Afrikat Afternoon Cruise

The best part of the Afrikat cruise is the change of viewpoint: you leave Puerto Base and see Gran Canaria’s southern coast from the open water, with a sea breeze, sunshine, and time to swim from the boat. I like the generous 4.5-hour schedule and the fact that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and transport from selected southern resorts are included.

I also like the choice of pace. You can stretch out on the catamaran, swim in a clear bay, or pay extra for parasailing, a jet ski, a donut ride, or a speedboat trip with the captain. The main caution is value: at about $93.16 per person, the cruise is not a cheap boat ride, and the included meal is described as a chicken wrap with pasta salad rather than a full Spanish buffet.

Key points at a glance

• Cruise from Puerto Base: The Afrikat leaves Puerto Rico at about 2:30 pm and returns to the same meeting point after roughly 4.5 hours.
• A calm-bay stop: You can swim and snorkel from the catamaran, with equipment provided.
• Drinks are included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are available during the cruise.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skis cost €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, a donut ride €10 per person, and the captain’s speedboat €5 per person.
• Pickup has limits: Transport is offered from centralized pickup points in southern Gran Canaria, but not from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.
• A social boat outing: The vessel can carry up to 66 people, so expect a shared excursion rather than a private sailing trip.

Seeing Gran Canaria from the Afrikat

Gran Canaria’s southern coast is known for warm weather, resort towns, and dramatic views from the sea. The Afrikat gives you a few hours away from the beach and hotel pool, with the island rising behind you as the catamaran follows the coast.

I like this kind of outing because the boat ride is not only transportation to a swimming stop. The cruise itself is part of the experience. You get open views, a steady sea breeze, and a chance to see the coast without roads, traffic, or buildings directly around you.

The Afrikat is described as a spacious, luxurious catamaran with room for up to 66 people. That capacity matters. You should expect a lively shared boat, not a quiet private yacht. The positive side is more space than you might find on a small excursion boat, along with a crew focused on keeping the afternoon moving.

The tour is offered in English, and the crew handles the practical details on board. A captain-led speedboat ride is also available for a small extra charge, giving you a short burst of speed if sitting on the catamaran feels too tame.

Leaving Puerto Base at 2:30 pm

The meeting point is Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria at Puerto Base, Puerto Rico. If you make your own way there, arrive 30 minutes before departure. The stated start time is 2:30 pm, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Pickup is offered from selected centralized points in southern Gran Canaria. This is useful if you are staying in the right area, but do not assume hotel-door service. Pickup is specifically not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán, even though the boat departs from Puerto Rico. Check the transport confirmation 24 hours before departure for the exact pickup place and time.

That detail is worth taking seriously. The transport arrangement can save you a taxi ride, but only if you are near one of the designated collection points. The pickup information is sent by email, including possibly to your junk folder, so check both your inbox and spam folder.

If you are staying outside the pickup area, public transportation is nearby, and you can go directly to Puerto Base. The cruise is also a practical choice for families, although children must be accompanied by an adult.

The calm bay and the swimming stop

After the coastal cruise, the Afrikat anchors in a calm bay described as clear and suitable for swimming. This is the heart of the afternoon. You can get into the water, cool off, and use the provided snorkeling equipment to look for fish.

The snorkeling is an optional part of the cruise in the sense that you choose whether to take part. Equipment is included, so you do not need to bring a mask and fins unless you prefer using your own.

I would treat the swimming stop as a chance for relaxed sea time rather than a formal snorkeling tour. No detailed marine-life briefing or guided underwater route is specified. The attraction is the setting: you are swimming from a catamaran in a sheltered bay instead of joining a crowded beach.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. The water can be the main reason to book this cruise, but it also makes the outing less appealing if you prefer to stay dry or do not enjoy getting in and out of open water.

One French-language account praised the clear water and the parasailing experience, while another account described a friend being injured during the donut ride. The cruise operator’s stated conditions say that optional water sports carry risks, and participants should have their own travel insurance. Take that seriously, especially with the faster activities.

Choosing the optional water sports

The extra activities let you shape the afternoon around your own energy level. You can skip them and simply swim, snorkel, eat, drink, and enjoy the boat. Or you can add one or more of the following:

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

The captain’s speedboat is the least expensive way to add some movement. It may suit you if you want a quick thrill without committing to a larger water sport.

Parasailing costs more, but it gives you a different view of the coast and the boat. A review describing the activity praised the clear water and the parasailing itself. If parasailing is your main goal, confirm availability and timing with the crew when you board, since the cruise includes the chance to participate but does not promise that every optional activity will run in all conditions.

The donut ride is cheap, but it is also the activity that calls for the most caution based on the supplied account of an injury. The operator says participants sign conditions acknowledging the possibility of falling into the water or colliding with other participants. Read those terms carefully and do not feel pressured to join.

Drinks, music, and conversation may be enough entertainment. One account particularly enjoyed a saxophone performance during the return to harbor on a Friday. That sounds like a pleasant bonus, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every sailing.

Lunch, sangria, and the real value of the price

The listed price is about $93.16 per person. That is a considerable amount for an afternoon cruise, so the included items matter.

You receive a meal described in the detailed inclusions as a chicken wrap with pasta salad. Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are also included. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included.

There is a mismatch in the way the meal is described: the headline material refers to a Canarian buffet, while the specific meal information lists a chicken wrap and pasta salad. I would confirm the current menu before booking if local food is important to you. One unhappy account criticized the food and wanted a more Spanish-style buffet, while another described the meal as delicious. That difference tells you to keep your expectations sensible. This is a catered boat lunch, not a restaurant meal focused on Canarian cooking.

The drink package adds real value if you plan to have beer, sangria, or soft drinks during the cruise. It is less valuable if you do not drink alcohol or if you are mainly paying for the swimming stop. Extra cocktails are available at an additional cost, and one account considered them good value, but they are outside the basic price.

The cruise becomes better value for you if you use several inclusions: return transport, the long boat ride, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. If you only want a short swim and do not care about the food or drinks, you may find the price harder to justify.

What the crew adds to the afternoon

The crew receives some of the strongest praise in the available feedback. The staff is described as friendly, attentive, and organized, with particular care shown to people who felt unwell at sea.

One group reported nausea and vomiting during the outing and said the crew made repeated efforts to help, including attention, music, and a speedboat ride. That does not mean seasickness will be prevented, but it does suggest that the crew takes discomfort seriously.

The boat’s movement can still affect you. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the ride feels steadier, avoid overdoing alcohol, and bring any medication you normally use. The supplied details do not promise a specific seating area, so ask the crew for practical advice when you board.

The staff’s good manner is a strong reason to consider the trip, especially if you value organized service over a bare-bones boat transfer. Still, good service cannot remove every risk or guarantee calm conditions.

Group size, timing, and who will enjoy it

The maximum group size is 66 people, with a maximum of 12 people per individual booking. This is a social outing with a shared atmosphere. Couples, families, and groups of friends can all fit in, but anyone seeking privacy should choose a smaller charter.

The 2:30 pm departure works well for a relaxed afternoon. You do not need to give up the entire day, and the return to Puerto Base leaves you with the evening free. The timing also suits anyone who wants a break from sightseeing in the heat.

I would recommend it most to you if you want several activities in one booking: coastal views, a catamaran ride, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and optional water sports. It is also a practical choice if you are staying at a participating southern pickup point and want transport handled for you.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet sailing trip, a high-end dining experience, or a small group. It is also not ideal if you dislike shared excursions, open-water swimming, or paid add-ons.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. The activity is near public transportation, but the exact pickup arrangement depends on your location. Children must have an adult with them, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

The cruise offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted, so check the date before finalizing your plans.

The cruise is often booked around 12 days ahead. That is a useful planning clue, particularly if you are visiting during a busy period. A booking limit of 12 people per reservation makes it workable for a larger family or friend group, although the full boat can hold up to 66 people.

Contact the operator about dietary requirements when booking. The supplied meal details say special diets can be discussed, but do not assume a particular alternative will be available unless it has been confirmed.

Should you book the Afrikat cruise?

Book it if you want a full afternoon at sea with plenty included and you like having choices. The views, swimming stop, friendly crew, drinks, and optional water sports give the outing more range than a simple coastal sail.

At $93.16, I would book only after checking two things: the current meal format and your pickup location. If you expect a true Canarian buffet or a private yacht, you may be disappointed. If you see it as a shared catamaran day with lunch, drinks, swimming, and optional thrills, the package can make good sense.

Skip it if you want a low-cost boat trip, a quiet escape, or guaranteed gourmet food. For everyone else, especially families and active couples, the Afrikat offers a lively and convenient way to spend an afternoon on Gran Canaria’s southern coast.

FAQ

How long is the Afrikat afternoon cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. It leaves from Puerto Base in Puerto Rico at about 2:30 pm and returns to the same meeting point.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria, C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain.

Is hotel pickup included?

Return transport is offered from centralized pickup points in southern Gran Canaria, depending on your area. Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán. Check your transport confirmation 24 hours before departure for the exact place and time.

What food and drinks are included?

The detailed inclusions list a chicken wrap with pasta salad. Included drinks are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. You have the chance to swim and snorkel at the bay, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

How much do the optional water sports cost?

The jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, the donut ride costs €10 per person, and the captain-led speedboat ride costs €5 per person.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.