Fuerteventura: Magic Catamaran Trip with Food and Drinks

Fuerteventura’s Magic Catamaran is part wildlife outing, part floating lunch party. You sail from Morro Jable along the volcanic south coast, look for dolphins and pilot whales, swim off Jandía, then eat chicken with rice and vegetables while drinks keep coming.

I like the open bar, which includes beer, wine, soft drinks, and water, and I like the friendly crew-led atmosphere. Guides such as Aaron, Juani, Feli, Elisa, and Itziar have been praised for keeping the trip warm, funny, and well organized. The main catch is that wildlife sightings and true sailing are not guaranteed, and this is a sizeable group cruise rather than a quiet private charter.

Magic Catamaran at a glance

• Dolphin and whale search: Around 90 minutes is given to looking for marine life in waters where more than 29 cetacean species have been identified.
• Swim stop off Jandía: You get about 30 minutes to enter the sea, with life jackets available for adults and children who want extra support.
• 23-meter Magic Select: The catamaran gives you room to sit, stretch out, take photographs, or gather with other passengers.
• Mozarabic-style lunch: Expect chicken, rice, vegetables, and sauce, served onboard after the swim.
• Drinks included: Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip.
• Resort pickup: Transport can be arranged from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable.

Leaving Morro Jable on the Magic Select

The outing begins at Morro Jable port, where you need to arrive 30 minutes before departure if you are meeting the boat yourself. The catamaran is the 23-meter Magic Select, a modern vessel with enough room for a social group without feeling like everyone is packed shoulder to shoulder.

The first step is a safety briefing. This matters more than it sounds. You will be moving around a boat, using an open deck, and perhaps swimming from an anchored vessel later in the trip. The crew explains the basic arrangements before the catamaran heads out.

The mood is generally informal and upbeat. Music plays during much of the cruise, and the crew may organize dancing or other light entertainment on the return journey. This works well if you want a holiday outing with energy and conversation. If you are hoping for a silent morning at sea, bring realistic expectations.

The boat normally carries a sizeable group. One useful advantage of a catamaran is that the layout gives you choices: sit with others, find a quieter corner, or stretch out for a while. It is not a private sailing experience, but the wide deck helps prevent the crowd from feeling too confined.

Watching dolphins and pilot whales off Fuerteventura

The wildlife search takes about one and a half hours, making it the longest active part of the trip. From Morro Jable, the boat heads into the waters around southern Fuerteventura and searches for dolphins and whales known to pass through the Canary Islands.

Dolphins have been seen close to the catamaran on many outings, sometimes in pods that stay near the boat for a considerable time. Pilot whales have also been spotted, as have flying fish. Some excursions have produced several dolphin sightings, while others have returned without marine life. The crew is clear that animals in the open sea cannot be scheduled.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you book. You are paying for a boat trip in wildlife habitat, not a guaranteed animal show. The captain may change course or spend time watching a pod when conditions allow, but nature sets the timetable.

The captain and crew add useful context during this part of the cruise. Juani, one of the captains mentioned by name, has explained dolphin species and behavior and shown videos of dolphins following the vessel. That sort of commentary gives the search more purpose than simply scanning the horizon.

Bring a camera, but keep it ready rather than expecting a perfect photograph. Dolphins can surface quickly and disappear just as fast. The best reward is often the sight itself, especially when a pod swims close to the boat.

The Jandía swim stop

After the wildlife search, the captain heads toward a swimming area off Jandía. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, enough time for a refreshing dip rather than a long beach session.

The water can feel cold, even in Fuerteventura’s warm climate. That is not necessarily a problem, but you should know it before jumping in. Only some people may choose to swim, and life jackets are available if you want extra reassurance or are traveling with children.

Pay attention to the crew’s instructions about the tide and current. One useful point from the practical feedback is that the water movement can be stronger than it looks from the deck. Use the ladder and follow directions when entering and leaving the sea.

This is a boat swim, not a visit to a beach. You do not walk ashore, browse shops, or find a changing room. Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. You will appreciate having dry clothes for the ride back, especially after a breezy swim.

The stop also breaks up the day nicely. After sitting and watching the sea, you get a chance to move around. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain onboard and enjoy the views from the deck.

Lunch, drinks, and the onboard atmosphere

Lunch is served after the swim and consists of Mozarabic chicken, rice, vegetables, and sauce. The portion has been described as generous, and it is practical food after time in the water and fresh air.

The meal is not the main reason to book this excursion, but it adds real value. You do not need to arrange lunch separately, and the food is served while the catamaran remains at sea. Most people will find it filling and straightforward. If you are a picky eater, remember that the menu is fixed, and one piece of feedback found the food less impressive than the rest of the experience.

The open bar is one of the strongest parts of the package. Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available during the cruise. Drinks are served throughout the trip rather than limited to one meal, which makes the $91 price easier to justify.

Non-alcoholic choice is slightly less broad. If you do not drink alcohol and dislike sweet fizzy drinks, you may wish to ask what is available before setting off. Sparkling water, in particular, may not be offered.

The atmosphere becomes livelier on the way back. Music continues, and the crew often encourages passengers to dance. On some trips, passengers have been invited to try steering under the captain’s supervision. Treat that as a possible extra rather than a promised feature, since the crew and sea conditions control what is safe.

A relaxed cruise, not a traditional sailing lesson

The word catamaran can make you picture sails catching the wind. This boat may sail under suitable conditions, but the experience is not marketed as a hands-on sailing course. Weather, passenger numbers, and sea sickness can make motor power the more sensible choice.

That distinction matters. You will spend four hours on the water, but you may not spend four hours moving under sail. The crew has explained that sailing can be complicated when conditions are changeable or many passengers are onboard, including people feeling unwell.

I would book this for the coastline, wildlife search, swim, food, and social mood, not for technical sailing. The volcanic southern coast looks best from the water, and the boat gives you a different view of Jandía than you get from the beach or road.

Motion sickness is another consideration. The crew has helped sick passengers, and the boat offers a spacious setting, but no catamaran can remove the movement of the sea. If you are prone to seasickness, eat lightly before boarding, stay where you can see the horizon, and tell the crew early if you feel unwell. Those are sensible precautions, not guarantees.

What the $91 price really covers

At $91 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend half a day in Fuerteventura. It is also not just a boat ride. The price includes a four-hour catamaran trip, the wildlife search, the Jandía swim stop, lunch, and an open bar with beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

That package compares well if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat outing, lunch, and drinks. Pickup can add more value if you are staying in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, or Morro Jable and select the transport option.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not plan to swim, and mainly want a quiet coastal sail. In that case, you may be paying for parts of the package you will not use. For couples, families, and groups wanting several activities in one outing, the price is easier to defend.

The consistently strong points are the crew, the entertainment, the amount of included food and drink, and the chance to see dolphins. No company can promise wildlife, so judge the price by the whole experience rather than by the animal sightings alone.

Pickup, meeting points, and timing

Pickup is offered from selected points serving Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. It is not available from every hotel. The chosen pickup points are intended to be within about a five-minute walk of the hotels they serve.

Your pickup time is sent after booking, normally within about 12 hours. Check your spam or junk folder if the message does not appear. If you are driving, arriving at Morro Jable port is also possible, and parking has been described as straightforward.

If your booking does not include transport, go directly to the port 30 minutes before the trip. One practical detail is worth noting: the meeting point is the boat at Morro Jable port, rather than a large separate check-in desk. Give yourself time to find the correct area without rushing.

The excursion lasts four hours, although transfers add time if you use resort pickup. Starting times vary, so check the selected date before arranging other plans.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend Magic Catamaran to you if you want a social half-day on the sea with several elements bundled together. It suits couples, families, birthday outings, honeymoon days, and groups of friends who like music and casual entertainment.

Children can take part, and life jackets are available for the swim. Still, the open deck, boat movement, and swimming stop mean parents need to stay alert and follow the crew’s instructions.

This is also a good choice if you want to see the south coast from offshore without committing to a full-day excursion. Four hours is long enough to feel like a proper outing but short enough to leave part of the day free.

I would hesitate if you want a private boat, a quiet nature trip, a guaranteed whale encounter, or a serious sailing lesson. You may also want a different plan if you dislike group entertainment or feel uncomfortable with the possibility of a moving sea.

The crew’s language range helps international groups. Hosting is available in English, Spanish, German, and French, which makes the safety briefing and practical instructions easier to follow.

Should you book the Magic Catamaran?

Book it if you value good crew energy, included drinks, a swim, and a real chance of seeing dolphins. The package gives you plenty to do, and the crew has repeatedly been praised for humor, care, and clear explanations.

Go in with the right expectations. Wildlife is never certain, lunch is simple rather than gourmet, and the boat may motor instead of sail. If those limits sound acceptable, $91 is a fair price for four hours that combine scenery, wildlife watching, swimming, food, and entertainment.

If you choose it, arrive early, bring swimwear and a towel, protect your phone from splashes, and consider motion-sickness precautions. Most important, keep your schedule flexible enough to enjoy the sea even if the dolphins decide to stay elsewhere.

FAQ

How long is the Magic Catamaran trip?

The catamaran outing lasts four hours.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The boat departs from Morro Jable port in southern Fuerteventura.

How early should I arrive at the port?

If you are meeting the boat yourself, arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available only if you select that option. It serves selected pickup points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable.

Which languages are available?

The host or greeter service is available in English, Spanish, German, and French.

What food is served onboard?

The meal includes Mozarabic chicken, rice, vegetables, and sauce.

Are drinks included?

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

Is swimming part of the itinerary?

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

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.