Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

The best part of this 4.5-hour catamaran trip is its easy rhythm: sail, swim, eat, and sail some more. From Puerto Rico, you follow Gran Canaria’s rugged southwest coast toward the coves near Mogán and Tasarte, with plenty of room to sit in the sun or retreat to the shade.

I like the small, relaxed feel and the fact that snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are included. I also like the practical hotel pickup, which saves you from figuring out transport to the marina. The main catch is that the trip can feel short, especially if you want long swims, water sports, and a leisurely lunch all at once.

Key points to know before booking

• Two water stops: Swim, snorkel, kayak, or use a SUP board at the first stop, then cool off again near lunch.
• Fresh Canarian-style food: Morning trips include lunch with fish or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo. Afternoon trips include tapas-style snacks.
• Drinks are included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are available throughout the cruise. Cocktails and some other drinks cost extra.
• Comfortable boat setup: You get a modern catamaran with a sun deck, shaded seating, and enough room to avoid feeling packed in.
• Pickup south of Gran Canaria: The operator confirms your exact time after booking, and pickup can vary by hotel.
• Extra thrills cost more: Jet skiing and parasailing may be offered at an additional charge, but they are not part of the basic price.

Sailing from Puerto Rico along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast

At $97 per person, this is more than a simple boat ride. You are paying for half a day on the water, transport from much of southern Gran Canaria, food, drinks, equipment, and crew assistance. That bundled price makes sense if you plan to use the water gear and enjoy the included beer or sangria.

The trip begins in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, a useful departure point for exploring the island’s drier southwest shore by sea. Once away from the marina, you pass beaches and small coves that are difficult to appreciate from the road. The coast here has a rugged, open feel, with steep slopes and pockets of sand appearing between the rocks.

The catamaran gives you two basic ways to enjoy the ride. You can settle on the sun deck, take in the view, and work on a tan. Or you can find a shaded seat and keep cool while watching the coastline slide past. That choice matters on a long, sunny outing, especially if you are traveling with children or simply do not want four and a half hours of direct sun.

The boat has been described as clean, modern, and spacious. A group size of up to about 17 people has been reported for the shared boat, though the exact number can vary. It is not the giant party-boat setup where you spend the day searching for an empty seat. The atmosphere leans toward relaxed and social rather than loud and rowdy.

The first stop: swimming, snorkeling, and paddle sports

The first major stop is near a sheltered bay outside Mogán. This is where the trip becomes more than a sightseeing cruise. You can jump into the Atlantic, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or take a turn on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak.

Snorkeling is likely to be the most accessible choice. You do not need special skill, and several outings have produced good views of fish close to the boat. One person even spotted a small hammerhead shark, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Bring your towel, and remember that the water can feel chilly even under warm winter sunshine.

The paddleboards and kayak are shared, so you may need to take turns. That is an important practical detail if your whole group wants a long session on the water. The equipment is included, but there are only a limited number of boards and kayaks rather than one for every person.

The crew helps organize the activity and can provide flotation support. Families should note that a flotation vest was available for a young child on one outing. Still, you should be comfortable around open water, and children need close supervision while swimming or using the equipment.

This first stop can last around an hour, depending on conditions and the day’s schedule. You can spend the entire time in the water, take a quick swim, or stay aboard and enjoy the boat. That flexibility makes the outing work for mixed groups, since not everyone needs to become a snorkeler.

The second stop and the meal near Tasarte

The boat continues along the coast toward the Tasarte area, where a second stop combines another chance to swim with the main meal. The scenery becomes especially enjoyable here because you are seeing a less developed stretch of the southwest coast from the sea.

For the morning departure, the meal is a proper lunch rather than a small snack. The menu changes with the season, but common dishes include tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. Canarian potatoes are small potatoes cooked in their skins and traditionally served with a flavorful sauce. They are one of the local food touches that gives the meal more character than a standard packed lunch.

The food is collected from a local restaurant near the beach at Tasarte and brought to the catamaran. On some outings, warm potatoes and other dishes have even been delivered by kayak. That is a memorable detail, but the wider point is more useful: the meal is handled locally and served fresh, rather than being a cold sandwich thrown into a box before departure.

You may be offered tuna or chicken, depending on the day’s menu. The food has been praised for being plentiful, with enough for everyone. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator before booking, since the available menu is seasonal and can change without notice.

Afternoon departures follow a different food plan. Instead of the full morning lunch, you receive tapas-style snacks. That makes the start time an important choice. If food is a major part of your decision, choose the morning option. If you mainly want time on the water and prefer a later start, the afternoon trip may suit you better.

The second stop is less about a long organized water-sports session and more about enjoying the meal and having another quick dip. You can stay aboard, swim from the boat’s steps, or simply watch the coast. The return journey then becomes a quiet final stretch back toward Puerto Rico.

Unlimited drinks, with one small limitation

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are included in the price and offered throughout the outing. The crew keeps drinks moving, which is useful on a sunny day when you need to replace fluids after swimming. Nonalcoholic options make the trip workable for families and for anyone who does not drink.

Sangria appears to be a highlight for many people, while beer is the other main alcoholic option. Cocktails and additional drinks are not included. Wine is also not listed as part of the standard package, so a group that prefers white or rosé wine may find the selection narrower than expected.

I would not book this trip purely for the drinks unless you expect to have several beers or glasses of sangria. If you mostly drink water or soft drinks, the value depends more on the boat, food, transport, and included activities. That is why the $97 price feels strongest for people who plan to make full use of the package.

A welcome drink may be offered, but the dependable inclusions are beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. If you want a cocktail, expect to pay extra.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The staff has been described as attentive without constantly interrupting the relaxed mood. They serve drinks, help with the water gear, keep an eye on the group, and make sure the meal reaches the boat smoothly.

Several languages are supported: English, Spanish, German, and French. That is helpful during safety instructions and when you need guidance with the snorkeling equipment or paddleboards. The atmosphere is friendly and professional rather than scripted.

You should not expect a full coastal lecture at every bend. One useful criticism is that more commentary about the places along the shore would improve the trip. If you want detailed geology, history, or place names, this is not primarily a sightseeing tour with a long narration. It is a day on the sea with scenery as the backdrop.

That said, the crew can make the trip feel special when conditions allow. On one outing, the boat changed course briefly to watch a whale surface. Dolphins have also been spotted. These moments are bonuses, not promises, so enjoy them if they happen but do not book the trip as a dedicated wildlife cruise.

Comfort, sea conditions, and the question of seasickness

The catamaran is stable enough that many people who were nervous about seasickness found the ride comfortable. Still, the Atlantic can change, and the activity is subject to sea and weather conditions. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring the medication you normally use and take practical precautions.

Stay near the center of the boat if the sea is moving, focus on the horizon, and avoid too much alcohol before you know how the water affects you. The boat’s stability helps, but no catamaran can remove all motion.

The spacious design gives you room to change position. You can lie down on the deck, sit in shade, or move toward the open side for air. This is more comfortable than being confined to a single bench, and it gives you a better chance of finding a spot that suits your stomach and your sun tolerance.

Bring a towel. Swimwear, sun protection, and a cover-up also make sense, though the stated requirement is a towel. The water may feel cool, particularly outside the hottest summer months.

Optional jet skiing and parasailing

The included activities are swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP paddleboarding. On some trips, you can also arrange jet skiing or parasailing for an extra fee. These add-ons are not part of the $97 price, so confirm the cost before committing.

They can work well for someone in your group who wants more speed while others remain on the catamaran. One child as young as nine enjoyed parasailing on an outing, but age and safety rules can vary. Ask the crew about current requirements rather than assuming every child can participate.

The extra activities also affect the mood of the trip. If you want a calm half-day, the standard program already gives you plenty to do. If your group includes a thrill seeker, the paid options offer a way to add excitement without changing the whole itinerary.

Pickup, timing, and practical planning

Pickup and drop-off are included south of the island. The operator confirms the exact time after booking, and it can vary depending on where you are staying. Check your email, including the spam folder, before the day of the trip.

Transport is by minibus or coach, and the service has been described as punctual and air-conditioned. You should still allow a little flexibility, since hotel pickup routes take different amounts of time. The trip itself lasts 4.5 hours, not including the drive to and from your accommodation.

Morning and afternoon departures are available. Choose the morning if you want the full lunch and prefer to make your main activity the first half of the day. Choose the afternoon if you want a slower start and are content with tapas-style food.

The schedule is well suited to a holiday in southern Gran Canaria. It gives you a complete sea outing without taking an entire day, leaving time for dinner, a beach visit, or a quiet evening back at your accommodation.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather and sea conditions can still affect the outing, since safety takes priority over the published plan.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want a little of everything. You get scenery, swimming, food, drinks, and simple water sports without having to organize each part separately.

It is especially good for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can snorkel or paddleboard, less active people can sunbathe, and children can enjoy the boat and a supervised swim. The shaded seating is useful if someone in your group does not want to spend the whole time outside.

It also suits first-time visitors who want to see Gran Canaria from a different angle. The coast looks different from the water, and the route toward Mogán and Tasarte gives you a sense of the island’s dry, rugged southwest side.

I would choose another activity if you want a serious sailing lesson, a long guided history talk, or guaranteed marine wildlife. I would also think twice if you dislike shared equipment or feel four and a half hours on a boat is too long. The trip is relaxed, but it is still a half-day commitment on open water.

Is the $97 price fair?

For many people, yes. The price covers hotel pickup in the south, the catamaran, food, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling equipment, a kayak, paddleboards, and crew support. Paying separately for all those pieces would quickly add up.

The value is best if you eat the included lunch, use the water equipment, and enjoy beer or sangria. If you do not drink alcohol and plan to stay on the boat without using the gear, the price will feel less generous.

The strongest feature is not any single item. It is the convenience of having the whole day arranged. You do not need to find a beach with water-sports equipment, locate lunch, or drive back after drinking. The trip handles those details while giving you a comfortable base on the water.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran trip if you want a polished, easygoing half-day with two swims, local-style food, and a friendly crew. It offers more than a standard coastal cruise, yet it does not demand the fitness or commitment of a full water-sports excursion.

Pick the morning departure for the full meal and the clearest value. Bring a towel, prepare for cool Atlantic water, and pack motion-sickness medication if you need it. If you want a quiet boat, good food, and several ways to enjoy the sea, this is a strong choice for a day in southern Gran Canaria.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart from?

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

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran outing lasts 4.5 hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations south of the island, but transport time is separate.

What food is included?

Morning departures include a seasonal lunch. Typical dishes include tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce. Afternoon departures include tapas-style snacks.

Are drinks included in the price?

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

What water activities are available?

You can swim, snorkel, use SUP paddleboards, and kayak. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and a kayak are provided.

Are jet skiing and parasailing included?

No. Jet skiing and parasailing may be available as optional activities for an additional charge.

What languages are available from the guide and crew?

The activity supports English, Spanish, German, and French.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. You should also prepare for swimming and sun exposure. The trip can change because of sea and weather conditions.