Catamaran Sailing in Lanzarote

Papagayo is the prize here. You leave Puerto Calero by catamaran, follow Lanzarote’s southeast coast, then anchor near the island’s famous beaches for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. It is an easy way to pair a scenic boat ride with a proper half-day on the water.

I like the all-in setup, with lunch, snacks, and drinks included, and I like the crew’s hands-on approach. Sandra, in particular, is praised for friendly hosting and even teaching guests how to tie a Palstek, a useful sailing knot. The main point to consider is group size: the boat can carry up to 55 people, so this may feel social rather than private.

Key points to know before you book

• Papagayo is the main stop: The catamaran sails from Puerto Calero to the sandy coves and clear water around Playa de Papagayo.
• Your meal is included: Expect lunch, fruit, snacks, and drinks, with pasta and vegetarian choices mentioned as part of the food service.
• You get real time off the boat: Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding are all available at the anchorage.
• You can choose your atmosphere: Family departures welcome children, while the Platinum cruise is for people aged 15 and over.
• The crew adds more than basic service: Expect help with water activities, sailing information, photos, and small extras such as yoga on the front nets when offered.
• Plan for a four-hour outing: You must arrive 30 minutes before departure at Catlanza’s marina base in Puerto Calero.

Sailing from Puerto Calero toward Papagayo

The trip begins at Catlanza SL Catamarán Sailing, located at Galería Náutica in Puerto Calero. You need to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure, which is sensible advice for a boat trip. The activity returns to the same meeting point after about four hours.

Some bookings include pickup from a hotel bus stop, but the meeting point listed for the experience is Puerto Calero. Check your confirmation carefully so you know if transport is included with your booking or if you need to make your own way to the marina. Puerto Calero is also near public transportation, and one account specifically noted plentiful parking.

Once aboard, you have the choice familiar to anyone who has spent time on a catamaran: find a place in the sun, look for shade, or settle near the front nets and watch the coast slide past. The boat gives you a different view of Lanzarote, with open water in one direction and the island’s dry volcanic shore in the other.

This is not a fast sightseeing ride with a long list of stops. The pleasure comes from the pace. You have time to enjoy the sea, eat, talk with the crew, and wait for the Papagayo anchorage rather than rushing from one activity to the next.

Why Papagayo makes a good half-day stop

Playa de Papagayo is the focus of the route, and the catamaran anchors nearby so you can use the water rather than simply look at it. The setting is especially useful for a mixed group because everyone can choose a different level of activity.

You can stay on deck and enjoy the view, swim from the boat, try snorkeling, or take a kayak or paddleboard. Families can split up without needing to follow one fixed program. One person can relax with a drink while another heads into the water.

Snorkeling is a strong part of the experience. The crew gives tips before you enter the water, and several accounts describe seeing plenty of fish. That guidance matters if you are new to snorkeling or want a little help getting comfortable from the side of a moving boat.

The water can be cold, even in good weather. One account specifically called this out while still describing the swim as enjoyable. Bring swimwear, suncream, and a towel, and pack a light sweater for the sailing portion. The operator also recommends smart casual clothing, which is a useful choice for a boat trip that includes both active time and lunch.

Swimming, snorkeling, kayaks, and paddleboards

The water activities are included in the basic experience, but they are shared among the group. Kayaks and paddleboards may not be available to everyone at the exact same moment, especially on a full departure. Still, the time at anchor is long enough for people to take turns, and one family account found the wait manageable.

Snorkeling is likely the simplest option. You can move directly from the catamaran into the water, look for fish, and return when you have had enough. If you are not a strong swimmer, ask the crew for practical advice before entering. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise a supervised swim lesson or a specific type of flotation support.

Paddleboarding offers a more active change of pace, though it can be amusingly wobbly for beginners. Kayaking is a calmer choice if you want to move around without balancing on a board. You can also skip every water activity. This is not a trip where you are pressured to perform. Relaxing on deck is a perfectly reasonable use of the four hours.

At times, the crew adds a short yoga session on the front nets. This is not presented as a guaranteed part of every departure, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a promised feature. The same applies to dolphin sightings. Several people saw dolphins near the catamaran, but wildlife is never scheduled.

Lunch, fruit, and drinks included in the fare

At $90.70 per person, the price deserves a proper look. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The fare includes the four-hour sailing, the stop at Papagayo, lunch, snacks, drinks, and access to the water activities. That makes the cost easier to justify than a simple coastal cruise with food and drinks added separately.

The food described includes pasta, vegetarian lunch choices, fresh fruit, and Spanish cheese before the main meal. Several accounts call the lunch generous or delicious, while one specifically appreciated having a vegetarian option. The exact menu can change, so do not book this expecting a particular pasta dish.

Drinks are served during the trip and are included in the price. The descriptions refer to a broad selection and free-flowing service, and one account mentioned champagne at the start. The provided details do not set out a full drinks menu, so think of this as included refreshments rather than a guaranteed premium bar.

This all-in format is useful in Lanzarote, where a half-day can become expensive once you add transport, lunch, and drinks. It also means you do not need to carry cash for the basic experience. You may still want a card or small amount of money for unrelated purchases before or after the cruise.

A crew that keeps the trip moving

The crew gets the strongest praise. Their role is more than serving food. They help with snorkeling, explain sailing details, support people using the kayaks and boards, and keep the atmosphere friendly for both children and adults.

Sandra is the one named host in the supplied information. Her small sailing tips made a lasting impression, including a lesson in tying a Palstek. You should not expect a formal sailing course, but the crew seems willing to share useful details when people show interest.

The crew also takes photos for groups when asked, which is handy when everyone wants to be in the picture. Their friendly approach is especially valuable on a family departure with different ages and confidence levels. Children can take part in the activities while adults still have room to relax.

English is offered. The crew has also been described as speaking Spanish and German, but English is the stated language for the experience. If you need another language, confirm before booking rather than assuming it will be available on your departure.

Family cruise or Platinum adults-only sailing

The choice between the standard family option and the Platinum adults-only cruise can shape your day. The adults-only version is for ages 15 and over, making it a better fit for couples, older teenagers, and people who want a quieter atmosphere.

The family option suits a mixed-age group. Children have access to the same basic activities, and the crew interacts with both young people and adults. A three-generation group found the setup workable, which says something about the broad appeal of the format.

Do not assume that Platinum means a private charter or a small boat. It is still a shared catamaran experience. The distinction is the age policy and likely atmosphere, not private use of the vessel.

Capacity is worth noting. The maximum is 55 people. Some accounts found the boat comfortable and not crowded, while another expected about 25 people and found closer to 40 aboard. That difference may reflect a particular departure or booking description, but it gives you a useful warning: space can vary, and this is not the right choice if you want an intimate private sail.

The four-hour rhythm of the outing

A typical day follows a simple pattern:

• Arrive at the Puerto Calero meeting point 30 minutes early.
• Board the catamaran and sail along the southeast coast.
• Reach the Papagayo area and anchor.
• Eat, drink, swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, or relax.
• Sail back to Puerto Calero.

The route is long enough to feel like a real outing but short enough to fit neatly into a holiday schedule. You still have much of the day free for another activity, though you should allow extra time if using pickup transport.

The return to the same marina makes planning easier. You do not need to arrange a separate return from a remote beach. If you have a sensitive schedule, remember that the stated duration is approximately four hours, and weather or boat operations can affect the exact timing.

What could disappoint you

The first issue is crowding. A catamaran carrying up to 55 people can feel lively, but it will not offer the privacy of a small sailing boat. If you want silence, an empty deck, or complete control of the route, this is the wrong style of excursion.

The second issue is weather. The experience requires good conditions and can be canceled if the weather is poor. In that case, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. A minimum number of bookings is also required, so a cancellation is possible if that number is not reached.

The third issue is the water temperature. You may enjoy swimming and snorkeling but still find the sea chilly. A sweater is worth packing for the return sail too, especially if you have been wet.

Finally, the water equipment is shared. You can use the kayak and paddleboard, but you may need to wait briefly during a busy departure. The crew helps organize things, yet no shared activity can guarantee unlimited time for every person.

Who will get the most from this catamaran trip

I would choose this for a family group, a couple wanting an easy day on the water, or anyone who wants several activities bundled into one booking. It works particularly well if you like variety: a little sailing, a little snorkeling, a proper lunch, and plenty of time to sit in the sun.

It is also a smart choice for a shorter Lanzarote visit. You see the coast, reach Papagayo, and enjoy a full half-day without spending time planning separate transport, beach access, equipment hire, and lunch.

I would be more cautious if you dislike group outings, need a guaranteed quiet setting, or want a highly technical sailing lesson. The crew shares sailing tips, but the main product is a relaxed coastal cruise with recreational activities, not a serious sailing class.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book Catamaran Sailing in Lanzarote?

Yes, if you want a friendly, well-organized half-day with the main costs covered. The strongest reasons are the Papagayo stop, the choice of water activities, the included food and drinks, and a crew that pays attention to both practical help and the small details that make a trip pleasant.

At $90.70, the value is strongest when you eat lunch aboard, use the snorkeling gear or water equipment, and enjoy the drinks rather than treating the trip as a short scenic sail. Choose the adults-only Platinum option if you want an age-restricted setting, and check the expected group size if personal space matters to you.

I would book it as a relaxed Lanzarote highlight, not as a private sailing adventure. Arrive early, bring swimwear, suncream, a towel, and a sweater, then let the day unfold at sea.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

The meeting point is Catlanza SL Catamarán Sailing at Galería Náutica, 35571 Puerto Calero, Las Palmas, Spain.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Puerto Calero.

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How early should I arrive?

You must be at the meeting point 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with drinks and snacks. Pasta, fruit, Spanish cheese, and vegetarian food are mentioned as part of the onboard catering.

What activities can I do at Papagayo?

You can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, or relax aboard the catamaran.

Is there an adults-only option?

Yes. The Platinum adults-only excursion is for people aged 15 and over. A family option is also available.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 55 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number of bookings causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.