Afrikat Afternoon Cruise

This afternoon cruise is interesting because it turns your Gran Canaria day into a moving viewpoint. You get magnificent coastline views from the water and a relaxing anchor stop where you can swim and snorkel with gear provided.

I also like the onboard hospitality. There is an included meal and a steady flow of drinks, plus you’re never stuck in long lines or complicated transfers. The main drawback to note is that hotel pickup is limited to centralized points in the south, and it is not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan.

If you are okay with that, this is a strong value way to see Gran Canaria from the sea without spending all day on logistics.

Key things I’d plan for

• Catamaran Afrikat afternoon cruise with a 2:30 pm start and about 4.5 hours on the water
• Swim and snorkeling time in a calm bay, with equipment provided
• Included lunch and drinks (including beer and sangria) so you can budget the day
• Optional water sports cost extra, like jet ski (€32 per vehicle) and parasailing (€32 per person)
• Pickup from select south hotels only, with confirmation by email 24 hours before departure
• Smaller group feel for a cruise, max 66 travelers, with a maximum of 12 per individual booking

Why this Afrikat afternoon cruise feels like a real break

Gran Canaria has great beaches, but after a few days of sand and bus schedules, you start craving something simpler. This trip gives you sea air and shade breaks that feel natural, not forced. The catamaran keeps things easy on a half-day timeline, and the route runs along the coastline so you get scenery without hauling luggage or changing plans.

Two moments make the cruise especially worth it. First, cruising along the coast from Puerto Rico, then pausing in a calm bay. Second, the time you spend in the water. If you want a vacation reset, that swim and snorkel break does it.

The ship is also set up for comfort. There is a buffet-style vibe onboard, but what matters for you is that the meal and drinks are part of the program, not an add-on you have to track down.

The day is built around leisure, not checklists. So if you like your sightseeing with a breeze, you’ll fit right in.

Timing and what happens between 2:30 pm and drop-off

The cruise starts at 2:30 pm from Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria in Puerto Base, Puerto Rico (C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain). Plan to be early if you are joining directly at the harbor, arriving 30 minutes before departure.

The ride is about 4.5 hours total. That means it is long enough to feel like an experience, but short enough that you still keep your evening free for dinner in the south.

Onboard, the flow is simple:

• You cruise along the coastline for views and relaxed time on deck.
• You reach a calm, crystal-clear bay and anchor.
• You get your chance to swim and snorkel.
• Water sports are optional and priced separately.
• A meal is served onboard, and drinks are available throughout your time on board.
• You return back to the meeting point.

One small detail I’d take seriously: this is a working harbor start. If you show up late, you don’t get to “catch up.” Build in time to get yourself checked in and settled.

The water stop: swimming, snorkeling, and optional action

This is the heart of the afternoon. After cruising along the coast, the catamaran anchors in a calmer bay. That is when the water time begins.

You get a chance to swim and snorkel, and equipment is provided. You can also expect it to feel beginner-friendly. The whole idea is that you can do something in the water without needing to be a certified diver.

What you might not get, because it is not stated, is long guided reef exploration. The program centers on a swim-and-snorkel window, plus the option to add activities if you want more thrill.

If you do want that extra adrenaline, you can choose from add-on water sports:

• Jet ski: €32 per vehicle
• Parasailing: €32 per person
• Donut ride: €10 per person
• Speedboat ride with the Captain: €5 per person (optional)

A practical note: even though these are extras, they can shape how your afternoon feels. If you are mostly there for views, skip them and stay flexible during the swim window. If you love activity, book your added ride quickly once you are onboard so you do not end up waiting.

Food and drinks onboard: what’s included, what costs extra

This is one of the easiest parts to plan because the included items are clear. Your meal onboard is listed as chicken wrap with pasta salad. If you have dietary needs, you should contact the operator at booking for special dietary requirements.

Drinks included during the cruise:

• Beer
• Sangria
• Soft drinks, juice, coffee
• Water

So yes, this is not just tea and juice with a view. The included alcohol and the laid-back service make the cruise feel more like a floating lunch than a basic transport boat.

What is not included matters for budgeting:

• Cocktails, champagne, wine, and spirits cost extra.

Also note the rules for drinking. The minimum drinking age is 18. If you are traveling with teens, they will still enjoy the cruise, but the alcohol side will be off-limits.

If you want to keep your budget steady, I recommend treating the cruise meal and included drinks as your base plan, then consider one add-on water sport if you want a highlight.

Price and value: does $93.16 make sense for your day

At about $93.16 per person, you are paying for a half-day catamaran experience that includes:

• the boat trip (about 4.5 hours)
• your onboard meal
• multiple drinks during the cruise
• the swim and snorkeling opportunity with equipment
• return transport from your hotel area (depending on where you stay)

That is the key value angle. You are not paying extra for the boat itself and then paying again for lunch. And you are not paying a separate snorkeling fee on top of the cruise. The only things clearly not included are the higher-cost water sports and premium drink options.

Where value can swing is your personal preference:

• If you will use the swim and snorkeling time and stick to included drinks, you’ll feel like you got a lot for the price.
• If you plan to stack jet ski, parasailing, and speedboat rides, the total cost climbs quickly.

One more value tip: the company is offering booking-related discounts in some situations, and some people even suggest booking direct can be cheaper. If you care about squeezing the price, compare the final total you will actually pay, not just the headline rate.

Where you board: meeting point and the pickup rules that can surprise you

The meeting point is at Afrikat Catamaran Gran Canaria, C. Puerto Base, S/N, 35130 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain. The cruise ends back at the meeting point.

Hotel pickup is where you need to pay attention. Pickup and return drop-off depend on your area. The big rule is that collection is only available from centralized pickup points in the South of the island.

Pickup is explicitly not available from Salobre, Puerto Rico, or Mogan. That means if you are staying in those spots, you should plan on getting yourself to Puerto Base.

Also: you must check your transport confirmation 24 hours before departure because the exact pickup time and place are confirmed by email. Check your junk folder too.

If you are arriving directly at Puerto Base, arrive early, 30 minutes before departure, so you have time to park your brain and find the boat calmly.

Onboard vibe: comfort, space, and the group size feel

This is a maximum 66 travelers overall, and there is a stated maximum of 12 people per individual booking. You should feel that as a more manageable crowd than some big-boat tours.

Onboard, the catamaran layout usually helps. There is room to move around between deck and seating, and the cruise is short enough that people generally stay in “vacation mode” instead of racing between activities.

One nice perk that can make the return feel festive is live music. There is at least one mention of a saxophonist during the return to harbor. It is not guaranteed from the information provided, but if it happens on your date, it is the kind of extra touch that makes the afternoon feel like a party without turning it into chaos.

Who this cruise suits best

This is a smart fit if:

• You want Gran Canaria from the sea, not just from a road viewpoint.
• You like a relaxed afternoon with an included meal and drinks.
• You want a swim and snorkel moment without complicated planning.
• You are traveling with friends or family who enjoy water, but not everyone needs to do the optional sports.

It might be less ideal if:

• You need door-to-door pickup from your exact hotel.
• You want premium drinks and champagne included in the price.
• You are budgeting so tightly that even one optional activity would be stressful.

Because it is easy to participate and the crew handles the main flow, it is also good for couples who want an “easy yes” excursion on a limited schedule.

Should you book Afrikat Afternoon Cruise?

Yes, you should book it if you match the vibe. For most people in the south of Gran Canaria, it is a straightforward way to get big views, real water time, and an included meal for a price that is easier to justify than many separate boat and activity add-ons.

Before you click, check two things:

1) Pickup availability for your specific hotel area. If you are in a spot that is not covered, plan to reach Puerto Base yourself.

2) Decide now how many extras you want. The cruise itself is already strong, and the optional water sports are where your budget can grow fast.

If you want a half-day that feels like a proper escape, this one is worth your time.