Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

Papagayo looks even better from the water. This four-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Calero combines easygoing sailing and clear-water swimming with a hot lunch, open bar, and a generous choice of water activities. I like the friendly crew, who keep the day moving without making it feel forced, and I like the way the sheltered stop gives you real time to swim and snorkel. The main drawback is simple: four hours goes quickly, and the sea can feel chilly or the return journey breezy.

This is a polished outing rather than a quiet private sail. The catamaran has plenty of room, but it can fill up, so arriving early matters if you want a prime place on deck. You can join yoga, learn sailing knots, take the helm, or simply settle in with a drink and watch Lanzarote’s volcanic coast slide past.

Papagayo Sailing Trip: Key Points

• Two hours anchored near Papagayo: Plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
• Lunch cooked on board: Hot pasta with vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.
• Drinks included: Beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks are available.
• A sociable catamaran atmosphere: You can chat with the crew and other people, or find a quiet corner on the deck.
• Wildlife is possible: Dolphins, whales, flying fish, and fish beneath the boat have all been spotted.
• Useful early-arrival tip: Collect your boarding card 30 minutes before departure, then queue at the kiosk if you want first choice of seating.

Setting Out From Puerto Calero

Your day begins at the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding cards. The listed boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15, depending on the sailing you book.

Free parking is available in Puerto Calero. Pickup and drop-off can also be arranged from bus stops if requested through Catlanza’s own website. That can be useful if you are staying away from the marina and do not want to sort out transport yourself.

The boat leaves after a safety briefing, then heads toward Papagayo. The first hour is about the pleasure of being at sea. The volcanic coast of Lanzarote gives you a fine view from the water, with dark rock, pale beaches, and wide open Atlantic horizons.

The catamaran is large enough for different moods. You can sit on deck, stretch out on the nets, join a short yoga session, or watch the crew handle the boat. Some people come for the swimming and water sports, while others spend most of the trip with a drink in hand. Both approaches work.

Keep your eyes open during the crossing. Dolphins and flying fish are possible, and whales have also been listed as wildlife you might spot. These sightings are never guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than a promise. Dolphins have appeared on the return journey for some sailings, which makes the final hour especially memorable.

The One-Hour Sail to Papagayo

The outward crossing is long enough to feel like a proper sailing trip, but not so long that you become restless. That balance is important. You get a scenic hour on the water, then a full two hours at anchor for the main activities.

The crew adds some structure without packing the schedule too tightly. Yoga is available for anyone who wants to take part. You might also hear a little about sailing or get involved in simple activities on the return trip, such as learning how to tie knots or taking the helm under guidance.

The boat can be lively, especially on a full departure. Some past sailings felt spacious because fewer people were aboard, while others were busy but still had room for everyone. If your priority is a particular seat or a good place on the netting, collect your boarding card and head to the kiosk promptly. This small bit of planning can make the start more comfortable.

Bring a jacket even on a sunny day. The breeze is stronger once the boat is moving, and the return crossing can feel cool after you have been wet from swimming. Sunscreen is just as important because the reflection off the sea can catch you out.

Two Hours in the Sheltered Papagayo Bay

The main stop is near Playa del Papagayo, where the catamaran anchors in a sheltered bay. This is the heart of the trip. You get roughly two hours for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding.

The water is described as clear, and fish often gather beneath the boat. That makes snorkeling easy to try, even if you are not a confident swimmer. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins.

The sheltered setting helps, but conditions can still vary. The sea may be cooler than expected, particularly outside the warmer months. You should also take care around the slide and steps. One useful practical warning from the experience is that these areas can become slippery, so use the handholds and move carefully.

The water equipment gives this trip more range than a standard sightseeing cruise. You can paddle a kayak, stand on a board, or use the slide into the sea. If that sounds too active, you can stay on the catamaran, sunbathe on the nets, listen to music, and watch the activity around you.

This is also a good stop for families. The trip has attracted adults with children, including children aged seven and eleven, and the crew takes time over safety instructions. A child does not need to take part in every activity. The boat offers enough variety for energetic children and quieter parents to enjoy the same outing.

The water sports are not presented as a formal lesson-based session. They are included activities for your free time at anchor. That is a strength if you want flexibility, but it also means the equipment is shared and the time can pass quickly. If you want to try several activities, start early rather than spending the whole stop in the water with a mask and snorkel.

Lunch From the Small Onboard Kitchen

You will probably notice lunch before you see it. After swimming and paddling, the smell of hot food from the galley draws people back on board.

The meal includes pasta with a vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes. The food is simple, filling, and well suited to a half-day at sea. It is not a formal restaurant lunch, but it is more substantial than a packet of snacks.

The pasta has earned particular praise, especially given the compact kitchen on the catamaran. Vegetarian diners are well catered for, and people who do not drink alcohol can choose from soft drinks and juices. The meal is served during the stop, so you can combine lunch with a little time in the shade or on deck.

Drinks are included throughout the trip. Options have included beer, wine, cava, mimosas, and soft drinks. One useful point to keep in mind is that the alcohol selection may feel less varied than a full bar. Still, having drinks included makes the price easier to judge, especially if you expect to have more than one during four hours on the water.

The crew’s hospitality is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Names praised on different sailings include Captain Alejandro, Vicky, Noah, Carl, Chef, Nico, Jose, and Sandra. The exact crew will vary, but the pattern is clear: the staff are friendly, attentive, and willing to help without turning the day into a sales pitch.

The Return Journey to Puerto Calero

After lunch and the water activities, the catamaran points back toward Puerto Calero. This is another hour at sea, but the mood often changes. People settle into the music, compare photos, and finish their drinks.

You may get a chance to learn a few basic knots or take the helm with help from the crew. If you would rather not participate, there is no pressure. The return is a good time to stretch out and let the crew handle the sailing.

Conditions can be livelier on the way home. One family found the choppy water exciting, particularly the children, while another passenger advised bringing warm clothing because the return trip can feel cold. If you are prone to seasickness, the boat motion may be worth considering. The activity information does not promise calm water, so keep your expectations flexible.

Dolphins have been seen during the return crossing. Again, this is luck, not part of the guaranteed program. Even without wildlife, the view back toward Puerto Calero gives you one final hour of open sea and volcanic coast.

Is $88 Good Value?

At $88 per person, the price is strong if you plan to use the inclusions. You are paying for four hours on a catamaran, a scenic sailing route, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and yoga. Free parking also helps if you are driving.

The value is especially good for people who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, and water sports. The crew also provides the safety briefing and equipment, so you do not need to organize several activities yourself.

The calculation is less convincing if you only want a quiet cruise and do not eat much or drink alcohol. In that case, the main benefit is the boat, the scenery, and the Papagayo stop. You may still find it worthwhile, but the package is designed for people who want to make use of the full setup.

Booking directly through Catlanza may also reduce the total cost compared with some third-party booking sites. The experience information allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later when that option is offered. Check the available departure before committing because the morning and afternoon atmosphere may differ.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Most?

I would recommend this trip to families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a sociable day at sea. It works particularly well when different people in your party want different things. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay dry with lunch and a cold drink.

It is also a good introduction to boating. The crew gives a safety briefing, the route is broken into manageable one-hour crossings, and there is no requirement to have sailing experience. A child who is new to boats can watch the crew, try the water activities, or simply enjoy the views.

The trip is less suitable if you want a small, silent sailing experience or a long visit on land at Papagayo. You do not get to wander the beach for hours. The focus is the catamaran and the bay around it.

People with mobility needs should contact the operator before booking. One past participant using a wheelchair received help with the boat ramp and boarding, but the supplied information does not give full accessibility details. It is best to explain your needs in advance.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. Those four items match the conditions you are most likely to face on the trip: bright sun, time in the water, and wind on the crossings.

Arrive at the Catlanza office 30 minutes early for your boarding cards. If you want first choice of seating, go to the kiosk after collecting them rather than wandering around the marina.

Do not count on wildlife sightings, and do not assume the sea will feel warm. Treat dolphins as a lucky extra and bring the jacket even if the morning begins hot. If you want to snorkel, paddle, and use the slide, plan your two hours instead of waiting until the final few minutes.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo sailing trip begin?

It begins at the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote.

How early should I arrive?

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

How long is the experience?

The complete excursion lasts four hours, including approximately one hour sailing to Papagayo, two hours at anchor, and one hour sailing back.

What departure times are available?

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

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included, with options such as beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are available, along with kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off can be arranged from bus stops if requested through the Catlanza website. Free parking is also available in Puerto Calero.

Should You Book It?

Book this trip if you want one easy half-day that combines sailing, swimming, lunch, drinks, and water sports. The staff, food, and relaxed atmosphere are its biggest strengths, while the Papagayo stop gives the outing a clear purpose rather than making it just a cruise around the coast.

I would skip it only if you dislike shared boat excursions, want guaranteed wildlife, or prefer a longer beach visit. For most people who want an active but uncomplicated day on Lanzarote, the $88 price offers a lot: a clean catamaran, a well-run crew, generous inclusions, and two hours in some of the island’s most inviting water.