

You can also drive to the port yourself. One person staying in El Cotillo found parking and the boat location straightforward, though the journey from the north makes this a longer day. The meeting point option does not include transport, so read the selected booking option carefully.

The value is strongest if you plan to drink a few included beverages, eat lunch onboard, and want both wildlife watching and swimming. It is less attractive if you want a small private charter, a serious sailing experience, or a guaranteed animal sighting.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups who like an active half-day with several elements packed together. Children can take part in the boat ride and swim, and life jackets are available. The crew’s friendly approach also helps first-time boat passengers feel at ease.

It suits people who want a social outing rather than a private escape. Music, dancing, open drinks, and crew-led entertainment are central to the mood. Birthday surprises, honeymoons, and special occasions have all been marked onboard, including one engagement.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness. A catamaran can feel steadier than a smaller boat, but no sea trip is motion-free. The supplied information does not list a dedicated seasickness policy, so bring any medication you normally use and tell the crew if you feel unwell.

The boat may not satisfy experienced sailors hoping to spend four hours under sail. Weather, passenger numbers, and sea conditions can make sailing under canvas difficult. The crew has explained this openly, and the trip remains enjoyable as a motor-assisted coastal cruise.

Booking details worth checking before you go

The activity lasts four hours, but the starting time varies. Check the available departure times for your date rather than assuming a morning trip.

Choose the pickup option carefully. If you select no transport, arrive at Morro Jable port 30 minutes early. If you select pickup, wait for the follow-up message with the assigned time and meeting point.

The host or greeter may speak English, Spanish, German, or French. That makes the safety briefing and general communication easier for a mixed international group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your holiday plans are not fully settled.

The overall rating is 4.5 from more than 1,500 ratings, with especially strong praise for the crew, the dolphin sightings when they occur, the food, and the included drinks. The weaker points are clear too: wildlife is unpredictable, the meal will not please everyone, and the boat can feel more like a lively group cruise than a pure sailing trip.

Should you book the Magic Catamaran?

Book it if you want good value in a social setting, with wildlife watching, a swim, food, and drinks all in one half-day. The crew seems to be the heart of the experience, and the repeated praise for their humor, care, and organization is persuasive.

Skip it if your priority is silence, private space, or guaranteed dolphins. You should also avoid treating the word catamaran as a promise of constant sail power. For most people who want an easy, cheerful day on the southern coast, though, the combination of scenery, sea swimming, food, and an open bar makes $91 a reasonable spend.

FAQ

How long is the Magic Catamaran trip?

The trip lasts four hours.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

It departs from the port of Morro Jable in southern Fuerteventura.

How early should I arrive at the port?

If you are not using pickup, arrive at Morro Jable port 30 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup available?

Optional pickup is available from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. Pickup is not available from every hotel.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

Is food included?

Yes. The trip includes a meal onboard, generally Mozarabic chicken with rice and vegetables. Depending on the departure, it may be described as lunch or dinner.

Is swimming part of the trip?

Yes. The catamaran stops off Jandía for about 30 minutes of swimming.

Are life jackets available?

Life jackets are offered to adults and children who want or need one during the swimming stop.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings depend on sea conditions and the animals’ movements.

What languages are spoken on the trip?

The host or greeter may speak English, Spanish, German, or French.