Afrikat Afternoon Cruise

The sea changes Gran Canaria’s whole perspective. The Afrikat afternoon cruise pairs wide coastal views with swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks aboard a spacious catamaran from Puerto Rico. I like the easygoing mix of relaxation and optional thrills, and I also like the friendly crew and well-organized hotel transport. The main drawback is value: at $93.16 per person, the included food and basic drinks may not satisfy everyone, especially since the water sports cost extra.

The cruise runs about four and a half hours, leaving Puerto Base at 2:30 p.m. You get a pleasant half-day on the water rather than a rushed sightseeing trip. Just keep in mind that pickup is limited to centralized points in southern Gran Canaria, and the exact meeting details arrive by email.

Key points to know before booking

• The cruise leaves Puerto Base at 2:30 p.m. and returns to the same marina after roughly four and a half hours.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included, with equipment provided at the calm bay where the boat anchors.
• Jet skis, parasailing, donut rides, and a speedboat trip cost extra, with prices listed in advance.
• The crew receives especially strong praise for friendliness, organization, and personal attention.
• Hotel transport is useful but limited, with no collection from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán itself.
• The boat can carry up to 66 people, so this is a lively shared cruise rather than a private sailing.

Setting out from Puerto Base at 2:30 p.m.

Your cruise begins at Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria, at C. Puerto Base, S/N, in Mogán. The practical detail matters here: if you are meeting the boat directly, arrive 30 minutes before departure. The listed departure time is 2:30 p.m., but pickup times vary by hotel and must be confirmed 24 hours before sailing.

The catamaran heads out from Puerto Rico along Gran Canaria’s southern coast. From the water, you get a different view of the island’s dry hills, resort towns, coves, and open Atlantic frontage. I find boat trips especially useful on Gran Canaria because they give your eyes a break from the built-up resort strip and let you see how the coast fits together.

The Afrikat is described as a luxurious catamaran, and the available information points to a boat with plenty of room and a layout designed for both sitting and moving around. One particularly positive detail is the amount of space on board. You are not confined to one seat for the entire afternoon, which helps on a four-and-a-half-hour outing.

The group limit is 66 people. That is not a small sailing experience, but it is also not a giant ferry. You should expect a social atmosphere, shared facilities, and other people joining the swimming and sports activities. If you want silence and privacy, this will not be the right format. If you enjoy a cheerful boat setting with a crew keeping things moving, the size should work well.

Coastal views before the anchor drops

The first part of the trip is about the view and the sea air. The boat cruises beside Gran Canaria’s coastline toward a calm, clear bay. The exact bay is not specified, so you should not book this expecting one named landmark or a guaranteed wildlife sighting.

Still, the basic appeal is clear. You see the island from offshore, with the catamaran giving you a stable platform for photographs and open views. The water, cliffs, resort buildings, and sunlit slopes all look different from this angle. I would bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light layer, since the boat can feel breezy even during a warm afternoon.

The cruise also provides drinks during the outing. Included choices are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included. One useful distinction: the free drinks are part of the standard package, while specialty drinks cost more.

Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and over. If you plan to drink, pace yourself carefully. You may be sitting in the sun, moving around on a boat, and swimming later in the afternoon. Water is the sensible companion, even if sangria is part of the fun.

Swimming and snorkeling in the sheltered bay

Once Afrikat anchors, the cruise changes from sightseeing to recreation. You can swim in the bay, use the provided snorkeling equipment, and look for fish in the clear water. This section of the outing is included in the price, so you do not need to pay extra to get into the sea or borrow basic snorkeling gear.

The calm anchorage is an important part of the experience. Open-water swimming from a moving catamaran would be less appealing, but an anchored bay gives you a more relaxed chance to cool off. You can choose to swim, snorkel, remain on deck, or simply watch the activity around you.

I would treat the snorkeling as a pleasant add-on rather than a full marine wildlife excursion. The information promises a chance to say hello to the fish, but it does not promise a reef, rare species, or professional guiding. If you enjoy casual snorkeling in clear water, you should find it worthwhile. If underwater scenery is your main reason for booking, set your expectations at a modest level.

The swimming stop also makes this cruise a better choice for warm-weather fun than for serious sightseeing. You will spend a good portion of the afternoon enjoying the boat and water rather than visiting several coastal sights. That slower pace is part of the appeal.

Optional water sports and the real cost of the afternoon

Afrikat offers several paid activities at the anchorage. The listed prices are:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Captain’s speedboat ride: €5 per person

These extras let you shape the cruise to suit your mood. You can keep the outing low-key with swimming and snorkeling, or add a quick burst of speed. The €5 speedboat ride is the least expensive way to add a little adventure. Parasailing and jet skiing are more serious additions to the budget.

The water sports received some of the strongest praise in the available feedback, especially parasailing and the sense of organization around the activities. At the same time, you should read the safety terms carefully. The water sports are optional, and participation is at your own risk. The check-in procedure explains that falling into the water or making contact with other passengers is possible, and personal travel insurance is expected for incidents.

That is not a reason to avoid the activities, but it is a reason to make a calm decision. If you have a medical condition, feel uneasy about being pulled behind a boat, or simply want a restful afternoon, the standard swimming stop is enough. If you choose the donut ride, jet ski, or parasailing, follow the crew’s instructions and understand what your own insurance covers.

Lunch on board: check the menu before you pay

Food is the area where expectations need the most care. The cruise description refers to a buffet lunch and Canarian cuisine, while the specific included meal is listed as a chicken wrap with pasta salad. Those are not quite the same thing, so I would contact the operator before booking if the meal is a major part of your decision.

You can request special dietary arrangements in advance. Do not wait until boarding, especially if you have allergies or follow a strict diet. The listed meal sounds convenient and filling enough for an afternoon excursion, but it is not the same as a broad spread of local dishes.

One piece of feedback was sharply critical of the food and described the drinks as basic. Other comments praised the meal and called it delicious. That mixed response tells you how to approach this: see lunch as a useful included meal, not the main culinary reason to book the cruise.

The food still has practical value. A four-and-a-half-hour boat trip is long enough for hunger to become annoying, particularly if you swim or add a water sport. Having food served on board means you do not need to bring a full picnic or search for a restaurant between the marina and your hotel.

Crew service, music, and the mood on board

The crew is the strongest part of the experience. The available feedback repeatedly praises the staff for being warm, attentive, and well organized. One account describes the team helping passengers who became nauseous, offering attention and even a speedboat ride to make them more comfortable.

That personal care matters on a boat. Seasickness can turn a pleasant afternoon into a miserable one, and a crew that notices when people need help makes a real difference. I would still take sensible precautions if you are prone to motion sickness, such as eating lightly before departure and bringing any medication you normally use.

The return to the harbor may include music, and a saxophone appearance on Fridays has been highlighted as a special feature. It is not presented as a daily guarantee, so treat live saxophone as a possible bonus rather than a promised part of every departure.

The mood seems designed to move between easy conversation, swimming, music, and short bursts of adventure. You will likely enjoy it most if you want an organized outing where the crew handles the timing, food, drinks, equipment, and return journey.

Hotel pickup and the southern Gran Canaria logistics

Pickup is offered from centralized points in the south of the island, but the coverage has important limits. Collection is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán, despite the boat leaving from Puerto Base in Puerto Rico. That means you should not assume your hotel’s location guarantees collection.

Your exact pickup time and place must be checked 24 hours before departure. The transport information is sent by email, including the possibility that the message lands in your junk folder. I would check both your inbox and spam folder the day before sailing.

If you are staying outside the pickup area, you need to make your own way to Puerto Base. The official meeting point is easy to identify by its full address, but the operator asks direct arrivals to be there 30 minutes early. This is a small but important detail: arriving at the marina at 2:29 p.m. is not a good plan.

The return transport is described as dependent on area. Confirm that your accommodation is included before you rely on it. A little checking before the day of the cruise can prevent an expensive taxi surprise.

Is $93.16 a fair price?

At $93.16 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an afternoon in Gran Canaria. The value depends on how many included elements you use.

The price covers the catamaran trip, the coastal cruise, the anchorage, swimming, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and a range of drinks. It may also include return transport if your pickup point qualifies. If you take advantage of several of those features, the cost becomes easier to justify.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink alcohol, do not swim, and mainly want a short boat ride. The optional water sports can also push the total higher. A parasailing flight adds €32, a jet ski adds €32 per vehicle, and even the cheaper activities should be included in your calculation before you book.

I would compare the current direct price with the third-party price. One customer specifically advised booking directly with Afrikat after finding a better deal and difficulty obtaining a promised discount through Viator. I cannot assume that price difference remains, but it is sensible to check both options and read the final inclusions carefully.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made later are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

Who will enjoy the Afrikat cruise most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several activities in one outing. It works well for couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who cannot agree between relaxing, swimming, and adding a little speed.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but the boat’s activities include swimming and optional sports, so you should consider your own comfort and fitness before booking.

This is also a good choice if you want a simple afternoon with fewer decisions. The crew provides the boat, food, drinks, basic snorkeling equipment, and much of the transport planning. You can sit back, enjoy the coast, and decide later whether you want to pay for an extra activity.

I would be more cautious if you want quiet luxury, a small private group, or a serious local food experience. The boat can carry up to 66 people, lunch details are not fully consistent, and the atmosphere may become lively when the sports and music begin.

Should you book Afrikat?

Book it if you value friendly service, open-water views, swimming, and choice more than a refined meal or private sailing experience. The strongest reasons to go are the roomy catamaran, the clear bay, the included snorkeling, and a crew that appears to take passenger comfort seriously.

Before paying, confirm three things: your pickup location, the exact meal, and the current price for booking direct. Then decide how much extra money you want to set aside for water sports.

If those details suit you, Afrikat offers a well-planned afternoon on Gran Canaria’s south coast. If you want the best possible food, a quiet boat, or an all-inclusive water-sports package, I would choose something else.

FAQ

Where does the Afrikat cruise depart?

The boat departs from Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria at C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain. The marina is in Puerto Rico.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 2:30 p.m. If you go directly to Puerto Base, arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes. It ends back at the original meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Return transport from your hotel is included only for eligible centralized pickup points in southern Gran Canaria. Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán. Check your transport confirmation 24 hours before departure for the exact time and location.

What food is included?

The specific included meal is listed as a chicken wrap with pasta salad. The broader description refers to a buffet and Canarian cuisine, so contact the operator before departure if the menu matters to you or if you have dietary requirements.

Are drinks included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits cost extra. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Do water sports cost extra?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling, including equipment, are included. Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, a donut ride costs €10 per person, and the Captain’s speedboat ride costs €5 per person.