3h Boat Trip + Snorkeling in Puerto de Mogan

Gran Canaria’s southwest coast is at its best from the water, where the cliffs between Puerto de Mogán and Tasarte rise sharply above quiet coves. This three-hour trip combines that scenery with snorkeling at El Perchel, a small cove reached only by boat.

I like the small maximum group of 25, which leaves room to sit inside or on the upper deck. I also like the generous food and drinks, plus photos sent after the trip. The main thing to consider is that you must swim from the boat to reach El Perchel, and the open water can be choppy on the way out and back.

Key points to know before booking

• El Perchel is reached by swimming: There is no walkway from the boat to the beach, so you need to be comfortable getting into the sea.
• Marta and Ruben run the boat: Their friendly, hands-on hosting is a major part of the experience.
• Lunch is included: Expect Canarian potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, other fresh food, and unlimited drinks.
• You get more than snorkeling gear: Full-face and standard masks, fins, flotation aids, and one paddle board are available.
• Photos cost nothing extra: The crew takes pictures during the cruise, with drone footage during snorkeling when weather permits.
• Friday needs extra planning: Puerto de Mogán’s market makes car access to the port difficult, so contact the operator ahead of time.

A relaxed boat ride from Puerto de Mogán

The meeting point is at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, beside the port in Puerto de Mogán. The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. and returns to the same place after roughly three hours.

I like this start time because it gives you a full morning without taking up the whole day. You can have lunch in Puerto de Mogán afterward, stroll around the canals, or return to your hotel for an afternoon at the pool.

Marta and Ruben operate the excursion themselves, and that personal touch comes through from the first welcome. They explain the route, help with equipment, and keep an eye on people in the water. Marta also handles the boat, a detail that adds to the feeling that you are joining a small family-run outing rather than boarding a large party vessel.

The boat has seating inside and space on the upper deck. Padded mats and beanbags give you somewhere to dry off after snorkeling, while the cabin offers a break from the sun. The maximum capacity is 25 people, though the trip may feel smaller depending on the day’s bookings.

This is a smoke-free boat, a useful detail for families and anyone who dislikes smoke around food or swimming gear. The relaxed setup also suits mixed groups, since keen snorkelers can get in the water while others stay aboard and enjoy the views.

Watching the southwest coast from the sea

After leaving Puerto de Mogán, the boat heads along Gran Canaria’s wild southwest coast toward Tasarte. From sea level, the cliffs look more dramatic than they do from the road. You get broad views of rock faces, caves, and sections of coast that are difficult or impossible to reach on foot.

The ride is as much about the coast as the snorkeling. Ruben provides information about the geology, marine life, and history of the area, so you have something to look for as the boat moves along. The crew also leaves time for photographs, and they are happy to take pictures of you, your family, or your group.

The sea is not always calm. Several people have found the outward and return journeys wavier than expected, so take that seriously if you are prone to motion sickness. The three-hour length helps keep the outing manageable, but you may want to eat lightly before boarding and bring any medication you normally use for boat trips.

The route feels more personal than a standard sightseeing cruise because the boat stops at a cove selected for swimming rather than simply passing the coast at speed. You are not only looking at Gran Canaria from offshore. You get a chance to experience one of its quieter coastal corners.

Snorkeling at El Perchel

The main stop is El Perchel, a protected cove accessible by boat. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, including masks, fins, and flotation aids. Full-face masks are also available, which can help first-time snorkelers feel more at ease.

You should understand the access arrangement before booking: you must swim from the boat to the beach. There is no way to walk from the boat onto El Perchel. If you do not want to enter the water, you can remain aboard, enjoy the views, and use the upper-deck seating, but the cove’s main appeal is being in the sea.

The snorkeling stop is long enough to look around rather than make a hurried splash. The water can be full of small fish, and sightings have included octopus, stingrays, flying fish, and many different species close to the rocks. Marine life varies with the day and conditions, so nobody can promise a particular sighting, but the cove provides a better setting than a quick swim beside a busy harbor.

I especially like the way the equipment range makes this workable for mixed abilities. You can choose between standard and full-face equipment, and noodles or other flotation support help if you are not a confident swimmer. That does not remove the need to swim, but it can make the water time less intimidating.

One paddle board is available for use during the stop. It gives older children and anyone taking a break from snorkeling another way to enjoy the cove. Children who do not want to swim can remain on the boat, watch the activity, and relax on the upper deck.

The drone may film and photograph people in the water if weather conditions allow. This is a nice extra, but I would treat it as a bonus rather than the reason to book. Drone footage depends on wind and other conditions, and one piece of feedback found it less impressive than the rest of the outing. The regular photos taken by the crew are the more dependable souvenir.

Canarian lunch and an open bar

Food is served aboard after or around the swimming stop. The menu includes Canarian potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, and other fresh food. Vegetarian guests are catered for, and the meal is intended to be shared in a casual tapas-style setting.

The food is simple rather than formal, which suits the boat. Canarian potatoes with mojo give you a taste of local cooking, while the omelette and bread make the meal filling after time in the water. The food is replenished during the trip, so you are not limited to a tiny snack portion.

Unlimited drinks are included. That means you can choose from the available soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, including sangria. The open-bar arrangement adds real value to the price, especially if you would otherwise buy lunch and drinks separately during a morning excursion.

I would still bring water for the journey to the port and a towel for after swimming. Towels are not included. You should also remember that drinking alcohol before getting into the sea is not a good idea, even though drinks are available aboard.

The meal is another reason this outing works for a group with different interests. One person can focus on the snorkeling, another can enjoy the food and scenery, and everyone has a chance to sit together afterward.

What the $71.35 price really covers

At $71.35 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Gran Canaria. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: a three-hour coastal cruise, snorkeling equipment, flotation aids, lunch, unlimited drinks, photography, possible drone footage, and use of a paddle board.

You are also paying for a smaller boat experience rather than a high-capacity cruise. With a maximum of 25 people, you should have more room to move around and more direct help with equipment. That matters if you are new to snorkeling or traveling with children.

The value is strongest for people who want several activities in one morning. If you only want a short boat ride and do not plan to swim, you may find the price harder to justify. If you want coastal views, a swim stop, local food, drinks, and photos without arranging each part separately, the package is more convincing.

The trip is highly rated, with a 5.0 score from 785 ratings and a recommendation rate of 99 percent. Those figures point to very consistent satisfaction, especially with the hosts, food, boat comfort, and snorkeling. They do not change the practical limits: the sea can be rough, weather can cancel the trip, and reaching the beach requires swimming.

Families, beginners, and non-swimmers

I would recommend this outing for families because the crew makes an effort to include children, and the boat has room for people who prefer not to swim. Young children can watch from the deck, sit on the padded mats, or enjoy the food while older family members use the equipment.

Still, parents should explain the water access before booking. El Perchel is not a walk-off beach, and the boat does not provide a way to reach it without swimming. The available flotation aids help, but they do not replace comfort in the sea or adult supervision.

First-time snorkelers are also well served. The crew gives practical tips and helps participants choose equipment. Full-face masks can feel more approachable for people who find standard masks awkward, while standard masks and fins suit those already comfortable in the water.

If you are a non-swimmer, the trip can still work, but you will miss the central activity. You can stay aboard and enjoy the cruise, views, food, and company. I would choose this tour for a non-swimmer only if that person is genuinely happy to skip the snorkeling stop.

Vegetarians are welcome, and the food includes vegetarian-friendly choices. The boat is smoke-free, which makes the meal and shared seating more pleasant for many families.

Getting to the port and choosing your date

Transport to and from the port is not included, so you need to arrange your own route. Puerto de Mogán is served by public transportation, and the meeting point is near the port area.

Friday requires special care because it is market day in Puerto de Mogán. Cars cannot access the port in the usual way, and parking instructions may not be obvious. Contact Yellow Boat Mogan before Friday’s departure for current directions, and allow extra time so you do not arrive at the wrong side of the harbor.

The activity needs at least 10 people to operate. If that minimum is not reached, the operator may cancel and offer another date, another experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, so keep your plans firm once the deadline passes.

Small extras that improve the morning

The free photography is more useful than it may sound. You do not need to leave your phone in a dry bag or ask another participant to take pictures while you are in the water. The crew takes photographs during the cruise and sends them afterward.

The drone footage offers a different view of the snorkeling stop when conditions allow. It can capture the boat, swimmers, and cove from above, though the quality may vary. I would value the included photos as the reliable benefit and consider the drone an occasional extra.

The hosts also share suggestions for other things to do on Gran Canaria. That can be handy early in a holiday, when you are still working out how to spend your time on the island.

The three-hour schedule is well judged. There is enough time for the coast, snorkeling, food, and a little drying-off without turning the trip into an all-day commitment. Afterward, Puerto de Mogán gives you an easy place for a walk or another drink.

Should you book the Puerto de Mogán boat trip?

Book it if you want a friendly small-boat outing that combines coastal scenery, snorkeling, local food, and drinks in one package. It is especially well suited to families, couples, first-time snorkelers, and groups with mixed interests.

Think twice if you dislike waves, do not want to swim, or are looking for a quiet sightseeing cruise with no water activity. Also plan carefully for Friday parking and remember to bring a towel.

For most visitors who are comfortable entering the sea, the $71.35 price is fair because the meal, open bar, equipment, photos, and paddle board are all included. The warm hosting from Marta and Ruben is the part you cannot easily price, and it is what gives this trip its relaxed, personal feel.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start and finish?

It starts at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, 35139 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the excursion start?

The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. and lasts approximately three hours.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with flotation aids and one paddle board.

Can I walk from the boat onto El Perchel beach?

No. You must swim from the boat to reach the beach. There is no walking access from the boat.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. The trip includes Canarian potatoes with mojo, Spanish omelette, bread, fresh food, vegetarian food, and unlimited drinks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.