boat trips gran canaria - featured image

Boat Rental Gran Canaria: Explore the Island at Your Own Pace

Geschreven door: Cristiano Cianfa

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Tijd om te lezen 6 min

Gran Canaria is a land of contrasts, volcanic cliffs, golden beaches, and endless sunshine. But to truly appreciate its beauty, nothing compares to discovering it from the sea. 


With a  boat rental in Gran Canaria, you can enjoy complete freedom, access hidden gems along the coastline, and create unforgettable moments for luxury, exclusivity, relaxation, adventure, a romantic experience, or a combination.

Why Choose Boat Rental in Gran Canaria?

A boat hire isn’t just a fun excursion; it's the most exclusive way to explore the island by the coast.

  • A Unique Perspective of Gran Canaria: from the water, you’ll witness breathtaking cliffs, secluded coves, picturesque harbours, beaches and places that are simply inaccessible by land.
  • Freedom and Flexibility: With a boat hire in Gran Canaria, you set the pace. Establish your itinerary with the Captain, stop where you like, and enjoy the day on your terms—no crowds, no rush.
  • A Boat for Every Style:  Whether you're a couple, a family, or a group of friends, there’s a perfect vessel waiting:
    • Luxury yachts for premium private experiences
    • Exclusive catamarans for group outings with comfort
    • Sailing boats for a peaceful, breezy cruise

👉  Explore all boat rental options in Gran Canaria

Top Destinations to Discover by Boat

Gran Canaria’s coastline hides some of its best treasures, and many are only reachable by sea:

  • Puerto de Mogán:  A charming seaside town known as “Little Venice”, ideal for a lunch stop or romantic stroll (click here to discover all the secrets of this lovely Canarian harbour)
  • Anfi del Mar:  a stunning man-made beach with turquoise waters and white sand, great for swimming and snorkelling.
  • Arguineguín & Patalavaca:  Quieter areas for a relaxing swim and, often, dolphin spotting.
  • Güi Güi Beach:  A wild, remote beach surrounded by cliffs, perfect for those seeking total escape.
boat rental gran canaria, view of puerto de mogan
Puerto de Mogán
boat rental gran canaria, view of anfi del mar
Anfi del Mar
boat rental gran canaria, view od the port of Arguineguin
Port of Arguineguin

Types of Boat Rentals and Experiences

boat rental gran canaria: sunset on a catamaran
boat rental gran canaria, spotting dolphins
boat rental gran canaria, lovers looking at the ocean
boat rental gran canaria, private celebration on the yacht
boat rental gran canaria, sunbathing on the deck
boat rental gran canaria, looking at the horizon
boat rental gran canaria, people having good moments on a yacht

With  boat rental in Gran Canaria, you’re not limited to a single type of trip, there’s something for everyone.

Rental Durations

  • Half-day (3-4 hours): the most popular formula for boat rental in Gran Canaria.
  • Full-day (7-8 hours): for exploring multiple stops or relaxing at your leisure.
  • Tailored packages: perfect option for events, parties, celebrations or themed experiences.

Experiences Available

  • Private Charters: fully customizable and exclusive.
  • Dolphin Watching Tours: spot wild dolphins and whales in their natural habitat.
  • Sunset Cruisesa romantic escape with stunning Atlantic views
  • Shared Formula: an excellent option for couples and anyone who wants to try a luxury boat experience, keeping to a limited budget, while still ensuring the exclusivity of a tiny group of passengers (max twelve).

👉  Discover all boat hire experiences in Gran Canaria

What to Expect When Renting a Boat

Planning your boat trip is easy; here’s what you need to know:

Documents & Licenses

  • All boat rentals on our site include a skipper, so no license is needed.
  • For self-drive boats, a valid boating license and ID may be required.

Safety & Equipment

  • All boats are equipped with safety gear and life jackets
  • A safety briefing is always provided before departure

Costs & Extras

  • Prices depend on the boat type, duration, and season
  • Possible additional costs: fuel, catering, special extras

💡  Average prices start at €75 per person  for shared trips, and around  €370 for private rentals.

Tips for an Unforgettable Boat Trip

Make your day at sea smooth and memorable with a few smart tips:

  • Best Time to Go: April to October offers ideal weather and calm seas

  • What to Pack: Sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, and plenty of water

Checking the Weather

boat rental gran canaria, screenshot of good forecast conditions
boat rental gran canaria, screenshot of bad forecast conditions

Although Gran Canaria enjoys ideal boating conditions most of the year, with northeast trade winds making the south coast calm and perfect for sailing on over 90% of days, it’s still a good idea to understand how the island’s weather works before heading out.

To optimize your search, consider that:

  • 90% of boat tours like those discussed occur south of the island.
  • There are 18 different microclimates on the island of Gran Canaria.

So make sure you check the weather for the correct area of the island where the trip occurs and not where you are. Furthermore:

  • Apart from sunny days, which provide a fantastic experience, the best weather conditions are days with little wind and winds from the north quadrants (see images above), allowing the island to function as a protective shield for the cruise area. 

The application we at Discovergrancanaria.netuse to advise our customers is called Windy.

Suggested Itineraries

  • Romantic : Sunset cruise + dinner at Puerto de Mogán
  • Family Fun : Dolphin watching and water sports activities: All boat rentals include snorkelling gear and a water sports discount; indeed, according to the operator, they can also include banana boat rides, stand-up paddle boards, floating platforms, and more. Check all options here!
  • Adventure : 4-hour luxury boat cruise on a 17 mt yacht with the best water sport options in Gran Canaria: apart from the included snorkelling gear and stand-up paddleboard, you can add e-surf, multi-board, sea bob and sea scooter to your experience. 

How to Choose a Private Boat with Dolphin Watching Included

Suppose you want to combine the pleasure of a cruise on a private boat for rent in Gran Canaria with the experience of watching dolphins and whales. In that case, you must evaluate carefully because not all boats have the qualifications.

In fact, you must know that, excluding infrequent exceptions of sightings near the coast, cetaceans live and act in a specific area about 2-3 nautical miles from the coast. 


Boats that can reach this limit have an additional permit or license called Blue boat, and you can recognise them because they display the sticker above.


DiscoverGranCanaria offers its customers only these boats, while those that do not have it are offered to customers interested in coastal cruises.

Respecting Gran Canaria's Marine Life

At Discover Gran Canaria, we are committed to ethical and sustainable tourism .

  • Do not disturb marine wildlife — especially dolphins and whales

  • Avoid littering — respect the ocean and keep it clean

  • Use eco-friendly services — we work with responsible, certified operators

🌊 Choosing a boat rental with us means enjoying the sea while helping to protect it.

Ready to Book Your Boat Rental in Gran Canaria?

Whether you're dreaming of a peaceful sunset cruise , a fun day with friends, or a full-on private charter , your perfect boat trip awaits.

👉  Book your boat rental in Gran Canaria now 
📞 Prefer to talk first? Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll help you find the ideal experience.

No matter what you're looking for, your perfect boat hire in Gran Canaria starts here.

Do I need a license to rent a boat in Gran Canaria?

Most rentals include a professional skipper, so no license is needed. If you prefer a self-drive option, you’ll need a valid boating license and ID.

Can I really see dolphins during the trip?

Yes! Dolphin sightings are very common off the south coast. Many of our tours have a high success rate , especially in the morning hours. Be sure to choose the right boat (check the section above in this article named "How to Choose a Private Boat with Dolphin Watching Included"

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes, absolutely!

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my booking?

In case of poor weather, each operator will assess the situation and decide whether the trip can proceed safely. According to refund policies, if the tour is cancelled by the provider, you will be offered either a new date or a full refund guaranteed.

picture of cristiano and his family

The Author: Cristiano Cianfa - Founder of Discover Gran Canaria

Hi, I'm Cristiano, for my friends Cris 😜

I live in Gran Canaria with my wife Ilaria and our hairy daughter Emma, and I share information, advice and tips to explore it to the fullest!

I founded DiscoverGranCanaria with one goal: to make every visitor's experience truly memorable:  Explore. Discover. Experience.
With DiscoverGranCanaria , your next adventure starts here!