Lanzarote: Luxury Sailing Excursions to Papagayo

Papagayo looks best from the water. This four-hour Catlanza sailing trip leaves Puerto Calero for the golden beaches of Papagayo, then anchors for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. I like the mix of easygoing sailing and real water time, plus the hot pasta lunch, salad, bread, cheese, and Canarian potatoes served on board.

I also like that you can make the day as active or lazy as you wish. Try a little yoga, take the helm, learn a few sailing knots, or stretch out on deck with a drink. The main consideration is space: the catamaran can fill up, and the return ride may feel chilly or choppy, so bring a jacket and arrive early for the best place on board.

Key points before you book

• Two hours anchored at Papagayo: Most of the time at sea is saved for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding in a sheltered bay.
• A proper lunch is included: Expect hot pasta with vegetarian sauce, salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes, along with drinks.
• Puerto Calero is the starting point: Check in at the Catlanza office 30 minutes before departure to collect your boarding cards.
• The catamaran suits mixed groups: Children, non-swimmers, yoga fans, sunbathers, and keen snorkelers can all find something to do.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: Several trips have had dolphin sightings, especially on the ride back, but wildlife is never guaranteed.
• The price covers a lot: At $88 per person, lunch, drinks, equipment, parking, and some pickup options are included.

Setting out from Puerto Calero

The trip begins at Catlanza in Puerto Calero, a marina on Lanzarote’s southern coast. You need to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure to collect your boarding cards. Morning boarding is at 9:45, while the afternoon sailing boards at 2:15.

That early arrival matters. One useful tip is to collect your cards at the office, then queue near the kiosk if you want first choice of seating. The boat can fill quickly, and the best spots go early. Free parking is available in Puerto Calero, and pickup and drop-off can be arranged from bus stops if you book that service through Catlanza’s website.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing before the catamaran heads toward Papagayo. The crossing takes about one hour each way, so roughly half the excursion is spent sailing and half is spent anchored in the bay. That is a good balance for a short outing. You get real time on the water without spending the whole afternoon simply getting there.

The catamaran has room to move around, including a forward net where you can sunbathe above the water. Some people prefer to sit back and watch the coast pass by. Others join a short yoga session, chat with the crew, or keep watch for dolphins, whales, and flying fish.

The pace is relaxed rather than formal. The crew speaks English, French, German, and Spanish, and the tone is friendly and social. The boat is large enough for different age groups, though it is still a shared excursion rather than a private charter.

The one-hour sail to Papagayo

The journey toward Papagayo gives you a different view of Lanzarote. From the water, the island’s dry volcanic coast looks stark and striking, with dark rock, open sea, and bright sand near the southern beaches. This is a good time to take photographs, especially if you enjoy seeing familiar coastal areas from a new angle.

The crew keeps the atmosphere lively without forcing you into activities. You can take part in yoga or simply sit with a soft drink, beer, wine, cava, or another included beverage. Several drinks are available, though one person felt the alcohol selection could have offered more variety. If you do not drink alcohol, there are soft drinks, juices, and water.

Wildlife sightings add a little excitement. Dolphins have appeared for some departures, and flying fish may skim across the surface. Still, the crew cannot arrange wildlife on demand. Treat any sighting as a bonus rather than a promised part of the trip.

The crossing can feel different depending on the weather. On a calm day, it is an easy ride with plenty of time to relax. On the way back, the boat may move faster through choppier water, which some people find fun and adventurous. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels manageable and avoid drinking too much before the boat gets moving.

Two hours in Papagayo’s sheltered bay

The main event is the stop near Playa del Papagayo. The catamaran anchors in a sheltered bay, giving you about two hours for water activities and lunch. You do not simply look at Papagayo from a distance. You have time to get into the water and use the equipment provided.

Snorkeling is one of the strongest parts of the trip. The water is described as clear, and fish often gather below the boat. If you want to see marine life, swim beneath or close to the catamaran rather than staying only at the edge of the bay. Masks, snorkels, and life jackets are available.

The snorkeling is suitable for beginners as well as confident swimmers, but you should still be comfortable entering open water. The crew provides safety guidance, and the sheltered setting helps, yet this is not a pool. Keep an eye on children and follow instructions around the boat.

The water sports list is generous for a four-hour outing. You can try a paddleboard, take a kayak, or use the slide into the sea. Kayaking gives you a quieter way to look back at the catamaran and the Papagayo coast. Paddleboarding is more exposed to wind and balance, so expect a few wobbly starts if you have never tried it.

The slide is a favorite for children and anyone who wants a quick splash. Take care on the steps and around the slide, since wet surfaces can be slippery. The same advice applies when climbing in and out of the kayaks or returning to the boat after snorkeling.

If you prefer not to swim, you will not be left with nothing to do. The catamaran offers space for sunbathing, music, conversation, and watching the water. The two-hour stop gives active people enough time to use the equipment while others enjoy a quiet break on deck.

Lunch from the small galley

At some point, the smell of lunch will pull you back aboard. The meal is hot pasta with a vegetarian sauce, served with salad, cheese, bread, and Canarian potatoes. It is simple food, but it fits the setting well and gives you something substantial after swimming.

The pasta has been one of the most praised parts of the outing. Several people describe the food as delicious, plentiful, or surprisingly good for a boat galley. That is important because a sailing trip with only snacks would feel less generous at this price.

The meal also works well for people who do not eat meat. The listed main dish uses a vegetarian sauce, and non-alcoholic drinks are available. The supplied information does not give a full list of dietary accommodations, so if you have an allergy or strict dietary need, ask Catlanza before booking rather than assuming the standard meal will suit you.

Drinks are included throughout the trip. Choices mentioned include beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks. The free-flowing drinks help explain the $88 price, especially when combined with lunch, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and parking.

That said, unlimited drinks should not be the main reason you book. The real value is the full package: four hours on a catamaran, a scenic coastal crossing, two hours in a swimming bay, water equipment, a meal, and a helpful crew. If you only want to see Papagayo beaches, a land-based visit may cost less. If you want the beach, sea, food, and activities in one outing, the price is easier to justify.

The crew makes the difference

The staff receives unusually strong praise. Their role is more than serving food and pouring drinks. They handle the safety briefing, explain the water equipment, help people in and out, organize lunch, and keep the mood pleasant without making the trip feel like a loud party.

Crew names mentioned by customers include Captain Alejandro, Vicky, Noah, Carl, Nico, Jose, and Sandra. Captain Alejandro was praised for confident sailing, while Vicky was singled out for attentive care. Nico received a special mention for being especially good company, and Jose helped one family find a bus connection after the trip.

That practical kindness matters. A sailing excursion involves small moments of uncertainty: where to sit, how to use the kayak, how to get back aboard, or how to manage a child near the water. The crew appears willing to help rather than leaving you to figure it out alone.

The trip has also worked well for families. One family with children aged seven and eleven enjoyed the activities and the lively ride home. Another parent chose it as a first boating experience for a child. Someone using a wheelchair received help getting to the boat ramp and on and off the vessel.

Still, you should expect an active marine setting, not a fully step-free attraction. Wet decks, steps, the slide, and boarding procedures require care. If you have mobility needs, contact Catlanza before booking so the crew can explain what assistance is available for your particular situation.

The return sail to Puerto Calero

After lunch and water time, the catamaran turns back toward Puerto Calero. The ride home is your chance to settle in with music and a drink, or take part in a small sailing lesson. The crew may show you how to tie knots, and you may be invited to take the helm under supervision.

This part gives the outing a bit more personality than a simple beach transfer. You can learn something practical, even if you have no intention of becoming a sailor. Or you can ignore the lesson and enjoy the views from the deck.

The return can be livelier than the outward trip. Choppy water has made the journey exciting for some families, especially children, but it may be less comfortable if you prefer a smooth ride. Bring the jacket listed by the operator, even on a sunny day. Wind on the open sea can make the final hour feel cool.

Dolphins have appeared on the way back for several departures. Again, you should not book this expecting a wildlife cruise, but keep your eyes open. A dolphin escort would be a memorable extra, not a guaranteed feature.

Who will enjoy this four-hour cruise?

I would recommend this outing to anyone who wants a broad taste of Lanzarote’s coast in one half-day. It works particularly well for:

• Families who want swimming and water activities in one organized trip
• Couples looking for a relaxed day with scenery, lunch, and drinks
• First-time snorkelers who want equipment and basic guidance provided
• Friends who enjoy a social boat atmosphere
• Non-swimmers who still want deck space, food, music, and views
• Visitors with limited time who cannot spare a full-day sailing excursion

It is less suitable if you want a quiet private sailing experience. The boat may be busy, and the included drinks and music create a social atmosphere. It is also not ideal if your only goal is spending hours on a beach, since you remain on the catamaran rather than simply setting up on Papagayo’s sand.

The morning and afternoon departures offer the same basic structure, with a one-hour sail out, about two hours at anchor, and a one-hour sail back. An afternoon trip may suit you if you prefer a slower start, while a morning sailing leaves more of the day free afterward. The exact feel depends on weather, sea conditions, and how full the boat is.

Practical details that make the day easier

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The jacket is particularly useful for the return sail. You may also want a waterproof bag for phones and cameras, though this item is not listed as an included provision.

Arrive at Catlanza Puerto Calero 30 minutes before departure. If you need pickup, arrange it when booking through the Catlanza website. If you are driving, free parking is available in Puerto Calero.

The activity lasts four hours and costs $88 per person. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Lanzarote plans are still shifting.

The experience is offered in English, French, German, and Spanish. That makes the safety briefing and activity instructions easier for a mixed international group.

Should you book the Papagayo sailing trip?

I would book it if you want a well-rounded half-day rather than a single-purpose boat ride. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, the generous lunch, the included drinks, and the unusually good range of water activities. Snorkeling below the catamaran, with fish gathering in the clear water, gives the trip a real sense of place.

At $88, it is good value if you use the equipment, eat lunch, and enjoy the sailing time. Arrive early if you care about seating, bring a warm layer, and be ready for wet steps and a possibly lively return ride. If that sounds like your kind of day, Catlanza’s Papagayo excursion is an easy choice for a memorable slice of Lanzarote.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo sailing trip start?

The trip starts at the Catlanza office in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start time to collect your boarding cards.

What are the boarding times?

The listed boarding times are 9:45 for the morning sailing and 14:15 for the afternoon sailing.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts four hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $88 per person.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included, with options such as beer, wine, cava, mimosas, juices, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are available during the stop at Papagayo.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket.