Gran Canaria Cruises and Boat Rides

Among the best things to do in Gran Canaria are boat trips. The crystal clear waters that surround this island hide many entertaining and fun activities for the whole family. On a boat trip you can enjoy the sunrise or sunset, do some sport or go fishing.

Some trips even allow you to visit towns such as Puerto de Mogán. This is an excellent option, as you will get to know the town from two perspectives. Other tours include dolphin or whale watching. This is an incredible experience, as they are huge animals that can surprise you at any moment. Have you already convinced yourself to take a boat trip?

Do you like the sea and the sound of the wind hitting the waves relaxes you? Then I recommend a morning cruise along the coast of Gran Canaria. These cruises involve at least ten people, so it is an intimate experience with the sea where crowds are avoided. These trips usually last at least five hours and cost an average of €75.

You will need to go to the meeting point specified by your guide and board the boat. These trips usually depart from Puerto Rico beach in Gran Canaria and then head west. During this trip be prepared to get your camera out and take pictures of the natural coastal scenery, cliffs and much more.

During the tour your guide will provide you with different equipment for kayaking, fishing, surfing or snorkelling, as Gran Canaria is an ideal place to practice all these sports. Professional staff will be on hand to help you with these activities if you are inexperienced. In addition, you will be able to enjoy drinks during your trip and a lunch included in the price of your excursion.

At the end of the trip you can dry off and get ready to return. Your guide will guide the boat back to the starting point.

Interesting details

• Price: around 75 €.

• Duration: approximately 5 hours.

• Advantages of this option: this is a very entertaining and free activity to practice different marine sports and activities.

• Disadvantages of this option: this type of trip is only focused on enjoying the weather and the sea, not on visiting a special place.

If you like snorkelling I invite you to take a boat tour with a snorkelling session included. These trips usually include all the necessary equipment for snorkelling, plus lunch and drinks on the house. This tour has an average cost of 50 € and lasts approximately three hours.

During the tour you will be able to see the cliffs and sail along the coast from Puerto de Mogán to Tasarte. Finally, you'll reach a special beach where you can snorkel in comfort. On the way you can have complimentary drinks and snacks such as potatoes with mojo, bread with aioli or fresh fruit.

On this beach you can explore the seabed and see the flora and fauna of Gran Canaria. In addition to this activity, you can also swim and enjoy the beach. Make sure you explain to the guide if you are a beginner or experienced snorkeler. No matter what your case is, they will explain and support you.

After this activity it will be time for lunch. When you finish you will have time to dry off and get ready to return to the starting point. If you want to continue enjoying Gran Canaria on the mainland, you can take a Hop on Hop off Bus and explore the villages of the island.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 50 €.

• Duration: about 3 hours.

• Advantages of this option: if you want to learn how to snorkel you can take advantage of this excursion which focuses mainly on this activity. It is ideal if you want to do one activity at a time.

• Disadvantages of this option: if you will only be in Gran Canaria for a few days and you want to make the most of each activity, this may not be the best option, as the three hours will focus only on snorkelling.

The mornings have their charm, the sun is more radiant and going to the sea can fill you with energy. But the afternoons are not far behind, on a cruise after midday you can watch as the sun slowly leaves the day and the island welcomes the night. These cruises cost an average of €70 and last approximately five hours.

These cruises usually depart from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, in the south of the island, and run along the entire west coast, facing the sunset. On the tour you can appreciate the beauty of the sea and drink complimentary beer, juice or coffee. Relax for a while until your guide tells you where the best place to stop is for some water activities.

These cruises often include snorkelling, banana rides and jet skiing. Choose the activity you are most comfortable with. Please note that these activities may or may not be included in the cost of the tour. Check with your guide before boarding. Another popular activity is a speedboat ride with the catamaran capital.

As the ride nears its end, it's time to get ready to head back. On the way back, depending on the time, you will be able to watch the sunset. I assure you it will be a beautiful image that you won't want to erase from your mind for a long time.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 70 €.

• Duration: about 5 hours.

• Advantages of this option: you will be able to appreciate the sunset in the sea while you take a relaxing walk and practice some water activities.

• Disadvantages of this option: if it gets dark quickly you won't be able to practice some activities such as snorkelling.

Do you want to walk around the most beautiful town in Gran Canaria? Yes, I'm talking about Puerto de Mogán. Many say that it is one of the most beautiful places in Spain because it is a "little Venice". Although you can wander around different parts of the town on foot, you can always take a boat trip around the town for around six hours for an average cost of €40.

This boat trip usually starts from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria. When you board the boat you will slowly make your way to the heart of Puerto de Mogán. It will be a scenic tour where you will avoid long walks, as you will be travelling by boat. This will allow you to observe the whole landscape, the picturesque houses with balconies adorned with flowers.

If you were to walk, you would miss this area that dazzles all the tourists. After entering the city, your guide will tell you when to get off to explore the streets. You'll also have time to go to the gift shop, grab a coffee or relax on Gran Canaria's dreamy beaches.

On some of these tours the guides return tourists to the meeting point by boat or bus. Be sure to ask about your transfer before boarding.

Interesting details

• Price: around 40 €.

• Duration: approximately 6 hours.

• Advantages of this option: with this tour you can visit Puerto de Mogán in a fun and different way to admire one of the most beautiful areas of Gran Canaria.

• Disadvantages of this option: the tour is only a transfer from one town to another, so if you want to do more water activities it is better to choose another type of tour.

Would you like to see dolphins and whales while taking a boat trip? If your answer is yes, then I invite you to take this beautiful tour where you will be able to see these friendly animals. The average time for this experience is at least two hours and has an average cost of €40.

Usually this tour is done on a catamaran where you can choose to be above or below deck. Choose the spot where you feel most comfortable to enjoy a drink or a snack. Some of these tours include this service as part of the excursion, but on others you have to pay for it separately.

As well as seeing the cetaceans, you will be able to admire the plants at the bottom of the sea because the water is very clear. After the tour the guide will bring the boat back to the starting point. Sometimes a transfer service to the hotel is included, but you must confirm this beforehand.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 40 €.

• Duration: about 2 hours.

• Advantages of this option: it is a boat trip that also includes dolphin and whale watching, so it is ideal especially for children who get very excited about this type of trip.

• Disadvantages of this option: unlike other boat trips, on this one you will only focus on the dolphins and not on the surrounding landscapes or villages.

Traveller Tip
When the dolphins or whales appear in the sea, they often splash a lot of water. I recommend that you protect your cameras or electronic devices from damage if this happens.

For fans of sport fishing in Spain this trip around Gran Canaria is a good option. It is an opportunity for you to fish with your companions or with other people who have the same interests as you. The experience lasts approximately six hours and costs an average of €80.

This trip starts at the Pasito Blanco pier, between Maspalomas and Puerto Rico. If you travel to Gran Canaria in an autumn month such as October or in winter, you will be able to see and catch various species of fish such as sierras, bocinegros, cabrillas, barracudas, medregales, sea breams, among others.

If, on the other hand, you travel in spring or summer, the species you will be able to catch are albacore, dorado, bluefin tuna, white marlin, among others. The ones you will always get during all months are tuna. No matter what month you do this trip, you will always catch something that you can prepare afterwards.

Please note that the boat is big enough to take at least ten people on board, each with a fishing rod. This tour is for novice or experienced fishermen. During the tour the guides will explain how to fish and help you if you find it difficult.

Interesting details

• Price: around 80 €.

• Duration: approximately 6 hours.

• Advantages of this option: you can take one or more fish and enjoy the calmness of the sea in the process.

• Disadvantages of this option: it is not an experience for everyone as you have to be very patient to catch a fish.

Boat trips are usually very relaxing, however, some people may get seasick if they are not used to this means of transport. If you are travelling with children on a boat it is important that you consider certain aspects such as having sea sickness remedies and appropriate clothing.

On the other hand, check which activities are included in the tour and take everything you need. If you stop at the beach, bring your swimming costume, a towel and, if you prefer, extra clothes. It is also good to bring some snacks or make sure that lunch is included in the package you are paying for.

Boat trips are almost always guided by a professional who knows how to sail. This is a great advantage, as not everybody knows how to do it and wants to get to know the sea in this way. In addition, this guide knows the best places to swim, dive or snorkel. No doubt with his help you won't get lost.

Some excursions in Gran Canaria are even done by boat. No doubt this means of transport has its own appeal, as it allows you to see the towns and cities from other perspectives.

On the other hand, if you hire a boat you'd better know how to sail and not everyone has the necessary practice. Otherwise you would be better off hiring a professional to take you where you want to go and this is impractical, especially for your finances. The boat trips include other benefits such as lunches, snacks, complimentary drinks, among other items.

As you may have noticed, each of the boat trips focuses on something different. You can choose from a variety of activities to enjoy the sea, whether it's a sport, relaxing in the park, dolphin watching or even fishing. Taking a boat trip is one of the top ten things you can do in Gran Canaria to make your holiday more exciting and make the most of your time.