Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Afrikat catamaran cruise is the mix of easygoing sailing and active fun. You can stretch out in the sun, order another drink, then jump into a clear bay for snorkeling or pay extra for a jet ski, parasail, donut ride, or speedboat trip.

I like the friendly crew, especially Potter, Nikita, and Matt, and I like that lunch and unlimited drinks are included rather than treated as extras. The clean boat has both sunny and shaded seating, too. The catch is that optional water activities can depend on the day, equipment, and conditions, so do not book this solely for a jet ski.

Key points

• A clear-water stop near Mogán: You get about 2.5 hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports.
• Food and drinks included: Expect a chicken wrap, pasta salad, and unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.
• Friendly, funny crew: Potter, Nikita, Matt, and the wider team keep the mood lively without taking safety lightly.
• Several paid add-ons: Jet ski costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing €32 per person, a donut ride €10 per person, and the captain’s speedboat €5 per person.
• Transport covers many resort areas: Pickup and return are available from central points around southern Gran Canaria, but not from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán.

What this Gran Canaria catamaran cruise is really like

This is not a quiet sailing trip built around long stretches of silence. It is a social half-day on the water, with music, jokes, food, drinks, swimming, and a menu of optional rides.

That makes the Afrikat a good match for families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants several holiday activities bundled into one outing. You can be as active or lazy as you like. Sit under the shade, watch the coast slide past, and let the crew bring you a drink. Or use the stop near Mogán as your base for snorkeling and water sports.

The boat is described as clean, spacious, and well kept, with places to sunbathe and shaded areas. That matters in Gran Canaria, where a few hours in direct sun can catch you out. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel. A credit card or cash is useful for the paid activities and any purchases.

The overall rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 1,019 ratings, and the praise is unusually consistent around the crew, food, cleanliness, and general atmosphere. The best way to read that is not that every moment will suit everyone, but that the basic operation is reliable and the staff are a major part of the experience.

Getting to Puerto Rico from the southern resorts

The day begins with pickup from one of many centralized points. These cover resort areas such as Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Puerto de Mogán, Taurito, Amadores, Puerto Rico, and Bahía Feliz, though the exact point depends on your booking and accommodation.

There is an important detail here. The transport list is broad, but the information also says pickup is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán. If you are staying in one of those places, check the meeting arrangement carefully. Some people make their own way to the port, which can be simpler if you are already nearby.

The coach ride is listed as about one hour each way. That makes the trip particularly useful if you are staying in the southern resort belt and do not want to arrange a taxi or rental car. It also means the total day includes a fair amount of road time, so this is not four and a half hours of continuous sailing.

Allow for the pickup circuit to take time. Many locations are served, and the exact departure time varies. Keep your morning free rather than trying to fit in another timed activity before collection.

Puerto Rico safety briefing and boarding

At Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, the crew gives a safety briefing of about ten minutes before the boat leaves. This is a small but important part of the day, especially if you plan to use the speedboat or one of the towable rides.

The crew’s tone is part of the appeal. Potter is repeatedly singled out for making the day fun, while Nikita and other team members are praised for being attentive and welcoming. Matt also gets specific praise for helping make family outings and birthday trips memorable.

The humor does not replace basic care. The crew has been praised for being professional, keeping the boat clean, and helping someone who felt seasick. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the crew recommends, watch the horizon, and tell them early if you feel unwell.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, but you should tell Afrikat about mobility needs when booking. The information provided does not explain every transfer detail between the dock, boat, and water, so ask directly if you need a particular type of assistance.

Sailing the southwest coast for about two hours

Once underway, the catamaran follows Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. You will see beaches, cliffs, coves, and the dry coastal scenery that gives this part of the island its distinctive look.

The outward catamaran ride is listed as about one hour, followed by another hour after the stop. These legs give you time to settle into the boat, feel the sea breeze, and choose your preferred spot. If you want photographs, keep your camera ready during the coastal run. If you want shade, claim a seat early rather than waiting until the boat is underway.

This is a pleasure cruise, not a sightseeing tour with a long commentary at every headland. The main attraction is the combination of open water, sunshine, music, and an unhurried ride. On Fridays, live music is offered on the morning trip, though it is not available on February 27. The saxophone performance has been a particular highlight for some people, but you should not expect live music on every departure.

The atmosphere can change with the group onboard. Many departures feel relaxed and comfortably spaced, but a popular summer outing may feel more social and energetic. The boat has enough room for sunbathing and shade, so you can move away from the livelier areas when you want a quieter break.

The Mogán bay stop: swimming and snorkeling

The central stop lasts about 2.5 hours and is where the trip earns its keep. The catamaran anchors in a clear-water bay near Mogán, giving you time for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional paid activities.

Snorkeling equipment is included if you want it. The clear water and fish make this more than a quick dip, although conditions can change and marine life is never guaranteed. Some people spend most of the stop in the water, while others use the bay as a chance to float, take photographs, or relax on deck.

I would bring your own towel and avoid assuming that snorkeling will fill the entire stop. The paid water sports may be the main attraction for some members of your group, while others will be happy with the included swim and snorkel. That split works well for families and mixed groups.

The speedboat ride with the captain costs €5 per person and can be a good low-cost add-on. It offers a faster burst of fun and may take you toward coastal features and caves. Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, and the donut ride costs €10 per person.

The key practical point is availability. Jet skis or other equipment may not be operating on a particular day. Weather, maintenance, and operating conditions can affect the choices. If your budget allows, keep your plans flexible and treat these as optional extras rather than guaranteed parts of the booking.

Lunch, unlimited drinks, and what is not included

The crew serves a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, along with pasta salad. The meal is simple rather than gourmet, but it fits the setting well. You can eat without leaving the boat, then return to swimming or sunbathing.

Special dietary requirements need advance communication. Vegetarian meals have been accommodated when requested, but do not rely on a last-minute conversation at boarding. Tell the provider before the day of the trip.

Unlimited drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Several people particularly enjoy the beer service, and the onboard bar can make the cruise feel more like a relaxed lunch outing than a standard boat transfer. The crew may take orders and bring drinks to you, depending on the service arrangement.

Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. Some cocktails can be purchased, but budget separately if that is important to you. Also keep drinking in check if you plan to snorkel, ride a jet ski, or spend the afternoon in strong sun. Water and sunscreen are not glamorous, but they will help you enjoy the whole trip.

A reusable drinking glass is included as a small souvenir. It is a nice practical touch, especially compared with a disposable cup that gets thrown away before you leave the boat.

Is the €88 price good value?

At $88 per person, the value depends on how much of the package you use. You are paying for the catamaran cruise, return transport from designated points, a meal, unlimited included drinks, snorkeling equipment, and access to the swimming stop.

For a half-day outing with lunch and transport, that is a fair price, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, drinks, and a taxi. The included snorkeling is also useful because you do not need to hire equipment on the day.

The cost rises if you add several motorized activities. A jet ski, parasailing, donut ride, and speedboat trip together can add a noticeable amount, although the individual prices are lower than many standalone holiday activities. One person reported paying €42 for a combination of add-ons, which gives you an idea of how quickly the extras can build.

I would compare it with your own holiday plans. If you want a quiet sailing trip with no sales pitch or extra activity decisions, this may feel too busy. If you want lunch, drinks, a swim, snorkeling, and the option to add more excitement without changing location, the package makes good sense.

Who will enjoy Afrikat most?

I would recommend this cruise to families with children, couples who want a relaxed day with some action, and groups with different energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can sunbathe, and someone else can pay for a jet ski without splitting up for the whole day.

It also suits celebrations. Birthday groups and honeymooners have found the attentive crew and informal humor add a personal touch. The team is known for learning where people are from, joking with the group, and keeping announcements entertaining.

It may not suit you if you dislike organized group activities, loud social settings, or fixed meal times. It is also not ideal if you want a full day at sea, since the listed duration is 4.5 hours and includes coach travel.

Solo visitors can still enjoy it, but the social atmosphere is more central than on a small sailing charter. If you prefer quiet nature watching, choose a calmer sailing option. If you want an easy day where the crew handles the practical details, Afrikat is a stronger fit.

Small details that make the day easier

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, though it is not listed as required. Keep your camera secure around the swimming platform and water rides.

Bring cash or a bank card for the optional activities, photos, souvenirs, and drinks not covered by the package. The reusable glass is included, but cocktails, wine, and spirits are not.

Check the pickup point rather than assuming the coach comes directly to your hotel. The service uses centralized locations, and some areas are excluded. If you are staying in Puerto Rico or Mogán, ask where you should meet the group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your weather plans are uncertain, but it does not guarantee that every water activity will operate on the day.

Should you book the Afrikat cruise?

Book it if you want a social, well-fed half-day on the sea with a clean catamaran, friendly staff, unlimited basic drinks, snorkeling, and optional thrills. The crew is the strongest part of the experience, and the package works well for families and groups who do not all want the same level of activity.

Think twice if you want a quiet sailing charter, a gourmet meal, or guaranteed access to a jet ski. The boat trip itself remains worthwhile when an activity is unavailable, but the day is best viewed as a flexible mix of swimming, food, drinks, and coastal fun.

For most people staying in southern Gran Canaria, I would consider it good value. Just confirm your pickup point, tell the crew about dietary or mobility needs in advance, and keep a little extra money available for the activity that catches your eye once you reach the bay.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria Afrikat catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts about 4.5 hours. The schedule includes coach transport, a safety briefing, roughly one hour of catamaran sailing before the stop, about 2.5 hours near Mogán, and roughly one hour of sailing afterward.

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The catamaran departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria after the safety briefing.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from designated centralized points in several southern Gran Canaria resort areas. The service is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán, according to the stated pickup information.

Is food included?

Yes. The crew serves a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, plus pasta salad. Special dietary requirements should be communicated in advance.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available at no extra charge.

How much do the water sports cost?

Jet skiing costs €32 per vehicle, parasailing costs €32 per person, a donut ride costs €10 per person, and the speedboat ride with the captain costs €5 per person.

Is the cruise suitable for children and older people?

The activity is suitable for all ages. Anyone with mobility needs should inform the provider when booking because the activity is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.