Fuerteventura: Magic Catamaran Trip with Food and Drinks

The big draw here is the chance to watch dolphins and pilot whales from a 23-meter catamaran while cruising along Fuerteventura’s volcanic southern coast. I like the combination of wildlife searching and a proper swim stop, rather than spending four hours simply looking at the shore. I also like that lunch and an open bar are included, with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine available onboard.

The main thing to understand is the mood: this is a lively group cruise, not a quiet sailing lesson. Music plays, the crew encourages dancing, and the boat may carry roughly 30 to 35 people. The catamaran may motor rather than sail, depending on wind, sea conditions, and passenger comfort.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphin and whale search: Spend about 90 minutes looking for marine life around Jandía, with sightings possible but never guaranteed.
• Swimming from the boat: Stop for around 30 minutes in the sea, with life jackets available for adults and children.
• Generous onboard meal: Expect Mozarabic chicken with rice and vegetables, served after the swim.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available throughout the trip.
• Pickup from southern resorts: Transport can be arranged from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable.
• A social atmosphere: Music, dancing, friendly crew members, and a relaxed holiday mood are central to the experience.

Setting out from Morro Jable on the Magic Select

Your four-hour outing begins in Morro Jable, at the southern end of Fuerteventura’s Jandía Peninsula. If you choose transport, pickup is available from selected points around Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. These are not every hotel entrance. You may need to walk up to five minutes to a nearby pickup point.

If you arrange your own transport, go directly to Morro Jable port 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters. The port area can be warm, and one passenger had trouble finding the expected check-in desk, so follow the exact meeting point supplied with your booking rather than wandering around looking for a separate office.

Once onboard, you receive a safety briefing before the catamaran heads out. The Magic Select is a modern, spacious boat with room to sit together, stretch out, or find a quieter spot for a while. It is not a tiny sailing boat, so you get more stability and space, but you also share the outing with a sizeable group.

One and a half hours searching for dolphins and whales

The first major part of the trip is the search for marine life. The Canary Islands are home to more than 29 identified whale and dolphin species, and the crew heads out with the aim of finding animals in the waters around Fuerteventura.

This is the part of the tour that can feel magical when conditions line up. Dolphins may appear beside the boat, and pilot whales have also been seen during the trip. Some outings have included several pods, flying fish, and distant whale sightings. A pod swimming close to the catamaran can turn an ordinary boat ride into a memorable morning.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife is wild, and there is no guarantee of seeing dolphins or whales. The boat operator cannot control sea conditions or animal movements. If you do not see anything, the trip still continues with coastal views, food, music, and swimming, but wildlife should be treated as a welcome possibility rather than the promised centerpiece.

The crew adds value here by explaining what you are seeing. Captain Juani has shared information about dolphin species and their behavior, and crew members such as Aaron, Feli, Elisa, and Juani have been praised for keeping people informed and involved. Crew names can vary by departure, but the operation uses a multilingual team speaking English, Spanish, German, and French.

Bring patience during this stretch. The search can last around 90 minutes, and you may spend time scanning the water between sightings. If you are set on photographing dolphins, keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole outing staring through a screen. The animals may surface quickly and close to the boat.

The Jandía swim stop

After the wildlife search, the captain changes course toward the coast of Jandía for a swimming stop of about 30 minutes. The catamaran anchors in a sheltered-looking spot, and you can enter the water directly from the boat.

This is a good change of pace. After sitting and watching the sea, you get a chance to move around and cool off. The water may feel cold, even in sunny weather, and currents or tides can affect the swim. Take care when entering and leaving the water, and ask for a life jacket if you want extra support. Life jackets are available for adults and children.

The swim is optional. Several people may choose to stay onboard, especially if the sea feels chilly or the conditions are not ideal. That makes the stop work well for mixed groups. Confident swimmers can enjoy the water, while anyone who prefers to remain dry can sit back and watch the coast.

This is not a snorkeling excursion, and the supplied details do not promise snorkel equipment or a guided underwater activity. Think of it as a straightforward sea swim from a large catamaran, with time to cool down rather than an organized water-sports session.

Lunch, drinks, and an easygoing onboard rhythm

After swimming, lunch is served onboard. The usual meal is Mozarabic chicken with rice and vegetables in a sauce. Portions have been described as generous, and the dish gives you something warm and filling after time in the water.

Food opinions can vary. Many people find the lunch tasty and well organized, while one account found it less impressive. That is fair warning if you are expecting restaurant-level cooking. This is practical boat food served to a group, not a gourmet meal. It is included in the price, which makes it more valuable than a meal you need to arrange separately in port.

The open bar is one of the strongest parts of the package. You can have water, soft drinks, beer, and wine throughout the outing. Drinks are served onboard, and the crew keeps the service moving. If you do not drink alcohol, water and soft drinks are available, though the listed choices do not specifically include sparkling water. One non-drinker would have appreciated that option.

Use some restraint with alcohol. The trip includes a swim, moving water, and a return ride, so staying hydrated is sensible. Water is included, and it is worth alternating alcoholic drinks with water, especially on a bright day.

The return sail, music, and the party mood

The final hour is a relaxed ride back toward Morro Jable. Music plays throughout much of the outing, with a selection intended to suit a mixed crowd. The crew often brings people together for dancing and light entertainment, and some departures have included the chance to try steering under supervision.

This is where the cruise feels more like a holiday party than a traditional nature trip. The staff members are energetic, funny, and attentive. Aaron, Feli, Juani, Elisa, Igor, Annika, and other crew members have been singled out on different departures for their humor, communication, and care. You can expect plenty of interaction rather than a silent ride.

That atmosphere will suit you if you enjoy music, meeting people, and a bit of organized fun. If your ideal catamaran trip involves only the sound of the sea and a book, this may feel too busy. The music is generally described as pleasant and middle of the road, but the volume and dancing can still make the boat feel lively.

There is also a practical point about the word sailing. The boat is described as a catamaran cruise, but it may not spend the day traveling under sail. The captain has explained that weather conditions and the number of passengers can make sailing too complicated, particularly when some people are feeling seasick. You will still be out on the sea, but do not book this expecting hands-on sailing instruction or long periods under canvas.

How much space and comfort should you expect?

The Magic Select is large enough to avoid the cramped feeling of a small excursion boat. You can sit with a group, find a place to lie down, or move around during the trip. One account estimated 30 to 35 passengers and still found enough room for people to spread out.

That said, the space is shared. During the wildlife search, many people may gather along the rails for a better view. At lunchtime, the group eats on the same schedule. During the swim, people enter the water in a steady flow rather than enjoying a private cove alone.

The larger boat is useful for families and mixed-age groups. Children can enjoy the wildlife search and music, while adults can use the open bar and coastal ride. Life jackets are available for children and adults, although parents should remain responsible for supervision around the railings and water.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully about the conditions. The catamaran may feel steady compared with a smaller boat, but motion is still possible. Sit where you feel most comfortable, drink water, and tell the crew if you feel unwell. The crew has been noted for helping sick passengers, but prevention is still the better plan.

What the $91 price includes

At $91 per person, the value depends on how much of the package you will use. You are paying for four hours on a large catamaran, a wildlife search, a swimming stop, lunch, drinks, crew entertainment, and optional hotel-area transport. Buying those elements separately would be difficult, and the included open bar adds real value for anyone who plans to have beer or wine onboard.

The price is less compelling if you do not drink, skip lunch, dislike group entertainment, or mainly want quiet sailing. You are still paying for the boat and wildlife search, but part of the package is built around food, music, and social energy.

Pickup can make the price more attractive if you are staying in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, or Morro Jable. Pickup is not offered from every hotel, and transport outside those areas is not included. If you are staying elsewhere, you need to arrange your own way to Morro Jable port.

The tour also offers reserve-now-and-pay-later booking, plus free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Check the exact terms when booking, since the selected pickup option and departure time affect your arrangements.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you want several holiday pleasures in one half-day outing:

• You want a good chance to see dolphins or pilot whales without booking a specialist wildlife expedition.
• You enjoy a friendly, social boat with music and crew interaction.
• You want swimming, lunch, and drinks included in one price.
• You are staying in the southern resorts and can use the pickup service.
• You are traveling with family or friends who want different things from the same activity.

It is less suited to you if you want a private charter, a quiet nature cruise, serious sailing time, or guaranteed whale sightings. The boat can be lively, the meal is simple, and the sea may not cooperate with the wildlife search.

Practical tips for a smoother four hours

Arrive at the port 30 minutes early if you are meeting the boat yourself. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes, bring sun protection, and carry a towel if you plan to swim. The supplied information does not specify towel rental, so do not assume one will be provided.

Keep a light layer handy. Fuerteventura can be sunny, but the boat ride creates wind, and conditions can change once you leave the harbor. Secure hats and loose items before the catamaran picks up speed.

If dolphins are your priority, stay alert during the search and listen to the crew. Sightings may happen on either side of the boat and may last only moments. For the best personal experience, watch the water first and take photographs second.

Choose water as well as alcoholic drinks, especially before and after swimming. If you do not drink alcohol, remember that the listed non-alcoholic choices are water and soft drinks, with no specific promise of sparkling water.

Should you book the Magic Catamaran?

Book it if you want a well-priced, social half-day at sea with several included extras. The strongest combination is the chance of dolphins or pilot whales, a proper swim from the boat, a filling lunch, and drinks without constant add-on charges. The crew’s energy is a major part of the experience, especially if you enjoy music and a little dancing.

Skip it if your idea of sailing means quiet decks, unfurled sails, and a small group. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, and the catamaran may motor for much of the route. For most people staying in southern Fuerteventura, though, the package offers a pleasant way to see the coast from the water without giving up half a day to complicated planning.

FAQ

How long is the Magic Catamaran trip?

The cruise lasts four hours.

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The catamaran departs from Morro Jable port.

How early should I arrive at the port?

If you are not using pickup, meet the boat at Morro Jable port 30 minutes before departure.

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 or from areas outside those listed resorts.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included meal consists of Mozarabic chicken, rice, and vegetables.

What drinks are included?

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

Will I definitely see dolphins or whales?

No. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings depend on sea conditions and animal movements and cannot be guaranteed.

Can I swim from the catamaran?

Yes. The trip includes a swimming stop of about 30 minutes off the coast of Jandía. Life jackets are available for adults and children.

What languages are spoken by the crew?

The host or greeter service is available in English, Spanish, German, and French.