Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

The best part of this Afrikat catamaran cruise is the generous stop in a clear bay near Mogán. You are not rushed through a quick photo stop. There is time to eat, swim, snorkel, relax in the sun, or pay extra for faster water activities. The boat also gives you a good view of Gran Canaria’s southwest coast, with beaches, cliffs, and small coves sliding past.

I like the included food and unlimited drinks, which make the $88 price easier to justify than a simple sightseeing cruise. I also like the friendly, funny crew, especially Potter, who appears to be closely involved in the experience, and the way the boat offers both shade and open sunbathing areas. The main consideration is that jet skis and some other activities depend on availability, weather, and operating conditions, so you should not book solely for one particular water sport.

Key points to know before you book

• A full four-and-a-half-hour outing: Allow extra time if you use the shared pickup and drop-off service.
• Lunch is included: Expect a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, plus pasta salad.
• Drinks keep flowing: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water are included, but cocktails, wine, and spirits cost extra or are not included.
• The Mogán stop is the main event: You get about two and a half hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and optional paid activities.
• Water sports cost extra: Jet skis are listed at €32 per vehicle, parasailing at €32 per person, donut rides at €10 per person, and the captain-led speedboat at €5 per person.
• The atmosphere is social: Expect jokes, announcements, music on Friday mornings, and a crew that makes an effort to involve people.

What the Afrikat cruise is really like

This is not a quiet sailing trip for people hoping to read a book in complete silence. It is a friendly, activity-focused boat day with food, drinks, music on selected departures, and plenty of chances to get wet.

You board the catamaran in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria after a short safety briefing. From there, the boat follows the southwest coast toward the Mogán area. The open water, warm sun, and sea breeze do much of the work, while the crew supplies the conversation and entertainment.

The boat is described as clean and spacious, with seating in the shade and areas for sunbathing. That matters on a four-and-a-half-hour trip. You can move around rather than remain fixed in one seat, and families or mixed groups can split up for a while without anyone missing the main activity.

The mood is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Potter, Nikita, Matt, and the rest of the crew are repeatedly praised for being welcoming, funny, and attentive. The jokes are part of the package, so this suits you if you like a sociable boat trip. If you want a hushed cruise with only the sound of the sea, choose a different kind of excursion.

Pickup from Gran Canaria’s resort areas

The experience includes pickup and drop-off from many centralized points around the island’s main southern resort areas. Listed points include hotels and meeting places in places such as Bahía Feliz, San Agustín, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico, Amadores, Patalavaca, and nearby districts.

The transport section needs careful attention when you book. Pickup is not offered from every location, and the information specifically excludes Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, and Mogán for the transport service. Since the boat departs from Puerto Rico, you may need to make your own way to the port if you are staying nearby or outside the designated pickup network.

The coach ride is listed as about one hour each way. That means the advertised four-and-a-half-hour duration covers the activity itself, while hotel transfers can add another two hours to your day. Check the exact pickup point and time before booking, especially if your hotel is not one of the named stops.

If you are close to Puerto Rico, making your own way to the harbor can save time. If you are staying farther away, the included coach is useful and removes the need to arrange a taxi.

Leaving Puerto Rico and following the southwest coast

After the safety briefing, the catamaran spends about an hour cruising along the coast before reaching the main activity area. This is a pleasant part of the day, but it is worth setting expectations correctly.

You will see beaches, rocky cliffs, and coves from the water. The view is different from the one you get on a road or hotel balcony, and the sea breeze makes the ride feel cooler than sitting onshore. Keep your sunglasses and sun hat handy, and apply sunscreen before boarding rather than waiting until you are already out at sea.

The cruise gives you time to settle into the boat before the busier part begins. You can find a shaded seat, watch the shoreline, have a drink, and get used to the movement of the catamaran.

Some people can feel seasick even on a stable boat. One useful detail from the experience is that the crew has helped an unwell passenger before, but you should still bring any usual medication and avoid spending the whole trip in the most exposed position if you know you are sensitive to motion.

The Mogán bay stop, about two and a half hours

The main stop near Mogán lasts around two and a half hours. This is where the cruise earns much of its price, because the schedule gives you enough time to choose your own pace.

You can swim from the boat in clear water, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard with a drink and watch the activity. The snorkeling equipment is optional to use, but it is included. The water is described as clear, with fish visible around the swimming area, making this a better choice for a quick look below the surface than for serious snorkeling exploration.

Do not expect a dedicated reef expedition. This is a mixed group boat outing, and the bay stop combines several activities. Still, the amount of time available lets you snorkel without feeling hurried, and you can return to the boat for lunch or sunbathing when you have had enough.

The layout works well for groups with different interests. One person can swim, another can try a paid water sport, and someone else can remain on deck with a coffee or soft drink. That flexibility is especially useful for families and couples who do not all want the same level of excitement.

Lunch, drinks, and what is actually included

Lunch is served by the crew during the stop. The listed meal is a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, alongside pasta salad. The food has been described as better than expected, and the wraps are a practical choice for a boat day because they are easy to eat without a formal table setting.

Special dietary requirements need to be communicated in advance. A vegetarian meal has been provided when requested, but you should not rely on making a last-minute request at boarding. The stated information mentions alternatives for dietary needs, so contact the provider before the trip.

The drinks package is one of the clearest value points. Included drinks are:

• Beer
• Sangria
• Soft drinks
• Juice
• Coffee
• Water

The crew serves drinks from the onboard bar, and the setup includes a reusable drinking glass souvenir. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included, so bring realistic expectations if you want something beyond beer, sangria, or nonalcoholic drinks.

This arrangement works well because you do not need to keep buying refreshments throughout the cruise. It also means you should drink sensibly, especially in the sun. Alcohol, warm weather, swimming, and water sports make sunscreen, water, and a little self-control important.

Optional water sports and the extra cost

The included snorkeling is enough for a relaxed sea experience, but the optional activities are aimed at people who want more speed and noise.

Listed prices are:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Captain-led speedboat ride: €5 per person

The speedboat option is especially good value if you want a quick burst of excitement without committing to a major extra cost. It can also provide a different view of the coast and nearby caves.

The donut ride is the low-cost group option. A jet ski suits you if you want to drive or share a faster ride, while parasailing adds height and a different view of the bay. These activities are not part of the $88 base price, so bring cash or a bank card.

Availability can change. Jet skis were not operating on some departures, and the provider cannot guarantee every activity will run on every day. The reason might be equipment, weather, or operating conditions, but the practical lesson is simple: treat the water sports as optional extras, not the central promise of your booking.

Some people have combined several activities for a larger additional charge. That can be worthwhile if your group wants an action-packed afternoon, but it changes the overall cost quickly. If you are mainly interested in swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and the catamaran ride, the base price already covers the essentials.

The crew, music, and onboard atmosphere

The Afrikat experience depends heavily on its crew. Potter is frequently singled out for helping create the mood, while Nikita and other team members have been praised for their friendliness and attention. Announcements are delivered with humor, and the staff makes an effort to learn where people are from and keep the group involved.

That personal touch is useful on a shared boat. It prevents the trip from feeling like a simple transfer to a swimming spot. The crew also handles drink service, lunch, safety information, and activity arrangements, so you are not left to work out the day by yourself.

Live music is only offered on Friday morning departures, and it is not scheduled on February 27. A saxophone performance has been part of some trips, but you should not book expecting live music unless your departure matches the stated schedule.

The social style will not suit everyone. The jokes and announcements are a feature, not background noise. For a birthday, family outing, honeymoon activity, or group holiday, that energy can make the day feel special. For a private, romantic sail with little conversation, it may be too lively.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several holiday ingredients in one booking: a coastal cruise, a swim, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and optional water sports.

It works particularly well for:

• Families with different ages and energy levels
• Couples who want a relaxed outing with some adventure
• Groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• People who like friendly crew interaction
• Visitors who want to try snorkeling without booking a dedicated snorkeling tour
• Anyone who values included food and drinks

It is less suitable if you want a small private boat, a quiet sailing experience, serious marine wildlife viewing, or guaranteed jet ski access. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but you should tell the provider about mobility impairments when booking so the crew can prepare properly.

The activity is stated to suit all ages. You should still consider how comfortable younger children are around open water and boat movement, and supervise them closely during swimming and paid water activities.

Is $88 good value?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but it is more than a basic boat ride. The price includes the catamaran cruise, a crew-prepared meal, a broad range of drinks, snorkeling equipment, and pickup and drop-off from designated areas.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, and a short snorkeling trip. It also improves for people who plan to spend several hours aboard rather than treating the cruise as a quick sightseeing stop.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink alcohol, do not plan to swim, and mainly want coastal views. In that case, you are paying for parts of the package you may not use.

Paid water sports can also raise the total. A group that adds jet skiing, parasailing, and a donut ride should budget beyond the headline price. Bring a card or cash for these extras, photos, souvenirs, and any drinks outside the included selection.

Overall, the package makes sense for a full activity day. You get enough time at the bay to use what you have paid for, and the crew adds a level of service that a bare sightseeing cruise would not provide.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. You will want your camera, but protect it carefully around the swimming and water sports areas.

Bring a credit card or cash for optional activities, photographs, souvenirs, and anything outside the included drinks. Even if you plan to stick to the base package, having a payment method avoids missing an activity at the last minute.

Wear practical clothing for a boat. You will move between shaded seating, open sun, the swimming area, and possibly a speedboat or inflatable ride. A light cover-up can make the coach journey home more comfortable.

The most useful tip is to apply sunscreen before leaving the harbor and again during the day. The sea breeze can hide how much sun you are getting.

Should you book the Afrikat catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a sociable, well-filled half-day with good food, open bar-style included drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and optional thrills. The clean boat, flexible bay stop, and genuinely engaged crew are the strongest reasons to choose it.

I would be more cautious if one specific activity, especially a jet ski, is the main reason you are booking. Availability is not guaranteed. I would also check the pickup point carefully, since transport does not cover every resort or town.

For most visitors staying in Gran Canaria’s southern resort area, this is a solid all-round boat day. It gives you room to relax, but it also lets you spend extra for speed and excitement. Bring sun protection, allow for the long coach transfer if you use it, and treat the paid water sports as bonuses rather than guarantees.

FAQ

How long does the Gran Canaria catamaran cruise last?

The activity lasts four and a half hours. Pickup and drop-off by coach can add about one hour each way, depending on your location.

Where does the catamaran depart from?

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

Is food included?

Yes. The crew serves a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces, along with pasta salad. Tell the provider about special dietary requirements in advance.

Which drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you can use it during the swimming stop near Mogán.

Do the water sports cost extra?

Yes. The listed prices are €32 per vehicle for a jet ski, €32 per person for parasailing, €10 per person for a donut ride, and €5 per person for a captain-led speedboat ride.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available from designated centralized points in selected areas. Transport is not provided from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán according to the stated pickup information.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Inform the provider about any mobility impairments when booking.