Four hours on the sea sounds simple, until you add lunch in a quiet bay and water activities on your schedule. This catamaran cruise around Gran Canaria’s south coast (Gran Canaria, Spain) mixes sailing views, animal-spotting opportunities, and an actual swim stop instead of a quick photo break.

I love the way the crew keeps things upbeat without turning the trip into a loud circus. I also like that the value is built in with lunch and drinks, plus a banana boat ride depending on the pack you choose. In practice, it’s one of those days that’s easy for you to plan around even if you’re not a hardcore sailor.

One thing to consider: sea conditions can affect comfort. One recent passenger noted that choppy water made many people sick, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, bring medication and be ready with a plan.

Key Points You Should Know Before You Go

• Lunch + drinks are included, not just snacks, and you’ll also have time to swim after anchoring.
• Marine life is a bonus, with chances to see dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, but sightings aren’t guaranteed.
• Underwater viewing helps you make the most of the stop even if the sea is calmer than expected.
• Banana boat ride is part of the experience, and you’ll have additional water-activity options on board.
• Crew energy matters, and you may get a guide-style presence from staff like Sergio, Abdera, or Yeray.

Sailing From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria on the Princesa Ico

Your day starts at Puerto Rico – Puerto Base, close to the gas station. The boat name is Princesa Ico, and that helps if you’re arriving by bus or on foot and just need to find one specific vessel.

This is a 4-hour coastal loop, so it’s long enough to feel like a real excursion, but short enough that it won’t steal your entire day from beach time on land. You’ll spend meaningful chunks sailing, plus a dedicated anchor stop where you can get in the water.

If you’re thinking this is just about “being on a boat,” you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The trip is built around sea time that feels active, with music on board and activities that can match different energy levels.

The South-Coast Route: Cliffs, Bays, and Wildlife That Might Appear

From Puerto Rico, the cruise traces the south coast with scenic views and coastal cliffs. You also pass by areas where you might catch glimpses of the kind of coastline that makes Gran Canaria so famous for its dramatic edges rather than postcard flat beaches.

Along the route, you might see flying fish, turtles, and dolphins. The important word here is might—the tour doesn’t promise animal sightings. Still, one highlight from multiple departures is that you can sometimes be surrounded by dolphins within the first stretch, which is the kind of moment you can’t fake with a camera screen.

The cruise also includes a stop in the Mogán area. Mogán is known for its maritime vibe, and the way the schedule works gives you a sense of moving through different coastal moods rather than staring at the same scenery the whole time.

Glass-Bottom Viewing and Underwater Vision: Making the Stop Work

Even if the water is calm, it helps to have a plan for what you’ll do during downtime. This is where the glass-bottom boat ride (and the underwater viewing setup) earns its keep.

You’ll have time on the glass-bottom portion to admire what’s happening below the surface—fish and seabed scenery are the whole point. Then, once you anchor in the exclusive bay, you can use underwater vision to see fish from above as well, which is a nice bridge between “boat trip” and “water adventure.”

This matters for you because it reduces the risk of a disappointing day. If you’re not in a snorkeling mood, you can still enjoy the water visually—and you can focus on relaxing on deck with a drink while you watch what’s under you.

Your Anchor Bay Lunch Stop: Swim Time Plus a Built-In Break

The best part of this kind of cruise is usually what happens after you anchor. Here, you’ll stop in an exclusive bay and serve lunch, with time to swim and do water activities.

This is the part that makes the trip feel complete: you get a meal with the sea around you, not a rushed snack while the boat keeps moving. One strong detail from the experience is that the swim window can feel like the longest and most comfortable part of the day, which is great if you want real water time rather than a quick dip.

You can also admire sea life from the water through the underwater vision setup. And since the bay is described as exclusive, the whole moment tends to feel calmer than a busy beach with constant foot traffic.

Practical tip: bring reef-friendly sunscreen if you have it, and wear something you can rinse off easily after swimming. The day is short enough that small comfort choices make a big difference.

Banana Boat Fun and Optional Add-Ons on Board

The trip includes a banana boat ride, and it’s one of those activities that’s fun even if you’re not an adrenaline person. The ride length can vary—one passenger said theirs was short—so treat it as a playful extra rather than a full-length thrill session.

Beyond that, you may have options like jetski and parasailing, which aren’t included but can be purchased on the boat. This is useful for you because it lets you decide based on your budget and how brave your group feels once you’re already out at sea.

Some departures also add an optional cave experience. In the feedback you’ll see references to a cave tour add-on that was priced separately (for example, around €10 for one rider). If that’s offered on your day, it can be a cool change of pace from straight swimming.

If you’re traveling with mixed ages or different skill levels, the mix of relaxed deck time, swimming, and optional thrills is a big advantage. You can keep it chill or turn it more active without needing to plan a separate activity on land.

Food and Drinks: Basic vs Full Park (And What You Get)

This tour is designed so you don’t have to think too hard about meals. Lunch is included in the overall experience, and drinks are part of the package.

What changes is the pack you choose:

• Basic Pack: water and soft drinks.
• Full Park: beer, mojito, plus a meal set that can include salad, paella, and wrinkled potatoes, along with the banana tour.

If you choose the Full Park option, you’ll likely feel like you’ve paid for a “proper day out” rather than a short excursion with extras. Several people also highlighted that drinks were served well and that the food was more than passable.

There are also a couple of small but memorable touches mentioned in feedback. One person noted free shots on the way back, which might depend on the specific departure, but it tells you the crew is willing to add a little fun flavor to the end of the trip.

Seat note: one review mentioned an extra €10 charge to sit on middle beds. I can’t promise this will happen for every sailing, but it’s worth assuming seating can have tiers. If you care about exact comfort, arrive early so you can choose before the best options fill up.

Getting There: Puerto Rico Pick-Up Options and Timing Reality

Meeting point is clear: Puerto Rico – Puerto Base, close from the gas station, on Princesa Ico. If you don’t want to deal with getting to the port on your own, you can also choose optional pick-ups.

Optional pick-up times listed include:

• Clinica Roca (San Agustin) at 9:10
• Hotel Tropical (Playa del Ingles) at 9:20
• C.C. Yumbo (Playa del Ingles) at 10:00
• Gran Casino Costa Meloneras at 10:10

Why this matters: since the tour duration is 4 hours, being on time keeps your day relaxed. You don’t want to start with stress, especially if you’re prone to seasickness or you’re traveling with kids.

On the onboard language side, you’ll have Spanish and English. That’s helpful if your group includes someone who doesn’t speak Spanish, since you can still catch the guide-style explanations without guessing.

Value Check: Is $47 Worth It for This Kind of Time?

For a $47 per person trip lasting about 4 hours, the value comes from what’s actually included: lunch, drinks, and a banana boat ride. When you add in the glass-bottom viewing and the longer swim stop, it starts to look like a packed half-day rather than a basic sightseeing boat.

The biggest value signal is that you’re not just paying for transportation. You’re paying for time on the water plus a planned onboard routine. That routine includes food, drink choices depending on your pack, and multiple ways to enjoy the sea—swimming, underwater viewing, and optional activities.

The trade-off is that wildlife is not guaranteed, and sea conditions can shift comfort. Also, extra activities like jetski and parasailing can increase the total spend if you choose them.

So here’s the honest way to look at it: you’re paying for a structured sea day with built-in pleasures. If you’re aiming for silence, solitude, and zero movement, this won’t be that. If you want a fun, easy day with real water time, it’s priced to work.

Who This Boat Trip Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This works especially well for:

• Families who want something lively but not complicated
• Teen groups who will enjoy the banana boat and optional thrills
• Sea lovers who like animal-spotting chances and underwater viewing
• People who don’t want to plan a full day of activities on land

It can be less ideal if you:

• Are very sensitive to motion sickness (bring a remedy just in case)
• Want a quiet, ultra-romantic boat experience rather than a social outing
• Only want guaranteed wildlife sightings (because dolphins and turtles are possible, not promised)

Comfort-wise, feedback suggests there are comfy chairs and sun decks, with people enjoying the ability to relax on board. Still, if you’re choosing between comfort and activity, lean toward the deck early and save your energy for the swim stop.

Should You Book the Princesa Ico Coastal Boat Trip?

Yes, I think you should book it if you want an easy half-day sea plan from Puerto Rico with lunch and drinks included, plus real time to swim. The mix of sailing views, underwater viewing, and banana boat fun hits a lot of travel styles at once.

I’d hold off or pack extra caution if you know you get seasick. And if you care a lot about paying for only what you’ll use, double-check what’s included in your chosen pack before you get tempted by optional activities.

If your goal is a low-effort day with sea views, good vibes from the crew, and a chance at dolphins, this is a strong bet in Gran Canaria.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip from Puerto Rico?

The tour duration is 4 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes the tour boat with a pack option. The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks. The Full Park includes beer and mojito, plus lunch items such as salad, paella, and wrinkled potatoes, and it also includes the banana ride.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included, served when the boat anchors in the bay.

Can I swim or do water activities during the trip?

Yes. After anchoring in the bay, you’ll have time to swim and do water activities. Snorkeling and water sports are described as possible.

Are dolphins, turtles, or other animals guaranteed?

No. You may occasionally see flying fish, turtles, and dolphins, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I purchase jetski or parasailing on the boat?

Yes. Jetski and parasailing are possible to purchase on the boat.

Where do I meet the boat?

Go to Puerto Rico – Puerto Base near the gas station. The boat is named Princesa Ico.

Is the trip wheelchair accessible, and what languages are spoken?

The activity is wheelchair accessible, and the host or greeter speaks Spanish and English.