Private yacht in Papagayo Beaches with Gourmet or Premium menu

The best part of this private yacht trip is the unhurried stop off Playa de Papagayo, where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply stretch out on the floating solarium while lunch is prepared aboard ARUAL. The scenery shifts from black volcanic cliffs to golden sand and clear Atlantic water.

I like the personal scale, with only your group aboard, and the fact that Alicia and Paco handle both the sailing and the meal. I also like the generous food and drink plan: Manchego, Iberian sausage, tortilla, bread, wine, beer, and a freshly prepared lunch are all part of the outing.

The main consideration is price. At $1,123.78 for up to eight people, this makes the most sense for a full group, when the cost works out to about $140 per person. It is also weather dependent, and there is no hotel pickup.

Key points to know before booking

• Private yacht for up to eight: You get the boat, crew, water equipment, and onboard meal for your own group.
• Papagayo is the main event: Most of the time is spent anchored near the famous beach, with roughly three and a half hours dedicated to the coastal outing.
• Alicia and Paco run the experience: They welcome you aboard ARUAL and take care of the food, drinks, and water activities.
• Food is more than a light snack: Expect Manchego cheese, Iberian sausages, tortilla, bread, and a prepared Gourmet or Premium lunch.
• Water sports are included: Snorkelling gear, paddleboards, a floating solarium, and rest areas are provided.
• You meet in Playa Blanca: The departure and return point is Puerto Deportivo Rubicón, with no hotel transfer included.

A private afternoon aboard ARUAL

This is not a quick sightseeing cruise with a large crowd and a fixed seat. It is a private four-hour outing built around one long pause at sea. That difference matters.

You meet at Puerto Deportivo Rubicón in Playa Blanca and return to the same marina. Once aboard ARUAL, Alicia and Paco welcome your group and set off along the southern coast of Lanzarote. The yacht provides a restroom, outdoor shower, music, USB charging points, and 230-volt outlets, useful touches on a half-day at sea.

The boat is set up for both relaxing and getting wet. You can use the snorkelling equipment and paddleboards, or claim a place in the floating solarium. If you prefer a quieter afternoon, you can stay on deck with a drink and watch the coast pass by.

Because the outing is private, you do not need to fit your pace around strangers. A family can focus on swimming and food. A group of friends can spend more time with the paddleboards. A couple celebrating a special day can treat the whole trip as a slow lunch on the Atlantic.

The old fortress above the Atlantic

One of the first sights is a small 18th-century fortress perched on a volcanic cliff. Its original purpose was practical: the coast needed protection from pirates and privateers. Today, the dark stone walls and high position give you a compact reminder of Lanzarote’s defensive past.

The fortress is viewed as part of the coastal cruise rather than as a formal walking stop. You will not be touring its rooms or climbing through the structure. Its value is visual and historical, adding context to the volcanic coast and showing how exposed the island once was.

I like this early sight because it keeps the trip from being only about swimming and lunch. The coast has a story, and the fortress gives you something distinctive to look for as the yacht moves south.

A quiet cove framed by red volcanic cliffs

The route continues toward a cove with dark sand, clear water, and reddish cliffs. The contrast is classic Lanzarote: black volcanic material, warm red rock, and the blue Atlantic close together.

The cove is described as a calm place to pause, and it works well as a change of pace before the main stop. From the deck, you can take in the colors without needing to leave the yacht. If you prefer scenery to organized activity, this part may be one of the most appealing sections.

The exact name of this cove is not specified, so do not book the trip expecting a named beach visit here. Think of it as a scenic section of the cruise, with the main swimming and activity time reserved for the Papagayo area.

Playa Mujeres from the water

The first major beach in the Natural Monument of Los Ajaches is Playa Mujeres, the largest of the Papagayo beaches. From land, its easy access makes it the busiest beach in this group. From the yacht, you get a different view of its long golden shore and turquoise water.

That change in viewpoint is one of the strongest reasons to choose a boat trip instead of visiting only by road. You can see the full sweep of the beach and decide how close to anchor or continue toward smaller coves. The yacht gives you room to appreciate the coastline without committing to a crowded patch of sand.

Playa Mujeres is not necessarily the main swimming stop. The boat may pause nearby before moving on toward Papagayo Beach. This is helpful if you want a broad view of the coast, but less helpful if your priority is spending every possible minute on one beach.

Papagayo Beach and the long anchor stop

After passing El Pozo Beach and Playa de La Cera, ARUAL reaches Playa de Papagayo. This is the visual high point of the trip, with a curved strip of golden sand and clear blue water enclosed by volcanic slopes.

The published timing gives this main section about three hours and thirty minutes, making it much more than a quick photo stop. Once anchored, you can choose your own rhythm:

• Swim in the clear water.
• Use the snorkelling equipment.
• Try the paddleboards.
• Relax on the floating solarium.
• Stay on deck with a drink.
• Take a shower after swimming.
• Settle in for lunch and watch the coast.

The floating solarium is a particularly useful feature for people who want to enjoy the water without continually swimming. The paddleboards add some movement, while the snorkelling gear lets you look below the surface. The available activities are simple, but they give the long stop a good mix of action and rest.

The water conditions and exact activity choices depend on the day. This is an outdoor boat trip, not a structured water-sports lesson, so you should be comfortable using the equipment independently. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

What comes with the Gourmet or Premium menu

Food is a major part of the value here. Before lunch, the crew serves snacks including Manchego cheese, Iberian sausages, potato tortilla, and fresh bread. That is a substantial start, not a token bowl of crisps.

The main meal is prepared on board with fresh produce. You choose between a Gourmet menu and a Premium menu when booking. The exact menu details are not provided, so check the selected option carefully if you have specific dietary needs or want to know the precise dishes in advance.

The onboard meal is described as being cooked freshly during the outing. A meal prepared at sea feels more special than a packed lunch, and it means you can eat without breaking the flow of the afternoon. The food also suits the setting: a relaxed meal, served after swimming, with the yacht anchored off the Papagayo coast.

A previous afternoon arrangement included a barbecue, salads, Canarian potatoes, ice cream, and fruit. Those dishes give you a useful idea of the kind of generous meal that may be served, but the formal information only guarantees the chosen Gourmet or Premium menu, not a fixed barbecue menu.

Drinks, from Champagne to Rioja

The drink plan is unusually broad for a four-hour excursion. The package includes a welcome bottle of French Champagne, cava, dry white Rioja, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water.

The dry white wine is a natural match for seafood or a light lunch, though the exact meal is not specified. Beer and soft drinks give you alternatives, and bottled water matters after time in the sun. The food begins with Spanish snacks, so the combination of Rioja, cheese, sausages, and tortilla fits the regional feel of the trip.

Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over. Younger members of the group can have non-alcoholic drinks. If your party includes children or anyone who does not drink, the package still offers plenty of alternatives.

Is $1,123.78 good value?

The price is $1,123.78 per group of up to eight people. With eight people sharing, that comes to roughly $140 per person. For a private yacht, a crew, a four-hour outing, water equipment, snacks, drinks, and a prepared lunch, that is a reasonable price for a special occasion or a full group.

The value drops if only two or three people book. You are still paying for the whole yacht, so the private setting becomes costly on a per-person basis. The best match is a family group, a group of friends, or several couples who can fill most of the eight available places.

You should also compare this with what you want from a boat trip. If you mainly want a low-cost ride along the coast, this is too expensive. If you want privacy, a meal, drinks, and several hours at anchor with your own group, the price is easier to justify.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to reach Puerto Deportivo Rubicón in Playa Blanca on your own and return there after the cruise. Build that into your day, especially if you are staying elsewhere on Lanzarote.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for people who want the boat itself to be the experience, not just transport to a beach. The private format suits groups that value time together and do not want a fixed public cruise schedule.

It is also a good fit if your group has mixed interests. One person can paddleboard, another can snorkel, and someone else can remain on deck with a glass of wine. The floating solarium and rest areas make it easier for non-swimmers to enjoy the afternoon too.

Food-focused groups will appreciate the prepared meal and Spanish snacks. The Champagne and wine also make this suitable for a birthday, anniversary, or relaxed celebration.

I would think twice if you dislike being on the water, need guaranteed sunshine, or want a highly active excursion with constant movement. The trip has a long anchor period, and its appeal comes from slowing down. It is also weather dependent, so keep some flexibility in your Lanzarote plans.

Practical details that matter

The listed duration is about four hours, with the Papagayo portion described as three hours and thirty minutes. That leaves a short amount of time for the marina departure, coastal cruising, and return.

The trip is offered in English. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity ends back at Puerto Deportivo Rubicón. The boat has a restroom, which is reassuring on a half-day cruise, along with an outdoor shower for rinsing off after swimming.

You will find USB charging points and 230-volt outlets onboard, so you can keep phones or cameras ready for photos. A waterproof 360-degree camera was also available during one outing, allowing the group to record water activities. Treat that as a feature that may be offered, rather than a guaranteed inclusion in every booking, since it is not listed among the standard inclusions.

The cancellation terms are straightforward. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

My verdict on this Papagayo yacht trip

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a polished, private day at sea. The strongest points are the long stop near Papagayo, the choice of swimming and paddleboarding, the generous food and drinks, and the personal care provided by Alicia and Paco.

The trip is less compelling for a small party on a tight budget, or for anyone who wants a land-based beach day with no weather risk. But for up to eight people who want lunch, clear water, volcanic scenery, and their own yacht rather than a crowded boat, ARUAL offers a memorable way to see southern Lanzarote.

FAQ

Where does the yacht trip start and finish?

The trip starts and ends at Puerto Deportivo Rubicón, S.A.C. el Berrugo 2, 35580 Playa Blanca, Las Palmas, Spain.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours. The Papagayo section is listed as lasting about three hours and thirty minutes.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The yacht is reserved for your private group, with up to eight people included in the group price.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Included food consists of Manchego cheese, Iberian sausages, potato tortilla, fresh bread, and a lunch prepared onboard. Drinks include French Champagne, cava, dry white Rioja, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water.

Can I snorkel or paddleboard?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment, paddleboards, a floating solarium, and rest areas are included.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not available. You need to reach the marina meeting point independently.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is cancelled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.