About this tour
When Sarah from our BugBitten team booked this catamaran jaunt off southern Lanzarote, she was after a lazy day afloat rather than a packed itinerary — and that's exactly what she got. The boat departs Puerto del Carmen and heads south toward the Papagayo coves, those postcard-golden stretches of beach backed by scrubby cliffs. You're sailing with a mix of couples, families, and solo travellers keen to escape the beachfront crowds for a few hours. The whole thing runs about four hours, door-to-door, with the bulk of time spent anchored near the beaches, drinking, eating paella, and floating about.
Highlights
- Mojito in hand before the boat leaves the dock — proper welcome-aboard touch
- Paella cooked on deck; tastes better with salt spray nearby
- Turquoise water so clear you can see straight down
- Kayaks included if you fancy paddling to a quieter cove
- Sun deck sprawl with no pressure to do anything at all
- Sangria and beer on tap — open bar means no surprise bill
- Return sail catches the afternoon light on the coast nicely
What to expect
The day starts with a coach ride from your hotel to Puerto del Carmen, where you'll board a decent-sized catamaran with maybe 40–60 other people. Once underway, a mojito and Spanish omelette skewer show up fast — it's a friendly, informal vibe. The sail south takes about 30 minutes, and the crew anchors near Papagayo's main beaches, which are genuinely striking: pale sand, turquoise shallows, and rocky headlands that make you forget you're still near a resort town.
Lunch is paella served onboard, and it's solid — nothing fancy but properly seasoned and filling. From there, you've got options: swim off the back, grab a kayak and explore, or stay horizontal with a drink in hand. The water's calm and warm, and the beaches look stunning from the water even though you don't land on them. A few hours drifts by easily. The sail back is scenic without being rushed, and you're back at your hotel by early evening.
What travellers say
- Lunch and drinks bundled in — no haggling at the bar
- Kayaks included for exploring quieter spots nearby
- Calm anchorage suits nervous swimmers and families
- Scenic without being exhausting — perfect for a half-day
- Hotel pickup removes the faff of getting to the port
- You admire the beaches from the boat, not on the sand
- Snorkelling kit costs extra if you want to use it
- Summer crowds mean it's busy rather than intimate
- Early coach pickup isn't ideal for slow mornings
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This tour genuinely suits people who want a beach day without the beach-bar racket. The open bar and food are included, so no hidden costs once you're aboard. It's accessible for all fitness levels — you can swim, kayak, or just lie on deck. The Papagayo beaches are worth seeing, and this boat gets you there without a car rental headache.
You don't actually set foot on the beaches, which might disappoint if you're keen to walk the sand. Snorkelling gear isn't included (only kayaks), so add that cost if you want to dive. It's popular in summer, so expect company — don't book if you're after solitude. The coach journey from your hotel adds time; if you're based in Puerto del Carmen, it's barely worth the transfer. Bring sun cream and reapply often — there's limited shade on deck. Peak times are July and August.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.