Puerto del Carmen: Private Sunset Catamaran Tour with Drinks

Lanzarote’s best sunset is the main event here: you sail south from Puerto del Carmen as the sun drops behind Los Ajaches, drink in hand, with the island’s coast sliding past. The private catamaran gives your group room to spread out, and a two-hour trip keeps the evening easy rather than overlong.

I like the generous drinks and snack spread, which includes champagne, sangria, beer, soft drinks, cheese, ham, Canarian potatoes, and filled croissants. I also like the chance to swim and watch fish gather near the boat, a welcome bit of action before the quiet sunset.

The main thing to check is the transfer arrangement. The activity information says pickup is included, while the inclusions also say hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so confirm this point when booking. Sea conditions can also cancel the trip, and the boat is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points at a glance

• Sunset behind Los Ajaches: The catamaran is timed to watch the sun disappear behind Lanzarote’s southern mountains.
• Private boat for up to 12: You get the boat experience without sharing it with a large public group.
• Food and drink included: Champagne, sangria, beer, water, soft drinks, cheese, ham, Canarian potatoes, and filled croissants are served.
• Swimming may be part of the evening: The boat can stop for a swim, so pack a towel and swimwear.
• A scenic southern route: You pass Puerto Calero, Playa Quemada, and Punta Gorda from the water.
• Flexible booking terms: Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Why this sunset cruise works so well

A sunset boat trip can be either a lovely, calm evening or two hours of staring at the same view while wondering when the snacks arrive. This one is designed to keep both parts in balance. You cruise along Lanzarote’s southern coast, have something to eat and drink, and may stop for a swim before returning in time for sunset.

The setting does much of the work. Lanzarote is not a soft, green island. Its coast has dark volcanic tones, dry hills, and sharp contrasts between land and sea. From a catamaran, you see the island from a lower, quieter viewpoint. Puerto del Carmen’s waterfront gives way to the coast around Puerto Calero, Playa Quemada, and Punta Gorda, with the Los Ajaches range providing the sunset backdrop.

I especially like the private format. The boat holds up to 12 people, so this suits a family group, a birthday gathering, or friends who want a polished evening without strangers sitting beside them. At $566 per group, the value depends on your numbers. For 12 people, it works out to about $47 per person before any transfer cost. For four people, it is a much bigger spend, but you are paying for privacy, the boat, drinks, food, and dedicated attention rather than a simple seat on a shared cruise.

Leaving Puerto del Carmen for the southern coast

The trip starts from Puerto del Carmen, one of Lanzarote’s main resort areas. The route heads toward Puerto Calero, then continues past Playa Quemada and Punta Gorda. You do not need to treat these places as shore excursions. The point is the changing view from the water, with the catamaran giving you a moving seat for the coast.

Puerto Calero adds a smart marina setting early in the trip. After that, the mood becomes more open as the boat passes the coast near Playa Quemada. Punta Gorda continues the run toward the southern end of the route, where the light becomes the real attraction.

The boat’s size matters here. A catamaran tends to offer more open space than a small motorboat, and you can choose between sitting back with a drink, looking out across the water, or moving around for a better view. I would not expect a full sightseeing lecture at every point, but the captains can share information about the island, sailing, fish, and nearby islands. The tour is available in English, Spanish, and German.

Food, champagne, and a very practical drinks menu

The catering is simple but well judged for a two-hour outing. You can expect cheese, ham, Canarian potatoes, and filled croissants, along with water, soft drinks, sangria, beer, and champagne. That is more useful than a single glass of bubbly, especially if your group has different tastes.

Canarian potatoes are a particularly nice touch. They are a local staple and make the food feel connected to Lanzarote rather than like generic boat catering. The cheese and ham are easy to share, while croissants give you something more substantial if you are coming straight from an afternoon of sightseeing.

The drink selection also helps the group settle into the evening. Someone can choose champagne for the sunset, another person can have beer or sangria, and anyone avoiding alcohol has water or soft drinks. Drinks not listed are not included, though you can ask about them.

Food service is part of the social rhythm. You can eat while cruising, then put the plates aside when the sunset begins. The captains have been praised for checking when people want food or drinks while also giving the group space. That balance is important on a private trip. Too much attention can feel forced, while too little makes the boat feel neglected.

The swimming stop and fish near the boat

The evening is not only about sitting still. The boat may stop so you can jump into the sea for a swim. If you plan to take part, bring swimwear and a towel, as well as warm clothing for the ride back.

The swimming stop is weather and sea dependent, so treat it as a possibility rather than a guarantee. That is the right approach for any boat trip. The sunset and coastal cruise are the core experience, while swimming is a bonus.

A memorable detail is the chance to throw food into the water and watch fish gather near the boat. This gives the stop a small burst of action, especially for children and anyone who likes seeing marine life close to the surface. It is not presented as a formal wildlife tour, so do not book this expecting a specialist animal encounter. Think of it as a pleasant extra during the break.

The water can feel cooler once the sun starts to fall. I would pack a towel and dry clothes, then keep a warm layer within reach. The activity specifically recommends warm clothing, swimwear, and a towel, and all three make sense here.

Timing the sunset behind Los Ajaches

The cruise is two hours, and the timing is built around the sun dropping behind Los Ajaches. The captain needs to manage the route carefully: leave Puerto del Carmen, give you time along the coast, allow for food and perhaps swimming, then return or position the boat so the sunset arrives at the right moment.

This is where the trip feels more carefully planned than a simple evening sail. You are not just watching the sun from the marina. You see it lower behind Lanzarote’s southern mountain range, with the sea in front of you and a glass of champagne in your hand.

The best part of the sunset is likely to be the gradual change rather than one dramatic instant. The island’s dry slopes catch the evening light, and the coast becomes quieter as the sun drops. Music may be played onboard, which adds a relaxed party feel, though it may not suit someone looking for complete silence.

Bring a warm top even if the afternoon is hot. A boat ride can feel cooler as the light fades, and you will enjoy the last part more if you are comfortable. Since the trip operates rain or shine, clothing matters on less-than-perfect days. The operator can cancel if sea conditions are unsafe, which is a sensible exception.

The crew and the feel of a private evening

Good crew service can make or break a short boat trip. The captains are described as friendly, professional, and attentive without hovering. Nico and Alejandro are specifically praised for being welcoming, answering questions, and going the extra mile.

You may hear about sailing, fish, the island, and nearby islands during the cruise. That gives the trip some local context without turning it into a formal lecture. I like this kind of informal explanation because you can ask what interests you and then return to your conversation.

The private format also changes the tone. A birthday group can make a toast without worrying about a crowded deck. Friends can play music, eat together, and enjoy the sunset at their own pace. Families get space to manage children, swimwear, and snacks without feeling watched by a full boat of strangers.

There is still a practical limit. A private catamaran is not the same as having a silent boat reserved for two people. With up to 12 in the group, the atmosphere depends on who you bring. The boat gives you privacy from other booking groups, but your own party will shape the noise level and mood.

Hotel transfers and the details to confirm

Pickup information needs a careful check before you pay. The activity details say pickup is included and ask you to wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Drivers wait no longer than five minutes after that pickup time.

At the same time, the inclusions state that hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Because these details conflict, confirm the exact transfer arrangement with H2O Sports Lanzarote before booking. Ask specifically if your hotel in Puerto del Carmen is covered, where the meeting point is, and if a return transfer is included.

If pickup is confirmed, it removes one of the evening’s small hassles. You do not have to arrange a taxi after drinks, and nobody in the group needs to drive. If it is not included, add that cost to your budget and allow time to reach the departure point.

This is also a good trip for someone who dislikes rushed schedules. The tour lasts two hours, the departure time depends on availability, and the whole evening is focused on one coastal route. It is not a full-day outing with several stops to manage.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would choose this for a group that wants a special evening rather than a long sightseeing tour. It fits:

• A birthday or anniversary group
• Families and friends sharing the cost
• Couples who prefer a private boat to a busy cruise
• People who want drinks and snacks handled onboard
• Anyone who would enjoy a swim before sunset
• Visitors looking for a gentle introduction to Lanzarote from the sea

The experience is less suited to someone who wants a full marine tour, a long sailing lesson, or a low-cost solo activity. The private price can be hard to justify for one or two people unless privacy is your main priority.

It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The boat, boarding process, and swimming stop may require movement that is not easy for everyone. Ask about your specific needs before booking rather than assuming the catamaran can accommodate them.

Is $566 good value for your group?

The headline price is $566 for up to 12 people. That makes the arithmetic fairly clear. A full group pays roughly $47 each, which is reasonable for a private two-hour catamaran with a captain, food, several drink choices, and a sunset route.

Smaller groups need to think harder. At six people, the cost is about $94 each. At four, it is about $142 each. Those figures do not include any drinks outside the listed selection, and the transfer arrangement needs confirmation.

The value improves if you would otherwise book separate transport, drinks, and a sunset meal. You are paying for the private setting and the fact that the evening is already organized. The value drops if you mainly want a quick sunset photo or do not care about having the boat to yourselves.

For a celebration, the price is easier to defend. The birthday group mentioned a hotel pickup, generous nibbles, ample drinks, and a well-timed sunset. Those are exactly the details that turn a two-hour cruise into the main event of an evening.

Booking, cancellation, and weather planning

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Lanzarote plans are still moving around.

The tour runs rain or shine, but poor sea conditions can lead to cancellation. That means you should keep a little flexibility in your schedule and avoid placing an important dinner reservation immediately afterward. If the sea is rough, the operator may need to cancel for safety.

Check the available starting times before booking, since the departure is linked to the sunset and availability. Arrive at the stated pickup point 10 minutes early if a transfer is confirmed. Bring warm clothing even on a hot day, plus swimwear and a towel if you want the chance to swim.

Should you book it?

Book this private sunset catamaran if you have a group of at least six people and want a relaxed celebration with good drinks, local snacks, a possible swim, and a strong sunset setting. The private boat, attentive captains, and route past Puerto Calero, Playa Quemada, and Punta Gorda give the evening more substance than a quick harbor ride.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, watching every euro, or need full accessibility. Before paying, confirm the hotel transfer details, then bring a warm layer and let the crew handle the timing. For the right group, watching the sun slip behind Los Ajaches with champagne in hand is a fine way to spend two hours in Lanzarote.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

Where does the catamaran trip depart from?

The experience departs from Puerto del Carmen and travels along Lanzarote’s southern coast.

Which places can I see from the boat?

The route passes Puerto Calero, Playa Quemada, and Punta Gorda before the sunset view near Los Ajaches.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are water, soft drinks, sangria, beer, and champagne. Other drinks are not included, but you can ask about them.

What food is served onboard?

Light snacks include cheese, ham, Canarian potatoes, and filled croissants.

Can I swim during the cruise?

A swimming stop may be offered, depending on the conditions and timing. Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to take part.

Is hotel pickup included?

The activity information gives conflicting details about hotel transfers. It says pickup is included in one section but also says hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so confirm the arrangement before booking.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English, Spanish, and German.