Lanzarote: Papagayo Beaches Cruise for Cruise Ship Passenger

Papagayo is the star here: a stretch of golden sand on Lanzarote’s southern coast where the catamaran drops anchor for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. I like the easy port pickup and the fact that lunch, drinks, and water-sports gear are included instead of being added one by one.

I also like the relaxed four-hour cruise schedule and the room to spread out. A possible drawback is the transfer from the cruise port to Puerto del Carmen, which takes about 40 minutes by coach, and the boat is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, or people prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Papagayo anchorage: You get about two hours at Costa de Papagayo for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, lunch, and sun.
• Good cruise-ship logistics: Return transport runs from Arrecife or Puerto de los Mármoles to Puerto del Carmen and back.
• Lunch is included: The onboard meal features Spanish paella, pasta with tomato sauce, and fresh fruit.
• Open bar: Draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are available throughout the cruise. Coffee and other alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• A small-group feel is possible: About 50 people were onboard in late February, with plenty of space reported and about four hours kept to schedule.
• Bring a jacket: Lanzarote can feel cool and breezy on the open water, even when the beach is warm.

From the cruise port to Puerto del Carmen

Your day begins with pickup at Marina Arrecife or Puerto de los Mármoles. The coach ride to Puerto del Carmen takes about 40 minutes, so this is not a ship-side excursion where you step straight onto the catamaran.

That transfer is a useful part of the package. You do not need to arrange a taxi or find the marina yourself, and the return coach takes you back to the ferry port after the cruise. You need to give your cruise ship name when booking, and port pickup requires at least eight people to confirm.

Check the meeting instructions carefully for your sailing date. The pickup information refers to the Arrecife port area, and your return may be directed to the appropriate ferry port depending on where your ship docks.

Once you reach Puerto del Carmen, you board a Lineas Romero sailing catamaran. The welcome begins with a mojito and a tapa, followed by a short introduction from the crew. It is a practical start: you get a drink in hand, learn the basic plan, and can settle into the boat before heading south.

One hour of sailing toward Papagayo

The catamaran spends about an hour sailing from Puerto del Carmen to the Costa de Papagayo. This is the part of the day to enjoy the open water and the views along Lanzarote’s coast rather than chase a long list of sightseeing stops.

The boat provides live commentary in English, Spanish, German, and French. The information supplied does not name individual guides, so you should not expect a particular host by name. The crew handles the introduction and onboard service, while the route itself gives you time to relax.

The sailing portion can feel breezy. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a light jacket. Comfortable shoes are also useful around the boat, though you will want swimwear and a towel for the beach stop.

The boat serves unlimited draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. A welcome mojito is included, but coffee and other alcoholic drinks are not. One late-February sailing had roughly 50 people onboard, with plenty of room to move around. That gives you a useful sense of scale, though numbers can vary by date.

Two hours at Costa de Papagayo

The main stop is Costa de Papagayo, at the southern tip of Lanzarote. The area is known for golden beaches and a relatively untouched natural setting. From the water, you get a different view than you would from a road excursion, with the catamaran serving as your base while you spend time at anchor.

You have about two hours here for a mix of food, sun, and water activities. The schedule is long enough for a swim without turning the stop into a rushed splash before lunch.

Snorkeling equipment and kayaks are included. If you enjoy active stops, this is where the price begins to make sense. You can swim, try snorkeling, or paddle without renting equipment separately. The activity is still fairly casual, so it is better suited to people who want a relaxed water break than to anyone seeking serious instruction or a long guided paddle.

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. That matters because water activities form a central part of the stop, not a minor extra. If you prefer to stay dry, you can use the time to sit in the sun and enjoy the beach setting, but the boat does not present this as a dedicated sightseeing-only cruise.

People prone to seasickness should also think carefully before booking. You spend time on a sailing catamaran during the outward and return trips, and the open water can be uncomfortable for some passengers. Take your usual precautions if you already know that boats affect you.

Paella, pasta, and a simple onboard lunch

Lunch is served on the catamaran during the Papagayo stop. The main dish is traditional Spanish paella, with pasta in tomato sauce as an alternative, followed by a fresh fruit bar.

This is a sensible menu for a mixed group. Paella gives you a local Spanish flavor, while pasta offers a familiar choice for anyone who does not want rice or seafood-style seasoning. Vegetarian and celiac diets can be accommodated if you notify the operator ahead of time. Do not wait until boarding to ask.

The lunch is part of the $95 package, along with drinks and equipment. That saves you from buying a meal at the beach or arranging food before departure. The meal is functional rather than a reason to book the cruise by itself, but it fits the day well and keeps the stop simple.

Because the catamaran is also your dining room, expect a casual meal rather than a formal table service setting. Keep your camera, towel, and sunscreen handy, but avoid bringing glass objects or a cooler. Alcoholic drinks cannot be brought onto the vehicle, and smoking is not allowed.

The return sail and late views

After the Papagayo stop, the catamaran sails back to Puerto del Carmen for about an hour. This is a good time to slow down after the swim and lunch. The open bar continues with draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water, while the crew remains available onboard.

The return route offers dramatic evening views, depending on the season and exact timing. Since the excursion keeps to about four hours on the water, you are not signing up for an all-day sailing marathon. One February sailing finished within the advertised excursion time, which is important when you have a ship departure to meet.

At Puerto del Carmen, the coach waits to return you to Arrecife. The full port outing will take longer than the four-hour cruise because of the two-way road transfer. Build in enough time for the ride back, and follow the operator’s timing closely if your ship has a fixed departure.

Is $95 a fair price?

At the stated price of $95 per person, the value is strongest for cruise passengers who want one organized package. You get port transfers, a catamaran cruise, live commentary, a welcome cocktail, lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, and kayak use.

Booked separately, transport to the marina, a boat trip, food, drinks, and water gear could become a scattered day with more planning. Here, the package keeps the day in one chain of arrangements. That convenience matters when you are visiting Lanzarote from a ship and do not want to gamble on local transport.

The value is less clear if you do not drink, do not swim, or mainly want to see the Papagayo beaches from land. A large share of the appeal comes from the included beverages and water activities. If those extras mean little to you, a land-based visit may offer a better match, though this package specifically handles the cruise-port transport.

The reported late-February group of around 50 people had plenty of space onboard. That sounds comfortable for a catamaran, but it does not guarantee the same amount of room on every departure. Still, the boat’s size appears manageable rather than party-cruise huge.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a low-effort day on the water with a clear schedule. It suits couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers who like the idea of mixing beach time with lunch and drinks.

It is also a good fit if your cruise ship call is short and you want transfers handled for you. The coach removes the need to navigate between Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen, while the return transfer keeps the day tied to the port.

You should think twice if you have serious seasickness, use a wheelchair, or do not swim. Non-folding and electric wheelchairs are not accepted, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. You also should not book if your idea of a beach day requires a quiet, dry, land-based visit with no boat time.

The tour can accommodate vegetarian and celiac diets with advance notice. It is worth sending that request when you book, since the regular meal includes paella and pasta rather than a menu built around individual orders.

Practical packing advice for a windy catamaran

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Add comfortable shoes and a jacket, since the boat can feel cool while moving even if Lanzarote is sunny.

A camera is listed as a useful item, but protect it around the water. Leave glass objects, coolers, and your own alcoholic drinks behind. Smoking is not permitted, and party groups are not accepted.

The welcome mojito is part of the start of the trip, while draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water are available later. Coffee and other alcoholic drinks are excluded, so plan around that if you need coffee early in the day.

The itinerary can change because of weather. That is especially important for a sailing and swimming trip. Papagayo may be the planned anchorage, but sea conditions can affect the route or water activities.

Should you book the Papagayo cruise?

Book it if you want Papagayo beach time without arranging your own transport, and if lunch, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking all sound useful. The strongest points are the port pickup, the simple four-hour cruise schedule, and the amount included in the $95 price.

Skip it if you are not comfortable on boats, cannot swim, need wheelchair access, or want a quiet land excursion. For the right passenger, Lineas Romero offers an easy day with golden beaches, a casual Spanish lunch, and enough time at anchor to make the trip feel like more than a quick photo stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time, provide your ship name, and notify the operator about vegetarian or celiac dietary needs before you go.

FAQ

Where does the Papagayo cruise depart?

You are picked up at Marina Arrecife or Puerto de los Mármoles and transferred by coach to Puerto del Carmen, where you board the Lineas Romero catamaran.

How long does the coach transfer take?

The coach ride to Puerto del Carmen takes about 40 minutes. A return coach takes you back to the port after the cruise.

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The sailing includes about one hour from Puerto del Carmen to Costa de Papagayo, about two hours at the anchorage, and about one hour sailing back.

What food is included?

Lunch includes traditional Spanish paella, pasta with tomato sauce, and a fresh fruit bar.

What drinks are included?

You receive a welcome mojito, plus unlimited draft beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. Coffee and other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and kayaks are available during the Costa de Papagayo stop.

Can vegetarian or celiac diets be accommodated?

Yes, but you need to notify the operator in advance.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness?

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