Planning your Afrikat experience should be part of the fun.
Whether you’re travelling with little ones, wondering about accessibility, deciding what to bring or simply want to know what to expect on the day, you’ll find the answers here.
And if there’s anything we haven’t covered, just ask us. You’ll be speaking to our own Afrikat team, and we’re always happy to help.
Everything you need to know about finding us and our hotel transfer service.
Little ones are very welcome aboard
Afrikat is an experience for the whole family. We regularly welcome three — and sometimes four — generations aboard together, from babies enjoying their first boat trip to grandparents making memories with the family.
There’s no minimum age to join us, and babies up to 23 months travel free. We just ask that you include them when making your reservation so we know exactly who will be joining us.
Absolutely. There is no minimum age for travelling with us, and babies up to 23 months travel free of charge. We just need you to include your baby in your booking so we know they will be joining us.
If you’re using our transport service, please let us know in advance that you’ll have a buggy or pushchair with you so we can make sure there is enough room in the bus or minivan.
We also have a selection of snacks and treats available to purchase onboard, including hot dogs, sausage rolls and ice creams.
If your child has an allergy or any special dietary requirements, please get in touch with our team before your cruise so we can advise you and make the appropriate arrangements.
And on those really hot Gran Canaria days…
We sometimes have a little extra treat for our youngest sailors. When conditions are suitable, the crew set up our toddler paddling pool on the rear deck, giving our tiniest guests somewhere to splash and cool down.
It’s often the smallest members of the family who have the biggest adventures.
Accessibility was part of Afrikat from the very beginning
Afrikat was custom-designed so that wheelchair users and guests with reduced mobility could enjoy a day at sea alongside their family and friends — with accessible boarding, wide passageways, a purpose-designed accessible toilet and access to the main deck areas and air-conditioned salon.
In 2016, before Afrikat 69 began welcoming guests, the project received a Gran Canaria Accesible 2016 award from the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, recognising the design of our purpose-built accessible catamaran.
We know that everyone’s requirements are different, so if you have any questions about your individual needs, please talk to our team before booking. We’ll be happy to explain exactly what to expect and help you plan your day with us.
Our upper deck is accessed by stairs and is not wheelchair accessible, but there is plenty of space to enjoy your day with us on the main deck.
However, everyone’s needs are different, so please contact us before booking if you have any concerns. We can talk through your individual requirements and explain what to expect.
If you can transfer out of your wheelchair and manage the few steps into a coach or minibus with assistance from your family or companion, our normal transfer service may be suitable. Please let us know in advance so that we can make sure there is room for your wheelchair in the vehicle.
If you need to remain in your wheelchair while travelling, please contact us. We can provide details of local wheelchair-accessible taxi and transport services.
Still unsure whether Afrikat will suit your individual needs?
Please ask us. We would much rather talk through your requirements with you personally than have you wondering whether Afrikat is suitable for you.
Getting to Afrikat should be easy
Afrikat departs from Puerto Base in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria. Whether you’re using our hotel transfer service or making your own way to the harbour, we want the start of your day to be as straightforward as possible.
If you’re using our transfer service, we’ll make sure you know where and when to meet your transport before your cruise. And if you’re coming independently, we’ll give you the information you need to find us at Puerto Base.
Puerto Rico has two harbours, so make sure you’re heading to Puerto Base. If you’re standing on Puerto Rico beach looking out to sea, Puerto Base is the harbour on the left-hand side, the same harbour as Marina Suites and Grill Costa Mar.
When you enter Puerto Base through the car park barrier, keep to the right. You’ll find Afrikat a little further along, just past the fishing boats.
Our regular transport service doesn’t currently collect from El Salobre or Puerto de Mogán, but you’re very welcome to make your own way to Puerto Base.
When booking online, simply enter the name of your accommodation and the booking system will show you the available collection arrangements.
Bahía Feliz · San Agustín · Playa del Inglés · Maspalomas · Meloneras · Sonnenland · Arguineguín · Patalavaca · Anfi del Mar · Puerto Rico (Europa Centre) · Playa del Cura · Taurito
We use central collection points rather than collecting individually from every hotel. This keeps everyone’s journey to the harbour as short and comfortable as possible — collecting door-to-door from every hotel could turn your transfer into a two-and-a-half-hour tour of the south before your boat trip has even started!
When you book online, enter the name of your hotel or accommodation. Our system will automatically provide your collection point, together with a map showing you how to get there.
We’ll also send a WhatsApp reminder the day before your cruise with your collection details.
Please aim to be at the Afrikat desk at least 20 minutes before departure so you have plenty of time to check in and board.
There are also parking areas around Puerto Rico, including near the shopping centre where Dirty Nelly’s and HiperDino are located, and around the SPAR near Puerto Rico beach.
During busy periods — particularly summer weekends & especially Afternoons in the summer— Puerto Rico can get very busy, so please allow plenty of extra time to find a parking space and walk to the boat.
*Parking prices are controlled by the car park and may change.
If you’re driving, allow additional time for parking, particularly during busy periods.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to delay the cruise departure for guests who arrive late, so we’d much rather have you arrive a little early and start your day relaxed.
If you’re using our transport service, please be at your designated collection point at least 10 minutes before your confirmed collection time.
If you’ve provided us with your mobile number, we’ll also send you a WhatsApp reminder the day before your cruise confirming your collection time and meeting point.
If anything changes — perhaps you’ve moved hotel, you’re unsure where your collection point is, or you’ve decided to make your own way to Puerto Base instead — please contact our team as early as possible so we can update your arrangements.
Not sure about your journey to Afrikat?
Just ask us. Tell us where you’re staying and our team will help you work out the easiest way to join us.
Now that you know a little more about planning your day, all that’s left is to choose your Afrikat experience.
Whether you’re joining us with family, friends or someone special, we’ll take care of the details — you just need to look forward to your day at sea.
Come hungry — we’ve got you covered
Your Afrikat experience is all-inclusive, so your light meal and a generous selection of unlimited drinks are included in your cruise.
Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or have particular dietary requirements, let us know in advance and we’ll do our best to make sure there’s something suitable waiting for you onboard.
On the Morning Cruise, we usually serve lunch at around 13:00, while on the Afternoon Cruise we usually serve food at around 17:00.
Times can vary slightly depending on the day and how the cruise is progressing — after all, we’re at sea!
Simple, fresh and particularly enjoyable after you’ve worked up an appetite swimming in the Atlantic!
Our meals are prepared by our caterer and delivered to the catamaran, so it’s important that we know about any dietary requirements no later than the morning before your cruise.
If you have another dietary requirement that isn’t listed here, please contact our team before booking and we’ll check what we can arrange for you.
We’d also appreciate it if you remind a member of our crew when you arrive onboard, so that the team serving you is aware.
If you have a serious allergy or are concerned about possible cross-contamination, please contact us before booking so we can discuss your individual requirements with you.
Beer lovers can even help themselves from our beer tap!
At the beginning of your cruise we’ll give you a reusable Afrikat cup to use throughout the day. You’ll find cup-cleaning stations around the catamaran, so switching from a soft drink to sangria — or beer to water — is easy.
Fancy something different? We also have additional drinks available to purchase from our onboard shop, including wine, cocktails and bottles of bubbly if there’s something to celebrate.
If you’d like to bring some additional snacks, that’s normally fine, but please remember that other guests onboard may have serious food allergies. Occasionally our crew may therefore ask you not to open a particular product, such as something containing peanuts.
Guests may not bring their own alcoholic drinks onboard.
Good food, unlimited drinks and dietary options — all part of your Afrikat experience.
Pack light — we’ll take care of most of the rest
You don’t need much for a day aboard Afrikat. Think a day at the beach, but on the water.
Swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a smile are the essentials. Add your phone or camera for the memories and you’re pretty much ready to go!
And don’t worry about disappearing off the radar — free Wi-Fi is available onboard.
If you’re joining us during the autumn or winter months, pop a light jumper or hoodie in your bag. Even after a beautifully warm Gran Canaria day, it can sometimes feel a little cooler on the journey back to Puerto Rico.
When you board Afrikat, we’ll ask you to remove your shoes. We’ll provide a container where they can be safely stored during the cruise, ready for you to collect when you leave. If you prefer, you’re welcome to keep them in your own bag.
Then it’s barefoot Afrikat time!
We ask everyone who plans to use the sunbathing areas to use a towel for hygiene reasons.
If you’re staying in a hotel, you may be able to use a pool towel for your day with us. And if you do arrive without one, don’t worry — we have towels available to purchase onboard.
If you have your own mask or snorkel and would rather use it, you’re very welcome to bring it with you.
That’s really all you need.
Pack your swimwear, towel and sun protection, and we’ll take care of the rest. Come ready to relax, enjoy the Atlantic and make some wonderful memories with us.
And don’t forget your smile — that doesn’t take up any room in your bag.
Relax — we’ll take care of the rest
Four and a half hours aboard Afrikat means plenty of time to enjoy the coastline, relax in the sunshine, swim in the Atlantic, enjoy lunch and drinks, and perhaps add a little adventure with one of our optional watersports.
Every day at sea is slightly different — that’s part of the experience — but here’s what you can usually expect.
Our Morning and Afternoon Cruises offer the same Afrikat experience — 4½ hours onboard, food and unlimited drinks, swimming and snorkelling, beautiful coastline and the same friendly Afrikat crew.
So the choice really comes down to how you like to spend your holiday.
Are you a “get up & go person”? Fancy making the most of the whole day? Choose the Morning Cruise.
Prefer a leisurely breakfast, a lie-in and absolutely no alarm clock on holiday? The Afternoon Cruise has your name on it.
Whichever you choose, the Afrikat experience is the same — just at a different time of day.
You can normally enjoy live music on:
Friday Morning Cruises — throughout the year
Tuesday & Friday Afternoon Cruises — during our afternoon-cruise season, usually June to October
There’s something rather special about listening to live music with a drink in your hand, the Atlantic around you and the Gran Canaria coastline in the background.
ASH does take a couple of well-earned holidays during the year, so if live music is particularly important to you, please check your chosen date when booking or ask our team before you reserve.
If you’re using our transport service, remember to allow additional time for your journey to and from Puerto Base. Depending on where you’re staying and your collection point, transfer time can be approximately one hour.
Our exact route can change depending on the sea and weather conditions. On some days the captain may choose to head in the opposite direction towards El Pajar, Arguineguín or Anfi del Mar instead.
The captain will always choose the route that’s most appropriate for the conditions on the day.
This is your opportunity to swim, snorkel, relax onboard or, if you fancy something a little more adventurous, take part in one of the optional watersports or our speedboat ride. On most days we only have one swim stop.
If you can’t swim, or you’re not confident in the water, please tell our crew before entering the sea and ask us for a lifejacket. Your safety is always the priority.
Jet skis · Parasailing · Donut ride · Speedboat ride
Activities are subject to weather, sea conditions and availability, and occasionally an activity may be unavailable for technical or operational reasons.
You can find current prices, safety information and requirements on our dedicated Watersports page.
We offer our guests special onboard rates, which are typically lower than the prices offered by beachfront operators.
There’s no need to book watersports in advance. Speak to our crew onboard and we’ll arrange everything for you on the day, subject to availability and conditions.
Payment can be made onboard by cash or card.
However, everyone reacts differently to being at sea and conditions can vary from day to day.
If you know you’re prone to motion sickness or you’re concerned about it, we recommend speaking to a pharmacist before your cruise for advice about suitable preventative options.
For your safety, however, our watersports and speedboat activity are not suitable during pregnancy, so you won’t be able to take part in these activities.
If you have any concerns before booking, just get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to answer any questions about your day with us.
If conditions aren’t suitable for the cruise to operate safely, our captain will make the decision to cancel and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.
We’ll first offer to rearrange your Afrikat experience for another suitable day. If you’re unable to rearrange, you’ll receive a full refund.
And don’t worry too much if the forecast shows a few clouds! Weather can vary considerably across Gran Canaria. It isn’t unusual for one part of the island to be cloudy or rainy while we’re enjoying sunshine along the southwest coast.
A cloudy day by itself doesn’t mean your cruise will be cancelled — the decision is based on whether conditions are suitable for operating safely.
Birthdays, anniversaries, engagements and other celebrations are always welcome aboard Afrikat.
Tell our team about your celebration in advance and we can help arrange a little surprise — perhaps a cake, bottle of bubbly or favourite cocktail.
Or, if you’d prefer something simple, let us know and we’ll make sure the crew are ready to give you an Afrikat-style rendition of Happy Birthday!
If you’re joining Afrikat on the final day of your holiday before travelling to the airport, we have some space where luggage can be safely stored below deck during your cruise.
Please contact our team in advance to tell us how much luggage you’ll have so we can confirm that we have sufficient storage space available.
Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate other pets onboard our regular cruises — despite being a team of serious dog lovers!
Even Ozzie, our office dog and an official member of the Afrikat team, normally has to stay ashore.
As our crew have well-earned days off too, we can’t guarantee that a team member who speaks a particular language will be working on the day of your cruise.
To help everyone feel comfortable and informed, our welcome and safety information is also available in several languages, both in writing and as audio which you can access using a QR code onboard.
And if we ever get stuck, we have free Wi-Fi onboard — so a translation app can usually come to the rescue!
Still have a question?
Your Afrikat experience begins with your very first message to us.
