Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

Papagayo is the star here: golden beaches, clear water, and a sheltered bay where you get a full two hours to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, or simply stretch out on the catamaran. Lunch and drinks are included, which makes the $88 price easier to justify.

I like the easy mix of activity and downtime. You can join a little yoga session, learn sailing knots, or take the helm, but you can also stay on deck with a drink and enjoy Lanzarote’s volcanic coastline. I also like the warm, sociable crew, with names such as Sandra, Nico, Vicky, and Jose praised for making people feel well cared for.

The main drawback is time. Four hours passes quickly, and roughly two of those hours are spent sailing to and from Papagayo. The boat can also feel busy, and the return trip may be cool or choppy, so bring a jacket even on a sunny day.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours anchored at Papagayo: The main swimming and water-sports stop is long enough to feel worthwhile, not just a quick photo stop.
• A proper lunch on board: Expect hot pasta with vegetarian tomato sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.
• Water equipment is included: Snorkels, masks, life jackets, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are available at the bay.
• Drinks keep flowing: Beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks are included, although alcohol variety is limited.
• The return can be lively: Choppy water and a faster ride may add fun, but anyone prone to seasickness should plan carefully.
• Arrive early: Collect your boarding card at Catlanza Puerto Calero 30 minutes before departure.

Sailing from Puerto Calero toward Papagayo

The trip begins at Catlanza in Puerto Calero. If you are driving, free parking is available in the marina. If you arrange pickup, the company can collect you from designated bus stops, but you need to request that service when booking directly through the Catlanza website.

You must arrive 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding card. The listed boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15, so check the available schedule when you book. This early arrival matters because the boat can fill quickly, and one useful tip is to queue near the kiosk after collecting your boarding card if you want first choice of seating.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing before the catamaran leaves Puerto Calero. The first hour is mostly about the view and the change of pace. Lanzarote’s coast has dark volcanic rock, bright sun, and wide Atlantic horizons. You might spot dolphins, whales, or flying fish, but these sightings are never guaranteed.

The catamaran gives you several ways to spend the outward run. Sit on the net at the front for a closer feel of the water, take a place on deck, or join a short yoga session. The yoga is a pleasant touch for anyone who wants something more than a standard boat ride, though it is not the main purpose of the excursion.

The crew also keeps the mood relaxed with music and conversation. English, French, German, and Spanish are spoken, so basic instructions and safety information are available in several languages. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo bookers can all find a comfortable place in the day’s rhythm.

The two-hour stop at Playa del Papagayo

The catamaran anchors in a sheltered bay near Playa del Papagayo. This is the heart of the excursion, and the two-hour stop gives you enough time to try more than one activity without rushing from one to the next.

The water is described as clear, and fish often gather beneath the boat. Bring your mask and snorkel, or borrow the equipment provided on board. Even a short swim can be rewarding here, especially if you stay near the catamaran and look below the surface rather than simply swimming along the beach.

Snorkeling is best suited to anyone who enjoys seeing fish at close range without needing advanced skills. Life jackets are available, and the crew can help you get set up. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can still enjoy the view from the boat or spend your time on deck.

You can also use the kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. These activities give you a different view of the bay and let you move away from the boat for a while. The equipment is included, so you do not need to pay extra for the basic water sports.

There is also a slide into the sea, a feature that tends to appeal to children and anyone who likes a little more action. Use care on the steps and around the slide, since wet surfaces can be slippery. The crew provides safety guidance, but ordinary caution still matters.

The stop works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can remain on the net with a book or drink. Families with children aged seven and eleven have enjoyed the outing, and one family used it as an introduction to boating. Still, parents should keep a close eye on children around the steps, slide, and open water.

Papagayo itself is beautiful, but this is not a beach day in the usual sense. You are spending the stop from the anchored catamaran rather than walking ashore for a long stretch of sand. If your priority is exploring the beach on foot, this trip may not be the best match. If your priority is swimming and seeing the coast from the water, it is a strong choice.

Lunch from the small galley

After time in the water, lunch is served on board. The main dish is hot pasta with a vegetarian tomato sauce, accompanied by salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes. The menu is simple, filling, and well suited to a half-day at sea.

I would not book this as a food-focused cruise, but lunch is more substantial than the usual packet snack found on short boat trips. The hot pasta is especially welcome after swimming, and the vegetarian main dish works for people who do not eat meat.

The meal is served while the boat remains anchored, so you can settle back after the water activities. There is enough time to eat without feeling that lunch has swallowed the entire stop. The combination of food, drinks, and equipment is a large part of what makes the price reasonable.

If you have specific dietary needs beyond a vegetarian preference, ask before booking. The provided details confirm a vegetarian sauce, but they do not list allergy arrangements or other special menus.

All-inclusive drinks and the on-board atmosphere

Drinks are available throughout the excursion. The selection includes beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, soft drinks, and water. This is useful because a four-hour trip in the Lanzarote sun calls for regular refreshments, and you do not need to carry a separate supply for the boat.

The alcohol selection is not especially broad. If you want a particular spirit, cocktail, or premium drink, this is not that kind of package. The focus is on easy-going drinks that suit a shared sailing trip.

The social side is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Music plays on the return, and the crew encourages conversation without forcing anyone to join in. You can talk with other people on board, chat with the crew, or simply find a sunny spot and watch the coast.

That balance is important. Some organized boat trips turn into loud party cruises, while others feel too quiet and formal. This one sits somewhere in the middle. It has enough energy for a birthday or family day out, but there is still room to relax.

The return to Puerto Calero

The return sailing takes about an hour. By this point, you have eaten, swum, and had time in the sun, so the final leg becomes a chance to settle down and watch for marine life.

The crew may show you how to tie sailing knots or let you take the helm under supervision. These small touches help you understand the boat rather than treating it as a floating restaurant. They are optional, so you can skip them and keep your drink in hand.

Conditions can change on the way back. One family described the ride as fast and choppy, which made it more adventurous and fun for the children. That same motion may be less enjoyable if you are prone to seasickness. Sit where you feel most stable, and consider bringing any usual motion-sickness remedy.

A jacket is worth packing even during warm weather. The wind can feel cool after swimming, and the return journey may be breezier than the outward sail. Sunscreen and a towel are also essential, along with swimwear.

Dolphins have been seen on the return to Puerto Calero, and flying fish are another possibility. These are lucky additions rather than promised parts of the program. The core experience remains the sail, the Papagayo stop, the food, and the water activities.

Is the $88 price good value?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Papagayo. You are paying for a catamaran outing rather than transport to a beach, and the price includes lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and pickup from certain bus stops if arranged.

The value improves if you plan to use the equipment and enjoy the food and drinks. Paying separately for a boat trip, a meal, several drinks, and water-sports hire could easily bring the cost close to this amount. Free parking also helps if you are driving to Puerto Calero.

The four-hour duration is the main limit. About half the time is spent sailing, leaving around two hours at the bay. Some people will wish for a longer cruise, particularly when the water is calm and the mood on board is good.

For a single half-day activity in Lanzarote, the package offers plenty. You get scenery, a meal, swimming, snorkeling, several water sports, and a chance of seeing dolphins. I would call it good value for an active day, but less compelling if you only want a quiet scenic sail with no interest in getting wet.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most?

This excursion suits families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who likes having choices. You can be active for the full stop or do very little beyond sunbathing and eating. That flexibility is its strongest practical feature.

It is especially good for families with older children who can follow water-safety instructions. The slide, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling keep children occupied, while the included lunch and drinks reduce the need to organize extra supplies.

It also works well for adults who want a social outing rather than a private charter. The catamaran is spacious, but it is still a shared boat. On busy departures, you may have less room to yourself and may need to choose your preferred spot early.

People with mobility needs should contact the operator in advance. Assistance has been provided to help someone reach the boat ramp and get on and off, but the excursion includes wet steps, water equipment, and movement around a catamaran. The available information does not promise full accessibility for every need.

Non-drinkers are welcome. There are juices and soft drinks, yoga, swimming, snorkeling, and deck space, so alcohol is not the only reason to book. At the same time, the all-inclusive drinks are a noticeable part of the experience, and the atmosphere may feel more social during the return sail.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive at Catlanza Puerto Calero 30 minutes before departure. This gives you time to collect your boarding card and join the boarding queue without stress.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The jacket is not just a formality. Wind on the return can make you feel cold, especially if your clothes are still damp.

If you want a particular place on the boat, collect your boarding card and then queue by the kiosk. The boat may fill quickly, and early positioning gives you more choice of the net, deck, or shaded areas.

Take care on the slide and steps. Wet surfaces can be slippery, and the movement of the boat adds another challenge. Listen to the crew before using the kayaks, paddleboards, or snorkeling equipment.

If you are considering pickup, arrange it through Catlanza when booking. Otherwise, drive to Puerto Calero, where free parking is available. The operator offers live guidance in English, French, German, and Spanish.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the excursion for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Lanzarote plans are still changing.

Should you book the Papagayo sailing excursion?

Book it if you want a well-rounded half-day on the water, with swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and several optional activities included. The strongest reasons are the generous two-hour stop, the clear water beneath the boat, and a crew that puts real effort into making the day friendly and easy.

Think twice if you want a long, quiet sail, a private boat, or extensive time walking on Papagayo beach. The catamaran is shared, the four hours go fast, and the ride home can be windy or choppy.

For most people, the $88 cost is fair because so much is bundled into one outing. Bring a jacket, arrive early, and use the water equipment. If dolphins appear on the way back, count that as a bonus to an already full afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo catamaran trip start?

The excursion starts at Catlanza Puerto Calero in Lanzarote. Free parking is available in Puerto Calero.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure to collect your boarding card. The listed boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15.

How long is the excursion?

The total duration is four hours. The catamaran sails for about one hour to Papagayo, remains there for about two hours, and sails for about one hour back to Puerto Calero.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

Are drinks and water-sports equipment included?

Yes. Drinks include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks. Snorkeling equipment, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and life jackets are available.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The operator also advises arriving early to collect your boarding card.