Afrikat Afternoon Cruise

A catamaran afternoon beats another beach day. This 4.5-hour cruise from Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria, gives you big sea views, a calm swim stop, and an on-board meal with drinks, while your ship quietly tracks the island’s coastline.

I especially like the included swim and snorkelling setup, because the whole plan is built around a real stop in a calm, clear bay. I also like the hotel pickup from South Gran Canaria, since it removes the hassle of finding the port and getting back.

One thing to consider: the fun extras (like jet ski, parasailing, or the donut ride) cost extra and optional water sports come with real physical risk, so it is worth thinking about your comfort level and having travel insurance if you plan to play hard.

Key Things I’d Plan For

• 4.5 hours on the water with time for a proper swim, not just a quick look from the deck
• Drinks and a meal included, including beer and sangria for adults
• Snorkelling equipment provided so you can try seeing fish without extra rental steps
• Optional water sports at set prices, including jet ski, parasailing, and donut ride
• Smallish group feel with a maximum of 66 people overall and up to 12 per individual booking
• Pickup limited to centralised South locations, so double-check you are eligible for pickup

The Afrikat Afternoon Cruise: why it feels special on Gran Canaria

This is a classic “get on the water and let the scenery do the work” kind of afternoon. You’re aboard the Afrikat catamaran, cruising out of Puerto Base in Puerto Rico and then heading along Gran Canaria’s coastline in daylight, when the light on the sea is at its best.

What makes it work for real life is the rhythm. You start with cruising for views, then you anchor in a calm bay so you can swim and snorkel. That mix is why this cruise is such an easy win: you get motion, then you get still water time.

The vibe is also very practical. The cruise is long enough to feel like an event, but short enough that you still have the rest of the evening in Gran Canaria after you return.

Price and what you actually get for about $93

At around $93 per person, the key value story is that you are not paying only for a boat ride. Your ticket includes:

• A 4.5-hour catamaran trip (time on the water is the core of the experience)
• Meal included (the listed included meal is chicken wrap with pasta salad, and the cruise is described as serving Canarian-style lunch on board)
• Drinks included, including beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water
• Snorkelling and swimming time, with equipment provided
• Chance to swim and snorkel during the anchored stop

Then there are the add-ons. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included. Jet ski, parasailing, and donut ride are paid extras, and the speedboat ride with the captain is also an extra.

Here is the way I would think about it when you decide if it is worth it. If you would have spent money anyway on lunch and drinks, plus you want snorkelling gear provided, the ticket becomes much more reasonable. If you only want sightseeing and have zero interest in swimming, snorkeling, or extras, then you may find a different kind of tour fits better.

Pickup and timing: the logistics that make or break your afternoon

The biggest “you will feel this” part of the experience is pickup. Yes, pickup is offered, but it is not door-to-door everywhere. Pickup is available only from centralised pickup points in the South of the island. It is specifically not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan, so you should check your exact hotel area before counting on it.

Pickup details are also time-sensitive. You must check your transport service confirmation 24 hours before departure to confirm the exact pick-up time and place. They also warn that the email may end up in your junk inbox.

If you are heading to the port yourself, plan to arrive 30 minutes before the 2:30 pm departure. That buffer matters because you do not want to be stressed while everyone else is boarding.

If you like a smooth start, this cruise’s plan is built for you. If you hate coordinating last-minute emails and matching your area to pickup zones, factor that into your day.

Inside the Afrikat catamaran: comfort, crew energy, and included food

The Afrikat experience is set up to feel roomy and easy-going. Multiple people describe the boat as having loads of space and a well laid-out interior, which is exactly what you want on a half-day cruise. You will be on board long enough to care about simple comforts, like being able to move around without bumping into chairs and bags.

The crew gets consistent praise for being organized and friendly. That matters because water stops and optional activities only run smoothly when staff are clear and calm. The plan includes a meal served by the crew and a continuous flow of included drinks throughout your time on board.

On food, the included meal is listed clearly as chicken wrap with pasta salad. The cruise highlights also describe a buffet lunch of Canarian cuisine served on board. In plain terms, you should expect a solid on-board lunch service that is not just a snack. If you have dietary requirements, you should contact them at booking, since special dietary needs are something you’re asked to advise.

On drinks, the included set is straightforward: beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails and spirits are not included, so if you love mixed drinks, budget a bit for that.

The sailing part: views from the water in a relaxed afternoon flow

Your day starts at Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria at C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán. From there, you cruise along the coastline after leaving Puerto Rico. The idea is to enjoy the scenery from the water with the sea breeze and sunshine doing the heavy lifting.

This is not a “race across the ocean” type of cruise. It is paced so you can watch the shoreline roll by, settle in, and then transition into the swim stop without the whole schedule feeling chaotic.

Because the route is along the island’s coast, you are getting a different angle of Gran Canaria than you would from land. If you like photos, this is the part you will likely take the most of. If you just want to relax, it is also the easiest part to do nothing, because you are not worrying about gear or steps until the anchoring point.

Stop in the calm bay: swimming and snorkelling without extra rentals

The highlight of the itinerary is the anchoring stop in a calm, crystal clear bay. This is where the cruise earns its reputation as a fun afternoon, because you’re not just cruising, you’re actually in the water.

Here is what you can expect at this point:

• Swim time in refreshing water
• Snorkelling time, with equipment provided
• A chance to see fish when you snorkel

This is also where I think the cruise works well for beginners. Snorkelling gear is provided, so you are not dealing with rental shops or meeting someone at the beach. You also do not have to be an expert swimmer. You just need to be comfortable getting in and out.

A practical note: snorkelling and water time means plan your day around it. You should wear something you can get wet, and you should be okay spending time in and around the water for part of the tour.

Optional water sports: donut ride, jet ski, parasailing, and that speedboat add-on

After the anchoring swim, the cruise offers optional water sports. If you want speed or more adrenaline, this is where you can customize the day.

The listed optional extras are:

• Donut ride for €10 per person
• Jet ski for €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing for €32 per person
• Fun speedboat ride with the captain for €5 per person

The cruise also describes water sports as being available at special discounted rates for those who add them on during the experience.

One thing you should take seriously is safety and personal risk. Optional water sports are at your own risk, and the information provided with the operator’s response makes it clear that you should have travel insurance if you participate in non-obligatory water sports. If you are prone to motion sickness, have any injury concerns, or simply do not want to take physical risks, you can treat the swim and snorkel stop as the whole plan and skip the extras.

And yes, if you do want action, this is the section where the cruise can feel like a mini adventure. Many people rate the water sports highly, and that fits the way the cruise is designed: a relaxed cruise base with add-on thrills for those who want them.

Drinks and lunch at sea: keep expectations realistic

Included drinks are part of the fun. You can plan on beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water during the cruise time, plus coffee. The vibe is casual, like you’re spending an afternoon with a crew that keeps things moving.

At the same time, it is smart to keep expectations grounded. Some people loved the drinks, while others felt the drinks were more budget than what they hoped for. If you are a spirits-first cocktail person, you should expect that you will pay extra for stronger options, since cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included.

For lunch, the included meal is chicken wrap with pasta salad, and the cruise is also described as serving a Canarian buffet lunch style. Either way, you’re getting a proper on-board meal, not just a cookie and juice. If you have dietary requirements, make sure you communicate them when booking, because that is how you get the right meal handled.

Who should book this cruise, and who might not love it

This fits best if you want:

• A half-day plan that does not chew up your whole day
• Real water time with swimming and snorkelling
• A simple, included lunch and drinks
• A relaxed cruise with optional add-on adventure

You might want to look elsewhere if:

• You hate the idea of optional extras with extra costs
• You only want land-based sightseeing and do not care about swimming or snorkelling
• You are expecting premium dining or high-end alcohol included in the price

It also helps to match the timing with your trip style. At 2:30 pm start, it is a great choice when you want to avoid a full morning commitment. You can do a late lunch on board and still have a relaxed evening after returning.

One more rule matters: minimum drinking age is 18. If you are travelling with teens, plan around that.

Family note: children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate. But because there are water activities and optional sports, you should consider how comfortable your group is with water-based fun.

Quick checklist to make the afternoon smoother

Use this to plan your day so you are not scrambling at the last minute:

• If you get pickup, check your transport email at least 24 hours before departure and confirm the pick-up time and central location.
• If you go to the port yourself, arrive 30 minutes before 2:30 pm departure.
• Share dietary requirements when you book.
• If you plan to do optional water sports, think about having travel insurance.
• Bring your energy for a swim and snorkel stop, because that is the heart of the itinerary.

Should you book the Afrikat Afternoon Cruise?

I think you should book it if you want a low-effort afternoon that mixes coastline cruising with a real swim and snorkel stop, and you value that lunch and drinks are included in the ticket. For most people, it is a solid value because you are getting more than transport, you are getting the core water activities built in.

I would hesitate if you know you will skip swimming and snorkelling, or if you are nervous about optional water sports and would rather avoid any extra-risk activities. In that case, you might get a better fit from a land-focused tour or a different style of cruise.

If you do book, plan your expectations around what is included, then decide calmly whether you want to pay for the extra thrills like jet ski or parasailing.

FAQ

How long is the Afrikat Afternoon Cruise?

It runs for about 4 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the cruise start?

The start time is 2:30 pm.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It leaves from Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria at C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and return transport from your hotel is included, but it depends on your area and uses centralised pickup points in the South of the island.

Are pickup options available from Salobre, Puerto Rico or Mogan?

No, pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico or Mogan.

Is a meal included on board?

Yes. The included meal is chicken wrap with pasta salad. You should advise dietary requirements at booking.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.

Is snorkelling included, and do I need to bring equipment?

Snorkelling is part of the experience, equipment is provided, and there is a chance to swim and snorkel during the anchored stop.

What optional water sports cost extra?

Jet ski is €32 per vehicle, parasailing is €32 per person, and the donut ride is €10 per person. A speedboat ride with the captain is €5 per person.

Are there age restrictions for drinking alcohol?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 18 years.