Golden sand meets a drink at sea. This catamaran day trip to Papagayo mixes mojitos and an open bar with real time in the water—plus volcanic-coast sailing that feels like a mini escape from the island routine.

I love that the stop at Costa de Papagayo is built for doing stuff: jump in, snorkel if you want, and use the kayaks so you’re not just watching from a deck chair. One possible drawback to flag up front: if you’re prone to motion sickness, a few choppy minutes on the way out or back can be rough, and the activity is not sold as suitable for that.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Welcome mojito on arrival and a Spanish omelette tapa to get the day rolling fast
• Unlimited drinks (draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water) plus a first cocktail
• Real water time at anchor off Costa de Papagayo with swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking
• Lunch onboard with a hot choice (paella or pasta) and a fresh fruit bar
• Weather can change the plan, and on windier days you may anchor in a sheltered nearby bay
• Meet at Puerto del Carmen Harbour last pier, far end past the petrol station

Costa de Papagayo on a Catamaran: The Big Idea

This is one of those Lanzarote experiences that’s simple in concept and strong in payoff. You get a smooth sailing catamaran ride out of Puerto del Carmen, then you spend the good part of the day at anchor near one of Lanzarote’s most famous coastal stretches: Costa de Papagayo.

Why it works: the boat gives you the sea-to-beach experience without the hassle of finding transport, timing, and parking. And once you’re anchored, the day turns practical and playful. You’re not limited to a quick swim. You can snorkel, paddle, or just float and watch the water sparkle around the hull.

Getting to the Boat: Transfers and Meeting Point Reality

Your day starts with pickup from the nearest point if you selected it. The trip includes return transfers from your accommodation area in Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, and Costa Teguise—so you’re not forced to solve logistics on day one.

If you’re going the self-meet route, you must go straight to the catamaran at Puerto del Carmen Harbour. The meeting point is the last pier at the far end of the harbour, past the petrol station. That matters because harbour “centers” can be confusing fast when you’re arriving with a schedule in your head. Go early enough to find it without rushing.

Also pay attention to pickup rules if they apply to your hotel:

• Pickup from Puerto Calero is only available on Thursdays.
• There’s no pickup in Playa Blanca on Sundays, Mondays, or Wednesdays.

Exact pickup time and location are sent by email after booking, so make sure you have the right details in hand. Reviews also hint that messages about pickup can be unclear sometimes—so when in doubt, follow the email instructions closely and plan to arrive a little early.

First Hour at Sea: The Part You’ll Remember on Repeat

After you board the Líneas Romero sailing catamaran in Puerto del Carmen, the crew welcomes you right away—an easy start with a refreshing mojito plus a Spanish omelette tapa. Then you get a short introduction to how the day will run.

From there, the catamaran heads toward Lanzarote’s south. You glide past dramatic cliffs and turquoise water as you work your way toward Papagayo. The sailing portion is about more than transport. It’s where the mood shifts from land time to ocean time: sea breeze, wide views, and that steady catamaran rhythm that’s perfect for people who want relaxed travel, not a packed bus schedule.

If you’re the type who cares about timing: you’re on the water for about one hour each way (with a longer stop at anchor later). So you won’t feel like you’ve paid for “mostly travel.”

The Papagayo Stop: Swim, Snorkel, Kayak, Repeat

This is the centerpiece of the whole trip. Once you reach Costa de Papagayo, you anchor and the crew opens up the water activities. The time here is where you’ll decide what kind of day you want.

Swimming and jumping off

Expect a proper swim setup, including a ladder into the water (people say braving the water is worth it). If you like feeling like you’re part of the scene instead of a spectator, jumping in is the move. You get that direct connection to the coast without needing to find a beach entrance yourself.

Snorkeling: bring your own if you want total confidence

Snorkeling equipment is not listed as included. Still, feedback is mixed—some people have reported having equipment provided anyway. If you want the least-stress option, pack your own mask/snorkel (even basic gear) so you can get going immediately.

Kayaking and floating time

You’ll also have access to kayaks, and the water time is long enough that you can try one active activity and still chill. Some families in feedback mention kids loving the inflatable-style lounging options too, which tells me the stop is friendly for different energy levels, as long as everyone is comfortable in the water.

Weather note: wind can change anchoring

The plan can shift with conditions. If winds are up, you might anchor in a sheltered nearby spot instead of exactly off Papagayo. In practice, that usually means the experience still happens, but the exact view line changes.

Lunch on Board: What You Eat (and Why It Matters)

Lunch is served onboard during the stop, and it’s one of the things that makes this trip feel like real value—not just a boat ride plus snacks.

You can choose between:

• Traditional Spanish paella, or
• Pasta with tomato sauce

Then there’s a fresh fruit bar afterward. Paella is the headline, but the practical win is the timing. You eat without hauling yourself back and forth between land and water. You also don’t have to spend extra money on lunch in a hurry.

If dietary needs matter: vegetarian and celiac diets can be catered for with prior notification, so tell the provider ahead of time.

Drinks and the Open Bar: The Part That Makes It Feel Like a Deal

This is a big reason the trip has strong ratings. You get a welcome cocktail, and then an open bar runs throughout the experience with:

• Unlimited draft beer
• Unlimited sangria
• Soft drinks and water

That doesn’t mean you’re on a party boat with zero rules. The activity notes that intoxication isn’t allowed, and smoking is also off the table. The tone still stays social and easy—people just aren’t constantly calculating how much a drink costs.

In feedback, unlimited drinks gets mentioned again and again as the reason the day feels worth the money. I’d agree with that logic. The cost includes food and drinks, so you aren’t paying twice for the same basic day-out items.

Bonus wildlife can happen. Some feedback includes sightings of dolphins and even a pilot whale during certain outings. You can’t bank on it, but if you’re lucky, the sea will do a little extra showing off.

The Return Ride: Calm Views and a Finished Feeling

You head back after the onboard lunch and water time. The return sailing is about one hour, and the catamaran docks back at around 3:00 pm. Transfers then bring you back to your hotel area.

Door-to-door time depends on your pickup and drop-off, but the key point is that you’re not stuck with an all-day grind. This is a day trip that fits into an active itinerary without stealing your whole day.

Price and Value: Why $75 Can Make Sense Here

At about $75 per person, this is best understood as a bundle of costs you’d otherwise pay separately:

• Transfers to and from your accommodation area
• A catamaran cruise with live commentary
• Welcome cocktail plus lunch
• A real open bar (not just a single drink ticket)
• Kayaks and other water activities

If you’re the type who ends up paying for lunch and drinks anyway, the math changes quickly. The boat and the anchored swim time also replace the hassle of trying to reach Papagayo on your own. Add in the onboard food, and it becomes less like a “tour” and more like a packaged sea day.

The main value condition is simple: you have to actually use the water time. If you plan to stay fully dry on deck the whole time, the pricing won’t feel as sharp.

Who This Trip Suits Best

This one is a good match if you want:

• A relaxed morning at sea and a playful afternoon
• A day that mixes sea views with time in the water
• Food and drinks handled for you
• A group vibe that feels social but still structured

It also seems family-friendly in practice. Feedback includes kids using life jackets and enjoying kayaking and water play. Just note the activity is not suitable for people with motion sickness, and there’s no support listed for mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

One more practical note: toilets are down steep stairs below deck. That can matter if stairs are difficult for you or anyone in your group.

Helpful Tips That Make a Difference

Bring the essentials and you’ll have a smoother day:

• Swimwear and a towel (you’ll use them)
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Comfortable shoes for boarding and moving around the harbour
• A light jacket in case the sea air cools you off
• A camera (if you like photos, you’ll want them on the sailing portions)

Snorkeling gear is the one item where I’d plan like this: if you care about it working perfectly, bring your own. Equipment might be available, but you don’t want your day tied to a maybe.

And if you’re booking for anyone who tends to feel seasick: don’t gamble. The trip explicitly says it’s not suitable for that.

Should You Book the Lanzarote Papagayo Catamaran Day Trip?

I’d book it if you want a sea day that feels complete: cruising, a proper lunch, unlimited drinks, and a real chance to swim and paddle at Costa de Papagayo. At the $75 range, the value is mostly about how much you’ll take advantage of what’s included.

I’d skip it if:

• You get motion sickness easily.
• You can’t handle stairs below deck (toilets are down steep steps).
• You’re hoping for a quiet, minimal-effort experience with no group energy.

If you fall into the first group, this is a strong, fun way to spend a day in Lanzarote—especially because it replaces multiple “extra” costs with one ticket and gives you that best part of Papagayo: water time.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran trip to Costa de Papagayo?

The day trip is scheduled for about one day, with roughly one hour sailing each way and about two hours of time at the Costa de Papagayo stop.

Where do I meet the catamaran in Puerto del Carmen?

You meet directly at the catamaran in Puerto del Carmen Harbour at the last pier, at the far end of the harbour, past the petrol station.

Does the price include lunch and drinks?

Yes. Lunch onboard is included, and there is an open bar with unlimited draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water, plus a welcome mojito.

What food is served onboard?

Lunch is either traditional Spanish paella or pasta with tomato sauce, followed by a fresh fruit selection.

Are kayaks included?

Yes. Kayaks are included for use during the stop at anchor.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is not included.

Is there pickup from hotels?

Pickup is optional. The tour includes return transfers from the nearest pick-up point to your accommodation in Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, and Costa Teguise, depending on the option you select.

Are vegetarian or celiac meals available?

Vegetarian and celiac diets can be catered for if you notify the provider in advance.

Is this suitable for people with motion sickness or mobility issues?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with motion sickness and it is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

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