A catamaran day that actually feels fun. This Afrikat cruise turns the coast of Gran Canaria into a half-day playground: you sail out with sea breeze, then spend real time in a crystal-clear bay for swimming and snorkelling.

I especially like the unlimited beer and sangria vibe. You’re not stuck waiting for a drink cart. The crew keeps things moving, and at least one guest even noted the option to tap your own beer on board.

My other big win is the simple, satisfying meal and drinks included plan. You get lunch cooked by the crew (a chicken wrap, with bacon bits optional, plus pasta salad for special diets if you communicate in advance), plus snorkelling equipment if you want it. One possible drawback: several of the flashier water options cost extra, and some activities may not run every day.

Key points at a glance

• Unlimited beer and sangria plus soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water from the onboard bar
• Swim and snorkel time in a crystal-clear bay with gear provided
• Lunch included (chicken wrap for most, pasta salad for special dietary requirements if arranged ahead)
• Optional add-ons cost extra, like jet ski and parasailing
• Crew energy matters: people consistently mention a fun, organized atmosphere with named staff like Potter, Nikita, and Matt
• Live music shows up only on Friday morning, so plan around that if it’s a must for you

A proper half-day on the water, built around you getting wet

This trip feels designed for the middle of a beach holiday: you want sun, a bit of adventure, and a stress-free schedule. The catamaran part matters because you actually travel along the southwestern coastline of Gran Canaria, taking in beaches, cliffs, and coves from the water.

Then the stop at Mogán is the payoff. You’re not just dropped off for a quick look. You get a long stretch of time for swimming and snorkelling, and you can also choose other water activities if you want to pay extra.

I also like how the cruise balances “party energy” with “you can relax.” The boat has places to sit in sun and shade, and people note it usually doesn’t feel overcrowded.

Getting picked up around Gran Canaria: choose your closest meeting point

The day starts with a pickup from a long list of centralized points, and the ride segment is about an hour by bus/coach. That’s helpful if you’re staying in the tourist zones around Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés area, or farther along.

Two practical notes for your planning:

• Pickup isn’t available everywhere. You’re told it won’t pick up from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico, and Mogan, even though the cruise is tied to Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria as the embarkation area.
• Bring your basics for water time from the start: sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen. You’ll want them ready before you reach the dock.

If you hate tight timing, don’t. A safety briefing happens before departure (about 10 minutes), and the overall flow is built for a smooth transition from land to boat.

From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria out into open water

Once you’re at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, you do the safety briefing, then you cruise out on a luxury catamaran. There’s about an hour on the water early in the day, which gives you time to settle in, take photos, and get that cool sea breeze.

This is the part of the trip that works even if you’re not trying to do every water activity. You can just enjoy the motion, spot coastline views from a different angle, and let the day feel like a real break from walking around heat.

Also, the boat is described as clean and spacious. That matters because a catamaran day can feel tight if you end up in a crowded layout. The vibe here is more “comfortable vacation time” than “cattle call.”

The Mogán stop: lunch, swimming, snorkelling, and optional thrill rides

The highlight chunk of your afternoon is the stop around Mogán, where you get about 2.5 hours. This is when the trip turns into water time.

Here’s what you can do during that window:

• Swim in the bay and use the snorkelling gear provided (if you choose snorkel time)
• Eat lunch served on board
• Add paid water sports if you want to level up the action

Why this stop is so important: you’re anchoring in crystal-clear water. That makes snorkelling feel worth it, and it also makes swimming more fun for people who don’t want to go far.

A couple of practical considerations:

• If you get seasick, you still have enough time for people to get settled before the stop. One review even mentioned the crew being helpful for a sea-sick member of their party.
• If you’re hoping for every possible thrill activity, stay flexible. Some water options may not run on certain days, based on what guests reported.

Food on board: chicken wraps that are actually filling

Lunch is part of the value. You’re not buying a separate meal once you’re on the water. It’s prepared for you by the crew, and the standard option is a chicken wrap with optional bacon bits, plus salad and sauces. There’s also pasta salad for special dietary requirements if you communicate in advance.

In plain terms, this is the kind of food choice that keeps the day moving. You can eat without feeling heavy, and you don’t have to leave the boat to find lunch.

One more small detail that matters on a cruise like this: staff bring orders and service around the boat. That keeps the flow easy when you’re alternating between sun, shade, and water time.

Drinks: unlimited bar value, with some clear limits

This is one of the biggest reasons the tour gets a strong rating. You get unlimited drinks onboard, including:

• beer
• sangria
• soft drinks
• juice
• coffee
• water

The tone on board is friendly and social, and people highlight the crew’s humor and entertainment style. Named staff like Potter, plus Nikita and Matt, come up in guest stories as part of the fun atmosphere.

What’s not included is also important. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. If you’re planning to drink that way, budget extra. If you’re happy sticking to beer and sangria, this tour can feel like unusually good value for a half-day on the water.

One guest also mentioned live music on board (a sax player). Live music is listed as Friday morning only, and not on 27 February, so if that’s a deciding factor, match it to your travel dates.

Optional water sports: what you can add, and what it costs

If you want “more than snorkel,” this is where you can customize. The key is knowing what costs extra upfront so you don’t get surprised.

Not included add-ons include:

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

Guests also mention that the water sports can be discounted, depending on what’s offered and what day it is. Still, I recommend you treat the base cruise as your anchor plan, then add one or two activities if they’re available.

Is it worth paying extra? If you love adrenaline and want a bigger memory than just swimming, yes. People describe jet ski as a big highlight, and at least one guest said they’d do the experience again.

Crew vibe and boat comfort: why people keep coming back

A lot of this tour’s charm isn’t the water. It’s the human part. The crew is repeatedly described as friendly, funny, organized, and safety-minded. Guests give specific shout-outs to crew members like Potter, Nikita, and Matt, which suggests the hosts are more than background staff.

The boat itself is also repeatedly mentioned as clean, with good sunbathing and shade areas. That matters because a 4.5-hour cruise can either feel relaxing or stressful depending on whether you can find a comfortable spot.

You should also know the snorkelling gear is listed as optional (meaning you can skip it and just enjoy swimming or sunbathing if you want). For many people, that flexibility is the difference between a trip you like and a trip you love.

Price and value: where $88 makes sense, and where it might not

At $88 per person for about 4.5 hours, the value comes from the combination:

• catamaran cruise experience
• lunch included
• unlimited drinks (beer, sangria, non-alcoholic drinks, coffee, water)
• snorkelling equipment provided

When you compare that to paying separately for a boat outing plus lunch plus drinks, the numbers often start to work in your favor fast, especially if you’ll actually drink beer or sangria.

Where the value can shift:

• If you plan to rely on cocktails, wine, and spirits, those aren’t included.
• If you want jet ski and parasailing and donuts and a speedboat ride, the add-ons stack quickly.

My practical take: treat this as an all-in-one water day where you decide on one “big extra” activity. That keeps the whole holiday math in balance.

Who should book this cruise (and who might skip it)

This one is a strong match if you:

• want a half-day at sea without a long, complicated plan
• like snorkelling but don’t want to organize equipment or logistics yourself
• enjoy a social cruise with a crew that keeps the mood light (Potter and the team are repeatedly mentioned)
• want included lunch and unlimited drinks

You might consider another option if you:

• only want a quiet, silent nature cruise with zero extra activities
• dislike paying for add-ons, since several thrill options are not included

It’s also listed as suitable for all ages, and people mention families and even a toddler being looked after by staff. Wheelchair accessibility is listed, too.

Should you book Afrikat’s catamaran cruise in Gran Canaria?

Yes, I’d book it if your idea of a great Gran Canaria day is sun, a real swim stop, and included lunch and drinks. The value is strongest when you’re happy with beer and sangria as your main drink choice and you’re willing to treat jet ski or parasailing as optional upgrades.

If live music matters to you, pick a departure that includes Friday morning. If you’re traveling on another day, expect the experience to still be fun and well run, but without that specific music slot.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether your group includes snorkelers or adrenaline seekers, and I’ll suggest the best way to plan your water time around the included stop.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Afrikat catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts about 4.5 hours.

Where does the cruise run from?

It departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A crew-prepared meal is included, with chicken wrap as the standard option, plus pasta salad for special dietary requirements if you arrange that in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks are included: beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water.

Are cocktails, wine, or spirits included?

No. Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included.

Is snorkelling included?

Snorkelling equipment is provided, and the trip includes time to swim and snorkel in a crystal-clear bay.

What water sports are available, and what costs extra?

Jet ski (€32 per vehicle), parasailing (€32 per person), donut (€10 per person), and a speedboat ride with the captain (€5 per person) are listed as not included.

Is there live music on board?

Live music is listed as happening on Friday morning only, and not on 27 February.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a credit card (and cash for extras or souvenirs).

Does pickup work everywhere in Gran Canaria?

Pickup is available only from specific designated locations. It is not offered from Las Palmas, Salobre, Puerto Rico and Mogan.