Gran Canaria: Catamaran Day Trip with Food and Drinks

Gran Canaria looks best from the water. I like the spacious catamaran, with its shaded seating and open sun deck, and I like that swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding are included rather than treated as costly extras. The main catch is that the Atlantic can feel chilly, and the four-and-a-half-hour trip may leave you wishing for more time aboard.

For $97 per person, this is a polished half-day outing that combines coast views, water time, a fresh meal, and drinks in one tidy package. I would choose the morning trip if lunch matters most, or the afternoon sailing if you prefer a lighter tapas-style meal and a more relaxed start.

Key points to know before you book

• Two well-spaced water stops: The first is set up for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP paddleboarding. The second combines another swim with lunch.
• A small, comfortable feel: The catamaran has room to sunbathe or sit in shade, and one group description listed up to 17 other passengers.
• Food is better than basic boat fare: The morning meal can include tuna or chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce.
• Drinks keep coming: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. Cocktails and some other drinks cost extra.
• Hotel transport saves effort: Pickup and drop-off are included for locations south of the island, with the exact time confirmed after booking.
• Water sports are part of the price: Snorkeling gear, two SUP boards, and a kayak are available to share, while jet skiing and parasailing can be arranged for an extra fee.

Leaving Puerto Rico for Gran Canaria’s southwest coast

The trip begins at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, one of the island’s main holiday ports. If you are staying in the south, pickup and return transport are included, usually in an air-conditioned minibus. The exact pickup time depends on your accommodation, so check the provider’s email carefully after booking, including your spam folder.

That transfer is a useful part of the package. It removes the need to find the marina, deal with parking, or organize a taxi after a day in the sun. Several groups found the transport punctual and comfortable, and one described the driver as particularly safe.

Once aboard, you can choose your spot. The catamaran offers an open deck for sunbathing, plus a shaded seating area when the light gets strong. That choice matters on a four-and-a-half-hour cruise. You can enjoy the sea breeze without being forced to sit in full sun the entire time.

The boat itself receives some of the strongest praise. It is modern, clean, spacious, and stable enough that one group worried about seasickness found the ride comfortable. That does not promise perfectly calm water on every departure, though. If you are prone to motion sickness, one passenger sensibly suggested bringing tablets.

A welcome drink may be offered at the start, and the regular drinks service includes beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water. You do not need to keep returning to a bar or pay for each glass, which helps the day feel easygoing. Cocktails and other drinks outside the included selection are not covered.

The first stop: swimming, fish, and shared water equipment

After cruising past coves and beaches, the boat reaches a swim stop outside Mogán. This is the most active part of the trip, and you can enter the water directly from the catamaran.

Snorkeling gear is provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The stop can also include kayaking and SUP paddleboarding. Several people described seeing plenty of fish, and one outing even had a brief hammerhead shark sighting. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the clear appeal is being able to look below the surface instead of simply admiring the coast from the deck.

The equipment is shared. The catamaran carries two SUP boards and one kayak, so you may need to take turns during a busy departure. That arrangement worked well for groups that coordinated, but it is worth understanding before you book. This is not a private equipment session where every person gets a board.

You can also skip the water sports. The boat has enough room to stretch out, read, sunbathe, or simply watch the coast pass. That makes the trip suitable for mixed groups, including couples or families where some people want activity and others prefer a quiet swim.

The water may feel cold, especially outside the warmest summer months. A towel is the one item specifically recommended to bring, and you will be glad to have one after snorkeling or paddleboarding. Young swimmers can use a flotation vest, as one family noted for their nine-year-old.

The second stop: lunch with a view near Tasarte

The boat continues along the southwest coast toward its second stopping point. For the morning departure, the crew collects a freshly prepared lunch from a local restaurant on the beach at Tasarte. In some outings, parts of the meal, including warm Canarian potatoes, were brought over to the catamaran by kayak.

That small delivery is more than a fun detail. It means the meal is connected to the coast rather than being a tray of standard packaged food. The menu changes with the season, so you should not book expecting one exact plate. Past meals have included tuna, breaded chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce.

The food receives unusually strong praise for a boat excursion. The portions are described as generous, and there are usually two main choices, fish or chicken. The potatoes and mojo add a proper Canarian touch, while the salad and bread keep the meal simple and complete.

You eat with Atlantic views rather than in a formal dining room. Some people continue swimming during this stop, while others stay aboard and enjoy lunch. That flexible rhythm works well, although anyone hoping for a long restaurant meal should remember that this is still an active cruise with a schedule to keep.

The afternoon departure follows a slightly different plan. Instead of the full morning lunch, it includes light tapas-style snacks. This makes the afternoon option a better fit if you want drinks, scenery, and water time without committing to a large midday meal. If the included food is a major reason for booking, choose the morning sailing.

A relaxed return past the island’s wild side

After the second swim and meal, the catamaran turns back toward Puerto Rico. The return is a chance to dry off, find a shaded seat, or settle on the sun deck for more coastal views.

The southwest coast has a rugged feel from the water, with coves, beaches, and less developed stretches that are hard to appreciate from inland roads. The trip does not function as a formal sightseeing lecture, though. One person enjoyed the outing but wished for more commentary about the coast.

That is useful to know if you want detailed geography or island history. The focus is on sailing, swimming, food, and friendly service, not on a long narrated tour. You may get a few comments about the area, but the main attraction is the setting itself.

There can be pleasant surprises on the way home. One group spotted a right whale, and the crew changed course to watch it surface. Another departure had dolphins. These sightings are chance events, not part of the promise, but they show why keeping your eyes on the water is worthwhile.

The crew is repeatedly described as attentive without being overbearing. Callan and Raul were singled out for making one outing enjoyable, and the team has also provided instructions in English, French, Spanish, German, and other listed languages. The multilingual support is especially helpful when the crew explains water safety or organizes the shared equipment.

How good is the $97 value?

At $97, the trip sits above a basic sightseeing cruise, but you are paying for much more than a seat on a boat. The price covers the catamaran, pickup and return transport in the south, drinks, the morning lunch or afternoon tapas, snorkeling equipment, a kayak, and SUP boards.

The drinks make the biggest difference to the value. If you drink beer or sangria throughout the sailing, the package can work out well compared with buying separate drinks on a boat or at a beach restaurant. If you mainly choose water or soft drinks, the value is still reasonable, but the unlimited alcohol is less important to you.

The included activities also help. You could easily pay extra for a boat trip, then face separate charges for snorkeling equipment or paddleboarding. Here, the basic water activities are part of the fare. Jet skiing and parasailing are optional paid additions, so budget for those only if you already want them.

Food quality is another reason the price feels fair. The meal is not just a token sandwich, and the fresh fish or chicken, salad, potatoes, and bread make the morning outing feel like a real half-day experience. The afternoon trip may offer less food, so compare the two departure types before choosing.

The main limitation is duration. Several people wished the boat trip lasted longer, which is understandable once you settle into the deck and the water stops. Four and a half hours is long enough for two stops and a meal, but it is not a full-day sailing adventure.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want a polished day at sea without arranging every detail themselves. It works particularly well for groups with mixed interests because active swimmers can use the equipment while others relax in the shade.

Families should appreciate the open space, flotation vests for young children, and the option to swim from the boat. Keep in mind that the equipment is shared and the sea may be cool. Parents should also consider how comfortable their children are with boat travel and open-water swimming.

It is a good match for first-time visitors to Gran Canaria who want more than a beach day. You see the southwest coast from a different angle, visit attractive swimming spots, and get a taste of local food without spending a full day on a formal island tour.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, private charter. The boat is not described as exclusive to your party, and the water sports involve sharing. It is also not the best choice if your priority is extensive historical or geographical commentary.

For non-drinkers, the value calculation changes slightly. Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included, but wine is not part of the standard formula. If you prefer cava or white or rosé wine, you may need to ask about availability or plan around the included choices.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Bring a towel, swimwear, and sun protection, although only a towel is specifically listed as essential. You will want something dry after the first stop, especially if you plan to stay on deck during the return.

Choose the morning sailing if you want the full lunch. The meal can include tuna or chicken, Canarian potatoes, salad, bread, and mojo sauce, while the afternoon option provides tapas-style snacks instead.

Check your pickup email closely. The provider confirms the exact time after booking, and it can vary by hotel. Pickup and return are included south of the island, but the precise arrangements depend on where you stay.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking your usual precaution before departure. One person reported that the catamaran felt stable, while another advised motion sickness tablets for anyone who might need them. Sea and weather conditions can also change the plan for safety.

Do not expect every water activity to happen at once. The kayak and SUP boards are shared, so take turns and enjoy the swim or snorkeling while you wait. Bring patience, and the arrangement should feel fair.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your weather plans are still taking shape, though you should still check the final booking terms at the time you reserve.

Should you book it?

I would book this catamaran trip if you want an easy, sociable half-day that combines good food, open-water swimming, and dependable service. The strongest reasons are the clean, roomy boat, attentive multilingual crew, hotel transport, and the fact that snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP use are already included.

Choose the morning option if lunch and the local Tasarte connection appeal to you. Pick the afternoon if you prefer a lighter meal and a later start. I would pass only if you need a private charter, want a full-day voyage, or expect a highly detailed coastal commentary.

For most visitors staying in southern Gran Canaria, $97 is a fair price for the amount packed into four and a half hours. Just bring a towel, allow for cool water, and remember that the best seat may be the one that gives you shade when you need it.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

The cruise departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria on the island’s southwest coast.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran experience lasts 4.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for locations south of Gran Canaria. The provider confirms the exact pickup time after booking, and it can vary by accommodation.

What drinks are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included with the morning excursion. The afternoon excursion includes light tapas-style snacks instead.

What food might be served?

The seasonal menu can change, but dishes have included tuna, breaded chicken, salad, bread, and Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce.

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 fee.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided. You should bring a towel.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, Spanish, German, and French.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The trip is subject to sea and weather conditions for safety.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.