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

The best part of this Puerto Rico boat trip is the long stop in a sheltered bay. You get time to swim, use the boat’s water activities, watch fish through the underwater viewing area, or simply stretch out with a drink while the coast slips past. On a lucky day, dolphins, turtles, or flying fish may appear.

I like the friendly crew, with Sergio, Abdera, and Yeray singled out for attentive service, and I like the generous mix of food, drinks, scenery, and activities. The main drawback is the sea: rough water can make people sick, and the included banana ride may be very short.

Key points to know before you book

• A two-hour swim stop: This is more than a quick splash from the stern. You have real time for swimming and optional water activities.
• Food and drink packages differ: The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks, while the Full Pack adds beer, mojitos, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana boat ride.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: Sightings have included dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, but calm seas and luck matter.
• The Princesa Ico leaves from Puerto Base: Look for the boat near the gas station in Puerto Rico.
• Paid extras are available: Jet skis and parasailing can be purchased on board, while the cave excursion has been offered for an additional fee.
• Expect a social day at sea: Music, sunbathing, swimming, food, and group activities make this more lively than a quiet sailing trip.

Setting out from Puerto Base on the Princesa Ico

You meet the boat at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria’s Puerto Base, close to the gas station. The vessel is named Princesa Ico. That detail matters because Puerto Rico’s marina area has several boats and excursion operators, so checking the name before you arrive can save a bit of wandering.

The advertised trip lasts four hours. Some schedules include hotel pickup, with listed stops around San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, and Meloneras. Pickup times shown for these areas run from about 9:10 to 10:10, while the boat departure depends on the option you choose. Confirm your exact start time when booking.

Once aboard, you can settle into a seat, sunbathe on the upper area, or use the more comfortable bed-style seating mentioned by several customers. The atmosphere is designed for fun rather than silence. Music plays, drinks are available according to your package, and the crew keeps the mood social.

You should not expect a private yacht experience at this price. The appeal is the shared outing, where families, couples, and groups can all take part in the same afternoon. The boat is described as spacious, with plenty of seating and sun decks, though one account says some middle beds required an extra €10. Ask before settling in if a particular lounging area matters to you.

Following Gran Canaria’s south coast by catamaran

The first part of the trip is a coastal cruise past beaches, cliffs, and the south shore around Puerto Rico and Mogán. From the water, familiar resort areas look different. You see the shape of the coast, the rocky inlets, and beaches that are harder to reach from land.

This is not just transport to a swimming stop. The route gives you time to sit back, listen to music, and watch for wildlife. Dolphins have been seen close to the boat, along with flying fish and sea turtles. One outing even produced a report of a hammerhead shark, though that would be an especially unusual sighting.

The operator is clear that wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. That is important. Book this for the coast, the swim, the food, and the boat atmosphere first. Treat dolphins as a bonus, not as the product you are paying for.

The boat includes an underwater viewing feature, described as a glass-bottom boat ride or underwater vision. It gives you a chance to look below the surface while the vessel is moving or stopped. Visibility depends on the water, light, and conditions, so it may be a pleasant extra rather than a full snorkeling substitute.

The crew also shares information about the coast, according to the tour description and customer accounts. You may hear about landmarks and bays along the way, but the focus remains relaxed and entertaining rather than a formal marine biology lesson.

The long bay stop is the heart of the outing

The boat anchors in an exclusive or less crowded bay along the route. This is where the trip becomes more than a scenic cruise. You have around two hours for swimming and water activities, a generous pause compared with many boat outings that allow only 20 or 30 minutes in the sea.

The bay stop can include swimming from the boat, looking at fish through the underwater viewing area, and taking part in organized activities. The reviews describe calm anchorage on some days, but conditions can change. If you are not a confident swimmer, check the crew’s instructions and use the available access points carefully.

The banana boat ride is included with the Full Pack. It is a simple, high-energy activity suited to families and groups, although one person reported that the ride lasted only about a minute and a half. That is worth keeping in mind. It is an amusing add-on, not a long standalone water-sports session.

The cave excursion is another popular option. It takes you by motorboat toward sea caves cut into the rocky coast. An extra charge of €10 has been mentioned for this activity. The cave itself is interesting, but the fast ride there is part of the fun. Since the supplied information does not clearly state that it is included in every package, ask the crew about the current price before joining.

Jet skis and parasailing are also available for an extra charge. These are not included in the standard price. If you want a quiet swim, you can skip them. If you want a fuller water-sports day, the stop gives you a chance to add more action without booking another excursion.

Lunch, drinks, and the difference between the packages

The advertised price is $47 per person, which can be good value for a four-hour boat trip if you choose the package with food, drinks, and the banana ride. The exact value depends on what is included in your selected option, because the description lists both a Basic Pack and a Full Pack.

The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks. The Full Pack includes beer, mojitos, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana tour. The description also refers to lunch and drinks generally, but do not assume the full meal and alcoholic drinks come with every booking. Check the package name and inclusions before you pay.

The meal is casual boat food rather than a restaurant lunch. Paella, salad, and wrinkled potatoes fit the setting well, and several accounts describe the food as good or delicious. One person wanted more sauce or butter, which gives you a fair idea of the meal’s limits: satisfying and practical, but not a gourmet dining experience.

Drinks help make the price feel reasonable. Water and soft drinks are part of the Basic Pack, while the Full Pack adds beer and mojitos. Some customers also mention free shots on the return journey. That detail may depend on the day and crew, so I would not count on it when comparing prices.

If you do not drink alcohol, the Basic Pack may be enough. Families with children may also prefer it unless the banana ride and meal make the Full Pack worthwhile. For adults who want lunch, alcoholic drinks, and activities in one payment, the Full Pack is the clearer value.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Accounts repeatedly describe the staff as warm, polite, attentive, and good at keeping people involved without making the day feel forced.

Sergio and Abdera have been praised for being especially kind and helpful. Yeray has also received warm mention for welcoming passengers. You may not have the same crew on every sailing, but the service style appears to be a major part of the experience.

That matters on a boat trip because practical service affects the whole day. Quick food service means less waiting during the bay stop. Clear instructions matter when people are swimming or boarding the banana boat. A friendly crew also helps families and first-time boat passengers feel at ease.

The atmosphere is not formal. Music and group energy are part of the package. If you want a quiet sail with long stretches of silence, this may feel busy. If you like a cheerful afternoon with activities and a bit of party spirit, it should suit you well.

Sea conditions and the chance of getting sick

The biggest practical warning is motion on the water. One account describes very choppy conditions that left about 90 percent of the passengers feeling sick, even though the day still included dolphins, a turtle, flying fish, and a shark sighting.

That is not a reason to avoid the trip, but you should plan for it. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a stable central area when possible, look toward the horizon, and consider your usual motion-sickness precautions. Avoid treating the boat as a guaranteed calm-water ride.

Other outings had calm anchorage and comfortable sailing. Conditions vary by day, and the operator cannot control the wind or swell. The trip is best for you if you accept that the sea may shape the experience more than the timetable does.

The catamaran has seating and sun decks, but remember that sun, wind, music, and motion can be tiring over four hours. Bring the practical basics: swimwear, sun protection, and a light layer. These items are not listed as included, so you should plan to bring them yourself.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Rico boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and groups who want several kinds of activity in one booking. You can sunbathe, eat, listen to music, watch the coast, swim, look for wildlife, and try a banana boat or paid water sport.

Families with teenagers should find plenty to do. The banana boat, cave excursion, jet skis, parasailing, and swim stop offer more variety than a simple sightseeing cruise. Young children may enjoy the boat and food, though parents should consider the sea conditions and the practical demands of swimming from a vessel.

It also works well for adults who want a budget-friendly day on the water. A local resident described using it repeatedly with friends and family because it combines scenery, food, drinks, and fun without a high price.

I would be less enthusiastic if your main goal is guaranteed dolphin watching, a quiet sailing experience, or a highly detailed marine tour. Wildlife is never certain, the music and activities create a lively mood, and the educational element is present but not the central feature.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, according to the activity details. For any specific mobility needs, you should still confirm the boarding arrangements and access to the swimming and activity areas before booking.

Timing, pickups, and the return to shore

The trip returns to Puerto Rico after the coastal route and bay stop. The supplied schedule also lists drop-off locations around Gran Canaria, including Gran Casino Costa Meloneras, Avenida de Italia, and Hospiten Roca, with other stops shown depending on the option.

The timing deserves a quick check because the published route breakdown and customer accounts do not all describe the day in exactly the same way. The activity is advertised as four hours, while one account describes a late-morning departure and a return around 4:00 p.m. Hotel transfers add time before and after the boat.

If you have an evening flight, dinner reservation, or another booked activity, leave a generous buffer. Boat trips can be affected by weather, loading, swimming activities, and transfer traffic.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The host or greeter speaks Spanish and English. Those details make this easier to fit into a changing holiday schedule, but they do not remove the need to check the exact pickup point and package.

Should you book the Princesa Ico?

Book it if you want a good-value half-day at sea with food, drinks, music, swimming, and optional water sports. The long bay stop is the strongest reason to choose it, while the crew’s friendly service helps turn a basic boat ride into a more enjoyable outing.

Choose the Full Pack if you want lunch, beer, mojitos, the banana ride, and the broader activity mix. Choose the Basic Pack if water, soft drinks, and coastal scenery are enough for you. Before booking, confirm exactly which package is attached to the $47 price.

Do not book it solely for dolphins. You may see them, along with turtles or flying fish, but nature sets the schedule. Also think honestly about seasickness. On a calm day, this can be one of the easiest ways to see Gran Canaria from the water. On a rough day, the crossing may be the main challenge.

For most people who enjoy a lively boat outing, I think the combination of coast views, a proper swim stop, lunch, and optional activities makes this a sensible choice from Puerto Rico.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip leave from?

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

How long does the boat trip last?

The advertised duration is four hours. Exact departure times depend on the selected option.

What can I see from the boat?

You can see beaches, cliffs, bays, and the south coast of Gran Canaria. Dolphins, turtles, and flying fish may appear, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat anchors in a bay where you can swim and take part in water activities.

What is included in the Basic Pack?

The Basic Pack includes water and soft drinks.

What is included in the Full Pack?

The Full Pack includes beer, mojitos, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and the banana tour. Check the selected option before booking because package details differ.

Are jet skis and parasailing included?

No. Jet ski and parasailing activities can be purchased separately on the boat.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available as an optional service from listed locations around San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, and Meloneras. The listed pickup times range from 9:10 to 10:10.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.