Gran Canaria: Fun Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks

Small boat fun can beat big plans. This Afrikat cruise pairs a scenic catamaran ride with serious time in the water along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. It also layers in lunch and an onboard drinks flow that makes the day feel easy.

I especially love the vibe: the crew stays upbeat, and the boat feels clean and not too crowded. I also like the structure of the stop at Mogán, because you get a proper lunch break plus real swim and snorkel time with gear provided.

One thing to consider is that optional activities depend on the day and conditions. I’ve seen cases where jet ski plans didn’t work, so think of extras as a bonus, not the core of the experience.

Key Things I’d Book This For

• Unlimited beer, sangria, and soft drinks plus coffee and water, served during the cruise
• A focused Mogán stop for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling in clear water
• Snorkeling equipment is available, so you are not scrambling for gear
• Fun crew energy, with hosts like Potter, Nikita, Matt, and even a sax player on some days
• Optional water sports like jet ski, parasailing, and speedboat rides at extra cost

Why This 4.5-Hour Afrikat Catamaran Works

This is the kind of half-day outing that fits real vacation life. You get sea air, sun time, good food, and water play without spending your whole day in transit.

At $88 per person, the price makes sense when you look at what you get bundled: a catamaran cruise, lunch, unlimited drinks, and snorkeling gear available. Then you get the option to add higher-energy rides if you want them.

The best part is that it feels flexible. Even if you skip the paid extras, you still get swimming and snorkeling, plus enough time to relax on deck.

Pickup and Getting Started From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

Your day starts with a long list of pickup options in Gran Canaria’s south, with shuttle service pulling from centralized meeting points. That matters because you can usually get to the catamaran without hunting for parking or timing public transport.

The coach ride is about 1 hour before you reach Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, then there’s a 10-minute safety briefing. It’s not a long, stuffy lecture, and it sets you up quickly for what comes next.

Practical tip: bring what you need for getting warm fast. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and swimwear ready to go save you time once you’re on board.

The Catamaran Cruise: Coast Views With a Real Sense of Timing

Once you’re on the water, the cruise delivers what most people hope for: breeze, sun, and coast views. You’ll cruise along the southwestern coastline, with beaches, cliffs, and coves sliding by while the day gets into holiday mode.

The timing is built so the day doesn’t drag. After the catamaran portion, you move into the main activity block at Mogán, which helps you avoid that common problem where you spend most of your time “waiting for the good part.”

The boat experience also tends to feel comfortable. In multiple accounts, people highlight a clean catamaran with space for relaxing, plus places to sunbathe and areas with shade.

Mogán Stop: Lunch, Swimming, and Snorkeling in Clear Water

This is the heart of the tour. At Mogán, you get time for lunch and then the water activities, including swimming and snorkeling with gear provided.

Lunch is served onboard, prepared by the crew, and it’s not just a snack. The menu centers on a chicken wrap, with optional bacon bits, plus salad and sauces, and there’s also pasta salad for special dietary requirements when you communicate in advance.

For snorkeling, you’ll have equipment available. The point is simple: you do not need to be a marine expert to enjoy it, you just need to bring your swim gear and pay attention to the crew’s safety and positioning.

One neat detail I like: if you feel unsure in the water, the crew’s tone tends to be friendly and supportive. In real situations, they’ve also helped when someone in a group needed comfort around seasickness.

Optional Water Sports: What They Cost and How to Think About Them

The tour includes snorkeling and swimming time, but many of the extra “adrenaline” options are add-ons. If you want them, you’ll pay extra, and the day’s conditions can affect what’s available.

Here’s what’s listed as not included:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasail: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Speedboat ride with the captain: €5 per person

There are also examples of heavily discounted water sports offered at the stop, so it’s worth asking what deals are running that day. Just don’t assume every option will be operating perfectly.

If jet ski is your top priority, keep expectations flexible. Some days it can be unavailable or not working, even when everything else runs smoothly. I’d treat the included water time as your main plan, then add extras if they’re available.

Drinks On Board: Unlimited Beer, Sangria, and a Surprisingly Fun Bar Flow

The onboard bar is one of the big reasons this feels like more than a standard boat trip. You get unlimited drinks including beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.

You also get a reusable drinking glass souvenir, which is a small detail but a nice touch. More importantly, it keeps things from feeling transactional all afternoon.

A standout from feedback: some people mention the fun of being able to pour their own beer. That kind of hands-on setup usually means faster service and less standing around waiting for someone to bring your drink.

If you’re not focused on alcohol, the non-alcohol options cover you too. Coffee and juice are on the list, and water is always part of the unlimited flow.

The Food: What You Eat, When You Eat, and Why It Matters

A lot of boat tours feed you something that barely counts as lunch. This one aims higher, with the crew cooking or serving a real meal you can build a day around.

The base lunch is a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces. There’s also pasta salad for special dietary requirements if you let them know ahead of time, which you should do as early as you can.

This matters because the afternoon is outdoors and active. When you eat something filling before you snorkel and swim, you feel better and stay comfortable longer.

One more practical note: pack light and plan to rinse off later. You’ll be in swimsuits, so think about how you’ll dry gear after the water time.

Boat Comfort: Shade, Clean Decks, and a Crew That Runs the Day

Even when I’m chasing adventure, I still want basic comfort. This cruise tends to deliver on the basics people care about: clean boat, room to relax, and staff who manage the flow.

You’ll usually find sunbathing spots, and there’s also shade so you can cool down. That helps a lot in Gran Canaria sunshine, especially if you plan to do multiple water activities.

The crew energy shows up again and again in feedback. Hosts and guides like Potter, Nikita, and Matt get specifically mentioned for being friendly and funny, and that kind of atmosphere can turn a routine excursion into a memory you keep.

If you’re traveling with kids, that same group attention can be a plus. People note that even younger family members were handled with care during the water activities.

Live Music on Fridays, Plus a Sax Player Moment

Not every day has entertainment beyond the crew. The info notes live music only on Friday morning, and it is not on 27 February.

When music does happen, people have mentioned a sax player onboard, with classic songs performed during the trip. It’s not the main reason to book, but it adds a sweet layer when your day lines up with Friday morning.

Who Should Book This Cruise, and Who Might Skip It

This tour is ideal if you want a fun, low-stress half-day with water time. It’s great for couples, friend groups, and families who want sun, swimming, and snorkeling without planning or renting a boat.

You’ll also like it if you enjoy a social vibe. The crew interaction and upbeat tone can make the cruise feel lively, especially during the lunch and drink stretch.

You might skip it if you want a private, quiet boat experience. This one leans toward fun group energy, and while people say it often feels not overly crowded, it is still a shared outing.

Also skip if you only care about one specific paid activity. Treat jet ski or parasailing as optional, not guaranteed.

Practical Tips That Make a Big Difference

Bring what the water day demands. Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and your camera.

You’ll also want cash or a bank card for optional water sports, souvenirs, or photo extras. The included items are solid, but the adds can pop up fast once people see what’s running.

Seasickness can happen to anyone, even on a catamaran. If you feel off, tell the crew early, because there are examples of staff helping a sea-sick person in the group.

Finally, plan your photos and swim timing. Once you’re in the bay, you’ll want pockets of calm time to snorkel and watch what’s happening underwater, not just rush from spot to spot.

Should You Book the Afrikat Fun Catamaran Cruise?

If you want an outdoors-heavy day with unlimited drinks, a real meal, and included snorkeling time, I think this is an easy yes. The value is strongest when you’ll actually use the drinks and take the water time seriously.

I’d book it if you like a mix of relaxing and active, plus a crew that keeps things moving without making it stressful. The Mogán stop is long enough to matter, and the included snorkel setup removes a common friction point.

Hold off if you only care about one paid extra like jet ski, because availability can change. Otherwise, book with the mindset of: included swim and snorkel first, extras second.

FAQ

What is the duration of the cruise?

The duration is 4.5 hours.

What food and drinks are included?

You get a meal onboard, including a chicken wrap (with optional bacon bits, salad, and sauces) and pasta salad for special dietary requirements if you communicate in advance. Drinks are unlimited and include beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is included as an option, so you can use the gear provided onboard.

Are jet ski, parasailing, or speedboat rides included?

No. Jet ski (€32 per vehicle), parasailing (€32 per person), donut ride (€10 per person), and speedboat rides with the captain (€5 per person) are not included.

Where does pickup and drop-off happen?

Pickup and drop-off happen from designated centralized areas. The info says pickup is not from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, and Mogan, so your meeting point will depend on the listed locations.

Is there live music during the trip?

Live music is only on Friday morning, and it is not on 27 February.