Hen and stag boat parties in Gran Canaria

Why a boat beats another bar crawl

Every hen do and stag do in Gran Canaria ends up somewhere loud at night. The part people remember, though, is usually the daytime: the moment the whole group is together, the sun is out, and nobody has to shout to be heard. A private boat gives you exactly that. You leave the resorts behind, drop anchor somewhere with clear water, and the bride or groom gets a few hours at sea with the people who matter.

It is also refreshingly easy to organise. You do not need to herd twelve people through a beach club queue or split a bill for sunbeds. You turn up at the marina, the skipper takes care of the boat, and you get on with celebrating.

And it photographs brilliantly. Volcanic cliffs, deep blue water and the whole group on deck make for the kind of pictures that end up framed rather than forgotten in a group chat. Plenty of groups find the boat is the one part of the weekend everybody agrees on.

Private charter or luxury yacht?

We have two boats that work well for celebrations, and both are hired privately, so only your group is aboard.

Which one suits you depends on the size of the group and the mood you are after. If you are not sure, tell us about the occasion when you book and we will point you at the better fit.

• Private charter on the Malu V — our everyday charter boat, booked by the hour. Relaxed, sociable and ideal for swimming stops and a toast on deck.
• Luxury yacht charter on the LYA — hired by the hour, with more comfort and space. The one for photos, a bit of glamour and a proper sense of occasion.

Making the day your own

This is your party, so tell us what you have in mind when you book. Sashes, matching T-shirts and a speaker for your playlist are all part of the fun. If you want to bring food, a cake or something to toast the bride or groom, let us know in advance so we can tell you what works on board.

Your skipper will plan the route around your group: a cruise along the cliffs, a long stop to swim and float, and time to simply sit back in the sun. The durations on sale, and the start times available, are shown when you book. We confirm the meeting time and point at the marina once your booking is in.

A quick word on keeping it fun: the skipper is responsible for everyone’s safety, and will decide when and where it is sensible to swim. A group that listens to the skipper has a much better day than one that does not.

Not just hens and stags

The same format works for big birthdays, anniversaries, a reunion with old friends or a family celebration with several generations aboard. What these occasions have in common is that the group wants time together, somewhere beautiful, without anyone else around — and that is exactly what a private boat on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria gives you.

Book early if your dates are fixed, especially for weekends and busy holiday periods. And keep the weather in mind: if swell, wind or calima make the sea unsafe, we will offer you another slot or cancel rather than go out regardless, so build a little flexibility into your plans if you can.

A tip from experience: schedule the boat for earlier in the weekend rather than the morning after the big night out. The sea is kinder to people who slept, and the bride or groom will thank you for it. Our seasickness guide has a few more common-sense suggestions if anyone in the group is worried.

Frequently asked questions