4-hour Private Sailing Tour in the South of Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria’s southwest coast is best seen from the water, where steep cliffs and empty beaches replace the island’s resort blocks. This private sailing trip takes you toward Tasarte and Tasartico, then stops at a clear cove where you can swim, snorkel among fish, or stretch out in the sun. I especially like the small group limit of eight and the chance to see a quieter side of the island.

I also like the personal touch from captain Juan Vicente Cardet Borillo, known here as Juan. He is described as funny and friendly, with a knack for explaining the coast without making the day feel like a formal lecture. Food, drinks, and a well-regarded mojito add to the pleasure.

The main consideration is the price: $983.96 per group, which is good value for eight people but costly for a couple or small group. The sea also sets the schedule, so poor weather can lead to a new date or cancellation.

Key points to know before booking

• Private sailing for up to eight people: You get the boat and captain to yourselves rather than sharing the outing with a large crowd.
• A quieter coast: The route passes the cliffs, beaches, Tasarte Valley, and Tasartico Valley, with little of the built-up feel found in resort areas.
• Swimming and snorkeling stop: A natural cove provides time for a swim, snorkeling among fish, and sunbathing.
• Juan is the named captain: Expect a friendly host with local stories, a relaxed manner, and a sense of humor.
• Food and drinks are part of the day: The exact menu is not specified, but the experience includes quality food and drinks, with a particularly praised mojito.
• Plan around the weather: The experience requires good conditions, and cancellation is possible if the sea or weather is unsuitable.

Why this southwest sailing route is worth your time

Gran Canaria is often presented through its beaches, shopping streets, and hotel districts. Those areas have their place, but they tell only part of the island’s story. Along the southwest coast, the view changes quickly once you are offshore. Cliffs rise above the sea, beaches appear without buildings behind them, and the island feels far less developed.

I like this route because it gives you a different angle on Gran Canaria. From land, the valleys can be easy to miss. From the boat, you can see how Tasarte and Tasartico open toward the ocean and how the steep terrain shapes life in the area.

The trip is private, which matters more than it might at first seem. You are not working around the preferences of a coachload of people or waiting for strangers to finish swimming. Your group can enjoy the sailing, food, and swimming stop at a more natural pace.

The boat is described as a sailboat as young as six years old. That suggests a relatively modern vessel, though the available details do not specify its model, size, cabin arrangements, or onboard facilities. If you have particular needs, ask the operator before booking.

Setting out at 10:00 in the morning

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m. Pickup is offered, and the experience is also near public transportation. That gives you some flexibility, though you should confirm the exact pickup or meeting details when you reserve.

A morning departure makes practical sense. You have good daylight for seeing the cliffs and valleys, and the day has time to unfold without feeling rushed. The outing is described as four hours, while the duration information also gives approximately five hours. Treat it as a half-day activity and allow extra time around the stated schedule.

The first part of the trip is about getting a broad view of Gran Canaria from the water. You will see the island from offshore before moving closer to the coast. This gradual approach is useful because it shows how the coastline changes from a distant profile into cliffs, small beaches, and valley openings.

I would not book this as a fast sightseeing ride. Sailing is part of the point. You are paying for time on the water, not for a long list of rushed stops.

Seeing Tasarte and Tasartico from offshore

The route passes in front of the Tasarte and Tasartico valleys. These valleys are presented as more authentic parts of the island, with a slower way of life and limited mobile or internet connection. From the sea, you can look inland and see the contrast between these rural valleys and the more developed parts of southern Gran Canaria.

The coastal view also gives you a sense of local agriculture. Tropical fruit is grown in the valleys, and the area is linked with traditional dishes served in the restaurants visible from the sea. You may not get a detailed food tour on shore, since this is a sailing excursion rather than a land visit, but the captain’s explanations help connect the scenery with everyday life.

That connection is one of the better parts of the trip. You are not simply looking at cliffs as a backdrop for photographs. You are seeing places where people grow food, cook local dishes, and live apart from the main tourist centers.

The drawback is that the itinerary gives only a brief stated stop at Playa de Tasarte, listed as about 10 minutes. The rest of the time appears to be spent sailing along the coast and stopping at the swimming cove. If you want a long walk on a beach or time in a village, this is not that kind of excursion.

Playa de Tasarte and the coastal scenery

Playa de Tasarte is part of the route as the boat passes the valley and beach area. The stated stop is short, so think of it as a chance to take in the view and hear about the area rather than a full beach visit.

From the water, the coast can look especially dramatic. Cliffs frame stretches of beach, and the absence of buildings gives the scene a more open feel. This is the part of the tour that will appeal most to you if you enjoy quiet scenery and want photographs that look different from the usual resort views.

The tour also highlights Tasartico Valley. Seeing both valleys from offshore gives the route a clear sense of place. You are not simply sailing along an anonymous stretch of coast. The captain can point out how the valleys meet the sea and explain the local way of life.

Because the trip is private, you can make better use of this sightseeing time. If your group is interested in the valleys, food, fruit growing, or the coastline itself, you can ask Juan to spend more time explaining what you are seeing. The available details do not promise a set commentary program, so the depth of the conversation may depend on what your group asks.

The natural cove for swimming and snorkeling

The main active stop is a natural cove said to be full of fish. Here you can snorkel, swim in clear water, and sunbathe without the usual beach crowd around you.

This stop changes the outing from a scenic boat ride into a proper half-day on the sea. You can choose your pace. Swim if you want activity, snorkel if you want to look below the surface, or stay aboard and enjoy the quiet. The water is described as crystal clear, but conditions can vary with weather and the sea.

The information does not state whether snorkeling equipment is supplied. Ask before departure if you need masks, fins, or other gear. It also does not specify changing facilities, showers, or a particular beach landing, so expect the cove to be enjoyed from the boat unless the captain says otherwise.

The cove is likely to be the highlight for anyone who wants time in the water. Still, you should be comfortable with a sea-based stop. This is not a supervised pool activity, and the exact swimming conditions depend on the day. If anyone in your group is not confident in open water, ask the operator what support is available before booking.

Food, drinks, and Juan’s relaxed hosting style

Food and drinks are included as part of the experience, although no fixed menu is provided. The route description connects the outing with local food and traditional dishes from the valleys, but you should confirm exactly what will be served if dietary needs are important.

A mojito receives especially strong praise in the available feedback. One guest called it the best mojito they had enjoyed and thanked Juan by name. That gives you a useful picture of the tone: this is meant to feel like a friendly day on a private boat, not a stiff sightseeing cruise.

Juan Vicente Cardet Borillo is the named provider and captain. The comments about him describe a funny, friendly host who shares information about the area and makes the trip feel personal. That matters on a private excursion. A good captain shapes the whole day, from the pace of the sailing to the mood during lunch and drinks.

I would keep your expectations sensible. You are not booking a full restaurant meal or a formal culinary tour. You are booking a sailing experience where food and drinks add comfort and pleasure. If you have allergies, vegetarian requirements, or other restrictions, contact the operator ahead of time.

What the private price means for your group

The price is $983.96 for up to eight people. Split eight ways, that works out to about $123 per person. For a full group, that can be fair for a private boat, captain, food, drinks, and several hours along a less-developed coast.

For two people, the arithmetic changes sharply. The same total becomes about $492 per person, so the value depends on how much you care about privacy and how strongly you want a sailing day rather than a cheaper shared excursion.

This is the kind of booking that makes more sense for a family group, several couples, or a group of friends already planning to spend time together. The private format also helps if your group has different interests. Some people can swim, others can sunbathe, and everyone can share the same boat without being separated.

The price includes a clear advantage that is easy to miss: you are paying for the group, not for each seat. If you can fill most of the eight places, the outing becomes more reasonable. If you cannot, compare the cost with other boat trips in Gran Canaria before committing.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this sailing day to you if you want:

• A private outing with your own group
• A quieter view of Gran Canaria away from resort buildings
• Time to swim and snorkel in a natural cove
• Cliffs, beaches, and valleys seen from the sea
• A relaxed captain who can add local color
• Food, drinks, and a social day on the water

It is less suitable if you want a long shore visit, a detailed walking tour, or a tightly scheduled list of attractions. The route is about sailing, coastal scenery, and a swim stop. The short Playa de Tasarte stop is not enough for a full beach afternoon.

It may also be a poor fit if your group is very sensitive to weather changes. The operator requires good weather, and the trip can be moved or canceled if conditions are poor. That is normal for a sailing trip, but it is worth keeping a flexible day available.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided when you book. The experience is private, and only your group participates. Most people can take part, and the activity is near public transportation, with pickup offered.

The start time is 10:00 a.m. The advertised excursion is four hours, while the duration information says approximately five hours. Allow room in your schedule rather than booking a tight afternoon connection or another timed activity.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

The weather rule is important. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That makes the booking less risky, but it does not remove the need to keep your plans flexible.

Should you book this Gran Canaria sailing trip?

Book it if you can fill several places on the boat and want a private day built around scenery, swimming, and easy conversation. The combination of Tasarte and Tasartico, a fish-filled cove, food, drinks, and Juan’s friendly hosting gives the excursion a clear personality.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling as a pair and watching your budget. The total price is high when shared by only two people, and the itinerary does not include a long land visit or a detailed meal description.

For a group of friends or family, this is a strong choice for seeing southwest Gran Canaria from a fresh angle. Confirm the exact meeting point, pickup details, food arrangements, and snorkeling equipment before paying. If the weather is good and your group wants a relaxed day at sea rather than a packed sightseeing schedule, this private trip is likely to be money well spent.

FAQ

How long does the sailing experience last?

The excursion is described as four hours, with the duration also listed as approximately five hours. Allow extra time around the stated schedule.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How many people can join the private sailing tour?

The boat can accommodate up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Does the experience include swimming and snorkeling?

Yes. The boat stops at a natural cove where you can swim, snorkel among fish, and sunbathe.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, and the experience is also near public transportation. Confirm the exact arrangements when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.