Afrikat Morning Cruise

A catamaran morning on Gran Canaria is a great way to start. You get a half-day cruise along the coast, then a proper swim and snorkel stop, plus lunch and drinks on board. For me, two standouts are the relaxed luxury feel and the value of having beer, sangria, and lunch included in a 4.5-hour outing. One thing to plan for: if you want the fastest, most action-packed water activities, the big add-ons come at extra cost.

You’ll also want to check timing and pickup details carefully, because departures shift by season and collection only runs from set meeting points in the south.

Key things I’d zero in on

• Luxury catamaran, 4 to 4.5 hours on the water with time to lounge and enjoy the coastline
• Included drinks plus a lunch meal, so you are not doing mental math mid-cruise
• Swim and snorkel in a calm anchoring bay, with optional water sports available to add on
• Water-sport upgrades are pay-as-you-go, including jet skis, parasailing, and donut rides
• Fixed pickup points in the south only, not from Salobre, Puerto Rico or Mogan
• Small-ish max group size (66), which keeps it from feeling like a cattle call

Entering Gran Canaria by sea, not by car

This cruise is built around a simple idea: trade traffic and timing headaches for time on the water. You depart from Puerto Base, Puerto Rico, then cruise along the island’s coastline from the deck, where you can watch passes of villages, bays, and beaches go by at a calm pace. In other words, you get the “Gran Canaria from above the waterline” experience without needing to know a single fact about the coast beforehand.

I like how this is a morning format that still feels like a full outing. Even with the half-day length, you get enough time to settle in, take photos, and then go do something physical (swim and snorkel) rather than only drifting past views.

The catamaran setup also makes it feel practical. There is open deck space for sun and a more social on-board vibe, so you can choose your pace. Want quiet time? You can do that. Want more activity? You can add it later at the swim stop.

Timing and what that means for your day

The cruise runs in a seasonal window, which matters because it affects what you do after. During summer months, departures run roughly 09:30 to 14:00. In winter, it shifts to about 10:00 to 14:30. Your booking should confirm your exact sail time, but it is smart to treat the schedule as flexible.

The day is long enough to avoid that “we rushed breakfast and now we have to rush everything else” feeling. You can eat well before pickup, then rely on the cruise for lunch and drinks. If you are the kind of traveler who likes to end the day unhurried, this format leaves you breathing room afterward.

One small logistics note that can change your experience: pickup is only available from centralized meeting points in the south of the island. If you are staying outside that area, you may need to make your own way to the start at C. Puerto Base, 1, 35130 Puerto Rico.

Meeting up at Puerto Base and the pickup reality check

Getting on board is straightforward, but details matter. You will use a mobile ticket, and you should check your transport confirmation by email about 24 hours before departure to confirm the exact pickup time and place. If you miss that email or it lands in your spam folder, you can lose the whole morning before you even reach the dock.

If you are arriving directly to Puerto Base, arrive about 20 minutes before departure. That buffer is not overkill. With morning tours, the check-in rhythm is real, and arriving early reduces stress.

Also keep in mind where pickup does not operate. It is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico or Mogan. If you see your hotel listed near those areas, double-check your pickup options before you get confident you are covered.

On-board vibe, crew energy, and the little touches

The tone on board is one of the biggest reasons people recommend this cruise. The crew is described as friendly, welcoming, and helpful, especially when it comes to keeping the day fun while also keeping things organized. Several people highlight good organization around the water activities, which is huge, because half-day cruises can get chaotic if the flow is sloppy.

Music is another recurring theme. You might hear a live saxophone or other music during part of the sailing, which adds to that “holiday mood” effect without turning it into a nightclub. One review even notes the saxophonist only played for part of the return journey, so music timing can vary. Still, it is a nice bonus compared to the usual silent-coast routine.

A few other thoughtful details show up in feedback. People mention helpful staff for seasickness, and they also mention eco-minded touches like edible straws. Those are not deal-makers, but they signal a crew that pays attention.

And yes, specific names came up. Potter is mentioned as especially great, particularly in relation to extra fun during the speedboat activities. Monica and José are praised for helpful recommendations about what to see and where to go on the island, which is a nice perk if you are using the day as part of your broader Gran Canaria plan.

Included lunch plus drinks, and why that value matters

This is one of the better “priced fairly for what you get” tours in the category. You are paying around $90.70 per person for a 4.5-hour outing, and you are not just buying the boat ride. You also get lunch plus a steady set of drinks.

On board, drinks include beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. That alone can save money if you planned to buy a drink somewhere else later. It also changes the feel of the day, because you can relax without constantly thinking about what you will spend next.

Lunch is chicken wrap with pasta salad. For special dietary requirements, you need to communicate in advance. Reviews include cases where vegetarian options were handled well, and that sort of flexibility is worth asking about during booking if you have dietary needs.

One more point that affects satisfaction: while beer and sangria are included, premium alcohol like champagne and spirits are not. In one birthday-related review, champagne was gifted as a nice extra, but treat that as a bonus, not a standard part of the package.

Food quality is mostly seen as good, but not every meal is perfect. One review calls the food average and notes sangria was more like juice. That might sound picky, but on a cruise where the main value is the sea time, I think that mismatch is the one realistic trade-off you should accept.

The cruise, the swim stop, and what to expect in the bay

The heart of this tour is the sailing and then the anchored swim time. After cruising from Puerto Base along the coast, the catamaran anchors in a calm, clear bay. This is when you swap sea-sitting for actual water time.

You have the option to swim and snorkel. Snorkel equipment is provided, and the operator recommends that you bring your own gear if you want it to fit exactly how you like. If you are sensitive about mask fit, bringing your own is one of those small upgrades that pays off.

Practical advice: pack a swimsuit you can wear under your cover-up or T-shirt, because you will lose time trying to change later. Also bring sunscreen and something to protect your phone if you plan to take pics in the water. Even with provided equipment, the comfort factor comes down to what you brought with you.

Water time is also where you decide if you want “quiet cruise” or “full send” activity. If you only want to swim and snorkel, you can do that. If you want speed and thrills, the bay is your launch point for paid extras.

Water sports and the add-on menu (what costs extra)

At the swim stop, you can choose from multiple water activities. These are not included in the main price, but they are available at a special discounted rate. If you are budget-minded, you can treat these as choose-your-own-adventure moments.

Here are the stated add-on prices:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Speedboat ride with the captain: €5 per person (paid add-on)

A key tip: think in terms of how many people are sharing a jet ski. Since the price is per vehicle, your cost can change a lot depending on whether you ride together or separately.

Also note something subtle from feedback: some people expected more cruising time on the catamaran itself and felt the water-sports portion was shorter than imagined. That does not mean the trip is short overall, because the full experience is still about 4.5 hours, but it does mean your personal satisfaction depends on how much you want deck time versus on-water action.

If you want the best experience for the money, I’d pick at least one add-on, then keep one “free” option for pure relaxing. The best days are usually the ones where you are not exhausted from choice overload.

Crew support, seasickness, and comfort choices

If you worry about motion, you are not alone. At least one review notes that a mother experienced seasickness and the staff were helpful. That is a good sign that the crew understands what happens on open water and knows how to respond quickly.

Even if you do not get seasick, the comfort factor matters. Wear shoes you can stand and walk in on board. Bring a light layer if you get chilly, especially during sea breezes. And keep your valuables secure while you are swimming, because you will be thinking about enjoying the water, not managing stress.

This is also where the group size helps. With up to 66 travelers, it is big enough to feel lively but small enough that the crew can still manage the flow.

Who this trip fits best, and who might not love it

This cruise fits best if you want:

• a morning break from driving,
• time for swimming and snorkeling,
• included lunch plus included beer and sangria,
• and optional upgrades if you feel like playing.

It is also described as suitable for most travelers, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum drinking age is 18, so alcohol is an option for adults, but the vibe stays family-friendly in the sense that the activity is outdoors and social.

Where it might not fit perfectly:

• If you want a deeply detailed sightseeing itinerary with lots of stops on land, this is mostly a sea-based experience with one main anchoring swim and water-activity period.
• If you are allergic to uncertainty about timing, note that exact sail times and music timing can vary by season and by trip day.
• If you hate paying for any extras, remember that the biggest thrill rides like jet skis and parasailing cost extra.

Price and overall value for a 4.5-hour catamaran day

At about $90.70 per person, you are paying for the boat, the staff, the included drinks, and the included lunch, plus time in the water. In many other “half-day” experiences, drinks and lunch are basic add-ons or separate purchases.

Here, the included set is what makes it good value. If you normally spend on a couple of drinks and a meal during a morning outing, the included beer, sangria, coffee, and lunch help you feel like you got your money’s worth before you even start the add-on menu.

That said, the value depends on your style. If you do only the included swim and snorkeling, you should feel satisfied. If you add jet skis, parasailing, or speedboat rides, your total goes up, but you are also turning the day into a more action-packed experience.

Also remember: you can snorkel and swim without buying anything extra. So the financial risk is lower if you decide on the spot.

Should you book Afrikat Morning Cruise?

I would book it if you want an easy, relaxing morning that still gives you water time and included food and drinks. The combination of luxury catamaran sailing, a clear swim bay, and the included drinks is exactly the kind of simple plan that saves effort and boosts enjoyment.

Skip it or shop around if your top priority is a land-based sightseeing day, or if you are expecting the highest proportion of pure sailing time with no water-sports focus. Also check your pickup situation early, because pickup only runs from centralized points in the south, and it is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico or Mogan.

If you do book, my practical advice is to:

• confirm your pickup email 24 hours ahead,
• arrive early if you are going directly to Puerto Base,
• bring swim essentials and sunscreen,
• and decide ahead of time whether you want one paid add-on or none.

Done right, this cruise is a half-day you will remember for the sea time, the easy onboard vibe, and the fact that your lunch and drinks are already handled.