Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria: boat trip, drinks, food, paddle surfing, snorkeling

The best part of this four-hour boat trip is the long stop at Playa del Perchel. You are not simply carried along the coast and sent home. You have time to swim, snorkel around the rocks, paddleboard, jump from the upper deck, or stretch out with a drink while the boat sits in a sheltered bay. I especially like the included tapas and drinks, plus the clean, comfortable boat with hammocks, shade, and a bathroom.

I also like the friendly, hands-on crew. They help set up the paddleboards, bring out snorkeling gear, and keep the mood relaxed rather than turning the outing into a loud party cruise. The main consideration is the sea: wind and chop can affect the route, and the optional jet ski and towable rides cost extra. One other practical point is that late departures may occasionally change if the operator combines sailing times.

Key points at a glance

• A 45-minute coastal cruise takes you from Puerto Rico toward Cueva del Agua, with cliffs and open sea views along the way.
• Playa del Perchel is the main stop, with around two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and relaxing.
• Tapas, beer, wine, sangria, water, juices, and soft drinks are included, which gives the $56 price real value.
• The boat works well for families, with life jackets for all ages, a shaded lower deck, a bathroom, and inflatable water equipment.
• Jet skis, parasailing, banana rides, and similar extras are not included, so check the price before joining.
• The experience is relaxed rather than a party boat, although the upper deck and jumping spots can make it lively for children and teenagers.

Setting out from Puerto de Escala

You meet at the entrance to Puerto de Escala on Calle Puerto Escala. The meeting instructions say to go to the port entrance and look for the first ship you encounter, so arrive with enough time to identify the boat and crew without rushing.

From the marina, the classic boat heads along the southern coast of Gran Canaria. The first and last parts of the trip take about 45 minutes each, giving you a useful hour and a half of sailing time altogether. That is enough to enjoy the scenery, but not so much that the day becomes a long, passive cruise.

The boat itself is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You can choose an adjustable hammock on the upper deck, a seat in the shaded lower area, or a spot near the open sides for the views. A bathroom is available on board, an easy detail to value once you are several miles from shore.

The crew speaks English and Spanish. The name Alberto appears in one especially warm account, and the staff as a whole are described as attentive and willing to help. Expect them to bring out equipment, explain how to use it, serve drinks, and keep an eye on the activities. This is useful if you are traveling with children or if you have never tried paddleboarding before.

The coastal cruise toward Cueva del Agua

The outward journey is a scenic coastal tour rather than a guided history lesson. You pass cliffs and rocky shoreline, with time for photographs and views of the southern coast from the water. The route leads toward the area of Cueva del Agua, described as a magical cave and a key point on the cruise.

Do not book this trip mainly for detailed commentary about every headland. One person felt the sailing would have been better with more information about the places along the coast. If you want a formal sightseeing narration, this may feel light. If you prefer to look out over the sea with a cold drink and no long lecture, that is part of its appeal.

Sea conditions matter. On a windy day, the captain may change course and choose a calmer bay rather than follow the planned route exactly. That is a sensible safety choice, but it means the precise scenery and swimming location can vary. You may also find the boat a little rocky, making it harder to walk back and forth for drinks. Bring your towel and sunscreen, and keep your beachwear on under your clothes.

The long stop at Playa del Perchel

The main stop is Playa del Perchel, where the boat moors for roughly two hours. This is what makes the trip feel like more than a short sightseeing ride. You have enough time to try several activities without having to choose just one.

The water activities included in the price are:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboards
• Floating beds and inflatable equipment
• Swimming from the boat
• Access to life jackets

The snorkeling area can be especially rewarding when the water is calm. One detailed account describes rocks and plenty of fish around the swimming spot. Conditions will change with weather and visibility, but this is a proper water stop, not a token ten-minute swim.

Paddleboarding is available for beginners as well as people who already know what they are doing. The crew helps get the boards ready and explains their use. Since the stop is long, you can paddle for a while, return to the boat, eat, and get back in the water later.

Families have plenty to do here. Children can swim, use the inflatables, snorkel, and jump from the upper deck when conditions allow. Parents can stay in the shaded seating area or use a hammock between swims. Life jackets are available for all ages, but you should still supervise children closely around the boat and water.

One small limitation is equipment availability during busy periods. If several people want the paddleboards at once, you might need to wait. The same applies to the more popular inflatables. The relaxed schedule helps, but it does not guarantee that every item will be free whenever you want it.

Tapas, drinks, and the value of $56

At $56 per person, this excursion is priced above a simple harbor cruise but includes much more. Tapas, beer, wine, sangria, water, juices, and soft drinks are included, along with snorkeling and paddleboarding. That bundle matters in Puerto Rico, where buying drinks and a meal separately can quickly add to the cost of a day on the water.

The food is Spanish tapas-style rather than a large restaurant meal. Expect a light spread of snack-sized dishes, enough to eat without feeling too full before swimming. Several people found the food tasty, while one account felt the choices were limited and more snack-like. Both descriptions can be true: this is a pleasant lunch or aperitif, not a full culinary event.

Drinks are served throughout the trip. Beer is kept cold, and sangria is a popular choice, while soft drinks and water cover people who do not want alcohol. The setup works well for a relaxed afternoon, although choppy water can make it inconvenient to stand up and fetch another drink.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the water equipment and enjoy several drinks. If you do not drink alcohol and would rather spend the whole day on land, the price may feel less compelling. For a family that wants a boat ride, lunch, swimming, and paddleboarding in one booking, it is a strong package.

Optional jet skis and towable rides

Jet skis are not part of the $56 base price. They are available as an extra, and prices reported during the season include about €35 for a shared jet ski experience and around €15 per person for a towable inflatable ride. Prices can change, so confirm the current cost before you commit.

The extra activities are aimed at people who want more speed than snorkeling and paddleboarding provide. Children and teenagers have particularly enjoyed the jet skis and the inflatable sofa or flying-carpet style ride. The boat crew appears flexible about arranging these add-ons, but you should treat them as optional purchases, not part of the advertised all-inclusive price.

Parasailing and banana rides are also listed as possible extras. The information supplied does not give fixed prices for them. If you are budgeting carefully, ask the crew what is available and what it costs before taking part.

I like that the core trip does not depend on buying extras. You can have a full outing with swimming, food, drinks, snorkeling, and paddleboarding without spending more. That makes the optional rides a choice rather than a pressure point.

Comfort, safety, and the family setup

This is a practical boat for a mixed group. The upper deck offers hammocks and open-air spots, while the lower deck provides shade and comfortable seating. The bathroom is useful for families and anyone who does not want to be tied to shore facilities.

Life jackets are supplied for all ages. The crew also helps with boarding and equipment, and one family received help getting a stroller onto the boat. That does not mean every part of the vessel will be easy for every mobility need, so ask the operator directly if you have specific accessibility concerns. The available information does not promise step-free access or a dedicated stroller space.

The boat is clean and described as well maintained. Capacity can affect the feel of the outing. One group reported about 30 people on board and found it comfortable, with enough room to avoid feeling cramped. A fuller sailing will naturally make the equipment and seating feel less generous.

The atmosphere is another plus. This is not presented as a loud party boat. Music and drinks may create a cheerful mood, but the main rhythm is sailing, swimming, eating, and relaxing. That suits couples, families, and groups who want some fun without spending four hours in a nightclub at sea.

Timing, weather, and possible changes

The advertised trip lasts four hours. A typical pattern is about 45 minutes cruising out, roughly two hours at the swimming stop, and about 45 minutes returning. The detailed schedule also lists a scenic coastal portion and a longer activity stop, so the exact timing may shift slightly.

Weather and sea conditions can change the plan. A rough or windy day may lead the captain to choose a quieter bay. This can reduce the drama of the original route, but it usually improves the swimming and paddleboarding. I would consider that a sensible trade.

Departure times are worth checking carefully. One afternoon booking was changed to a morning departure at short notice because of a reported captain illness, which left the customer disappointed after specifically choosing the later time. Most people will have no issue, but if the time of day matters to you, confirm it close to departure and keep some flexibility in your plans.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful when weather or your wider Gran Canaria schedule is uncertain.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this outing for a family that wants several activities in one half-day. Children around school age and teenagers have plenty to do, from swimming and snorkeling to paddleboarding and optional jet skis. The life jackets, bathroom, shade, and food make the day easier than arranging separate beach activities.

It also suits couples and friends who want a calm sea day with drinks and a little adventure. You can be active for an hour, then lie in a hammock and watch the coast slide by. The outing is less suitable if you want a serious sailing course, a detailed cultural tour, or a guaranteed sunset cruise.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Use waterproof protection for phones and valuables if you plan to swim. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a central, lower area when the water is rough and avoid drinking too much before the boat settles at the bay.

Should you book it?

I would book this Puerto Rico boat trip if you want good value in a relaxed setting. The included food, drinks, snorkeling, paddleboards, and swimming make the base price easy to justify, while the friendly crew adds a personal touch. The long water stop is the real draw.

Think twice if you need a fixed afternoon departure, a highly detailed coastal commentary, or a quiet boat with no children jumping from the deck. Also budget separately for jet skis, parasailing, and towable rides. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced Gran Canaria outing: scenic enough for the adults, active enough for children, and comfortable enough to keep the whole group happy.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The trip starts at Calle Puerto Escala, at the entrance to Puerto de Escala in Puerto Rico. The meeting instruction is to look for the first ship encountered at the port entrance.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts four hours. The usual plan includes about 45 minutes cruising along the coast, a longer stop for food and water activities, and about 45 minutes returning to Puerto Rico.

What food is included?

Spanish-style tapas are included. The food is intended as a light meal or snack spread rather than a large restaurant lunch.

Which drinks are included?

Beer, wine, sangria, water, juices, and soft drinks are included during the trip.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Is paddleboarding included?

Yes. Stand-up paddleboards are included, and the crew helps prepare the equipment.

Are jet skis included in the ticket?

No. Jet skis cost extra. Parasailing, banana rides, and other powered water activities are also not included in the base price.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Life jackets are provided on board for all ages.