Your internet guide to Arguineguin!

Taking a boat along Gran Canaria’s south coast changes the pace of the day. From Arguineguín you can reach nearby harbours by sea, step off for lunch or a swim, and return with the afternoon light on the water. The routes are short, the views keep shifting, and the sea breeze makes even a simple errand feel like a small trip.

Why go by boat

The coast road can be busy; the water is not. Boats link Arguineguín with neighbouring stops without the fuss of parking or roundabouts. On deck you get a wide view of cliffs, small coves and the zigzag of white houses. If you are prone to car sickness, a gentle crossing often feels kinder. For families, the ride itself is the day’s highlight.

Where boats depart in Arguineguín

Services use the town harbour. Arrive a little early and follow signs for the pier used by coastal boats. There is usually a small ticket kiosk or a staff member checking passes near boarding. If you like to sit up top, join the queue before the doors open; upper deck seats go first on calm days.

Main routes at a glance

*Frequencies change with season and time of day. Check the day’s timetable at the pier or online before you set off.

Buying tickets and simple savings

Tickets are sold at the dock, onboard, or through common booking apps. Return fares are often a little cheaper than two singles. Children, seniors and local cardholders may get discounts; ask when you buy. Most operators accept cards as well as cash. Keep the receipt or QR code handy for the return trip.

Best times to sail

Mornings are typically the calmest, with a soft breeze and clear views down the coast. Around midday the wind can lift a little, then ease again late in the afternoon. On market days and weekends, the lines before popular departures can stretch, so arrive earlier or pick the boat after the rush.

Seats and views

The upper deck gives an open horizon and the easiest photography. The lower deck suits those who prefer shade or get chilly in the wind. Sit on the starboard side (right when facing forward) for a closer look at the shoreline on southbound legs, then switch sides on the way back to keep the coast near you again.

What you’ll see along the way

The first minutes out of Arguineguín show the working side of the harbour: fishing boats, nets drying on the quay, gulls wheeling overhead. Soon the town slides behind low headlands and the coast becomes a string of small coves. Watch for dark lava outcrops cut by pale sand and steps down to tiny beaches. Approaching Patalavaca, the sea takes on a brighter blue and the buildings step up the hillside.

Near Anfi the lagoon opens in a broad curve. From the water you see how sheltered it is, with swirls of turquoise over white sand. Continue toward Puerto Rico and the cliffs grow higher, terraced with apartments that catch late sun. The marina announces itself with masts and the tap of rigging. If you carry on to Puerto de Mogán, the coastline folds into a deeper bay. The village pops into view with mellow colours, balconies and flowers tumbling over walls.

Combining routes with a day out

Morning swim at Anfi: Boat from Arguineguín, swim in the calm lagoon, take an easy lunch, and ride back before the afternoon breeze.

Harbour lunch in Puerto de Mogán: Sail down late morning, wander the canals, eat grilled fish under an awning, and return as the light softens.

Short hop to Puerto Rico: Visit the marina, pick up groceries, and be back at your door without searching for a parking space.

Families and accessibility

Boats used on this stretch tend to be step‑on from a stable gangway. Crew help with strollers and can show where to store them safely. Life jackets are onboard; ask if you want one for a child during the ride. Toilets may be available on longer routes, but not always on the shortest hops. If you need step‑free access, arrive early and ask staff about the best boarding point on that tide.

Sea conditions and motion comfort

On calm days the surface feels like a gentle lift and fall. When wind rises, the bow might slap and spray the first rows on the upper deck—fun for some, not for others. If you are sensitive to motion, sit toward the middle of the lower deck where movement is least. Ginger sweets help some people; looking at the horizon helps others. Boats do not sail in unsafe conditions, but schedules can shift if a front passes through.

Safety basics that make sense

Hold the rail when moving on deck. Keep bags under your seat so aisles stay clear. Children should sit or stand close to an adult at all times. If you plan to step off for photos as people board or disembark, give crew space to work and follow their signals. On sunny days, decks heat up—thin‑soled sandals can feel warm; a towel under bare feet solves it at once.

Tickets, changes and missed boats

Return tickets usually tie you to the same operator, not a specific time, so you can take any later sailing that day. If you miss the boat by a minute, staff often suggest the next departure and note where to wait. If you change plans and travel by bus one way, most unused returns are not refundable; read the small print when you buy.

Food, drinks and small comforts

Short routes pass quickly, but a bottle of water and a hat are never wasted. Some boats sell soft drinks on board; others do not. In Puerto de Mogán and Puerto Rico you’re steps from cafés when you arrive. If you carry snacks, keep wrappers from blowing overboard; the breeze can be trickier than it looks.

Photography tips

Wind and spray complicate cameras. Clean the lens before you shoot and shade it with your hand. Polarising filters cut glare if you bring a dedicated camera. On phones, tap to meter the highlights on the water so the sea stays blue rather than white. Keep a firm stance; the boat’s movement turns small wobbles into soft images if you lean too far.

Evening and sunset sailings

Later sailings are about light rather than logistics. The cliffs turn honey‑coloured, and the first lamps appear along the promenades. Bring a light layer—the breeze cools by a degree or two even after hot days. If you return in the blue hour, the towns feel different from the water, with reflections wavering under the harbour walls.

If the timetable shifts

Coastal services are reliable, but island life leaves room for weather, harbour work or events. If a departure is cancelled, staff usually point you to the next sailing or to a bus stop a short walk away. Keep a photo of the day’s timetable on your phone; it saves a return to the kiosk when you plan the home leg over coffee.

A simple checklist for the pier

• Arrive ten minutes early and choose your deck with the day’s wind in mind.
• Keep tickets or QR codes ready; return fares often save a few euros.
• Hat, sunglasses and a small bottle of water even on short hops.
• Camera or phone with a wrist strap if you like to shoot from the rail.
• For children: a light jumper for the ride back if the sun dips behind a hill.

Let the boat set the pace

From the first push off the pier, the town slides away and the coast opens like a map. A few minutes later a cove appears that you had not noticed from the road, and the air smells of salt and sunscreen. The engine eases, fenders thump against the quay, and you step onto a new harbour with nothing urgent to do. When you are ready, the next boat takes you home the same easy way.