Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

Papagayo is best seen from the water, and this four-hour catamaran trip gives you a sunny slice of Lanzarote without turning the day into a military operation. You sail from Puerto Calero, anchor near the famous beaches, then spend about two hours swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply stretching out on deck.

I especially like the generous time at anchor and the hot lunch served aboard. You get more than a quick photo stop: there is time to find fish beneath the boat, try the water equipment, and settle into the easy rhythm of a day at sea. The main consideration is that the boat can feel busy, and four hours passes quickly if you want to do every activity.

• Papagayo from the sea: Sail along Lanzarote’s dramatic coast to a sheltered bay near the golden beaches.
• Two hours for water fun: Snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and a slide are available at anchor.
• Lunch is part of the deal: Expect hot pasta with vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, soft drinks, and water are available.
• A flexible atmosphere: Join a little yoga, learn knots, take the helm, or claim a quiet spot on the net.
• Useful practical touch: Free parking is available in Puerto Calero, with pickup from bus stops if arranged in advance.

Sailing from Puerto Calero to Papagayo

The 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 9:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., so check the exact departure when booking.

Puerto Calero is a sensible starting point. It is easy to reach, free parking is available, and pickup from bus stops can be arranged if you request it through Catlanza. If you are arranging your own transport, do not cut it close. The boarding-card step is simple, but missing it would be a poor way to begin a sailing day.

After a safety briefing, the catamaran heads toward Papagayo. The outward trip takes about an hour. I like this part because it gives you time to settle in before the water activities begin. You can sit back, watch the volcanic coast slide past, and choose your place on the boat.

The crew may offer a short yoga session while underway. You can also listen to music, chat, or do nothing at all. Keep an eye on the sea for dolphins, whales, and flying fish. Sightings are never promised, but dolphins have appeared on some trips, including on the return toward Puerto Calero.

The boat has a forward net that makes a fine place for sunbathing and photographs. It can also be the wettest spot if the sea is choppy. Bring a jacket for the outward or return run, especially if you are taking the afternoon departure. Several people have found the ride back cool, even after a warm day in the sun.

Two hours beside the golden Papagayo beaches

The catamaran anchors in a sheltered bay near Playa del Papagayo. This is the heart of the excursion. The published plan allows about two hours here, enough time to combine several activities without spending the entire stop rushing from one to the next.

The water is clear enough to make snorkeling worthwhile. Fish often gather beneath the boat, so you do not need to swim far to see marine life. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided. If you are new to snorkeling, this is a friendly setting because you can stay close to the catamaran and return aboard easily.

The stop is not simply a look at Papagayo from a distance. You can get into the water, swim around the boat, and use the kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. A slide into the sea adds a playful touch, particularly for children and anyone who enjoys a little splash with their sightseeing.

The water can be cool, especially outside the warmest months. The supplied packing advice is sensible: bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. Wear care around the slide and steps, since wet surfaces can be slippery. The boat is set up for fun, but it is still a working vessel, not a pool deck.

If you prefer not to swim, you will not be left with nothing to do. The catamaran has space to sunbathe, listen to music, take photographs, and watch the coast. This flexibility is one of the trip’s strengths. A couple can split up for a while, with one person snorkeling and the other staying dry on deck.

Lunch from the small onboard kitchen

At some point, the smell of lunch begins to compete with the sea. The crew serves a hot pasta dish with a vegetarian sauce, along with salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

It is a straightforward meal, but that is exactly what works after swimming. You are not being asked to sit down for a long restaurant-style service. You eat aboard, refill your drink, and get back to the deck or the water. The food has drawn particularly strong praise, with several people describing it as delicious and plentiful.

Vegetarians should find the meal straightforward, since the main pasta sauce is vegetarian. The provided details do not promise a wider range of special diets, so contact the operator before booking if you need something beyond the standard meal.

Drinks are included throughout the outing. Options mentioned include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, soft drinks, and water. This makes the $88 price easier to judge, especially if you would otherwise buy lunch, snorkeling equipment, and several drinks separately.

One small reservation: the alcohol selection may not satisfy anyone looking for a broad bar menu. The emphasis is on a generous, relaxed supply of standard drinks rather than specialist cocktails or premium labels. You can also enjoy the trip without alcohol. The crew provides nonalcoholic choices, and the activity is not built around drinking alone.

A spacious catamaran with room for different moods

The catamaran is large enough to offer several ways to spend the afternoon. You can sit at the front, stretch out on the net, join the social area, or move around during the stop. Reports of quieter sailings describe a feeling close to a private outing, while busier departures still offer enough room for people to spread out.

That variation matters. This is not an intimate yacht charter. It is a shared excursion, and the atmosphere can depend on the number of people aboard. If you want first choice of seating, collect your boarding cards and then queue at the kiosk by the boat. The person who arrives early has a better chance of claiming a preferred place.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Names associated with the operation include Captain Alejandro, Vicky, Noah, Carl, Nico, Jose, and Sandra, though the lineup can change. The role of the crew goes beyond steering and serving lunch. They explain safety procedures, help with the water equipment, encourage beginners, and keep the day moving without making it feel forced.

Families have found the trip workable, including children aged seven and eleven. It also suits adults who want a gentle introduction to boating. Someone using a wheelchair has received help getting to the boat ramp and on and off the catamaran, but you should discuss your exact needs with the provider before booking. The available information does not promise full step-free access in every part of the vessel.

The return trip, knots, music, and open water

After lunch and the water stop, the catamaran spends about an hour returning to Puerto Calero. This section can feel different from the outward journey. The boat may pick up speed, and choppier water can turn the ride into a more lively finish.

The crew may show you how to tie sailing knots or let you take the helm under supervision. If that does not interest you, you can keep your drink in hand and watch the coast recede. This choice is useful because not every person wants to perform an activity at every stage of a four-hour trip.

Music helps create the mood, and the crew keeps the tone social and informal. Dolphins have sometimes appeared on this leg, making the return more than a simple ride back to the marina. Still, treat wildlife as luck, not as part of the guaranteed program.

Bring that jacket. The combination of wind, speed, wet swimwear, and a lower afternoon sun can make the final hour surprisingly chilly. You will be glad to have a layer even on a bright Lanzarote day.

Is $88 good value for four hours?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. It is a strong value if you plan to use the package fully. The price includes the catamaran ride, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, yoga, and free parking. Pickup from bus stops is also available if arranged as part of the booking.

Compare it with the cost of a boat trip plus a restaurant lunch, equipment hire, and drinks, and the number becomes easier to defend. The value is strongest for people who want several small experiences in one outing: sailing, swimming, snorkeling, food, and a little entertainment.

The price is less attractive if you only want a quiet scenic cruise. You are paying for the whole setup, including the activities and all-inclusive drinks. Likewise, if you dislike shared excursions, the group format may not feel like a luxury experience in the private-yacht sense.

The high overall score of 4.8 from 333 ratings reflects a very consistent pattern: praise centers on the crew, food, boat, activities, and value. The practical complaints are modest but useful. The trip can be busy, the sea may be cool, alcohol choices are not endless, and the four-hour schedule can feel short.

Who will enjoy this Papagayo sailing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families wanting swimming and water activities without arranging several separate outings.
• Couples who like a social boat trip with food and drinks included.
• First-time sailors who want a gentle, well-organized introduction to a catamaran.
• Active people who plan to snorkel, kayak, and paddleboard.
• Non-swimmers who still want a comfortable deck, views, music, and lunch.
• Anyone who wants to see Papagayo from the sea rather than spend a full day onshore.

It may be less suitable if you need a very quiet, private boat, dislike being around alcohol, or want a long coastal cruise with several hours of sailing. The route gives you about one hour each way and about two hours anchored, so the focus is the stop, not extended open-water sailing.

Practical details to know before you book

Book pickup in advance if you need it. Otherwise, go directly to the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero and arrive 30 minutes early for your boarding cards. Free parking is available at the marina.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The jacket matters more than you might expect on the return journey. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want photographs in the water, though this is not specifically supplied.

The excursion is offered with live guidance in English, French, German, and Spanish. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later under the stated booking terms.

For the best place aboard, do not linger after collecting your boarding cards. Head toward the kiosk and join the boarding queue. If you are traveling with children, explain the safety rules before anyone uses the slide or steps. Wet surfaces deserve attention.

Should you book the Catlanza Papagayo excursion?

Yes, if you want a well-packed half-day on the sea and value having the details handled for you. The strongest reasons to book are the friendly, attentive crew, the good onboard lunch, the clear snorkeling water, and the unusual amount included in the price.

I would choose this over a basic sightseeing cruise if you plan to get into the water. I would also choose the afternoon sailing if you prefer a later start, though the return may feel cooler. Book elsewhere only if your priority is privacy, a longer sailing time, or a more refined food and drink menu.

For most visitors, this is a practical way to combine Papagayo, a catamaran ride, lunch, and water sports in one outing. Arrive early, claim a good spot, pack a jacket, and leave room in the schedule to enjoy the bay rather than trying to do every activity at once.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo sailing excursion depart from?

It departs from Catlanza in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled excursion to collect your boarding cards.

How long is the excursion?

The total duration is four hours. The outward catamaran trip takes about one hour, the return takes about one hour, and the stop near Papagayo lasts about two hours.

What activities are included?

The excursion includes snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and yoga. The catamaran also has a slide into the sea, and the crew may show you sailing knots or let you take the helm under supervision.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included choices listed for the trip include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, soft drinks, and water.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The jacket is especially useful for the return journey, when it can feel cool on the water.