Fuerteventura: Magic Select Catamaran Trip with Food & Drinks

Fuerteventura’s best boat outing combines dolphin watching with a proper swim stop, lunch, drinks, and music. The Magic Select is a large, modern catamaran, so you get room to sit in sun or shade rather than feeling packed onto a small boat. Crew members such as Aaron, Juani, and Oliver help keep the four-hour trip lively.

I like the chance to see dolphins and possibly whales in open water, followed by a swim near the island’s pale sandy coves. I also like the simple, useful package: chicken and rice or paella, drinks served throughout, and transport from selected resorts. The main caution is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and some departures have skipped the promised cove stop or found the food and wine disappointing.

Key things to know before booking

• Dolphin watching comes first: The captain raises the large sail from Morro Jable and searches the waters around Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands.
• A swim stop is part of the plan: After the wildlife search, the catamaran heads toward quiet southern coves for a refreshing dip, conditions permitting.
• Lunch is included: Expect a straightforward hot meal, commonly described as chicken with rice, paella with chicken, or a similar stew.
• Drinks are included throughout: White wine, soft drinks, and other drinks are available on board.
• The crew drives the mood: Music, dancing, and friendly help from crew members including Aaron, Juani, and Oliver are a large part of the experience.
• Plan around resort pickup: Pickup is available from selected points near Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía, but not from every hotel.

Setting sail from Morro Jable at 10 a.m.

The trip begins at the port of Morro Jable, on Fuerteventura’s southern coast. If you arrange transport yourself, arrive 30 minutes before departure. The official start time is 10 a.m., and the boat returns to the same meeting point after roughly four hours.

The Magic Select is built for a social day at sea. Its size gives you several ways to spend the crossing. You can sit in the sun, find shade, watch the water from the sides, or settle into the general activity around the crew. One account describes around 50 people on board, while the stated maximum is 70. That is not an intimate sailing trip, but it is also not a tiny boat with everyone squeezed together.

The catamaran raises a 150-square-meter sail after leaving port. That detail matters because the outing is not simply a motorboat ride with a short stop. The sailing itself is part of the experience, although the boat’s course and speed depend on wind, sea conditions, and the captain’s search for wildlife.

Bring sunscreen. The boat offers shade, but you will still spend several hours outside under strong island sun. A swimsuit and towel make sense if you want to use the swimming stop, and a light layer can be useful if the sea breeze picks up.

Searching for dolphins and whales offshore

The first main part of the trip is the search for dolphins and whales. The captain changes course as needed, watching the water and approaching animals carefully. The point is not a fixed aquarium-style show. You are looking for wild animals in their own setting, so sightings can range from a few distant dolphins to a longer encounter beside the catamaran.

Some outings have produced dolphins within the first 45 minutes. Other accounts describe several dolphins swimming alongside the boat for a good stretch, with one sighting also including a whale. A hammerhead shark has even been spotted on one departure. These are memorable bonuses, but you should not book this trip as if a sighting were guaranteed.

There are also departures with no dolphins or whales at all. That is the honest trade-off with wildlife watching. The crew can search, and the captain can approach animals in a gentle way, but nobody can control what appears in open water.

You will want your camera ready, but keep your eyes on the sea as well. Dolphins may surface briefly and at some distance. A zoom lens helps, though the experience is still worthwhile without a perfect photograph. If you are prone to seasickness, take that possibility seriously. One passenger who became unwell was cared for by the crew, but prevention is still wiser than relying on help after the fact.

Heading toward the southern coves

Once the wildlife search is complete, the captain heads toward the small, quiet coves along southern Fuerteventura. The plan is to stop in an area with white sand and clear water, then let you swim from the boat.

This is a fine change of pace. After scanning the horizon, you can cool off, float, or look into the water near the catamaran. One account describes seeing fish during the stop. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the view from the deck, but anyone entering the sea should be comfortable with the conditions on the day.

The cove stop deserves one important qualification. It is part of the advertised plan, yet one particularly unhappy account said the boat never stopped at a cove. Sea conditions, timing, wildlife activity, and operational decisions can affect the route. If swimming in a secluded bay is the main reason you are booking, treat it as a planned feature rather than an absolute promise.

The water is a big part of the appeal. Fuerteventura is known for more than 150 kilometers of beaches, and its coastline has protected biosphere reserve status. From the catamaran, you see the island from a different angle: pale sand, open water, and stretches of coast that are hard to appreciate from a resort road.

Lunch, drinks, music, and a lively crew

Food is served after the swim stop, making it feel like a relaxed lunch cruise rather than a wildlife trip with a snack. The meal is simple. Descriptions include chicken with rice, chicken paella, and stew. Several people found it tasty and filling, while one strongly negative account found both the food and wine poor.

That range tells you what to expect. This is included boat-trip catering, not a restaurant meal. If you enjoy an uncomplicated hot lunch after swimming, it should do the job. If food quality is central to your day, keep your expectations in check.

Drinks are included and available throughout the trip. White wine is specifically mentioned, along with drinks served on tap. The all-inclusive setup is useful because you do not need to keep buying refreshments during a four-hour outing. It also helps create the easy holiday mood that many people enjoy.

Music and dancing are a major part of the atmosphere. Crew members encourage people to join in, and names such as Juani, Aaron, Oliver, Luis, Juan, Luca, and Hajid appear in accounts of different departures. The exact crew will vary, but the style is clear: this is not a quiet sailing lesson. You can relax, but you should expect music, jokes, and an effort to keep the group involved.

That makes the trip especially good for couples who want a fun shared activity and families who prefer an easy day with plenty going on. It may be less suitable if you want silence, a small private charter, or a serious nature-watching expedition.

How much space and comfort to expect

The catamaran’s size is one of its strongest practical features. You have room to move around, with places in the sun and shade. The boat is described as spacious and stable, and one account says the crossing did not feel too rough.

Still, a catamaran is not immune to motion. Wind and waves can change the feel of the ride, and the boat may move more once it leaves the shelter of the port. If you normally get seasick, sit in a central area when possible, watch the horizon, and avoid treating the drinks as your main preparation.

The large boat also gives you a better chance of finding your own space. You might choose a sunny spot for the views, then move into shade for lunch. The maximum group size of 70 means the trip has a shared-excursion feel, but the boat’s layout keeps it from being a shoulder-to-shoulder experience in every corner.

One practical point: the activity is offered in English, but the crew has served an international mix of passengers. Expect a social setting rather than a long, formal commentary about Fuerteventura’s geology or history.

Resort pickup and the timing details that matter

Pickup is offered from selected points serving Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía. It is not available from every hotel, and the meeting points are generally within a five-minute walk of the resorts in those areas.

Your pickup time is sent within about 12 hours of booking. Check your spam or junk folder if the message does not appear. Allow extra time, since one account reports a late pickup and drop-off. If you are going directly to the port, arrive 30 minutes before the boat leaves.

This arrangement works best if you are staying in the southern resort area. If you are elsewhere on Fuerteventura, the supplied details do not promise transport, so check the meeting-point plan before paying. The boat begins and ends at Magic & Sailing in Morro Jable.

The trip requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the sailing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number is not reached.

Is $93.12 a fair price?

At $93.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning at sea. But the price includes about four hours on a large catamaran, dolphin and whale searching, a swimming stop, lunch, drinks, and possible resort pickup. Add the boat’s size, the entertainment, and the chance to see wildlife, and the package can offer solid value for a full half-day.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If you mainly want a guaranteed dolphin sighting, the price carries risk because nature does not follow a schedule. If you want a complete social boat day with food, drinks, music, and a swim, the cost is easier to justify.

It also helps to compare this with the price of assembling the same day yourself. A separate boat trip, lunch, drinks, and transport could quickly approach the total. Here, the main compromise is control. You share the route and timetable with a group, and the cove stop or wildlife sighting may not unfold exactly as hoped.

Who will enjoy the Magic Select most?

I would point this trip toward couples, families, and friends who want an easy coastal outing with a party element. You do not need specialist sailing knowledge, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed, and the port is near public transportation.

It suits you if you like:

• A large, stable boat with sun and shade
• Wildlife watching with no fixed guarantee
• A swim from the catamaran
• Included lunch and drinks
• Music, dancing, and a friendly crew
• A half-day activity that returns to the same port

I would think twice if you want a quiet, private sail or a carefully structured wildlife tour with detailed naturalist talks. I would also avoid making this your only planned highlight if seeing dolphins is essential. The boat can search well, but the animals decide the result.

Should you book this Fuerteventura catamaran trip?

Book it if you want an active, friendly day at sea rather than a silent cruise. The strongest reasons are the spacious catamaran, the included food and drinks, the chance to see dolphins, and the swim stop along the southern coast. The crew’s energy, especially from names such as Aaron, Juani, and Oliver on different departures, adds much of the trip’s character.

Go with realistic expectations. Wildlife sightings vary, lunch is basic, pickup can run late, and the promised cove stop may depend on the day. If you accept those limits, the Magic Select offers a good-value way to see Fuerteventura from offshore and enjoy four hours without having to plan each detail yourself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start and finish?

The trip starts at Fuerteventura boat trips, Magic & Sailing, in the port of Morro Jable. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m. If you are meeting the boat at the port, arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from selected points serving Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía. It is not available from every hotel, and the pickup point is generally within a five-minute walk of hotels in those areas.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts approximately four hours.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch and a large selection of drinks are included. The meal is commonly chicken with rice, chicken paella, or a similar dish, and white wine is among the drinks mentioned.

Will I definitely see dolphins or whales?

No. The captain searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings are not guaranteed. Some departures see dolphins and whales, while others see no dolphins or whales.

Is there a swimming stop?

The planned route includes a stop near small southern coves for swimming. Conditions and the day’s route can affect whether the stop takes place.

What happens if the trip is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.