Gran Canaria: Afternoon Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drink

The best part of this 4.5-hour Afrikat cruise is its mix of easygoing sea time and optional thrills. You can lounge on the sun cushions, swim in a clear bay, and watch Gran Canaria’s southwest coast slide past, then add a speedboat ride or jet ski if you still have energy.

I like the all-inclusive drinks and crew-served meal, which make the afternoon feel simple and social. I also like the warm, playful atmosphere created by the crew, with Potter often helping lead the fun and Ashleigh adding live saxophone on some trips.

The main thing to consider is space. The sun deck can feel crowded when the boat is full, and water sports are run separately, so they may not always be available. The $91 price is fair if you use the cruise, meal, drinks, and swimming time, but the optional activities can push up the final cost.

Key points to know before booking

• Cruise from Puerto Rico toward Mogán: You pass fishing villages, cliffs, coves, and broad views of Gran Canaria’s southwest coast.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included: The catamaran anchors in a clear bay, with snorkeling equipment available if you want it.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: Expect a chicken wrap, pasta salad, beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skis cost €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, donut rides €10 per person, and the captain-led speedboat ride €5 per person.
• Pickup covers many resort areas: Transport is available from central points in places such as Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Arguineguin, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.
• The mood is lively, not quiet: Music, dancing, jokes from the crew, and occasional saxophone make this a social afternoon rather than a peaceful sailing trip.

Setting sail from Puerto Rico for a southwest coast view

The cruise begins at Puerto Rico, a useful departure point for exploring Gran Canaria by sea. You can use the included pickup from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

If you are going directly to the harbor, head to Calle Puerto Base and sign in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure. Pickup is not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico, so check your meeting point carefully before booking.

Once aboard, the catamaran heads along the southwest coast. The view is the main event at first: dramatic cliffs, small coves, and open water replace the resort streets. The route also gives you a different look at Mogán and its fishing village setting, seen from the water rather than from a road or marina.

I would choose a seat early if you want a particular spot. The boat has comfortable sun cushions, but the upper sun deck can feel cramped when everyone wants the same sunny patch. If you prefer shade or a little more room, moving around the boat is sensible rather than staying fixed in one place.

The trip has a holiday mood from the start. The crew is known for good humor and friendly attention, with Potter often singled out for keeping the atmosphere light. That matters here because the cruise is as much a social outing as a sightseeing trip.

A clear-water stop for swimming and snorkeling

The catamaran anchors in a bay where you can swim from the boat. This break gives the afternoon a useful change of pace after the coastal cruise. You can get into the water, cool off, or stay aboard with a drink and watch the activity around you.

Snorkeling equipment is included, although the experience is not presented as a guided marine-life tour. You use the gear on your own, so this suits casual swimmers who want a look below the surface rather than anyone seeking a detailed lesson or organized wildlife search.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat. Gran Canaria’s sun can feel strong on open water, and you have fewer natural breaks from it than you would on land. A camera is also listed as a useful item, but protect it carefully around the swimming area.

The swim stop is one of the strongest reasons to book this trip instead of a simple sightseeing boat. You are not only looking at the coast. You get a real chance to use the sea, then return to the boat for food and drinks.

Still, remember that swimming conditions and the exact stop can affect how much time you spend in the water. The activity promises a bay stop, not a private beach or a long guided snorkeling session. If your priority is serious snorkeling, this may feel too casual.

What you eat and drink during the afternoon

The crew prepares and serves a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce, along with pasta salad. You can choose the optional ingredients in the wrap, which helps if you prefer a simpler filling.

Unlimited drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included, although some drinks may be available for purchase. Bring a bank card or extra money if you want to spend more on beverages, water sports, souvenirs, or photos.

The food is practical rather than a formal meal. You are eating on a moving boat, often in swimwear and sunshine, so a wrap and pasta salad make sense. The meal gives you enough structure to settle into the second half of the trip without pretending this is a restaurant cruise.

Dietary requirements must be given when booking. Do not wait until boarding, since the crew needs advance notice to make proper arrangements.

I see the included food and drink as a major part of the value. A four-and-a-half-hour boat trip can become expensive if you have to buy every drink separately. Here, you can relax without keeping track of each soft drink or beer, provided you are happy with the choices included.

Optional water sports, from a €5 speedboat ride to a €32 jet ski

The cruise gives you the choice to do very little or add a burst of action. The captain-led speedboat ride costs €5 per person, making it the easiest extra to justify if you want a quick thrill without spending much.

Other activities cost more:

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

The donut ride is a fun middle option. It is cheaper than the jet ski or parasail and gives you the classic hold-on-tight experience across the waves. The speedboat also offers good value if you want something active but brief.

Jet skiing and parasailing will appeal to people who want the water sports to be the main focus. At €32, each one is not outrageous for a holiday add-on, but the cost matters if several people in your group want multiple activities.

Availability is not guaranteed on every departure. The water sports may be run by a separate company, and there have been occasions when they were not operating. The useful lesson is simple: book this cruise for the boat trip, swimming, food, and drinks first. Treat the extras as a bonus, not the reason for your entire booking.

Payment by card or Apple Pay has been accepted for the activities, which is handy because you may not carry cash in swimwear. Still, bring a payment card or extra money in case you want to buy something during the afternoon.

Music, crew style, and the overall mood

Afrikat is not a silent sailing trip. The tone is friendly, humorous, and often lively. The crew keeps people involved, and music can turn the return journey into a small party, with dancing and drinks rather than quiet sightseeing.

Potter is associated with the playful side of the experience. Ashleigh has also provided saxophone entertainment on some trips, a detail that adds more personality than a standard recorded playlist. Music schedules can vary, so do not book solely for the saxophone, but it can be a memorable extra.

This style will suit you if you like meeting people, chatting with the crew, and joining in. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a social setting can all fit in. It is less suited to someone who wants a private, hushed sail with only the sound of the sea.

The lively atmosphere also explains why some people find the sun deck crowded. Everyone wants the best view, the warmest sun, and a place near the action. You may enjoy the energy, or you may need to move away from the busiest area for a break.

Is $91 good value for Gran Canaria?

At $91 per person, the price is reasonable for a half-day outing that includes transport from many resort areas, the catamaran, the meal, unlimited listed drinks, swimming, and snorkeling equipment. The value improves if you take advantage of several included parts rather than treating it as a short boat ride.

Transport is useful if you are staying in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, or another covered resort area. It saves you from arranging your own route to Puerto Rico. The pickup service is area-specific, so confirm that your hotel or central meeting point is included.

The cost is less attractive if you only want a quiet coastal cruise and do not drink alcohol or eat the provided meal. In that case, you are paying for a full package with features you may not use.

Extra activities can change the calculation. A couple adding the €5 speedboat ride may find the total still easy to accept. A family adding jet skis, parasailing, and donut rides for several people could spend far more than the basic fare.

The best approach is to set your budget before boarding. Decide if you want one paid activity, several, or none. The basic cruise already gives you a full afternoon, so you do not need to buy extras to make the trip worthwhile.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise most?

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a social day on the water rather than a formal sightseeing tour. It works especially well for:

• Families looking for swimming, food, and optional activities in one outing
• Couples who want coastal views with the option of a little adventure
• Groups of friends who enjoy music, drinks, and shared water sports
• Visitors staying in the southwest resorts who can use the included pickup
• People who want a flexible afternoon, with the choice to relax or get active

It is also suitable for all ages, and the activity is wheelchair accessible. You should tell the provider about any mobility impairment after booking so the crew can make suitable arrangements.

I would think twice if you dislike group activities, crowded decks, or loud music. The boat can feel full, and the social energy is part of the package. This is not the best choice for a private charter, a specialist snorkeling trip, or a quiet sailing lesson.

Small details that make the day easier

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a camera, but keep valuables secure around the swimming area.

The cruise is offered in English and Spanish. Pickup and drop-off are included only from designated central points, not every hotel. If you go directly to Puerto Rico harbor, arrive at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before the start.

The provider allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. That gives you some flexibility when planning a holiday with changing schedules.

Should you book the Afrikat afternoon cruise?

Book it if you want one easy half-day package combining coastal views, a swim stop, snorkeling, a meal, unlimited basic drinks, and optional water sports. The crew’s humor and occasional live music give it more character than a simple transfer boat.

I would book with two conditions in mind: expect a lively shared experience, and do not depend on every water sport being available. At $91, the core outing offers solid value, especially with resort pickup and included drinks. Add the paid activities only if they fit your budget.

If you want a quiet, uncrowded sail, choose another type of boat trip. If you want a sunny, good-natured afternoon where you can swim, eat, drink, and try a fast ride across the water, Afrikat is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts 4.5 hours.

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The direct meeting point is the Afrikat desk at Puerto Rico harbor, Calle Puerto Base, S/N, 35130.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

Is pickup available from Las Palmas or Puerto Rico?

No. Pickup is not available from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico. If you are going directly to the harbor, sign in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure.

What food is included?

The meal includes a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and optional sauce, plus pasta salad. Inform the provider about special dietary requirements when booking.

What drinks are included?

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

Can I swim and snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a clear bay for swimming, and snorkeling equipment is available to use.

How much do the water sports cost?

The jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, the donut costs €10 per person, and the captain-led speedboat ride costs €5 per person.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. Inform the provider about any mobility impairments after booking so suitable arrangements can be made.