Afternoon salt air beats another hotel day. This Afrikat catamaran cruise from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria turns a simple afternoon into swim and snorkel time along the southwest coast. You cruise, you stop, you cool off, and you keep it easy with drinks onboard.

I love the unlimited drinks that keep the mood relaxed, and I also love the crew-served chicken wrap and pasta salad that feels like a real lunch. It is not a fancy meal, but it is tasty, filling, and served right where you are sitting.

One possible drawback: the sun deck can feel a bit tight in direct sun. If you prefer wide open space, plan to rotate, get shade when you can, and take advantage of the water breaks.

Key things I’d clock before you go

• Unlimited onboard drinks including beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water
• A proper swim and optional snorkeling stop in a crystal-clear bay
• Coastline views past Mogan plus cliffs and hidden coves during the cruise
• Crew-prepared lunch with chicken wrap and pasta salad, with dietary needs handled if you tell them
• Extra-cost water thrills like donut, jet ski, parasail, and a low-cost speedboat ride
• A fun crew vibe that can include live entertainment, such as Ashleigh on saxophone on some departures

Your afternoon on a Gran Canaria catamaran, without the stress

This is the kind of outing that makes sense if you want a change of scenery but not a whole day commitment. The cruise lasts 4.5 hours, and the pace is built around cruising, a swim stop, and food and drinks onboard.

Think of it as a floating beach break with a little extra. You get the coastline views, then you jump in when the boat drops anchor in clear water. If you like active travel, you can add the extra water sports. If you just want sun, shade, and snacks, you can do that too.

Getting there: pickup zones and the Afrikat desk check-in

You get pickup and drop-off from centralized points, depending on where you’re staying. The listed pickup areas include Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura.

Two practical notes that matter:

• Pickup is not available from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogan, or Puerto Rico.
• If you’re in Puerto Rico and want to go straight to the harbor, you should check in at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before the start.

The harbor address is Puerto Rico, Calle Puerto Base, S/N, 35130. That early arrival timing helps you avoid the last-minute scramble when people are boarding.

Cruising the southwest coast past Mogan and dramatic cliffs

Once you’re underway, the goal is simple: enjoy the coast from the water. You’ll cruise along Gran Canaria’s southwest coastline, with views that tend to feel more dramatic than they do from land.

A big highlight is the route past Mogan, including the fishing village area as you go by. You also get the slow, scenic passing of cliffs and hidden coves, which is where a catamaran has a real advantage. You can see more, and you can do it without sweating through a long hike.

This route also sets you up nicely for the best part of the trip: the stop where you can actually get in the water.

The swim and snorkeling stop in clear bay water

This is the moment most people remember. The boat drops anchor so you can swim in a refreshing, clear bay. If you want to snorkel, snorkeling equipment is included as an optional add-on.

You’ll want your swim gear ready, because the stop is the main chance to do it. Bring your towel and sunscreen, and don’t underestimate how fast you can get sunburned even when you feel cool on a boat.

Snorkeling is optional, but it is one of the best ways to make the time feel like more than just a cruise. If you are not into snorkeling, plan to enjoy the water anyway, since the bay time is still the payoff.

Lunch onboard: chicken wrap, pasta salad, and dietary planning

Food is served by the crew, and it is designed to be practical while you’re on the water. The meal includes a chicken wrap with options like bacon and cheese topping, plus salad and sauce optional. You also get pasta salad.

If you have dietary requirements, you need to tell the provider when booking. The important part is that they do expect you to communicate needs ahead of time, so don’t wait until you’re already at the dock.

For me, the value here is that you are not paying extra for lunch at the end of a long day out. This is an included meal, served in the middle of the experience where it actually helps.

Unlimited drinks, plus what is not included

The drink setup is one of the headline reasons this tour works. You get unlimited drinks onboard, including:

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

There are also limits. The info specifically says cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included. So if you’re planning on a heavy bar tab with mixed drinks, set expectations now.

One more small perk that can make the day feel a bit more memorable: you receive a reusable drinking glass souvenir. It is the kind of thing you might use back home, and it helps justify doing the tour instead of just renting a boat for a couple of hours.

Water sports extras: what you can add, and what it costs

The core cruise is fun on its own, but the boat also offers a menu of active add-ons. You may see discounted rates, and you can use extra money for water sports and souvenirs or photos.

Here are the listed extra costs:

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

A couple of practical expectations:

• These are wet, physical activities. Bring a mindset that you are going to get splashed and you’ll be busy holding on.
• Not every water sport is guaranteed every day. One booking experience indicated that water sport options can vary when the external operator is not running, so if you’re counting on a specific activity, you should ask during confirmation.

If you like the idea of something that usually feels like a solid thrill time, the donut has a reputation for delivering enough ride time. If you are thinking about the banana boat, go in knowing it may be very short compared with bigger-ticket rides.

Entertainment and the crew energy, including Potter and Ashleigh

This trip is not all about the sea. It is also about the onboard vibe. The crew tends to run the day like a friendly party with a clear safety focus, and you can feel that in how they handle the ride and the downtime.

There are also specific names that pop up in the experience:

• Potter, the owner, is described as having a great sense of humor and adding energy to the cruise.
• Ashleigh on saxophone is mentioned as a standout entertainment moment on some departures.

That kind of entertainment is not something you should expect every single day, but when it happens, it turns the return leg into something you’ll actually talk about later.

Price and value: what $91 buys you for 4.5 hours

At about $91 per person for a 4.5-hour cruise, the value comes from the full package. You are not just paying for a boat ride.

Included items cover the things that usually add up fast:

• Catamaran cruise
• Pickup and drop-off from central zones
• Unlimited drinks (beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, water)
• Meal onboard (chicken wrap plus pasta salad)
• Snorkeling equipment if you choose it
• A reusable glass souvenir

Then there are the add-ons, which are priced separately:

• Jet ski, parasail, donut, and a speedboat ride

My take: this is a good value if you will actually drink, snack, and use the swim stop. If you are the type who just wants to sit quietly with one drink and skip every extra, a different, simpler boat option could cost less. But for most people who want a relaxed afternoon with real included food and drinks, this price is easy to justify.

Who should book this cruise, and who should consider another option

This works especially well if you:

• want a short half-day outing with minimal planning
• like water time, even if you are not a serious swimmer
• enjoy a social atmosphere with upbeat crew energy
• want transportation included from common resort areas

You might think twice if you:

• dislike crowding on shared sun decks
• want a completely quiet experience with zero onboard entertainment
• are expecting one specific water sport to be guaranteed, regardless of day conditions

Wheelchair accessibility is listed, and you should still inform the provider of any mobility needs when booking so they can set you up appropriately.

What to bring, so the day goes smoothly

Bring the basics, because you will be in and out of the water and baking in afternoon sun:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Camera (if you want to catch coastline views)
• Keep your sunscreen and towel easy to reach once you’re onboard

Also plan for spending on extras with your card or money since water sports, souvenirs, and photos may require it.

Should you book the Afrikat afternoon catamaran?

I think you should book this if you want Gran Canaria’s ocean time in one efficient package: cruising past Mogan, a swim and optional snorkeling stop, unlimited drinks, and an included lunch. The price feels fair for what you get, especially if you’ll use the drinks and take advantage of the water.

Skip it or shop around if you’re extremely sensitive to sun deck crowding, you want total calm, or you’re locked onto a specific water sport. For everyone else, this is the kind of afternoon cruise that feels like a vacation inside your vacation, with the added benefit that the crew keeps the day fun and moving.

FAQ

How long is the Afrikat afternoon catamaran cruise?

The duration is 4.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes catamaran cruise, pickup and drop-off from designated central points (area dependent), unlimited drinks (beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, water), a meal served by the crew, and optional snorkeling equipment. You also get a reusable drinking glass souvenir.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included as an optional add-on, so you can choose whether to use it during the swim stop.

What water sports cost extra?

Extra activities listed include jet ski (€32 per vehicle), parasail (€32 per person), donut (€10 per person), and a speedboat ride with the captain (€5 per person). Cocktails, wine, and spirits are not included.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is possible from several centralized resort areas including Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Sonnenland, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Taurito, and Playa del Cura. Pickup is not available from Las Palmas, Salobre, Mogan, or Puerto Rico.

What should I bring for the cruise?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. You’ll also want a camera if you want to capture the coastline views.