I Love Papagayo Catamaran Cruise.
If you only do one boat trip during your holiday on Lanzarote, the I Love Papagayo catamaran cruise is the one to pick. Run by Líneas Romero, the island’s largest and longest-established boat operator, it’s the only large luxury catamaran sailing out of Puerto del Carmen, and it takes you along the dramatic volcanic south coast to the sheltered turquoise bays of Papagayo for a day of swimming, kayaking, snorkelling, paella and sunshine. With a welcome mojito in hand and an open bar running all day, it’s earned its reputation as one of the most popular excursions on the island, and with over 990 verified reviews averaging well above four stars, it consistently delivers exactly the kind of relaxed, well-organised day at sea that people hope for.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you book the I Love Papagayo catamaran cruise: what the day involves, what’s included, where it picks up, what to bring, and the practical details that make the difference between a good day and a great one.
What the I Love Papagayo Catamaran Cruise Involves
The day is built around a simple, well-worn rhythm that Líneas Romero have refined over many years. After pickup from your resort, a coach brings you to the old town harbour in Puerto del Carmen, where you board the catamaran. The crew welcome you aboard with a mojito and a small tapa, traditionally papas arrugadas with mojo or a wedge of Spanish tortilla, and run through the plan for the day before casting off.
From there, the catamaran sails west and south along the coast, gliding past the marina at Puerto Calero and the quiet former fishing village of Playa Quemada, with the volcanoes rising inland and the lava-rock coastline slipping by. After rounding the Papagayo headland, the boat turns north into the sheltered bay and drops anchor in the calm, clear water off the Papagayo beaches. This is where you spend the heart of the day: swimming straight off the boat, paddling a kayak around the bay, snorkelling over the rocks, lazing on the trampoline nets at the front, or simply doing nothing at all with a cold drink and the sun on your face. Lunch is served on board at anchor, and then the catamaran weighs anchor and sails back to Puerto del Carmen, with the return leg often bringing sightings of flying fish and, if you’re lucky, dolphins riding alongside. The boat is back in port at around three in the afternoon, where the coach is waiting to take you home.
What’s Included in the Price
The I Love Papagayo cruise is an all-inclusive day, which is a large part of its appeal. Once you’re aboard, you don’t need to reach for your wallet. The price covers return coach transfers from the nearest pickup point to your accommodation, the catamaran cruise itself with live commentary from the crew, and the welcome mojito on arrival. Lunch is a freshly prepared meal cooked on board, with a choice of traditional Spanish paella or pasta with tomato sauce, followed by a fresh fruit bar, and vegetarian, vegan and coeliac diets can be catered for if you let the crew know in advance.
The open bar runs throughout the day and includes unlimited draught beer, sangria, soft drinks and water. Use of the kayaks is included, as is the swim and snorkel stop in the bay, though it’s worth noting that snorkel masks are not provided free. You can either bring your own or buy one on board for around ten euros, which is yours to keep. Beyond that, the only things you might spend money on are any extras or tips you choose to give the crew.
Pickups, Timings and Where It Sails From
The catamaran itself departs from the far end of Puerto del Carmen harbour, at the last pier past the petrol station in the old town. Most people, though, take advantage of the included coach transfer rather than making their own way there. Pickup points cover the main tourist areas of the island, including Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, Arrecife and Puerto Calero, and when you book you select your area so the operator can assign you the nearest pickup.
A few practical scheduling points are worth knowing. Pickups generally run mid-to-late morning, with the boat returning you to your pickup point by around four in the afternoon. Puerto Calero pickup is typically only available on certain days of the week, and there is no Playa Blanca pickup on Sundays, Mondays or Wednesdays, so check the options for your specific dates when booking. During the peak summer months from July to September, demand is high enough that the morning sailing often picks up an hour earlier and an additional afternoon sailing is sometimes added. Because exact pickup times depend on your location, group size and traffic, the operator confirms your precise time and point by email after booking, so make sure you provide your accommodation details.
What to Bring
Packing for the day is straightforward. Bring swimwear (wear it under your clothes to save changing on board), a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses, since there is limited shade on deck and the sun reflecting off the water is stronger than it feels. Comfortable shoes for the harbour, a camera or phone for the coastline and the dolphins, and your own snorkel gear if you’d rather not buy a mask on board. In the cooler winter months a light jacket or pullover is worth having for the breeze on deck, particularly on the sail out and back. Everything else is taken care of.
Is It Suitable for Families and Couples?
Both, and that’s part of why it works so well. The spacious deck, the trampoline nets, the water activities and the all-inclusive food and drink make it a genuinely easy day out for families with children, who tend to love swimming and kayaking straight off the boat. At the same time, the relaxed pace, the sunbathing space and the open bar make it equally suited to couples and groups of friends who want a laid-back day at sea rather than a party boat. The operator does not market it as a party excursion, and intoxication and organised party groups are not permitted, which keeps the atmosphere pleasant for everyone aboard.
One honest note worth flagging: the excursion involves boarding and moving around a catamaran at sea, so it’s not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with serious mobility impairments, and anyone prone to seasickness should take the usual precautions before sailing. The boat anchors in the bay rather than landing on the beach itself, so this is a day of swimming and relaxing from the catamaran, not a trip that drops you onto the Papagayo sand.
What Previous Guests Say
The cruise consistently earns strong reviews, with recent guests repeatedly praising the welcoming and knowledgeable crew, the generous portions of freshly cooked paella, and the highlight of swimming and kayaking directly from the boat in the clear water of the bay. Dolphin sightings on the return leg come up again and again as a memorable bonus, though as with any wildlife they can never be guaranteed. The most common piece of constructive feedback is simply that the boat anchors a little way off the shore in deeper water, so the swimming is proper open-water swimming rather than paddling, which is worth knowing if you have young or nervous swimmers in the group. Overall, the recurring theme in the reviews is good value, good organisation and a genuinely relaxing day out.
Booking the I Love Papagayo Catamaran Cruise
The cruise is popular and frequently sells out in peak season, so booking ahead is strongly recommended rather than leaving it to chance once you arrive. Most booking platforms offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now-pay-later option, which keeps your plans flexible. When you book, remember to select the correct area of the island for your pickup and to flag any dietary requirements in advance. Bear in mind too that the itinerary depends on the weather. If conditions are poor and the sailing is cancelled, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund, so there’s no risk in securing your place early.
For a day that combines the best of Lanzarote’s south coast, its dramatic volcanic scenery, its famous turquoise bays and its warm Atlantic sunshine, all wrapped up with food, drink and a friendly crew, the I Love Papagayo catamaran cruise is about as complete a day at sea as the island offers. Check availability and book your place below.
