Lanzarote: Day Trip to the Papagayo Beaches by Catamaran

Papagayo is the star here: golden coves, volcanic cliffs, clear water, and a catamaran deck that gives you a fine seat for the view. I like the included paella or pasta lunch and the open bar, which make $75 feel fair for a half-day on the sea. I also like that you can choose your pace, from kayaking and swimming to simply lying back with a drink.

The catch is that this is not really a full day out. The boat portion is about four hours, with roughly two hours anchored near Papagayo, and windy weather can change the anchorage. If you get seasick, take precautions, and note that this trip is not suited to wheelchair users or anyone with serious mobility limits.

Key points before you book

• Papagayo by boat: Cruise from Puerto del Carmen along Lanzarote’s volcanic southern coast to the golden coves of Costa de Papagayo.
• A generous food and drink package: Start with a mojito and Spanish omelette tapa, then choose paella or pasta, fruit, and unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water.
• Water time from the catamaran: Swim, snorkel, kayak, or use the floating mattress and water toys when conditions allow.
• A half-day cruise, not a full-day expedition: The catamaran runs for about one hour each way, with around two hours at anchor.
• Friendly, active crew: The staff serve food and drinks, help with water activities, and may add music and dancing on the return trip.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear: It is not officially included, even though equipment may sometimes be available.

Sailing south from Puerto del Carmen

The day begins at Puerto del Carmen Harbour, where the Líneas Romero catamaran waits at the last pier, past the petrol station at the far end of the harbour. That detail matters. The meeting point is not simply the main waterfront, so allow time to walk through the port and find the correct pier.

If you select transport, a coach collects you from a nearby pickup point in Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, or Costa Teguise. The exact place and time arrive by email after booking, so check your messages carefully. Pickup from Puerto Calero is offered only on Thursdays, and Playa Blanca has no pickup on Sundays, Mondays, or Wednesdays.

Once aboard, the crew welcomes you with a mojito and a Spanish omelette tapa. You then receive a short explanation of the route and the day’s activities before the boat turns south.

The cruise to the Papagayo area takes about an hour. That is enough time to settle into the catamaran, find a sunny or shaded place, and watch Lanzarote’s coast pass by. The views are more about volcanic rock, sea, and open sky than dramatic sightseeing commentary, though live commentary is provided in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. German and Italian guiding is available only on request.

Why Costa de Papagayo is the right destination

The Costa de Papagayo sits at the southern end of Lanzarote, known for its warm-colored beaches and sheltered coves. Reaching it by boat gives you a different view from a land excursion. You see the cliffs from water level, then spend the main part of the stop looking back toward the island from the sea.

The catamaran anchors for about two hours. This is the practical heart of the trip, and you should think of it as an active swimming stop rather than a beach visit. You do not disembark onto Papagayo Beach. The boat remains offshore, so bring your swimwear and plan to enter the water from the catamaran if you want to swim.

The crew lowers a ladder for swimmers, and life jackets are available for adults and children who need them. You may jump from the boat where permitted, use a kayak, snorkel around the anchored catamaran, or relax on a floating mattress. The water can be full of fish, making this more interesting than a simple swim, though visibility and sea conditions vary.

Kayaks are included, but access can be first come, first served when several people want them at once. If kayaking is your main goal, head to the activity area early rather than waiting until the final minutes of the stop.

Snorkeling equipment is listed as not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to explore properly. One useful wrinkle is that equipment may sometimes be supplied on board, but you should not rely on that. A towel, sunscreen, hat, swimwear, and a light jacket belong in your day bag.

Lunch, mojitos, and the open bar

Food is one of the strongest parts of this outing. The welcome drink and tapa get things going, then lunch is served aboard while the catamaran is anchored or moving, depending on the timing.

You choose between traditional Spanish paella and pasta with tomato sauce. A fresh fruit bar follows. The food is simple rather than fancy, but it suits a day at sea and saves you from buying lunch separately. Portions have been described as generous, and the paella is a popular choice.

The drinks package adds real value. You get unlimited draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water throughout the cruise. That can quickly change the arithmetic of a $75 excursion, especially for anyone who would otherwise buy drinks at a beach club or marina.

The atmosphere can become quite lively on the return journey. Music may play, and the crew sometimes encourages dancing and group photos. This is not a silent sailing trip or a small private charter. You can find a relaxed corner, but the mood may shift toward a friendly party after lunch.

That makes the cruise a good match for couples, families with older children, and groups who want a social day on the water. It may be less appealing if you want peace and quiet from start to finish, or if you are uncomfortable around unlimited alcohol service. Children are welcome, but younger ones should be supervised around the ladder, kayaks, and open water.

How the timing really works

The boat generally returns to Puerto del Carmen at about 3:00 pm. With transfers, your day may run from roughly 9:15 am until 4:00 pm, depending on your resort and the number of hotel stops.

The actual sailing time is about two hours total, one hour each way. The Papagayo stop lasts around two hours, leaving a little time for boarding, lunch, drinks, and the welcome service. Some people expect a full-day cruise because the activity is described as a one-day experience. In practice, it is a well-filled half-day excursion.

That shorter format is useful if you want to combine it with an evening meal, a quiet afternoon, or another Lanzarote activity. It also means the trip does not give you hours to explore multiple coves. You visit one main area, anchor, and return.

The return route can bring pleasant surprises. Dolphins have been seen beside the boat, and pilot whales have also been spotted, but wildlife is never guaranteed. Treat any sighting as a bonus, not part of the promised schedule.

Wind, seasickness, and comfort

Lanzarote can be windy, and the sea may not cooperate with the printed plan. If conditions make it unsafe or uncomfortable to anchor directly at Papagayo, the crew may choose a more sheltered bay nearby. You still get the swimming and kayaking stop, but the exact view and location can change.

This is the main reason to avoid booking the cruise if you are very prone to motion sickness. The catamaran is stable compared with a smaller boat, but no vessel removes the movement of the sea. Take your usual motion-sickness precautions before departure, rather than waiting until you feel ill.

The crew carries sickness bags and has helped unwell passengers with water and ice packs. That is reassuring, but it does not replace medication or sensible preparation. Eat lightly before boarding, stay hydrated, and spend time where you can see the horizon.

The boat has toilets below deck, reached by steep stairs. That is important for anyone with limited mobility, even if you can board the vessel. Non-folding and electric wheelchairs are not accepted, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with major mobility impairments.

Comfortable shoes help on the pier and aboard the boat. A jacket is worth packing even on a sunny day, since the wind feels cooler once the catamaran gets moving.

Is $75 good value?

At $75 per person, the price is reasonable if you will use the food, drinks, and water activities. You are paying for the catamaran, commentary, welcome drink, lunch, unlimited listed beverages, kayak use, and return transport when you select a pickup option.

The open bar is the biggest value point. If you enjoy sangria or beer, the drink allowance alone can make this compare well with a standard boat trip where every drink costs extra. Lunch is also more substantial than a token snack, with a choice of hot food and fruit afterward.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike group outings, or plan only to sit in the sun for a short time. You are also paying for the round-trip sailing, which takes about two hours. For some people, that cruise is the attraction. For others, it is simply the transport to the swimming stop.

I would compare it with a basic sightseeing cruise by asking three questions: Do I want to swim? Will I use the included drinks? Do I enjoy a social boat atmosphere? If you answer yes to two or three, the price makes sense.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would recommend the trip to anyone who wants a low-effort sea day with plenty included. You do not need to organize a restaurant, rent a kayak, or find a beach access point. The crew handles the practical work while you choose how active you want to be.

Families with older children can make good use of the kayaks, swimming ladder, floating mattress, and life jackets. Couples can split the day between quiet time on deck and a swim. Groups of friends will likely enjoy the music, drinks, and informal atmosphere on the return.

It also suits older adults who are comfortable with stairs, boat movement, and getting into the water. The outing does not require athletic ability, but it does require reasonable balance and mobility around the boat.

I would think twice if you need a quiet luxury cruise, a true beach landing, a fully accessible vessel, or a tightly fixed itinerary. I would also avoid it if even mild boat movement causes major sickness.

What to bring and what to expect

Pack light, but do not forget the items that make a boat day easier:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Comfortable shoes
• A light jacket for the windy ride back
• Your camera
• Personal snorkeling equipment
• Motion-sickness medication if you normally need it

Glass objects, smoking, intoxication, party groups, and electric or non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed. Vegetarian and celiac meals can be arranged if you notify the operator in advance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. For bookings made within 24 hours of departure, hotel pickup is not guaranteed, so you may need to go directly to the harbour. Check your voucher and the provider’s email rather than assuming the coach will come to your accommodation.

Should you book the Papagayo catamaran?

Book it if you want good all-round value, a warm-water swimming stop, and a friendly boat day with lunch and drinks already covered. The crew service, paella, kayaking, and relaxed time near the coves give the trip more substance than a simple coastal cruise.

Skip it if you want to walk on Papagayo Beach, avoid alcohol-centered outings, or need a fully accessible boat. Also remember that the cruise lasts about four hours, not an entire day, and wind can move the anchorage.

For most visitors staying in Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, or Costa Teguise, this is an easy way to see Lanzarote from the sea without paying for a private charter. Bring a jacket, your own snorkeling gear, and a sensible attitude toward changing weather, then let the crew handle the rest.

FAQ

How long does the Papagayo catamaran trip last?

The boat portion lasts about four hours, with roughly one hour sailing each way and about two hours anchored near Costa de Papagayo. The catamaran usually returns to Puerto del Carmen at around 3:00 pm, while transfers can make the overall day longer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Return transfers are available from the nearest pickup points to selected accommodations in Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, and Costa Teguise when you choose that option. The exact time and place are sent by email after booking.

Can I get off the boat at Papagayo Beach?

No. Beach disembarkment is not included. You stay aboard the catamaran and can swim from the boat when conditions allow.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a welcome mojito and Spanish omelette tapa, followed by a choice of Spanish paella or pasta with tomato sauce. Fresh fruit is also provided, along with unlimited draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is not included in the stated package. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to snorkel, while kayaks are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The itinerary may change because of weather and sea conditions. If the excursion is canceled due to poor weather, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund.