REVIEW · GRAN CANARIA
Sailing Trip and Snorkeling (max. 8 people)
Book on Viator →Operated by Karolka Yacht Charter · Bookable on Viator
Eight people, one yacht, and real ocean time. This half-day sailing trip from Puerto de Mogán pairs calm Atlantic cruising with a stop for snorkeling and SUP in a secluded bay, plus lunch and beer/wine on board. The main drawback to plan for is that wind can be light some days, so you might not get as much sail time as you hope.
I like how the hosts (Marek and Mara) run it with a relaxed, hands-on feel, where you can steer or just kick back. With a max of 8 people on the yacht New Karolka, it feels closer to a private outing than a big-tour shuffle, which makes the whole morning or afternoon easier to enjoy.
In This Review
- Key details to know before you go
- A Half-Day Sailing Break From the Crowds Near Puerto de Mogán
- New Karolka and Marek and Mara’s Crew Dynamic
- Getting to the Meet Point: Pickup Timing and the 9:30 Departure
- The Atlantic Cruise Out of Puerto de Mogán: What the Sailing Actually Feels Like
- The Secluded Bay Stop: Snorkeling, SUP, and a Deserted Beach Moment
- Lunch on Board With Beer, Wine, and Soft Drinks: The Meal Part People Remember
- When the Wind Is Light: Why You Should Still Go
- Price and Value: Is $92.55 a Smart Spend?
- Who This Trip Suits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)
- Should You Book This Puerto de Mogán Yacht and Snorkel Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the sailing and snorkeling trip?
- How much does the tour cost?
- Where does the tour start?
- Is hotel pickup available?
- What time does the boat depart from the port?
- What activities are included?
- Is lunch and drinks included?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Is it suitable for kids?
- What if the weather is bad or the tour is canceled?
Key details to know before you go

- Max 8 people means a quieter boat and more personal attention when you want to help with sailing.
- Yacht New Karolka is the boat, running a 4-hour trip near Puerto de Mogán.
- Pickup + 9:30 port departure: you’ll get your pickup timing by email, and pickup happens earlier than 9:30.
- Secluded-bay stop with swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding plus a deserted beach vibe.
- Lunch and drinks included: lunch plus beer, wine, and soft drinks on board.
- You can take the helm: many people end up steering or learning the basics.
A Half-Day Sailing Break From the Crowds Near Puerto de Mogán
This tour is built around the simplest idea: get you out on the water for a few hours without turning it into a production. You leave from Puerto de Mogán and head south-west across the Atlantic, then spend real time near the coastline in a sheltered bay.
What I like most is the scale. With a maximum of 8 travelers, you’re not pressed into a line of strangers. You can actually talk to the crew, hear what’s going on, and switch from sunbathing to water time without feeling like you’re on a tight schedule with 80 other bodies.
The second big plus is that it’s not just sailing sightseeing. The trip includes active water breaks: swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding when conditions allow. That combination tends to make people happy even if the weather isn’t perfect.
One small caution: sailing depends on wind. On calmer days, you may get more motor cruising than sail-power. It doesn’t usually ruin the outing because the water stop is the star, but it is worth knowing up front.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Gran Canaria
New Karolka and Marek and Mara’s Crew Dynamic

The yacht is operated by Karolka Yacht Charter, on the New Karolka. Marek and Mara (a husband-and-wife team) handle the vibe, and it comes through fast. The tone is friendly and practical, not stiff or overly formal, and they spend time making sure everyone feels comfortable.
A lot of the praise centers on how they manage the experience like a group on a working boat. You might get invited into the fun side of things—hoisting sails, learning basic sailing actions, or helping with steering. If you’ve never had that chance, this is the kind of outing where you don’t need prior experience to feel involved.
It’s also not the “one person talks, everyone else watches” format. People mention getting chances at the helm, and that matters because steering turns a pretty view into something you remember with your own hands on the boat.
The other crew strength is pacing. The day runs for about 4 hours total, but it doesn’t feel rushed. You’ve got movement time (cruising and sailing opportunities) and then a longer pause for the bay activities and lunch, so you’re not stuck in a constant grind of boarding and disembarking.
Getting to the Meet Point: Pickup Timing and the 9:30 Departure

The tour starts at C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, 35139 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not stuck hunting for a different drop-off.
Pickup is offered, and this is important because many people don’t want the hassle of arriving early and parking. The key detail: 9:30 is the time of departure from the port, and pickup happens earlier. The guide sends pickup information by email, so you’ll want to keep an eye on that message before the day.
This also explains why you should plan to be ready a bit earlier than you think. If pickup is scheduled for you, you don’t want to be the person scrambling at the last minute while the boat is already working through the day’s timing.
Also, the meeting area is near public transportation. That’s useful if you’re not staying right along the pickup route. A mobile ticket is provided, so you can keep it on your phone and avoid extra printed paper.
The Atlantic Cruise Out of Puerto de Mogán: What the Sailing Actually Feels Like

Once you’re out, the focus shifts from “tour mode” to ocean mode. You travel across clear blue water toward the south-west of Gran Canaria, and you get that slow-motion feeling that’s hard to recreate on land.
The sailing portion is partly about scenery and partly about learning how a yacht behaves. The crew may explain wind, marine conditions, and basic sailing actions, depending on what the day allows. Even if you’re not trying to learn everything, the crew’s calm explanations tend to make you feel like you understand what you’re seeing.
One thing to know: wind is not guaranteed. Some days are breezy enough for more sail time. Other days feel calmer, and you may spend more time gliding on the water rather than catching strong wind. The good news is that this tour doesn’t bet everything on sailing performance. The bay stop is the payoff.
If you’re sensitive to motion, this is still generally an easy half-day format because it’s short and structured around breaks. Bring a sensible mindset: treat it as a sea day, not a high-adrenaline speed run.
The Secluded Bay Stop: Snorkeling, SUP, and a Deserted Beach Moment

This is the heart of the outing. After the cruise, you drop anchor in a secluded bay near Puerto de Mogán with a deserted and wild beach feel. That combo matters because it gives you both water access and a sense of space.
From there, you can choose your level of activity:
- Swim right off the yacht in open water.
- Snorkel in the bay where people note colorful fish.
- Stand-up paddleboard for a calmer, scenic way to explore.
The SUP piece is a big deal for balance and fun because it adds a different view of the water compared with just floating or snorkeling. And because the group is small, there’s usually less waiting around for boards, gear, or attention.
What about the snorkeling itself? The experience is tied to the bay conditions, but the tone in the trip is that the water is clear enough for good viewing. People also describe seeing wildlife like flying fish, and in some cases dolphins or turtles have been spotted by groups during the water time.
A practical tip: do your snorkeling when you’re feeling fresh. You’ll likely feel hungrier after water time, and lunch plus drinks become a real reward once you’re back onboard.
You can also read our reviews of more sailing experiences in Gran Canaria
Lunch on Board With Beer, Wine, and Soft Drinks: The Meal Part People Remember

Lunch is included, and so are the drinks. Expect beer, wine, and soft drinks alongside the meal. In other words, you’re not paying extra to keep the day going.
Food on a moving boat can be hit-or-miss on some trips, but the comments are consistently positive: lunch is fresh, with items that people describe as local-style fare such as cheese and ham, plus fruit and other simple, filling options. It’s not trying to be fancy dining, and that’s a plus. It’s sea-food comfort logic: eat well, get enough energy, then enjoy the next swim or paddle.
Why this matters for value: $92.55 for a half-day can feel like a lot until you count what’s included. Here, the cost covers the small yacht experience, the water activities, and the meal with drinks. That reduces the little add-ons that can quietly inflate day tours on your vacation.
Also, eating in a quiet cove beats eating at a busy restaurant. Even if you’re not the biggest food person, the setting makes the lunch feel like part of the event, not a pit stop.
When the Wind Is Light: Why You Should Still Go

Because sailing is weather-dependent, you should go with one flexible expectation: the day might be calmer than you pictured. One key note from past outings is that on days with little wind, the boat may not sail as much as the booking promise suggests.
But here’s the practical angle. Even when wind is low, the trip still delivers the main reason most people book: a secluded bay with time to swim, snorkel, and use SUP. A calmer sea can actually be better for water time because it feels more comfortable for snorkeling and paddleboarding.
This is also why the small group format helps. When everything stays smooth and not crowded, you’re less likely to feel disappointed if the wind is not cooperating. Instead of fighting for space, you can enjoy the cove stop and the onboard hospitality.
In short: if your top priority is being under sail for hours, be aware of the weather reality. If your top priority is a half-day ocean outing with great water time and included lunch, you’ll likely be happy.
Price and Value: Is $92.55 a Smart Spend?

At $92.55 per person for about 4 hours, this tour sits in the “not budget, but not wild” zone for Gran Canaria. The price becomes easier to justify because three things are bundled:
- A small yacht experience (max 8) rather than a big boat.
- Water activities (snorkeling and SUP) built into the schedule.
- Lunch plus beer, wine, and soft drinks included onboard.
Many tours either focus on one component and charge extra for the rest. This one tries to give you a full package without turning the day into a scavenger hunt for add-ons. You pay for the boat time, then get the meal and the water breaks inside that same ticket price.
If you’re traveling solo, this style also tends to work well. People describe feeling comfortable and looked after on board, which is a big deal when you’re not in a group of your own.
If you’re a family with kids, there’s one caution: the tour isn’t recommended for children under 6. For older kids who like water play, it can be a great change from beaches that feel packed with day-trippers.
Who This Trip Suits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)
This is a strong fit for you if you want:
- a calm, small-group sailing day
- real time in the water (snorkeling and SUP)
- included lunch and drinks
- a crew that helps you participate, not just watch
It’s also ideal for couples and solo travelers because the boat size makes it easier to feel relaxed. With only 8 people, the day doesn’t feel like an assembly line.
You might think twice if:
- your main goal is lots of sailing under full sail (wind can be light)
- you’re traveling with very young children (not recommended for kids under 6)
- you need a super long day with multiple swim stops (this one is focused and half-day, not all-day)
Mobility-wise, the provided info only says most travelers can participate. The rest is common-sense planning for getting on and off a yacht and being comfortable near open water.
Bring the normal swim-day essentials: swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and water shoes if you like extra footing. Even if you don’t plan to do every activity, you’ll enjoy having the option.
Should You Book This Puerto de Mogán Yacht and Snorkel Tour?
Yes, if you want a half-day sailing trip that feels personal and practical, this one is an easy recommendation to consider. The max-8 size, the included lunch and drinks, and the fact that you get snorkeling plus SUP time in a secluded bay add up to solid value.
I’d book it especially if you like the idea of a real sea day: a bit of sailing, a long anchored swim break, and a relaxed onboard meal. If you’re going expecting guaranteed big winds, adjust your mindset. Treat it as a water-focused yacht outing, and you’ll be more likely to enjoy it no matter what the sky decides.
If you’re okay with that weather reality, this is the kind of Gran Canaria experience you’ll remember for the simple reason that it’s not crowded and it’s actually fun in the water.
FAQ
How long is the sailing and snorkeling trip?
It runs for about 4 hours.
How much does the tour cost?
The price is $92.55 per person.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is C. Explanada del Castillete, 163, 35139 Mogán, Las Palmas, Spain, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.
Is hotel pickup available?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup timing depends on the port schedule, and you’ll receive pickup details by email.
What time does the boat depart from the port?
Departure from the port is at 9:30. Pickup will be made accordingly earlier.
What activities are included?
You’ll have time for swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding during the stop in a secluded bay.
Is lunch and drinks included?
Yes. The tour includes lunch plus beer, wine, and soft drinks.
What language is the tour offered in?
It’s offered in English.
Is it suitable for kids?
Most travelers can participate, but it’s not recommended for kids under 6 years old.
What if the weather is bad or the tour is canceled?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. There is also a minimum number of travelers requirement for the experience.































