Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

The best part of this 4.5-hour catamaran trip is the way it mixes easygoing sailing with real time in the water. You cruise past the southwest coast, stop in quiet-looking bays for snorkeling, swimming, SUP and kayaking, then eat with the Atlantic around you. On the morning outing, warm Canarian potatoes and other lunch items may even arrive by kayak from the shore.

I like the uncrowded feel of the boat and the fact that drinks, gear, lunch, and south-coast transfers are bundled into one price. I also like the choice of a sunny deck or shaded seating, which matters on a half-day boat trip. The main drawback is simple: four and a half hours can feel short if you want a long sail, and the water may be chilly even on a bright day.

The details that matter most

• Two water stops: Swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or kayak at the first stop, then swim again around the lunch stop.
• Morning and afternoon options: Morning departures include a full seasonal lunch, while afternoon departures include tapas-style snacks.
• Drinks included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are served throughout the trip. Cocktails and other extra drinks cost more.
• A comfortable catamaran: You get a sun deck, shaded seating, room to move, and a boat that usually feels relaxed rather than packed.
• Useful family setup: Snorkeling equipment is provided, and flotation vests are available for children.
• Pickup in southern Gran Canaria: Transfers are included south of the island, with the exact time confirmed after booking.

Leaving Puerto Rico for the southwest coast

Your day begins in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, with pickup available from accommodations in the south of the island. The operator confirms the exact collection time after booking, so check your email and spam folder rather than assuming the time shown at checkout is your final pickup time.

The transfer has been described as a prompt, air-conditioned minibus ride. That is a small but useful part of the package. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina, and a reliable pickup makes this easier for families or anyone staying outside Puerto Rico itself.

Once aboard, you can choose your spot. The catamaran has room on the sun deck for lying out and shaded seating for anyone who prefers shelter from the strong Canary Islands sun. I would claim a shaded place early, then move around during the sail rather than spend all four and a half hours in direct sun.

The boat heads along the southwest coast, where the main pleasure is the combination of open sea and rugged shore. You will see coves and beaches from the water, then continue toward a swimming area outside Mogán. The trip is not built around a long commentary program, so you should book it for the sea time, not as a formal coastal sightseeing lecture.

That said, crew members have helped explain the island and keep everyone comfortable. Guides have included Callan and Raul, and the crew operates in English, Spanish, German, and French. The exact staff can change, but multilingual support is useful when instructions for swimming gear or water activities need to be clear.

First stop: swimming, snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking

The first stop is the most active part of the trip. The catamaran pauses in a bay where you can enter the water directly from the boat and choose how much effort you want to put in.

Snorkeling gear is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. Several outings have produced good fish sightings, including one report of a small hammerhead shark, though wildlife is never guaranteed. Treat the snorkeling as a pleasant chance to look below the surface, not as a dedicated marine-life safari.

You can also use the SUP boards and kayak. The available equipment is shared, so you may need to take turns during a busy departure. That is worth knowing if your group expects everyone to paddle at once. The setup works best when you see the water sports as optional extras within a relaxed swim stop, rather than as a full paddleboarding session.

Swimming is just as valid. A small set of steps makes it easy to get in and out of the water, and flotation vests are available for children. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can stay close to the boat, use a vest, or simply enjoy the deck while others head off.

The water temperature can be cool, even in good weather. Bring a towel, as requested, and consider a light layer for the return sail. A sunny deck can feel hot before swimming and breezy afterward.

The first stop usually gives you the clearest block of time for water activities. If snorkeling or kayaking matters most to you, get ready before the boat anchors and take advantage of the early opportunity. It is easy to lose time taking photographs, ordering a drink, and waiting for equipment.

Lunch beside Tasarte Beach

The morning option adds a proper meal after the first water stop. The boat continues along the coast toward the Tasarte area, where lunch is collected from a local restaurant on the beach. Food has included tuna or chicken, salad, Canarian potatoes, mojo sauce, bread, and butter.

The menu is seasonal, so do not expect the exact dishes listed every time. That flexibility is a good thing for freshness, but it means you should treat the sample menu as a guide rather than a promise. The food is served with views of the Atlantic, which makes this feel more like a coastal meal than a basic buffet break.

One of the memorable touches is the way some food has been brought out by kayak. Warm Canarian potatoes arriving from shore is an amusing and practical detail, and it keeps the meal tied to the coast rather than making it feel like food simply unpacked in a galley.

The lunch stop also allows another quick swim. You do not have to get back in the water, but it is a welcome option after eating, especially if the weather is warm. The pace is unhurried, though people who want a long, leisurely meal and a long swim may find the schedule moves on sooner than they would like.

If you book the afternoon departure, the food changes to tapas-style snacks rather than the full morning meal. That makes the afternoon option better suited to you if lunch is already arranged, but the morning trip offers stronger value if you want food to cover a main meal.

Drinks, deck space, and the feel on board

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included and available throughout the sailing. This is where the $97 price starts to make more sense. A catamaran trip with two water stops can look affordable at first, but separate drinks, lunch, transfers, and equipment hire can quickly add up.

The package is especially good value if you will drink beer or sangria. If you mostly choose water or soft drinks, the value is still reasonable because lunch, transport, and water equipment remain included, but the unlimited drinks element matters less. Cocktails and other drinks are not part of the package.

The crew’s service style is attentive without needing to dominate the day. Drinks are offered regularly, and the boat is kept clean and tidy. Several departures have had around a small group of people, with one account mentioning up to 17 others. Exact numbers can vary, but the experience is designed to feel less crowded than a large party boat.

That distinction matters. You can sunbathe, sit in shade, watch the coast, or join the water activities without feeling as if every minute must be organized. Families, couples, and mixed-age groups fit well here. The boat has also worked for birthday outings and wider family groups.

I would not call it silent. There are drinks, water activities, and a friendly social mood. But it is not described as a loud party cruise, which makes it a good choice if you want a pleasant half-day at sea without a nightclub atmosphere.

The return sail to Puerto Rico

After the second swim and meal stop, the catamaran turns back toward Puerto Rico. This is your best chance to simply sit down and watch the coast from the water.

The return leg can be breezy, particularly if you have spent the afternoon on a wet deck. Keep your towel handy and save some drinking water for the ride back. If you are prone to seasickness, one person specifically recommended bringing motion-sickness tablets. Another person found the boat stable and had no trouble, but sea conditions can change, and the operator reserves the right to adjust the trip for safety.

The crew may spot wildlife along the way. Dolphins and a whale have been seen on past outings, and one crew took a short detour to look for a surfacing whale. These sightings are lucky extras, not part of the fixed plan, so do not book the trip mainly for marine animals.

Some departures also offer jet skiing or parasailing for an additional fee. These are arranged separately from the included snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking. You can ask on the day if you want a faster thrill, but the base trip remains worthwhile without paying for add-ons.

By the time you reach Puerto Rico, the afternoon has covered a lot without feeling like a forced checklist. You have sailed, swum, eaten, and had the option to try several water activities. The common complaint is not poor organization but that the experience ends before people are ready to leave.

Is $97 a fair price?

At $97 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Gran Canaria. It is also not simply a boat ride. The price includes the catamaran, a morning lunch or afternoon tapas, beer, sangria, soft drinks, water, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, a kayak, and pickup and drop-off south of the island.

For a morning booking, I consider the price fair if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, transport, and water activities. It becomes particularly attractive for people who plan to drink sangria or beer. The value is less dramatic if you do not drink alcohol, but the meal and equipment still cover useful costs.

The price also buys comfort. You are not merely being taken to a bay and left to find your own entertainment. The boat provides space, shade, gear, crew help, and a set route along a scenic part of the coast.

The afternoon booking may suit you better if you want a shorter-feeling outing or prefer tapas to a main meal. Before choosing, check the available start time and food format. Do not assume the afternoon trip includes the same lunch as the morning departure.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this for a couple wanting a relaxed day on the water, a family that needs several activity choices, or a group that wants drinks and lunch included without planning each detail separately.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in southern Gran Canaria and value hotel pickup. The transfer removes a bit of hassle, and the boat gives you a different view of the island than you get from roads and beaches.

The trip suits mixed groups well. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can stay in the shade with a soft drink. Children can use flotation vests, while adults can pay extra for parasailing or a jet ski if available.

I would think twice if you want a full-day sailing expedition, a detailed coastal history tour, or guaranteed whale and dolphin sightings. You should also be realistic about shared equipment and changing sea conditions. If you dislike being around alcohol, remember that beer and sangria are a visible part of the all-inclusive setup.

Book the morning departure if you want the strongest food value and a full lunch. Choose the afternoon if you prefer tapas, have already eaten, or simply want a later start.

Practical tips before you go

• Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and a light layer for the ride back.
• Check your pickup email carefully. The time varies by accommodation, and the provider asks you to check your spam folder.
• If you are susceptible to seasickness, bring your usual medication.
• Get ready for the first water stop so you do not spend the best activity time looking for gear.
• Expect the menu to change because the food is seasonal.
• Ask about jet skiing or parasailing if you want to pay for an extra activity.
• Bring a little patience when sharing the SUP boards and kayak.
• If you prefer shade, settle in early. Sun deck space is useful, but direct sun is strong in the Canary Islands.

Should you book it?

I would book this trip if you want a well-organized half-day that combines sailing, swimming, simple water sports, food, drinks, and transport. The strongest reasons are the spacious catamaran, friendly crew, two swim stops, and the fact that you can be active or do almost nothing.

The main caution is the fixed length. Four and a half hours passes quickly, especially if you enjoy snorkeling and lunch. Still, at $97, the package makes sense for a morning on the southwest coast, particularly if you will use the included drinks and water equipment. Choose the morning option for the full meal, pack a towel, and expect a relaxed outing rather than a serious sailing or wildlife expedition.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart from?

The trip departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and sails along the southwest coast.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran outing lasts 4.5 hours. Morning and afternoon start times are available, subject to availability.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in the south of Gran Canaria. The exact pickup time depends on where you are staying and is confirmed after booking.

What food is included?

The morning excursion includes a seasonal lunch, with dishes such as tuna or chicken, salad, Canarian potatoes, mojo sauce, bread, and butter. The afternoon excursion includes tapas-style snacks. The menu can change.

Which drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included. Cocktails and other additional drinks are not included.

Can I swim and use water sports equipment?

Yes. The trip provides snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and a kayak. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or kayak at the scheduled stops. Jet skiing and parasailing may be available for an additional fee.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. You may also find sun protection and a light layer useful, especially after swimming or during the return sail.