Afrikat Morning Cruise

This is what a morning cruise should feel like.

Afrikat’s Gran Canaria trip is built around water time (swim and snorkel in a calm bay), with an easy pace that still gives you coastline views from a luxury catamaran. It runs about 4.5 hours and includes lunch plus drinks, so you’re not stuck paying for basics while you’re out on the sea.

I particularly like the way this cruise balances chill cruising with optional action. You can just relax on deck, or you can add water sports like jet skis, parasailing, or a speedboat ride with the captain. I also like that lunch and drinks are part of the deal, with the crew serving a chicken wrap meal and keeping beer and sangria flowing.

The only catch: if you’re the type who wants nonstop sailing time, the schedule includes anchoring for swimming and snorkeling, so the “moving” part of the trip may feel a bit shorter than you expect.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Luxury catamaran feel on a morning schedule that’s not too long
• Swim + optional snorkel at a calm, clear bay (bring your own snorkel kit if you want)
• Included lunch and drinks: beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water
• Add-on thrill options with clear prices (jet ski, parasailing, donut ride, speedboat)
• Small group size up to 66 people, so it doesn’t turn into a cattle-ship
• Music and atmosphere: some sailings include live music on the return stretch

Where the Boat Leaves From (and How Easy It Is to Get There)

The Afrikat cruise departs from C. Puerto Base, 1, Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain, and you come back to the same meeting point. If you’re arriving right to Puerto Base, plan to be there about 20 minutes before departure so you’re not sprinting while the crew is loading.

Pickup is offered, but it’s south-of-the-island focused. You’ll need to confirm the exact pickup time and place from your email message about 24 hours before your cruise. Collection is only from centralized pickup points in the South, and it’s not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan—so if you’re staying farther out, you may want to arrange your own trip into Puerto Rico.

The good news: it’s described as near public transportation, so if you’re flexible, you have options besides the included pickup.

Your 4.5 Hours Aboard Afrikat: What the Timing Really Means

The cruise runs about 4 hours 30 minutes and the exact departure window shifts by season. In summer, it’s listed as 09:30 to 14:00; in winter, it’s 10:00 to 14:30. Either way, you’re getting a true morning plan: late morning sun, lunch on board, then back before the island gets too sleepy.

What I like about this timing is that it’s long enough to feel like a proper outing, but short enough that you don’t lose most of your day—especially helpful if you’re also planning beach time or a quick dinner elsewhere.

A practical note: the cruise has a maximum of 66 travelers. That number matters. You’ll have less crowding at the water stop, and it’s easier to hear instructions and move around the boat.

Coastline Views Without the Long Waits

The cruise follows Gran Canaria’s coastline from Puerto Base toward a calm bay. From deck, you can watch villages, coves, and beaches go by. This is one of those trips where the best moments often happen while you’re doing something simple: standing with a drink, spotting the coastline, and realizing you’re seeing the island from a totally different angle than the roads.

Because the catamaran is stable compared with smaller boats, it tends to be an easier day for people who don’t love rougher seas. That said, water always has motion. If you’re sensitive, treat this like a sea day and bring whatever helps you personally.

Stop in the Clear Bay: Swim and Snorkel Setup

At the bay, the boat anchors and you get time to swim and snorkel. This is the heart of the morning. The water is described as refreshing and clear, and you’ll have a real chance to cool off instead of just dipping your toes for a minute.

Snorkeling is optional, and equipment is provided. Still, the cruise specifically recommends that you bring your own snorkelling equipment. If you’re picky about fit or you already have your own mask, do yourself a favor and pack it. If not, the provided kit should be fine for casual snorkeling.

Two practical tips:

• Bring sunscreen that won’t turn your day into a slippery mess.
• If you’re doing photos, consider a waterproof case. Salt spray is real, and you’ll be glad you protected your phone.

Water Sports Add-Ons: What You’ll Pay for the Adrenaline

This cruise gives you a menu of extra thrills at special rates, but they are not included. If you want to plan ahead, here are the add-on prices listed:

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

So, should you do them? Here’s my take based on how these cruises usually play out. If you’re traveling once and you want one “wow” moment, jet skis and parasailing are the biggest hit for most people. If you want the day to stay relaxing, you can skip the extras and still get a satisfying swim-and-snorkel core.

One extra-thrill detail worth knowing: there’s also a speedboat option with the captain, and people have enjoyed that as a way to see more from a smaller craft perspective. It’s a low-cost add-on, so it’s easy to justify if you have the energy.

Lunch on Board: Chicken Wrap, Pasta Salad, and Real Expectations

Lunch is included on the boat. It’s served as a chicken wrap with pasta salad. If you have dietary needs, you need to communicate them in advance when booking, and special options are mentioned for dietary requirements.

This is not a five-course dining experience. It’s practical, filling, and timed to keep your energy up for the water time. Some people felt the food was just okay, so I’d set your expectations like this: good enough to keep you going, not something you’ll brag about later like a top restaurant.

Still, what helps is that lunch is part of the flow. You’re not searching for food after the swim. You’re already in vacation mode.

Drinks Included: Beer and Sangria, Plus the Non-Alcoholic Line

Drinks are included throughout your time on board, including:

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

The cruise also notes a minimum drinking age of 18. If you’re traveling with teens, double-check who’s allowed to drink alcoholic beverages during the cruise.

One of the smartest values here is that the included drinks reduce decision fatigue. You’re not doing the math every time you want another round, and the crew serving you means you can stay focused on the views and the water.

Also, there’s a nice environmental detail people have highlighted: eatable straws. That’s the kind of small touch that signals the crew is thinking about the ocean, not just selling a ride.

The Crew and the Atmosphere: Friendly, Lively, and Helpful

This trip tends to be social in a good way. The crew is described as welcoming and organized, and people have specifically pointed out that staff were helpful when someone felt unwell with seasickness. That matters, because it’s the difference between awkward and stressful versus calm and handled.

Music can be part of the experience too. One sailing included live saxophone, and it helped set a fun tone on the return stretch. Even if your trip doesn’t have music that day, expect the boat to run with energy—laughter, easy conversation, and a straightforward routine from boarding to bay time to lunch to return.

If you’re traveling solo, this is one of the easier boat trips to enjoy because the group is small enough (up to 66) to actually talk to people without the awkwardness of larger mass tours.

Where This Cruise Fits Best (and Where It Might Not)

You’ll probably love the Afrikat Morning Cruise if:

• You want an easy morning catamaran plan with minimal fuss
• You care about swimming and snorkeling time more than just taking photos from land
• You like having lunch and drinks included
• You’re interested in optional adrenaline, but you don’t want it forced

You might reconsider if:

• You expect hours of nonstop sailing. Anchoring for the swim is a key part of the plan.
• You’re a food snob. The lunch is included and convenient, but it isn’t positioned as a gourmet meal.

This is also a good family option if your children are comfortable with boats, but remember: children must be accompanied by an adult.

Booking Value: Is It Worth $90.70?

At $90.70 per person, the price makes sense when you look at what’s included. You’re paying for:

• a 4.5-hour catamaran ride
• lunch on board
• multiple included drinks
• an anchored swim/snorkel stop with equipment provided
• return transport from selected pickup points (for eligible areas)

If you tried to piece that together on your own—boat time plus food plus drinks—you’d likely spend more, especially once you factor in how convenient it is to have everything arranged for you in one go.

The extras (jet ski, parasailing, donut ride, speedboat with captain) are optional. So you can control the final spend. That’s good value design: you get a strong base experience even if you skip the thrill add-ons.

Should You Book the Afrikat Morning Cruise?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a straightforward, high-value morning on Gran Canaria’s water. The best part is the combination: coastline views plus a real swim/snorkel window, all wrapped with lunch and drinks so you’re not hunting for food or paying for every little thing.

Book it especially if you:

• want a balanced cruise with time to relax
• like the idea of optional activities without committing to them all
• will enjoy a crew-led, social boat atmosphere

Skip it if you’re hunting for a long, nonstop sailing day or you’re expecting a top-tier restaurant lunch. In that case, you might be happier with a different type of Gran Canaria boat outing.

If you do book, pack your swim gear, consider bringing your own snorkel setup, and plan to enjoy the day at a human pace. This is a cruise meant for sun, salt air, and a quick reset before the rest of your island plans begin.

FAQ

What’s included with the Afrikat Morning Cruise ticket?

The ticket includes a 4.5-hour boat trip, drinks such as beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and water, and a lunch meal (chicken wrap with pasta salad). You also get the chance to swim and snorkel with equipment provided.

How long is the cruise?

It runs for about 4 hours 30 minutes. Seasonal departure times are listed as roughly 09:30–14:00 in summer and 10:00–14:30 in winter.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is C. Puerto Base, 1, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered from centralized pickup points in the South of the island, and you’ll need to check your transport service confirmation email 24 hours before departure for the exact pickup time and place. Pickup is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan.

If I’m arriving at Puerto Base myself, when should I get there?

If you’re arriving directly at Puerto Base, Puerto Rico, you should plan to be there 20 minutes before departure.

Do I need to bring my own snorkelling equipment?

Equipment is provided, but the cruise also recommends bringing your own equipment if you want the best fit and comfort for snorkeling.

What extra water sports cost more?

Jet ski is €32 per vehicle, parasailing is €32 per person, and the donut ride is €10 per person. There’s also a speedboat ride with the captain for €5 per person.

What if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The cruise requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.