Private yacht in Papagayo Beaches with Gourmet or Premium menu

Papagayo looks best from the water. This private four-hour cruise aboard the ARUAL combines Lanzarote’s volcanic coast, clear swimming coves, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and a freshly prepared lunch with drinks. I like the freedom of having the yacht for your own group of up to eight, and I like that the crew, Alicia and Paco, are part of the experience rather than just handling the boat.

The strongest features are the relaxed pace and the generous food and drink service, including Champagne, cava, Rioja dry white wine, beer, tapas, soft drinks, and water. The main consideration is the price: $1,123.78 per group is good value for eight people, but much less so for a small party. You also need to reach Puerto Deportivo Rubicón in Playa Blanca yourself, and the trip depends on suitable weather.

Key points to know

• Private yacht for up to eight: Your group gets the ARUAL without strangers sharing the boat.
• Papagayo swimming stop: The main anchorage allows time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or resting on the floating solarium.
• Fresh lunch prepared onboard: Choose the Gourmet or Premium menu, with food made during the outing.
• Generous drinks service: Welcome French Champagne, cava, Rioja dry white wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water are included.
• Volcanic coast from the sea: You pass the old cliff fortress, dark-sand coves, Playa Mujeres, El Pozo, and Playa de La Cera.
• Best value for larger groups: At the full group size, the cost works out to about $140 per person before considering the food, private boat, and equipment.

Setting Off From Puerto Deportivo Rubicón

The trip begins at Puerto Deportivo Rubicón, at El Berrugo 2 in Playa Blanca. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina and arrive ready to board.

This meeting point matters because the tour is built as a private outing, not a coach excursion with transfers. You trade the convenience of hotel pickup for a more personal half-day on the water. The activity ends back at the same marina, making it easier to plan around a meal or another activity in Playa Blanca.

The yacht is called the ARUAL, and the supplied details mention music, USB charging points, 230-volt outlets, a restroom, an outdoor shower, and places to sit and rest. Those details may sound minor, but they make a difference during four hours at sea. You can keep a phone charged, rinse off after swimming, and avoid having the whole outing feel like a basic boat transfer.

Alicia and Paco are named as the crew. One account of the trip describes them welcoming the group aboard, serving drinks and snacks soon after departure, and keeping the mood friendly throughout the afternoon. That personal touch is important on a private charter, where good hosts can make the difference between a pleasant boat ride and a memorable day.

The Fortress Above the Atlantic

One of the first sights is a small 18th century fortress built on a volcanic cliff above the Atlantic. Its purpose was once practical: the island used it to watch the coast and guard against pirates and privateers.

From the yacht, you see the fortress as part of the shoreline rather than as a separate museum stop. The dark volcanic stone and stark outline give the opening part of the cruise a useful sense of place. Lanzarote is not just about beaches and swimming pools. Its coast carries reminders of defense, seafaring, and the island’s exposed position in the Atlantic.

There is no indication that you go ashore at the fortress. Treat it as a passing view and a photo opportunity, not a guided historical visit. If you want detailed information about the building, you will need to do some reading before or after the cruise.

Red Cliffs and a Quiet Dark-Sand Cove

The route continues toward a peaceful cove framed by reddish cliffs. The water is described as clear, and the dark sand creates a strong contrast with the surrounding volcanic rock and open sea.

This is one of the quieter parts of the journey. It gives you time to sit on deck, watch the shoreline, and enjoy the setting before the main beach stop. The yacht changes how you see the coast. From land, a beach is usually a place you reach by path or road. From the ARUAL, the cove becomes part of a broad sweep of volcanic rock, sea, and sky.

The exact amount of time spent here is not specified, so you should not expect a guaranteed shore visit or a long stop at every location. The cruise is best understood as a moving coastal tour with one main anchorage at Papagayo.

Playa Mujeres From a Better Angle

Playa Mujeres is the first major beach in the Natural Monument of Los Ajaches and the largest of the Papagayo Beaches. It has golden sand and clear turquoise water, with easy access from land.

That easy access can also make it the busiest beach in the area. Arriving by yacht changes the view. You see its full curve from offshore, and the crew can choose to anchor nearby or continue toward smaller coves, depending on the plan and sea conditions.

This is a good example of what you are paying for with a private boat. You are not simply being dropped at the same beach as everyone else. You have a degree of choice about where to pause, how long to stay in the water, and when to move on. Still, the activity details do not promise a completely private beach or an empty anchorage. The value is access from the sea and flexibility, not total solitude.

El Pozo, La Cera, and the Approach to Papagayo

Before reaching the main stop, the boat skirts El Pozo Beach and the smaller Playa de La Cera. These beaches lead toward Papagayo and help you understand the shape of the southern coast.

The route works well because the sights build gradually. You begin with the fortress and volcanic cliffs, pass red rock and dark sand, then reach broad golden beaches and bright water. It is a compact introduction to the coast south of Playa Blanca, without trying to turn every beach into a separate landing.

You may want a light layer for the boat ride, even on a warm day. The supplied information does not specify what clothing or towels are provided, so bring anything you know you will need for time in the water and on deck. The boat does have an outdoor shower, which is useful after snorkeling or paddleboarding.

The Main Stop at Playa de Papagayo

Papagayo is the centerpiece of the outing. Its crescent shape, golden sand, and clear blue water give it the postcard quality that makes this part of Lanzarote so popular.

The ARUAL anchors off the coast rather than taking you onto the beach. This lets you choose how to spend the main part of the afternoon. You can swim, use the snorkeling gear, try the paddleboards, stretch out on the floating solarium, or simply sit on deck with a drink.

I like this choice of activities because it avoids forcing everyone into the same schedule. One person can paddleboard while another rests in the sun. Someone who does not want to swim can stay aboard and enjoy the views. The boat has rest areas and music, so you are not limited to active water sports.

Snorkeling conditions depend on the weather and sea state, and the tour does not promise specific marine life. The supplied information does confirm use of snorkeling equipment, but not wetsuits or professional instruction. If you are a confident swimmer, the setup should be straightforward. If you are less comfortable in open water, check conditions with the crew before entering.

One particularly useful detail is the mention of a 360 waterproof camera included with the trip. It can help you record short videos while snorkeling or paddleboarding, adding a fun record of the outing. Do not assume you need to bring specialist water equipment, since the main gear is supplied.

Lunch on the ARUAL

While you enjoy the water, the crew prepares lunch onboard using fresh produce. You choose between a Gourmet menu and a Premium menu, depending on the option booked.

The food is not treated as an afterthought. The experience includes snacks such as Manchego cheese, Iberian sausages, potato tortilla, and fresh bread. The drink service includes a bottle of welcome French Champagne, cava, Rioja dry white wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water.

A previous afternoon menu included a barbecue, salads, Canarian potatoes, ice cream, and fruit. Since exact dishes can vary with the selected menu, group size, and day, you should check the option shown at booking if particular foods matter to you. The practical point is that you are receiving a proper meal prepared on the yacht, not only a packet of snacks.

This is where the private format becomes more valuable. A meal on deck, with the yacht anchored off Papagayo, feels different from eating quickly between beach activities. You can take your time, and the four-hour schedule gives the crew room to serve food without rushing everyone back to the marina.

Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over. Non-alcoholic drinks are available for younger members of the group. If your party includes children or anyone who does not drink, the soft drinks and bottled water mean they are not left with limited choices.

Is $1,123.78 a Fair Price?

The listed price is $1,123.78 for a private group of up to eight people. At eight people, that is about $140 per person. For four people, it rises to about $281 each, and for two people it becomes a costly private splurge.

The price includes more than a short sightseeing cruise. You are paying for the yacht, crew, private use of the boat, food, a substantial drinks package, water equipment, a floating solarium, and a prepared lunch. The Champagne and wine also make the package more useful for a birthday, anniversary, family celebration, or special day with friends.

I would consider it good value for a full group that wants comfort and privacy. It is less convincing for a small party that mainly wants to see Papagayo and swim. In that case, a simpler boat trip may cost less, though it may not offer the same food, private space, or choice of activities.

The right question is not simply Is this expensive? It is Will eight people use the boat, meal, drinks, and equipment enough to justify the total? If the answer is yes, the cost is easier to defend.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

This outing suits a group that wants several activities in one half-day without changing locations. You can combine coastal sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and drinks without arranging separate bookings.

It is also a good match for people who value privacy. The only participants are your own group, so you do not have to share deck space or negotiate activity time with a boatload of strangers. Families can spread out, friends can set their own rhythm, and couples can book it as a private occasion if the price fits.

The experience may be less suitable if you want extensive history, a long walk onshore, or a full day exploring multiple beaches. The fortress is viewed from the water, and the principal beach time takes place around the yacht. This is a sea day, not a land tour.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but no hotel transfer is provided. Since weather affects the trip, keep some flexibility in your schedule if possible.

Timing, Weather, and Cancellation

The experience lasts about four hours, with roughly three and a half hours noted for the main cruise and Papagayo portion. That is long enough to feel substantial but short enough to leave part of the day free.

Good weather is required. If conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The schedule uses local time for its cutoff. Read the confirmation carefully, since the meeting point is in Playa Blanca and you are responsible for reaching the marina.

Should You Book the ARUAL?

Book this private Papagayo cruise if you have a group of six to eight, want a polished half-day on the sea, and will make real use of the lunch, drinks, water sports, and private yacht. Alicia and Paco’s attentive hosting, the well-equipped ARUAL, and the relaxed stop at Papagayo give the trip a strong mix of comfort and outdoor fun.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or on a tight budget. The total price is easier to justify when divided among a full group. Also choose another type of excursion if you want to explore beaches on foot or spend serious time inside Lanzarote’s historic sites.

For the right group, this is a generous and easygoing way to see the Papagayo coast. You get volcanic scenery, clear water, a proper meal, and enough free time to set your own pace, all without squeezing into a crowded boat.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Deportivo Rubicón, El Berrugo 2, 35580 Playa Blanca, Las Palmas, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Puerto Deportivo Rubicón.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. About three and a half hours are allocated to the cruise and Papagayo portion.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private yacht can accommodate a group of up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is prepared onboard with fresh produce. You can choose a Gourmet or Premium menu, depending on the option selected.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are welcome French Champagne, cava, Rioja dry white wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water. Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 or older.

Is snorkeling and paddleboarding equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddle surfing equipment, a floating solarium, and rest areas are included. The yacht also has an outdoor shower, music, USB charging points, 230-volt outlets, and a restroom.