Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Gran Canaria boat trip is its easy mix of proper time on the water and useful comforts. You cruise from Puerto Rico toward the quieter southwest coast, stop twice for swimming and water sports, and eat with the sea around you rather than rushing from one activity to the next.

I especially like the small-group feel, with room to sit in the shade or stretch out on the sun deck, and the food arrangement. Tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo make this more than a boat ride with a packet of crisps. Drinks are included throughout, though wine and cocktails cost extra or may not be part of the standard selection.

The main thing to consider is the water. It can feel chilly, and sea conditions can change the route or water activities. The 4.5-hour schedule works well for most people, but several visitors wished they had more time aboard once the return to Puerto Rico began.

Key points to know before you book

• Two water stops: Swim, snorkel, kayak, and use the SUP boards at the first stop, then usually stop again near the lunch break.
• Fresh food with sea views: Morning trips include a seasonal meal, often tuna or chicken with salad and Canarian potatoes.
• Unlimited standard drinks: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included, while cocktails and some wine options are not.
• Comfortable catamaran: You get a shaded seating area, open sun deck, clean facilities, and plenty of space for a group of up to about 18 people.
• South-coast pickup: Transport is included from the southern part of Gran Canaria, but the exact time depends on your accommodation.
• Good value for active or laid-back days: At $97 per person, the price covers transport, the cruise, food, drinks, and several water activities.

Setting sail from Puerto Rico

This trip begins at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, one of the main boating centers on the island’s southwest coast. If you are staying in the south, pickup and drop-off are included, usually by an air-conditioned minibus. The provider confirms your exact pickup time after booking, so check your email and spam folder rather than relying on a general departure time.

The transfer matters more than it may seem. Puerto Rico is convenient for a boat trip, but driving there from another resort can add time and effort. Having a minibus collect you near your accommodation keeps the morning simple, especially if you are traveling with children or carrying towels and swim gear.

Once aboard, you can choose between a shaded seating area and the open deck. That gives you a choice that many smaller boat excursions do not: sit out in the sun for the views, or retreat from the glare without giving up the trip. The catamaran is described repeatedly as clean, modern, spacious, and uncrowded.

The group size is another plus. The boat may carry up to around 17 or 18 other people, but the layout leaves enough room to move around. This is not a packed party cruise where every inch of deck space is claimed before departure.

The crew speaks English, Spanish, German, and French. Crew members named Callan and Raul have been singled out for friendly service on past trips, while Michelle and her team have also received warm praise. The important practical point is that instructions for swimming and equipment use are available in several languages.

The cruise along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast

After leaving Puerto Rico, the catamaran follows the southwest coast toward coves and beaches near Mogán and farther along the wilder side of the island. The coast looks best from the water, where steep slopes, rocky edges, and small bays appear in a wider frame than they do from a road or resort promenade.

This is not sold as a sightseeing cruise with a running lecture. One person specifically wished for more commentary about the coastal area, so you should not book it mainly for detailed geography or island history. The emphasis is on sailing, swimming, food, and relaxed time outdoors.

That said, the scenery gives the cruise a real sense of place. You get to see sections of the coast that are difficult to reach directly, then stop in sheltered-looking water for activities. On some departures, dolphins or whales may provide an unexpected bonus, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed and should not be the reason you book.

The boat’s stability is helpful for anyone worried about seasickness. Several people found it steady, though one person noted that some of the group felt unwell. If you know you are sensitive to motion, ask a pharmacist or doctor about suitable seasickness tablets before the trip. Do not wait until the boat is already moving.

First stop: snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and SUP

The first main stop is set up for water activities. You can swim directly from the catamaran, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or take a turn on one of the SUP boards or the kayak.

The snorkeling is a pleasant addition because it lets you see the coast from below the surface instead of only from the deck. Fish have been spotted in the swimming areas, and one outing even produced a small hammerhead shark sighting. That sort of encounter is unusual and never promised, but the clear attraction is the chance to look for marine life in its natural setting.

The equipment supply is limited rather than unlimited. There are snorkeling sets for the group, plus two SUP boards and one kayak, so you may need to take turns. This usually works well when people use the equipment in short bursts, but it is worth knowing if everyone in your party wants a paddleboard at the same time.

You do not have to join the water sports. The shaded seats and sun deck make the trip suitable for someone who prefers to watch, sunbathe, or take photographs. A flotation vest was available for a young child on one departure, but you should ask the operator about equipment needs for your own children when booking.

The water can be refreshing, especially outside the hottest summer weeks. Several people enjoyed the swim but found it chilly. Bring a towel, as requested, and keep in mind that the boat’s focus is active participation rather than a heated pool style of comfort.

Jet skiing and parasailing may also be arranged for an additional charge. These are optional add-ons, not part of the $97 package. They can be a fun choice for one member of a family or group while others stay aboard, but budget for them separately.

The second stop and the meal

The catamaran usually makes a second stop for another swim and the meal. This creates a useful rhythm: you get an active first session, then time to cool off again while food is being prepared or collected.

For the morning excursion, the meal is a seasonal lunch. Dishes have included tuna filet, breaded chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The menu can change without notice, so do not treat those dishes as a fixed promise. The food is fresh and prepared for the day, which is much more appealing than a generic buffet kept in trays.

One memorable detail is the Canarian potatoes arriving warm by kayak from the beach area. That small bit of theater adds local character, and the potatoes with mojo are the sort of simple island food you hope to find on a coastal outing.

The afternoon departure works differently. It includes tapas-style snacks rather than the full morning lunch. If food is important to you, check the departure option carefully before booking. The morning trip is the stronger choice if you want a substantial meal included in the price.

There is usually enough food to go around, with tuna and chicken providing a choice on departures where both are served. Vegetarian or allergy requirements are not detailed in the available information, so contact the provider before reserving if you need a special meal.

You eat with Atlantic views and the boat moving slowly or sitting at anchor. That setting is part of the value. You are not simply paying for a plate of food, but for a relaxed meal between swims, with no need to find a restaurant or leave the coast.

Drinks, shade, and the overall pace

Standard drinks are available throughout the cruise. Expect beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water. The crew regularly offers refills, which helps the trip feel generous rather than tightly rationed.

The package suits people who plan to drink beer or sangria. If you prefer water or soft drinks, the value is still supported by the transport, meal, catamaran, and equipment, but it may feel less remarkable. Cocktails are not included, and one group wished that wine, cava, or white and rosé wine were part of the standard drinks list.

The pace is relaxed without being empty. You have a scenic cruise, two stops, food, and time to sit in the sun. The 4.5-hour duration is long enough to feel like a real half-day outing, but short enough to leave room for dinner or another activity.

That duration is also the trip’s one recurring weakness. Once you settle into the boat, the return seems to arrive quickly. If you want a full-day sailing adventure, this will feel brief. If you want a manageable break from the pool or beach, the half-day format is just right.

Is $97 a fair price?

At $97 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Gran Canaria. The price becomes easier to justify when you add up what is included: pickup and drop-off in the south, 4.5 hours aboard a spacious catamaran, standard drinks, a morning lunch or afternoon tapas, snorkeling gear, kayaking, and SUP use.

The value is strongest for people who will use several parts of the package. A couple who swims, takes the paddleboard out, eats lunch, and enjoys sangria is getting a fuller experience than someone who stays seated and drinks only water.

The group size also matters. A cheaper boat can become poor value if it is crowded, noisy, or short on seating. Here, the repeated impression is of a well-kept boat with enough room to sit, sunbathe, and move between shade and open deck.

Families should also factor in convenience. The minibus pickup, included meal, flotation equipment, and friendly crew reduce the small stresses that can make a water day harder with children. Still, check the exact arrangements for your child’s age and any special needs before booking.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add flexibility. They do not change the basic value, but they are useful if your Gran Canaria plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most?

I would choose this outing for couples, families, and small groups who want a polished half-day at sea without arranging every detail themselves. It is especially good if you want both active time and a proper place to relax afterward.

It suits mixed groups well. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay dry on the deck. The food and drinks give everyone a shared part of the day, even if not everyone wants to swim.

It is less suitable if your main goal is a quiet sailing lesson, detailed coastal interpretation, or a long open-sea cruise. The boat is comfortable, but the activity is social and practical rather than educational. You also need to accept that equipment is shared and that the sea may affect the route.

Morning and afternoon departures serve different priorities. Pick the morning if you want the full seasonal lunch. Choose the afternoon if tapas are enough and you prefer a later start, but confirm the available time before paying.

Final booking advice

I would book this trip if you want a reliable mix of food, swimming, and easy logistics in one outing. The strongest features are the uncrowded catamaran, attentive multilingual crew, two water stops, and the fact that lunch and drinks are already handled.

I would pause only if you dislike sea travel, need guaranteed warm water, or want a full day with extensive island commentary. For everyone else, $97 is a reasonable price for a well-organized half-day, especially when you make use of the included activities.

Bring a towel, protect yourself from the sun, and check the sea forecast and pickup email. If you can choose, take the morning sailing for the more substantial meal. The result is a relaxed Gran Canaria day that gives you plenty to do without turning the coast into a race from one stop to the next.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in the south of Gran Canaria. The provider confirms the exact pickup time after booking, and it can vary by location.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran outing lasts 4.5 hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

What food is included?

The morning excursion includes a seasonal lunch. Past menus have included tuna, chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The afternoon excursion includes tapas-style snacks, and the menu can change.

Which drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. Additional drinks, such as cocktails, are not included.

Are snorkeling and paddleboarding included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and a kayak are included. The equipment is shared among the group, so you may need to take turns.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. You should also be prepared for changing sea conditions, since the route and activities depend on safety and weather.