Afrikat Afternoon Cruise

A catamaran afternoon can be pure reset. This one runs around the southwest coast from Puerto Base, Puerto Rico, with big water views, a proper onboard meal, and time to swim and snorkel in a calm anchored bay. It’s the kind of trip that feels like you came for the sea breeze and stayed for the coastline.

Two things I like a lot: first, the crew-led, low-stress vibe. You’re not constantly doing tasks or rushing between stops. Second, the water time is the point: you anchor for swimming and snorkeling gear is provided, so you can keep it simple or add extras like the donut ride or parasailing.

One drawback to consider: the included food and drinks are fine for a cruise day, but if you’re picky about quality, you should expect “good and filling” rather than fine-dining. And if you choose any optional water sports, treat it as activity-time risk, not just entertainment.

Key Takeaways

• Big views from the water: you’ll cruise along Gran Canaria’s south coast with sea-level perspective
• Swim + snorkel included: equipment provided, with time in a calm bay after anchoring
• Optional add-ons for different thrill levels: donut ride, jet-ski, parasailing, and a short captain speedboat option
• Onboard meal and drinks included: chicken wrap with pasta salad plus beer/sangria/soft drinks/coffee and water
• Smallish feel for the price: max 66 travelers overall, with a limit of 12 per individual booking
• South-island hotel pickup, with limits: pickup is from centralized points, and you need to confirm exact timing by email

A 4.5-hour catamaran afternoon from Puerto Base, Puerto Rico

This cruise is built for an afternoon out that doesn’t require planning gymnastics. Departure is 2:30 pm, and the total time is around 4 hours 30 minutes, which usually lands you back at the dock the same evening. That timing matters because it pairs well with your morning plans on Gran Canaria—beach, pool, or a slow lunch—then you switch into “sea mode” before dinner.

The boat is the catamaran Afrikat, departing from Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria, C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán (Puerto Base, Puerto Rico area). Even if you don’t catch the details, you can feel what they’re going for: a relaxing cruise with optional fun rather than a rigid sightseeing itinerary.

Group size is another quiet advantage. The overall limit is up to 66 travelers, and each individual booking is capped at 12. That doesn’t guarantee a private feel, but it usually keeps things from turning into a human traffic jam.

Views along the south coast: what the “cruise part” gives you

Most boat trips have a boring middle—time passes, you watch land slide by, and you hope you don’t get seasick. This one is designed around the opposite idea: the cruise segment is a highlight because you’re out at sea with clear weather and a coastline you can actually take in.

You’ll cruise along the Gran Canaria coastline from Puerto Base, Puerto Rico, then head toward a calm, crystal-clear bay to anchor. That “cruise then anchor” rhythm is what makes the day work. You get motion and wide-angle views first, then you shift into the stillness of swimming water afterward.

If you like photos, you’ll be glad you came from land-based viewpoints. Being on a catamaran puts you higher than a beach-walk perspective, but lower than a viewpoint. You see the coast, the cliffs, and the water as a single scene. It’s not just sightseeing; it’s a change in scale.

The swim and snorkel stop: simple, practical, and actually the point

After cruising, you anchor in a calm bay, and this is when the day clicks for most people. There’s time to swim, and you can try snorkelling to see fish. The important bit is that you don’t have to bring gear—equipment is provided.

Here’s the practical side: snorkeling is usually best when conditions are calm, and that’s exactly what an anchored bay gives you. You’re not fighting strong currents or constant boat movement. If you’re new to snorkeling, this kind of stop is easier than a rougher shoreline swim.

What I’d think about before you go: if you’re not confident in open water, you can still enjoy the swim time without doing anything complicated. This trip isn’t structured around forcing you into one activity.

Optional water sports: thrill menu, with real risk to know up front

The day offers add-ons if you want more adrenaline than just floating and photos. They’re listed as optional extras, offered at special discounted rates, and the costs are:

• Jet-ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Fun speedboat ride with the Captain: €5 per person

Even without choosing extras, you’ll likely see other people doing them. That’s part of the fun. But if you do plan to join, keep the mindset straight: optional water sports are still activity-time. The check-in process highlights that there’s a possibility of falling into the water or contact with other passengers.

So I’d handle this like you would any water activity:

• Wear what makes sense for sun and water exposure
• Bring a towel or plan for how you’ll dry off
• If you’re traveling with insurance, make sure your policy covers activity risk

One more thing: cocktails and premium alcohol are not part of the included drinks, and some people prefer to spend extra on activities instead. If you’re watching your budget, set your priorities early—water sports are where the day’s biggest “wow” moments can happen.

Onboard meal and drinks: included comfort, with a quality reality check

This is a common “you get what you pay for” zone, so let’s be honest. The included meal is chicken wrap with pasta salad. They also position the day as a Canarian-style lunch experience, but the key is that it’s served onboard as part of the package, not a gourmet restaurant.

The included drinks list is the bigger value win: beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Minimum drinking age is 18, so if you’re traveling as a mixed-age group, plan accordingly.

Now, what about quality? Reviews are a mixed bag here. Some people loved the food and service. Others felt the food and drinks were more budget than they expected. I’d call it this: expect a satisfying cruise-day meal, not a culinary destination.

If you’re the type who needs a predictable meal quality level, consider bringing a snack mindset. And if you’re the type who is happy as long as you have sea air and a cold drink, you’ll likely feel right at home.

Service and onboard vibe: why the crew gets praise

When a tour earns repeated high marks, it usually comes down to simple stuff done well: people who run the show, keep things organized, and treat you like a human.

This one gets that kind of praise. Crew service shows up again and again as a standout—especially for friendliness and keeping passengers comfortable. You’re also offered options throughout the day, and the atmosphere stays flexible rather than controlling.

One unique touch that shows up in feedback: there’s mention of a live saxophone moment during the return to harbour on some sailings. It’s not something you should assume every day, but if your day happens to include it, it’s an easy little upgrade to the mood.

Also, the day includes a full set of onboard drinks availability throughout your time with them, so you’re not hunting for someone every time you want water or a refill.

Pickup and timing: making the meet-up painless

This trip is more relaxed if you use pickup, but pickup has rules, so read them carefully.

• Hotel pickup is offered from centralized pickup points in the south of the island.
• Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogán (even though the cruise departs from Puerto Base in that general area).
• You must check your transport service confirmation 24 hours before departure to confirm the exact pickup time and place. They’ll message you by email, and it might land in your junk inbox.
• If you’re meeting directly at Puerto Base, Puerto Rico, arrive 30 minutes before departure.

That 2:30 pm start means you should plan your morning so you’re not sprinting to meet a bus. If you’re coming from farther up the island, you may find the centralized pickup points are the better move.

If you like structured plans, this one gives you that—but with just enough flexibility to let the afternoon feel easy.

Price and value check for $93.16 per person

At about $93.16 per person for roughly 4.5 hours, this cruise looks expensive on paper. But it usually lands better when you count what’s included.

What’s in the base price:

• Boat trip around 4.5 hours
• Meal onboard (chicken wrap with pasta salad)
• Included drinks: beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, water
• Swim and snorkel time, with equipment provided
• Return transport from your hotel area (depending on where you’re staying)

Then there’s the optional spend:

• Jet-ski, parasailing, donut ride, and a short captain speedboat option

So you have an “included value” core (boat + water time + food/drinks), plus an “add what you want” option. If you’re the kind of person who will actually snorkel and swim, and you’ll have at least one or two drinks onboard, the base price can feel fair.

If you’re mostly there for views and you won’t do any water sports, you may wonder if it’s priced high. But the views from the water and the organized time in the bay are what you’re paying for.

My advice for value: go in knowing you’re paying for a smooth half-day at sea with a meal and drinks. If you want only a cheap swim, you can probably find beach time for less. If you want a comfortable, scenic boat afternoon that feels like a full outing, this tends to deliver.

Who should book this cruise, and who might want a different plan

This cruise suits you if:

• You want sea views without a long, complicated day
• You’d like swimming and snorkelling but don’t want to bring gear
• You want the option to add jet-ski, parasailing, or donut ride without committing to those extras
• You prefer a crew-run, organized outing with time to relax

You might think twice if:

• You’re very picky about food and alcohol quality
• You’re uncomfortable with the idea of optional water sports risk
• You want a strict, stops-and-sightseeing tour rather than a single ocean-based experience

It’s also family-friendly in the sense that most people can participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult, and the drinking age is 18, so plan accordingly if teens are along.

Should you book Afrikat’s Afternoon Cruise?

I’d book it if you want an easy Gran Canaria day that centers on water time, good scenery, and simple relaxation. The combination of anchored swim/snorkel time plus included drinks and a meal makes it feel like more than just a transfer on a boat.

Two key choices will make or break your experience:

• If you think you’ll actually use the water time, you’re buying the right kind of value.
• If you’re sensitive about food quality, plan for the meal to be functional rather than fancy, and consider setting aside your budget for the activities you care about most.

If you want a half-day that feels scenic, flexible, and genuinely outdoors, Afrikat’s afternoon cruise is a strong pick.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the Afrikat afternoon cruise start?

It starts at 2:30 pm.

How long is the cruise?

It lasts about 4 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria on C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain (Puerto Base area).

Do I get hotel pickup?

Pickup is offered from centralized pickup points in the south of the island, depending on your area. It is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico or Mogán.

Do I need to confirm the pickup time before I go?

Yes. You must check your transport service confirmation 24 hours before departure for the exact pickup time and place. Email communication may go to your junk inbox.

What’s included in the price?

You get the boat trip, the meal (chicken wrap with pasta salad), included drinks (beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee and water), return transport (depending on area), and a chance to swim and snorkel with equipment provided.

Are water sports included?

Swimming and snorkeling are included. Jet-ski, parasailing, and the donut ride are optional extras with separate prices.

What are the optional water sport costs?

Jet-ski is €32 per vehicle, parasailing is €32 per person, and the donut ride is €10 per person. There is also an optional fun speedboat ride with the Captain for €5 per person.

Is alcohol included?

Beer and sangria are included, but cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.