A Full Day Catamaran Sailing Lanzarote’s Eighth Island
Just off the northern tip of Lanzarote lies La Graciosa, the smallest and wildest of the inhabited Canary Islands, a place of sand streets, no traffic and some of the most beautiful empty beaches in the archipelago. The La Graciosa catamaran cruise with Líneas Romero is one of the best ways to experience it, combining the ferry crossing, free time to explore the island’s only real village, and a full afternoon of sailing, swimming, snorkelling and kayaking in the protected waters of the Chinijo Archipelago, all rounded off with a freshly cooked paella and an open bar on board. Rated 4.6 across more than 1,850 verified reviews, it’s consistently one of the most highly regarded boat trips on the island, and for good reason.
This guide walks through exactly what the day involves, what’s included, where it departs, what to bring and who it suits, so you know precisely what you’re booking before you go.
Why La Graciosa Catamaran Is Worth the Trip
La Graciosa earned official recognition as the eighth Canary Island in 2018, having spent decades treated as a mere offshoot of Lanzarote. Home to around 700 people, almost all of them in the tiny port village of Caleta del Sebo, it has no paved roads, no resorts and no crowds. The streets are sand, the pace is slow, and the whole island sits inside the Chinijo Archipelago Marine Reserve, the largest marine protected area in Europe. The water here is extraordinarily clear, the beaches are among the finest in the Canaries, and the sense of stepping back in time is genuine. Reaching it by catamaran, rather than just hopping across on the passenger ferry, turns a visit into a proper day out on the water.
What the Day Involves
The excursion runs to around six hours from start to finish and follows a well-planned rhythm. After pickup from your resort, a coach takes you up through the north of the island to the fishing village of Órzola, where you board the express ferry for the short thirty-minute crossing to La Graciosa. On arrival at Caleta del Sebo, you get around forty-five minutes of free time to wander the sandy streets of the village, grab a coffee, browse the handful of shops or simply take in the unhurried atmosphere before the sailing begins.
Back at the harbour you board the catamaran, where the crew welcome you aboard with a mojito, and the boat sets off to cruise the coast of the island. After sailing a while, taking in the dramatic volcanic scenery and the views back across to the cliffs of Famara on Lanzarote, the catamaran drops anchor off one of La Graciosa’s beautiful beaches. This is the heart of the day: swimming in the clear water, paddling a kayak, snorkelling over the reserve’s marine life, or simply relaxing on deck in the sun. Lunch, a traditional freshly prepared paella with a fresh fruit dessert, is served on board at anchor, with the open bar running throughout. The catamaran then sails back with a brief final stop at La Graciosa before the ferry returns you to Órzola and the coach takes you home.
What’s Included
Like the other Líneas Romero cruises, this is an all-inclusive day once you’re aboard. The price covers return coach transfers from the nearest pickup point to your accommodation, the return ferry between Órzola and La Graciosa with free WiFi on the crossing, and the catamaran cruise itself with live commentary from the crew. The welcome mojito, the freshly cooked paella lunch and the fresh fruit are all included, and vegetarian, vegan and coeliac diets can be catered for with advance notice.
The open bar runs throughout and includes unlimited draught beer, sangria, soft drinks and water. Use of the kayaks and, on this trip, the snorkel equipment too is included in the price. The one thing to be clear about is that this excursion does not include disembarking onto the beaches during the sailing portion. The swimming and water activities all happen from the anchored catamaran, and while you get your free time on foot in Caleta del Sebo, the day is built around the boat rather than around walking or cycling the island’s trails.
Where It Departs and Pickup Points
The catamaran and ferry both operate out of Órzola harbour at the northern tip of Lanzarote. Most people use the included coach transfer, which picks up from a wide range of points across the main resort areas including Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Arrecife, with your nearest pickup assigned based on the accommodation details you provide when booking. If you’d rather make your own way, you can meet the group directly at Órzola harbour, where the guide will be waiting.
A couple of scheduling notes worth knowing. There is no pickup from Playa Blanca on Sundays, Mondays or Wednesdays, so if you’re staying down south check the available dates carefully. The operator confirms your exact pickup time and point after booking, and for any booking made within 24 hours of departure, pickup can’t be guaranteed, so in that case it’s safest to head straight to Órzola.
What to Bring
Pack swimwear worn under your clothes, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses. The sun on the water in the marine reserve is strong and there’s limited shade on deck, so sun protection matters. Bring a camera or phone for the scenery and the dolphins that often appear on the crossing, and a light jacket or pullover for the breeze on deck, particularly outside the peak summer months. Snorkel equipment and kayaks are provided, so there’s no need to bring your own. Comfortable footwear is handy for the free time wandering Caleta del Sebo.
Is It Right for You?
This is a genuinely family-friendly day out, with the swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and all-inclusive food and drink making it easy going for children and adults alike. It works equally well for couples and groups of friends who want a relaxed day at sea with a bit of exploring built in. The crew have a reputation for being friendly and entertaining, and several reviewers single out the singing and dancing on the return leg as a highlight, so the atmosphere is sociable and fun rather than a quiet booze cruise. That said, intoxication and organised party groups are not permitted, which keeps things pleasant for everyone.
The main practical limitation is accessibility. The excursion involves a ferry, a catamaran and movement between boats, so it isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, and anyone prone to seasickness should prepare accordingly, since the crossing to La Graciosa can be lively when the wind is up. Bear in mind too that the itinerary depends on the weather, and if a sailing is cancelled due to poor conditions you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.
What Previous Guests Say
The cruise draws consistently strong reviews, with recent guests highlighting the friendly and well-organised crew, the generous and genuinely good paella lunch, and the quality of the snorkelling and swimming in the clear water off La Graciosa. The free-flowing drinks and the sociable atmosphere on board come up repeatedly, as do frequent dolphin sightings on the crossing. Several reviewers note that even on days when the weather wasn’t perfect, the trip still delivered a smooth and enjoyable day out, which speaks well of how the operator runs things. The overall verdict across nearly 1,900 reviews is a day that reliably delivers good value and a memorable experience.
Booking the La Graciosa Catamaran Cruise
The trip is popular and frequently sells out, especially in peak season, so booking ahead is the sensible approach. Most platforms offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now-pay-later option, so you can lock in your place without committing anything upfront. When you book, provide your accommodation details for pickup and flag any dietary needs in advance. For a full day that combines Lanzarote’s wild eighth island, a protected marine reserve, a proper paella and a sociable crew, all wrapped into one well-run excursion, the La Graciosa catamaran cruise is one of the standout boat trips the island has to offer. Check availability and book your place below.
