Lanzarote Catamaran Trips

Choosing the Right Lanzarote Catamaran Trip

With so many Lanzarote catamaran trips to choose from, the best one for you comes down to the kind of day you’re after. The most popular option by far is the classic cruise to the Papagayo beaches on the sheltered southern tip of the island. These trips sail down the coast past Puerto Calero and Playa Quemada before dropping anchor in the calm, clear bays off Papagayo, where you can swim, snorkel and kayak in some of the most beautiful water in the Canaries. Most include a freshly cooked paella or a spread of tapas, an open bar, and use of kayaks and snorkelling equipment, making for a genuinely all-inclusive day at sea.

The other headline choice is a catamaran trip to La Graciosa, the wild eighth Canary Island off the northern coast. These are usually full-day excursions that combine a ferry crossing, free time to explore the sandy streets of the island’s only village, and a catamaran sail with lunch and water activities in the protected waters of the Chinijo Archipelago, the largest marine reserve in Europe. If you want to combine a boat trip with seeing somewhere genuinely unspoilt, this is the one to pick.

Big-Boat Cruises or Small-Group Sailings?

One of the most useful things to understand before you book is the difference between the large catamarans and the smaller, more exclusive boats. The big catamarans carry many dozens of guests and deliver a lively, sociable, great-value day out, often with a full paella lunch, plenty of deck space, trampoline nets at the bow and a real party-holiday atmosphere. They’re ideal for families and groups who like a bit of buzz and don’t mind sharing the boat with a crowd.

At the other end of the scale are the small-group catamaran trips, which cap numbers at around a dozen guests. These cost a little more per person but deliver a far more intimate experience, with room to spread out, a crew who have time to look after you properly, and often a more refined food and drink offering that might include wine and cava alongside the usual beer and sangria. If you’re a couple wanting something special, or you simply prefer to avoid the crowds, a small-group sailing is well worth the extra. Neither is better in absolute terms. It just depends on whether you want the atmosphere of a big boat or the exclusivity of a small one.

What’s Usually Included

Most Lanzarote catamaran trips are all-inclusive once you’re aboard, which is a big part of their appeal. The typical package covers the cruise itself with an experienced captain and crew, a freshly prepared lunch of either paella or tapas, and an open bar running throughout the day with beer, sangria, soft drinks and water, and sometimes wine and cava on the more premium boats. Use of kayaks and snorkelling equipment is almost always included, and many boats also carry stand-up paddleboards. Some trips include hotel pickup and drop-off in the price, while others ask you to make your own way to the departure marina, so it’s worth checking the details of each cruise before you book.

The main departure points for Lanzarote catamaran trips are Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero and Playa Blanca on the south coast, and Órzola in the north for the La Graciosa sailings. Most of the Papagayo cruises anchor in the bay rather than landing on the beach itself, so the swimming and water activities happen from the boat, which is worth knowing if you had your heart set on walking on the sand.

When to Go and What to Bring

Catamaran trips run year-round on Lanzarote thanks to the island’s reliable climate, though the experience varies a little with the seasons. The summer months from June to September deliver the warmest sea and the calmest, sunniest days, while the winter still offers plenty of comfortable sailing weather with the bonus of frequent dolphin sightings on many routes. The one thing to bear in mind is the wind. Lanzarote’s trade winds can make the sea lively, particularly on the more exposed stretches of coast and on the crossing to La Graciosa, so if you’re prone to seasickness it’s worth taking precautions before you sail and choosing a sheltered south-coast Papagayo trip over a northern crossing.

Packing is simple. Bring swimwear worn under your clothes, a towel, high-factor sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses, since shade on deck is limited and the sun reflecting off the water is stronger than it feels. A camera or phone for the coastline and the dolphins is a must, and a light jacket is worth having outside the peak summer months for the breeze on deck. Almost everything else, including snorkelling gear and kayaks, is provided. With a little planning, a catamaran cruise is one of the most memorable days you can spend on the island, and one of the very best ways to see the Lanzarote coast at its most beautiful.