Afrikat Morning Cruise

Sea days should feel easy. The Afrikat Morning Cruise combines a polished catamaran, coastal views, swimming, lunch, and open-bar drinks into a relaxed half-day from Puerto Rico. I like the friendly crew and the choice between active fun and simple sunbathing. The main catch is that the boat spends only part of its time cruising, since the schedule includes a long stop for swimming and paid watersports.

I also like the small touches: clean facilities, music on the return journey, and a crew that has earned praise for personal service. Potter, Monica, and José are among the crew members singled out for making the day feel warm and social. If you want a long sailing voyage with hours under sail, this may feel too activity-focused.

Key points to know before you book

• A 4.5-hour catamaran outing: You leave Puerto Base in Puerto Rico and return there the same day.
• Swimming and snorkelling included: The boat anchors in a calm bay, with equipment available, though bringing your own snorkel gear is recommended.
• Drinks come with the fare: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included.
• Watersports cost extra: Jet skis, parasailing, the donut ride, and the captain’s speedboat trip are optional paid add-ons.
• Lunch is simple but useful: The standard meal is a chicken wrap with pasta salad, with dietary requests handled in advance.
• A social, music-led atmosphere: Live saxophone, upbeat crew members, and a maximum capacity of 66 people make this more than a quiet sailing trip.

Leaving Puerto Base for the Gran Canaria coast

The Afrikat departs from C. Puerto Base, 1, in Puerto Rico. If you are meeting the boat there, arrive about 20 minutes before departure. The listed start time is 10:00 a.m., though seasonal schedules show departures from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in summer and 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in winter.

That timing makes this a useful morning plan. You get out on the water before the day is over, but you still have much of the afternoon free for the beach, a meal, or another island activity. The boat returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back.

Pickup is offered from fixed points in central parts of southern Gran Canaria. Check the transport confirmation 24 hours before sailing, since the exact pickup time and location are sent separately by email. Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan, so check the details carefully if you are staying in one of those areas. You can avoid that uncertainty by going directly to Puerto Base.

Once aboard, the point is the setting. The boat follows the southern coast, giving you views of seaside villages, bays, beaches, cliffs, and the dry hills behind them. From the deck, the island looks different than it does from a road or resort balcony. You see the coast as a string of coves and rocky edges, with the sea doing most of the talking.

A luxury catamaran with room for 66 people

Afrikat is marketed as a luxury catamaran, and the experience seems designed around comfort rather than speed. The boat is described as clean and well cared for, with enough space to sit, move around, or stretch out in the sun.

The maximum group size is 66 people. That is not a tiny private sailing trip, but it is also not an enormous ferry. You should expect a social outing where people share the deck, bar service, swimming area, and activities. Solo visitors can fit in easily, since the crew helps create a friendly mood and the format makes it simple to chat with people around you.

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Service is repeatedly described as warm, helpful, and funny. Potter is praised for the speedboat outings and for his personality, while Monica and José receive kind comments for their advice about Gran Canaria. The crew also helped one passenger whose mother felt seasick, which matters on any boat trip.

Music adds to the mood. A saxophone performance may appear during the return portion of the cruise, but it is not necessarily part of the entire trip. If live music is a major reason you are booking, keep expectations modest. When it happens, it adds a pleasant lift to the ride home.

Anchoring in a calm bay for swimming

The most active part of the day takes place after the cruise reaches a calm, clear bay. The boat anchors, and you can swim or snorkel in the sea. Equipment is provided, although bringing your own snorkel gear is recommended if you care about fit or comfort.

This stop is the heart of the outing. You are not simply looking at the water from a deck. You can get in, cool off, and spend time in the sea without having to find a beach or organize separate equipment. The stop also gives non-swimmers a chance to relax while others take part.

Conditions can affect how much you enjoy this section. The sea may feel refreshing rather than warm, and anyone prone to seasickness should prepare carefully. Staying in the fresh air and following the crew’s advice may help, but the boat is still a boat. One person’s experience included seasickness, with the crew offering assistance.

Snorkelling is optional, not a required part of the trip. You can swim, sit by the water, or remain aboard. That flexibility makes the excursion suitable for mixed groups, including couples or families where not everyone wants the same level of activity.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The supplied information does not give a child age limit, so parents should ask the operator if they have concerns about swimming conditions or the optional activities.

Optional watersports, with separate charges

The cruise includes access to the swimming stop, but the more thrilling activities cost extra. The listed prices are €32 per vehicle for a jet ski, €32 per person for parasailing, and €10 per person for the donut ride. A captain-led speedboat trip costs €5 per person.

These activities can change the feel of the day. A jet ski or parasail adds speed and excitement, while the donut ride is a lighter, group-style option. The captain’s speedboat trip is a relatively inexpensive way to get closer to the coast, and one particularly praised outing included seeing caves from the boat.

The key point is to budget beyond the advertised fare if you want to try several options. At $90.70 per person, the base price already covers the catamaran, drinks, lunch, swimming, and snorkelling. It does not cover the activities that create the biggest adrenaline rush.

One criticism of the outing concerns the location used for watersports. If you mainly want a long, scenic sailing trip, the stop may feel like too much of the day. The boat does cruise along the coast, but the pure sailing time is limited by the swim and activity program. Choose this cruise for a mix of sea time and recreation, not for a full day of uninterrupted sailing.

Lunch, sangria, and what you actually get to drink

Food is included, which makes the price easier to judge. The standard lunch is a chicken wrap with pasta salad. It is practical boat food rather than a gourmet meal, and one passenger found it average. Another praised the food and appreciated the crew’s effort to provide vegetarian options.

If you have a special diet, tell the operator when booking. Do not wait until boarding, since the meal may need to be arranged in advance. The information specifically mentions special dietary requirements, and the crew has shown flexibility with vegetarian meals.

Drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included. Some people find the sangria light, with a taste closer to juice than a strong wine-based drink. That may suit you if you want a gentle daytime drink, but it could disappoint you if you expect a traditional, potent sangria.

The included drinks are still a real benefit. You can enjoy the day without paying separately for every beer, coffee, or soft drink. Just remember that premium drinks are outside the package, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

How the $90.70 price measures up

At $90.70 per person, Afrikat is not the cheapest way to see the Gran Canaria coast. The value depends on how much of the package you use.

The fare covers roughly four and a half hours aboard a well-maintained catamaran, coastal sightseeing, lunch, a selection of drinks, swimming, snorkelling, and return transport from eligible pickup points. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and transport, the package is reasonable.

The value is strongest for a full morning on the water. It is also good for families or groups with different interests, since one person can swim, another can sunbathe, and someone else can pay for a jet ski or parasail. Solo visitors may appreciate the social atmosphere and the chance to meet people without paying for a private charter.

The value is weaker if you want quiet sailing, fine dining, or included watersports. The meal is basic, some drinks are light, and the exciting activities require extra payment. I would compare the total cost with your plans, not just the headline price.

The experience is recommended by 93 percent of participants and has a 4.7 rating from 501 reviews. Those numbers point to a dependable outing, but they do not erase the main trade-off: this is a friendly activity cruise, not a private yacht charter.

Who will enjoy Afrikat most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several things in one booking:

• A simple half-day on the sea
• Coastal views without arranging your own boat
• Swimming and snorkelling in a calm bay
• Included drinks and a basic lunch
• Optional speed and watersports
• A social atmosphere with an outgoing crew

It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and groups of friends. The crew’s energy is a major part of the experience, so people who enjoy conversation, music, and a lively deck will get more from it.

You may want another kind of boat trip if you prefer peace and privacy. The group can reach up to 66 people, live music may be limited to part of the return, and the day includes paid activities and shared spaces. It is also not ideal if a polished lunch is important to you.

Pack swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and a light layer for the ride. Bring your own snorkel equipment if you want familiar gear. If you plan on watersports, carry a little extra money and decide in advance which activity offers the best value for you.

Booking details and cancellation advice

Confirmation is sent at booking, and the activity is offered in English. It operates near public transport, with pickup available only from selected central points in the south of the island. Since pickup details can change, check the transport email and your junk folder the day before.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cruise depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Afrikat Morning Cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized social sea day with swimming, included drinks, coastal views, and the option to add a little speed. The crew is the strongest feature, and the clean catamaran, helpful service, and music give the outing more personality than a basic sightseeing boat.

Skip it if your dream is several hours of quiet sailing or a high-end meal. The food is simple, watersports cost extra, and the actual cruising time may feel short. For most people staying in southern Gran Canaria, though, the combination of coast, swim stop, lunch, and drinks makes Afrikat a solid half-day choice.

FAQ

How long is the Afrikat Morning Cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. It begins and ends at Puerto Base in Puerto Rico.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is C. Puerto Base, 1, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain. If you arrive directly at the marina, you should be there 20 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup available?

Return transport is available from fixed pickup points in parts of southern Gran Canaria. You must check your transport confirmation 24 hours before departure for the exact time and location. Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan.

What drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits cost extra or are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The standard meal is a chicken wrap with pasta salad. You should provide dietary requirements when booking so alternatives can be arranged.

Can I swim and snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. The boat anchors in a calm bay where you can swim and snorkel. Equipment is provided, though bringing your own snorkel gear is recommended.

Do the watersports cost extra?

Yes. Jet skis cost €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, the donut ride costs €10 per person, and the captain-led speedboat trip costs €5 per person.

What happens if the cruise is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel yourself up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.