Gran Canaria: Afternoon Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drink

Gran Canaria’s Afrikat catamaran cruise is part sightseeing trip, part floating lunch, and part sunny afternoon party. You cruise from Puerto Rico along the southwest coast toward Mogán, then stop in a clear bay for swimming and snorkeling. The boat gives you a good mix of easygoing sea time and optional thrills.

I like the all-inclusive drinks and meal, which save you from constantly reaching for your wallet. I also like the choice of pace: you can lie on a sun cushion, swim, or pay extra for a speedboat ride, jet ski, parasail, or donut. The main caution is that the boat can feel crowded on the sun deck, and water sports may not operate every day.

Key points at a glance

• A 4.5-hour coastal outing: Cruise past cliffs, coves, and the fishing village of Mogán.
• Swimming and snorkeling included: Equipment is available for the stop in a clear-water bay.
• Food and drinks are covered: You get a chicken wrap, pasta salad, and unlimited selected drinks.
• Optional thrills cost extra: Speedboat rides cost €5 per person, while jet skis and parasailing cost €32.
• Pickup covers many resort areas: Transport is available from central points in places such as Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, and Arguineguín.
• A lively crew adds personality: Potter is known for his humor, and some departures have featured saxophone music from Ashleigh.

Setting Out From Puerto Rico

The cruise begins at Puerto Rico on Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. If you use the included pickup, transport is available from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguín, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

Pickup is not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico itself. If you make your own way to the harbor, go to the Afrikat desk at Puerto Rico, Calle Puerto Base, and sign in at least 20 minutes before departure.

That detail matters. Puerto Rico is the departure point, but it is not included in the listed pickup area. Check your hotel’s exact pickup point rather than assuming the vehicle will stop outside your door. If you are staying elsewhere, you may need to arrange your own transport to the harbor.

Once aboard, you have a choice between finding a sunny spot on the upper deck and settling into a more relaxed place on the catamaran. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. The boat is designed for a broad age range, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer or an adventurous type to enjoy the afternoon.

Cruising Toward Mogán’s Cliffs and Coves

The first part of the trip is about the coast. From the water, Gran Canaria’s southwest side takes on a different feel than it does from a resort road. You pass dramatic cliffs, small coves, and stretches of coast that are easier to appreciate from offshore.

The route also gives you views of Mogán, a fishing village known for its waterfront setting. The catamaran does not turn this into a walking visit, so you should think of Mogán as a coastal view rather than a stop where you get off and explore.

I like this part of the trip because it gives the afternoon a sense of movement. You are not simply anchored in one place for four and a half hours. The boat carries you along the coast, then shifts into swim-stop mode later.

The tradeoff is that the main attraction is the view and the feel of being at sea, not a long list of historic sights. If you want a detailed tour of Gran Canaria’s towns, this is the wrong format. If you want a relaxed look at the coast with food, drinks, and water time, it makes better sense.

The Swim and Snorkel Stop

At a sheltered bay, the crew anchors for a swim. The water is described as clear, and snorkeling equipment is available if you want to look below the surface. You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard and enjoy the sun.

This is the part that gives the cruise more substance than a simple sightseeing boat ride. You get a proper chance to cool off rather than only looking at the sea from the deck. Snorkeling is optional, so you can participate at your own level.

Bring your own towel and swimwear. Sunscreen is essential, but apply it with care before entering the water. You will also want to keep your camera and other loose items secure when you move from the deck into the sea.

The stop is not presented as a specialist snorkeling excursion. The information provided does not promise a particular reef, species, or underwater route. Think of it as a pleasant swimming break with equipment available, not as a dedicated marine-life expedition.

Families and mixed groups should find this arrangement useful. One person can swim, another can snorkel, and someone else can remain on the boat. The activity is listed as suitable for all ages, though anyone with mobility needs should tell the provider when booking so proper arrangements can be made.

Lunch, Unlimited Drinks, and What Is Not Included

The crew serves a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and optional sauce, along with pasta salad. Special dietary requirements must be provided when you book. Do not wait until you are on board to mention them.

The meal is practical rather than fancy. It suits a half-day boat trip because it is easy to eat without a full dining setup. If you have a large appetite or strict dietary needs, bring that information to the provider early and consider carrying a small personal snack if appropriate.

Included drinks are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. That is useful value at sea, where drinks can otherwise become an annoying extra cost. You also receive a reusable drinking glass as a small souvenir.

Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. This point is worth keeping clear because some departures may have additional drink options, but the listed package does not cover them. Bring a bank card or extra money if you want to buy extras, souvenirs, or photos.

The meal and drink package is one reason the $91 price can make sense. You are paying for four and a half hours on the water, a meal, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling equipment, and transport from many resort areas. It is not the cheapest way to get on a boat, but it bundles several costs that could add up separately.

Choosing Between Sun Cushions and Water Sports

The basic cruise includes the boat, food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. The extra activities are where the price can rise.

A speedboat ride with the captain costs €5 per person. That is the easiest add-on to justify if you want a short burst of speed without paying much. A donut ride costs €10 per person and offers a more playful, bumpy option.

Jet skis cost €32 per vehicle, while parasailing costs €32 per person. These prices are separate from the cruise fare. Bring a card or enough cash, since the booking information specifically advises carrying extra money for water sports and other purchases.

You do not need to book every activity. The appeal of this cruise is that you can mix active and quiet time. One person can take a ride while another stays on the catamaran, swims, or rests on the sun cushions.

There is one practical uncertainty: water sports may not run on every departure. The activity depends on a partner company, and a previous sailing operated without the water sports on offer. The lack of advance notice was frustrating in that case, so treat the add-ons as a possibility rather than the main reason to book.

A past incident also shows why you should pay attention during inflatable activities. One passenger described being left in the water briefly after falling from a banana boat. The banana boat is not part of the listed package, and this was not the main cruise, but it is a useful reminder to listen to the crew and confirm how pickup works before an activity begins.

The Afrikat Atmosphere

This is not a silent nature cruise. The mood can be sociable and playful, with the crew adding jokes and entertainment. Potter is named as a lively personality, and one departure included saxophone music from Ashleigh on the return trip.

That entertainment will suit you if you want a holiday afternoon with music, conversation, and a little dancing. It may be less appealing if you hoped for a quiet, low-key sail with only the sound of the water.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, welcoming, and attentive. That matters on a boat because the staff shape the whole day. They handle the meal, drinks, equipment, and activity flow, so a warm crew can make the trip feel easy.

The upper sun deck can become crowded, especially when many people want the same sunny seats. If having a particular spot matters to you, arrive at the harbor on time and do not assume you will have unlimited room to stretch out.

How the $91 Fare Measures Up

At $91 per person, this is best judged as a package rather than as a simple boat ticket. The fare includes the catamaran cruise, a meal, unlimited selected drinks, snorkeling equipment, a reusable drinking glass, and pickup from several resort zones.

The value is strongest if you plan to eat and drink on board and want transport included. The unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water can make a noticeable difference over four and a half hours.

The fare is less attractive if you do not drink, do not want lunch, or mainly want a short sightseeing cruise. In that case, you may be paying for inclusions you will barely use.

Water sports are not covered, so set a spending limit before you board. A €5 speedboat ride is a modest extra, but jet skis and parasailing can change the total cost quickly. You should also budget for cocktails, wine, spirits, photos, and souvenirs if those appeal to you.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available, which helps if you are planning a holiday with several moving parts.

Access, Comfort, and Practical Planning

The activity is wheelchair accessible, but you should inform the provider about mobility impairments after booking. That gives the crew a chance to make suitable arrangements rather than dealing with the issue at the harbor.

The host and greeter service is offered in English and Spanish. That should cover the main practical communication needs for the cruise, including meeting instructions and activity guidance.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A sun hat
• A camera, kept secure around the water
• A bank card or extra cash for paid activities and purchases

The boat is suitable for all ages, but your choice of activities should match your comfort level. The basic cruise requires no special fitness. Swimming, snorkeling, inflatables, jet skis, and parasailing are optional.

The most important planning point is to check pickup details carefully. Central pickup is available in many resort areas, but not every neighborhood or hotel is covered. If you are staying in Puerto Rico, plan to reach the harbor yourself and sign in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes early.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and groups who want a full afternoon at sea without arranging every detail themselves. The combination of food, drinks, swimming, and optional water sports gives different people something to do.

It also suits anyone who enjoys a sociable holiday atmosphere. Music, crew humor, and the possibility of dancing make it more lively than a quiet sailing trip.

You may want a different outing if your priority is a small boat, a silent voyage, serious snorkeling, or a carefully controlled gourmet meal. The upper deck can feel tight, and the optional water sports are not guaranteed to run.

For a first boat trip in Gran Canaria, though, the format is easy to understand. You see part of the southwest coast, stop for a swim, eat lunch, and decide on the spot how active you want to be.

Should You Book the Afrikat Cruise?

Book it if you want a social, good-value half-day cruise with a meal, unlimited listed drinks, coastal views, and a chance to swim. The friendly crew, optional saxophone entertainment, and choice of paid water sports give the trip more character than a basic sightseeing ride.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may share deck space with a lively crowd, and water sports can be unavailable. The boat is also a better fit for fun and relaxation than for quiet scenery or serious marine exploration.

At $91, I think the package is worthwhile when you use the food, drinks, swimming stop, and transport. If those inclusions match your plans, Afrikat offers an easy, cheerful way to spend an afternoon off Gran Canaria’s southwest coast.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts 4.5 hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Puerto Rico at Calle Puerto Base, S/N, 35130. If you go directly to the harbor, sign in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguín, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura. Pickup is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico.

What food is served?

The meal includes a chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, salad, and optional sauce, plus pasta salad. You must provide special dietary requirements when booking.

Which drinks are included?

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

Are swimming and snorkeling part of the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran stops in a clear-water bay for swimming, and snorkeling equipment is available as an optional activity.

How much do the extra water sports cost?

The speedboat ride costs €5 per person, the donut costs €10 per person, and jet skis and parasailing cost €32. Water sports may not operate on every departure.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Tell the provider about any mobility impairments when booking so suitable arrangements can be made.