Fuerteventura: Magic Select Catamaran Trip with Food & Drinks

Dolphin watching is the headline here, but the best part is the whole four-hour package: a large sailing catamaran, a swim stop, lunch, music, and drinks included. The crew, including Aaron, Juani, Oliver, Luis, Juan, Luca, and Hajid on various sailings, keeps the mood lively without turning the boat into a floating nightclub.

I like the roomy Magic Select, which gives you choices between sun and shade and feels less cramped than a small excursion boat. I also like the simple, useful rhythm of the day: search for marine life first, then swim, eat, drink, and enjoy the ride back.

The main caution is that nature sets the schedule. Dolphins and whales are not guaranteed, and the advertised coves may not always be reached. A few people have also found the food or wine underwhelming, so book this for the sea day and atmosphere, not as a guaranteed wildlife encounter or gourmet meal.

Quick take on the Magic Select sailing

• Dolphin and whale search from Morro Jable: The captain raises the large sail and heads into open water looking for marine life found around the Canary Islands.
• A swim stop near southern Fuerteventura: The boat may pause by quiet white-sand coves for a refreshing swim.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a straightforward meal built around chicken, rice, and stew or paella, with a large selection of drinks available during the trip.
• Music and an outgoing crew: The atmosphere can shift from relaxed sailing to dancing, with crew members such as Juani helping keep the boat cheerful.
• A large catamaran with room to spread out: The boat can take up to 70 people, while some sailings have felt closer to 50, with both shaded and sunny areas.
• Pickup from selected resort points: Transport is available from Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía, but not from every hotel.

Sailing out of Morro Jable at 10:00

Your day begins at the Magic & Sailing meeting point in the Port of Morro Jable. If you are arranging your own transport, arrive 30 minutes before departure, not at the advertised 10:00 start. That buffer matters because a port meeting point is less forgiving than a hotel lobby.

Pickup is offered from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía. You will not necessarily be collected outside your hotel. Instead, the operator uses pickup locations within about a five-minute walk of the resorts’ hotels.

The exact pickup time arrives by email, usually within about 12 hours of booking. Check your spam folder if it does not appear. This is a small but important detail: do not assume the 10:00 boat departure is also your pickup time.

The trip ends where it begins, back at the Morro Jable port. The activity is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket after booking. Public transport is nearby, and service animals are allowed.

The Magic Select catamaran and your place onboard

The Magic Select is a modern catamaran built for a social day at sea rather than a private sailing charter. Its size is one of the strongest reasons to choose it. You can move around, find a sunny place to stretch out, or look for shade when the Fuerteventura sun becomes too strong.

The stated maximum is 70 people. Some accounts describe roughly 50 people onboard, which gives you a useful sense of scale: this is not an intimate sail with only a handful of passengers, but it need not feel packed either.

The large 150-square-meter sail is raised after leaving the port. That gives the trip a proper sailing feel, even though the boat’s engine may also be used. On a calm day, the catamaran’s broad hulls can feel steadier than a narrow boat, a useful point if you are prone to seasickness. One person who became unwell was looked after by the crew.

Bring sunscreen and use it early. You are exposed to bright sun, reflected light from the water, and wind that can make the heat feel less intense than it is. A hat, sunglasses, and a light layer are sensible. Pack swimwear if you want to enter the water, plus a dry layer for the ride back.

Searching for dolphins and whales

The first major part of the trip is the search for dolphins and whales around the Canary Islands. The captain changes course as sightings become possible, and the crew pays close attention to the water.

This is a real wildlife search, not a staged animal encounter. You may see dolphins early in the trip, with some sightings lasting long enough for the animals to swim alongside the catamaran. A few sailings have also produced whale sightings, while others have seen no dolphins or whales at all.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you book. If you need a guaranteed dolphin encounter, this is the wrong type of activity. If you enjoy scanning the horizon, waiting for a fin, and sharing the sudden excitement when an animal appears, the search is part of the fun.

The catamaran’s size gives you several viewing positions, but you still need to stay alert. A dolphin can surface on the opposite side of the boat, and the best moment may last only seconds. Keep your phone ready, but do not spend the whole search staring at its screen.

The captain has been praised for approaching gently and paying attention to the animals. That matters. A responsible wildlife trip should give you a chance to see marine life without treating it like a performance on demand.

Swimming beside Fuerteventura’s southern coves

After the wildlife search, the captain is expected to head toward small, quiet coves with white sand along southern Fuerteventura. The plan is to stop for a swim in clear water before lunch.

This is a welcome change of pace. The first section asks you to watch the horizon, while the swim stop lets you cool off and enjoy the coast at a slower speed. Some people have seen fish in the water, adding a little interest beyond simply jumping in for a quick dip.

The important word is expected. Sea conditions, timing, and wildlife sightings can affect the route. At least one disappointed passenger reported that the boat did not stop at any of the promised coves. Treat the swim stop as part of the intended program, not an absolute guarantee.

You should also be comfortable with the practical nature of a boat swim. The information provided does not specify a sandy beach landing, so do not assume you will walk ashore. The listed activity describes a stop for swimming from the boat.

If you do not want to swim, you can stay onboard and enjoy the views, food, or shade. The catamaran’s size gives non-swimmers more room than a small rigid boat would, and the stop remains a pleasant pause even if you only watch others take the plunge.

Lunch, drinks, and the onboard mood

Lunch is included and is generally described as a simple chicken-and-rice meal, sometimes referred to as paella, with stew also mentioned. It is the sort of food that fits a day at sea: filling, familiar, and easy to serve to a group.

I would set your expectations at casual boat lunch, not restaurant dining. Several meals have been considered very good, while one strongly negative account found both the food and wine poor. That spread tells you what you need to know. The meal can be a satisfying part of the day, but food quality may vary and it is not the reason to pay for the excursion.

Drinks are included throughout the outing, with a broad selection available. Cold white wine is specifically mentioned, along with drinks available on tap. The all-inclusive setup is useful because you do not need to keep buying refreshments every time you want another drink.

The atmosphere is a large part of the experience. Music plays onboard, and the crew may encourage dancing and group participation. Juani is repeatedly associated with keeping the mood moving, while Aaron and other crew members are praised for being attentive and entertaining. Some sailings sound relaxed, others more energetic.

That makes this a good fit for couples, families, and groups who like a friendly social setting. It is less suitable if you want a quiet, private sail with long stretches of silence.

How much value do you get for $93.12?

At $93.12 per person, the price covers about four hours on the water, wildlife watching, a swim opportunity, lunch, drinks, and entertainment. Pickup from selected resort areas is also available, though you should confirm the assigned pickup point before the day.

The value depends on how you use the package. If you want a meal, several drinks, a boat ride, and a swim without paying separately for each part, the price is reasonable. The catamaran’s size also helps: you are paying for more than a basic transfer or a short sightseeing cruise.

The value is weaker if your only goal is seeing dolphins. Sightings are never certain, and a short or distant encounter may leave you feeling that the price was high. The same is true if you dislike group entertainment or do not drink.

I would compare this with the cost of arranging separate boat transport, lunch, drinks, and a coastal outing. Once those pieces are counted, the package becomes easier to justify. But remember that the experience is designed as a shared day at sea, not a private wildlife charter.

Who will enjoy this four-hour outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples who want a relaxed half-day activity with a bit of romance and music.
• Families looking for a boat trip that includes food, drinks, and a possible swim.
• People who enjoy wildlife watching but understand that sightings cannot be promised.
• Anyone staying around Costa Calma, Esquinzo, or Jandía who values hotel-area pickup.
• Visitors who want to see the southern coast from the water rather than spend another day on the beach.

You should think twice if you need a guaranteed route to specific coves, a gourmet lunch, or a small and quiet boat. You may also want to skip it if you dislike open-water wildlife searches or group dancing.

The boat has room for most people to participate, and the activity information says most participants can take part. Still, anyone with mobility or medical concerns should judge the boat setting for themselves, since detailed accessibility information is not provided.

Small details that make the day easier

Arrive early if you are meeting at the port. The requested arrival time is 30 minutes before the trip, and that is the safest way to avoid a rushed start.

Wear a swimsuit beneath your clothes if you plan to swim. Bring sun protection, a towel, and a phone case that can handle splashes. These are practical choices for any outing that combines open deck space and a swim stop.

Keep your email confirmation available on your phone. Pickup instructions should arrive within approximately 12 hours, and the message may land in your junk folder.

The trip requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the sailing, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Should you book the Magic Select?

Book it if you want a well-filled half-day at sea rather than a single-purpose dolphin cruise. The combination of a spacious catamaran, possible wildlife sightings, a swim stop, lunch, drinks, music, and a friendly crew gives you plenty to enjoy even when nature does not cooperate.

The strongest reasons to go are the boat’s size, the generous drink package, and the crew’s ability to create a fun atmosphere. Dolphins and even whales can make the day memorable, but you should regard them as a bonus.

Skip it if you want certainty. The coves may not always be reached, marine life may stay out of sight, and the basic lunch will not satisfy someone looking for a special meal. For most people who want a social, practical, and scenic day from Morro Jable, the package offers solid value at $93.12.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip begin?

It begins at Fuerteventura boat trips, Magic & Sailing, in the Port of Morro Jable, 35625 Morro Jable, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time does the activity start?

The boat trip starts at 10:00 am. If you are going directly to the port, arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Pickup is offered from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía. Pickup is not available from every hotel, and the assigned points are generally within a five-minute walk of hotels in those areas.

When will I receive my pickup time?

You should receive your pickup time within approximately 12 hours of booking. Check your spam or junk folder if the email is missing.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts approximately four hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is described as chicken with rice, stew, or chicken paella, depending on the sailing.

Are drinks included?

Yes. A large selection of drinks is included throughout the excursion.

Will I definitely see dolphins or whales?

No. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings depend on nature and are not guaranteed.

Is swimming part of the trip?

The planned route includes a stop near small southern coves for a swim. The exact stop can depend on conditions and the day’s schedule.

What happens if the trip is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.