From Puerto Rico: Boat trip along the coast w/ Food & Drinks

The best part of this Puerto Rico boat trip is the long stop in a sheltered bay. You get time to swim, use the boat’s water activities, eat lunch, and simply stretch out on the sun deck instead of spending the whole outing moving from one point to another. Keep watch for dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, but treat sightings as a bonus, not a promise.

I like the friendly, high-energy crew, with Sergio, Abdera, and Yeray singled out by name in guest feedback. I also like the value: at about $47 per person, the fuller package combines a coastal cruise, food, drinks, and a banana boat ride. The main catch is that the banana ride can be very brief, and rough water can make some people seasick.

Key points to know before boarding

• Puerto Base departure: Find the boat named Princesa Ico near the gas station in Puerto Rico.
• A proper swimming stop: The boat anchors in a bay for roughly two hours, depending on the day’s schedule.
• Full package value: Salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, beer, mojitos, soft drinks, water, and a banana boat ride are included with the full option.
• Wildlife is possible, not guaranteed: Dolphins, turtles, and flying fish have been seen, but nature sets the timetable.
• Extra-cost thrills: Jet skis, parasailing, and the cave trip can be purchased separately on the boat.
• Pickups are available: Transport may be offered from San Agustin, Playa del Ingles, Yumbo, and Meloneras.

Setting out from Puerto Rico on the Princesa Ico

You meet at Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, close to the gas station, and look for the Princesa Ico. The harbor location is straightforward, but arrive with enough time to find the boat rather than wandering the marina at the last minute.

Hotel pickup is available with selected options. The listed pickup times are 9:10 at Clinica Roca in San Agustin, 9:20 at Hotel Tropical in Playa del Ingles, 10:00 at the C.C. Yumbo, and 10:10 at Gran Casino Costa Meloneras. Check your exact booking carefully, since the pickup point depends on the option you choose.

Once aboard, the mood is more relaxed party cruise than quiet nature expedition. Music plays, drinks are available, and the catamaran provides space to sit in the shade or stretch out in the sun. Some feedback praises the comfortable chairs, beds, and sunbathing areas, while one complaint says that certain middle beds required an extra €10. Confirm seating terms before paying for upgrades.

The crew speaks Spanish and English. Their role is not only to serve food and organize activities, but also to keep the day moving. Sergio and Abdera are mentioned for being attentive, while Yeray is praised for a warm welcome. The experience works best if you enjoy a social atmosphere and do not expect a silent sailing trip.

The south coast by catamaran

The route follows the southern coast of Gran Canaria, with views of beaches, cliffs, and rocky coves that look different from the water. This is the point of taking a boat rather than hiring a car: you see the coast from a lower, open angle, with no roads, parking lots, or hotel buildings between you and the sea.

The boat may pass places where flying fish skim across the surface. Dolphins and sea turtles are also possible, and several outings have had memorable sightings. Still, the operator gives no guarantee. One trip can produce dolphins within half an hour, while another may see none at all. I would book this for the coast, swimming, and onboard activities, with wildlife as an extra reward.

The sea condition matters. On calm days, the ride is easy and pleasant. When the water turns choppy, motion sickness becomes a real issue. One particularly rough outing left most of the passengers feeling ill, even though the passengers who felt well still saw dolphins, a turtle, flying fish, and a hammerhead shark. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in the most stable part of the boat, watch the horizon, and consider bringing your usual remedy.

The advertised duration is four hours. The route information also breaks the sailing into sections, including time around Mogán and a return to Puerto Rico. Exact timing can shift with sea conditions, swimming activity, optional rides, and the departure arrangement. One account describes a longer day from late morning until about 4:00 p.m., so check the start time printed on your confirmation.

The long bay stop is the heart of the trip

The boat anchors in an exclusive bay along the coast, away from the main beaches. This is where the outing changes from a sightseeing cruise into a beach day at sea.

You can swim from the boat, use the underwater viewing feature, or watch other people take part in the water sports. The bay stop may last about two hours, which is generous compared with many short boat excursions. You are not rushed into a quick photograph and an immediate departure.

That longer pause is especially useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can enter the water, children and less confident swimmers can stay on board, and adults can enjoy lunch or a drink without planning separate activities. The boat also offers a slide-off-the-back style of access according to guest feedback, though the exact setup can vary.

The water may not be calm every day, and the swimming stop is not a guarantee of perfect conditions. Still, anchoring in a sheltered area gives you a better chance of enjoying the sea than trying to swim beside a moving boat in open water.

Banana boats, caves, and paid water sports

The full package includes a banana boat ride. This is a simple, family-friendly thrill, but keep your expectations in check. One person found the ride lasted only about a minute and a half. If you are booking mainly for the banana boat, that may feel short.

The optional activities can make the stop more exciting. Jet ski rides and parasailing are not included, but you may buy them on board. The cave trip also costs extra, with one price mentioned as €10. It takes you by motorboat toward caves cut into the rocky coast, and the ride out to them can be as enjoyable as the caves themselves.

Because these extras are purchased on the boat, bring a payment method and ask for the current price before committing. The published $47 rate should not be treated as an all-inclusive water-sports price. It covers the elements attached to the selected package, while jet skis, parasailing, and the cave excursion remain separate.

For families, the activity mix is a strong point. Teenagers can chase the faster rides, younger children can enjoy the banana boat if they meet the operator’s rules, and anyone who wants a quiet hour can remain on deck. The boat does not force every person into every activity.

What lunch and drinks are really worth

The full package includes salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, water, soft drinks, beer, and mojitos. This is practical food for a four-hour outing, not a special restaurant meal. You are paying for the convenience of eating aboard while anchored at a bay, with no need to pack a full lunch or return to shore.

Food service has been described as quick and well organized. The paella and other items have received good marks, though one person wished for more sauce or butter. Expect a straightforward group meal rather than a customized menu.

The basic option includes water and soft drinks. The full package adds beer, mojitos, lunch, and the banana boat ride. Since the package names can be easy to confuse, check exactly which option you are selecting. If you plan to eat, drink, and use the included banana boat, the fuller package is the one to compare against the price of buying those items separately.

The drinks also help shape the atmosphere. This is not a dry, quiet excursion. Music, alcohol, and group activities make it feel festive, especially on a sunny day. If you want a calm coastal sail with naturalist commentary, this may feel too lively. If you want a social day on the water, the setup makes sense.

The return along Gran Canaria’s rocky coast

After the bay stop, the boat heads back toward Puerto Rico. The return gives you another view of the coast, and some outings include sights around historic bays and rocky formations. The scenery is less about famous monuments and more about changing rock faces, small coves, and beaches that are hard to appreciate from shore.

The boat may continue with music and drinks, and some trips have included complimentary shots near the end. That detail confirms the overall character of the experience: part coastal tour, part floating social event.

The return leg is also when you will notice how much the weather shapes the day. In smooth water, it is an easy way to finish. In rougher conditions, the same open crossing can feel tiring. If you are sensitive to motion, do not assume the return will be easier simply because you have already been on the boat for a while.

Is $47 a fair price?

At about $47 per person, this can be good value if your selected rate includes the full package. You are getting a coastal cruise, a lengthy swimming stop, lunch, drinks, and a banana boat ride. The combination compares well with booking a separate boat trip, beach lunch, and water activity.

The value is weaker if the price applies only to the basic package and you expect every advertised activity to be included. Jet skis, parasailing, and the cave trip cost extra. Middle-bed seating may also involve an additional charge, according to one account.

I would compare the package name, inclusions, and pickup details before booking. The difference between water and soft drinks only, and lunch with alcoholic drinks plus the banana ride, matters more than the headline price.

The experience also offers good value for people who want variety. You can see the coast, look for wildlife, swim, eat, listen to music, and add paid activities without arranging several separate bookings. That convenience is a major part of what you are paying for.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it to families with older children, couples who enjoy a lively day at sea, and groups with mixed interests. One person can sunbathe, another can swim, and someone else can pay for a jet ski or cave trip. The long stop gives the day enough breathing room.

It also suits visitors staying around Puerto Rico, Mogán, Playa del Ingles, San Agustin, or Meloneras, especially if pickup is available from your area. The optional transport removes some of the hassle of reaching the harbor.

This is less suitable if you want a small, quiet sailing boat, a highly detailed marine lecture, or guaranteed dolphin watching. It is also not ideal for anyone who becomes badly seasick in open water. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm the practical boarding arrangements for your needs before departure.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 283 ratings, which fits the pattern of the outing: strong marks for crew friendliness, food, music, space, and value, with the main weaknesses tied to weather, short activity times, and occasional confusion about seating or package details.

Practical booking advice

Choose the full package if you want lunch, beer, mojitos, and the included banana ride. Choose the basic option only if water and soft drinks are enough for you and you plan to keep the cost down.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. Wear something comfortable for sitting on deck, and bring a light layer if you tend to feel cool after swimming. The operator provides food and drinks, but the supplied information does not promise every personal item you may need.

Keep your phone ready for coastal views and possible wildlife, but do not spend the whole trip scanning the horizon. The scenery and swimming stop are dependable reasons to go. Dolphins are a wonderful extra, not the contract.

Cancellation is flexible, with a full refund available when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve and pay later, useful if your weather plans are still moving around.

Should you book the Princesa Ico?

Book it if you want an affordable, social boat day with a real swimming stop, food, drinks, and several optional activities. The friendly crew, generous time in the bay, and chance to see dolphins make this more than a short harbor cruise.

I would skip it if your priority is guaranteed wildlife, silent sailing, or a carefully timed luxury meal. I would also think twice if rough seas usually make you ill.

For most visitors based in southern Gran Canaria, the full package offers a practical way to see the coast from the water without spending the day organizing separate activities. Just confirm what your rate includes, treat the wildlife sightings as luck, and expect the banana boat ride to be a quick burst of fun rather than a major part of the excursion.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart?

The meeting point is Puerto Rico, at Puerto Base, close to the gas station. The boat is named Princesa Ico.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is advertised as four hours. The exact timing can vary by departure option, sea conditions, and the activities selected.

Is hotel pickup available?

Optional pickup is listed from Clinica Roca in San Agustin, Hotel Tropical in Playa del Ingles, C.C. Yumbo, and Gran Casino Costa Meloneras. Pickup depends on the option selected.

What languages are spoken?

The host or greeter speaks Spanish and English.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included with the full package. The listed meal includes salad, paella, and wrinkled potatoes.

What drinks are included?

The basic package includes water and soft drinks. The full package includes water, soft drinks, beer, and mojitos.

Is the banana boat ride included?

The banana boat ride is included with the full package. The basic package does not list it among its inclusions.

Are jet skis and parasailing included?

No. Jet skis and parasailing are optional activities that you can purchase on the boat.

Can I take a cave trip?

Yes. A cave excursion may be available for an extra charge. One listed price is €10, but confirm the current cost on board.

Are dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. Dolphins, turtles, and flying fish may be seen, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Confirm the boarding details directly if you require specific assistance.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.