Gran Canaria: Afternoon Catamaran Cruise with Food & Drink

The best part of this Afrikat catamaran cruise is its mix of easygoing sea time and lively water fun. You cruise past cliffs, coves, and the fishing village of Mogán, then stop in a clear bay for swimming and snorkeling. It feels less like a sightseeing boat and more like a half-day beach club that happens to move.

I like the unlimited drinks and crew-served lunch, which save you from buying refreshments every few minutes. I also like the choice built into the afternoon: you can join a speedboat ride or water sport, or simply claim a sun cushion and watch the coast slide past. The main drawback is that extra activities may not operate every day, and the sun deck can feel crowded when everyone wants the best spot.

Key things to know before you book

• The cruise lasts 4.5 hours, with pickup from selected resort areas or direct check-in at Puerto Rico harbor.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included, with equipment available on board.
• Lunch includes a chicken wrap and pasta salad, with optional bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce choices.
• Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included, but cocktails, wine, and spirits cost extra.
• Water sports are optional and separately priced, including jet skis, parasailing, donut rides, and a speedboat trip.
• Music and a friendly crew add atmosphere, with Potter often bringing humor and Ashleigh or Ashley sometimes playing saxophone on the return ride.

Setting sail from Puerto Rico

Your afternoon begins in Puerto Rico, a resort town on Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. If you arrange transport, pickup is offered from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguín, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

There is no pickup from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico itself. If you are staying nearby and want to meet the boat directly, go to the Afrikat desk at Puerto Base in Puerto Rico at least 20 minutes before departure. That direct option is useful, but do not arrive at the last minute. You need time to find the desk and get checked in.

The cruise runs in the afternoon and lasts four and a half hours. That timing works well if you want a relaxed morning at your hotel or beach, then a social activity later in the day. It also gives you the best chance of enjoying the return leg with a drink in hand and, on some departures, music from the crew.

Afrikat is a catamaran, so you get several ways to spend the ride. You can sit on the sun cushions, move around for a better view, or stay near the shaded areas if the heat becomes too much. The open deck is the place to watch the coast, but the most popular areas can fill up quickly.

Cruising toward Mogán’s cliffs and coves

Once out along the southwest coast, the boat follows a section of Gran Canaria known for steep coastal cliffs, small coves, and open views across the Atlantic. You are not signing up for a guided history lecture or a long list of named sights. The appeal is simpler: fresh air, sea views, and a different look at the island’s dry, dramatic coastline.

The fishing village of Mogán is one of the visual highlights along the route. From the water, you see the coast from a less familiar angle, with the resort development giving way to cliffs and sheltered inlets. Keep your camera handy, but also bring sunglasses. The glare off the water is strong, especially when you are sitting on the front or upper deck.

I would treat the cruise itself as the backbone of the afternoon rather than the main attraction. The views are pleasant and the boat makes the journey comfortable, but the strongest part of the experience comes when the crew stops for swimming, food, and optional activities.

The atmosphere can be social and upbeat. The crew has a reputation for being warm and playful, with Potter often helping set the tone. That suits people who want a fun group outing. If you prefer a quiet, private sail, this is probably not the right boat for you.

The swimming stop in a clear bay

The boat anchors in a sheltered bay where you can get into the water for a swim. Snorkeling equipment is available if you want to look below the surface rather than simply cool off.

This stop breaks up the cruise well. You are not stuck sitting in one position for four and a half hours, and the water gives children and active adults something to do. Bring your swimwear under your clothes, along with a towel, sunscreen, and a hat for the ride back onto the boat.

The snorkeling is best approached as a casual extra, not a full marine wildlife tour. You can use the equipment and look for sea life near the boat, but the trip is built around recreation rather than expert underwater guiding. If you want a serious snorkeling expedition, choose a specialist outing. If you simply want a refreshing swim with a mask and snorkel, this stop fits the bill.

I would also keep your expectations flexible about sea conditions. The activity is described as taking place in a clear bay, but water conditions and visibility can change. The crew may also adjust the exact experience for safety and operating reasons.

Water sports, from a €5 speedboat ride to a €32 jet ski

The optional water activities are a major reason this cruise appeals to mixed groups. One person can relax with a drink while another pays for a faster way to hit the water.

The options listed are:

• Speedboat ride with the captain: €5 per person
• Donut inflatable: €10 per person
• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person

The speedboat ride is the easiest extra to justify at €5. It adds a short burst of speed without a large increase in the cost of your day. The donut ride offers a more physical thrill, with the inflatable pulled across the waves. Hold on firmly, especially if you are not used to being thrown around on the water.

Jet skis and parasailing cost much more, so budget for them before you board. The jet ski price is per vehicle, not per person, which may matter if two people plan to share. Parasailing is priced per person and gives you a bird’s-eye view of the coast, but it will appeal mainly to those who want an active add-on rather than a restful cruise.

One practical warning: the water sports are run as optional activities and may not be available on every departure. A previous outing had no water sports because the partner company was not operating that day, and the change was only explained during the cruise. If a jet ski or parasail is central to your plans, confirm availability before booking rather than treating it as guaranteed.

You should also bring extra money or a bank card for these activities, photos, or souvenirs. Card and Apple Pay were accepted on at least some outings, but I would still avoid assuming every payment method will work.

What you actually eat and drink

The included meal is straightforward and suited to a boat day. The crew serves a chicken wrap with optional bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce, along with pasta salad. You need to tell the provider about special dietary requirements when booking.

This is not a restaurant meal, and it should not be judged as one. Its value is that food arrives as part of the cruise, so you do not need to pack lunch or buy food at a stop. After swimming or a water sport, that simple meal can be exactly what you want.

Drinks are a strong part of the package. You can help yourself to unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. That is useful in Gran Canaria’s sun, where paying separately for every bottle or glass can quickly become annoying.

Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. Some outings have featured cocktails as an extra, but do not book this expecting an unlimited cocktail bar. The included drinks are best suited to a casual, social afternoon.

The reusable drinking glass souvenir is a small but practical touch. It is not a major reason to choose the cruise, but it is more useful than a throwaway trinket.

Music, crew, and the mood on board

The crew is a key part of the experience. Potter is known for bringing plenty of humor to the day, while Pedro has also been praised for adding jokes and extra touches on earlier outings. You may find the tone playful rather than formal.

Some departures have included saxophone music from Ashleigh or Ashley during the return journey. That can change the feel of the afternoon, especially after the swimming stop, when people are relaxing with drinks and watching the coast. Music is not presented as a guaranteed daily feature, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than part of the fixed program.

The atmosphere suits people who enjoy a friendly group setting. Families, couples, and groups of friends can all take part, and the activity is listed as suitable for all ages. Still, the boat may feel lively and close-packed, particularly on the sun deck. If you need lots of personal space, try to board early and choose your spot carefully.

Is $91 good value?

At $91 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Gran Canaria. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: a 4.5-hour catamaran cruise, selected resort transport, lunch, unlimited beer and other standard drinks, snorkeling equipment, swimming time, and entertainment from the crew.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay for transport, lunch, and several drinks separately. The speedboat ride is also only €5, so adding that does not change the budget much. On the other hand, the final cost can rise quickly if you add a jet ski, parasailing, a donut ride, photos, and premium drinks.

I would call the base price fair for an all-afternoon outing, especially for visitors staying in one of the pickup zones. It is less attractive if you do not drink, do not plan to swim, and mainly want quiet coastal sightseeing. In that case, a shorter boat trip may suit you better.

The reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some booking flexibility, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Those terms are useful if your plans are still shifting, but the key decision remains the style of the day: social catamaran fun or peaceful sailing.

Who will enjoy the Afrikat cruise most?

I think this trip works best for you if you want several experiences in one afternoon:

• A coastal cruise without arranging your own transport
• A swim and casual snorkeling stop
• Food and standard drinks included
• Optional speed and water activities
• A friendly, humorous crew
• Music and a festive return ride on some departures

It is especially handy for families or groups with different energy levels. Active people can pay for a jet ski or ride the donut, while others can stay on the sun cushions. Couples can enjoy the views and drinks without needing to plan every detail.

The cruise is also suitable for visitors who want a simple holiday activity. You do not need to know how to sail, pack a picnic, or find a separate beach stop. The crew handles the meal and drinks, and the boat provides the setting.

I would hesitate if you want a small, quiet sailing trip, a serious wildlife experience, or guaranteed water sports. The deck may feel crowded, the group mood is lively, and optional activities can depend on availability.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, but customers with disabilities should tell the provider about mobility needs after booking so suitable arrangements can be made. That is worth doing early rather than relying on a last-minute solution.

What to bring for a comfortable afternoon

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Bring your camera if you want coastal photos, but protect it from spray and keep a firm grip when the boat is moving.

I would also bring a card or extra money for water sports, photos, souvenirs, or drinks outside the included selection. Comfortable clothing matters more than dressing up. You will be in and out of the water, sitting in the sun, and possibly holding on during a fast inflatable ride.

If you are prone to feeling cold after swimming, pack a light cover-up for the return ride. The supplied information does not promise lockers or specific storage, so keep valuables to a minimum.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a fun, flexible afternoon on the water rather than a quiet sailing lesson or specialist snorkeling trip. The combination of coastal views, swimming, included food and drinks, and optional water sports gives you plenty to do for the price.

Before paying, check two things. First, confirm that pickup is available from your accommodation or plan to reach Puerto Rico harbor yourself. Second, ask if the water sports you want will operate on your date.

For most holidaymakers staying along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast, I think the Afrikat cruise is a good-value day out. Just budget for the extras, expect a lively sun deck, and treat the music and water sports as possible bonuses rather than fixed promises.

FAQ

How long does the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts 4.5 hours and takes place in the afternoon.

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The direct meeting point is the Afrikat desk at Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria. You should check in at least 20 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included from central points in Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguín, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura. Pickup is not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogán, or Puerto Rico.

What food is served on board?

The meal includes a chicken wrap with optional bacon, cheese, salad, and sauce, plus pasta salad. You must inform the provider of special dietary requirements when booking.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included.

Are snorkeling equipment and swimming included?

Yes. The cruise includes a swimming stop in a clear bay, and snorkeling equipment is available for use.

How much do the optional water sports cost?

The speedboat ride costs €5 per person, the donut costs €10 per person, a jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, and parasailing costs €32 per person. Availability can vary by departure.