From Puerto Rico: Boat trip along the coast w/ Food & Drinks

The best part of this four-hour catamaran trip is the long stop in a sheltered bay. You get time to swim, use the underwater viewing area, try the banana boat, or simply stretch out in the sun. I like the friendly, playful crew, with Sergio, Abdera, and Yeray singled out for attentive service, and I like that the trip combines scenery, food, drinks, and water activities for $47.

I also like the generous two-hour water stop, which is longer than many short coastal cruises. The main caution is the sea: choppy conditions have made some people ill, and sightings of dolphins, turtles, or flying fish are never guaranteed. The banana ride can also be very brief, so active-water expectations should stay reasonable.

At a glance: what makes this boat trip worth considering

• A two-hour swimming stop: You have time for swimming, underwater viewing, the banana boat, and optional paid activities rather than a quick splash.
• A social catamaran atmosphere: Music, sun decks, drinks, and a cheerful crew make this more lively than a quiet sightseeing cruise.
• Coastal views from Puerto Rico to Mogán: You sail past beaches, cliffs, bays, and rocky sections of Gran Canaria’s south coast.
• Food depends on your package: The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks, while the Full Pack adds beer, mojito, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana ride.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins, flying fish, turtles, and other sea life may appear, but you should book for the boat day itself, not only for animal sightings.
• Optional adventure activities cost extra: Jet skis and parasailing can be bought on board, while the cave trip has also been offered for an additional fee.

Sailing south from Puerto Rico on the Princesa Ico

You meet the boat at Puerto Rico Base, close to the gas station. Look for the Princesa Ico. The harbor meeting point is described as easy to find, but give yourself enough time to reach the quay and show your booking details before departure.

The trip is built around a simple rhythm: sail, enjoy the views, stop for food and water activities, then cruise back. You spend roughly four hours at sea, with the route taking you along Gran Canaria’s southern coast toward the Mogán area. The boat has ordinary seating, sunbathing space, and what some passengers describe as comfortable beds or padded lounging areas.

This is not a silent nature cruise. Music and a holiday atmosphere are part of the appeal. If you want a lively half-day with drinks and activities, that works well. If you want a small, quiet sailing lesson or a serious wildlife expedition, this is not the right style of outing.

The crew speaks Spanish and English. Their role is practical and social, helping with boarding, food, drinks, and activities. Names mentioned positively include Sergio and Abdera, while Yeray has also been praised for being welcoming. The exact crew on your departure can vary, so treat those names as useful context rather than a guarantee.

The south coast from the water

From the deck, you see Gran Canaria differently than from a resort road. The south coast is made for an offshore view, with beaches, cliffs, rocky bays, and stretches of coastline that are hard to appreciate from land.

The route can include views toward Mogán and several coastal bays. You may also pass places described as quieter or less familiar than the main resort beaches. The appeal is not a formal set of monument stops. It is the changing view of the island, with the boat moving past cliffs and coves while you sit above the water.

Some descriptions of the trip refer to a glass-bottom or underwater viewing experience. This gives you a chance to look below the surface and see fish without having to swim. The clarity of the view will depend on the sea and weather, so I would treat it as a pleasant extra rather than a full snorkeling replacement.

The coastal scenery is at its best when you move between activities. Sit near the top or on a sun deck for wide views, then find a shaded or more protected place if the sun becomes too strong. The boat has enough space for different moods, though preferred seating may involve an extra charge. One passenger specifically noted a €10 supplement for middle beds, so check the seating terms when you book.

Wildlife sightings: enjoy the possibility, not the promise

The boat sometimes encounters dolphins, flying fish, turtles, and other sea life. Dolphins have been seen close to the boat on some outings, and one particularly lucky day included dolphins, a sea turtle, flying fish, and even a reported hammerhead shark.

That is exciting, but it is not the product’s guarantee. Other departures have seen no dolphins at all. The crew cannot control the animals, the weather, or the route they take, so the sensible approach is to enjoy any sighting as a bonus.

Bring patience and keep your eyes on the water during the sailing sections. A dolphin encounter can last only a moment, while flying fish may appear as quick flashes near the surface. You will get more from the wildlife side if you are willing to watch rather than expecting a staged show.

The sea can also be rough. One account described very choppy water and widespread seasickness, even though the rest of the trip was enjoyable. If you are prone to motion sickness, think carefully about this excursion, especially on a windy day. Sit where you feel most stable, watch the horizon, and avoid treating the open-water portion as a guaranteed calm ride.

The long bay stop is the heart of the outing

The boat anchors in a bay for about two hours. This is the part that gives the trip more value than a basic coastal cruise. You are not rushed through one quick swim. You can choose how much energy you want to spend.

You might swim from the boat, look through the underwater viewing area, relax on deck, or take part in the banana boat ride. The water stop is also the time for optional activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, and a cave excursion, when available.

The cave trip has received especially strong praise from people who paid the extra fee. It involves reaching sea caves by motorboat and seeing rocky openings along the coast. The cave itself is an interesting sight, but the fast ride there is part of the fun. The listed information does not give a fixed price for every optional activity, though one passenger paid €10 for the cave tour, so confirm the current cost on board.

The banana boat is included with the Full Pack and is presented as part of the water fun. Keep your expectations in check. One passenger found the ride lasted only about a minute and a half. That does not make it useless, but it is a short burst of amusement rather than a major part of the four-hour program.

Jet skis and parasailing are not included. You can purchase them on the boat if they are available on your departure. This is helpful if some people in your group want more action while others prefer to swim or sunbathe, but budget for those extras before you decide that the $47 price covers every activity.

Food, drinks, and choosing the right package

The food and drink arrangement is a major part of the value, but you should read the package name carefully. The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks. The Full Pack adds beer, mojito, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana tour.

The full meal is casual boat food rather than a restaurant lunch. Paella, salad, and wrinkled potatoes make it a practical meal during a half-day at sea. Several passengers found the food plentiful or good, while one wished for more sauce or butter. That gives you a fair picture: the meal is useful and enjoyable, but you should not book this as a food-focused tour.

Drinks are available as part of the selected package. Some departures have included free shots near the return to port, but that should be treated as an occasional extra, not something to count on. Alcohol may be pleasant in the sun, yet moderation matters when the boat is moving and water activities are ahead.

The package distinction is worth confirming before payment. The headline price is $47 per person, but the exact inclusions can vary by selected option. If you want the paella, beer, mojito, and banana ride, make sure you have chosen the Full Pack. If you mainly want a boat ride with water and soft drinks, the Basic Pack may be enough.

Pickup from the resort areas

You can meet at Puerto Rico Base, or select pickup from listed resort locations. The published pickup times are:

• Clinica Roca in San Agustin at 9:10
• Hotel Tropical in Playa del Ingles at 9:20
• C.C. Yumbo at 10:00
• Gran Casino Costa Meloneras at 10:10

The activity also lists drop-off points including Gran Casino Costa Meloneras, Av. de Italia, and Hospiten Roca on Avenida Estados Unidos. Pickup is optional, so check the option you select rather than assuming hotel transport is included.

Several people found the transport on time, comfortable, and easy to use. That matters because a boat trip can become tiring when you add a long, uncertain transfer. If you are staying near one of the listed points, the pickup option may make the day simpler.

The itinerary information includes different time estimates for the Puerto Rico and Mogán portions, but the advertised total is four hours. Treat the half-day length as the important figure, and check the current departure time when booking. Boat operations can vary with weather and harbor conditions.

How the $47 price compares with the experience

At $47 per person, this is a good-value choice if you use the main inclusions. You are paying for a four-hour coastal outing, a meal and drinks under the Full Pack, swimming time, a banana boat ride, and the chance to see the island from the water.

The value is strongest for families and mixed groups. One person can sunbathe, another can swim, teenagers can look at the paid adventure options, and everyone can eat together. You are not forced into one level of activity.

The price is less attractive if you only want a short scenic sail and do not care about swimming, food, or music. It also rises once you add jet skis, parasailing, a cave trip, or upgraded seating. I would compare the total cost, not just the starting price.

The trip has earned an overall rating of 4.3 from 283 reviews, which suggests a strong experience with some real variation. Most of the praise centers on the crew, atmosphere, food, transport, and range of activities. The main complaints concern rough water, short banana rides, and extra charges for certain features.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this boat day for:

• Families with older children or teenagers
• Couples who want scenery with food and drinks
• Groups with different ideas of fun
• People who want swimming time rather than a nonstop sightseeing cruise
• Visitors staying in Puerto Rico, Playa del Ingles, San Agustin, or near Meloneras
• Anyone who likes a cheerful, music-filled boat atmosphere

I would hesitate if you need a calm, quiet vessel, dislike open-water motion, or want guaranteed dolphin sightings. The boat is wheelchair accessible, which makes it more practical for many passengers, although you should still confirm the details of boarding and water activities for your needs.

The experience also suits repeat visitors to Gran Canaria. One local resident has taken the trip several times with friends and family as a budget-friendly way to see the island from the sea. That is a useful sign that the outing can work even after you have already seen the main resort beaches.

Practical tips for a better day

Confirm your package before you go. The difference between water and soft drinks in the Basic Pack and the broader food, alcohol, and banana ride package in the Full Pack is important.

Bring swimwear and a way to protect yourself from the sun. You will have a long period at anchor, and the boat offers space for sunbathing. If you prefer shade, claim a comfortable spot early rather than waiting until the boat is full.

If you are sensitive to motion, check the forecast and sea conditions. The same trip can feel relaxed on a calm day and difficult on a rough one. Wildlife sightings also depend on conditions, so avoid making the booking solely for dolphins.

Keep some money available for optional activities. Jet skis and parasailing are extra, and the cave tour may have its own fee. Ask what is available and how long each activity lasts before paying.

Finally, do not judge the whole outing by one short banana ride. The main value comes from the full combination of sailing, scenery, the long swimming stop, food, drinks, and the crew’s atmosphere.

Should you book the Princesa Ico boat trip?

I would book it if you want an easy, social half-day on the water with a good mix of scenery and activity. The $47 price can be strong value, especially with the Full Pack, and the two-hour bay stop gives you time to do more than pose for a few photos.

Choose it with realistic expectations. Dolphins may appear, but they may not. The sea may be choppy, the banana ride may be short, and extra activities cost more. If you accept those limits, this is a practical way to see Gran Canaria’s south coast, eat lunch at sea, and add as much or as little action as you like.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

The meeting point is Puerto Rico Base, close to the gas station. The boat is named Princesa Ico.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is four hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

What food and drinks are included?

The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks. The Full Pack includes beer, mojito, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana tour.

Is the banana boat ride included?

The banana boat ride is included with the Full Pack. The length can be short, with one account describing a ride of about one and a half minutes.

Are jet skiing and parasailing included?

No. Jet skiing and parasailing are not included in the price, but they may be purchased on the boat.

Can I be picked up from my resort area?

Yes, pickup is optional from listed points including Clinica Roca in San Agustin, Hotel Tropical in Playa del Ingles, C.C. Yumbo, and Gran Casino Costa Meloneras. The published pickup times range from 9:10 to 10:10.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You should confirm the boarding arrangements and which water activities are suitable for your requirements.