Afrikat Morning Cruise

The best part of the Afrikat morning cruise is the balance between easygoing sailing and water fun. You leave Puerto Rico by catamaran, follow Gran Canaria’s sunny coast, then anchor in a calm bay for swimming, snorkeling, and optional paid activities such as jet skiing or parasailing.

I like the included drinks and lunch, which keep the day simple, and I like the crew’s friendly, sociable style. Music, including occasional live saxophone, adds energy on the return trip. The main consideration is that you get less pure sailing time than the four-and-a-half-hour duration may suggest, since much of the outing centers on anchoring and water activities.

I also like that the boat is limited to a maximum of 66 people rather than carrying a huge crowd. Food is practical rather than gourmet, and the chicken wrap with pasta salad may not satisfy every appetite, so anyone with dietary needs should contact the operator before departure.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Puerto Rico departure: The Afrikat leaves from Puerto Base and returns there after roughly four and a half hours.
• Swimming stop included: You can swim and snorkel from the anchored catamaran, with equipment provided, though bringing your own snorkel gear is recommended.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a chicken wrap with pasta salad, plus beer, Sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skiing, parasailing, the donut ride, and the captain’s speedboat trip are optional paid add-ons.
• Friendly crew: Monica, José, and Potter are among the crew members praised for helpful advice, humor, and warm service.
• Pickup needs checking: Transport comes from selected central pickup points in southern Gran Canaria, and you must confirm the exact time the day before.

Setting Out From Puerto Base in Puerto Rico

The Afrikat morning cruise begins at Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, on Gran Canaria’s south coast. The marina is the practical launch point for a half-day on the water, with the catamaran returning to the same place at the end.

The published start time is 10:00 a.m. for the standard schedule. During summer, the cruise generally runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., while winter departures are listed as 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Arrive 20 minutes early if you are making your own way to the marina.

Pickup is available from selected fixed points in the southern part of the island. It is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán according to the transport details, so do not assume that staying in Puerto Rico automatically includes a hotel collection. Check the transport confirmation 24 hours before sailing, including your email junk folder, because the exact pickup place and time are sent separately.

Once aboard, you have room to watch the coast from the deck, find a place to sit, and settle into the outing. The boat is described as a luxury catamaran, but this is not a private sailing charter. Up to 66 people can join, so the mood is social and shared rather than quiet and exclusive.

That group size is still fairly manageable for a popular morning cruise. You will have other people around during lunch, music, and water activities, but the boat is not designed as a small, intimate yacht trip.

Following Gran Canaria’s Southern Coast

The first part of the cruise is about seeing the island from the sea. The catamaran follows the southern coastline, passing villages, beaches, bays, and steep coastal sections. From the deck, you get a different angle on the resort towns and shore than you would from a road or hotel terrace.

This is a good time to enjoy the simple pleasure of being offshore. You can sit with a drink, take photos, watch the coastline change, or let the sea air do most of the work. The cruise does not promise a long open-water sailing session, and one of the clearest drawbacks is that the actual time spent moving under sail or power can feel short to anyone who mainly wants a sailing voyage.

That distinction matters. If your ideal boat trip means hours of steady coastal cruising, this may feel too activity-focused. If you want a comfortable way to see the coast, stop for a swim, eat lunch, and add some excitement, the format makes more sense.

The crew’s approach is a major part of the atmosphere. Monica and José are specifically praised for friendly help and suggestions about places to see on Gran Canaria. Potter is mentioned for taking people on the speedboat and for bringing humor to the day. You should expect a warm, informal crew rather than a formal lecture about the island.

Anchoring in a Calm Bay

The catamaran eventually anchors in a calm, clear bay. This is the heart of the outing. You can get into the water for a swim, try snorkeling, or stay aboard and enjoy the sun.

Swimming is optional, so you do not need to be a confident swimmer to enjoy the cruise. If you do enter the water, take care around the boat and follow the crew’s instructions. Snorkeling equipment is provided, but the operator recommends bringing your own equipment, which is useful advice if you care about fit, comfort, or cleanliness.

The bay is also where you can decide how active you want the day to be. You might swim for a while, take photos from the deck, or simply sit in the sun with a cold drink. The freedom to choose makes this a good match for couples or families with different energy levels.

The snorkeling should be viewed as a pleasant extra rather than a dedicated marine-life excursion. The information provided promises a chance to snorkel, but it does not promise a particular reef, wildlife sighting, or guided underwater tour. Conditions can also affect visibility.

Choosing Between Jet Skis, Parasailing, and the Speedboat

The included swimming stop is only part of the water fun. You can pay extra for several activities:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Captain’s speedboat ride: €5 per person

The speedboat is the least expensive add-on and may be the easiest choice if you want a short burst of speed without committing to a larger activity. Potter is praised for taking people to see caves from the speedboat, which adds a little coastal sightseeing to the thrill.

The jet ski and parasailing options make the trip more active, but they raise the total price. If you are comparing the Afrikat with a basic sightseeing boat, remember that the advertised fare does not cover these activities. You can still have a full outing without paying for them, but the add-ons are tempting once you are on the water.

The donut ride is the budget option for a quick bit of fun. It is not central to the cruise, and you should treat it as an optional extra rather than part of the core value.

One German-language comment criticized the water-sports location and felt there was too little time actually cruising. That is a fair warning for anyone primarily interested in sailing. The Afrikat is best understood as a coastal catamaran day with a swimming stop and optional water sports, not as a purist’s sailing trip.

Lunch, Sangria, and the Onboard Mood

Lunch is included in the price and consists of a chicken wrap with pasta salad. The meal is convenient and sensible for a day on the water. You do not need to bring a packed lunch, and the food is easy to eat without a formal table setting.

Expect something functional rather than a memorable restaurant meal. Some people find the food perfectly adequate, while others may wish for more choice or better quality. That difference is worth considering if food is a major part of your holiday plans.

Vegetarian arrangements have been made for some passengers, but you should communicate all dietary requirements in advance. Do not wait until boarding and expect a special meal to appear.

Drinks are one of the stronger value points. Beer, Sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included throughout the trip. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits cost extra or are not included. One useful detail from the onboard service is the use of edible straws, a small touch that reflects attention to reducing waste at sea.

The atmosphere is lively without being entirely dependent on organized entertainment. Music plays during the outing, and live saxophone has appeared toward the end of the cruise. That timing is worth noting: if you are hoping for live music throughout the trip, you may be disappointed. If you enjoy a relaxed return with music and drinks, it can be a pleasant finish.

The crew’s humor and willingness to talk with people help solo passengers as well as couples and families. A solo passenger described making friends onboard, which fits the social format. You should be comfortable sharing space and conversation with people you did not arrive with.

Is $90.70 Good Value?

At $90.70 per person, the Afrikat is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Gran Canaria. The price makes more sense when you count the four-and-a-half-hour boat trip, lunch, beer, Sangria, soft drinks, coffee, water, and the chance to swim and snorkel.

The value improves if you plan to use the included drinks and swimming stop. You are paying for a complete half-day outing rather than just transport by boat. The crew service, music, and catamaran setting add to the experience without separate charges.

The value drops if you want a long, quiet sailing session or if you will buy several water-sport add-ons. A jet ski, parasailing, and speedboat ride can quickly push the final cost well above the advertised fare. The boat trip itself remains enjoyable, but you should set a budget before departure.

The cruise is booked, on average, about nine days ahead. That gives you a useful planning guide, especially during busy holiday periods. If your schedule is fixed, booking more than a few days ahead is sensible.

Who Will Enjoy the Afrikat Most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a relaxed half-day at sea with several ways to spend your time. It works especially well for:

• Couples who want coastal views, drinks, music, and a swim
• Families with older children who can enjoy the water activities
• Solo visitors who like a social setting
• Groups with mixed interests, since some people can swim while others stay on deck
• Anyone who wants lunch and drinks included rather than arranging everything separately

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum drinking age is 18, even though younger passengers can take part in the cruise when accompanied.

I would be more cautious if you are prone to seasickness. The crew has helped people who became unwell, but the boat is still on the open sea and conditions can change. Sit where you feel most comfortable, and tell the crew early if you begin to feel sick.

This is also not the best choice for someone seeking a private or silent boat ride. The maximum group size is 66, the music can be lively, and the social mood is part of the package.

Practical Booking Details and Cancellation

The experience is offered in English and provides a mobile ticket. It operates in suitable weather, and the operator may cancel if conditions are poor or if the minimum number of bookings is not reached. In either case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. The supplied information specifically recommends bringing your own snorkeling equipment, even though equipment is provided. If you plan to use the water activities, bring only what you can keep secure and dry.

Should You Book the Afrikat Morning Cruise?

Book it if you want a friendly, all-in-one coastal outing with swimming, lunch, drinks, and the option to add some speed. The strongest points are the crew, the social atmosphere, the generous drinks package, and the freedom to be active or lazy once the catamaran anchors.

Think twice if your main goal is extended sailing. The boat spends part of the four-and-a-half hours anchored, and the water-sports area may feel more important than the cruise itself. Food is adequate rather than special, and the optional activities can make the day more expensive.

For most visitors who want an enjoyable morning on the sea without organizing every detail, I think the Afrikat is a solid choice. Book it for the combination of coast, swimming, service, and easygoing fun. Do not book it expecting a private yacht charter or a full day under sail.

FAQ

Where does the Afrikat cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from C. Puerto Base, 1, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain, at Puerto Base.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m. Summer departures generally run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., while winter departures run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

How long is the Afrikat cruise?

The boat trip lasts approximately four and a half hours.

Is pickup available?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a chicken wrap with pasta salad. You must advise the operator in advance about special dietary requirements.

Which drinks are included?

Beer, Sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a calm bay where you can swim and snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is provided, although bringing your own equipment is recommended.

Do the water sports cost extra?

Yes. Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, and the donut ride costs €10 per person. The captain’s speedboat ride costs €5 per person.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may lead to a rescheduled trip or full refund.