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, practice some sport or go fishing.

Some boat trips even allow you to visit towns such as Puerto de Mogán. This is an excellent option, since you will get to know the city from two perspectives. Other tours include dolphin or whale watching. This is an incredible experience, since they are huge animals that can surprise you at any time. Are you already convinced 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 have an average cost of 75 €.

You will have to go to the meeting point specified by your guide and board the boat. Normally these trips depart from the beach of Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria and then head west. During this journey be prepared to take your camera out and photograph the natural coastal scenery, cliffs and much more.

During the tour your guide will provide you with different equipment for kayaking, fishing, surfing or snorkeling, as Gran Canaria is an ideal place to practice all these sports. You will have professional staff to help you with these activities if you have no experience. In addition, you will enjoy drinks during your tour 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.

Details of interest

• Price: about 75 €.

• Duration: approximately 5 hours.

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

• Disadvantages of this option: this type of tours are only focused on the enjoyment of the weather and the sea, it is not visiting a special place.

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

During the tour you will see the cliffs and sail along the coast from Puerto de Mogán to Tasarte. Finally, you will arrive at a special beach where you can snorkel comfortably. On the way you can have complimentary drinks and snacks such as potatoes with mojo, bread with aioli or fresh fruits.

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. Be sure to 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 land, 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 that 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 stay only a few days in Gran Canaria and you want to make the most of each activity, maybe this is not the best option, since the three hours will be focused only on snorkeling.

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 noon you can see how little by little the sun leaves the day and the island welcomes the night. These cruises have an average cost of 70 € and last about five hours.

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

These cruises usually include snorkeling sessions, banana rides or jet ski rides. 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 highly requested activity is a speedboat ride with the catamaran capital.

As the end of the ride nears, it is time to get ready to head back. On the way, depending on the time, you will be able to see the sunset. I assure you it will be a beautiful image that you will not 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 inside the sea while you take a relaxing walk and practice some water activities.

• Disadvantages of this option: if it gets dark quickly you will not be able to practice some activities such as snorkeling.

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

This boat ride is usually done 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 panoramic tour in which you will avoid long walks, as you will go 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 tourists. After entering the city your guide will tell you when to get off to walk the streets. You will also have time to go to the gift store, get 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 how your transfer will be before boarding.

Details of interest

• Price: about 40 €.

• Duration: approximately 6 hours.

• Advantages of this option: with this tour you will be able to 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 place where you feel more comfortable to enjoy a drink or a snack. Some of these tours include this service as part of the excursion, but in others you must pay for it separately.

In addition to seeing these cetacean animals, 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 take the boat back to the starting point. Sometimes the transfer service to the hotel is included, but you must confirm this beforehand.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 40 €.

• Duration: about 2 hours.

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

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

Traveller Tip
When 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 has a duration of approximately six hours and an average cost of 80 €.

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

If, however, you travel in spring or summer, the species you can catch will be albacore, dorados, 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 later.

Keep in mind 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 will help you if you find it difficult.

Details of interest

• 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 must be very patient to catch a fish.

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

On the other hand, check which activities are included in the tour and take everything you need. If you make a stop at the beach, bring your bathing suit, a towel and if you prefer, extra clothes. It is also good to bring some snacks or make sure 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, since not everybody knows how to do it and wants to get to know the sea this way. In addition, this guide knows which are the most ideal places to swim, dive or snorkel. No doubt with his help you will not get lost.

Some excursions in Gran Canaria are even done on boats. Undoubtedly this means of transport has its own attraction, as it allows you to observe the towns and cities from other perspectives.

On the other hand, if you rent a boat you better know how to sail and not everyone has the necessary practice. Otherwise you'd better hire 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 is a sport, relaxing in the park, watching dolphins or even fishing. Taking a boat trip is one of the top ten things you can do in Gran Canaria to make your vacation more exciting and make the best use of your time.