Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

Papagayo is the star here: bright beaches, clear water, and a sheltered anchorage where you can swim beneath the catamaran with fish gathering below. The trip also has a generous feel, with lunch and drinks included rather than sold piecemeal.

I like the choice between active water time and simple deck relaxation. I also like the human touch: crew members such as Captain Alejandro, Vicky, Noah, Carl, and chef staff have been praised for warm service, clear safety guidance, and helping families and passengers with mobility needs. The main drawback is time. Four hours passes quickly, and the sea can feel chilly or choppy on the return.

• Papagayo anchorage: About two hours for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
• A proper hot lunch: Pasta with vegetarian tomato sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.
• A spacious catamaran: There is room to sunbathe on the nets, sit on deck, or join the activities.
• All-inclusive drinks: Beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks are available during the trip.
• Small extras that matter: Yoga, knot tying, music, dolphin watching, and the chance to take the helm.
• Easy planning: Free parking, optional pickup from bus stops, multilingual guides, and cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Setting Sail from Puerto Calero

Catlanza’s office is in Puerto Calero, a marina on Lanzarote’s southern coast. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding cards. The listed boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15, so check the exact option when you book.

Free parking at Puerto Calero keeps the start simple if you have a rental car. Pickup and drop-off are also available from bus stops if arranged through the operator’s own website. That detail is useful if you are staying outside the marina area and do not want to sort out a taxi.

Once aboard, you receive a safety briefing before the catamaran heads toward Papagayo. The outward journey takes about an hour. This is not an hour of constant entertainment, and that is part of the point. You can sit back, watch Lanzarote’s stark volcanic coast slide past, or find a quiet place on deck.

The crew may lead a short yoga session during the crossing. You can also simply enjoy the view, take photographs, or keep watch for dolphins, whales, and flying fish. Dolphin sightings have happened on both outward and return journeys, but they are wildlife, not a promise. Treat any appearance as a lucky extra.

The Catamaran Experience

The boat is large enough to offer several ways to spend the four hours. The forward nets are popular for sunbathing and photographs, while the deck gives you a steadier place to sit with a drink. The catamaran can feel busy on a full departure, but the available space and several activity options help prevent the trip from becoming one long queue.

I would collect your boarding card early and position yourself near the kiosk if having first choice of seating matters to you. One passenger specifically recommended queuing there after collecting the card, since the boat can fill quickly.

The crew’s attitude is a major part of the experience. Safety information is presented clearly, but not stiffly. Families with children have found the welcome easygoing, and the water activities suit different ability levels. You can try a little of everything, or do nothing beyond sitting in the sun.

The boat has a slide into the sea, according to the trip details and firsthand accounts. Use care around the steps and slide area, especially when surfaces are wet. A few people have slipped, so this is a place to slow down rather than rush into the water.

Two Hours at Papagayo

The boat anchors in a sheltered bay near Playa del Papagayo for roughly two hours. This is the heart of the outing. You have enough time to swim and snorkel without feeling that you have only just put on your mask before being called back aboard.

The water is clear enough for fish to gather beneath the catamaran, making snorkeling one of the best reasons to book. Equipment is provided, including masks, snorkels, and life jackets. The marine life is not presented as a formal guided nature tour, so you are free to move at your own pace and look around the boat’s anchorage.

The bay also gives you a choice of water sports. Paddleboards and kayaks are available, and you can take a short outing away from the main boat. Keep within the area and follow the crew’s instructions. One account describes a kayak drifting farther out than intended before the crew helped, a useful reminder that even calm water needs respect.

You do not have to swim or paddle. If you prefer dry land, stay aboard and enjoy the music, sun, and views. This flexibility makes the trip work for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can use a paddleboard, and someone else can remain on deck with a cold drink.

The beach views are excellent, but this is a boat-based visit rather than a long beach stay. You are anchored offshore, with the emphasis on water time and the catamaran itself. If you want to walk along Papagayo’s sand, this excursion may not provide that kind of visit.

Lunch from the Small Galley

At some point, the smell of lunch will pull you back aboard. The main meal is hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, served with salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

That is a practical menu for a boat trip. It is filling after swimming, and the vegetarian pasta gives the meal a clear meat-free option. The chef has received unusually strong praise, with several people calling the food delicious and one describing it as a highlight of the day.

You should still think of this as a generous excursion lunch, not a fine-dining meal. The menu is straightforward, and the available information specifically describes pasta with vegetarian sauce rather than a wide selection of dishes. If you have a strict allergy or special dietary need, ask the operator before booking.

Drinks are included throughout the trip. Choices reported on board include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks. Alcohol selection may not satisfy someone looking for a broad cocktail menu, but the range is more than enough for a relaxed afternoon on the water. Non-alcoholic drinks are available, which matters if you do not drink or are traveling with children.

The combination of lunch, water equipment, and drinks gives the $88 price real weight. A cheaper boat trip may charge separately for food, gear, and drinks. Here, much of the day’s spending is settled before you leave the marina.

The Return Trip to Puerto Calero

After lunch and more time on the water, the catamaran turns back toward Puerto Calero. The return takes about an hour, but the mood can change with the wind and waves. Some passengers have enjoyed a fast, choppy ride back, especially children who found it adventurous. Others may prefer a calmer crossing.

Bring a jacket even on a sunny day. The sea breeze can feel cool, particularly after swimming and on the return journey. A towel and sunscreen are also essential. The sun is strong, and the deck offers little shelter from it.

The crew may demonstrate knot tying or let you take the helm under supervision. These small activities give the return trip a purpose beyond simply getting back. If you would rather rest, you can keep your drink, listen to the music, and talk with the crew or people in your group.

Dolphins have appeared on the way back to the marina, creating a memorable finish for some departures. Again, this is not guaranteed. The reliable part is the coastal scenery and the chance to enjoy a final hour on deck.

What the $88 Price Really Buys

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Lanzarote from the water. It is a strong value if you plan to use the inclusions: lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and the full four-hour boat outing.

The price also covers the experience of being on a well-maintained catamaran with a crew handling the practical work. You are not renting equipment, finding a beach café, or paying extra each time you want a drink. That makes budgeting easy.

Value depends on your style. If you only want a short scenic cruise and rarely swim, a simpler harbor trip could suit you better. If you plan to snorkel, paddle, eat on board, and spend time in the sun, this excursion gives you plenty for the money.

One past booking note suggested checking the Catlanza website for direct rates, since another booking channel may add to the total. Compare the final price before paying. The supplied price here is $88 per person, but rates and fees can change.

The four-hour length is both a strength and a limitation. It fits neatly into a morning or afternoon and leaves room for another Lanzarote activity. It also means you get about two hours at anchor, with the remaining time split between the outward and return crossings. If you want a full-day sailing trip, this is too short.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this for couples, families, and groups with different ideas of fun. Children can use the slide, kayak, or paddleboard, while adults can sit on the nets, snorkel, or enjoy lunch. The crew has also helped passengers using wheelchairs and provided assistance near the boat ramp, though you should discuss your exact mobility needs before booking.

It works especially well for people who want a taste of several Lanzarote experiences in one outing: volcanic coast views, Papagayo, swimming, snorkeling, local potatoes, and a relaxed catamaran ride.

The trip may be less suitable if you dislike open water, get seasick easily, or want a quiet luxury cruise with no group activity. The boat can be busy, music is part of the atmosphere, and the return may become choppy. The word luxury here points to the catamaran, service, and all-inclusive setup, not to a private yacht or silent sailing retreat.

The language range is helpful for international groups. Guides operate in English, French, German, and Spanish. Clear instructions matter when you are stepping into the sea, using a kayak, or moving around a wet deck.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Arrive 30 minutes early. You need time to collect your boarding card, and arriving late could create stress before a fixed departure.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The first three items cover the anchorage; the jacket protects you from the breeze on the crossing home.

Wear something that stays secure during water activities. You will move between the boat, steps, slide, and equipment, so loose items can become awkward.

Use caution around wet surfaces. The slide and steps can be slippery, and the combination of sea spray and sunscreen makes rushing a poor idea.

If you want a preferred place on deck, collect your card and queue near the kiosk. This is particularly useful on a busy departure.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully about the weather and your usual tolerance before booking. The information does not promise a calm sea, and conditions can change on the return.

The cancellation policy is forgiving: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Lanzarote plans are still taking shape.

Should You Book the Papagayo Sailing Trip?

Book it if you want a social, active half-day on the sea with food and drinks already covered. The strongest reasons are the clear-water snorkeling, the two-hour Papagayo stop, the spacious catamaran, and a crew that puts real effort into safety and hospitality.

I would be more cautious if your priority is solitude, a long beach visit, or a full day under sail. The excursion is organized and lively, not private. You are paying for a complete package, so the value improves when you use the water gear and enjoy the meal and drinks.

For most people, the $88 cost is fair for four hours of sailing, lunch, beverages, equipment, and crew support. Bring a jacket, arrive early, watch your footing, and leave room in your plans for the possibility of dolphins. This is one of the easier ways to turn a Lanzarote afternoon into a proper day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo sailing excursion depart from?

It departs from Catlanza in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled excursion to collect your boarding cards.

What are the listed boarding times?

The listed boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15. Check availability for the date you want.

How long does the excursion last?

The sailing trip lasts four hours.

How much time is spent at Papagayo?

The itinerary allows about two hours at Playa del Papagayo for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included. Available choices include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling is included, and equipment is available for use during the Papagayo stop.

Are kayaking and paddleboarding included?

Yes. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are included.

What languages are spoken by the guide and crew?

The tour is offered in English, French, German, and Spanish.