Fuerteventura: Small-Group Magic Deluxe Catamaran Cruise

The best part of this four-hour catamaran cruise is the mix of easy sailing, open sea views, and time in the water near Jandía. You glide close to Fuerteventura’s southern coast, passing broad beaches and dark volcanic rock from a comfortable Lagoon 450S.

I like the small group of roughly 12 people, which gives you room to move around rather than fighting for deck space. I also like the open bar and proper meal, a welcome step above the usual packet-lunch boat trip. The main catch is that wildlife sightings are never promised, and one recent sailing stayed in the same area without dolphins.

Key points at a glance

• A 15-meter Lagoon 450S: The Magic Deluxe has broad decks, three cabins, three bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, and lounge.
• A genuine small-group feel: The boat usually carries around 12 people, though shared transport to the port can involve a larger group before passengers are divided between boats.
• Swimming near Jandía: You get time to jump into the Atlantic, relax on board, and enjoy the water close to the natural park.
• A full food and drinks package: Expect sparkling wine, white and rosé wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and a chef-prepared Mediterranean meal.
• Wildlife is possible: Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, and even stingrays have been spotted, but nature sets the schedule.
• Best for a relaxed half-day: Couples, families, and anyone wanting comfort, food, and scenery without a crowded party boat will find the format appealing.

Leaving Morro Jable on the Magic Deluxe

Your day begins at Morro Jable port, where you should arrive 30 minutes before departure if you are meeting the boat yourself. Look for the Magic Deluxe at the port using the supplied map location. If you select transport, pickup is available from designated points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable.

The pickup system deserves a little attention. Transport is not available from every hotel, but the selected meeting points are intended to be within a five-minute walk of the resorts’ hotels. Your pickup time arrives after booking, so check your email and spam folder.

One useful detail: a large coach may collect passengers for several excursions or boats. That can briefly make the trip look less exclusive than advertised. At the port, passengers are split into smaller groups, and the Magic Deluxe itself generally feels much more intimate.

Once on board, the boat gives you several ways to settle in. You can sit in the lounge or dining area, stretch out on deck, or find a place with a clear view ahead. The three bathrooms and three cabins are practical touches on a four-hour outing, especially when compared with smaller day boats that offer little shelter or privacy.

The crew can assist in English, Spanish, and German. Names reported on different departures include Alex, Karolina, Eloy, Cristina, Andrés, Fred, Laura, Miguel, Luis, Itziar, Vincent, and others. The crew changes, of course, but the pattern is clear: service is a major part of the experience, with staff topping up drinks, explaining the route, and helping celebrate occasions such as birthdays.

Sailing beside Fuerteventura’s volcanic south coast

The route follows the southern coastline, often just a few meters offshore. That close view matters. From the water, Fuerteventura’s beaches look broad and unbroken, while the volcanic formations show a rougher side of the island that you do not get from a resort terrace.

The catamaran’s twin hulls give you a stable platform for taking in the scenery, though stability is not the same as immunity from seasickness. One person specifically advised taking travel-sickness medication before departure if you know you are prone to it. That is sensible advice for any open-water trip.

The sailing itself is not a high-speed thrill ride. It is a relaxed coastal cruise, with time to sit, talk, listen to music, and watch the shoreline pass. Some departures have included lively music and friendly banter from the crew. Others have felt especially peaceful, with passengers free to move around the boat.

This is where the small capacity pays off. You can shift from the front nets to the side deck or seating area without feeling that you are intruding on a packed crowd. The boat is modern, clean, and large enough to spread out, yet small enough for the crew to keep an eye on everyone.

Wildlife watching in open water

Keep your eyes open during the sailing. Dolphins and pilot whales have been seen swimming alongside the boat, sometimes in groups of 10 to 20. Some sightings have included dolphins beneath the forward nets, whales breaching nearby, turtles, flying fish, and a stingray photographed from the boat.

That is an impressive range of marine life, but it is important to set your expectations correctly. This is not a guaranteed wildlife safari. One four-star account described a pleasant cruise with swimming and sunbathing but no dolphins, while other departures had several species in one outing.

The crew may receive word from another boat about animals in the area. On one sailing, that helped the catamaran reach a pod of dolphins. Still, the ocean decides what appears and when. If dolphins are the only reason you are booking, you are taking a gamble. If you see them, consider it a superb bonus to a day that already includes sailing, lunch, and swimming.

Bring patience and keep looking in different directions. The open water stretches well beyond the bow, while animals can appear briefly and disappear just as fast. A phone or camera with a zoom lens may help, but do not spend the whole trip staring at a screen.

Swimming near Jandía

The boat heads toward the waters near Jandía and the natural park, where you get the chance to swim in the Atlantic. This is the most active part of the outing, but you can also stay on board and sunbathe if swimming is not your thing.

The appeal is simple: after sailing under the Fuerteventura sun, a sea swim feels refreshing. The catamaran gives you a comfortable base for getting dry, grabbing a drink, and returning to the water if conditions allow.

The exact character of the swimming stop can vary. The supplied schedule places it near Jandía, but it does not promise a particular lagoon, cove, or beach. One person hoped for a prettier lagoon-style swimming spot and felt the boat remained in the same area for too long. That is the clearest limitation in the route.

So, book this for a pleasant Atlantic swim with views, not for a carefully staged hidden cove. You may find the stop wonderfully calm, or you may wish there were more movement along the coast. The outing’s strength is comfort and atmosphere rather than a long list of separate stops.

A chef-prepared lunch, with a few caveats

Food is one of the main reasons this trip feels different from a basic sailing excursion. The planned meal begins with Mediterranean couscous, roasted vegetables, and tzatziki. The main course is roast beef loin with aromatic herbs, mushroom sauce, and confit potatoes.

Several departures received strong praise for the food, with one person calling the steak and sauce excellent even though it was prepared on board. Vegetarian and vegan needs have also been accommodated on some trips, and a vegetarian option was specifically appreciated.

Still, the meal is not perfect every time. One account described the beef as overcooked, the portion as limited, and the lack of bread, salad, or dessert as a letdown. Another meal was served around 5:30 p.m., which felt late for lunch. Timing can depend on the departure and route, so you may want a light snack beforehand if you are booking a later sailing.

The menu is best viewed as a proper included meal, not a restaurant tasting menu. You get something warm and substantial, served in a setting that makes it more memorable than the same food on land. If you have dietary requirements, tell the operator when booking rather than waiting until you board.

The open bar and the relaxed mood

The included drinks are a real value point. The open bar includes Prosecco or sparkling wine, white and rosé wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Some departures have also offered honey rum shots, which added a distinctly holiday-like touch.

You do not need to keep calculating the cost of each drink, and the crew can keep the service flowing while you enjoy the coast. That matters because drinks on a four-hour boat trip can otherwise push the final price well above the advertised fare.

The tone is generally sociable but not described as a party cruise. Music, jokes, and friendly conversation feature in the stronger accounts, yet the small capacity still allows for quiet time. Couples can treat it as a romantic half-day on the sea, while families and older passengers can enjoy the views without needing to take part in anything strenuous.

Birthday trips work particularly well here. Crew members have helped mark special occasions, and the setting gives you a natural celebration without needing a formal event package.

Is $117 a fair price?

At $117 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Fuerteventura. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: four hours on a modern 15-meter catamaran, an open bar, a chef-prepared meal, a swimming stop, and optional resort pickup.

A basic boat ride may charge less but often gives you less space, a larger crowd, or no proper meal. The Magic Deluxe is aimed at people who want the day to feel comfortable from start to finish. You are paying for the boat, the limited capacity, the food, the drinks, and the crew’s attention.

The strongest value comes when you use the whole package. If you only want a quick view of the coast, this may feel expensive. If you plan to enjoy several drinks, eat on board, swim, and spend time moving around the decks, the price is easier to justify.

I would also compare the cost of transport. Pickup is optional, and meeting at Morro Jable port may suit you if you are already nearby. If you are staying in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, or Jandía, the included transfer option can remove the need to arrange your own ride, but confirm the assigned pickup point.

Who should book this sailing?

I would choose this cruise for:

• Couples seeking a calm, scenic half-day away from the resort.
• Families who want swimming, food, and a boat with bathrooms.
• First-time visitors looking for a broad taste of Fuerteventura’s southern coast.
• Anyone who values a small group and attentive service.
• People who like wildlife watching but do not need a guaranteed sighting.
• Birthday groups wanting a relaxed celebration with drinks and sea views.

I would think twice if you need a packed sightseeing route with many stops. The boat may spend much of the trip in one coastal area, and the swimming location is not described as a dramatic lagoon. You should also reconsider if you are very sensitive to motion or if a specific meal standard matters more to you than the setting.

The experience is also less suited to anyone expecting a private charter. It is a small-group trip, not a boat reserved only for you and your party.

Practical details before you book

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a layer for the ride back. The boat has open decks, so conditions can feel different once you leave the shelter of the port.

Arrive at Morro Jable port 30 minutes before departure if you are not using pickup. If you are using transport, wait for the confirmed time and meeting point rather than assuming the vehicle will stop at your hotel.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Fuerteventura plans are still shifting, but you should still confirm the starting time when booking because several departure times may be available.

The experience lasts four hours. That is long enough for a proper outing without taking over the entire day, though the route and meal timing can make the afternoon feel different from one departure to another.

Should you book the Magic Deluxe?

Yes, if you want a comfortable, food-and-drink sailing trip rather than the cheapest possible boat ride. The small group, modern catamaran, swimming near Jandía, and consistently warm crew service are the strongest reasons to choose it. The chance of dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, or flying fish adds real excitement, but should remain an extra rather than your only goal.

Before booking, accept two trade-offs: the meal can be uneven, and the boat may not visit several different swimming spots. For most people, the combination of open bar, coastal views, a generous four-hour format, and room to relax makes $117 a reasonable holiday splurge.

FAQ

Where does the Magic Deluxe catamaran cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Morro Jable port. If you are not using pickup, meet the Magic Deluxe there 30 minutes before the trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available as an option from designated points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Jandía, and Morro Jable. Pickup is not available from every hotel, and the assigned meeting points are intended to be within a five-minute walk of the resorts’ hotels.

How long does the cruise last?

The catamaran cruise lasts four hours.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes Prosecco, white and rosé wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.

What food is served?

The planned menu includes Mediterranean couscous with roasted vegetables and tzatziki, followed by roast beef loin with aromatic herbs, mushroom sauce, and confit potatoes. Vegetarian and vegan options have been provided on some departures.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.