Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

Sea days do not get much easier. This 4.5-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Rico combines a relaxed sail along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast with swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. I like the small-group feel, with plenty of room on the boat, and I like that lunch, water sports, soft drinks, beer, sangria, and water are included. The main consideration is simple: if you do not drink alcohol, the $97 price may feel a little high.

The trip is also nicely organized, with pickup and drop-off available south of the island and morning or afternoon departures. I would bring a towel, expect the menu to change with the season, and remember that the sea decides the final schedule. The water can be cool, but the reward is a calm day away from the resort crowds, with two swimming stops and a good amount of time to use the equipment.

Quick Take: What Makes This Boat Trip Worth Considering

• Two water stops: Swim, snorkel, kayak, and use SUP boards at the first stop, then enjoy another chance to cool off near lunch.
• Food brought from the coast: The morning trip includes a seasonal meal such as tuna, chicken, salad, bread, Canarian potatoes, and mojo sauce.
• Drinks keep coming: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the cruise. Cocktails and other extra drinks cost more.
• Room to spread out: The modern catamaran has a sun deck, shaded seating, and enough space to avoid feeling packed in.
• Pickup takes the hassle out: Transport is included in the south of Gran Canaria, with the exact time confirmed after booking.
• A good mixed-age outing: Families, couples, and groups can enjoy the boat at their own pace, from active water sports to quiet sunbathing.

Leaving Puerto Rico for the Southwest Coast

The day begins at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, one of the island’s main resort ports. If you are staying in the south, pickup and return transport are included. The exact time depends on your accommodation, so check the provider’s message after booking, including your spam folder. That small step matters more than it sounds. A missed pickup is a poor way to begin a boat day.

The transfer is by minibus, and the service has been praised for being prompt, comfortable, and air-conditioned. Once at the port, you board a spacious catamaran and choose your place. There is open space on the sun deck, along with shaded seating for anyone who prefers a break from the strong Canarian sun.

The boat is one of the strongest parts of the experience. It is modern, clean, and stable enough that several people who worried about seasickness found the ride comfortable. That said, no boat trip can promise perfectly calm water. If you know you are sensitive at sea, ask a pharmacist about suitable motion-sickness tablets before you go.

As the catamaran heads along the coast, you get views of coves, beaches, and the rugged southern shoreline. The trip is more about enjoying the sea than receiving a detailed coastal tour, so do not expect a long stream of historical commentary. You may get useful local information from the crew, but the main attraction is the setting, the breeze, and the time to settle into the day.

Drinks are available during the cruise. Beer, sangria, water, juice, and soft drinks are included, and the crew regularly checks whether you need anything. Wine is not part of the standard formula, and cocktails or other special drinks cost extra. If you mainly drink beer or sangria, the price becomes easier to justify. If you prefer wine or nonalcoholic drinks, the value is less obvious.

The First Stop: Snorkeling, Kayaking, and SUP Time

The first swimming stop is usually the most active part of the morning. The catamaran pauses in a sheltered bay near the coast, where you can enter the water from the boat and make use of the included equipment.

Snorkeling gear is provided, and the clear water can offer a look at small fish close to the boat. One particularly lucky outing included a glimpse of a hammerhead shark, while another spotted a whale from the boat on the return journey. Those sightings are bonuses, not promises, but they show why it pays to keep an eye on the water.

You can also use the SUP boards and kayak. The equipment is shared, so you may need to take turns if several people want the same activity at once. That is worth knowing before you picture every person having a board to themselves. Still, the group size is modest, and the stop is long enough for people to rotate through the activities.

You can choose to do nothing at all. The catamaran has steps into the sea, and simply swimming, floating, or sitting on deck is a perfectly good use of the stop. This flexibility makes the trip work well for groups with different energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can stay dry with a drink in the shade.

The water may feel chilly, especially outside the hottest summer months. Several people found it refreshing, but you should not assume tropical bathwater. A towel is essential, and you will want a dry layer for the ride back if the wind picks up.

Optional jet-skiing and parasailing can also be arranged for an extra charge. These activities are not included in the $97 price, so ask about the cost before committing. They add speed and excitement, but the included swimming and paddle sports are enough for a satisfying half-day.

A Canarian Lunch by the Water

After the first water stop, the catamaran continues toward the coast near Tasarte. For the morning departure, the crew collects a freshly prepared lunch from a local restaurant on the beach. In some outings, parts of the meal have been brought out by kayak, which is a fun and memorable touch.

The exact menu changes with the season, but typical choices include tuna or breaded chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The food is not a formal restaurant meal, but it is more substantial than the usual snack served on a boat. Portions are designed to go around, and the meal gives you a welcome break after swimming.

Canarian potatoes are a local staple, traditionally served with mojo. The sauce can vary in strength, so a mild version may be offered, as it was on some outings. The tuna and chicken give you a choice between fish and meat, while the salad and bread round out the plate.

The second stop allows time for another swim near lunch. You can stay in the water while the crew organizes the meal, or remain on deck and enjoy the view. This stop is less about trying every activity and more about slowing down, eating well, and taking in the coast.

Afternoon departures follow a slightly different food plan. Instead of the full seasonal lunch, you receive tapas-style snacks. That makes the morning option the better choice if food is a major reason for booking. The afternoon trip may suit you better if you prefer a shorter-feeling outing or want to spend the morning elsewhere.

The Ride Back: Sun, Shade, and Unhurried Views

The return journey is deliberately easygoing. After swimming and eating, you can find a place on the sun deck, sit under cover, or stay near the rail for views of the coast. The catamaran does not rush back to Puerto Rico, which gives the final part of the trip a pleasant, lazy rhythm.

The boat has enough room for sunbathing without forcing everyone into one crowded seating area. That is especially useful for families and mixed groups. Children can enjoy the water stops, while older relatives or less active companions can relax on board.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being attentive without becoming overbearing. Drinks are offered regularly, equipment is explained, and younger children can use flotation vests. The language mix is practical too, with guiding available in English, Spanish, German, and French.

Do not expect a full marine-life safari. Dolphins, whales, and sharks have been spotted, but nature does not follow a timetable. The dependable sights are the coastline, the sea, the coves, and the changing light across the water.

Is $97 Good Value?

At $97 per person, this is not the cheapest boat ride in Gran Canaria. The value depends on how much of the package you use.

The price includes the catamaran cruise, transport in the south, a full morning lunch or afternoon tapas, unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water, plus snorkeling gear, SUP boards, and a kayak. You are paying for a complete half-day outing rather than a bare transfer on a boat.

I think the price works best for you if you plan to drink sangria or beer, want hotel pickup, and intend to swim or use the water equipment. The included lunch also saves you from arranging a separate meal during the outing.

The calculation is less favorable if you do not drink alcohol, skip the water sports, and prefer to spend the day quietly on a beach. A few people who mainly chose nonalcoholic drinks felt the value was closer to good than excellent. On the other hand, repeat customers and families often found the combination of food, service, space, and activities worth the cost.

The boat is shared, with one outing carrying up to roughly 17 other people. That is a useful middle ground. You get company and service, but it does not feel like a huge party boat. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the group can include couples, families, and friends of different ages.

Who Will Enjoy This Experience Most?

I would recommend this trip to couples who want an easy day on the water, families looking for several activities in one booking, and anyone who likes the idea of swimming without planning every detail.

It is also a good choice for a birthday or group celebration. A welcome drink may be offered, and the combination of music-free relaxation, food, and water activities gives people room to celebrate without forcing everyone into the same pace.

You should think twice if your main goal is a long sailing voyage. The trip lasts 4.5 hours, and several people wished they could stay out longer. It is designed as a half-day outing with two stops, not an all-day expedition.

You may also want another option if you need a detailed guided tour of Gran Canaria’s coast. The crew can share information, but the focus is service, swimming, and relaxation rather than a formal lecture.

Sea conditions can affect the route and activity schedule. The operator makes safety decisions based on weather and water conditions, so an exact experience cannot be guaranteed in advance. That is normal for any marine activity, but it is worth keeping in mind when planning a tightly packed holiday schedule.

Practical Tips Before You Go

• Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a dry layer for the return sail.
• Check your pickup message carefully because the time varies by accommodation.
• Look in your spam folder if the pickup details do not appear.
• Choose the morning departure if you want the full lunch.
• Choose the afternoon departure if tapas are enough and you prefer a later start.
• Ask about extra charges before booking jet-skiing or parasailing.
• If you do not drink alcohol, judge the price mainly by the boat, food, transport, and water activities.
• If you are prone to seasickness, prepare before boarding rather than waiting for symptoms.
• Keep your camera ready, but protect it around the swimming stops.
• Remember that the menu is seasonal and can change without notice.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your plans around Gran Canaria are still shifting, though the sea and weather remain outside anyone’s control.

Should You Book This Catamaran Trip?

Yes, I would book it if you want a polished half-day at sea with real food, free-flowing standard drinks, and several ways to enjoy the water. The strongest points are the roomy catamaran, friendly crew, reliable transport, two swimming stops, and the fresh meal near Tasarte.

I would be more cautious if you avoid alcohol, dislike shared equipment, or want a serious sightseeing cruise with constant commentary. In that case, part of the package may not matter much to you.

For most people staying in southern Gran Canaria, this is a well-balanced day out. You get enough activity to avoid boredom, enough shade to avoid overdoing the sun, and enough food and drink to make the $97 fare feel fair. Book the morning sailing for the fullest food experience, bring a towel, and leave room in your schedule for the boat to set the pace.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria catamaran trip?

The experience lasts 4.5 hours, with morning and afternoon departure options available.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The catamaran departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and sails along the southwest coast.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations south of the island. The provider confirms the exact pickup time after booking, and it can vary by location.

What drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included. Additional drinks, such as cocktails, are not included.

Is lunch included?

The morning excursion includes a seasonal lunch. The afternoon excursion includes light tapas-style snacks instead. The menu can change without notice.

Can I snorkel or use a paddleboard?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and a kayak are provided. You can also arrange jet-skiing or parasailing for an additional cost.