Fuerteventura: Magic Select Catamaran Trip with Food & Drinks

Fuerteventura by catamaran feels like time off. I like the combination of dolphin and whale hunting with a real swim break in the south, and I especially like the social side, with music and a fun crew that keeps the mood up. My only caution is that sightings and the exact coves can vary day to day, so treat it as a search and relax trip, not a guaranteed postcard route.

You start from Morro Jable, cruise on a modern Magic Select catamaran, and spend the middle of the day on the water while lunch and drinks are handled on board. The boat also feels big enough that you are not stuck elbow to elbow. If you are sensitive to sun or sea movement, plan for heat and bring essentials like sunscreen, since a lot of time is spent outside.

Key things that make this trip work

• Magic Select catamaran with room to sunbathe and find shade, plus a calm ride for most people
• Dolphin and whale search led by the captain, with gentle approaches
• Swim stop at quieter, white-sand coves in the south of Fuerteventura (conditions can affect where)
• Food and drinks included during the cruise, often described as chicken and rice or paella-style dishes
• Lively onboard atmosphere, with music and crew members encouraging dancing
• Pickup options from Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía, when your hotel is in the approved zone

Boarding Magic Select in Morro Jable, and what to notice right away

This trip centers on Morro Jable, where you meet at the port and head out on the Magic Select catamaran. The ship is modern, and it is the kind of catamaran that makes the whole half-day feel easy. You will raise the sail early, then shift into a cruise-and-search rhythm.

What I like from a rider’s point of view is how the boat experience is designed around comfort. Multiple comments point to a not-too-crowded feel and plenty of places to relax, including shade for those who want a break from Fuerteventura’s sun. Others note that the ride is fairly smooth, with one passenger even getting help when seasickness hit, which tells you the crew is paying attention to comfort, not just timing.

You will also want to show up with the right mindset. This is not a short “look from the dock” boat ride. You are spending hours on open water, scanning for dolphins and whales, then switching gears to coves and swimming. That means hat, sunscreen, and light layers if the breeze cools you down at sea.

Finally, check how you plan to get there. If you use pickup, the company serves certain resort areas. If you do not, plan to be at the port 30 minutes before the scheduled start so you do not feel rushed.

Dolphin and whale search: what you’re really paying for

The headline is wildlife, and the trip does aim specifically for dolphins and whales. After leaving the port, the captain and crew spend time on the water looking for sightings around the Canary Islands. When you are lucky, you do not just see a flash. You can get dolphins following alongside or spending time near the boat.

The best part of this kind of tour is the active searching. Several passengers describe the crew as careful and respectful about how they approach animals, rather than rushing in. One repeated detail: the captain and crew keep their focus on animal spotting, which matters because marine life is not always visible on command.

Now for the real-world expectation setting. You can have a perfect day on the water without whales or with fewer dolphins than you hoped for, because animals decide the script. That is why I think the value comes from the whole package: even when wildlife is light, you still get a proper catamaran day out, plus food, drinks, music, and a swim stop.

If you are a first-timer, here’s the practical move: spend time on both sides of the boat and be willing to look for a while after you hear the crew announce activity. Dolphins can pop up unexpectedly, and you do not want to miss the first minutes because you were below deck.

The white-sand coves and the swim stop in the south

After the wildlife search, the route shifts toward the south of Fuerteventura, with stops at small, quieter coves and time to swim. The plan is straightforward: find a good spot, let people cool off, and then transition back toward lunch and the ride home.

This is the part that turns a “sit on the boat” excursion into something you actually remember. People mention that some swim stops feel calm and fishy, and at least some days offer clear, easy conditions from the boat. One of the most helpful hints is to be ready to swim on short notice. If you plan to lounge only, you might regret not having your swimsuit ready.

Also, don’t assume every day matches the same map-perfect cove. One unhappy comment specifically felt the coves were not what they expected. That does not mean the tour is always off, but it does reinforce that weather, sea state, and animal movement can change where the crew can safely stop. So I suggest you treat the “white sand and deserted coves” as the vibe, not a fixed GPS destination.

If you get seaspray or wind, rinse and refresh once you are back on board. And yes, wear sunscreen because this is a sun-forward activity. A passenger even called out sunscreen as a must.

Lunch and drinks on board: simple food, strong party energy

Food on this cruise is included, and the menu sounds consistent in style, even if exact dishes can vary by day. Passengers mention chicken and rice, stew, and paella-style meals, and several say the food was actually delicious, not just filler. The good news is that this is a lunch you can eat while enjoying the motion of the sea, so it feels like part of the trip, not a separate task.

Then there is the drinks. Many comments reference drinks being on tap or included throughout, with examples like cold white wine. That matters because it changes the whole feel of the day. You are not rationing your budget after you buy the ticket. You can spend the cruise focusing on the scenery and the atmosphere.

The other big component is mood. People repeatedly mention music, dancing, and an upbeat crew who work the deck in a friendly, animated way. One review described a full party atmosphere, while others focused more on relaxed fun. Either way, it tends to be easy to join in without feeling pressured.

Crew names that came up in comments include Aron (captain), and onboard entertainers like Juani (named multiple times), plus Oliver, Juan, Luis, Luca, and Hajid. Different trips will have different rosters, but it is clear the company puts effort into keeping the vibe moving.

Crew-led fun, gentle wildlife habits, and seasickness help

When you read enough detailed feedback, you can spot the patterns that matter most: how the crew handles real situations. A few comments highlight that the crew is professional, attentive, and good at managing the moments when conditions change.

One example: there’s a mention of a seasick passenger being taken care of. That tells you there is likely a quick response if someone is not feeling well. Another example: multiple notes praise the way dolphins are approached gently, which is important both ethically and for the animals’ behavior.

What I would watch for is your own comfort with motion and heat. Even if the ride is described as calm, you still need shade breaks. The boat being spacious helps, and the presence of shadow spots gives you an off-switch for sun.

Also, if you are traveling with a family, this kind of crew-led energy can be a win. Kids tend to like music, and adults often enjoy the dance-and-laugh atmosphere. If you prefer quiet, you can still find space, but you will be on a social boat.

One caveat to keep in mind: one very negative comment complained about tip pressure at the end and felt the experience was overpriced. Most comments are positive, but it is a reminder to be prepared for the possibility of optional gratuities. If that part matters to you, decide in advance what you feel comfortable with.

Price and value for a 4-hour catamaran with wildlife, swim, and drinks

At about $93.12 per person for roughly 4 hours, the price sits in the midrange for a half-day catamaran. What makes it feel fair is the mix of included elements. You are not only paying for transportation. You’re also paying for time on the water searching for wildlife, a swim stop, and food and drinks during the excursion.

The value question really comes down to what you want from the day:

• If you want a reliable “activity,” the swim and onboard lunch and drinks deliver even when animals are scarce.
• If you want wildlife as the main event, the captain’s searching and the gentle approach increase your odds, but you still do not control the ocean.

Many passengers called out the food-and-drink setup as part of why it was worth it. Some also praised the price-to-experience ratio directly. The group size max is 70, and at least one comment suggests the boat may feel closer to about 50 on board. Either way, the key is that it does not sound like a sardine experience.

If you are trying to compare tours, I would do it by “included time and included extras,” not just distance or animal promises. A tour where you get a swim, included drinks, and a real lunch is easier to justify than a wildlife-only outing where you pay extra for everything.

Timing, pickup, and the small steps that prevent stress

Start time is 10:00 am, and the trip runs about 4 hours. You can have pickup from select resort areas: Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía. The practical detail that matters is that pickup might not be available for every hotel, but there are pickup points within about a five-minute walk from each approved hotel.

You should expect a message with your pickup time about 12 hours after booking. Check your spam or junk folder if you do not see it. This is one of those “annoying but important” steps that prevents missing your ride.

If you do not need pickup, plan to be at the port 30 minutes before departure. That buffer helps because there is usually time to find the right dock area and get settled before the crew starts the sail routine.

You’ll also use a mobile ticket, so have your phone ready and save the confirmation on your device.

Who this trip fits best, and who might want a different plan

This catamaran trip fits best if you want a half-day that blends:

• wildlife searching (dolphins and sometimes whales),
• a swim stop in quieter southern coves,
• and a social onboard vibe with food and drinks.

It works for couples who want a relaxed scenic outing, and it works for families too, since the energy is upbeat and the boat setup is described as spacious. Even if the day is not perfect for animal sightings, you are still getting a full experience on the water.

It might not fit you if:

• You need absolute certainty about where you swim or that you will see whales.
• You hate any sort of tip talk or prefer fully silent boat time.
• You are extremely sun-sensitive and do not want to manage sunscreen and shade.

If you’re unsure, pick the day based on weather and your own comfort with being out in the sun. Fuerteventura’s daylight can be intense.

Should you book the Magic Select catamaran trip?

Yes, I would book it if your idea of a great day in Fuerteventura is simple: go out on a real catamaran, enjoy included lunch and drinks, cool off with a swim in the south, and spend time looking for dolphins. The overall rating and the repeated praise for crew energy, comfort, and food and drinks suggest you are likely to get a fun, well-run outing.

I would hesitate only if your priority is strict itinerary precision, or if wildlife sightings are the only thing that would make you happy. On this kind of sea trip, the ocean sets the final terms.

If you go, do it prepared. Bring sunscreen, keep your swim gear accessible, and be ready to look outward for dolphins as the crew shifts attention through the cruise. That small effort is often what turns a good boat trip into a memorable one.

FAQ

How long is the Magic Select catamaran trip?

The experience lasts about 4 hours.

What time does it start in Morro Jable?

It starts at 10:00 am.

Is pickup available, and from where?

Pickup is offered at resorts in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía. Pickup is not available from all hotels, but there are pickup points within about a 5-minute walking distance from hotels in the served areas.

Do I need to print a ticket?

No. You’ll have a mobile ticket.

What food and drinks are included?

A large selection of drinks is included during the excursion, and food is served on board (examples mentioned include chicken and rice and paella-style dishes).

What if the trip is canceled due to weather or you need to cancel?

If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.