Afrikat Afternoon Cruise

Afternoon sun, salt air, and a real catamaran. I like how the catamaran Afrikat cruise gives you views from the water along Gran Canaria’s coastline, then drops you at a calm bay for swimming and snorkeling. It’s the kind of half-day plan that feels relaxed, but still has fun baked in.

The best part for me is the onboard rhythm: you get an easy on-board meal (chicken wrap with pasta salad) and a steady spread of drinks like beer, sangria, coffee, and juice. There’s no hunting down food or worrying about where your next drink comes from.

One drawback to plan around: the headline water-sports options cost extra, and pickup only runs from centralised points in the south (not Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan). If you hate surprise fees, keep a close eye on what’s included versus optional.

Key highlights worth knowing

• 4.5-hour catamaran afternoon with time cruising, anchoring, and relaxing on the water
• Swim and snorkeling are part of the plan, with equipment provided
• Included meal plus multiple drinks like beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water
• Optional thrill rides have clear add-on prices (jet-ski, parasailing, donut ride, and a speedboat with the captain)
• Pickup is offered, but only from centralised south locations
• Limited group size with a maximum of 66 travelers per cruise

Price and what you actually get for $93.16

At about $93.16 per person for a 4.5-hour cruise, this is best seen as a package that saves you time and stress, not just a boat ticket. You’re paying for the catamaran ride, the time on the water, and the comfort extras: a meal plus a run of drinks.

The included food is straightforward, chicken wrap with pasta salad, and it’s the kind of meal that works well mid-cruise. You also get drinks like beer and sangria along with soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits are not included, so if you love fancy mixed drinks, budget for that.

Where the value can swing is the optional activities. Jet-ski, parasailing, and the donut ride cost extra, and the prices are shown clearly. For me, that’s good because you can choose your level of adventure without being forced into a higher spend.

The good news is the core experience already has plenty going on: coastal cruising, a calm anchored bay, swimming, snorkeling, and time to just sit back and watch the island slide past.

Where you start: Puerto Base, pickup rules, and avoiding last-minute headaches

You meet at Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria, C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain. The cruise starts at 2:30 pm and runs roughly 4 hours 30 minutes.

If you’re using pickup, you should treat it like a soft promise that needs confirmation. The exact pick-up time and place are confirmed by email 24 hours before departure, and pickup is only available from centralised pickup points in the south of the island. It’s not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan.

If you’re arriving directly at Puerto Base, Puerto Rico, plan to be there 30 minutes early. The small buffer helps when you’re trying to find your exact boarding spot, especially if you’re traveling with a group.

Also, check the basics: this is offered in English, you’ll use a mobile ticket, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

The cruise itself: Gran Canaria coastline from the water

Once you’re aboard, the vibe is simple. You leave Puerto Base, Puerto Rico, and head along Gran Canaria’s coastline toward a calm bay. This is where the catamaran format helps, because you’re not stuck staring at one view the whole time. The water gives you a moving perspective of the coast.

The cruise is also a nice timing choice. A 2:30 pm departure means you get an afternoon plan without losing your whole day to logistics. You also avoid the early-morning stress that can come with island excursions.

One thing I really like about this style of cruise is how it balances scenery and downtime. There’s room to just relax, but you still have a structured segment later for swimming and snorkeling.

From the feedback you can take a lesson too: service and organization tend to be what people notice most, and that matters on a trip like this where you’re waiting for the next moment, and then you want it to run smoothly.

Anchored bay time: swimming and snorkeling, minus the fuss

The cruise anchors in a calm, crystal-clear bay. This is the practical highlight. You get time to swim in refreshing water and try snorkeling, with snorkeling equipment provided.

Why this matters for you: snorkeling can be the part that either feels effortless or feels like extra work. Here, the gear is included, and the boat handles the “get you to the good water” part. You don’t need to coordinate anything once you’re on board.

There’s also an element of variety. If you want to stay relaxed, you can. If you want to chase fish and coral, you can. And if you want to do nothing but watch the coastline, you can do that too.

A small reality check: as with any boat afternoon, the sea can affect people. One review specifically mentioned nausea and vomiting, but praised how the crew handled it well, including offering a small boat ride to help. That’s not something you can eliminate, but it’s a reminder to bring a motion-sickness option if you’re sensitive to waves.

Food and drinks onboard: the easy, included comfort

You’re served a meal onboard, chicken wrap with pasta salad. Special dietary requirements can be requested at booking.

You’ll also have ongoing access to drinks during your time at sea. Included options are beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water. That’s a lot of variety for an included package.

What’s not included: cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits. Some reviews did call out that cocktails were extra. If you’re the type who only drinks mixed cocktails, factor that into your plan from the start.

One neat detail from the onboard feel: people mentioned the boat has a lot of space and a well-laid-out setup. That helps because you’re not squeezed into a single zone for the entire afternoon. It also makes the swim and snorkel window feel less chaotic.

Optional water sports: choose thrills, but keep your wallet in view

Here’s the good part: the cruise builds in optional add-ons for people who want more adrenaline. The key is that these are not required.

Optional activities and prices listed include:

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

You can also arrange other water sports at a discounted rate, depending on availability.

Two practical tips based on how these add-ons work:

1. Treat them like activities with real physical motion. The donut ride, in particular, is a common place for riders to feel the bumps. One negative review discussed an injury tied to a donut ride and said no insurance or reimbursement was offered. Whether you participate or not, this is a reminder to assess risk and think about travel insurance.
2. Understand that non-obligatory water sports are at your own risk. The check-in terms for non-obligatory water sports emphasize that you should have your own travel insurance if something happens.

If you want a calmer trip, you can skip the extra sports and still get swimming and snorkeling as part of the main plan.

The crew and the onboard vibe: service that people remember

This trip’s reputation leans heavily toward crew and organization. Multiple reviews praised the team as friendly and attentive, and they described the day as well run from start to finish.

A few specific moments stand out from the reviews. One review mentioned live music and credited a saxophonist returning to harbour with a memorable end to the experience. Another review highlighted how the pickup service and crew attention made the day feel smooth and caring.

There’s also praise for the “organized from start to finish” feeling. That’s important on boat days, because small delays can snowball. When a crew is on top of timing, everyone relaxes more, and you get better quality downtime between activities.

The other side of the coin is food and drink quality. One negative review complained the food was nasty and that the drinks felt budget. Another hinted cocktails were extra even if sangria and beer were included. So: go in expecting a solid included meal, not gourmet dining.

Who should book this cruise, and who should skip it

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want an afternoon activity that doesn’t eat your whole day
• Like sea views and want to see the coastline from a different angle
• Enjoy a mix of relaxation and activity
• Care about having swimming and snorkeling equipment handled for you

It’s especially appealing for couples and small groups, because the cruise format and included drinks make it feel like a shared experience without constant planning.

It might be less ideal if you:

• Want a premium food experience. The included meal is simple and practical.
• Expect champagne, wine, or cocktails to be included. They’re listed as not included.
• Need pickup from outside the centralised south points, since pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan.

Kids are allowed but must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum drinking age is 18, so plan accordingly if you have teens.

If you’re traveling with someone who gets motion sickness easily, consider bringing help for that. The trip is short enough to stay manageable, but it’s still time on open water.

Booking timing, ticket type, and how to get ready

On average, this cruise is booked about 12 days in advance. If you’re traveling in busier weeks, booking earlier can help you lock in your preferred date.

You’ll receive a confirmation at the time of booking. You also use a mobile ticket.

One detail I like for peace of mind: confirmation for pickup timing is emailed 24 hours before departure, and they ask you to check email, including junk mail. That’s the kind of small step that keeps you from missing a pickup.

Should you book Afrikat Afternoon Cruise?

I’d book it if you want an afternoon on a catamaran that already includes the big wins: coastline time, a swim and snorkeling stop, plus a meal and drinks without extra legwork. The price feels fair when you count the included meal, multiple drink options, and the snorkeling gear.

I’d skip it if you’re mainly chasing luxury food, or if you know you’ll want premium alcohol like champagne or wine. Also skip if pickup location is a problem for you, since pickup is limited to centralised points in the south.

If your travel style is flexible, book it anyway. This cruise gives you a calm core experience, then lets you pay for thrills only if you really want them.

FAQ

What time does the Afrikat Afternoon Cruise start?

The start time is 2:30 pm.

How long is the cruise?

It runs about 4 hours 30 minutes (listed as approximately 4.5 hours).

Where is the meeting point for the cruise?

You meet at Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria, C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but it’s only available from centralised pickup points in the south of the island. Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan.

What’s included with the price?

Included features are the boat trip, a meal (chicken wrap with pasta salad), drinks (beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water), return transport from your hotel depending on area, and the chance to swim and snorkel with equipment provided.

Are snorkeling and swimming included?

You’ll have the chance to swim and snorkel, and the snorkeling equipment is provided.

What additional water sports cost extra?

Jet-ski is €32 per vehicle, parasailing is €32 per person, and the donut ride is €10 per person. A fun speedboat ride with the captain is €5 per person.

Is alcohol included, and is there an age limit?

Beer and sangria are included, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

What kind of ticket do I use?

You’ll use a mobile ticket.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience start time, the amount paid is not refunded.