Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

The best part of this 4.5-hour catamaran trip is how much it fits into a half-day without feeling rushed. You sail from Puerto Rico, stop twice for swimming and water sports, eat beside the Atlantic, and return with a cold drink in hand. The small-group feel helps the boat stay calm rather than turning the outing into a floating crowd.

I especially like the fresh Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce and the way lunch reaches the boat from the beach at Tasarte. I also like the choice between a morning outing with a proper meal and an afternoon sailing with tapas. The main thing to consider is that drinks are limited to beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water, so cocktails and wine cost extra or are not part of the package.

Key points at a glance

• Two water stops: Swim, snorkel, kayak, or use a SUP board in sheltered coastal spots.
• Seasonal food: The morning meal may include tuna, chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo.
• Plenty of space: The catamaran has shaded seating, a sun deck, and room to spread out.
• Drinks included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are available throughout the cruise.
• Pickup from southern resorts: Hotel or accommodation pickup and return are included south of the island.
• Good all-round value: At $97 per person, the price covers transport, boat time, food, drinks, and equipment.

Setting sail from Puerto Rico

You begin at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, one of the island’s main resort ports. Pickup is included from locations in the south, and the transfer is handled by an air-conditioned minibus. Exact pickup time depends on where you stay, so check the provider’s message after booking, including your spam folder.

Once aboard, you can choose a shaded seating area or settle on the sun deck. That choice matters in Gran Canaria. The sun can feel strong even on a mild winter day, while the shaded section gives you a comfortable place to eat, chat, or rest between activities.

The boat is modern, clean, and spacious enough that you do not have to spend the whole trip shoulder to shoulder with strangers. The relaxed setup suits couples, families, and mixed-age groups. One family even used the available flotation vest for a young child, although you should still supervise children closely around the water.

The crew speaks English, Spanish, German, and French. Several crew members have been praised by name, including Callan, Raul, and Michelle, though the exact team can change. Their role is practical rather than theatrical: helping you into the water, keeping drinks moving, explaining the equipment, and making sure everyone knows what is happening next.

The southwest coast from the water

The route follows the southwest coast, where coves and beaches appear between rocky stretches of shoreline. From the catamaran, you get a different view of the resort region. Instead of seeing the coast from a road or hotel terrace, you watch the cliffs and small inlets open up as the boat moves south toward Mogán and Tasarte.

This is not primarily a sightseeing cruise with a running commentary. One useful improvement would be more explanation about the coast, its geology, and the villages along the way. You will get some information from the crew, but the focus is on relaxing, swimming, eating, and enjoying the boat.

That balance works well if you want a social day on the sea rather than a formal educational tour. Bring your camera, but protect it carefully. The best pictures often come during the swim stops, when you can look back at the catamaran from the water.

First stop: swimming, snorkeling, and SUP time

The first stop is usually the most active. The boat anchors near a sheltered bay outside Mogán, giving you time to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or kayak. The water can be chilly, particularly outside the hottest months, but that makes the swim refreshing rather than unpleasant for many people.

Snorkeling gear is provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The water is clear enough for fish sightings, and one outing even produced a glimpse of a small hammerhead shark. Wildlife is never guaranteed, of course, but the stop gives you a fair chance to see fish close to the rocky coast.

The boat also carries SUP boards and a kayak. The supply is limited, with two paddleboards and one kayak noted during the trip, so you may need to take turns. That is not a serious problem for most groups, since people naturally alternate between swimming, snorkeling, sitting in the sun, and using the boards.

If you prefer not to get wet, you can stay aboard and enjoy the views. There is no pressure to take part in every activity. The catamaran has enough deck space for people who simply want to sunbathe, read, or talk over a drink.

Optional jet skiing and parasailing may also be arranged for an additional charge. These activities are separate from the included snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding, so ask the crew about current prices before committing. They can add excitement, but you do not need to pay extra for a full day on the water.

Second stop and lunch near Tasarte

The second stop combines another chance to swim with the main meal. During the morning departure, the crew collects a fresh lunch from a local restaurant on the beach at Tasarte. Some food has even been brought out to the boat by kayak, which is a charming and practical touch.

The seasonal menu can change, but the usual choices include tuna fillet or steak, breaded chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The potatoes are a local staple, and the mild mojo served with them gives the meal a proper island flavor without making it too spicy for most people.

Portions are intended to be generous, and there is enough food to go around. The meal is not fine dining, but it is far better than the usual packaged lunch found on many boat trips. You eat with ocean views, sea air, and the option of returning to the water afterward.

The afternoon departure has a different food arrangement. Instead of the full lunch, you receive tapas-style snacks. That makes the afternoon sailing a good fit if you have already eaten or prefer a lighter outing, but the morning trip offers better value if lunch is important to you.

Because the menu is seasonal, you should not book expecting one fixed dish. Anyone with dietary restrictions should ask the provider before departure. The supplied information confirms the standard tuna and chicken choices, but it does not give a full list of substitutions or special diets.

Drinks, shade, and the pace of the boat

Included drinks are available throughout the cruise. You can choose beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water, and the crew regularly checks whether you need another serving. A welcome glass of cava has also been offered on some outings, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the package.

This drinks policy is a major part of the value for people who plan to drink beer or sangria. At $97 per person, you are paying for the boat, pickup, lunch or tapas, equipment, and four-and-a-half hours at sea. Two people who would otherwise buy separate drinks, water sports, and a restaurant meal may find the package quite fair.

The value is less convincing if you mainly drink water or soft drinks. Wine and cocktails are not included, and one group specifically wished that white or rosé wine were available. If you do not drink alcohol, you are still paying for the food, boat, transport, and activities, so the trip remains useful, but the unlimited drinks offer matters less.

The schedule is well judged. You have enough time at the first stop to try more than one activity, then enough time to eat and swim again at the second. Several people wished the cruise lasted longer, which is a good sign for the pace, but it also means the outing may feel short if you want long stretches of quiet sailing.

Sea conditions and comfort

A catamaran is generally a stable platform, and many people who worried about motion sickness found the boat comfortable. Still, the sea can change, and a few people felt unwell. If you are prone to seasickness, bring suitable tablets and take them before departure according to the instructions on the package.

The trip runs only when sea and weather conditions are safe. That is sensible, but it means the exact experience depends on the day. Wind may affect the water sports, and rougher water can change the route or reduce the time spent swimming.

Pack a towel. You should also bring swimwear, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes, although only the towel is specifically required. Keep valuables secured and remember that the sun deck offers little shelter at the brightest part of the day.

The catamaran includes shaded seating as well as open deck space. That makes it easier for a mixed group to enjoy the trip together. One person can sit out of the sun while another lies on the deck, and children can move between the seating area and the swim platform with adult supervision.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing for anyone who wants a relaxed sea day with activities built in. Couples get a comfortable setting and good scenery. Families get swimming, snorkeling, and simple food without having to organize each part separately. Friends can enjoy the drinks and optional paid activities without committing to a party boat.

It also suits people who want to try kayaking or paddleboarding but do not want to book a separate lesson. The crew provides the equipment and helps you use it, while the calm stop gives you an easy introduction.

You may want a different tour if your main goal is whale watching, fishing, sailing instruction, or detailed coastal history. Dolphins and whales have occasionally been spotted, including a right whale that prompted the crew to change course briefly, but wildlife sightings are a bonus rather than the purpose of the trip.

Likewise, serious snorkelers should not expect a full reef expedition. The snorkeling is a pleasant part of a wider half-day outing, not a specialist marine tour. The strongest feature here is variety: you can swim, eat, paddle, relax, and enjoy the coast in one booking.

Booking details and value at $97

The listed price is $97 per person. That is not the cheapest boat ride in Gran Canaria, but the package includes more than transport on the sea. You get pickup and return south of the island, a catamaran cruise, unlimited listed drinks, lunch or tapas, snorkeling equipment, a kayak, and SUP boards.

The morning option gives you the strongest food value because it includes the full seasonal meal. Choose the afternoon option if you prefer a later start, a lighter meal, or a more relaxed drink-and-sunset style of outing, although sunset is not specifically promised.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. That is useful when your holiday plans depend on weather, but sea conditions can still affect the operation.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran trip if you want a polished, easy half-day on the water with food and drinks already handled. The most convincing reasons are the roomy boat, attentive crew, two swim stops, and the chance to use snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP equipment without separate rental arrangements.

Choose the morning departure if you want the proper lunch, especially tuna or chicken with salad and Canarian potatoes. Choose the afternoon if you want tapas and a lighter schedule. I would pack a towel, prepare for cool water, and bring seasickness medication if you need it.

At $97, it is best value for people who will use the activities and enjoy beer or sangria. If you want detailed commentary, a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or a quiet sailing lesson, this is not the right fit. For a comfortable social boat day with local food and plenty of time in the water, it is an easy choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart from?

The cruise departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and follows the southwest coast toward the Mogán and Tasarte area.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts 4.5 hours. Morning and afternoon departure times are available, depending on the date.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return are included for locations south of the island. The provider confirms your exact pickup time after booking, and it can vary according to your accommodation.

What drinks are included?

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

What food is served?

The morning trip includes a fresh seasonal lunch. Dishes may include tuna, breaded chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. The afternoon trip includes tapas-style snacks, and the menu can change.

Are snorkeling and water sports included?

Snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and a kayak are included. Jet skiing and parasailing may be available for an additional charge.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. Swimwear and sun protection are also sensible for the swimming and snorkeling stops.