Lanzarote: Papagayo Beaches Cruise for Cruise Ship Passenger

Golden sand, open water, easy timing. This Lanzarote catamaran cruise pairs a pleasant sail from Puerto del Carmen with a two-hour stop at the Papagayo coast, where you can swim, snorkel, kayak, or simply stretch out in the sun. I like the port pickup for cruise passengers and the generous onboard food and drinks. The main drawback is that this is not a quiet, small-boat outing: about 50 people were aboard on one late-February departure.

I also like the sensible four-hour cruise schedule, which leaves enough time for the beach stop without making your ship day feel rushed. The crew was described as very friendly, and the included paella, pasta, fruit, beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water make the $95 price easier to justify. Non-swimmers, wheelchair users, and people prone to seasickness should choose another excursion.

Key points to know before booking

• Pickup at Arrecife’s cruise ports: Return transport connects Marina Arrecife or Puerto de los Mármoles with Puerto del Carmen.
• Papagayo stop for two hours: This is the heart of the trip, with time for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and sunbathing.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect Spanish paella, pasta with tomato sauce, fresh fruit, beer, sangria, soft drinks, water, and a welcome mojito.
• The boat is a sailing catamaran: You get open views and a more relaxed ride than a standard excursion boat.
• A practical cruise-day schedule: The boat ride takes about one hour each way, with roughly two hours at Costa de Papagayo.
• Bring a jacket and towel: Lanzarote can feel warm in the sun but breezy on the water.

From your cruise ship to Puerto del Carmen

The day begins with pickup at the port where your ship docks in Arrecife. The two listed pickup points are Marina Arrecife and Puerto de los Mármoles, so you need to give your cruise ship name when booking. That detail matters because the operator must match your pickup to the correct port.

The transfer to Puerto del Carmen takes about 40 minutes by bus or coach. This is not a scenic private transfer with stops along the way. It is simply the practical link between your ship and the catamaran, but it saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi and guessing at local transport.

A minimum of eight people is required to confirm port pickup. That is worth checking before you commit, especially if your ship is arriving on a quieter day. The transfer is designed for cruise passengers, but you still need to watch the clock and confirm the meeting details carefully.

Once you reach Puerto del Carmen, you board the Lineas Romero sailing catamaran. The welcome is friendly and relaxed: a mojito and a small tapa are served while the crew gives a short introduction. The mojito is reported to be on the weaker side, which is probably sensible at the start of a boat trip, especially when the open bar continues later.

Sailing south toward the Papagayo coast

The catamaran spends about an hour sailing toward the southern tip of Lanzarote. This is the time to settle into the boat, find a comfortable place, and enjoy the sea views without having to follow a packed sightseeing program.

The catamaran format suits this route well. You have room to move around, open-air views, and a steady platform for watching the coast. If you like the feeling of being on the water but do not need a full sailing lesson, this strikes a useful middle ground.

Live commentary is available in English, Spanish, German, and French. The commentary is part of the experience, but the supplied details do not promise a long historical talk or a specialist lecture. Think of it as helpful information from the crew while you sail, not a museum-style tour.

The sea can be breezy even when the beach looks hot. I would keep a light jacket within reach, rather than burying it in a bag under your seat. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera are also useful. Comfortable shoes make the transfer and boarding easier, though you will probably want swimwear once the boat reaches its anchorage.

Two hours at Costa de Papagayo

The catamaran drops anchor at Costa de Papagayo, on Lanzarote’s southern coast. This is the main reason to book the trip. Papagayo is known for golden beaches and a less developed setting, giving you a clear break from the port and resort areas.

You get about two hours here. That is enough time to choose one main activity and still relax, but it is not an entire beach day. If you want to swim, snorkel, kayak, eat lunch, and spend a long stretch on deck, you will need to keep an eye on the time.

The water activities include swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Snorkeling equipment and kayaks are included, which makes the stop easy to enjoy without arranging separate rentals. You should bring your own towel and swimwear, since those are not listed among the provided items.

The Papagayo stop works best for people who want an active break followed by lunch. Start with a swim or kayak while the water time is fresh, then dry off and settle in for food. If you prefer not to get wet, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view, though the trip has less value if you do not care for swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking.

The excursion is not suitable for non-swimmers. That does not mean every passenger must spend the whole stop in the water, but the experience is built around water access and a beach anchorage. People who feel uneasy on boats should also think twice. A catamaran can feel stable, but no boat outing is completely free of motion.

Paella, pasta, fruit, and an open bar

Lunch is served on board rather than at a restaurant on shore. The meal includes traditional Spanish paella, pasta with tomato sauce, and a fresh fruit bar. This is a practical menu for a mixed group, and the pasta gives you a straightforward alternative if seafood or stronger flavors are not your preference.

Vegetarian and celiac diets can be accommodated with advance notice. You should request this before the day of the cruise, not after boarding. The supplied information does not promise a wide range of special-diet choices, so clear notice is the safest approach.

The included drinks add real value to the $95 price. You get unlimited draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water after the welcome mojito. Coffee is not included, and other alcoholic drinks are not included either. If you want a particular cocktail or spirits, plan to pay separately if available, rather than assuming the open bar covers everything.

A late-February departure had around 50 people on board, yet there was still plenty of room. That gives you a useful picture of the boat at a fairly full operating level. It is not a private charter, but the catamaran should provide more breathing space than a tightly packed excursion bus or small motorboat.

The friendly crew also earned strong praise. That matters on a day built around shared food and activities. A warm crew can make boarding, equipment use, and lunch feel easy. Still, service can vary with weather, group size, and the mood of the day, so I would book this for the setting and structure first, with crew friendliness as a welcome bonus.

The return sail and cruise-ship timing

After lunch and the water stop, the catamaran sails back to Puerto del Carmen for about an hour. The return gives you time to dry off, order another included drink, and enjoy the coast from the deck.

The excursion lasts about four hours on the water, with a bus ride of roughly 40 minutes each way from Arrecife. The schedule was kept as advertised on a late-February departure, which is reassuring for cruise passengers who need a clear return plan.

When you reach port, the bus takes you back to the Arrecife ferry ports, depending on where your ship is docked. The operator says the itinerary can change because of weather. That is normal for a sea excursion, but it is especially important here because strong wind or rough water could affect the Papagayo stop or the timing.

You should still leave a sensible cushion before your ship’s departure. The tour is designed around cruise passengers, but road traffic, boarding delays, or weather can never be ruled out. Give the crew your exact ship name and keep your return arrangements clear.

Is $95 a fair price?

At $95 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Lanzarote’s beaches. You are paying for more than a boat ride, though. The price includes return port transfers, the catamaran cruise, live commentary, a welcome drink and tapa, lunch, water equipment, and an open bar with beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water.

That package makes the price reasonable for someone arriving by cruise ship. A separate taxi to Puerto del Carmen, a boat ticket, lunch, drinks, and kayak or snorkeling rental could quickly narrow the gap. The transfer is especially useful because it removes one more booking from your port day.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not eat much at lunch, or plan to stay dry on the boat. In that case, you are mainly paying for the catamaran and the Papagayo setting. You may still find it worthwhile, but the included bar and water activities are a large part of the package.

I see this as a good middle-priced excursion for passengers who want a complete day out without piecing together transport and activities. It is not aimed at luxury travelers seeking a private boat, nor at budget visitors who only want a quick look at the coast.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to cruise passengers who want a simple beach-and-boat day with meals handled for them. Families and mixed groups may appreciate the choice between swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, eating, and relaxing on deck.

It also suits people who like a social boat atmosphere. With around 50 people on one late-February sailing, you should expect company rather than solitude. That group size can be a positive if you enjoy meeting people and a negative if you want peace and quiet.

The trip is less suitable for anyone who gets seasick, cannot swim, or needs wheelchair access. Non-folding and electric wheelchairs are not allowed, and the experience is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users. Party groups are also not accepted, so this is meant to be a friendly shared excursion rather than a loud private celebration.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and a jacket. Glass objects, coolers, smoking, and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are not allowed. Pack light, since the day already includes a bus transfer, boat boarding, lunch, and water equipment.

Should you book the Papagayo catamaran cruise?

Book this trip if you want a well-organized cruise-port excursion with a real beach stop, included lunch, and plenty of drinks. The strongest points are the direct port transfers, the friendly crew, the roomy catamaran, and the useful two hours at Papagayo.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a long beach stay, or a quiet trip with no group activity. I would also avoid it if you are prone to seasickness or do not feel comfortable around open water.

For most active cruise passengers, $95 is a fair price for the amount included. Confirm the port pickup, give advance notice for vegetarian or celiac meals, and check the weather before sailing. If those details line up, this is an easy way to trade a few hours in port for golden beaches, a swim, and a generous lunch at sea.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo cruise pick up cruise passengers?

Pickup is available from Marina Arrecife or Puerto de los Mármoles in Arrecife. You must provide your cruise ship name during booking so the operator can arrange the correct port pickup.

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The catamaran ride takes about one hour from Puerto del Carmen to Costa de Papagayo and about one hour back. You spend roughly two hours anchored at Papagayo, making the time on the water about four hours.

What food is included?

Lunch includes traditional Spanish paella, pasta with tomato sauce, and a fresh fruit bar. Vegetarian and celiac diets can be catered for if you notify the operator in advance.

What drinks are included?

You receive a welcome mojito and included drinks during the cruise. Unlimited draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are provided. Coffee and other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and kayaks are included for use during the stop at Costa de Papagayo. You should bring your own swimwear and towel.

Can wheelchair users join the cruise?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and non-folding and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. It is also not suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.