Gran Canaria: Private Yacht Excursion with Drinks, Lunch, and Snorkeling

The best part of this Gran Canaria excursion is the private yacht setting. You leave Puerto Rico for the Mogán coast, stop near sea-access-only Perchel Cove, and have the boat, music, drinks, and water gear reserved for your own group. It feels more personal than a large party cruise, especially for families or friends traveling together.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the mix of activities. You can snorkel, use a paddleboard, swim, or simply sit with a glass of cava and watch the coast slide by. I also like that the crew, including guides such as Suso and Ronnie, can keep the mood social without hovering over you every minute.

The main thing to check is the group-size and food details. The advertised price is $565 per group of up to six, while the activity description says the yacht can take up to 12 passengers. Confirm the final price for your party, and remember that the included food is an assortment of snacks and tapas rather than a large restaurant-style lunch.

Key points to know before you book

• Perchel Cove is reached from the sea: The stop gives you a quieter place for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.
• The boat is private for your group: Music, drinks, and deck time are shared only with the people you bring.
• Pickup covers southern Gran Canaria: A van collects you from many hotels and resorts, with advance booking required.
• The included bar is practical, not unlimited luxury: Beer, soft drinks, sangria, water, sparkling water, juices, and a welcome cava are covered.
• Paid water sports are optional: Jet skis, sea scooters, and parasailing cost extra and depend on conditions.
• Allow for sea motion: If you get seasick, bring motion-sickness medicine and choose a calmer day if possible.

Why a private boat changes the day

A private yacht trip works best when you care as much about the company as the sightseeing. You are not being placed with a large mixed crowd, so the atmosphere can fit your group. Put on music, stretch out with a drink, take turns on the paddleboards, or keep things quiet and let the coast do the work.

The boat carries up to 12 passengers, although the stated $565 rate is for a group of up to six. That makes the price attractive for six people, at roughly $94 per person before any extra activities. For a full group of 12, the per-person value could be better, but you should confirm the exact rate before paying because the published group limits are not perfectly consistent.

This is not a formal sailing lesson or a long open-ocean voyage. It is a short, relaxed outing of about three to four hours, built around a coastal cruise, a swimming stop, food, and time on the water. That makes it easy to fit into a holiday without giving up an entire day.

Getting from your hotel to Puerto Rico

Pickup is offered from a wide spread of accommodation areas in southern Gran Canaria. Listed collection points include Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, San Agustín, Puerto Rico, Amadores, Anfi, Patalavaca, Arguineguín, Puerto de Mogán, Taurito, and nearby resorts.

You must provide your hotel, complex, or address when booking. Be ready five minutes before the agreed time. The van ride is listed at about 20 minutes, though the total transfer can vary depending on where you are staying and how many pickup points are being served.

This transfer is useful if you do not have a car. It also removes the need to work out parking around Puerto Rico. If you are already staying in Puerto Rico, the arrangement is simpler, since the yacht leaves from there and the return is to the same departure point.

The return transfer is also available to the southern pickup areas. You can instead stay in Puerto Rico after the cruise, walk along the promenade, or find a local restaurant before making your own way back. That flexibility is handy if your accommodation is nearby and you want to turn the boat trip into part of a longer afternoon.

Leaving Puerto Rico and following the Mogán coast

The yacht sets out from Puerto Rico, a practical marina base on the southwest coast. Once the boat is underway, the focus shifts quickly from the town to the open Atlantic, with sun, sea air, and views back toward the island.

A welcome glass of cava starts the trip. The open bar includes beer, soft drinks, sangria, still and sparkling water, and juices. Cocktails, wine, mixed drinks, and additional cava are not included, so ask the crew about prices if you want something beyond the standard selection.

The guide gives you an explanation of the plan at the start. That short briefing matters because the day is flexible. Weather and sea conditions can change the order of stops or limit some water activities. You should think of the route as a plan rather than a fixed timetable.

The sailing itself is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You get a different view of the southwest coast than you would from a road or beach. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and remember that the yacht is moving. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential, and you will want a towel for the swimming stop.

Perchel Cove, snorkeling, and paddleboards

The main water stop is Perchel Cove near Mogán. It can only be reached from the sea, which gives the stop a sense of separation from the busy resort areas. It is the place to get wet rather than simply look at the water.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately. The cove offers a chance to look for local marine life, though visibility and sightings depend on the sea, light, and weather. This is casual snorkeling, not a guided marine-biology session.

Two paddleboards are available. Beginners can use them for a gentle try close to the yacht, while confident paddlers can spend more time balancing and moving across the water. The crew can provide the basic help you need, but the activity remains informal and self-directed.

Swimming is also part of the stop. If you prefer not to snorkel or paddle, you can simply cool off and return to the boat for a drink. That range of choices is important in a private group, since not everyone needs to follow the same schedule.

Optional paid water sports may be offered in the area. Listed prices are €35 for a 10-minute jet-ski ride, €70 for 20 minutes, €25 per person for a 10-minute sea scooter session, and €35 per person for 10 minutes of parasailing. A crazy sofa ride may also be available, but the exact options depend on weather and local operation.

Treat these extras as bonuses, not part of the core value. The yacht trip already includes swimming, snorkeling, paddleboards, drinks, and food. Adding every activity can raise the final cost quickly, especially for a larger group.

Food on board: tasty, but keep expectations realistic

The food is described as assorted snacks made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Examples from the experience include a meat and cheese board, tapas, and Spanish omelette. One particularly useful detail is that the omelette was singled out as a memorable part of the meal, which tells you this is more than a packet of crisps and a sandwich.

Still, the food should be understood as a snack spread rather than a full, substantial lunch. One booking received less food than expected, even though what was served was enjoyable. If you have a large group or a big appetite after swimming, you may want to eat a light meal before pickup.

Dietary needs should be shared in advance. Do not wait until you are on the boat, since the crew needs notice to plan suitable ingredients. The menu can vary, and the precise snack selection is not fully fixed.

The drinks help make the food feel like part of a proper outing. You can take a plate and a cold drink after swimming, sit back, and enjoy the coastline without needing to return to shore. For many groups, that relaxed meal is more appealing than a formal restaurant stop.

The return route: Tauro Beach, Mogán Bay, and Tiritaña Cliffs

The route back includes several notable coastal views. Mogán Bay gives you a broad look at the coastline from the water, while Tauro Beach offers a familiar beach scene from a less usual angle. These sections are mostly about photography and quiet viewing rather than another scheduled stop.

The Tiritaña Cliffs add the most dramatic scenery to the return. Their scale is easier to appreciate from offshore, where you can see the rock face without buildings immediately around you. Keep your camera nearby, since the best view may last only a short time as the yacht passes.

The coastline is a good reminder that this tour is not only about water sports. If your group includes someone who does not want to snorkel or paddleboard, the boat ride and shore views still give that person a worthwhile role in the day.

A pod of dolphins was seen on one outing, but that was a lucky wildlife sighting, not a promised part of the trip. Go for the yacht, swimming, and coast. Treat dolphins or other animals as an extra gift if they appear.

Cloud cover can also change the feel of the trip. The outing can still be enjoyable without perfect sun, but the water may look less colorful and photos less bright. Since the itinerary can change with the weather, a flexible attitude is useful.

Crew service and the tone on board

The crew is a major part of this experience. Suso and Ronnie are named as members of the boat team, and Ana handles booking messages. The captain and guide provide the safety and route information, while the crew also serves food and drinks and helps with the activities.

The style is friendly and social. Music, dancing, and jokes may suit a group that wants a party atmosphere, while the crew can also give you room to spend time privately with your family or friends. That balance matters on a private charter. You are paying for time together, not for constant entertainment from the guide.

The guide speaks English and Spanish. Explanations about the route and island are available in those languages, though the experience is not presented as a long, formal sightseeing lecture.

The staff also arrange the van transfer, which creates a smoother day from hotel door to marina and back. Be clear about your pickup point and timing, since a missed collection can cut into a short three to four-hour outing.

Value, limitations, and who should book

At $565 for up to six, this can be good value if your group fills the booking. You are paying for a private yacht, captain, guide, transfers, insurance, taxes, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and two paddleboards. A comparable private boat charter could cost more once transport and food are added, though exact comparisons depend on boat size and service level.

The value is weaker if you expect a large gourmet meal, premium alcohol, or a long day at sea. Cava is included as a welcome drink, but cocktails, wine, mixed drinks, and extra cava cost more. Towels are not supplied, so bring your own.

I would recommend this for families, couples traveling with friends, birthday groups, and anyone who wants a private setting rather than a large shared cruise. It is also a good choice if some people want water sports while others prefer drinks, music, and views.

It may be less suitable if you suffer badly from seasickness, want a guaranteed dolphin sighting, or need a rigid itinerary. Bring motion-sickness tablets if you are prone to nausea. The sea can be calm, but a yacht still moves, and the route may change.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when weather is a concern, but check the final booking details for your date and group size.

Should you book this yacht excursion?

Book it if you want a short private coastal day with swimming, snacks, paddleboards, and a friendly crew. The strongest reasons are the private setting, simple hotel transfers, and the chance to see the Mogán coast from the water while keeping the schedule relaxed.

Before confirming, ask two practical questions: Is the $565 price for your exact party size, and what food will be served on your date? If you are happy with tapas-style snacks rather than a full lunch, and you can accept weather-dependent activities, this is a well-rounded way to spend a few hours on Gran Canaria.

FAQ

How long does the private yacht excursion last?

The experience lasts about three to four hours, not including any separate time you may spend in Puerto Rico after the boat returns.

Where does the yacht leave from?

The yacht departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodation in the south of Gran Canaria, but you must request the service in advance and provide your hotel, complex, or address.

What drinks are included?

The package includes a welcome glass of cava, beer, soft drinks, sangria, water, sparkling water, and juices. Cocktails, wine, mixed drinks, and additional cava are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with two paddleboards.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. You should also bring sunglasses and sunscreen.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.