Fuerteventura: Magic Select Catamaran Trip with Food & Drinks

The best part of this cruise is the mix of wildlife watching and swimming. From Morro Jable, the Magic Select heads into open water in search of dolphins and whales, then turns toward quiet white-sand coves for a swim. Lunch, drinks, music, and a generous catamaran give the outing the feel of a relaxed half-day at sea rather than a short sightseeing ride.

I like the large 150-square-meter sail and the space it gives you to move between sun and shade. I also like that the crew treats the trip as a social outing, with music, dancing, and friendly help from crew members such as Aaron, Juani, Oliver, Luis, Juan, Luca, and Hajid on different departures. The main caution is simple: wildlife is never guaranteed, and at least one departure did not reach the promised coves.

What makes this four-hour cruise worth considering

• Dolphin and whale search from Morro Jable: The captain changes course and spends time looking for marine life around southern Fuerteventura.
• A real swim stop: The boat heads toward small, quiet coves with pale sand, where conditions allow you to get into the water.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch has been served as chicken with rice or chicken paella, with drinks available throughout the cruise.
• A spacious sailing catamaran: The Magic Select carries up to 70 people and offers places in both sun and shade.
• An upbeat crew: Music, dancing, jokes, and practical help are a central part of the trip, with Juani and Aaron often singled out for their energy and care.
• Resort pickup in the south: Transport is offered from selected points near Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía.

Setting out from Morro Jable at 10 a.m.

The trip begins at the Magic & Sailing meeting point in the port of Morro Jable. If you are making your own way there, arrive 30 minutes before departure. The scheduled start is 10 a.m., and the cruise returns to the same meeting point after about four hours.

The port is in the south of Fuerteventura, making this outing particularly convenient if you are staying in Morro Jable, Jandía, Esquinzo, or Costa Calma. Pickup is available from selected points in those resort areas, but not from every hotel door. The pickup points are intended to be within about a five-minute walk of each hotel.

If you request transport, the pickup time is sent after booking, usually within about 12 hours. Check your junk or spam folder if it does not appear. I would not leave this detail until the morning of the trip, since the meeting point and pickup arrangement are different depending on how you book.

The catamaran itself is one of the reasons the experience works well for a half-day outing. It has a broad deck, a large sail, and enough room for passengers to find a place in the sun or shade. The stated maximum is 70 people. Some feedback describes departures of around 50 people, which still feels social but gives the boat more breathing room than a small motorboat packed with passengers.

Sailing south with dolphins and whales in mind

Once the Magic Select leaves Morro Jable, the captain raises the large sail and begins the search for dolphins and whales found around the Canary Islands. This is not a guaranteed wildlife trip, and you should set your expectations accordingly. The sea may offer dolphins swimming beside the boat for a long stretch, or you may see only a few animals at a distance. One account describes four dolphins roughly 500 feet away, while other outings had dolphins appear within the first 45 minutes and even included a whale sighting.

That difference matters. You are paying for a boat outing with a chance to see wildlife, not a promise of a close encounter. The captain and crew do appear to pay close attention, and one account describes the boat approaching dolphins gently. Still, animals choose the distance and the timing.

Bring patience and keep your phone ready, but do not spend the entire search staring at a screen. The views from the water are part of the point. The open sea, Fuerteventura’s pale coast, and the movement of the sailing catamaran create a calmer experience even when dolphins stay out of reach.

The captain has been identified as Aaron on some departures, with other crew members including Juani, Oliver, Luis, Juan, Luca, Hajid, Laura, Irizar, Cris, Jose, and Fron appearing in different accounts. The exact team can vary, but the pattern is clear: the crew plays a visible part in the day. They help passengers, keep an eye on the sea, manage the swim stop, and keep the mood moving with music and dancing.

The quiet cove and swim stop

After the wildlife search, the captain changes course toward small, deserted coves on the south coast. The stated plan includes a stop in a calm area with white sand, giving you time for a refreshing swim and, in some accounts, a chance to see fish in the water.

This is the most important practical distinction between the cruise and a simple wildlife ride. You are not confined to your seat for four hours. You may spend part of the outing swimming from the boat, then return to the deck for food, drinks, and music.

The swim stop is weather-dependent in practical terms, even though the activity specifically requires good weather to operate. Conditions at sea can affect where the boat stops, how long it remains there, and whether swimming feels comfortable. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a way to protect your phone. One of the clearest recurring tips is to use plenty of sunscreen, since the open deck gives you more sun than you may expect.

There is one point to watch closely. The advertised plan includes coves, but one disappointed passenger reported that the boat stayed out at sea and did not visit any of them. Most of the available feedback describes a swim stop positively, but you should treat the cove visit as part of the intended route, not an absolute guarantee.

Lunch, drinks, music, and a social mood

Food is included, and the lunch served on different departures has been described as chicken with rice, chicken paella, and a chicken-and-stew style meal. It is straightforward boat-trip food rather than a formal restaurant meal. For many people, that is exactly right: you swim, dry off, take in the views, and sit down to a warm, filling plate without leaving the boat.

The quality appears to vary by personal expectation. Several accounts describe the food as good or delicious, while one strongly negative account found it poor. I would book this for the sailing, wildlife chance, swim, and friendly atmosphere first, with lunch as a useful extra rather than the main reason to go.

A selection of drinks is included throughout the cruise. Several accounts describe drinks as available on tap, with cold white wine served alongside lunch. Again, expectations matter. This is an inclusive boat bar arrangement, not a specialist wine experience. One complaint specifically disliked the wine, while many other accounts praised the included drinks and considered them good value.

Music and entertainment are not a small side feature. Juani is often credited with keeping the mood lively, and several crew combinations are praised for choosing music, encouraging dancing, and helping everyone feel involved. If you want a quiet, naturalist-style cruise with long silent stretches, this may feel too animated. If you enjoy a holiday outing with music, jokes, and a chance to dance after lunch, the tone will suit you well.

How the price of $93.12 makes sense

At $93.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in Fuerteventura. The value comes from the length and the number of separate elements included: roughly four hours aboard a large catamaran, a wildlife search, a planned swim stop, lunch, drinks, and resort transport for eligible pickup points.

The price is easier to justify if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, lunch, drinks, and transport. It is also a good fit for couples and families who want one organized half-day rather than several smaller activities.

The value is less convincing if your only goal is a guaranteed dolphin sighting. No responsible wildlife outing can promise that, and one departure produced only distant sightings. It is also less appealing if you dislike group entertainment or expect a refined meal and premium drinks.

The strongest case is for someone who wants a complete social day on the water. You get movement, swimming, food, and a chance to see marine life without having to organize each part yourself. The rating of 4.6 from 495 published ratings and a 91 percent recommendation rate suggest broad satisfaction, but the occasional sharp complaint is useful. The experience depends on wildlife, weather, sea conditions, and your taste in food and music.

Who will enjoy the Magic Select most

I would recommend this cruise to families who want a simple, organized boat day. Children and adults have several ways to enjoy it: watching for dolphins, moving around the catamaran, swimming, eating, and listening to music. The broad deck is more forgiving than a cramped vessel, especially when people want different amounts of sun and shade.

Couples can also enjoy it, particularly if they want a mix of scenic sailing and a lively holiday atmosphere. This is not a private romantic charter. Dancing, shared tables, and a group setting are part of the experience. For some couples that creates a fun memory; for others, a quieter cruise would be better.

It suits solo passengers who like meeting people and joining group activities. The crew makes a real effort to keep the mood friendly, and accounts describe them helping passengers who felt seasick. Still, if you are sensitive to motion, remember that this is an open-water trip lasting several hours.

The tour is less suitable for anyone seeking a precise wildlife guarantee, a silent nature cruise, or a high-end dining experience. It is also worth checking the weather forecast before booking, since poor weather can lead to a change of date or a refund.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive early if you are meeting at the port. The required arrival time is 30 minutes before the boat trip begins, which gives you time to find the correct meeting point without starting the day in a rush.

If you use pickup, wait for the confirmed time and location rather than assuming the bus will come directly to your hotel. Selected pickup points serve Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía, and the final details arrive by email.

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothes and bring a towel. Sunscreen is essential, especially if you plan to spend time on the upper deck. A phone case or small waterproof pouch is sensible if you want photographs during the swim stop.

Keep some flexibility in your plans after the cruise. The advertised duration is about four hours, and one account notes a late pickup and drop-off. That does not mean every departure runs late, but I would avoid scheduling an important connection immediately afterward.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. If bad weather prevents the trip from operating, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book this catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a lively half-day with several activities bundled together. The strongest reasons are the spacious catamaran, the chance to see dolphins or whales, the swim stop, and the warm crew atmosphere. The included lunch, drinks, and possible resort pickup add useful value.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed close wildlife encounter, dislike music and dancing, or judge a boat trip mainly by the meal and wine. The wildlife sightings can be distant or absent, the coves may not be reached on every departure, and the food is best treated as simple included lunch.

For most visitors staying in southern Fuerteventura, I would consider it a solid choice when the sea is calm and you want more than a short cruise. Go for the full package, not one promised moment. If dolphins appear beside the boat or a whale breaks the surface, that is the bonus that can turn a pleasant outing into a memorable one.

FAQ

Where does the Magic Select catamaran trip start?

The trip starts at Fuerteventura boat trips, Magic & Sailing, in the port of Morro Jable, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time should I arrive at the port?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m. If you are not using transport, you should arrive at the port 30 minutes before the boat trip begins.

Is pickup available from my hotel?

Pickup is offered from selected points serving the resorts of Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía. Pickup is not available from every hotel, and the final pickup details are sent after booking.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts about four hours and ends back at the meeting point in Morro Jable.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch and a selection of drinks are included. Lunch has been described as chicken with rice, chicken paella, or a similar chicken-based meal, depending on the departure.

Will I definitely see dolphins or whales?

No. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings cannot be guaranteed. Some departures have seen dolphins and whales, while others have had no sightings or only distant dolphins.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.