Fuerteventura: Magic Select Catamaran Trip with Food & Drinks

The best part of this Fuerteventura boat trip is the mix of wildlife watching and easygoing fun. You sail from Morro Jable on the Magic Select, a large modern catamaran with a 150-square-meter sail, then search the open water for dolphins and whales before stopping for a swim near the island’s white-sand coves.

I like the roomy boat, which gives you a choice of sun or shade, and I like that lunch and drinks are included rather than treated as extras. The crew, with names such as Aaron, Juani, Oliver, Luis, Juan, Luca, and Hajid appearing across different trips, also puts real energy into the four hours. The main caution is simple: wildlife is never guaranteed, and one departure did not reach the promised coves.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphin and whale search: The captain changes course to look for marine life around Fuerteventura, with some trips seeing dolphins quickly and even a whale.
• Swim stop near the south coast: A planned pause may let you swim from the boat beside quiet white-sand coves, though conditions can affect the stop.
• Large, comfortable catamaran: The Magic Select carries up to 70 people and has space for both sunbathing and shade.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a straightforward chicken-and-rice-style meal, with drinks available throughout the cruise.
• Lively crew and music: The atmosphere can include dancing, jokes, and upbeat music, not just quiet sailing.
• Morro Jable departure: The cruise begins at 10:00 a.m., with optional pickup from selected points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía.

Sailing out of Morro Jable at 10:00 a.m.

Your morning begins at the port of Morro Jable, in the south of Fuerteventura. If you are making your own way there, arrive 30 minutes before departure. The meeting point is the Magic & Sailing location in the port, and the boat returns there after roughly four hours.

Pickup is available from resorts in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía, but not from every hotel entrance. Instead, the operator uses selected pickup points within about a five-minute walk of hotels in those areas. Your exact pickup time is sent after booking, usually within about 12 hours, so check your junk or spam folder if it does not appear.

I would choose pickup if you are staying nearby and do not have a car. It removes the need to find the port, but allow some patience for the transfer. At least one departure had late pickup and drop-off, so do not plan a tight connection afterward.

Once aboard, the Magic Select sets its large sail and heads away from Morro Jable. The boat is built for a social outing rather than a tiny, private sailing lesson. The maximum is 70 people, though one account described about 50 passengers, and the broad deck helps spread everyone out.

A spacious boat with room for sun and shade

The catamaran is one of the stronger parts of the experience. You can sunbathe, sit in a shaded area, or move around to follow the views and wildlife search. Several accounts describe the boat as large and spacious, with enough room to avoid feeling packed in.

That matters on a four-hour cruise. On a small boat, the same length of time can feel cramped, especially when everyone moves to one side for a dolphin sighting. The Magic Select gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable place, although a maximum capacity of 70 still means this is a shared excursion, not an intimate sailing trip.

The boat also sails, which adds a pleasant sense of movement without making the outing solely about engine noise. One account found the crossing comfortable, with little rocking. Still, the sea can change, and seasickness remains possible. The crew has helped an unwell passenger before, but you should bring any usual motion-sickness remedy if you need one.

Bring sunscreen. There is little point in spending four hours on the water and discovering afterward that the Canarian sun won the contest. A hat and light cover-up should also be useful, while swimwear and a towel make sense if the water stop goes ahead.

Searching for dolphins and whales near Fuerteventura

After leaving port, the captain begins looking for the dolphins and whales that live around the Canary Islands. This is not a guaranteed wildlife safari. The boat may find animals within the first hour, or you may see only distant movement, or nothing at all.

The strongest sightings can be memorable. Some outings have seen dolphins within about 45 minutes, with the animals swimming beside the catamaran for a good stretch of time. One especially fortunate trip also saw a whale. Other departures reported three dolphins or a few animals at a considerable distance, while another saw no dolphins or whales.

That range is important when you decide how to value the trip. Book it because you want a pleasant half-day on the Atlantic, with a reasonable chance of seeing wildlife. Do not book it as if a close dolphin encounter is promised. The captain’s skill and attention help, but the animals set the schedule.

The crew appears to take the search seriously. Captains such as Aaron have been praised for continuing to look and approaching dolphins gently. That approach matters. Responsible wildlife watching should leave the animals room to move, and a distant sighting can still be worthwhile without turning into a chase.

Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise staring at a screen. Dolphins can appear suddenly, and the best moments may be the quick ones that happen between photos. If you do see them, the boat may slow or adjust its course so you can watch from different parts of the deck.

The south coast swim stop

Once the wildlife search is finished, the captain changes course toward small, quiet coves along southern Fuerteventura. The plan is to stop so you can take a refreshing swim from the boat. The clear water and white sand make this a natural break after time spent scanning the sea.

The swim stop gives the outing a useful change of pace. You are not sitting in the same position for four hours, and you get to experience the coast from offshore rather than simply looking at it from the deck. One departure stopped in a calm area where people could swim and see fish.

But do not treat the cove stop as an absolute promise. One sharply negative account said the boat went out to sea without visiting any of the coves described. Weather, sea conditions, wildlife timing, or operational decisions may affect the route. If swimming beside a particular beach is the main reason you are booking, this uncertainty deserves attention.

You should also be comfortable with entering the sea from the boat rather than walking onto a beach. The supplied details describe a stop for swimming, not a beach landing. If you prefer a shore-based beach day, this is not the right substitute.

Chicken, rice, drinks, music, and dancing

Lunch is included, and the food is straightforward rather than fancy. Descriptions include chicken with rice, chicken paella, or chicken and rice with stew. That is the kind of filling meal that works well after swimming, not a formal restaurant lunch.

Food quality can vary with expectations. Many accounts found it good or delicious, while one strongly negative account disliked both the food and the wine. I would think of lunch as a welcome included meal, not a reason to compare the cruise with a top restaurant.

Drinks are available throughout the trip. Cold white wine receives repeated praise, and the package includes a broad selection of drinks rather than making you buy each one separately. One complaint described the wine as poor, so the quality may not suit every palate, but the convenience is a real part of the value.

The mood is often lively. Music, dancing, jokes, and crew-led entertainment can turn the return crossing into a small party at sea. Crew members such as Juani, Luis, Juan, Luca, Hajid, Oliver, and Aaron have been singled out for keeping the atmosphere warm and helping people feel looked after.

That energy will suit you if you want more than quiet sailing. Families, couples, and groups can all fit the format, but this is not a silent nature cruise. Music and dancing are part of the appeal, so anyone seeking a calm, private escape should know what they are signing up for.

The crew’s friendliness is among the most consistent strengths. They serve drinks, keep an eye on passengers, encourage participation, and have helped people who felt unwell. Tips should be voluntary, of course. One unhappy account felt pressured to tip at the end, so keep your own view of service and do not feel obliged to pay beyond the advertised price.

Is $93.12 a fair price?

At $93.12 per person, the value depends on what you count as the main attraction. You are paying for about four hours aboard a large catamaran, a wildlife search, a possible swim stop, lunch, drinks, entertainment, and possibly hotel-area transport.

That is a reasonable package if you use most of it. A dolphin sighting can make the day feel special, but the price should still make sense if nature does not cooperate. The boat, meal, drinks, and time on the water are the reliable parts. Whales, close dolphin encounters, and a perfect cove stop are bonuses.

Compared with arranging separate transport, a boat trip, lunch, and drinks, the all-in structure is convenient. It also avoids the common annoyance of discovering that refreshments cost extra once you are offshore. On the other hand, if you do not drink, dislike music, or have no interest in swimming, part of the package may be less useful to you.

The high overall rating and 91 percent recommendation suggest that the experience works well for most bookings, but the one-star experience is worth taking seriously. The main risks are not hidden fees or a complicated schedule. They are the unpredictable wildlife, possible changes to the route, and a food-and-wine package that may not impress everyone.

Who will enjoy the Magic Select most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want an easy, social day on the sea without having to plan each detail. It is especially suitable for families, couples, and friends who like a mix of scenery, swimming, food, and music.

It also suits a first-time visitor who wants to see Fuerteventura from another angle. The island is known for its long beaches and protected natural setting, but the coast looks different from offshore. The catamaran lets you trade roads and resort areas for open water, pale coves, and a chance to spot marine life.

You may want another kind of outing if you need a guaranteed beach visit, a quiet sailing lesson, or a small private boat. The group can reach up to 70 people, and the entertainment may be more active than you expect.

The cruise is also a good choice for someone who wants a flexible half-day rather than a full-day expedition. You return to Morro Jable after around four hours, leaving time for another activity, though late transport could affect tight plans.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring a towel, and use sunscreen before you board. Keep a light layer handy because conditions on the water can feel different from those at the resort.

If you are not using pickup, arrive at the Morro Jable port 30 minutes early. If you are using pickup, watch for the confirmation message with your meeting time and check spam or junk mail.

The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, the port is near public transportation, and most people can take part. The boat has a maximum of 70 passengers, so expect a shared setting rather than a private charter.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can also cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this Fuerteventura catamaran trip?

I would book it if your ideal day combines dolphin watching, swimming, included drinks, and a cheerful crew. The Magic Select offers a comfortable platform, a good amount of deck space, and enough variety to keep four hours from feeling repetitive.

Go in with the right promise to yourself: you are booking time at sea, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter or fixed beach visit. If dolphins appear beside the boat and a whale follows, you have had a remarkable bonus. If the sea stays empty, the meal, music, views, and swim stop need to carry the day.

For most people staying near Morro Jable, Costa Calma, Esquinzo, or Jandía, this is a practical and enjoyable way to add a sea outing to a Fuerteventura holiday. Choose it for the full package, pack sunscreen, and leave room for nature to make the final decision.

FAQ

Where does the Magic Select catamaran trip start?

The trip starts at the Fuerteventura boat trips, Magic & Sailing location in the port of Morro Jable, Las Palmas, Spain. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the catamaran leave?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m. If you are going directly to the port, arrive 30 minutes before the boat trip begins.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from selected points serving the resorts of Costa Calma, Esquinzo, and Jandía. Pickup is not available from every hotel, and the chosen points are within about a five-minute walk of hotels in those areas.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch and a selection of drinks are included. The meal is described as chicken with rice, chicken paella, or a similar chicken-and-rice dish.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings depend on nature and sea conditions. Some trips see dolphins and even whales, while others see no dolphins or whales.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted or refunded. If bad weather or insufficient participation cancels the trip, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.