Boat trips in Gran Canaria

Not every boat trip is the same trip

Type “boat trips Gran Canaria” into a search engine and you will find hundreds of options that all seem to promise the same thing: sun, sea and a cold drink. In practice the difference between a good day and a disappointing one usually comes down to three questions. Do you want the boat to yourselves or are you happy to share? Do you want to get somewhere, or just be out on the water? And how much of the day do you want to give it?

We run a handful of trips on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria, and each one answers those questions differently. Here is an honest rundown, so you can choose before you book rather than after.

The five kinds of trip we run

Two of these are available to book online at any time. The others we arrange on request, because they depend more on the weather, the crew and what you want from the day.

Whichever you pick, the boat leaves from the same marina on the south-west coast and a local skipper is at the helm. The tour cards further down this page show what is currently on sale for each one.

• Private charter — the whole boat for your group, with a skipper. You choose how long, and the skipper shapes the route around what you enjoy: swimming, sightseeing, or simply cruising.
• Shared Güigüí beach trip — you buy a seat rather than the boat. The destination is fixed: one of the wildest beaches on the island, with stops to swim and snorkel.
• Luxury yacht — a larger yacht hired by the hour, for when the occasion matters as much as the sea.
• Sunset cruise — on request. The light on the western cliffs late in the day is hard to beat.
• Fishing trip — on request. The seabed drops away steeply off this coast, so deeper water is not a long trip from the marina.

Shared or private: the real difference

A shared trip is the sociable, straightforward option. You turn up, you board with other guests, and the crew takes care of the rest. It suits couples, solo travellers and families who want a proper destination without organising anything. The trade-off is that the route and timing are set in advance, because everyone on board has booked the same thing.

A private charter is priced for the boat, not per head, which is why it often makes more sense than people expect once you are a group. You set the pace: stay longer where the water is clear, skip the stop that does not interest you, bring the birthday cake. For groups of friends, extended families or anyone who values space and flexibility, it is usually the better day out.

Why sail from the south-west

Gran Canaria is round, and its weather is not the same all the way round. The north-east trade winds bring cloud and choppier seas to the north of the island, while the south and south-west sit in the island’s shelter. It is common for Las Palmas to be grey while the south is bathed in sunshine, and for the sea on this side to be calmer too.

Sailing from here also puts the most spectacular coastline on your doorstep. Heading west, the road runs out and the cliffs take over, with beaches such as Veneguera, El Perchel and Güigüí hidden in the ravines. That stretch is the reason most of our trips head in that direction.

Whatever you book, your skipper watches the sea closely. If swell, wind or a calima episode makes a trip unsafe or unpleasant, we move it rather than go out regardless.

Frequently asked questions