A catamaran morning on Gran Canaria passes fast. You cruise out of Puerto Rico toward a calm, crystal-clear bay, then get time to swim and snorkel from the deck on a luxury catamaran with lunch and drinks waiting onboard.

Two things I really like: you get proper time on the water, not just a quick photo stop, and the included drinks keep the mood easy as you sail past villages, bays, and beaches. The main catch is lunch is simple, and a few people have found it only average compared to the rest of the experience.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• 4.5-hour format that mixes cruising with a real swim and snorkel stop
• Drinks included: beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water
• Optional add-ons like jet skis, parasailing, and a donut ride at listed extra costs
• Snorkel setup available, but bringing your own gear is recommended
• Max 66 people, so it feels more social than crowded
• Crew-led energy and music, including live sounds at points during the cruise

Why This Gran Canaria Morning Cruise Feels Like Real Time Off

This is the kind of tour that works for busy vacation schedules. A morning block on the water means you can still keep your afternoon for beaches, viewpoints, or a casual meal in town. The format also makes sense for Gran Canaria: the coast scenery is good from the deck, and the best part is the pause in a calm bay where you can actually get in the water.

Afrikat is positioned as a luxury catamaran cruise, and that shows in the way the day is paced. You are not forced into constant activities. You can lounge, take in the views, then choose your level of action at the anchoring stop.

The onboard vibe is a big part of why this tour earns repeat interest. Reviews highlight friendly crew service, a social feel for solo travelers, and music that adds energy. If you like a light party mood without it becoming a full chaos situation, this is a solid fit.

Price and Value: What $90.70 Covers (and What Costs Extra)

At $90.70 per person, you are not just paying for a boat ride. You’re paying for a half-day experience with several real inclusions that usually cost extra on other tours.

Here is what is built in:

• Boat trip for about 4.5 hours
• Drinks included: beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water
• A lunch meal onboard (chicken wrap with pasta salad, with dietary options if arranged)
• Return transport from centralized pickup points in the South (pickup is area-dependent)

What costs extra:

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

So the value question becomes simple: if you want to do swimming and you’re happy with optional add-ons, you get a lot for the price. If you want multiple paid water sports, the total can climb, but you can control that by choosing just one extra activity.

Meeting Point and Pickup: Puerto Base Timing That Actually Matters

The cruise departs from C. Puerto Base, 1, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain. The itinerary is designed for a morning slot, and the start time shifts by season:

• Summer: typically 09:30 to 14:00
• Winter: typically 10:00 to 14:30

If you’re using pickup, you must check your transport details by email about 24 hours before departure to confirm the exact pickup time and place. Pickup is only from centralized points in the South of the island, and it is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan. If you are staying near Puerto Base and you go on your own, arrive about 20 minutes before departure.

This is worth planning for. Early timing matters on boat tours, because boarding runs on a tight schedule. If you miss that window, you lose the day.

The Morning Cruise Out of Puerto Rico: Deck Views Without the Stress

Once aboard, the day starts with a coastline cruise. You head out from Puerto Base and sail along the shore, passing scenery made of villages, bays, and beaches. It’s not just a backdrop either. The deck is where you’ll spend most of your time while cruising, especially if you like watching the coastline roll by at a comfortable pace.

One smart part of this day is how it balances movement and stillness. You cruise out first, then the schedule shifts into a more active water break once you reach a calm bay. That means you get both the scenic “wow” and the swim time that makes it feel worth getting up early.

If you tend to get seasick, the key is the pacing and the chance to stay near the center of the boat and focus your gaze. Crew support is mentioned as helpful in at least one review, so it’s not a “good luck” situation if you feel off.

Stop at Afrikat Gran Canaria: Swimming and Snorkeling in a Calm Bay

The main event is the anchoring stop in a calm, crystal-clear bay. This is where you trade skyline views for immediate water time. The plan is simple:

• You anchor
• You jump in to swim
• You can snorkel (optional)

Snorkeling equipment is provided, which takes pressure off your packing. Still, there is a practical recommendation here: bring your own gear if you prefer how it fits or if you want to avoid sharing anything.

This stop is also where you decide how active you want the day to be. If you are happy with a swim and a slow snorkel, you can keep it low effort. If you want speed and thrills, that’s where the paid activities slot in later.

One downside to keep in mind: the trip is short. The cruising time is real, but it is not a full-day ocean voyage. If your dream is hours of uninterrupted sailing, you may feel the schedule moves to the water sports quickly.

Optional Thrills: Jet Skis, Parasailing, Donut Ride, and a Captain Speedboat

If you want extra excitement, this tour offers several add-ons at listed prices:

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

A Captain-led speedboat ride is often the easiest way to taste more speed without committing to something more intense. If you like adrenaline, jet skis and parasailing are there, but you should budget for it before you board so there are no surprises.

Also, check your comfort level. Parasailing involves being harnessed and flying behind a speed boat. Jet skis require confidence with balance and operating controls. The donut ride is usually more playful but can still be rough on the water.

Lunch and Drinks Onboard: The Real Comfort Factor

This is where the cruise earns trust fast. Lunch and a wide drink selection are included, and that changes the whole feeling of a boat tour. You do not have to hunt for something to eat mid-activity. You settle into the day, swim first, then come back to food and drinks.

Included drinks:

• Beer
• Sangria
• Soft drinks
• Juice
• Coffee
• Water

Lunch is listed as a chicken wrap with pasta salad. If you need a special diet, you have to communicate requirements in advance. When dietary needs are handled properly, this can turn into one of the smoothest meal situations of your trip because you’re already on a schedule and on a boat.

The balance to know: a couple people did not love the food quality. So I’d treat lunch as fuel, not a gourmet centerpiece. The broader atmosphere, the drinks, and the water time do the heavy lifting.

One extra detail that stands out from feedback: the tour has a sustainability touch with things like edible straws. It’s not the main reason to book, but it’s a nice signal that they care about ocean impact.

Music and Crew Energy: What Makes It Feel Social

On many boat days, music can be an afterthought. Here, the vibe tends to feel intentional. Reviews mention a saxophonist and live music on the return segment, which turns the cruise from quiet sightseeing into something more fun and interactive.

The crew is frequently called out for being welcoming and helpful. That matters because the day includes optional activities and a shared swim time. A good crew makes it easy to understand what’s happening, where to go, and how to join in without feeling awkward.

There are also some personal touches from the feedback:

• Help for a passenger who experienced seasickness
• Vegetarian options available when requested
• A birthday surprise noted in a review, including champagne

Those are not things you can count on for every trip, but they show the team’s style. If you enjoy a friendly group atmosphere, you’ll probably feel comfortable fast.

Group Size and Comfort: 66 People, Not a Floating Stadium

This cruise caps at 66 travelers. That number matters because it affects crowding when people move between deck areas and the swim step. Smaller groups also tend to make the crew’s attention feel more personal.

You are not guaranteed solitude on this kind of boat, but it’s also not packed. Most people can find a spot to sit, take photos, and hang out without elbow-to-elbow stress.

One practical note: this is a morning outing, and the sun can be strong on the water. Bring sun protection you trust, and plan for salt-air wind if you get chilly easily on boats.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Want to Pass)

This fits best if you want:

• A short Gran Canaria water break with a swim stop
• Included drinks and lunch so you can focus on fun
• Optional water sports, where you choose the level of thrill
• A social tone with friendly crew service and music

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want a long, slow sailing day with lots of continuous cruising time
• Care a lot about gourmet food and have high expectations for lunch
• Are sensitive to boat movement and do not have a plan for motion comfort

For families, note that children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour has a minimum drinking age of 18. That means adults can enjoy included beer and sangria, but you’ll still be sharing the day with a mixed age group.

How to Get the Most Out of It

If you want this to feel like a “best morning” rather than just something you did, focus on two phases.

First phase: when you’re cruising.

• Spend time on the deck early, while you have the best light and the view changes.
• Take breaks from phone photos, and just watch the coastline.

Second phase: the anchoring bay.

• Jump in early for the best swim window.
• If snorkeling is on your list, consider bringing your own mask and snorkel so fit and comfort are yours.

If you plan to buy any paid activities, decide in advance what you want. Jet ski and parasailing add cost quickly, so it’s better to choose one “big” add-on than try to do everything.

Should You Book Afrikat Morning Cruise?

Yes, if you want an easy, well-timed Gran Canaria cruise that mixes scenic coastline time with real swim and snorkel opportunities, and you value having drinks and lunch included. For the price, you’re getting a lot of “time on the water” rather than a short viewing experience.

Hold off if you mainly want long sailing time, not a structured water stop. Also, if lunch quality is your top priority, treat it as included convenience and not a standout meal.

If you like the idea of cruising out of Puerto Rico, relaxing for a few hours, and then ending the morning with swimming, this is the kind of half-day that makes the rest of your trip feel calmer.