Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

Papagayo is the star here: golden beaches, clear water, and a sheltered bay where you can swim beneath the catamaran. I like the mix of proper sailing time and two hours at anchor, and I like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, and paddleboards are included rather than added one by one. The main drawback is simple: four hours passes quickly, especially if you want to swim, eat, sunbathe, and try every water activity.

The crew adds much of the charm. Names praised in feedback include Captain Alejandro, Vicky, Noah, Carl, Nico, Jose, and Sandra, though the team can change. Bring a jacket for the ride home, and arrive 30 minutes early to collect your boarding card. The catamaran can fill up, so arriving early also helps if you care about where you sit.

Key points to know before booking

• Papagayo is the main event: You anchor near one of Lanzarote’s most attractive beach areas for swimming and water activities.
• Two hours at anchor: This gives you enough time to try snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply stretch out on deck.
• Lunch is hot and vegetarian-friendly: Expect pasta with vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks are available, though the alcohol range may not satisfy every taste.
• The return can feel lively: Choppy water and a faster ride have made the journey home exciting for some, while others may prefer a calmer crossing.
• Pickup is optional: Free parking is available at Puerto Calero, and pickup and drop-off can be arranged from selected bus stops.

Sailing from Puerto Calero to Papagayo

The day starts at Catlanza’s office in Puerto Calero. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding card. The stated boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15, so check the available departure when booking rather than assuming the morning or afternoon schedule.

Puerto Calero is a practical starting point. You can drive and use free parking, or arrange pickup and drop-off from selected bus stops when booking through Catlanza’s own website. If you are using a transfer, allow time for the pickup details to be confirmed.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing before the catamaran heads along the Lanzarote coast. The crossing to Papagayo takes about an hour each way. That leaves roughly two hours at anchor, so the sailing time is not filler. It gives you changing views, open-air time, and a chance to settle into the pace of the day.

You can sit back with a drink, watch the coastline, or join a short yoga session. The yoga is a pleasant option for anyone who wants something gentle before the water activities. If yoga is not your thing, the deck offers an easy place to relax and take photographs.

Keep an eye on the water during both crossings. Dolphins, whales, and flying fish are possible sightings, but they are not guaranteed. Several people have had dolphin encounters, including on the way back to the marina, so it is worth keeping your attention outside instead of spending the whole trip at the bar.

Two hours in the sheltered bay near Papagayo

The catamaran anchors near Playa del Papagayo for about two hours. This is the part of the trip that gives the excursion its value. You are not simply sailing past the beach for a photograph. You have time to get into the water and use the equipment provided.

Snorkeling is the strongest reason to bring your swimwear. Fish gather under and around the boat, and the clear water makes it possible to see marine life without needing advanced skills. You can borrow masks and snorkels, and life jackets are available. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay close to the boat and follow the crew’s instructions.

The water can be chilly, particularly outside the warmest part of the year. That should not stop you packing swimwear, but it is worth being realistic. A towel and a warm layer for after swimming will make the day much more comfortable.

The boat also carries kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. These give you a more active way to look around the bay. The equipment suits beginners as well as people who already know what they are doing, but conditions can change. Listen to the crew before heading away from the catamaran. One account described a kayak drifting farther out than expected before the crew helped, so do not treat the bay as a place to wander off without checking the wind and current.

There is also a slide into the sea. Children and adults have enjoyed it, but use care on the steps and around the slide. Wet surfaces can be slippery, and one useful practical warning is to move slowly when climbing in and out.

If you would rather stay dry, the catamaran has plenty of deck space for sunbathing and taking photographs. The forward net is a popular spot, though it can fill quickly. Arriving early helps you choose a position, but do not feel that you need to claim a seat for the whole trip. The mood is relaxed, and the boat has room for several kinds of activity.

A hot lunch served on board

The lunch is more substantial than the usual packet of sandwiches found on short boat trips. The cook serves hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, along with salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

The meal works well after swimming. You can come out of the water, warm up on deck, and eat without leaving the boat or losing time at anchor. The food has been a major part of the appeal, with repeated praise for the pasta and the cooking from a small galley.

This is a good choice for vegetarians, but you should note what is actually described: the pasta sauce is vegetarian, and there is no meat dish listed. If you have a particular allergy or dietary need, check directly with the provider before booking rather than relying on the general menu.

Drinks are included throughout the outing. The selection includes beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks. That makes the $88 price easier to assess, since you are not paying separately for lunch, snorkeling equipment, or each drink.

One point to keep in mind is that the alcohol selection may feel limited if you want a particular spirit or cocktail. The offering is aimed at an easy lunch and a relaxed afternoon, not a full cocktail menu.

The return journey and the changing mood on board

After lunch and water activities, the catamaran begins the hour-long return to Puerto Calero. The crew may show you how to tie knots, and you may have the chance to take the helm under supervision. These small touches make the crossing more engaging than simply sitting through a ride back to port.

The return can also be the liveliest part of the day. Wind and choppy water have made the ride feel adventurous, especially for children and anyone sitting on the outer deck. Other times, the sea will be calmer. Bring a jacket even on a sunny day, since the wind can feel cool once the boat is moving.

You can also simply sit with a drink, listen to music, and talk with the crew or the people around you. The atmosphere is social without requiring you to join in. That balance suits couples, families, and small groups with different ideas about how to spend a day on the sea.

Dolphins may appear on the return leg. Again, treat this as a lucky bonus rather than a promised part of the program. The coastline views alone give you something to watch as Puerto Calero comes back into view.

Is $88 good value for four hours?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Papagayo. You are paying for a four-hour catamaran outing rather than a simple beach transfer. The price includes lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, yoga, and the crew’s supervision, along with parking or selected pickup arrangements.

I consider the value good if you will use several of those inclusions. A person who swims, snorkels, takes a paddleboard, eats lunch, and enjoys the sailing gets much more from the price than someone who sits on deck for the whole trip.

The short duration is the main limitation. You get about one hour sailing each way and two hours anchored. That is enough for a satisfying half-day, but not enough for a slow beach day. If you want long stretches of snorkeling or several rounds on the kayak, the schedule may feel tight.

The catamaran’s size helps. It provides space for water activities, sitting, and sunbathing, and it does not feel like a small rigid boat excursion. Still, capacity and occupancy can vary. Some departures may feel spacious, while a busy sailing will have more competition for the best deck positions and equipment.

The included drinks also affect the value. Beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks mean you can settle in without keeping a running tab. If you do not drink alcohol, there are still soft drinks and an appealing mix of food, swimming, and views.

Who will enjoy this Papagayo trip most?

I would choose this excursion for families, couples, and friends who want several options in one booking. Children can enjoy the slide and water equipment, while adults can choose yoga, sunbathing, snorkeling, or a drink on deck.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can paddleboard while another stays dry and reads or takes photographs. The crew has helped people with mobility needs, including assistance with the boat ramp and getting on and off, but you should discuss your exact needs with Catlanza before booking.

The trip suits first-time boaters because the crew provides a safety briefing and explains the activities. It is also useful for anyone who wants to try snorkeling or paddleboarding without arranging separate equipment rentals.

I would think twice if you dislike group outings, dislike wind, or want a quiet private sail. The boat carries a social mix of people, and the atmosphere can become lively, especially when music, drinks, and water activities are all underway.

It may also be less appealing if your priority is visiting the beach on foot. The focus is the sea around Papagayo and the view of the beaches from the water. This is not a land excursion with time to walk along the sand.

Practical details that make the day easier

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The jacket matters most for the return crossing, when wind can make the deck feel cooler than the marina.

Wear something easy to move in and take care around wet steps. You will be climbing between the deck and the water, and surfaces near the slide can become slippery.

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start. That is required for collecting your boarding card, and it may also help you get a better choice of seating. If you need pickup, arrange it when booking. Otherwise, go directly to Catlanza Puerto Calero.

The crew speaks English, French, German, and Spanish. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later when that option is offered.

Should you book the Catlanza sailing?

Book it if you want a well-packed half-day on the sea rather than a simple ride to Papagayo. The strongest combination is the sheltered bay, clear snorkeling water, hot lunch, included drinks, and enough equipment to keep active or relax.

I would especially recommend it for families and groups with mixed interests. The main caution is the fixed four-hour schedule and the possibility of a busy boat. Arrive early, bring a jacket, and accept that dolphin sightings depend on luck.

For $88, it is a sound choice if you plan to use the water equipment and enjoy the food and drinks. If you want a private yacht, a long beach stay, or a very quiet sail, choose something smaller or slower. If you want a friendly, active catamaran trip with a strong chance of seeing Papagayo from the water, this is an easy one to put on your Lanzarote schedule.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo sailing excursion start?

It starts at Catlanza Puerto Calero, at the Catlanza SL office in Puerto Calero.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled excursion to collect your boarding card.

How long is the excursion?

The experience lasts four hours, including about one hour sailing to Papagayo, two hours anchored for lunch and activities, and about one hour sailing back.

What activities are included?

You can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, and take part in yoga. Snorkeling equipment, paddles, kayaks, and paddleboards are included.

What food is served?

Lunch includes hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included, with options listed as beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available from selected bus stops if arranged when booking. Free parking is also available in Puerto Calero.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. A jacket is particularly useful for the return sailing.