Puerto Rico: Sailing excursion with swim, drinks and tapas.

The best part of this outing is the freedom to shape your time on the water. You can choose a quiet cruise close to shore, or help raise the sails and learn a little about handling the boat. Between coves, the southwest coast opens up in fine, uncluttered views.

I like the private-group format, which keeps the experience personal rather than crowded. I also like the chance to stop for swimming and snorkeling, then return to the deck for tapas, beer, or a soft drink. The main consideration is wind: without enough breeze, you may cruise under engine power instead of sailing.

• Quiet coves and cliffs: See Gran Canaria’s southwest coast from the water, with stops in natural bays.
• Private sailing: The boat carries up to seven people, making this a good fit for a small family or group of friends.
• Swimming and snorkeling: Equipment is supplied for exploring the clear water at anchor.
• A hands-on lesson: If conditions allow, you can learn basic sailing and may get a turn at the helm.
• Food on deck: The four-hour trip includes snacks, tapas, water, soft drinks, and beer.
• Flexible crew: Vanessa and Carlos have been praised for adapting the outing to the group’s wishes.

A Small Boat and a Big Stretch of Coast

From Puerto Rico, Keep Sailing takes you along the south and southwest shore of Gran Canaria, where the coast is best appreciated from offshore. The route passes natural bays, rocky coves, and high coastal cliffs that are hard to understand from a road or resort promenade.

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a fixed script and a packed deck. The boat accommodates a maximum of seven passengers, and the advertised price is $606 per group of up to six. That works out to about $101 per person for six people, or much more if only two or three of you book it. The value is strongest when you fill the boat with family or friends.

You are not simply taken out, shown a view, and brought back. The skipper can adjust the pace to suit you. You might stay close to the coast for a gentle half-day outing, or spend more time sailing if the wind is useful and your group wants to learn.

That flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose this trip over a larger boat excursion. It also means you should arrive with realistic expectations. The exact amount of sailing, swimming, and time in each cove depends on sea and weather conditions.

Leaving Puerto Rico for the Southwest Coast

The marina at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria is the departure point. If you are staying in the Maspalomas area, pickup and return may be arranged, but the details need careful checking because the provided tour information describes hotel pickup in one place and lists it as not included elsewhere. Ask Keep Sailing to confirm the transport arrangement, any extra cost, and your exact pickup time.

If pickup is confirmed, wait in your hotel lobby or outside your flat 10 minutes before the agreed time. The driver is not expected to wait more than 10 minutes, and the pickup may be as much as an hour before the boat leaves, depending on your location. The provider confirms the final time by phone or WhatsApp.

At the marina, you meet the skipper and crew before boarding Keep Sailing I. This is a useful moment to explain what you want from the trip. Tell the crew if swimming is a priority, if you prefer a calm ride, or if you would like help learning to sail.

The crew speaks English, Spanish, and German. Vanessa and Carlos have received especially warm praise for their friendly and capable approach. Vanessa has also been known to give a short sailing lesson and let passengers take the helm when conditions permit. That is a meaningful extra for anyone who wants more than a boat ride.

Natural Bays, Clear Water, and Time to Swim

The main stop is not one named beach or a single landmark. Instead, the boat moves between coves and bays along the south and southwest coast, choosing places suitable for the conditions. This makes the outing feel less rigid, but it also means the precise stops are not guaranteed in advance.

At anchor, you can swim or use the supplied snorkeling equipment. The water is described as crystal clear, and the trip is designed to give you time to look for marine life rather than rush through a short photo stop.

You should bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. A waterproof phone pouch would also be sensible, though it is not listed as supplied. Bring a passport or identity card, or a copy, as identification is required.

The snorkeling is best viewed as a pleasant part of a sailing day, not as a specialist reef trip. The supplied information does not promise a particular species, underwater site, or professional instruction. You will have the equipment and a chance to explore, but visibility and marine life will vary with the location and conditions.

The boat’s small size matters here. With your own group, you can decide how long to stay in the water within the limits of the skipper’s safety judgment. That feels more relaxed than waiting for a large crowd to get in and out.

Learning to Sail, If the Wind Cooperates

The activity’s most distinctive feature is the option to learn how to sail. The crew can explain the basics, help you raise the sails, and let you take part rather than keeping you as a passenger.

Do not treat this as a formal sailing course. It is an introductory lesson built into a coastal excursion. You might learn how the boat responds, how to hold the helm, or how the crew works with the wind. The level of instruction depends on your interest and the conditions.

Wind is the key variable. One outing had too little wind to set the sails, yet the group still visited beautiful bays and enjoyed the time at sea. That is an important point for your planning: book this for the full package of coast, water, food, and private boating, not only for the promise of sailing under canvas.

When the wind is right, the hands-on element can make the trip much more memorable. You are not just watching the coast slide past. You are learning how the boat moves and gaining a better feel for the sea.

Tapas, Drinks, and a Relaxed Deck

Food is served onboard rather than at a restaurant. On the four-hour trip, you receive snacks or tapas along with water, soft drinks, and beer. The meal is suited to a casual afternoon on the water, not a long restaurant-style lunch.

That arrangement works well because you can eat between stops or while the boat is underway. It also means you do not lose time going ashore. After swimming, you can dry off, take a drink, and settle on deck while the coastline comes back into view.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but you need to request them in advance. If anyone in your group has dietary needs, make that part of the booking conversation rather than waiting until departure.

A seven-hour option is also listed. That longer outing includes lunch and drinks, with more time for sailing, swimming, and scenic cruising. The shorter and longer programs should not be confused: the main activity is described as four hours, while the extended version lasts seven. Confirm which duration, meal, start time, and price apply before paying.

Paddle surf is not included. If that activity matters to you, ask the provider if it can be added, but do not assume it is available.

Who Gets the Best Value from $606

At $606 per group of up to six, this is most attractive when you share it with a full group. Six people pay roughly $101 each before any transport cost or optional extras. For a couple, the same group price is a much larger expense, so you should compare it with larger shared boat trips.

The private format gives you control over the mood. Families can keep the pace easy, friends can spend more time swimming, and curious first-time sailors can ask questions without feeling they are holding up a busload of people.

It is also a good choice if you care more about time on the sea than a long list of landmarks. The coast, coves, snorkeling, and relaxed food service are the heart of the experience.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is guaranteed sail-powered travel. Wind may be too weak, and the crew cannot change that. I would also think twice if you dislike boat movement, want a formal gourmet meal, or need a tightly fixed sightseeing schedule.

The boat’s maximum of seven passengers keeps the experience intimate, but it also means space is limited. If you want the private departure, book early enough to secure a date that works for your group.

Practical Details Before You Book

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Gran Canaria plans are still shifting.

The service is subject to sea and weather conditions. The crew may alter the route, swimming stop, or sailing plan for safety. This is normal for a small boat trip and worth accepting before you book.

You should bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Passport or identity card, with a copy accepted
• Any personal medication you may need during the outing

Snorkeling equipment, fuel, the captain, guide, skipper, and sailor are included. Beer, soft drinks, and water are included on the four-hour trip, along with snacks or tapas. Lunch is included on the seven-hour option.

The activity offers a separate entrance at the marina, so you do not need to join a general line for the boat. The exact start time varies by availability. Pickup details, especially for Maspalomas hotels and apartments, should be confirmed directly because the transport information is not fully consistent.

Should You Book This Puerto Rico Sailing Trip?

I would book this if you have a small group, want a private day on the water, and like the idea of mixing gentle cruising with swimming, tapas, and a little sailing practice. The strongest points are the small boat, the quiet coastal stops, and the crew’s willingness to adapt the outing.

Go in knowing that the weather controls the sailing. You may get a hands-on lesson and a turn at the helm, or you may cruise by engine while enjoying the coves. If you accept that uncertainty, the trip offers a pleasant and personal way to see Gran Canaria from a different angle.

For the best value, bring five or six people and confirm the pickup, four-hour or seven-hour duration, meal plan, and sailing conditions before departure.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip depart?

The boat leaves from the marina at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and return are described for hotels or apartments in the Maspalomas area, but the supplied details also say pickup is not included. Confirm the exact transport arrangement and any cost with Keep Sailing before booking.

How long is the main sailing trip?

The main activity lasts four hours. A separate seven-hour option is also listed.

How many people can join?

The boat can carry a maximum of seven passengers. The advertised price is for a private group of up to six.

What food is included on the four-hour trip?

The four-hour outing includes snacks or tapas, along with water, soft drinks, and beer.

What is included on the seven-hour trip?

The seven-hour option includes lunch and drinks, including water, soft drinks, and beer.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I learn how to sail?

Yes. The crew can offer sailing instruction, and you may be allowed to take the helm when conditions permit. Sailing depends on wind and weather.

Are vegetarian and vegan meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you contact the activity provider in advance.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or identity card. A copy of the identification document is accepted.