Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best part of the Afrikat cruise is the long stop in a clear bay near Mogán, where you can swim, snorkel, or pay extra for a jet ski, parasail, donut ride, or speedboat trip. It feels like more than a sightseeing boat ride. You get a proper half-day on the water, with lunch and drinks folded into the price.

I like the generous time at anchor and the choice between active fun and quiet sunbathing. I also like the clean catamaran, useful shade, and crew who keep things light without making the boat feel like a noisy party. The main thing to watch is that the most exciting water sports cost extra, and some activities may be unavailable on the day.

Key points at a glance

• A real water stop: You get about 2.5 hours near Mogán for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports.
• Drinks are included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are available without a separate charge.
• The crew sets the tone: Potter and the team are known for warm service, jokes, music, and attentive help.
• Extras are fairly priced: Jet skis cost €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, donut rides €10 per person, and the captain’s speedboat €5 per person.
• Comfort matters: The boat has sunbathing areas, shaded seating, and a clean, spacious feel.
• Transfers cover many resort areas: Pickup and return are available from selected points, but not from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

What the Afrikat cruise is really like

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest boat trip on Gran Canaria. But it includes far more than a simple coastal cruise: transport from many resort areas, a catamaran ride, lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling equipment, and time for several water activities.

I see it as a good-value choice if you want your day arranged for you. You do not need to pack a picnic, rent snorkeling gear, or search for separate activities at the marina. The price also makes more sense for people who plan to drink beer or sangria, since those are included throughout the cruise.

The mood is friendly and informal. The crew gives a safety briefing before leaving Puerto Rico, then mixes practical instructions with humor. Potter, the owner, is often singled out for making people feel welcome, while other crew members handle food, drinks, announcements, and activities. A saxophone performance and live music may be offered on Friday mornings, but music is not part of every departure.

This is not a quiet sailing trip built around solitude. You will share the boat with other passengers, and the crew works hard to create a social atmosphere. At the same time, the boat has enough room for you to find a shaded seat or stretch out in the sun.

Getting to Puerto Rico and boarding the boat

Pickup is offered from many designated points around the southern resort areas, including Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Taurito, Amadores, Patalavaca, and Bahía Feliz. The exact meeting point depends on your booking, so check it carefully rather than assuming the bus will come to your hotel door.

The transfer can take about an hour. That is useful if you are staying away from Puerto Rico, but it also adds time to the day. Pickup and drop-off are not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán, so you may need to reach the marina yourself if you are based in one of those places.

At Puerto Rico, expect a short safety briefing of about 10 minutes. This is a welcome sign, especially when swimming, riding a speedboat, or using powered water equipment later in the day. The crew explains how the activities work and helps keep the change from boat to water orderly.

The boat is described as a luxury catamaran, and the practical details matter more than the label. You have places to sit in both sun and shade, a bar, toilets, and room to move around. Several people particularly appreciated how clean the boat felt. That can make a big difference during a four-and-a-half-hour outing.

The southwest coast from the catamaran

Once you leave Puerto Rico, the boat follows the southwestern coast of Gran Canaria. You will see beaches, cliffs, coves, and resort areas from a useful offshore angle. The sea breeze helps take the edge off the sun, though you should still use sunscreen and bring a hat.

The cruise itself lasts about an hour on the way toward the activity stop. This is your chance to settle in, order a drink, and watch the coastline pass without having to do anything. If you want photographs, the open sides of the catamaran provide better views than sitting inside a coach, but hold on to loose belongings when the boat picks up speed.

A small speedboat ride with the captain is available for an extra €5 per person. It is a short add-on rather than a separate excursion, but it gives you a faster, more active view of the coast. One useful detail from the trip is that the speedboat has been used to see nearby caves, making it more interesting than simply racing back and forth.

The Mogán stop: lunch, swimming, and snorkeling

The main event is the roughly 2.5-hour stop near Mogán. The boat anchors in a clear bay, giving you time to choose your own pace. You can stay on deck, swim, use the included snorkeling equipment, or pay for one of the motorized activities.

The snorkeling is a strong part of the package because the equipment is included and the stop is long enough to make it worthwhile. Fish can be seen around the boat, and you are not forced to rush back aboard after a quick swim. Bring your own mask if you are particular about fit, but the supplied equipment is intended for general use.

The water may feel cool when you first get in, even in warm weather. A towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes are sensible. Keep your sunglasses secure when swimming, and do not leave your phone exposed on deck.

Lunch is served by the crew rather than left as a buffet for you to assemble. The standard meal is a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, along with pasta salad. The food has earned unusually strong praise for a boat excursion, with several people describing the wraps as fresh and better than expected.

Vegetarian and other special dietary needs can be accommodated, but you need to communicate them in advance. One passenger who forgot to mention a vegetarian requirement was still given a suitable meal, but that should not be your plan. Tell the provider when booking so the kitchen has time to prepare.

The food is simple rather than gourmet, which is exactly right for a day involving swimming and water sports. You can eat without leaving the boat, then return to the water or settle into a shaded seat.

Choosing the paid water sports

The included snorkeling is enough for a relaxed outing, but the optional activities are what make this cruise more appealing to active families and groups of friends. They are charged separately:

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

These prices are relatively moderate for resort water sports, and you can decide after seeing the conditions. A mixed group can split up, with one person sunbathing while another takes the jet ski or parasail.

The important catch is availability. Equipment can be out of service, weather can affect the program, and one activity may not operate on a particular day. Do not book this cruise solely for the jet ski. Treat the paid activities as bonuses, not guarantees.

If everything is running, you may be able to combine several options. One group paid about €42 per person for a donut ride, speedboat trip, jet ski, and snorkeling. That gives you an idea of how quickly extras can add to the original $88 fare, though it also shows the range of activities available in one stop.

The donut ride suits people who want a short burst of fun without needing much experience. The jet ski is more active and may appeal to adults or older children who want speed. Parasailing offers a calmer view from above. Ask the crew about age, safety, and availability before paying.

Food, drinks, and the onboard bar

Unlimited drinks are one of the main reasons this cruise can represent good value. The package includes beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. You can order from the onboard bar, and service may be brought to your seat rather than making you queue for every drink.

The beer and sangria receive especially positive attention. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included, so budget separately if those are important to you. Some specialty drinks may be available for purchase, but do not assume they form part of the standard package.

A reusable drinking glass souvenir is included. It is a small touch, but it is more useful than the usual disposable cup and fits the relaxed, practical character of the trip.

With unlimited drinks in the sun, pace yourself and drink water too. The combination of sea air, alcohol, and water activity can catch up with you. If anyone in your group gets seasick, tell the crew early. The team has helped passengers who felt unwell, and staying near the center of the boat may feel steadier than sitting at the outer edge.

How crowded and family-friendly is it?

The experience suits a wide age range. Children can enjoy swimming and snorkeling, while adults can choose the bar, sunbathing, or the more active water sports. The crew has also been attentive with toddlers, which helps if you are bringing a young child.

That said, the water sports require sensible judgment. You should be comfortable following instructions and using safety equipment. Parents will need to supervise children closely around the water, even with a professional crew.

The boat can feel relaxed rather than packed, but group size may vary by date. Some departures have felt comfortably uncrowded, while the popularity of the activity means you should not expect a private charter. If personal space matters most, choose a quieter weekday or ask about expected capacity before booking.

The wheelchair-accessible status is useful, but mobility needs should be explained when you book. A catamaran, transfer vehicle, marina, and water stop each present different practical issues, so clear communication gives the operator a chance to prepare.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make a boat day comfortable:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Sunglasses
• A camera or phone in a secure waterproof pouch
• Credit card and some cash
• A light layer if you dislike wind after swimming

You should bring money even if you do not plan to buy anything. The optional water sports, photos, souvenirs, and non-included drinks all require extra payment. A bank card is useful, but cash is also recommended.

Avoid carrying anything you cannot secure. The boat moves, the deck may get wet, and you will spend part of the stop away from your seat. Keep valuables in a small waterproof bag and do not leave phones loose near the rail.

Is $88 good value?

The value depends on how you use the package. If you only want a short boat ride and do not drink, you may find cheaper ways to get on the water. If you want transport, a meal, unlimited drinks, snorkeling, and a choice of paid activities, the price is easier to justify.

The included drink package has real value for an adult group. Lunch also removes the need to buy food at the marina or carry it with you. The cruise gives you a full half-day rather than a brief trip out and back.

The extra activities are reasonably priced, but they can change the final cost. A family that pays for several jet skis and parasailing can spend much more than the headline fare. I would decide your activity budget before boarding, then choose one or two highlights rather than trying to do everything.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add flexibility. That matters for a water activity, since your holiday plans and the weather can change.

Who should book the Afrikat cruise?

I would recommend it if you want a social, easygoing day with several choices built into one outing. It works particularly well for couples, families, groups of friends, and anyone who likes the idea of swimming and snorkeling but also wants a comfortable place to rest.

It is also a good choice for people who enjoy friendly crew interaction. The staff are not just handling the boat. They serve food and drinks, explain the activities, make announcements, and keep conversation flowing. Potter and the wider team help give the trip its personality.

I would think twice if you want a silent sailing experience, a private boat, or guaranteed access to a particular jet ski or parasail. The trip has a fun, social character, and the optional equipment may not always be working.

Final verdict: book it for the mix, not one single activity

The Afrikat cruise works because it combines several good holiday ingredients: a clean and comfortable catamaran, attractive coastal views, a proper swimming stop, capable staff, filling food, and drinks that are already covered. The crew’s humor and attention are a major part of the experience, not a minor extra.

Book it if you want variety and value, and especially if you plan to use the snorkeling and enjoy a few drinks. Bring extra money for the water sports, but keep your expectations flexible. The jet ski or parasailing may not be available, yet the cruise still offers enough to make the day worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria Afrikat catamaran cruise?

The advertised duration is 4.5 hours. The schedule includes coach transfers where available, a safety briefing, coastal cruising, and about 2.5 hours near Mogán for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports.

What drinks are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. The crew serves a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, plus pasta salad. You should communicate vegetarian or other special dietary requirements in advance.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as an optional included activity, and you can use it during the stop in the bay near Mogán.

Do the water sports cost extra?

Yes. A jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, a donut ride costs €10 per person, and the speedboat ride with the captain costs €5 per person. Availability can vary.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available from selected centralized points in areas including Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Taurito, Amadores, Patalavaca, and Bahía Feliz. Transport is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.