Puerto Rico: Sailing excursion with swim, drinks and tapas.

Gran Canaria’s southwest coast is at its best from the water, where cliffs, quiet coves, and clear swimming spots replace the usual marina view. This private trip on the Keep Sailing I gives your group a boat, skipper, food, and time to stop where conditions allow.

I like the small private-group format, capped at seven passengers, and the chance to do more than sit aboard. Vanessa has let passengers take the helm and given short sailing lessons. I also like the simple food and drinks served on deck, which keep the four-hour outing relaxed rather than over-programmed.

The main consideration is the weather. If the wind is too weak, the sails may stay down, as happened on one outing. The boat still cruises and stops for swimming, but you should book this for the coast, company, and water time, not for a guaranteed full day of active sailing.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to seven people: The price of $606 covers a group of up to six, while the boat can carry a maximum of seven passengers.
• Vanessa and Carlos may skipper your trip: Both are described as friendly and capable, with Vanessa offering sailing instruction and time at the helm.
• The southwest coast is the main attraction: You’ll pass cliffs, natural bays, and coves that are best seen from the sea.
• Swimming and snorkeling are built into the day: Equipment is provided, and the boat anchors in suitable coves when sea conditions permit.
• Food is casual and included: The four-hour trip includes snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and tapas. Vegetarian and vegan options require advance notice.
• The wind controls the sailing: You can ask for a quiet coastal cruise or a more hands-on sailing session, but the skipper must follow sea and weather conditions.

Setting out from Puerto Rico

You leave from the marina at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, on the island’s southwest coast. The harbor is the practical starting point, but the real pleasure begins once the boat moves away from the buildings and you can see the coast from offshore.

The boat used for this trip is the Keep Sailing I. It is intended for a private group rather than a large party boat, so you share the space only with your own group and the crew. That matters if you want a quiet afternoon, have children who need room to move, or simply prefer not to make small talk with a boatload of strangers.

The stated price is $606 per group of up to six. That is not a cheap individual ticket, but the calculation changes if you fill the boat. Six people pay about $101 each before any separate transfer cost. For a private four-hour outing with a skipper, fuel, snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and tapas, the price can make sense for a family or group of friends. For one or two people, it is a much larger spend.

The boat can hold a maximum of seven passengers. If your party includes seven, confirm the exact pricing and booking arrangement before paying, since the advertised group rate is for up to six.

Choosing a calm cruise or a hands-on sail

The skipper can shape the outing around your group. You can ask for a calm cruise close to the coast, or request more involvement by raising the sails and learning the basics of sailing.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. A first-time sailor can ask questions and get a short lesson without signing up for a technical sailing course. Someone who simply wants sunshine, scenery, and a swim can stay seated and let the crew handle the boat.

Vanessa has allowed passengers to take the helm herself, while explaining how the boat works and adjusting the session to their requests. Carlos also receives praise for creating a pleasant tour. The exact skipper depends on scheduling, so do not assume you will have one particular person unless the operator confirms it.

Keep your expectations sensible. Sailing depends on wind, and the crew cannot create favorable conditions. On one outing, the wind was not strong enough to set the sails. The group still visited attractive bays and had a good time, but the experience became a motorboat cruise with swimming rather than a sustained sailing session.

Following the southwest coast

The route takes you along the south and southwest coast of Gran Canaria, through natural bays and coves. The appeal is not a checklist of famous landmarks. It is the changing view of cliffs, rocky shoreline, open water, and small inlets that are difficult to appreciate from a road.

The skipper chooses stops according to sea and weather conditions. That means the exact coves are not fixed, and the route may change. This is a good thing on a boat trip, since a sheltered cove is more useful than a scenic one with rough water.

As you cruise, you can sit on the deck terrace with a drink and watch the coast pass at a slower pace. The boat gives you a different angle on the island’s southwest corner, with broad views unavailable from shore. Bring sunscreen and keep it handy, since four hours on open water can feel longer than four hours beside a pool.

The trip is private, but it is not a luxury yacht charter with elaborate service. Think of it as a friendly, practical sailing outing with a small crew, simple food, and time in the water. That honest expectation will help you enjoy it.

Swimming and snorkeling in clear water

The boat stops in coves where you can swim and snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The water is described as clear, and the crew can point out areas for viewing marine life.

These stops are the heart of the four-hour version. If you are choosing between a scenic cruise and a boat with a swimming break, this trip gives you both. You can cool off, look beneath the surface, and then return to the boat for a drink and food.

Sea conditions still matter. The activity is subject to weather and water conditions, and the skipper has the final say on where and when you enter the sea. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A copy of your passport or identity card is accepted, so carry that rather than assuming your hotel details are enough.

Paddle surf is not included. If that activity matters to you, ask the operator about availability and cost before departure. Do not count on finding a board aboard the boat.

Tapas, beer, and the four-hour rhythm

The standard four-hour trip includes snacks, tapas, water, soft drinks, and beer. Food is served aboard, usually as part of the relaxed pause between swimming and cruising. It is not presented as a formal meal, so arrive with realistic expectations if you have a large appetite.

I like this arrangement because it avoids a separate restaurant stop. You can stay on the water, dry off on deck, and eat while the boat continues along the coast. The food also gives the afternoon a social rhythm without turning the trip into a scheduled tasting tour.

Vegetarian and vegan meal choices are available if you contact the operator ahead of time. Do this before the day of the trip, not after the boat leaves the harbor. The supplied details mention tapas and snacks for the four-hour trip, while the longer option includes lunch and drinks.

There is also a seven-hour version. Its schedule includes a longer cruise, swimming, sailing, lunch, tapas, and drinks. The information supplied for the activity emphasizes the four-hour experience, so check the current availability and exact departure time if you want the longer day.

Transfers from Maspalomas and timing

Hotel pickup is described for the Maspalomas area, with the driver collecting you and taking you to the harbor. The activity details also say that the pickup service and return may not be included in the price. Because those statements do not fully agree, confirm the transfer cost and coverage before booking.

You must wait in your hotel lobby or outside your apartment ten minutes before the scheduled pickup. The driver is not allowed to wait more than ten minutes. Pickup can be as much as one hour before the boat departure, depending on your location, and the exact time is confirmed by phone or WhatsApp.

This is worth taking seriously. A marina trip can be spoiled by a late start, and the boat will not wait indefinitely for a missing passenger. Keep your phone on, watch for the operator’s message, and allow extra time if you are staying away from Maspalomas.

The listed pickup and drop-off areas are Maspalomas and Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria. If you are staying elsewhere, ask before booking rather than assuming a transfer is available.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

This outing suits a small group that wants several activities in one half-day: coastal scenery, a swim, snorkeling, casual food, and a little sailing instruction. It works particularly well for friends or families who want a private boat without booking a full yacht charter.

It is also a good choice for people who like flexible tours. You can ask for a quieter ride or more time learning the ropes. Vanessa’s approach, including letting passengers take the helm, makes the trip appealing to curious beginners who want a taste of sailing without committing to a course.

You may want another activity if your main goal is guaranteed sailing under full sail. Wind can be too light, and the crew cannot promise that the sails will be raised for the whole outing. Likewise, this may not suit anyone looking for a formal gourmet lunch, a paddle-surf session, or a large collection of water sports.

The four-hour length is a sensible choice for most people. You get time to reach the coast, stop to swim, eat, and return without giving up a full day. The seven-hour option is better if you want a slower pace and a proper lunch aboard.

What to bring and what to confirm

Pack the basics:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Passport or identity card, with a copy accepted

Beer, soft drinks, and water are included on the four-hour trip. Snacks and tapas are also included, while lunch belongs to the seven-hour option. Snorkeling equipment, fuel, the skipper, and the guide are included.

Ask about dietary needs in advance. Vegetarian and vegan meals can be arranged, but the operator needs notice. Also confirm if you want paddle surf equipment, since it is specifically excluded.

Before you pay, check three details: the exact trip length, the transfer price, and the pickup time. Availability determines the start time, and the operator confirms pickup by phone or WhatsApp. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your island plans are still shifting.

Is the $606 group price good value?

The value depends almost entirely on group size. Six people sharing $606 receive a private four-hour boat, a skipper and sailor, fuel, swimming stops, snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and tapas. That is a fairer comparison than matching the price against a basic seat on a public cruise.

For two people, the same price feels much higher. You are paying for privacy and flexibility, not just transport along the coast. If you would be happy on a crowded boat with a fixed route, a cheaper public excursion may serve you better.

The strongest value comes from the personal attention. You can discuss the pace with the skipper, request a quiet cruise, or ask for a short sailing lesson. You also avoid sharing the boat with a large group. Those features matter more than fancy decoration if your ideal afternoon is swimming in a quiet cove and eating tapas on deck.

The price is less compelling if poor weather forces a reduced route or prevents sailing. The provider does make clear that sea and weather conditions control the service. Book with that limitation in mind.

Should you book this sailing excursion?

Book it if you have a group of up to six, want a private boat, and care more about the full mix of coast, swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and friendly instruction than about sailing under sail for every minute.

I would choose the four-hour trip for a relaxed half-day near Puerto Rico. Ask for sailing instruction if that interests you, and confirm that your group can take turns at the helm. Choose the seven-hour version only if you want lunch and a slower day on the water.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sailing session, paddle surf, or a formal dining experience. Also confirm the hotel transfer details, since the supplied information gives conflicting indications about whether pickup and return are included.

For the right group, this is a personal way to see Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. The best moments are likely to come from the simple parts: a sheltered cove, a clear swim, a cold drink, and a skipper willing to show you how the boat moves.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip leave from?

The boat leaves from the marina at Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria.

How long is the sailing excursion?

The main activity lasts four hours. A seven-hour option is also described, including lunch and drinks. Check availability for the exact start times and trip length.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate a maximum of seven passengers. The advertised group price of $606 covers up to six people.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The trip includes stops at natural bays and coves for swimming, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

What food and drinks are included?

The four-hour trip includes snacks, tapas, water, soft drinks, and beer. The seven-hour trip includes lunch and those drinks. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if requested in advance.

Is hotel pickup available from Maspalomas?

Pickup and return are described for hotels in the Maspalomas area, but the supplied details also say that pickup service may not be included. Confirm the transfer arrangement and cost with the operator before booking.