REVIEW · SPAIN
Gran Canaria Catamaran Cruise from Puerto Rico
The best part of this four-hour catamaran trip is the mix of easygoing sea time and water activities. You cruise along the coast from Puerto Rico toward Puerto de Mogán, then stop for swimming, snorkeling, and a banana boat ride. It is more than a sightseeing boat, but less demanding than a full-day water adventure.
I like the fact that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and insurance are included. I also like the choice built into the day: you can stretch out on the sun deck, watch for dolphins and flying fish, or get wet instead. The main caution is that the feedback is mixed, especially around food, safety during the banana boat activity, and whether every advertised activity runs as expected.
Key points to know before you book

- Four hours on the southwest coast: The cruise leaves Puerto Rico and follows the coast toward Puerto de Mogán.
- Water time is part of the plan: You get free time for swimming and snorkeling, plus a banana boat ride.
- Food and drinks are included: This helps the $72.59 price make more sense, though food quality has not pleased everyone.
- Pickup covers many resorts: Service is offered from Bahía Feliz, San Agustín, Maspalomas, Costa Meloneras, Pasito Blanco, Arguineguín, Puerto Rico, Taurito, and Puerto Mogán.
- You must swim without assistance: This is not suitable if you cannot swim independently.
- The boat may feel busy: The stated maximum is 50 people, but one account raises concern about a much larger vessel and activities not being provided.
Leaving Puerto Rico for the open sea
The meeting point is at C. Puerto Base, 1, in Puerto Rico. If you are staying nearby, you can make your own way there. Pickup is also offered from a long list of southern Gran Canaria resorts, but you need to contact the operator so it can assign the nearest pickup point.
That transfer option is useful if you are staying in Maspalomas, Costa Meloneras, San Agustín, Taurito, or Puerto de Mogán. It saves you from arranging a taxi for an early start, though the exact pickup time and location need to be confirmed after booking.
Once aboard, the trip heads along the southern coast. The boat gives you a different view of Gran Canaria than you get from the road. From the water, the coastal cliffs, beaches, ports, and resort areas appear as one long sweep, and you have room to sit in the sun or keep watch from the deck.
The cruise is sold as a catamaran outing, but the information does not identify a particular boat, captain, or guide by name. That matters because the feel of the trip can depend heavily on the vessel. The stated maximum is 50 people, which would allow a reasonably social but manageable group. Still, one account describes being placed on a boat with capacity for around 250 people instead, so I would confirm the vessel and expected group size if that is important to you.
A few more catamaran days around Gran Canaria worth a look
- Gran Canaria: Catamaran Dolphin Watch Cruise with Snorkeling
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Coastal views between Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán
The first part of the trip is the quietest. You glide away from Puerto Rico and follow Gran Canaria’s southwest coast, with time to sit back and watch the shoreline pass.
This is the portion I would value most if you want a break from resort streets and hotel pools. You are not rushing from one port to another. The point is to enjoy the sea, the sun, and the open view. A catamaran also gives you more than one place to sit, so you can move between the sun deck and shaded areas if available on the boat.
Bring sunscreen and reapply it. At sea, the breeze can make the sun feel less strong than it is. Comfortable clothes, a swimsuit, towel, shoes, and a camera are recommended. Keep your camera secure during the water activities, and expect to get wet if you join the banana boat or spend time snorkeling.
The crew may also help you watch for turtles, dolphins, and flying fish. These sightings are possible, not guaranteed. You should book this for the cruise and water time, not as a dedicated wildlife-watching trip. If marine life appears, it is a welcome bonus.
A swim and snorkel stop off the coast
The cruise includes a stop for swimming and snorkeling. This gives the day a useful change of pace. Instead of remaining on deck for four straight hours, you can get into the water, use the provided snorkeling equipment, and see what is close to the boat.
The precise stop is not specified, so do not expect a named cove or a formal reef tour. Conditions can affect how enjoyable snorkeling is. Visibility, wind, waves, and the number of people in the water all matter. The value here is having the chance to swim from the boat without arranging a separate excursion.
You must be able to swim unaccompanied. That requirement is important, especially for families booking together. The activity is not described as suitable for non-swimmers who need an adult or flotation support in the water. If you are unsure of your swimming ability, ask the provider about the conditions before paying.
Snorkeling equipment is included, which means you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel. You should still bring a towel and wear a swimsuit under your clothes. The boat returns to the meeting point after the coastal cruise, so you do not need to plan a separate ride from the swimming stop.
The banana boat ride and safety question
The banana boat ride is the most energetic part of the outing. It gives the cruise a playful edge and suits people who want more than a calm ride and a swim.
It also deserves the most care. One account raises a specific concern about safety while getting off the banana boat. That is the moment when you should listen closely to the crew, wait for instructions, and avoid rushing to climb back aboard. If you are uncomfortable with the activity, you can use the free time for swimming, snorkeling, or staying on deck instead.
The advertised trip also refers to a combination option involving jet skis and parasailing. That option is not included in the standard booking. Do not assume that paying for this cruise gives you access to those activities. The included motorized activity is the banana boat ride.
I would ask before departure how the water activities will be organized, how many rides are planned, and what happens if sea conditions stop them. The information confirms the banana boat is included, but it does not promise a specific ride length or schedule.
Same coastline, a different day on the water:
- Gran Canaria: Catamaran Tour with Lunch on Pristine Beaches
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★ 4.6 · 139 reviews - Puerto Rico : 2 hour Dolphin Catamaran Excursion
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Lunch, drinks, and time on deck
Lunch and drinks are included in the fare. That is a practical advantage, since a four-hour sea trip is long enough for most people to want food and something to drink. You can spend less time worrying about carrying provisions and more time enjoying the cruise.
Keep your expectations sensible. The food has received criticism, with one account describing it as below average and not especially appetizing. I would treat lunch as convenient fuel rather than a reason to book the excursion. If you have strict dietary needs, ask the provider what is served before departure, since no menu or special-diet details are supplied.
The bar is another simple plus. You can purchase or help yourself to drinks according to the onboard arrangement, but one account says extra charges were applied for cups even though the activity was understood to include the essentials. To avoid an unpleasant surprise, confirm what the included drinks cover and if anything served at the bar costs extra.
The sun deck and onboard bar make the cruise workable for mixed groups. One person can sunbathe while another joins the water activities. Someone who wants a slower day can remain on board, take photographs, and watch the coast without feeling forced into every activity.
How much value do you get for $72.59?
At $72.59 per person, this is not simply a boat transfer. The fare includes the catamaran cruise, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, a banana boat ride, insurance, and transfer service where arranged. If you use several of those inclusions, the price is reasonable for a half-day outing.
The value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise pay separately for a coastal boat trip, a swim stop, and a water activity. Pickup can add even more convenience if you are staying away from Puerto Rico. You also avoid bringing snorkeling gear and arranging lunch.
The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet sail. You may be paying for activities you do not use, and the food is not the strongest part of the package. Likewise, if your main goal is a carefully managed wildlife trip, this is too broad and casual. Dolphins, turtles, and flying fish are things to watch for, not the central guarantee.
There is also an important service-quality question. The most positive feedback describes friendly staff, a relaxing day, and good onboard animation. The negative side includes concerns about capacity, extra charges, safety, and activities not being delivered. With only a short four-hour schedule, missed activities would make a noticeable difference.
Who will enjoy this Puerto Rico cruise?
I would recommend this experience to couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers who want several activities in one booking. It works particularly well for people staying in southern Gran Canaria and looking for a half-day away from the pool.
It is also a good fit for a mixed group. You can join the banana boat, snorkel, swim, or remain on deck. That flexibility is helpful when not everyone wants the same level of action.
I would be more careful if you need excellent food, guaranteed quiet, firm accessibility arrangements, or a very controlled group size. The activity is described as suitable for most people, but the swimming requirement rules out non-swimmers. The boat is also not identified in enough detail to promise a small, intimate setting.
Families should pay close attention to the safety briefing. Children and adults who join the banana boat need to follow the crew’s instructions, especially when getting back aboard. The supplied information does not give age limits, so ask the provider directly if you are booking for children.
Practical details that can save you trouble
Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity ends back at the Puerto Rico meeting point. The trip is near public transportation, and pickup is available from several nearby resort areas.
Plan to bring:
- Swimsuit and towel
- Comfortable clothing and shoes
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Any personal items you need for four hours away from shore
A mobile ticket is accepted, which makes arrival easier. Keep the ticket accessible on your phone and arrive at the assigned meeting point rather than assuming the pickup vehicle will come directly to your hotel.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.
Should you book the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise?
Book it if you want a practical half-day package with coastal cruising, lunch, snorkeling, and a banana boat ride in one price. The friendly crew, relaxed deck time, and choice of activities are the strongest reasons to go.
Before paying, I would confirm the boat’s expected capacity, the pickup point, what drinks are included, and how the operator handles the banana boat. If those answers are clear, $72.59 can be fair value for an active day at sea.
Skip it if food quality is a major priority, you cannot swim independently, or you want a small luxury sailing experience. This is a casual, activity-focused cruise. It can be a fun addition to a Gran Canaria stay, but you should book it with realistic expectations and a little attention to the details.
FAQ
How long is the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise?
The cruise lasts approximately four hours. It departs from Puerto Rico, follows the southern coast, and returns to the meeting point.
Where does the cruise start and finish?
The meeting point is C. Puerto Base, 1, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
Is hotel pickup available?
Pickup is offered from Bahía Feliz, San Agustín, Maspalomas, Costa Meloneras, Pasito Blanco, Arguineguín, Puerto Rico, Taurito, and Puerto Mogán. You need to contact the provider so it can assign the nearest pickup point.
What is included in the price?
The package includes the catamaran cruise, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, a banana boat ride, insurance, and transfer service where arranged. The jet ski and parasailing combination is not included.
Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes. You must be able to swim unaccompanied to take part in the trip.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.
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