Puerto de Mogan: Boat and Snorkeling Trip

A yellow boat, clear water, and a very good lunch. This three-hour trip from Puerto de Mogan combines a scenic ride along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast with about 1.5 hours of snorkeling at El Perchel, a cove reached only by boat. I like the relaxed family feel, and I especially like that food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and photos are included in the $69 price.

The boat heads toward Playa de Tasarte before turning back toward the swimming stop. Guides Ruben and Marta receive repeated praise for their friendly care, clear snorkeling instructions, and local information. The main point to consider is simple: this is not suitable for non-swimmers, and anyone hoping for a long open-water cruise may find the sightseeing portion fairly short.

Quick take: what makes this trip worth considering

• A real 1.5-hour water stop: You get enough time to swim, look for fish, and try the gear without being hurried back aboard.
• Ruben and Marta host the trip personally: Their attention to first-time snorkelers and families is one of the strongest parts of the experience.
• El Perchel is reached only by boat: The cove gives you a more special setting than a standard beach swim.
• Lunch is part of the price: Expect potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and fresh fruit, with drinks available on board.
• Photos are included: The crew takes pictures during the outing and sends them afterward by email.
• Friday needs extra planning: Puerto de Mogan is market day then, and car access to the port is restricted.

Setting out from Puerto de Mogan on the Yellow Boat

The meeting point is at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, in Puerto de Mogan. Look for the yellow boat marked Yellow Boat Mogan. If the marina feels confusing, searching that exact name in Google Maps should take you to the right place.

The trip begins with a short safety briefing of about five minutes. That is useful rather than ceremonial, especially if you are bringing children or have never used snorkeling equipment before. You receive guidance on the boat and on what to expect in the water.

Ruben and Marta run the experience together. Their approach seems personal and hands-on. They explain the route, answer questions, help with masks and fins, and keep an eye on how people are managing. Several families specifically appreciated the care given to children, while first-time snorkelers described the instructions as clear and reassuring.

The boat has both a covered area and an open sun deck, according to the experience details shared by passengers. That gives you a choice between shade and sun, which matters on a bright Canary Islands afternoon. Bring sunscreen and a towel, since towels are not supplied.

The ride toward Playa de Tasarte

After leaving Puerto de Mogan, the boat follows the coast toward the Tasarte area. The sightseeing portion takes about an hour and includes views of Gran Canaria’s steep coastal cliffs. This is the part of the trip for photographs, sea air, and a broader sense of the island’s southwest shore.

The route is not just a transfer to the snorkeling site. Ruben and Marta share information about the coastline, the island, and the fish you may see later. If you enjoy knowing what you are looking at, this makes the boat ride more useful than simply sitting on deck.

The cliffs are the main visual attraction here. Keep your camera ready as the boat passes Playa de Tasarte, but remember that the scenery is viewed from the water and the boat only passes by. You do not get a beach stop at Tasarte.

This hour also sets the pace of the outing. It is scenic but not frantic, and the return turn toward El Perchel means you see part of the coast from another angle. If you want a full-day sailing trip or a long voyage far offshore, this is not that. It is a compact coastal outing built around one substantial swim stop.

El Perchel: the main event in clear water

The boat then heads to El Perchel, where it stops for around 1.5 hours. This cove can only be reached by boat, which gives the stop a more secluded feel and helps explain why it is the heart of the tour.

The water is described as clear, and the main activity is looking for fish while swimming around the cove. People have spotted many kinds of fish, and one passenger even saw a ray. The guides explain where to look and what marine life you may encounter, so you are not left to float around without any sense of purpose.

The equipment includes masks and flippers. The boat also carries traditional masks and full-face masks, giving you a choice if one style feels more comfortable. Paddleboards have also been available on some trips, though you should confirm what is offered on your departure if that feature matters to you.

The length of this stop is a real strength. You can spend time getting used to the mask, swim farther once you feel comfortable, and return to the water after a short rest. Children aged 7, 10, and 14 were able to enjoy the stop, according to one family’s account, but the tour still requires basic swimming ability.

If you are nervous, start slowly. Listen to the instructions, stay near the boat, and give yourself time to adjust. A full-face mask may help some first-timers, but it does not replace swimming confidence. This is an active water experience, not a glass-bottom sightseeing cruise.

What lunch adds to the experience

After swimming, the crew serves a vegetarian-friendly meal of potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and fresh fruit. The food is simple, local, and well suited to a day at sea. Potatoes with mojo are a Canary Islands staple, and the garlicky or spicy sauce gives the meal more character than a generic packed lunch.

The Spanish omelette makes the spread filling, while bread and fruit round it out. Several people praised the homemade food, and one family found the potatoes with mojo such a hit that a child became particularly enthusiastic about them.

Food and drinks are included in the $69 price. Drinks are available throughout the trip, and several accounts specifically mention sangria. The homemade sangria receives especially warm praise. The supplied details do not promise a particular drink menu, so if you have strict dietary or beverage needs, ask the operator before departure.

This is not a restaurant meal, and you should not expect a large buffet. It is a generous, informal lunch served on the boat after the swim. That timing works well because you can eat while drying off and enjoying the coast rather than stopping at a separate restaurant.

The personal touch from Ruben and Marta

The boat itself matters, but the hosts make a bigger difference. Ruben and Marta are repeatedly described as attentive, welcoming, and willing to take extra time when someone needs help. They have also been praised for explaining local wildlife and the coastline in a way that works for both adults and children.

First-time snorkelers receive help with the equipment and guidance about where to find fish. That turns the water stop into more than a quick swim. You get a basic introduction to what you are seeing, which makes the fish easier to notice and the time in the water more rewarding.

The hosts also make an effort with photographs. They take pictures of the group and send them by email afterward. That is a useful bonus for families, since getting everyone into one picture can be harder than it sounds. Some accounts also mention video and drone footage, though the confirmed inclusion is photos, so I would treat extra footage as a pleasant possibility rather than a guarantee.

The small-group feel has also been praised, particularly outside the busiest season. Exact capacity is not provided, so I would not book on the assumption that every departure will be nearly empty. Still, the repeated comments about personal attention suggest this is not designed as a huge party boat.

Is $69 a fair price?

At $69 per person, the outing is good value if you plan to use the main inclusions. You are paying for three hours on the water, a guided coastal route, snorkeling equipment, a long swim stop, lunch, drinks, photos, and a live guide in English or Spanish.

Comparable boat trips can look cheaper at first but add costs for gear, food, drinks, or photographs. Here, those extras are included, which makes the total easier to judge. The meal is not an afterthought, and the 1.5-hour snorkeling stop gives you enough time to make the water activity worthwhile.

The value is strongest for families and couples who want one easy half-day activity rather than a series of separate bookings. It is also a good pick if you appreciate a host-led outing and want help identifying fish.

The value is weaker for you if you do not swim, dislike being on a boat, or mainly want a long sightseeing cruise. You may spend much of the experience waiting for the snorkeling stop, and the coastal sightseeing section is a pass-by rather than a land visit.

Who should book this outing?

I would put this trip high on the list for:

• Families with children who can swim
• First-time snorkelers who want instruction
• Couples looking for a relaxed half-day on the water
• Vegetarian diners who want a proper snack or lunch included
• Visitors who like local food and informal hosting
• Anyone who wants photos without arranging a separate photographer

The trip is less suitable for non-swimmers, and the supplied information specifically excludes them. It may also be a poor fit if you want a private charter, a long open-sea route, or a quiet boat ride with no group activity.

You should also think about sun exposure. The trip includes time on the water, swimming, and an open sun deck. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Smoking is not allowed.

Friday market day and the easiest arrival plan

Puerto de Mogan’s Friday market changes the practical side of the trip. On Fridays, cars cannot access the port, so driving directly to the meeting point is not straightforward.

Contact Yellow Boat Mogan before your outing for current advice. One useful feature of the operation is its communication by WhatsApp. A message sent before a Friday departure helped one family sort out parking and reach the boat without stress.

On other days, use the marked meeting point and allow enough time to find the yellow boat. The directions are simple once you are in the marina, but the port can still take a few minutes to navigate if you are carrying towels, swimwear, or children’s belongings.

Questions to ask before you get on board

I would confirm the start time when booking, since departure times vary with availability. Also ask if you have a food allergy or need a specific dietary arrangement, even though the supplied meal is vegetarian-friendly.

If a child is a hesitant swimmer, be honest with the operator before you arrive. The crew can explain the water stop and equipment, but the activity remains a snorkeling trip and is not intended for non-swimmers.

Finally, keep your phone protected from spray. Photos are included, so you do not need to risk your own device for every picture. The crew’s photos will give you a better chance of getting a group shot with everyone looking relaxed rather than squinting into the sun.

Should you book the Puerto de Mogan snorkeling trip?

I would book it if you want a friendly, well-supported family boat trip with a proper swim stop and food included. The strongest reasons are the long time at El Perchel, the care from Ruben and Marta, the clear focus on fish and local information, and the unusually generous list of inclusions for $69.

I would skip it if you cannot swim or if your main goal is a full-day cruise with several coastal stops. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced three-hour outing: enough sightseeing to appreciate Gran Canaria from the sea, enough snorkeling to feel worthwhile, and enough lunch and conversation to make the boat ride feel like a complete experience.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto de Mogan boat and snorkeling trip?

The experience lasts three hours, including the coastal boat ride, the snorkeling stop, lunch, and the return to Puerto de Mogan.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, in Puerto de Mogan. Look for the yellow boat marked Yellow Boat Mogan.

What language is the tour guide?

Live guiding is available in Spanish and English.

How long do you snorkel at El Perchel?

You have around 1.5 hours for snorkeling and free time at El Perchel.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, with masks and flippers available. Some trips have also offered traditional and full-face masks.

What food is served?

The included food consists of potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and fresh fruit. The meal is vegetarian-friendly.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included in the experience. Homemade sangria is mentioned as one of the drinks served on board.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not provided, and smoking is not allowed on the trip.