Salt air, sangria, and a smooth catamaran route south. This 4.5-hour trip from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria turns the island’s southwest coast into an easy, drink-in-hand playground, with snorkeling gear and water toys ready when you are.

I love the hands-on mix: snorkeling from the boat plus SUP and kayak gear for exploring above the water. I also like the onboard seasonal lunch (or tapas snacks in the afternoon) delivered fresh and served with Atlantic views.

The main catch is simple: the sea can be cool and choppy, and that affects how comfortable the day feels—so if you’re prone to sea sickness, plan for it. The value also depends on how much you actually drink, since cocktails cost extra.

Key Points That Matter

• Two water stops built into a short 4.5 hours, so you actually swim and snorkel instead of just watching the coast
• Unlimited beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water during the cruise (cocktails cost extra)
• Seasonal hot food at Tasarte on the morning option, served fresh with Canarian-style sides
• SUP boards and kayak gear plus snorkeling equipment included, not packed into a separate add-on
• Small-group feel with a crew that stays attentive and gives multi-language instructions (English, Spanish, French, German on guided departures)
• Modern catamaran comfort, with shade and sun deck space so you can shift positions easily

First Impressions: A 4.5-Hour Escape That Feels Long Enough

This is one of those Gran Canaria tours where the time math actually works. You’re out on the water long enough to swim twice, use the provided gear, and eat without rushing, and you’re back in Puerto Rico while the day still feels young.

The catamaran itself is the right kind of big: enough room that you’re not shoulder-to-shoulder, but not so large that you lose the relaxed vibe. There’s shade where you can cool down, and a sun deck where you can ride the breeze.

If you want a day that mixes active water time with an easy, social onboard rhythm—this hits that sweet spot fast.

Getting There Smoothly From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

Pickup is included for stays south of the island, and the exact pickup time is confirmed after booking. In practice, this is a real convenience: you’re transferred to the meeting point and brought back right afterward, instead of juggling taxis and timing.

One detail I really like is that the day starts with a plan. You don’t have to figure out parking, directions, or which bay to target. You just show up, towel in hand, and let the crew handle the rest.

This is also the kind of tour where your morning or afternoon timing matters. Choose the sailing that fits your energy level—swimming and water sports feel easier if you’re not already tired from a full beach day.

Drinks on Board: Unlimited Beer, Sangria, and the Non-Alcoholic Plan

On this catamaran, the included drink setup is straightforward. You get unlimited beer, sangria, plus soft drinks and water throughout the trip.

That matters for value. At $97 per person, you don’t just buy the boat ride—you’re buying time on the water with meals and drinks included. If you plan to mostly sip sangria and beer, the math feels easy. If you’re mostly sticking to non-alcoholic choices, the trip can still be great, but you’re buying more of the activity and less of the drinking side.

Either way, you’ll find the crew keeps offering drinks during the main cruise stretches and around the water stops. It keeps the mood light and the hours moving.

Cruising the Southwest Coast: What You See While You’re Not Wet

Once you leave Puerto Rico, you head along the island’s south and southwest coastline. You’ll spot coves and beaches along the way, and the boat moves at a calm cruising pace that doesn’t make everyone immediately exhausted.

This cruising time is more than filler. It sets you up for the stops: you get oriented to the coastline, see how sheltered the bays are, and start clocking where you’ll likely want to swim when the crew gives the go-ahead.

Also, being on a catamaran helps. The ride feels stable compared with smaller boats, and that’s a comfort boost if you’re wary of choppy water.

Stop Outside Mogán: Snorkeling Gear and First Swim Time

Your first real splash usually happens near the area of Mogán, outside the town. This is where the tour earns its keep: you don’t just look at the water, you get time to get in it.

Snorkeling gear is included, so you can gear up right there on the boat and swim when you reach the spot. You’ll also have SUP boards and a kayak option available, which lets you explore even if you don’t want to spend all your time underwater.

The water can be cool, even in warmer months. Don’t let that scare you, but do expect that first step back into the sea to feel brisk. If you’re the type who needs time to warm up, bring a towel and plan for a slower start.

Stop at Tasarte: Fresh Food With Real Ocean Views

The second stop is tied to eating, and that’s where this trip feels especially “worth it” compared with many cruise-style tours. For the morning option, lunch is freshly prepared and served hot at the beach of Tasarte.

The food follows a simple Canarian pattern: seafood or chicken as the main dish, then a side mix that makes the meal feel local rather than generic. Menu items you can expect include filet of tuna or breaded chicken, plus salad and Canarian potatoes with mild mojo sauce, with bread on the side.

A cool detail: the crew brings food to the boat from a local restaurant, and on at least some departures it’s delivered in a way that matches the action—food arrives as part of the day’s water rhythm, not from a slow, separate service line. You eat with open sea views, not in some back room.

For the afternoon option, the food changes to light tapas-style snacks instead of the full lunch, but you still get the same overall idea: eat after your swim time, not before it.

Water Toys Included: SUP and Kayak Beat Waiting Around

This is one of the best setups you can get in a short Gran Canaria half-day. You’re not just handed a schedule. You’re handed gear.

With SUP boards and a kayak included, you can choose your style:

• Want an easy, scenic glide? Take the SUP.
• Want close-to-the-coast exploring? Use the kayak.

Snorkeling gear fills the third lane. Even if you only try one activity, you’ll still feel like you had a real day on the water because the stops are long enough to make each option practical.

There are also optional add-ons if you want more adrenaline, like jet ski or parasailing setups arranged onboard. These cost extra, but it’s nice that the option exists if your group has different energy levels.

On-Board Comfort: Shade, Deck Space, and a Crew That Stays Present

Catamarans are great when they’re set up for comfort, and this one is. There’s plenty of space to lie down or sit, and there are enough covered areas that you can cool off when the sun gets serious.

What really sells it, though, is crew attention. I like a team that gives clear instructions and checks that everyone understands how to use the gear and how to get in and out safely.

Depending on the departure, you may hear instructions in English, Spanish, and also French or German. On some trips, skippers and crew mentioned by name include Michelle, Callan, and Raul, and the vibe is consistent: friendly, practical, not pushy.

Food Reality Check: Seasonal Menu, Canarian Staples

The menu is fresh and seasonal, so you won’t get a fixed script. That said, you can expect Canarian-style flavors and a meal that’s built for the sea day: proteins plus potatoes, salad, bread, and sauce.

The Canarian potatoes with mild mojo sauce are the type of side that actually makes lunch feel like it belongs to Gran Canaria. It’s not just something to fill space between swims.

Also, this is not a tiny portion. Most people come away thinking there was enough food to satisfy a day that includes active water time. If you’re picky about sauces, just know mojo can bring a bit of tang and spice—mild in this case, but it still has character.

What If You Get Sea-Sick?

If you’re sensitive to motion, don’t ignore it. Even though the catamaran ride is stable, a few people have reported feeling sea sickness on certain days.

My practical advice is to come prepared. If you normally need sea-sickness tablets, take them before you’re out on the open water. Also, sit where the motion feels less intense—often toward the center and not right at the extremes of the boat.

Wildlife and Small Surprises: Don’t Plan on It, But Enjoy It

Sometimes the ocean gives bonus moments. On one return trip, the crew reportedly went off course to spot a whale surfacing, and some groups have had dolphin sightings too.

You can’t count on it, but the key is that the crew seems alert and responsive when wildlife shows up. That’s the kind of operational detail that turns a good trip into a memorable one.

Price and Value: Is $97 a Good Deal?

For $97 per person over 4.5 hours, the value comes from three bundled parts: boat time, included water activities, and included food plus drinks.

You’re getting:

• Catamaran cruise along the south/southwest coast
• Unlimited beer and sangria, plus soft drinks and water
• Snorkeling gear
• SUP and kayak gear
• A full lunch on the morning sailing, or tapas-style snacks on the afternoon sailing

If you’d otherwise pay separately for boat access, meal, and rentals, this starts to look like a tidy package. The only downside is that cocktails cost extra, and if you don’t drink alcohol at all, you’ll feel less of the pricing advantage.

Still, even for non-drinkers, the included gear and two swimming opportunities make it a strong choice.

Who This Trip Suits Best (And Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This is a great fit if you want:

• Active downtime without planning
• Real swimming and snorkeling time
• Included food and drinks
• A comfortable catamaran with room to move

It’s especially good for couples, small families, and friend groups where not everyone wants the same water activity. One person can snorkel while another uses the SUP or kayak, and the trip still runs smoothly.

If you want a long, in-depth island tour on land, this isn’t that. This is a sea-day. You’re choosing water time over scenic drives and guided history.

Should You Book This Gran Canaria Catamaran Day Trip?

If you’re deciding between doing it yourself and taking a guided catamaran day, I’d lean toward booking—especially because the water stops and included gear are the core experience. The mix of swimming, snorkeling, SUP, and an ocean-view meal is hard to replicate with the same ease.

Book it if you’ll actually use the included water toys and if drinks are part of your vacation rhythm. If you mostly want quiet, no-water-gear fun, you might find another low-key beach or shore experience more your speed.

Overall, I think this is a high-value half-day in the south of Gran Canaria: comfortable boat, genuinely included activities, and food that tastes like it belongs to the island.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran day trip?

It lasts about 4.5 hours.

Where does the trip start?

It departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria.

What drinks are included?

Soft drinks, beer, sangria, and water are included.

Is lunch included, and what’s the difference between morning and afternoon?

For the morning option, you get a seasonal lunch. For the afternoon option, you get light tapas-style snacks.

What water activities are included?

Snorkeling gear is included, along with SUP boards and a kayak.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring a towel. Everything else for the included water activities is provided.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for locations south of the island, and the exact pickup time is confirmed after booking.

What languages does the guide use?

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

What happens if the sea conditions are rough?

The trip is subject to sea and weather conditions for safety.