Gran Canaria: Private yacht excursion with Aperitif, drinks and snorkeling

Salt air, quiet coves, and your own boat. This four-hour outing from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria gives you a private yacht for your group, with a skipper, cava, drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, and a paddle board included. I especially like the freedom of having the boat to yourselves and the chance to reach Perchel Cove, a sea-access-only spot near Mogán. The main catch is food: you get an assortment of appetizers, not a full lunch, so hungry swimmers should eat beforehand.

I also like the simple transport plan. A van collects you at your hotel or accommodation in the south of Gran Canaria, then returns you after the cruise. Captains Christian and Ronnie have earned particularly warm praise for being friendly and attentive, while Marcus has been noted for handling the hotel transfer well. Just remember that the open bar covers beer, soft drinks, sangria, water, sparkling water, and juices, but cocktails, wine, and mixed drinks cost extra.

Five things to know before booking

• Perchel Cove is reached only by sea, giving the trip a setting that ordinary beach outings cannot offer.
• The yacht is private, with space for your own family or friends rather than a large public boat group.
• Snorkeling and paddleboarding are included, while jet skis, parasailing, a sea scooter, and a crazy sofa carry extra charges.
• The advertised price is $650 per group up to eight people, so the value improves sharply when you fill the boat.
• Hotel pickup covers the southern resort area, with a listed van ride of about 20 minutes before the four-hour cruise.
• Seasickness medicine is worth considering, especially if you know that open-water trips are difficult for you.

What the $650 private boat price really buys

The advertised rate is $650 for a group of up to eight people. That works out to $81.25 per person for eight, before any optional water activities or paid drinks. A boat can take up to 10 passengers, but the stated price is for a maximum of eight, so confirm the exact charge if your party has nine or 10 people.

For a private outing, that price can make sense. You are not simply paying for a seat and a short ride. You get a captain, hotel transport, a welcome glass of cava, an open bar, snacks, snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, insurance, and taxes. The private format also matters. You can play music, settle into the boat’s relaxed atmosphere, and spend more time swimming or chatting without having to follow the mood of a large mixed group.

Still, this is not an all-inclusive yacht lunch. The food is described as an assortment of snacks and appetizers made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. One person found the quantity too light for the price and felt hungry during the afternoon. I would treat the food as a pleasant extra, not the main meal of the day.

The open bar is useful but limited. Beer, soft drinks, sangria, water, sparkling water, and juices are included. Cocktails, wine, and mixed drinks are available onboard for an additional charge. If your idea of a yacht afternoon includes a particular bottle or elaborate cocktail, budget for it separately.

From your hotel to Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

The pickup service covers a long list of hotels, resorts, shopping areas, and named meeting points across the south of the island. These include places in Puerto Rico, Mogán, Taurito, Patalavaca, Maspalomas, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Playa del Inglés.

You must give the accommodation name or address when booking, and the pickup needs to be arranged in advance. Be ready at the agreed time. The van waits only five minutes, which is not much time if you are still collecting beach bags or looking for the lobby.

The listed transfer takes about 20 minutes, although the exact ride depends on your starting point. This service is valuable if you do not have a rental car, since Puerto Rico’s marina is the departure point and not every resort is nearby. At the end, the van returns you to the same general area.

The transport also makes this outing easier for families and groups. Nobody has to nominate a driver after a day of cava, sangria, and sun. One praised transfer was handled by Marcus, who brought the group to and from its hotel.

Setting sail from Puerto Rico

The boat leaves from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and heads offshore toward the Mogán area. The crew gives a short explanation of the plan, then the trip settles into its main rhythm: open water, sea air, music, drinks, swimming, and time with your group.

A welcome glass of cava starts the outing. The boat’s appeal is not speed or a packed schedule. It is the feeling of having a moving base on the Atlantic, with the freedom to sit in the sun, find shade, talk, and take photographs.

Your captain is responsible for the sailing and the day’s practical flow. Christian and Ronnie have both been singled out for their friendly hosting, which is important on a private trip. A good captain does more than steer. He helps the group understand the timing, explains what is coming, and makes people feel comfortable using the equipment.

The sea can be unsettled, though. The operator specifically advises people who get seasick easily to bring motion sickness pills. Take that advice seriously. A private yacht does not remove the movement of the Atlantic, and four hours is a long time if you feel unwell.

Perchel Cove, swimming, and sea time

The main coastal destination is Perchel Cove near Mogán. It can only be reached from the sea, which gives this stop a more secluded feel than a standard beach visit. You see the cove from the water, stop for activities, and enjoy the kind of access that is not available from the road.

This is the active part of the outing. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you can get into the water and look for marine life without bringing your own mask and fins. The description promises a good range of sea life, but no exact species or underwater visibility conditions are guaranteed. Your view will depend on the day, the water, and how comfortable you are snorkeling.

A paddle board is also provided. Beginners can try it at an easy pace, while confident paddlers have room to enjoy it more actively. The board gives your group another way to use the stop, especially if someone does not care to snorkel.

You can also take a simple swim. While you are in the water, the crew prepares the appetizers. That timing helps the stop feel unhurried: swim first, dry off, then eat and order another drink.

Optional water sports are available at discounted rates. The listed prices are €35 for a 10-minute jet ski ride, €20 per person for 10 minutes on the crazy sofa, €25 per person for a 10-minute sea scooter session, and €35 per person for 10 minutes of parasailing. These costs can add up quickly for a family, so decide in advance how much you want to spend beyond the base price.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

The snack service is designed for grazing rather than a sit-down meal. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are used, but the exact assortment is not specified in the information provided. Since one person felt the food was too light, have breakfast or lunch before pickup, particularly if you plan to swim, paddle, or pay for a water sport.

The included drink selection is practical for a half-day on the water. Water and juices keep things simple, while beer and sangria suit a relaxed afternoon. The welcome cava is a nice touch, but it does not turn the outing into a luxury food cruise.

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels are not supplied. A camera is also useful, since the route includes open Atlantic views, Perchel Cove, the bay around Mogán, and Taurito. Keep anything valuable protected from spray and wet hands.

Pets, weapons, sharp objects, alcohol brought from outside, drugs, and nudity are not allowed. The boat is also not suitable for wheelchair users.

Views toward Mogán and Taurito

After the water activities and food, the boat passes views around the special bay of Mogán and Taurito before returning to Puerto Rico. These coastal sections are a good reason to keep your camera ready, but the value is also in the pace. You are not rushing from one formal stop to another.

Mogán gives the trip a pleasant coastal focus, while Taurito adds another southern Gran Canaria viewpoint. You see the resorts and shore from offshore, which changes your sense of the coast. Instead of walking a promenade, you watch the island from the water and get a broader view of the bays.

The return leg is a chance to sit back and finish your drinks. Four hours is long enough for a proper boat afternoon without taking over the whole day. You can still walk Puerto Rico’s promenade or find a restaurant afterward.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This is best for a family group, a birthday party, a group of friends, or couples who want a private day on the water. The private setup lets you choose how much time to spend talking, swimming, paddling, taking photographs, or trying paid activities.

It also suits mixed-ability groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel or paddle, while others can remain onboard with a drink. The skipper and equipment are included, so you do not need to organize a separate boating plan.

It is less suitable for anyone seeking a full meal, a large selection of premium drinks, or guaranteed calm water. It is also a poor fit if you dislike boats or regularly suffer from seasickness. Wheelchair users should choose another activity.

The language support is Spanish and English. The group remains private, but the exact boat capacity and pricing should be checked if you have more than eight people.

Booking advice and final verdict

The strongest part of this experience is the combination of privacy, water access, and friendly hosting. Christian and Ronnie are praised by name, and that personal care can make a big difference on a four-hour trip. Having a van collect you from the southern resort area is another real convenience.

The weak point is the mismatch between a premium price and modest catering. At $650, I would book this for the private yacht, the sea access, and the time with your own group, not for lunch. Eat beforehand, bring a towel and sunscreen, and set aside extra money if jet skiing or parasailing is part of your plan.

I would book it if you can fill most of the available places. Eight people sharing the cost makes the private format far better value than booking for only two or three. I would skip it if your priority is a long gourmet meal or a low-cost sightseeing cruise. For a relaxed, active afternoon with your own people, this is a strong choice in southern Gran Canaria.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht excursion?

The boat trip lasts four hours. The listed van transfer from the pickup area to Puerto Rico takes about 20 minutes.

Where does the yacht leave from?

The yacht departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and returns there at the end of the cruise.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in the south of Gran Canaria, but you must provide the hotel, resort, or address in advance and be punctual.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes beer, soft drinks, sangria, water, sparkling water, and juices. Cocktails, wine, and mixed drinks cost extra.

Are snorkeling and paddleboarding included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are included. Jet skis, the crazy sofa, a sea scooter, and parasailing cost extra.

Is the yacht suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.