Fuerteventura: Small-Group Magic Deluxe Catamaran Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the combination of open-sea sailing and a proper lunch. You skim along Fuerteventura’s volcanic southern coast, stop near Jandía for a swim, then eat Mediterranean couscous and roast beef while the crew keeps drinks flowing. Wildlife sightings can add real sparkle, but they are never guaranteed.

I like the relaxed group size, often around 12 people, and the room to move around the 15-metre Lagoon 450S. I also like the practical pickup service from selected resorts. The main drawback is that the route can feel limited on some departures, and the deluxe meal has received mixed marks, especially when the beef is overcooked or served late.

Key points at a glance

• A small-group cruise on the Magic Deluxe: The modern Lagoon 450S has three cabins, three bathrooms, a kitchen, dining space, and lounge.
• Four hours along southern Fuerteventura: You sail near beaches, volcanic formations, the Jandía area, and the Natural Park.
• Swimming in the Atlantic: A stop near Jandía gives you time to cool off, sunbathe, or relax on deck.
• Food and drinks included: The menu features couscous with roasted vegetables and tzatziki, followed by roast beef with mushroom sauce and potatoes.
• Wildlife is possible: Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, stingrays, and flying fish have all been spotted, but sightings depend on nature.
• Pickup needs care: Transport is available from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable, or you can meet the boat at Morro Jable port.

Why the Magic Deluxe works as a half-day at sea

At $117 per person, this is not the cheapest boat trip around Fuerteventura. It is also more than a basic sightseeing cruise with a sandwich and one drink. The value comes from the small group, the newer catamaran, the four-hour sailing time, the open bar, and a full meal cooked on board.

I see this as a good fit for you if you want a calm sea day without committing to a full-day excursion. Four hours is long enough to enjoy the coastline and swim, yet short enough to leave room for an evening in Morro Jable or back at your resort.

The boat itself adds much of the appeal. The Magic Deluxe is a 15-metre Lagoon 450S with three cabins and three bathrooms, plus a kitchen, dining area, and lounge. You are not confined to one narrow deck. You can move around, look for wildlife, sit in the sun, or find a quieter place to watch the water.

The exact crew changes from departure to departure. Names praised in different outings include Alex, Karolina, Eloy, Cristina, Andres, Fred, Laura, Luis, Itziar, Vincent, and Majdi. The common thread is attentive service, with staff keeping drinks topped up, helping with swimming, and making an effort with birthdays and special occasions.

Meeting the boat at Morro Jable port

If you arrange your own transport, arrive at Morro Jable port 30 minutes before departure. Look for the Magic Deluxe at the port, using the supplied map link rather than relying on a last-minute guess.

Pickup is optional. It can be arranged from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. The service does not cover every hotel directly. Instead, you may be directed to a pickup point within about a five-minute walk of your accommodation.

I would check your booking email carefully, including the spam folder. The pickup time is sent roughly 12 hours after booking, so do not assume the departure time shown online is the same as your hotel collection time.

The transfer is useful if you are staying outside Morro Jable. One recorded trip from Esquinzo took about 15 minutes by bus. A past departure did run late at pickup, so build in a little patience. Once at the port, larger coach groups may be split into smaller boat groups. That matters because the small-group promise applies to the catamaran, not necessarily to the transfer operation.

Sailing beside Fuerteventura’s volcanic south coast

Once underway, the Magic Deluxe stays close to shore, giving you a good view of the beaches and dark volcanic formations along the southern coast. This is not a cruise built around a long list of port stops. The attraction is the changing view from the water and the feeling of leaving the resort behind.

The catamaran’s wide design gives you several ways to enjoy the ride. Sit back with a drink, move toward the front for a closer look at the water, or watch the coast from the deck. One particularly useful detail is that you can move freely around the boat, rather than being tied to a single seat.

The route heads toward the Jandía area and the waters near the Natural Park. You may see long beaches, rocky coastal sections, and broad stretches of Atlantic blue. The coast looks best in good weather, when the contrast between the dark rock, pale sand, and clear water is strongest.

I would keep your expectations realistic about the sailing itself. The boat may spend a good part of the trip in the same general area, especially if the crew is watching for wildlife or choosing a safe place to swim. One departure did not cover as much coastline as expected, and the group hoped for a more scenic, lagoon-like swimming spot. If you want constant movement and a packed route, this may feel slow.

If you want time to sit in the sun, talk, eat, and watch the sea, that slower pace is part of the appeal.

Looking for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish

Keep your eyes on the water as the boat heads offshore. Dolphins and pilot whales have been seen on many departures, sometimes swimming alongside the catamaran or passing under the front nets. Turtles, stingrays, and flying fish have also appeared.

The wildlife stories are a major reason this cruise feels more special than a simple coastal ride. A pod of 10 to 20 dolphins was seen on one outing, while other departures recorded pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish. One group even photographed a stingray from the boat.

Still, no crew can promise animals in the open sea. Some trips see dolphins quickly, while others see nothing larger than seabirds and waves. I would treat wildlife as a bonus, not the main product. You are paying for the catamaran, sailing, food, drinks, and swim stop first.

Bring your phone or camera, but keep it ready rather than buried in a bag. Wildlife can appear suddenly and disappear just as fast. The front area of the catamaran can be a good place to watch, though you should follow crew instructions and take care on a moving boat.

The Jandía swim stop

Near Jandía, the crew pauses so you can swim in the Atlantic. This is the most active part of the cruise, and it breaks up the time spent sitting on deck.

The water has been described as comfortable by some passengers, though Atlantic temperatures vary with the season and weather. You can take a dip, sunbathe, or simply stay aboard if swimming is not for you. The boat gives you a different view of the coast than you get from a beach, with the catamaran sitting out on the water and the volcanic shore behind you.

The exact swimming spot is not fixed in the information provided. That means you should not book this expecting a particular hidden cove or turquoise lagoon. Some departures have stopped in a less dramatic area, but the chance to swim directly from the catamaran remains a strong part of the four-hour format.

I would bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for valuables. These are sensible items for any boat trip, especially when you have an open bar and a swim stop built into the day.

A chef-prepared lunch, with some caveats

The advertised menu begins with Mediterranean couscous, roasted vegetables, and tzatziki. The main course is roast loin of beef with aromatic herbs, mushroom sauce, and confit potatoes. It is a more ambitious meal than the usual prepacked excursion lunch.

Several departures have served tasty and plentiful food, and vegetarian options have been available. Vegetarian and vegan guests have also been accommodated on some trips, but I would mention your needs when booking or before boarding rather than assume the same alternative will appear every day.

The meal is prepared in the boat’s kitchen by a chef associated with Jandía. That sounds impressive, and when the timing and cooking are right, it adds real value to the trip. Eating a warm meal at sea, with the coast passing by and a drink in hand, feels far removed from a standard beach transfer.

There are limits. A few people found the main course disappointing, describing the beef as overcooked and the portion as plain. Another meal felt short on extras such as bread and salad, and one group received the main course quite late, around 5:30 p.m. There is no dessert listed.

My advice is to think of the lunch as a good included meal, not a restaurant tasting menu. If you enjoy beef, couscous, and simple Mediterranean flavors, you will probably be satisfied. If you need a strict diet or expect several courses, check your requirements in advance.

Open bar and the social mood on board

The open bar includes Prosecco, white and rosé wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Some outings have also included honey rum shots, which became a memorable extra for certain groups.

The drinks are not a minor detail at this price. Buying several beverages separately on a four-hour boat trip can quickly add up, and the crew generally keeps service moving without making you chase someone down. Water and soft drinks also mean you can enjoy the cruise without treating it as a drinking event.

The atmosphere depends partly on the group. A small boat with around 12 people can feel peaceful, romantic, or sociable without becoming a party boat. Music is part of the experience, and one departure was praised for a particularly good soundtrack. Crew members may add jokes and conversation, while still giving you room to relax.

I would choose this over a loud, crowded excursion if you want a slower afternoon with a partner, a family, or a small group of friends. Birthday celebrations are handled warmly, and the crew has made a point of including both children and older passengers on past outings.

How the $117 price holds up

The $117 cost makes sense if you use the parts that are included. You receive four hours aboard a modern catamaran, a prepared lunch, an open bar, a swim stop, coastal scenery, and possible wildlife sightings. Optional resort pickup adds convenience, though transport is not included from every hotel.

Compared with a basic boat trip, the Magic Deluxe offers more comfort and a smaller setting. Compared with a private charter, it is far cheaper, but you share the boat with other passengers and cannot set the route yourself.

The strongest value comes when you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, and transport. It is also good value for a special occasion, such as a birthday or a romantic afternoon, because the crew has a record of adding personal touches.

The value weakens if you do not drink, dislike set menus, or want a longer coastal route. It also weakens if you are mainly booking for dolphins. Wildlife is unpredictable, and one departure stayed in the same area without a sighting.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the trip, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your weather plans are not settled, but I would still check the current conditions and departure time before committing your day.

Who should book the Magic Deluxe

I would recommend this cruise for couples, families, and small groups who want a polished half-day on the water. It suits you especially well if you value good service, a modern boat, included drinks, and time to swim rather than a long list of sightseeing stops.

It is also a smart choice for a birthday or another holiday treat. The crew has been praised for making celebrations feel personal without turning the whole boat into a noisy party.

I would be more cautious if you suffer from seasickness. One passenger specifically advised taking travel-sickness medicine beforehand. The boat is stable compared with many smaller vessels, but Atlantic swells can still make you uncomfortable.

You may also want another option if your priority is gourmet food. The meal is a useful part of the package, and many people have enjoyed it, but the quality and timing have not been perfect on every departure.

Should you book this Fuerteventura catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable four-hour escape with a small group, a swim in the Jandía area, an open bar, and a warm meal served on a modern catamaran. The crew service is the clearest strength, and wildlife sightings can turn a pleasant cruise into a holiday highlight.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed dolphin encounter, a specific lagoon-style beach, or a carefully staged fine-dining meal. For most people who want a relaxed, well-served afternoon at sea, the $117 price is defensible, especially when pickup, lunch, drinks, and the boat experience are all part of the plan.

FAQ

How long is the Magic Deluxe catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

Where does the boat leave from?

The Magic Deluxe leaves from Morro Jable port. If you arrange your own transport, arrive 30 minutes before the trip and look for the catamaran there.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available as an option from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. It is not available from every hotel, and some pickup points are within about a five-minute walk of the accommodation.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes Prosecco, white and rosé wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.

What food is served?

The menu includes Mediterranean couscous with roasted vegetables and tzatziki, followed by roast loin of beef with aromatic herbs, mushroom sauce, and confit potatoes.

Are vegetarian options available?

Vegetarian options have been provided on departures, and vegetarian and vegan guests have also been accommodated. Tell the provider about your dietary needs in advance.

Will I see dolphins or whales?

You might see dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, stingrays, or flying fish, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The itinerary includes a swimming stop near Jandía, where you can swim in the Atlantic or remain on the boat.

What languages are spoken by the host or greeter?

The host or greeter can speak English, Spanish, or German.