Puerto del Carmen: Private Sunset Catamaran Tour with Drinks

Lanzarote’s coast looks best from the water, and this private sunset cruise gives you two hours to enjoy it without sharing the boat with strangers. You’ll pass Puerto Calero, Playa Quemada, and Punta Gorda before settling into position for the sun to slip behind the Los Ajaches mountains. Champagne in hand, it is an easygoing way to mark a birthday, anniversary, or final evening on the island.

I especially like the private group format and the friendly, capable crew, including captains Nico and Alejandro. I also like the simple pleasures: a swim stop when conditions permit, music on board, fish gathering near the boat, and a generous spread of cheese, ham, Canarian potatoes, filled croissants, and drinks. The main consideration is the price, $566 for up to 12 people, which is good value for a full group but harder to justify for only two or three guests. Also confirm the transfer details before booking, since the supplied information gives conflicting notes about hotel pickup.

Key points to know before you book

• Sunset timing is the heart of the trip: The crew plans the return so you can watch the sun disappear behind Los Ajaches from the sea.
• A genuinely private boat: Your group of up to 12 has the catamaran to itself, making this better for celebrations and family time than a standard shared cruise.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect cheese, ham, Canarian potatoes, filled croissants, champagne, beer, sangria, water, soft drinks, and snacks.
• Swimming may be part of the evening: The boat can stop for a swim, and fish may gather when food is put into the water.
• The coastal route has variety: You pass Puerto Calero, Playa Quemada, and Punta Gorda before the sunset viewing.
• Bring a warm layer: The sea breeze can feel cool after sunset, even in Lanzarote’s usually mild climate.

Setting out from Puerto del Carmen

The experience begins in Puerto del Carmen, one of Lanzarote’s main resort areas. The boat heads along the southern coast, giving you a different view of the island than you get from the road. From shore, Lanzarote can seem dry and spare. From the water, the coastline opens up, with small settlements, dark volcanic ground, and the broad profile of the island rising inland.

The cruise lasts two hours, so this is not an all-day sailing expedition. That short length works well for an evening plan. You have enough time to settle in, enjoy the food, take photos, and watch the sunset without losing an entire day to a boat trip.

The catamaran provides more room than a small speedboat. That matters for a sunset outing because you are not simply being rushed from one viewpoint to another. You can sit, talk, listen to music, and move around the boat as the light changes.

The trip is private for your party, with a maximum of 12 people. I see this as one of the strongest reasons to book. A group can celebrate together without worrying about filling every seat or disturbing other passengers. For a couple, however, the fixed group price is a serious point to weigh.

Passing Puerto Calero and Playa Quemada

The early part of the route takes you past Puerto Calero, Playa Quemada, and Punta Gorda. These names are not formal shore excursions with time ashore. They are part of the coastal sailing route, so you should think of them as changing views from the catamaran rather than separate stops.

Puerto Calero gives the opening stretch a polished marina setting. As the boat continues, Playa Quemada offers a quieter, more rugged impression of Lanzarote’s southern coast. Punta Gorda adds another change of angle before the crew begins preparing for the main event.

I like this route because it gives the evening some movement. You are not simply anchored in front of Puerto del Carmen waiting for sunset. The boat travels along the coast first, and the changing shoreline helps the two hours feel like a proper outing.

The route also provides a useful contrast between Lanzarote’s developed and less built-up sides. You can enjoy the comforts of a luxury catamaran while still seeing the volcanic character that makes the island distinctive.

Watching the sun disappear behind Los Ajaches

The sunset is planned around the Los Ajaches range. As the sun drops, the mountains become a dark outline against the fading sky. The crew times the sailing so that you are back in the right position to watch the final light from the sea.

This is the part that deserves the most attention when you decide what to wear and bring. Sunset on open water can feel cooler than sunset on land, so pack warm clothing even if the afternoon has been hot. You should also bring a towel and swimwear if you want to use the swimming opportunity earlier in the trip.

The experience includes views toward Lanzarote’s high ground, including the area around Peñas del Chache, the island’s highest point. From a catamaran, the appeal is not reaching the summit. It is seeing the island’s shape from offshore, where the high interior rises behind the coast.

A glass of champagne makes the sunset feel festive, but you do not have to make the occasion formal. The atmosphere can work just as well for a relaxed family evening, a birthday, or a small group of friends.

Swimming, fish, and a little extra fun

A stop for swimming may be offered during the cruise. The exact timing depends on the route and sea conditions, so you should treat it as a possible part of the evening rather than the main promise of the trip.

The boat may also attract fish when food is put into the water. That creates one of those simple moments that children and adults tend to enjoy: you look over the side, see movement below, and suddenly everyone is paying attention to the sea.

Bring your own swimwear and towel. The supplied details do not promise snorkeling equipment, so do not book this as a dedicated underwater activity. It is better understood as a sunset cruise with the option to get in the water.

Wakeboarding can be added for all participants. Since the available information does not give the extra cost, timing, or equipment details, ask about it before you finalize the reservation. If your group cares more about the sunset than sport, the basic cruise already offers plenty to do.

Food and drinks on the catamaran

The food is light, informal, and suited to a short sailing. You can expect cheese, ham, Canarian potatoes, filled croissants, and other snacks. This is not presented as a full dinner, so I would not book it as a replacement for an evening meal if you normally eat early or need something substantial.

The drink selection is one of the better features for the price. Champagne, beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks are included. The crew serves drinks during the trip, and the supplied details indicate that other drinks may be requested, though they are not included unless specified.

A range of drinks helps the trip suit different groups. One person can have champagne for the sunset, another can choose beer or sangria, and children or non-drinkers have water and soft drinks. You are not forced into a single celebratory package.

The food also helps keep the evening relaxed. You can nibble while sailing rather than stopping the experience for a formal meal. The crew may check when you want to eat or drink, while still giving you time to enjoy the boat and the view without constant attention.

The crew and the feel of a private sailing

The crew makes a noticeable difference on a short private tour. Captains Nico and Alejandro are identified by name in the supplied information, and they are described as friendly, professional, and willing to go the extra mile. Guides speak English, Spanish, and German.

That language range is useful for a private group with mixed preferences. You can ask questions about sailing, the fish near the boat, or the island’s different areas without relying on one person in your group to translate.

The crew also provides some history about Lanzarote while keeping the evening social rather than turning it into a formal lecture. That balance suits this activity. You get context when you want it, then space to talk with your own group and watch the coast.

Music is played on board, adding to the relaxed party feel. If you want a quiet, traditional sailing trip with no entertainment, this may feel a little lively. For birthdays and group celebrations, the music fits the occasion.

Is $566 good value for your group?

The listed price is $566 for a private group of up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $47 per person before any possible add-ons, which is a reasonable rate for a private two-hour catamaran with drinks, food, crew, and a sunset route.

For six people, the effective cost is about $94 per person. For two people, it becomes $283 each. That calculation changes the decision completely. I would consider this strong value for a family or group of friends, but I would compare it carefully with shared sunset cruises if you are booking as a couple.

The private format has real value beyond the seat on the boat. Your group controls the social atmosphere, you can celebrate without strangers nearby, and the evening feels more personal. That is particularly useful for a milestone birthday or a small family gathering.

The included drinks also reduce the need to budget for every glass once you are on board. Still, confirm what counts as an included drink before you go, especially if someone in your group wants something outside champagne, beer, sangria, water, or soft drinks.

Transfers, timing, and practical details

The activity information says pickup is included and asks you to wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup. Drivers wait no longer than five minutes after the pickup time. However, another part of the supplied information says hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Because of that contradiction, confirm the transfer arrangement directly at booking. Do not assume that a hotel transfer is included simply because it appears in the tour overview. Ask where the pickup will be, whether the return is included, and whether Puerto del Carmen hotels are covered.

The start time changes with availability and sunset timing. Check the exact departure when you book rather than planning around a fixed hour. The two-hour duration includes the sailing, coastal views, refreshments, and sunset viewing.

The tour runs rain or shine, but it can be cancelled if sea conditions are poor. That is a reasonable safety limit for a boat trip. If your evening schedule is tight, keep some flexibility in case the sea does not cooperate.

The catamaran is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also bring warm clothing, swimwear, and a towel. Since the trip takes place on open water, practical clothing is more useful than dressing only for photos.

Who will enjoy this sunset cruise most?

I would recommend it most for groups of friends, families, and couples celebrating a special event. The private setting, drinks, snacks, swimming chance, music, and sunset give you several ways to enjoy the time, even if not everyone wants the same thing.

It also suits people who want a comfortable introduction to sailing. You do not need to commit to a full-day boat trip, and you still get a clear sense of Lanzarote’s southern coast from the water.

It is less suitable if you want a low-cost activity for two people, a serious sailing lesson, a full dinner, or a guaranteed swimming session. The sea decides much of the schedule, and the sunset is the main event.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen sunset catamaran?

Book it if you can fill several places, want a private celebration, and like the idea of combining a coastal cruise with snacks, drinks, music, and a swim stop. The strongest features are the roomy private catamaran, well-timed sunset behind Los Ajaches, and the friendly crew led by captains such as Nico and Alejandro.

Think twice if you are traveling as a small party and the fixed price feels high. Confirm the hotel transfer details, ask about the cost and arrangements for wakeboarding, and keep warm clothing in your day bag. With those points settled, this is a polished, easygoing way to see Lanzarote at its most atmospheric.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto del Carmen catamaran tour?

The tour lasts two hours. Check availability for the specific starting time.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. The activity is for a private group, with space for up to 12 people.

What food is included?

Light snacks include cheese, ham, Canarian potatoes, and filled croissants.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are champagne, beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks. Other drinks are not included unless arranged separately.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

The supplied activity details conflict on this point. One section says pickup is included, while another says hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Confirm the transfer arrangement before booking.

Can I swim during the cruise?

The boat may stop to allow swimming, depending on the route and sea conditions. Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to take part.

What languages does the crew speak?

The live tour guide service is available in English, Spanish, and German.