Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

Papagayo is best seen from the water, where its golden beaches and volcanic coast open up in one long, sunny sweep. This four-hour Catlanza sailing trip gives you two full hours at anchor for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and relaxing on deck.

I like the way lunch is a proper hot meal, not just a snack, and I like the generous all-inclusive drinks service. The crew also adds small touches such as yoga, knot tying, help at the helm, and a slide into the sea. The main consideration is time: the sailing takes about two hours total, so the Papagayo stop can feel short if you want to do every activity.

Key points

• Two hours at Papagayo: Enough time for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, lunch, and sunbathing, but not for taking it slow at every activity.
• A spacious catamaran: There is room to sit, stretch out on the net, and move around, though the boat can fill up on popular departures.
• A hot onboard lunch: Pasta with vegetarian tomato sauce comes with salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.
• All-inclusive drinks: Beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks are available during the trip.
• A useful arrival tip: Collect your boarding card 30 minutes early, then queue by the kiosk if you want first choice of seating.
• Good family appeal: Water equipment, a slide, friendly crew, and a clear safety briefing suit mixed-age groups.

Setting out from Puerto Calero

Your day begins at the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero. Arrive 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding cards. The scheduled boarding times are 09:45 and 14:15, depending on the sailing you book.

Puerto Calero is a practical starting point. Free parking is available, and pickup and drop-off can be arranged from bus stops if you book it through the Catlanza website. If you are staying elsewhere on Lanzarote, confirm the pickup details in advance rather than assuming transport is automatic.

The boat sets out after a safety briefing. This is more than a quick formality, especially if you are bringing children or have never been on a catamaran. The crew explains how to move around the deck and use the water equipment before the fun begins.

The first hour is mainly about the ride and the view. Lanzarote’s coastline is stark, dry, and volcanic, with a clean simplicity that looks especially good from the sea. You can sit back with a drink, take photographs, or join a little yoga session if one is offered during your crossing.

The one-hour sail to Papagayo

The trip to Papagayo takes about an hour. That sounds brief, but it gives the outing a useful rhythm: settle in, enjoy the coast, then spend a concentrated block of time in the water.

Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, and flying fish. Sightings are not promised, so treat them as a bonus rather than the reason to book. Dolphins have been seen on the return journey, and several sailings have had memorable encounters, but the coast and the stop at Papagayo remain the dependable parts of the trip.

The catamaran has plenty of room for different moods. You can stretch out on the forward net, sit in the shade, chat with the crew, or stay near the bar. The net is a popular place for photographs and sunbathing, but it can get wet from spray, so keep phones and towels secure.

If you are prone to seasickness, take sensible precautions. The return can become lively in choppy water, and one family described the faster ride home as an adventure. That may be exciting for some people and uncomfortable for others. A jacket is worth packing even on a bright day, especially for the ride back.

Two hours in the Papagayo bay

The catamaran anchors in a sheltered bay near the beaches of Papagayo. This is the heart of the excursion, and it is where the included activities matter most.

You can borrow snorkeling equipment and enter the clear water to look for fish around the boat. The sheltered setting makes this a relaxed introduction to snorkeling, especially for beginners. Fish often gather beneath the catamaran, so you do not need to swim far to see marine life.

The water may feel cool, particularly outside the hottest summer months. Bring a towel and swimwear, and do not skip the sunscreen. You can also stay aboard and enjoy the sun if swimming is not your thing.

Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available, giving you a more active way to explore the bay. The equipment is included, as is snorkeling gear. You should still listen carefully to the crew before heading out, since wind and current can make a paddleboard or kayak harder to control. One past incident involved a kayak drifting away from the boat, with the crew stepping in to help. That is a useful reminder to stay within the advised area.

The slide is another popular feature, particularly with children and anyone who enjoys a bit of silly fun. Take care on the steps and around the slide, since wet surfaces can become slippery. You can also simply swim under the catamaran, float near the boat, or stay on deck with a drink.

A hot lunch instead of a box meal

At some point, the smell of lunch will pull you back aboard. The cook serves hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, along with salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

This is a simple menu, but it fits the setting. After swimming and sitting in the sun, a hot plate of pasta feels far more satisfying than a cold sandwich. The meal also works well for vegetarians, and non-drinkers have plenty of soft drink choices.

Do not expect a refined restaurant meal. The appeal is fresh, filling food served from a small galley while you are anchored off Papagayo. The pasta has received especially strong praise, and the meal is one reason the $88 price feels fair compared with a basic sightseeing cruise.

Drinks are included throughout the excursion. Options listed include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks. The alcohol selection is not designed as a specialist bar, and one person wanted more variety, but the range is generous for a four-hour boat trip. If you do not drink, the activity still works well because the food, scenery, water equipment, and crew-led activities carry the day.

What the crew adds to the trip

Catlanza’s crew is a large part of the experience. The best moments are often small: helping someone onto the boat, explaining the equipment, checking that children are comfortable, or keeping the mood lively without forcing everyone to join in.

Crew members named during different sailings include Nico, Jose, Vicky, Carl, Noah, Sandra, and Captain Alejandro. You should not assume the same team will be aboard, but the operation clearly depends on friendly, hands-on service. Jose has been particularly helpful with onward bus directions, while Nico has received special praise for his energy.

The crew may show you how to tie nautical knots on the way home, and you may be allowed to take the helm under supervision. These touches give the trip a little more character than a simple boat ride. Yoga is also included, though it is best viewed as an optional extra rather than a full class.

The safety briefing and general organization matter if you are sailing with children. Families with children as young as seven and eleven have found plenty to do, while one family used the trip as an introduction to boating. Assistance has also been provided to people using a wheelchair, though you should discuss your needs with Catlanza before booking because boat access can be specific to the day and conditions.

The return to Puerto Calero

After lunch and water activities, the catamaran turns back toward Puerto Calero. This is a quieter part of the trip if you have spent your time swimming, but it can also be the liveliest if the sea has picked up.

You can listen to music, talk with the crew, or sit with a final drink. Flying fish or dolphins might appear along the route. The return views are worth paying attention to, especially as the coast changes angle and the afternoon light catches the volcanic rock.

Bring a light jacket. Even when the beach feels warm, wind on the open deck can make the return journey chilly. If the sea is choppy, sit where the crew advises and hold on when moving around. Wet decks, steps, and the slide require basic care.

The boat returns to Puerto Calero after about an hour. Pickup and drop-off can be arranged from bus stops when booked in advance. If you are driving, free parking at Puerto Calero keeps the logistics simple.

Is $88 good value?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast. It is also more than a short harbor cruise with one soft drink and no equipment.

The value comes from what is bundled into the four hours: transport by catamaran, a two-hour stop at Papagayo, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, yoga, lunch, and a broad drinks selection. You would pay separately for several of those elements on a standard beach day, and the boat gives you access to a sheltered bay without arranging your own transport.

The price works best if you plan to use the facilities. Swim, try the paddleboard, take a kayak, snorkel under the boat, or join the yoga. If you intend to sit quietly for four hours and avoid the water, you may find a simpler sightseeing cruise better suited to you.

The experience also offers good value for families and mixed groups. Active people have equipment and a slide, while others can sunbathe, eat, talk, and enjoy the coastline. The all-inclusive setup means you are not constantly reaching for your wallet.

Choosing a morning or afternoon sailing

The available departure times are 09:45 and 14:15 for boarding, with the exact excursion time confirmed when you check availability.

A morning trip gives you the rest of the day afterward. That may suit you if you want to combine the cruise with an evening meal or another Lanzarote sight. An afternoon sailing can feel more relaxed, especially if you prefer a slower start, and one past sailing specifically recommended the afternoon option.

Your choice may also affect light, wind, and how warm the water feels, but conditions vary. Pick based on your wider plans and how you prefer to spend your day rather than expecting one departure to guarantee better weather.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want a social, easygoing boat day with plenty included. It suits couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people during an organized outing.

It is especially good for:

• First-time visitors who want to see Papagayo from the sea
• Families looking for swimming and water activities in one package
• People who want a proper lunch and drinks included
• Beginners who would like to try snorkeling or paddleboarding
• Anyone who enjoys music, conversation, and a friendly group atmosphere

It may be less suitable if you want a quiet private charter, a long period at one beach, or serious sailing with long stretches under sail. The boat can be busy, and four hours passes quickly once lunch and water activities are included.

For the best chance of choosing your preferred place on deck, collect your boarding card early and queue by the kiosk afterward. The boat has plenty of space, but the best spots go first on popular departures.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The jacket matters most for the return journey, when wind can make the open deck feel cool.

Wear something practical for wet surfaces and bring a secure bag for your phone. You should also be ready to walk carefully around the slide, steps, and deck areas after swimming.

Catlanza offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check availability for the exact starting time, and arrange pickup when you book if you need it.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a well-rounded Papagayo outing rather than a bare boat transfer. You get striking coastal views, a sheltered swim stop, real food, a generous drinks service, and enough equipment to keep active or simply relax.

I would hesitate only if you dislike group excursions, want a private boat, or need more than two hours at the beach. For most people looking for an easy four-hour highlight in Lanzarote, the combination of service, food, and water time makes the $88 fare a sound choice.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo sailing trip depart from?

It departs from the Catlanza office at Puerto Calero in Lanzarote.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled excursion to collect your boarding cards.

How long is the excursion?

The experience lasts four hours. The outward catamaran journey takes about one hour, the stop at Papagayo lasts about two hours, and the return takes about one hour.

What activities are included at Papagayo?

You can swim, snorkel, kayak, and use a stand-up paddleboard. Yoga is also included, and the boat has a slide into the sea.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. You should also arrive early to collect your boarding card.